Will 32GB be Enough?

[Richard8655]

I’ve found accessing almost everything on iCloud via WiFi very smooth. 32gb was almost too much for my needs. But I understand if you’re on the road with limited or expensive 4g data access and want everything with you, you’ll want larger storage capacity.

 

[rui no onna]

I’ve found accessing almost everything on iCloud via WiFi very smooth. 32gb was almost too much for my needs. But I understand if you’re on the road with limited or expensive 4g data access and want everything with you, you’ll want larger storage capacity.

WiFi's fine and all but on the occasions when there's an internet or power outage, having a good selection of content on the iPad has been pretty useful. Battery life on the iPad is excellent and it's good that one is not running down the battery on the smartphone (ICE).

 

[Richard8655]

WiFi's fine and all but on the occasions when there's an internet or power outage, having a good selection of content on the iPad has been pretty useful. Battery life on the iPad is excellent and it's good that one is not running down the battery on the smartphone (ICE).

I can’t remember the last time there was any extended power or internet outage in my area. I don’t think I need to load up on storage for those rare moments. Just probably read a book until it comes back.

 

[satinsilverem2]

When I was buying my iPad Pro a couple of years ago I was a little short on money at the time but wanted a pro for school use. I settled on buying the 32GB model and I was hitting the limit fairly often back then however with iOS 11 I haven't hit the limit yet and checking the usage in settings Im not even using half the space anymore. I think that iOS and iCloud have really made more efficient use of local storage. I think 32GB on an iPad is plenty for most people. that being said I did upgrade to a 256 model later on due to a great deal at Verizon.

 

[strawberryshortcake]

I can’t remember the last time there was any extended power or internet outage in my area. I don’t think I need to load up on storage for those rare moments. Just probably read a book until it comes back.

The whole idea is not to rely on "paid platforms" such as the cloud, wifi, or data to retrieve essentially what’s already considered yours. Although not entirely the same, I see "the cloud" as somewhat similar to public storages. You’re paying a monthly or yearly fee. Even if multiple devices can have access to the same cloud storage, it’s still unnecessary added cost. I’ve read about clouds having issues, lost documents, etc.

Hypothetically, you have a data plan of 5 gbs or 10 gbs a month. The last I’ve check, $50 per month will give you (i want to say) 10 gbs/month through verizon. Say each video in high definition borders on 1 gb. On top of normal daily web search, youtube, and watching your personnel cloud loaded videos, you’re going to hit your cap. Sure you could always find available wifi before streaming from the cloud, but why bother?

I’m saving that monthly $50 dollar verizon cost ... over the course of a year, the savings add up. As mentioned earlier you’re relying on ‘paid platforms’ to retrieve videos/data/songs that’s already yours. Why pay the man to ‘reaccess’ them?

Bottom line: To me, "cloud services" are subscriptions and I really dislike paid subscriptions (i.e. microsoft office 360, Maya if you're dealing with animations, etc.) Let me pay for it once and be done with it.

 

[Richard8655]

The whole idea is not to rely on "paid platforms" such as the cloud, wifi, or data to retrieve essentially what’s already considered yours. Although not entirely the same, I see "the cloud" as somewhat similar to public storages. You’re paying a monthly or yearly fee. Even if multiple devices can have access to the same cloud storage, it’s still unnecessary added cost. I’ve read about clouds having issues, lost documents, etc.

No data plan here. My iCloud storage is free and works flawlessly. Never lost anything in iCloud. It’s actually “yours” whether it resides on your device or in iCloud.

I think the idea of carrying all your data with you wherever you go is increasingly unnecessary and has its own risk of data loss as its dependent on your device and backups.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The whole idea is not to rely on "paid platforms" such as the cloud, wifi, or data to retrieve essentially what’s already considered yours. Although not entirely the same, I see "the cloud" as somewhat similar to public storages. You’re paying a monthly or yearly fee. Even if multiple devices can have access to the same cloud storage, it’s still unnecessary added cost. I’ve read about clouds having issues, lost documents, etc.

Hypothetically, you have a data plan of 5 gbs or 10 gbs a month. The last I’ve check, $50 per month will give you (i want to say) 10 gbs/month through verizon. Say each video in high definition borders on 1 gb. On top of normal daily web search, youtube, and watching your personnel cloud loaded videos, you’re going to hit your cap. Sure you could always find available wifi before streaming from the cloud, but why bother?

