Cheap ipad at Wal Mart

[realter]

I went into the Wal Mart website and was suprised to see the iPad with retina for about $100 less than every one else is selling it for. Looked like a Black Friday special still running. Just about ready to order, when I noticed it was OS6. Went back to the Apple and Best Buy websites and noticed the latest is OS7. Is there much diffenence? Is $100 more worth it to have the latest? Every thing I own is a PC or Android phone, but getting so tired of the freeze ups and pop-ups. Strongly considering the change to an Apple ipad.
Thanks for any purchasing advice.

[realter]

SCVJeff wrote:

realter wrote:
---snip---Is this the same as crying ONCE to get the best or crying a lot every time I use the crappy, cheap, model?

The actual quote is:
BUY THE BEST AND CRY ONLY ONCE


That was seen on a bumper sticker by a friend a long time ago. Its kinda like Einstiens theory of relativity. Nobodys been able to prove that one wrong either... 🙂

Thanks, only wish I had had more $$ when I started out in life. I remember as a kid some college prof coming over to our house and talking about the kmart stuff he bought and it only worked a short while, but then he just took it back to Kmart and they gave him a brand new one. I miss those days of easy returns, lol. Computers are all rather expensive considering they only last 4 or 5 years, then you want to upgrade to newer and faster, kind of like cars to many people.

[SCVJeff]

realter wrote:
---snip---Is this the same as crying ONCE to get the best or crying a lot every time I use the crappy, cheap, model?

The actual quote is:
BUY THE BEST AND CRY ONLY ONCE


That was seen on a bumper sticker by a friend a long time ago. Its kinda like Einstiens theory of relativity. Nobodys been able to prove that one wrong either... 🙂

[8iron]

soos wrote:

My Roadtrek wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
no 'cellular' means NO Extra data charge

use with your existing RV mobile internet

You don't have to enable data on the Ipad, except for the first month, then you can cancel it, and reactivate it when ever you want. The GPS will still work no matter which.

True, as mentioned, with a 3G ipad you have the ability to have a data plan, but not required to do so. For me, having a GPS is key, and I don't think you get that with the WiFi version.

Also, trust me, having an ipad does NOT cut down on pop ups. Seems like every website I go to on mine has a pop up before I can actually get to the page. REALLY annoying, especially in fringe areas where it takes a long time for each page to come up.

Sue

Try Settings / Safari / Block Pop Ups ... Seemed to minimize the pop ups for me.

[soos]

My Roadtrek wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
no 'cellular' means NO Extra data charge

use with your existing RV mobile internet

You don't have to enable data on the Ipad, except for the first month, then you can cancel it, and reactivate it when ever you want. The GPS will still work no matter which.

True, as mentioned, with a 3G ipad you have the ability to have a data plan, but not required to do so. For me, having a GPS is key, and I don't think you get that with the WiFi version.

Also, trust me, having an ipad does NOT cut down on pop ups. Seems like every website I go to on mine has a pop up before I can actually get to the page. REALLY annoying, especially in fringe areas where it takes a long time for each page to come up.

Sue

[FlatBroke]

Target has price match. They even took a print out as proof of a Best Buy add I had and sold it as the same sale price. No questions asked. Dont know why they wouldnt do it for WalMarts add.

[Davydd]

Here is what iPads Apple currently sells. I suspect if you saw an iPad with Retina display that it was probably the discontinued iPad 4th generation if it had OS 6 on it. The new iPad Air comes with OS 7. It would have not been a bad deal if available. It would be better than the iPad 2 they brought out without retina display to meet a cheaper price point. Upgrade to OS 7 is free and takes about 30 minutes or less with a reasonably fast wifi connection.

[realter]

Thanks for the GPS info anyway, the last 2 posters make a convincing case for spending the extra $120 for gps should I ever want or need it down the road. Is this the same as crying ONCE to get the best or crying a lot every time I use the crappy, cheap, model? I think I saw that on rv.net a long time ago and think about it every time I go into the garage and see 3 handles patched with duct tape.

