iPad version question

[cheredenine]

We're planning to obtain an iPad for the purposes of testing on site here; we'll be looking at linking the thing to our Radius secured wireless and eventually using with GroupCalls' Emerge app for displaying SIMS data.

 

Now, we can get an iPad 2 for a lot less than an iPad 3, but are there any downsides or show stoppers to doing this currently? We only want the basic wifi only device..

 

Thanks!

 

Edit: Oops - just seen we're not supposed to put iPad questions here; Mods - please feel free to move as necessary..

Edited May 21, 2012 by cheredenine

[Dos_Box]

Moved.

[Marci]

iPad 2 will be fine. iPad3 simply has a higher resolution display and dictation built in.

[GrumbleDook]

IIRC you can use original iPads for Emerge ... but you then lose some of the other benefits of performance, camera, etc. If the device is going to be for staff as their principle device then you need to consider how they will use it for their other tasks. If you only want it to take attendance, etc ... then serially look at using iPod touches instead.

 

I'm all for moving over to tablet devices but not for a single requirement ...

[Michael]

It depends how you look at it really. Apple are set to release the iPhone 5 Q3 2012, so the iPad 4 will probably be released Q4 2012, along with all the other Windows 8 and Android tablets due to hit the market.

 

The point I'm trying to make is buying the iPad 2 today, it may end up being redundant fairly quickly. No one talks about the iPad 1 any more and it was only released mid 2010. There are many apps now which of course will still run on the iPad 1, but not work fully due to the lack of a camera and mic.

 

2 years and redundant so quickly, it really isn't a good investment when compared to a netbook which will comfortably last twice as long and still be classed as up-to-date.

[cheredenine]

Thanks for the responses. Registrations wont be the only use, but the full extent to which we can use this sort of device wont be clear until we do a bit of testing; hence we're only obtaining a single unit for now. Original plan was to use these for the PE department, they can register in the changing rooms, etc, then use them out-and-about to show correct form via videos, etc, etc. Also thinking SLT might be able to make use of them and maybe other staff. We'll see!

I had an idea the new version was mainly a display tweak, but thought i'd just check! On to ordering..

[Michael]

The iPad 3 is mostly a hardware revision, but Apple will of course drop support for the iPad 2 sooner than the iPad 3.

 

I predict that iOS 6 probably won't work on the iPad 1 or the iPhone 3GS, but only the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 or later. Apple appear to be sticking to a 3 generation support schedule.