I’m saving that monthly $50 dollar verizon cost ... over the course of a year, the savings add up. As mentioned earlier you’re relying on ‘paid platforms’ to retrieve videos/data/songs that’s already yours. Why pay the man to ‘reaccess’ them?

Bottom line: To me, "cloud services" are subscriptions and I really dislike paid subscriptions (i.e. microsoft office 360, Maya if you're dealing with animations, etc.) Let me pay for it once and be done with it.

If you don't like using cloud storage, how do you safeguard against data loss on your device? Also, if you fill the storage on a device all the way, it slows down the device.

 

[strawberryshortcake]

No data plan here. My iCloud storage is free and works flawlessly. Never lost anything in iCloud. It’s actually “yours” whether it resides on your device or in iCloud.

I think the idea of carrying all your data with you wherever you go is increasingly unnecessary and has its own risk of data loss as its dependent on your device and backups.

How much icloud space do you have? Is it through Apple? Yes, obviously it's still "yours" but the need to go through Wifi, 4g, or whatever mode of transmission. You say it works flawlessly, and you've never lost anything, but all it takes is that one time. Sure, the same can be said of misplacing your ipad.

If you don't like using cloud storage, how do you safeguard against data loss on your device? Also, if you fill the storage on a device all the way, it slows down the device.

That's why I would like to see a 1 TB or greater ipad in the future. I can understand using the cloud for word documents, paper documents, notes, etc. But for videos and music, where the grunt of the "data" is bound, I just don't want to have to rely on the cloud.

This is why the ipad is not my primary device. For those important documents, I would simply transfer them to my PC, or sending them as email attachments. I may grow to use the cloud for documents, but I will never rely on the cloud for videos/music.

Just this past week, my free 5 gb in cloud from apple was completely full. Needed to start deleting stuff. Had to find out how to delete 2 gbs worth of stuff off my cloud account.

 

[Richard8655]

Just one more thought on this. In my case, much of my “cloud” data is actually on my Mac (iTunes) and not iCloud. Music and videos reside there and are easily accessed over WiFi, and therefore don’t require huge amounts of iPad storage to keep them on the device.

So really for me, a combination of local Mac storage and iCloud greatly reduces the need for large storage capacity on my iPads, with 32gb working just fine.

 

[sparksd]

If you don't like using cloud storage, how do you safeguard against data loss on your device? Also, if you fill the storage on a device all the way, it slows down the device.

For me, I don't need/use cloud storage for backups and as I frequently travel in areas with poor or no Internet access I don't rely on cloud availability at all.

 

[Apple_Robert]

For me, I don't need/use cloud storage for backups and as I frequently travel in areas with poor or no Internet access I don't rely on cloud availability at all.

Understandable. I think for many of us here, we see the value in making sure we have a backup of our data. To that end, I believe it is important to have a backup of your backup. Hard drives and SSD's can fail or get buggered. When that happens, it is good to know I have an encrypted backup stored online that I can retrieve. That was the point I was making albeit in brevity.

I get that the member I responded to wants all his or her video and other files handy on the device. To a point, it makes sense. I was pointing out a few pitfalls with that user mindset.

 

[sparksd]

Understandable. I think for many of us here, we see the value in making sure we have a backup of our data. To that end, I believe it is important to have a backup of your backup. Hard drives and SSD's can fail or get buggered. When that happens, it is good to know I have an encrypted backup stored online that I can retrieve. That was the point I was making albeit in brevity.

I get that the member I responded to wants all his or her video and other files handy on the device. To a point, it makes sense. I was pointing out a few pitfalls with that user mindset.

Agree on multiple backups - that's what I do, using separate storage media.

 

[strawberryshortcake]

Understandable. I think for many of us here, we see the value in making sure we have a backup of our data. To that end, I believe it is important to have a backup of your backup. Hard drives and SSD's can fail or get buggered. When that happens, it is good to know I have an encrypted backup stored online that I can retrieve. That was the point I was making albeit in brevity.

I get that the member I responded to wants all his or her video and other files handy on the device. To a point, it makes sense. I was pointing out a few pitfalls with that user mindset.

