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Original poster

Are ipads worth it?

56 replies

PattyBladell · 27/01/2023 11:00

Vodafone keep offering me a good deal on an ipad, and I'm very easily led and convinced....

I read a lot of books on my kindle, but it's very old and tired now and could probably do with replacing. I use the kindle app on my iphone but I don't find the screen big enough so it's quite hard. I also like the idea of being able to use recipe apps and websites on a bigger screen rather than squinting at my phone, and there's a few games I would play too. Are they really worth it or would I probably just be wasting money? Do they do anything amazing that means I absolutely cannot live without it? I can afford it, but I'm wondering whether I should or not

OP posts:
SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 27/01/2023 11:49

I literally never use mine. If I want to look at things I use my phone. I did have the kindle app on my iPad but didn't like it because it hurt my eyes when reading at night. Basically felt like looking at a screen whereas the kindle has that book look on the pages.

DS does have a tablet with some games on but my iPad is just a big paper weight.

Penguinsista · 27/01/2023 11:49

Yes absolutely. DH's iPad is in being fixed and he is bereaved

littlbrowndog · 27/01/2023 11:52

Love my iPad. Game on it. Read news recipes

but kindle for reading a book

RustyBear · 27/01/2023 11:54

It may depend on what kind of books you read on your Kindle - if you read a lot of non-fiction with illustrations, diagrams or maps, they look so much better on an iPad. I have a Kindle Paperwhite which is great, but I usually read books with maps or genealogical tables on the iPad. (Actually what I often do, especially with history books is read them on the Kindle, but have them open on the iPad so I can refer to the maps & family trees whenever I need to)
But I use the iPad for so many things - internet, banking, games, all the stuff you can do on your phone but with a bigger screen. And I love the Split View facility, so you can have two apps open at the same time and refer to one while using the other, and c&p easily (you can also copy on iPad and paste to iPhone or vice versa, if you connect them both the the same iCloud account, which is very useful. I use that a lot when chatting on a WhatsApp group, with the chat on my phone & I find links or photos on my iPad & copy them to the chat on the phone)

Onnabugeisha · 27/01/2023 11:57

I’m addicted to my mini iPad. I cannot get along without it.
Due to vision loss, can’t use a phone or laptop. Due to disability, I cannot hold a full size pad/tablet.
Apple has the best security, so I can safely do all my banking on it.
I play games on it. The Apple App Store has many games not offered on android.
I email and stay in touch with family and friends on it.
I read the news on it.
Im using it now to be on MN.
I love the Airdrop function and how iCloud means it is extremely easy to transfer all your data from old ipad to new ipad. It’s pretty much automatic once you sign in on the new iPad into iCloud.

(I do prefer actual books for book reading though. Have tried kindle and ebooks on my pad and never liked it).

Halsall · 27/01/2023 11:58

I more or less live on my iPad mini and I’m going to be the controversialist here - I hate reading on a kindle. I read on the kindle app on my iPad (obviously I read proper books too).

I’ve got it set up with the paper colour and font that suits me and for me it’s massively preferable.

@PattyBladell could you persuade anyone to lend you their iPad for a few hours/an afternoon to play around and see how you like it?

RuthW · 27/01/2023 12:02

Only ever use mine for zoom meetings snd occasionally watching tv. I prefer laptop and phone.

catinboots123 · 27/01/2023 12:03

Yes one hundo for internet browsing etc. I prefer my kindle paperwhite for actual reading though

RuthW · 27/01/2023 12:03

Also I have a kindle. Ipads are not to replace a kindle.

Original poster
PattyBladell · 27/01/2023 12:06

@Halsall I'm also not the biggest fan of my kindle, but I wondered if that was just because it's really really old and just seems a bit slow and clunky now. Maybe I should get the ipad and just start reading paper booksGrin

OP posts:
Original poster
PattyBladell · 27/01/2023 12:07

@Halsall forgot to add, I've used a family members recently, and my parents have always had them and loved them. I was just wondering whether it was really worth it for me. DH has also just changed over from samsung to iphone so I think he would get use out of it too

OP posts:
AlmondBake · 27/01/2023 12:10

I love mine. It's basically a sized up version of the computing capacity of your phone. Bigger screen, easier to type, excellent for looking stuff up, playing music, storing photos, etc. Portable and convenient.

^^ This. Mine is 5+ years old and still going strong. Totally synced with my iPhone. I don't read on it though as I prefer real books!

stealthninjamum · 27/01/2023 12:13

I’m not sure an iPad is worth it. Disclaimer - I have two iPads.

