Advice needed: I want to buy and ipad or ipad mini + protective case for my 4 year old child.

[CottonBear]

Any suggestions?

I will definitely consider used or older models since I have a limited budget. However, since I want to get the most years possible out of the device, I would consider a brand new product.

From speaking with other parents, I think that the ipad apps for kids are superior. I want him to be able to video phone/face time/Skype with siblings and relatives who live out of town/state and, most importantly, use educational apps as well as have fun and learn. (Mom and dad will also enjoy the new ipad too!) iguy cases have been recommended but I need additional screen protection.

I've not owned a Mac product since the mid 2000's. My son's dad has an i phone. I have an android phone. We have a HP laptop which we both use for business purposes (AutoCad, graphic design & e-mail.) His dad has an older Mac book which is used at his office.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions that you can offer.

CB

[NV Whino]

1. I have a Snugg cover for my iPad

http://www.thesnugg.com/ipad-cases/ipad-2-cases/snugg-ipad-2-case-cover-and-flip-stand-in-black-leather.aspx

Very nice covers at a decent price. And, personally, I like the larger screen of the iPad over the mini.

[CottonBear]

3. Thank you for the advice!

I was leaning toward the larger screen too. Most people that I know who have the new mini are older/retired ladies who carry them in their purses. They want something portable that's a bit bigger than an i phone.

I will check out the link for the snugg pad. The i guy cover is specifically made for kid use with thick rubber bumpers all around but it is not small enough to put in most bags or purses. Maybe an i guy for my child's use and a snugg for on-the-go mom and dad use would work for us.

Another question: what's the best way to buy an i pad: online or at a store or used? We have a local retailer of new Mac products and also a retailer of used products. We live in a very diverse and hip university town so there is probably a large supply of used devices.

Thanks again for your help!

CB

[NV Whino]

8. I've never had a problem buying used or refurbished

More bang for the buck, essentially. Since you are new to the iPad and haven't used Mac in several years, I would buy from a store/person rather than on line, and get some pointers on operation. Also one of the first things to down load is the Tips and Tricks for the iPad.

[CottonBear]

9. Good points. Thanks!

My co-worker got one for Christmas and her 13 year old grandson set it up and showed her how to use it!

[NV Whino]

11. Yeah, if you can't find an Apple genius,

Find a ten-year-old.

[CottonBear]

12. LOL! My little man will be the Apple genius in our home very soon!

His dad is a very talented guy but setting up and troubleshooting computers is not in his skill set. So, I am the current IT person in our family. I've learned mostly through adversity and trial and error.

[NYC_SKP]

2. First, don't get the mini for a 4 year old.

Their dexterity will enjoy the larger play area.

I would get the basic $399 iPad2 with WiFi and 16gigs, no need for 3-G or storage capacity if most of what's done is with apps.

Only if you plan to download and store movies or TV shows will you need more than 16 gigs and then you'll have to switch to a Retina display at higher cost, unless you get a used iPad2.

~~~

[CottonBear]

5. Great advice. Thanks! I want my son to be able to use it without frustration.

He is not quite dexterous enough to use the mouse or laptop touch pad with good results.

I will have to discuss the the downloading/storage issue with his dad. We will want to use the device when our son is not using it. I had no idea about all of the storage issues. It is my very basic understanding that the memory/storage is NOT upgradeable.

[NYC_SKP]

7. It's not upgradable but there is a way to use an external storage drive.

I have what was top of the line, 64 gig, when I bought it and in loading one season of 30 Rock in high def, I've used up most of that.

If storage is a concern, you have to either get a more costly Retina edition or a used or refurbished iPad2 with higher capacity, like this:

$499: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC916LL/A/refurbished-ipad-2-with-wi-fi-64gb-black-2nd-generation

I highly recommend the item above. For $100 more you get 4 times the storage, and I have gotten several refurbished items from the Apple store, no complaints, full warranty.

For additional storage, there are USB drives which can adapt to iPads, though I haven't used them so cannot recommend:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/04/06/i-flashdrive-for-ipad-and-iphone-review-a-usb-drive-for-ios-devices/

[CottonBear]

10. Excellent! Thanks for the great info and links and pictures!

It is all a bit overwhelming so I like to do lots of research and get lots of advice before making any decisions.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Thanks, will look for those USB devices

[Betsy Ross]

4. I'm using an Otter cover on my iPhone. n/t

[CottonBear]

6. Otterbox covers seem to be the gold standard for i phones!

Thanks for the help!

[Stinky The Clown]

13. I would suggest a used top of the line iPad2

That will be "current" for a long while. As compared to the iPad 3, it has a slower processor and no Retina display. Beyond that, they're pretty much the same.

As noted above, no need for more than WiFi.

[CottonBear]

14. Thanks so much for the excellent advice!

I am probably going to get the top of the line I pad 2!

[Stinky The Clown]

15. I have gotten iPads used on Craigs List over the years.

I have also gotten them new. Honestly, it is hard to tell the difference. Being entirely solid state, they either work or they don't. Cosmetically, the ones I got were essentially perfect.

A used iPad2 is probably in the $350 range. Here's some from across the country.

From the DC area: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/sys/3788713230.html

From NYC area (with a little drama http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/sys/3788676495.html

Chicago: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/sys/3778408045.html

Los Angeles: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/sys/3780770908.html

[CottonBear]

16. Only a little drama. Haven't we all been there!

Thanks for the links. I think I'm well on my way to making a good choice!

Hello and thank you from Athens, GA

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. I'm going to play devil's advocate here

Why does a 4-year-old need an iPad?

That's the age when they should be working on active and imaginative play and manipulating objects with their hands.

This morning at the gym, I saw a mother with her small son, and the kid was totally absorbed in some game on a tablet (I don't think it was an iPad), so much so that he wasn't looking where he was going and wasn't paying any attention to things like "Here's the elevator." He was so inattentive, that she said, "Three warnings, and I'm taking it away."

My question was, why give it to him in the first place? It felt like the new version of plunking the kid down in front of the TV, only on-the-go.

[arikara]

21. I agree, kids that age need plenty of active physical play

A bit of computer time here and there may be ok, even preferable to watching the boob tube; but there are also other considerations. People don't like to hear it, but too much wifi exposure is harmful especially for little kids. And a little one sitting with a tablet on their lap, well that might not be the best thing.
It is considered controversial and you might decide the risk is not there, but at least be informed. Here's a place for you to start.

This page shows the wifi radiation measurements of an ipad and wireless router.
http://www.safeinschool.org/2013/03/ipad-wifi-radiation-captured-on-videos.html

Here's lots more pertaining to children
http://www.safeinschool.org/2011/01/protect-your-children-from-cell-phone.html

In our house, the router is turned off when not using internet, and especially at night. The ipad wireless is also turned off when internet is off and its being used for anything other than internet such as reading. Also, cell phones are off and plugged in far away from bedrooms. That first link shows why.

Best wishes to you

[enough]

22. I agree. Let the kid remian in physical reality, where humans have been

all along. This is how our brains are formed, interacting with the physical world, of which we are a part. Plenty of time for screenworld later.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. IPad II, but before you do that

Read the medical advise on screen time and young children.