You’re absolutely right on always having some method of backup.

The original massive video files ( seinfeld, friends, big bang theory, will and grace, etc etc ) would never solely reside on my ipad alone. I’ve got the original dvds, but more importantly, I’ve got multiple 3tb external harddrive that has each series copied. I’ve got harddrives that serve as a backup for the backups. Even businesses that run cloud storages are essentially using high capacity harddrives that are backed up by backup high capacity harddrives. So in my case, you can probably say what’s stored on my ipad is only temporary, are only the temporary backups so to speak.

Now i’m more interested in what type of cloud service you’re using and the recurring cost.

So what does everyone use as methods of backups, and their respective costs?

Just one more thought on this. In my case, much of my “cloud” data is actually on my Mac (iTunes) and not iCloud. Music and videos reside there and are easily accessed over WiFi, and therefore don’t require huge amounts of iPad storage to keep them on the device.

So really for me, a combination of local Mac storage and iCloud greatly reduces the need for large storage capacity on my iPads, with 32gb working just fine.

See, I don’t consider your own local storage on your personal iMac (itunes) as the cloud. That’s completely different. I got that as well. My video files and music files are backed up across multiple external harddrives. Accessing large video files over your own network still requires some type of wifi usage or data plan. My comcast has a 1 terabyte cap. Anytime wifi is used, that 1 terabyte cap takes a hit. That’s my biggest problem. The ability to hard wire transfer large video files from my PC to my ipad cost me zero wifi bits.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You’re absolutely right on always having some method of backup.

The original massive video files ( seinfeld, friends, big bang theory, will and grace, etc etc ) would never solely reside on my ipad alone. I’ve got the original dvds, but more importantly, I’ve got multiple 3tb external harddrive that has each series copied. I’ve got harddrives that serve as a backup for the backups. Even businesses that run cloud storages are essentially using high capacity harddrives that are backed up by backup high capacity harddrives. So in my case, you can probably say what’s stored on my ipad is only temporary, are only the temporary backups so to speak.

Now i’m more interested in what type of cloud service you’re using and the recurring cost.

So what does everyone use as methods of backups, and their respective costs?



See, I don’t consider your own local storage on your personal iMac (itunes) as the cloud. That’s completely different. I got that as well. My video files and music files are backed up across multiple external harddrives. Accessing large video files over your own network still requires some type of wifi usage or data plan. My comcast has a 1 terabyte cap. Anytime wifi is used, that 1 terabyte cap takes a hit. That’s my biggest problem. The ability to hard wire transfer large video files from my PC to my ipad cost me zero wifi bits.

At the moment I am using BackBlaze for my 9TB of storage. It cost $60.00 a year for the one computer package (unlimited storage). I have been very happy with the service thus far.

Edited to add: I give you lots of points for being a Seinfeld fan, along with Big Bang Theory. (I also have the entire Seinfeld series loaded on my phone (Giddy-Up),

 

[sparksd]

You’re absolutely right on always having some method of backup.

The original massive video files ( seinfeld, friends, big bang theory, will and grace, etc etc ) would never solely reside on my ipad alone. I’ve got the original dvds, but more importantly, I’ve got multiple 3tb external harddrive that has each series copied. I’ve got harddrives that serve as a backup for the backups. Even businesses that run cloud storages are essentially using high capacity harddrives that are backed up by backup high capacity harddrives. So in my case, you can probably say what’s stored on my ipad is only temporary, are only the temporary backups so to speak.

Now i’m more interested in what type of cloud service you’re using and the recurring cost.

So what does everyone use as methods of backups, and their respective costs?



See, I don’t consider your own local storage on your personal iMac (itunes) as the cloud. That’s completely different. I got that as well. My video files and music files are backed up across multiple external harddrives. Accessing large video files over your own network still requires some type of wifi usage or data plan. My comcast has a 1 terabyte cap. Anytime wifi is used, that 1 terabyte cap takes a hit. That’s my biggest problem. The ability to hard wire transfer large video files from my PC to my ipad cost me zero wifi bits.

Are you saying that transferring files/data within your own network counts against your Comcast data cap? It only counts when you move data outside of your network, over the Internet. I also have Comcast and the 1TB cap and find myself bumping against it occasionally.