I think my iPads were about £500 (they were presents) but I was looking at tablets for £150 to £200. I mainly use them for Facebook, the odd game, browsing and shopping, Netflix / prime / bbc as I move around the house doing housework. I don’t like taking them out because they’re so expensive.

I don’t use them to check emails as I don’t want my dc to access emails so the fact that the iPad is linked to my phone is irrelevant. It’s convenient that it backs up onto my single icloud but then I don’t really save much on it. There are some old photos but I rarely take photos with the iPad these days.

My dcs have Samsung phones and in various ways we have software that’s linked. I can see their school related apps on my iPhone and they see them on their Samsungs although there are sometimes issues where I have an app on my phone that isn’t available on samsung - but those tend to be apps by small producers. Last night dd2 and I were on our different phones using her one quizlet account to do revision for a language test so I don’t think the two are completely incompatible. I imagine a kindle account would be visible on both devices as it’s such a huge app.

IntentionalError · 27/01/2023 12:14

100%. I’m typing this on a basic model 5th generation iPad which I bought new in 2017 and have used every day since. It is still supported by regular software updates and still works perfectly, although the 32MB storage is a bit limited. It doesn’t owe me a penny, and when the time comes I will replace it with another iPad. I won’t spend £1k on a top of the range model, but the standard ones are bargains.

Mischance · 27/01/2023 12:15

What advantage does an ipad confer over a laptop?

pristinesurfacesGBTD · 27/01/2023 12:16

Kindles are much lighter than ipads. Get a new kindle, much easier to hold when reading for long periods.

Do you really need an ipad / tablet as well. Most phones have large screens and can do everything a tablet can do.

BasiliskStare · 27/01/2023 12:21

I would have a Kindle Paperwhite for reading ( yours may be old - I am on my at least third - To me iPads are a completely different thing to a kindle but can down load books etc. - So I think is depends what you want it for - an iPad is like a little light computer so - email , videos , downloading , newspapers , watching TV. I don't do any of that - but DH will read on his iPad - it is not as good as the kindle if you simply want to read

Just my opinion

RinklyRomaine · 27/01/2023 13:11

I've had iPhones for years, iMacs and PCs. Never fussed about an iPad. There are a couple of Kindles and Kindle Fires in the house and I do love my Kindle on holiday. DH bought me an iPad Pro for Christmas this year, and I love it. DD got an iPad Air from her dad, and is also obsessed. I just find it all easier. Newspapers, twitter, MN, emails, games, TV in bed, all sorts. I also rather like the Apple Pencil.

User1794329709 · 27/01/2023 13:14

I wouldn't be without mine, I hardly use my phone. I use my iPad most, then my iMac, then my phone. I use my iPad reading magazines and kindle for books as my iPad is a bit big for that

AtomicRitual · 27/01/2023 13:31

I have an iPad Mini, which is exactly the same size as my Kindle. They are more difficult to read in the sun, but if that's not an issue, they're great.

I haven't used my kindle since I bought my iPad.

I used to have a Samsung tablet, as it was cheaper than the iPad, but I should have gone straight to the iPad. It's so much quicker.

It literally is just like a bigger version of an iPhone. DH has the iPad Pro, which is too big for me, but it does have a good screen for watching programmes/films, etc.

AtomicRitual · 27/01/2023 13:35

Oh, and the other benefit of an iPad when it comes to the Kindle app is that you can get picture books, etc, better than you can on a Kindle Paperwhite.

I have Kindle Unlimited so can get cookbooks, etc, so it's useful in the kitchen.

RobertsRadio · 27/01/2023 13:37

I love my iPad, and it's the only apple product I own and I would definitely replace it when it eventually gives up the ghost. I love it for browsing, shopping, banking and watching tv or films in bed. I just find it more comfortable to use and look at than my phone, even my new big as a brick mobile, when doing all the above.

But, like others I find even my old (2014) kindle paperwhite is far better for reading on my eyes than my iPad and the newer kindle paperwhites and my new Kobo Libra are better still.

I guess it's horses for courses.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/01/2023 13:38

Yes! Worth every penny
I have an iPhone and use the iPad for emails etc as it's easier

ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 13:41

Mischance · 27/01/2023 12:15

What advantage does an ipad confer over a laptop?

Easier to carry round, lighter to hold, nicer to read when lying down in bed. Longer battery life, higher quality screen.

ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 13:42

You can get a refurbished or recent model used Kindle for about £80. I’d buy the iPad, but be willing to get a newer cheap kindle too.

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