IPad chipset - what chipset should I get

[hermosabeach]

I want to get an iPad for my mom.

Nothing too big and not the latest and greatest

Email
Reading
Web surfing.


Is there a price point or chip set I should not go below? Idea is to get her a device that will last with updates for at least 5 years.


Any iPad folks here who can help me figure out how much power or generation chipset to get or avoid?

[Robotron2k84]

All the models will have five years of updates from first date of sale of the model. When the model was introduced, not when you purchased it.

The general recommendation is to buy the highest tier you can honestly afford, as it will have the longest life in terms of updates available for it.

Even so, buying the least expensive models still gets you at least 3 years out of the device, since the least expensive are already two years from initial release. Typically they’ll still get five years of updates, even if Apple won’t commit to it.

Here are purchases made by the family and their statuses:

iPad 2 (launched 2011), bought refurb in 2012, last update 9.3.5 in 2016.

iPhone 4s bought 2011, last update 9.3.5 in 2016.

iPad 2M retina (launched 2013), bought 2014, last update 12.4.8 7/2020.

iPhone 5s (launched 2013), bought 2014, last update 12.4.8 7/2020.

iPhone SE 1 (launched 2016), bought 2019, currently supported on iOS 14.1

iPhone 6s Plus, (launched 2015), bought 2016, currently supported on iOS 14.1.

iPhone 8 (launched 2017), bought 2019, currently supported on iOS 14.1.

The iPhone SE and 6S plus may not get to iOS 15, we’ll have to see. But the support window for devices is trending longer, over time.

Except for the iPhone 4s, all the devices are still used on a regular basis (the iPad 2 is only for streaming now), and from the iPad 2M and iPhone 5s and up, they all are still running modern enough versions of iOS to run recent apps.

I think it’s quite reasonable to expect a working life of 7-10 years on these devices when treated with care, even if at some point their functionality is reduced. That’s real the value in their devices, expensive as they are.

[the86d]

Consider a $149 10.1" Open Box LG Android tablet?:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-G-Pad-X-V930-10-1-4G-LTE-Unlocked-4G-LTE-WiFi-32GB-Android-Tablet-A/174448998086

Very comparable, except in price... ... ... and they take industry standard cables.

Cracked screen? Replace it, again, for $149...

[sirgrumps]

Based on the anticipated needs listed above, I would recommend the least expensive NEW iPad you can buy, be it a Gen 6, 7, or 8th gen.

Spend as few dollars as possible and get a nice case that protects the from and the back of the device. I also recommend a case with one of those tri-folding front covers. If you wait until Black Friday, finding an iPad in the $250 range is possible.

Keep one each of the ones listed above in your amazon cart and you will be notified when one drops in price. Buy it quickly when it gets into your price range.

The best thing about a two sided cover, the color of the iPad is a non-factor. So you can get a less popular color at a steeper discount.

[Gromann]

No Ipad will do you wrong really - my day job is centered around iPads.

I will say, if it's financially sound in your position for it - the newest iPad air generation is their best bargain. It's just the last generation iPad pro rebadged.

I do generally think the iPad mini is not well suited to the older among us - if theres a trait thats universal as someone gets up in age - its the reduction in visual acuity, so the bigger the screen the better so long as its still manageable.

[Mr. Blue]

If you want it to run for the next 5 years, you’ll need something very new. The new ipad starts at $329 from Apples website. It’s designed for exactly what you are looking to do. Someone mentioned an android based tablet, thats a completely different operating system. If she has an iphone, it would not be wise to go in that direction. Anyway, What is your budget?

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-10-2

[gorn5150]

I have a first gen iPad that hasn't been updated for years. It still works fine for what it is used for and would do what your mother needs. I would suggest not buying any tablet with less than 32gb. My last iPad pro has 256gb and I'm not sure I will ever run out of storage, but I would rather have it an not need it then not have it and need it.

[therealnickb]

Yeah, I’ve got a gen 1 on my workbench. It still works fine for basic stuff.

[elSquid]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J65DST5

[ibanezfoo]

Watch for sales. I picked up one of the A12 ipads for $250 a little while back. No sense getting one of the old ones as you aren't really going to save any money.