 

[Richard8655]

See, I don’t consider your own local storage on your personal iMac (itunes) as the cloud. That’s completely different. I got that as well. My video files and music files are backed up across multiple external harddrives. Accessing large video files over your own network still requires some type of wifi usage or data plan. My comcast has a 1 terabyte cap. Anytime wifi is used, that 1 terabyte cap takes a hit. That’s my biggest problem. The ability to hard wire transfer large video files from my PC to my ipad cost me zero wifi bits.

Yes, I agree. Keeping much of your data on your personal computer in your network and accessing it via WiFi is not “cloud”. But the point was just addressing the original question as to whether 32gb is enough. In my case, iCloud together with local iTunes storage in my WiFi network reduces the need for anything more than 32gb on my devices.

And I also agree that if dependent on a data plan to access iCloud data, that can get expensive and reduces the benefit. But WiFi (such as at home) should be free. So in your own network, iCloud and local iTunes together as a solution are really little or no cost.

 

[strawberryshortcake]

At the moment I am using BackBlaze for my 9TB of storage. It cost $60.00 a year for the one computer package (unlimited storage). I have been very happy with the service thus far.

Sounds good. $60 dollars for unlimited storage seems reasonable (at least I think seeing as how I've never really looked into the true cost of cloud based storage). A 4tb external western digital harddrive can run anywhere from $100 to $120. An 8tb external harddrive can run anywhere from $150 to $170 dollars.

I may eventually look into the cloud and see what's out there. But you're still tapping into your "data" (if by ways of 4g transmission and not using wifi) right?

Are you saying that transferring files/data within your own network counts against your Comcast data cap? It only counts when you move data outside of your network, over the Internet. I also have Comcast and the 1TB cap and find myself bumping against it occasionally.

At least that is what I thought. Is it not true? I always thought accessing data through wifi (even on your home network) must count against somewhere.

Yes, I agree. Keeping much of your data on your personal computer in your network and accessing it via WiFi is not “cloud”. But the point was just addressing the original question as to whether 32gb is enough. In my case, iCloud together with local iTunes storage in my WiFi network reduces the need for anything more than 32gb on my devices.

And I also agree that if dependent on a data plan to access iCloud data, that can get expensive and reduces the benefit. But WiFi (such as at home) should be free. So in your own network, iCloud and local iTunes together as a solution are really little or no cost.

Do you also access the same local itune files while outside the house using wifi? Say, you're two hours away from home (or on the other side of the coast). Can you still access those same itunes file on your ipad both via wifi? What if there's no free wifi signal, do you simply use your paid verizon/att data plan?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Sounds good. $60 dollars for unlimited storage seems reasonable (at least I think seeing as how I've never really looked into the true cost of cloud based storage). A 4tb external western digital harddrive can run anywhere from $100 to $120. An 8tb external harddrive can run anywhere from $150 to $170 dollars.

I may eventually look into the cloud and see what's out there. But you're still tapping into your "data" (if by ways of 4g transmission and not using wifi) right?



At least that is what I thought. Is it not true? I always thought accessing data through wifi (even on your home network) must count against somewhere.




Do you also access the same local itune files while outside the house using wifi? Say, you're two hours away from home (or on the other side of the coast). Can you still access those same itunes file on your ipad both via wifi? What if there's no free wifi signal, do you simply use your paid verizon/att data plan?

I have AT&T Fiber U-Verse which comes with unlimited bandwidth. It took about 2 weeks to upload the 9TB to the BackBlaze server. I can download individual files and folders from the backup, which I really like. I have several WD 4TB external drives (4TB) along with 2 Seagate 16TB external drives. In addition to BackBlaze, I also use TimeMachine and Carbon Copy Cloner.

 

[sparksd]

At least that is what I thought. Is it not true? I always thought accessing data through wifi (even on your home network) must count against somewhere.

It does not if you're within your own network. You can check your usage on xfinity's website:

https://customer.xfinity.com/#/devices

 

[strawberryshortcake]

I have AT&T Fiber U-Verse which comes with unlimited bandwidth. It took about 2 weeks to upload the 9TB to the BackBlaze server. I can download individual files and folders from the backup, which I really like. I have several WD 4TB external drives (4TB) along with 2 Seagate 16TB external drives. In addition to BackBlaze, I also use TimeMachine and Carbon Copy Cloner.