[Snowman9000]

Man, this thread sure went sideways in a hurry. All the OP was asking about was OS versions. 🙂

I recall there was a $199 iPad at WM on black Friday. Or maybe it was $299 but with a $100 store credit. Anyway $199 net. It was not the current model. But yeah, it could run the latest OS if it didn't already have it.

[Davydd]

SCVJeff wrote:

realter wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
You don't HAVE to activate it at all.

So why even pay extra if you don't plan on using the cell capability? Will the Samsung galaxie S 4 phone I have work easily as a wifi hotspot?

in my case i had to have the GPS chipset installed.

It controls all my weather apps, traffic, TV and radio location, 'local' news, Microwave plotting, accurate sun position, airport closures, obviously self contained GPS, and the list goes on. If you want it for a reader, thats fine. But take a good look at the apps you have or might want before deciding to save $100, because this isnt an after sale add-on. For me it makes all the difference in the world. I wouldnt own it if GPS wern't there.

The added cost besides making it cellular capable is that GPS chipset. There are alternative such as this Bad Elf GPS but note the added cost is the same and it ties up your lightning connector which you need to have plugged into power if you are going to use GPS for an extended period of time. The GPS chipset built into the iPad even though it is called assisted GPS by Apple is more than capable and functional for navigation apps without cellular.

So, if you want to use an iPad for a GPS device EVERYWHERE get the cellular version whether you want it or not for cellular. You then have a choice. I have an ATT iPhone so got a Verizon iPad. Verizon (I haven't checked recently) had a better non-contract plan you could turn on and off on a monthly basis. The other reason (for Verizon) is if one service doesn't have coverage the other might. Often, deep in wilderness areas and traveling Canada, neither worked. You'd be surprised when you need cellular on a micro scale how many places ATT works over Verizon even though Verizon has the assumed wider coverage. It all just depends on where you frequently travel. Forget Sprint and T-Mobile for RV travel. Those two are urban centric.

My wife's iPad is an ATT cellular that's never been activated. We still use it fully for GPS functions as SCVJeff mentions.

[SCVJeff]

realter wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
You don't HAVE to activate it at all.

So why even pay extra if you don't plan on using the cell capability? Will the Samsung galaxie S 4 phone I have work easily as a wifi hotspot?

in my case i had to have the GPS chipset installed.

It controls all my weather apps, traffic, TV and radio location, 'local' news, Microwave plotting, accurate sun position, airport closures, obviously self contained GPS, and the list goes on. If you want it for a reader, thats fine. But take a good look at the apps you have or might want before deciding to save $100, because this isnt an after sale add-on. For me it makes all the difference in the world. I wouldnt own it if GPS wern't there.

[Camp__Forrest__]

As others have said, the OS upgrade is simple and free. I have a 2nd gen iPad and I have iOS7. When a new one is available, I get an alert. Then I just plug it in, go to bed and in the morning I'm upgraded.

Mine has wi-fi and a crappy camera. I've never felt that it was lacking despite the newer models. For what it's worth, Apple provides the same support for refurbished units as it does for new, so you can buy a refurb and feel comfortable that you will have support.

[My_Roadtrek]

SCVJeff wrote:
You don't HAVE to activate it at all.

To get the sale price from ATT I had to activate mine for one month, saved I think $75 by activating, then canceling. So yes, you are right Jeff, you don't HAVE to activate it.

[jhilley]

realter wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
You don't HAVE to activate it at all.

So why even pay extra if you don't plan on using the cell capability? Will the Samsung galaxie S 4 phone I have work easily as a wifi hotspot?

Yes it will.

[realter]

SCVJeff wrote:
You don't HAVE to activate it at all.

So why even pay extra if you don't plan on using the cell capability? Will the Samsung galaxie S 4 phone I have work easily as a wifi hotspot?