[The Final Dakar]

So my mother is currently struggling on a Galaxy Tab 10.1 and I've been trying to upgrade her to an iPad for the past year or so, but quite honestly I can't figure out what the best value proposition is. Obviously she can use a less than stellar model, but I'd like to purchase an iPad that won't need to be upgraded for a while.

Looking at refurb's Apple's discounts are pretty terrible, particularly for the more recent models, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger. Doing a cursory examination a few months ago, I realized that the iPad hasn't seen a significant hardware upgrade in almost two years, making the refurb prices even worse by comparison.

So what would you do in my situation? Bite the bullet and pick-up the now almost two-year old refurb, or wait for the new models to come out to see if prices drop further, or to pick up one of those refurbs (which probably adds like 6 more months to the wait).

Requirements (if necessary):
10-inch screen
minimal storage
Verizon compatible (for a data plan)

[OreoCookie]

If you can wait until September, I'd wait. My siblings and I got my mom an iPad 2 a few years back, and it's the only computer she uses at home. As far as storage goes, I think getting the lowest storage is only advisable if she doesn't take any pictures and videos with it. Personally, I'd eye for an iPad Pro once it has been replaced with a newer model. That should stay up to date for the next 5-6 years at least.

[The Final Dakar]

I should have mentioned I'd like to keep the price under $500, $400 preferably.

[Thorzdad]

FWIW, I'm getting along just fine with my two-year-old iPad Air, and I suspect I use it a lot harder than your Mom might.

[subego]

Originally Posted by Thorzdad 

I suspect I use it a lot harder than your Mom might.

[The Final Dakar]

[P]

Having recently been in this discussion for both my personal iPad as those for several family members, I went for the 32GB 10" iPad Pro, and they all went with 64GB iPad Air 2. None of us have a 4G model, however.

I don't think that the 10" iPad will be updated this fall. Apple needs to update so many things now, and the 10" iPad is only a few months old.

[The Final Dakar]

The iPad Air hasn't been updated in almost two years tho

[osiris]

I'd go for the 2 year old refurb. It's going to work way better than the Galaxy (my mom is in the same boat as your mom, I think they bingo on the Lido deck) anyhoo, with the iPad she'll have a much better user experience, not to mention the safety issues - horrible security unless you tweak the crap out of an android.

[ort888]

I'm also recommending waiting until a new model (maybe) comes out this fall. Even if you don't want the newest one, the older ones will go down in price.

I've seen some good deals pop up on iPad Air 2s. Yesterday Target had new 16gb ones for $299.

[osiris]

wait another month then, something has to give...

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by ort888 

I'm also recommending waiting until a new model (maybe) comes out this fall. Even if you don't want the newest one, the older ones will go down in price.

I've seen some good deals pop up on iPad Air 2s. Yesterday Target had new 16gb ones for $299.

I doubt those had cellular.

[ort888]

Yeah, they did not.

[P]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

The iPad Air hasn't been updated in almost two years tho

I don't understand that thinking. Did you also say that the numbered iPads hadn't been updated in almost two years just before the launch of the iPad Air 2? You can call the iPad Pro 10" the iPad Air 3 if you like. It is the same case (except the wake/sleep magnets moved slightly so old Smart covers don't work) with a few updates. The only one that is "pro" is the pen-sensitive display, and I haven't even used that feature yet.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

I should have mentioned I'd like to keep the price under $500, $400 preferably.

If you look around, you can buy factory sealed iPad 9.7 Pros for ~$500 on ebay. I recommend those over regular iPads, just for the Pencil compatibility alone.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by P 

I don't understand that thinking. Did you also say that the numbered iPads hadn't been updated in almost two years just before the launch of the iPad Air 2? You can call the iPad Pro 10" the iPad Air 3 if you like. It is the same case (except the wake/sleep magnets moved slightly so old Smart covers don't work) with a few updates. The only one that is "pro" is the pen-sensitive display, and I haven't even used that feature yet.

Did the iPad Pro replace the Air at its price point? If so I'm even more out of touch than I realized.

[osiris]

That goes without saying.

[P]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Did the iPad Pro replace the Air at its price point? If so I'm even more out of touch than I realized.

Sort of. The 10" iPad Pro launched at $599, but with 32GB storage standard. The iPad Air 2 dropped from $499 to $399, just like the iPad Air did when the Air 2 was released (and like most of past iPads have). The only way to get a $499 10" iPad right now is to get the Air 2 with 64GB storage. The way I read this is that Apple did a stealth price increase but bumped the base storage to compensate, so there is no longer a 16GB version of the latest hardware.

What happens next cycle is a little hard to predict now. I could see them keeping a model without the pen-sensitive screen, if that is a component that truly is expensive. If so, that might be an "iPad Air 3", but what components do you put inside then? The A9 or A9X SOC, but not the fancy display, 4 speakers or camera? TBH, the most Apple-like thing to do is probably to keep the iPad Air 2 around, like they did with the iPad 2 back in the day - and in any case, I don't think the 10" iPad gets updated at all until the Pro is updated again.