I'll have to do some more research on cloud services when I get a chance.

The biggest reason why I had an issue with the cloud was because of what happened this past month -- Live photos were blurry and Live videos that would not even play. I did not know that both features were automatically turned on by default. Photographs and videos that I snapped were completely blurry when I needed them the most. This left a very bad taste in my mouth about the cloud.

I had no clue what was going on. Got back to the house with a stable wifi connection and low and behold, the pictures were now legible and in high definition. The videos actually started playing.

To add to that ... Harmony Link/Hub. Link is a retired product. The Hub is the replacement. Harmony once ran a "link" that allows you to automate your home controls. Everything is tied back to the harmony's servers. When harmony decided to pull the plug on the link servers, all customers that relied on the link no longer have a working system. Customers were either offered a discounted rate to get the new hub or were given a new hub for free (don't know which one it was/is). To me, that's kind of one inherent problem with the cloud.

What if the company that runs the cloud decided to fold, etc. etc. etc.?

The Dangers of Cloud Storage (This is just one guys opinion, so it's not gospel). There's probably other videos floating out there listing the pros and cons of cloud storage.

It does not if you're within your own network. You can check your usage on xfinity's website:

https://customer.xfinity.com/#/devices

Thanks. I'll look into that.

 

[LovingTeddy]

No data plan here. My iCloud storage is free and works flawlessly. Never lost anything in iCloud. It’s actually “yours” whether it resides on your device or in iCloud.

I think the idea of carrying all your data with you wherever you go is increasingly unnecessary and has its own risk of data loss as its dependent on your device and backups.

Well that is good for you. iCloud only gives you 5GB of storage for free. That is not even enough for most of people.

The first thing I do with my new Android phone is add 128GB SD card. Not relying on cloud storage is not only sensible but also cost saving.

I do backup my iPad and Android devices on my PC with 5TB hard drive. I regularly backup my iPad (every Friday, i will back up my iPad).

 

[Richard8655]

Well that is good for you. iCloud only gives you 5GB of storage for free. That is not even enough for most of people.

The first thing I do with my new Android phone is add 128GB SD card. Not relying on cloud storage is not only sensible but also cost saving.

I do backup my iPad and Android devices on my PC with 5TB hard drive. I regularly backup my iPad (every Friday, i will back up my iPad).

5gb iCloud is just fine for me and many folks. The rest in local iTunes. Like I said, if you travel then yes. But if in your own network, having all that device storage is not necessary and not cost effective.

 

[strawberryshortcake]

5gb iCloud is just fine for me and many folks. The rest in local iTunes. Like I said, if you travel then yes. But if in your own network, having all that device storage is not necessary and not cost effective.

Wait ..., so your usage doesn't even involve leaving the house ... ?

So once you leave the premises (say to a local park, riding on public transportation, or wherever, or hypothetically even a long road trip), how do you access your video/music files on your local itunes network if there's no wifi access?

If I'm reading you correct, your situation completely changes things. We're basically talking about two completely different situations. I've got DVR programs built up on my local western digital 8 tb harddrive ... at home. I've got plenty of videos at my disposal on my other external harddrives ... at home. I've got netflix, youtube and just simply over the air broadcast sitting patiently with the click of a couple buttons on my computer ... at home. There's no reason for me to worry about local ipad storage when I've got enough entertainment to hold me over right in the comfort of my own home.

 

[LovingTeddy]

5gb iCloud is just fine for me and many folks. The rest in local iTunes. Like I said, if you travel then yes. But if in your own network, having all that device storage is not necessary and not cost effective.

No... Paying for local stprage, like SD card is one time investment that doubles or sometimes triples storage capacity. I don’t have to rely on constant internet connection for access my files.

One reason that I would only buy Android phone or any phone with SD card extension is because of this. You necessary not taking your iPads everywhere as you would with your phone. With my iPad, I basically have it in my case and attach with a keyboard as a computer. Internet connection is not issue with iPad.

Therefore, solely rely on cloud storage is not really reliable way to store anything. Local storage is still better in terms of realibily, speed and cost.

 

[Tapiture]

This post started September of 2015 and the OP was last seen a year ago. Why are people still posting here?