iPad purchase advice.

[Druk]

So I think I've maybe decided to take the plunge and buy one of these infernal things. Currently have a PC, a laptop and a Samsung tablet. The latter I'm relatively happy with but at times it can be frustratingly unco-operative.

So advice please.

Is this a decent buy? Buy Apple iPad with Retina Display, Apple A6X, iOS 7, 9.7", Wi-Fi & Cellular, 16GB | John Lewis

I suggest that I wont need any more than the 16gb but do I need the 3G and how does it work? Do you have to enter a contract for the sim. Experience on the recent France holiday where the lack of wifi but decent cell signal means I could keep in touch.

Can it be connected to my Panasonic TZ30 camera to transfer pics?

Is there such a thing as a USB adaptor that lets it 'speak' to normal PC type devices such as printers?

No doubt many other questions to follow, however..........

 

[dinoy]

if u have wifi at work and your home typically 80% of the time wifi is avail 3g only any good if u do not have wifi, to me it is not worth getting as to use it u need to get a sim and pay to access the data.

 

[Charles Morgan]

John Lewis is normally the best value as they give an extended warranty. There's not much price variation on Apple stuff.

Yes, you have a PAYG contract for the Sim. Suspend when you aren't using it.

Pass on camera.

It has a USB cable connection at the bottom.

 

[Will]

For the rare occasion you are out in the middle of nowhere and have no wi-fi access, could you tether a data connection from your smart phone (eg iPhone) if you have one?

I've not read up on the mobile data tariffs for iPads but do they let you roam abroad? If so surely this must cost fortunes like the mobile data on phones too?

Would an iPad mini suffice? I finally bought one earlier this year, went for the later iPad mini - same spec as the larger one and has the retina display etc, just more portable and much cheaper (can't remember what I paid - was on offer online for about £250 iirc).

The screen is plenty big enough for me - I actually prefer the mini now! Just the right size, full fat one is like taking a little laptop or A4 folder around it seems

Love it

 

[paulshep69]

It has a USB cable connection at the bottom.

Older iPads had a 30 pin connector at the bottom, new iPads have the, more compact, lightning connector, neither of which can be used as a USB port, you would have to connect it to a PC in order to download or upload files to it, or send/receive things via bluetooth, WiFi or 3G.

The 3G option on the one you've chosen is handy if you're out of WiFi range, however it is 'dial up' slow though, I can't comment on 4G, it's supposed to be quicker but isn't widely available yet.

As others have said, you do need a SIM to use the 3G, mine costs me £3.50 a month (discounted from £5) - on contract - from Vodafone for 500 MB of data per month. I'm not sure if this includes roaming data abroad as I always connect to WiFi in the hotel, and keep it in aeroplane mode the rest of the time.

There is a new iPad out now though, the iPad Air, it's lighter, a little more compact and has a slightly better battery life, they are roughly the same price as the one you've selected, check it out here Apple IPAD AIR WI-FI + 4G LTE 16GB MD791FD/A 16 GB 1024 MB 9.7 -inch LCD: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

[DSM10000]

One thing to be aware of with Apple is that they do not support Bluetooth transfers from non Apple devices. They have other peculiarities as well, what is it about the Samsung that you do not like?

Also, with regard to the comment above "The 3G option on the one you've chosen is handy if you're out of WiFi range, however it is 'dial up' slow though, I can't comment on 4G, it's supposed to be quicker but isn't widely available yet."

It is somewhat misleading, I have a portable wi-fi (a mifi) running on a 3G connection and see speeds of between 5- 7.5Mbs so hardly" dial up slow" 4G is rolling out over many areas (check coverage maps)and I have experienced speed in excess of 30MBs when a 4G connection is available

 

[NDFR]

Link your mobile to the ipad to provide Internet access when out and about rather than pay for 3G.

Consider the ipad mini, the full fat version is quite heavy if hand held for long periods.

 

[Markjames]

For the rare occasion you are out in the middle of nowhere and have no wi-fi access, could you tether a data connection from your smart phone (eg iPhone) if you have one? I've not read up on the mobile data tariffs for iPads but do they let you roam abroad? If so surely this must cost fortunes like the mobile data on phones too? Would an iPad mini suffice? I finally bought one earlier this year, went for the later iPad mini - same spec as the larger one and has the retina display etc, just more portable and much cheaper (can't remember what I paid - was on offer online for about £250 iirc). The screen is plenty big enough for me - I actually prefer the mini now! Just the right size, full fat one is like taking a little laptop or A4 folder around it seems Love it

I did the same, my wife has a full size ipad 3 but when I decided to also get one I decided on the iPad mini with retina display and now my wife just complains all the time that hers is like a brick in comparison. Mini has a screen plenty big enough, does everything a full sized ipad can do and it will at a squeeze fit into my back pocket. So much better and lighter for travelling with.

 

[davidjpowell]

One thing to be aware of with Apple is that they do not support Bluetooth transfers from non Apple devices. They have other peculiarities as well, what is it about the Samsung that you do not like?

Also, with regard to the comment above "The 3G option on the one you've chosen is handy if you're out of WiFi range, however it is 'dial up' slow though, I can't comment on 4G, it's supposed to be quicker but isn't widely available yet."