[P]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

If you look around, you can buy factory sealed iPad 9.7 Pros for ~$500 on ebay. I recommend those over regular iPads, just for the Pencil compatibility alone.

I think the sticking point for Dakar is that he wants 4G, but in general, I agree that the iPad Pro is worth the price increase - even if you exclude the Pencil thing. 4 speakers is a real boost when watching Netflix when traveling, and the new display is a delight. It also has WAY better Wifi coverage than my old mini, but that change probably came sooner than the Air 2 -> Pro upgrade.

[The Final Dakar]

My mother has no access to home internet. 4G is her access to the world. Netflix is a non starter because of data caps.

[P]

Pick the model that suits you. Basically is is a fairly straightforward stack from 16GB Air 2 all the way to 256GB Pro with $100 steps between each tier, and the step between 64GB Air 2 and 32GB Pro gets you a faster SOC, better display, a camera that isn't an embarrassment, 4 speakers, and the pen-sensitive display. If that isn't worth $100 to you, pick an Air 2. Just saying that I don't think any of the 10" iPads will get upgraded again this year.

[The Final Dakar]

Okay, any reason I shouldn't get a refurb air 2 from Walmart? I'd prefer Apple but they don't sell refurb 16GB airs.

[Thorzdad]

Well, the fact that it's only 16GB is one big strike against it in my book. 16GB fills up pretty quick, especially if she's storing family photos and downloading lots of games.

Also, If you buy a refurb from Apple, you get the full, like-new warranty. Does the Walmart refurb come with the same?

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by Thorzdad 

Well, the fact that it's only 16GB is one big strike against it in my book. 16GB fills up pretty quick, especially if she's storing family photos and downloading lots of games.

Also, If you buy a refurb from Apple, you get the full, like-new warranty. Does the Walmart refurb come with the same?

She hasn't filled up a galaxy tab 10.1 in three or four years so I figure I'm safe on storage.

The lack of apple care concerns me, which is why I asked.

[andi*pandi]

brrr, walmart

[starman]

I hear the Note 7 is a hot item

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

I hear the Note 7 is a hot item

Their sales are exploding.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Okay, any reason I shouldn't get a refurb air 2 from Walmart? I'd prefer Apple but they don't sell refurb 16GB airs.

They don't sell refurb 16GB Airs because they sell them all to retailers like Walmart, in bulk. Go for it, they're refurbed by the same people.

[The Final Dakar]

For some reason the iPad Air 2 cellular is the only refurb not available on the Apple Store, it's been that way for a month and it's driving me nuts.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

For some reason the iPad Air 2 cellular is the only refurb not available on the Apple Store, it's been that way for a month and it's driving me nuts.

my evil plan is working.

[starman]

I haven't even touched my iPad 3 in months.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by osiris 

my evil plan is working.

Thanks, Donald

Originally Posted by starman 

I haven't even touched my iPad 3 in months.

I believe you meant to post this to facebook

[starman]

No, I meant to post it here.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

No, I meant to post it here.

Great hearing from you as usual

[starman]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Great hearing from you as usual

Love the non-sequiturs. Stay classy™.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

Love the non-sequiturs. Stay classy™.

If you are so worried about nonsequiturs maybe you shouldn't have posted in the first place.

[starman]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

If you are so worried about nonsequiturs maybe you shouldn't have posted in the first place.

Except my post was relevant and you're still playing the part of Angry NN Poster #1

[subego]

Dis gon b only so-so.

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

Except my post was relevant and you're still playing the part of Angry NN Poster #1

Relevant how? Because iPad is in the title?

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by subego 

Dis gon b only so-so.

That seems optimistic.

[starman]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Relevant how? Because iPad is in the title?

Because I was trying to convey that the pad fad™ may be over. But thank you for your irrelevant commentary. I'm sure your post count appreciates it.

[subego]

I use mine every day... wheeee!

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

Because I was trying to convey that the pad fad™ may be over. But thank you for your irrelevant commentary. I'm sure your post count appreciates it.

I suspected as much. Try reading the OP genius

[starman]

I would really like to know who pisses in your Corn Flakes every day.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by starman 

I would really like to know who pisses in your Corn Flakes every day.

That would be me. But he doesn't know it.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

I believe you meant to post this to facebook

He was obviously offering it for sale cheap.

[starman]

Originally Posted by osiris 

That would be me. But he doesn't know it.

I salute you

[The Final Dakar]

Originally Posted by starman 

I would really like to know who pisses in your Corn Flakes every day.

Great comeback. How does the 'iPad fad' commentary address the OP?

[The Final Dakar]

So they didn't add stock for Black Friday. Silly me. They put the up today, but I didn't realize it. When I got on there was one available for selection, but the cart wouldn't check out. Fun.

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

He was obviously offering it for sale cheap.

starman, how much? my kid's ipad died, need a new one.