It is somewhat misleading, I have a portable wi-fi (a mifi) running on a 3G connection and see speeds of between 5- 7.5Mbs so hardly" dial up slow" 4G is rolling out over many areas (check coverage maps)and I have experienced speed in excess of 30MBs when a 4G connection is available

I think the Bluetooth may be changing. There are tape measures that will link up (not the I have typcially).

In terms if camera's the best you can get is a plug in SD Card reader that will import the photo's.

 

[Druk]

Thanks all

One thing to be aware of with Apple is that they do not support Bluetooth transfers from non Apple devices. They have other peculiarities as well, what is it about the Samsung that you do not like?

Thanks John. I have an Apple 3GS phone that Bluetooths OK to the Viseeo MB1 in the car, or is that different? Of what 'peculiarities' doth you speak?

Would an Ipad device wifi to my printer?

The Samsung can be an obstructive so-and-so at times. It wont allow me to transfer links from my Photobucket account to a forum. Push on the link and it stores it...go to the post and push on the link again and it's not there...drives me mad .
Sometimes it just refuses to 'see' a wifi signal when I know one's there because all around are using iPads with ease. There are other things of which I can't remember just now but it's been very close to a buoyancy test on a few occasions lately. Not to say it's not generally OK but I just amn't (new word ) happy and feel the need of a spend coming on.



.

 

[Druk]

What's 'Retina display' please. And does a mini have the same battery life as a full size?

 

[BTB 500]

My step-son has an iPad mini which is nice but seems to struggle on WiFi ... he ends up sitting on the stairs or landing to get a signal, when other devices (phones, laptops, etc.) are fine upstairs. In fact I've just ordered a cheap repeater for him, to boost the signal.

 

[Will]

My step-son has an iPad mini which is nice but seems to struggle on WiFi ... he ends up sitting on the stairs or landing to get a signal, when other devices (phones, laptops, etc.) are fine upstairs. In fact I've just ordered a cheap repeater for him, to boost the signal.

Hmm - seems strange, no problems with my iPad mini 16GB (later retina model, wifi only)

You'd think that if they can fit a decent wi-fi antenna into the iPhone/iPod touch there would be no issue with something as large as an ipad!

 

[Giantvanman]

My son bought me an iPad Air a few weeks ago. It is much, much lighter than his iPad, it is noticeable quicker (and very fast in itself without comparison) and the battery life is very good indeed. Using it the same amount as my phone, the phone needs charging every other day and the Air once a week and then only because I don't like going out with the charge at 20%.

Some phones, such as an iPhone, allow you to set up a WiFi 'bubble' so the phone (and its existing contract) can be used when wifi is not available. However, for the small cost of a contract, my son got me the 3G/4G sim from EE.

Retina display is (if I remember correctly) a much higher pixel count. I think it is almost double normal/standard.

EDIT: with regards the sim, I have the data carrier turned off indoors by default and that way the 2GB pcm limit is more than enough when out and about with no wifi.

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks all




Thanks John. I have an Apple 3GS phone that Bluetooths OK to the Viseeo MB1 in the car, or is that different? Of what 'peculiarities' doth you speak?

Would an Ipad device wifi to my printer?

The Samsung can be an obstructive so-and-so at times. It wont allow me to transfer links from my Photobucket account to a forum. Push on the link and it stores it...go to the post and push on the link again and it's not there...drives me mad .
Sometimes it just refuses to 'see' a wifi signal when I know one's there because all around are using iPads with ease. There are other things of which I can't remember just now but it's been very close to a buoyancy test on a few occasions lately. Not to say it's not generally OK but I just amn't (new word ) happy and feel the need of a spend coming on.



.

The Bluetooth issue is (or used to be) that Apple would not support file transfer from other non Apple devices via Bluetooth, your connection to the car is using a different protocol. You could not transfer pictures, music etc via Bluetooth from Android to Apple.

As to connecting to a printer, Wi-Fi connection should be straightforward but I have seen a number of printers saying that they are Apple compliant which suggests many may not be, you probably need a specific Apple app to print directly i.e from tablet direct to printer but if just printing via you home network and router it should work in the same way as any device attached wirelessly to a printer.

I have not had the issues on my Nexus that your Samsung Is giving you, have you the latest version of Android and Samsung software?
As for the advice about tethering your 'phone to the iPad, check your 'phone contract, some do not allow tethering.

 

[spinaltap]

Do not buy an iPad nor iPhone before 9th September...

...as this is when Apple will likely announce new models.

 

[Druk]

^Good advice..ta .

Looking further into the options what's the difference between A6X (iPad) and A7 (iPad Air)

...and it seems the Air isn't available with the retina display.

Is this a big minus point?

I know, I know; Sept 9th. I can wait but still thinking out loud .


.

 

[spinaltap]

The expectation is that Apple will start using the A8 chip in the iPad Air2.

If you want to save money, look at the Apple Refurb Store for previous models. Other than plain packaging they are effectively new.

BTW, for added fun, buy an AppleTV as well (new model expected). Whatever appears on your iPad can be wirelessly streamed to your connected television. This is especially useful for playing games.

 

[bolide]

02 has just started offering iPads. One contract is £30 / month for two years including a decent amount of data with a free iPad

An iPad is £500 so it's not a bad deal as there is no upfront cost

There will undoubtedly be similar / better deals out there

Nick Froome

 

[sallison1504]

Don't buy any Apple product until they release their new products. Old products will get cheaper and they will release new ones.