Is the ipad mini2 any good?

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kiwifidget

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#208831 1-Mar-2017 10:35

I'm thinking about getting an ipad but dont need top of the line, just something that would be good for Facetime.

The mini2 seems to be the cheapest (on PBTech anyway), but its still quite a lot of money.

There are many models and I confess I know nothing about the ipads capabilities, but I have 5GHz wifi so something that would work with that.

Dont want to throw down $430 and discover its not up to the job, and should have gone for something else further up the food chain.

What would you recommend?

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#1728189 1-Mar-2017 10:40

I have the iPad Mini 2 (the retina one). Its still a decent tablet. I do feel the stutter and slowness now and then, but it is fine for the occasional browsing the net, or facetime etc. Its not going to win any speed races.

Try to see if you can pick up a second hand mini 2 or mini 3 even from Trademe? But if its just facetime, i think you will be fine with the mini 2

esawers

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#1728190 1-Mar-2017 10:41

We have the mini 2 and mini 3

Both perfectly fine, the only difference is the fingerprint reader (which we don't use on the ipad)

I wouldn't feel the need to upgrade the mini 2 to anything better, its awesome.

kiwifidget

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#1728198 1-Mar-2017 10:52

I notice on PBTech that the mini4's are cheaper than the mini3, why might that be?

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davidcole

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#1728235 1-Mar-2017 12:16

I'm another with the mini 2, as others noticing a bit of slowness, but not enough to replace it. My son plays minecraft on it and doesn't have any issues. Back then they could have been 16/32 gb so check if it's got the storage you're after. Mine, at 32 tends to be pretty full all the time.

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lxsw20

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#1728259 1-Mar-2017 12:43

The Mini2/3 were identical except for the touchID. IIRC the Mini 4 got a processor bump.

It depends on how long you intend to keep it before upgrade, and if it really will just be for facetime. If more than a couple of years or you think it will get quite a bit of use I'd go for the Mini 4 or Air 2.

Have a look through Apple's referb store too: http://www.apple.com/nz/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

If just for facetime, 16GB will be OK.

kiwifidget

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#1728260 1-Mar-2017 12:43

I think the mini2 will have to do, its a big jump up to the next model at $650.

Will it work on 5GHz wifi?

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Sam91

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#1728263 1-Mar-2017 12:48

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/tablets-ebook-readers/ipads/ipad-mini/auction-1270538300.htm

kiwifidget

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#1728270 1-Mar-2017 12:59

Sam91:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/tablets-ebook-readers/ipads/ipad-mini/auction-1270538300.htm

Is that your listing @sam91

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Sam91

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#1728277 1-Mar-2017 13:08

kiwifidget:

Sam91:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/tablets-ebook-readers/ipads/ipad-mini/auction-1270538300.htm

Is that your listing @sam91

Nope, sorry for not being clearer. It's just a recommendation. I'd try my luck bidding on that auction.

For a while I was buying iPads when good deals popped up. Usually I would get a free upgrade by buying a newer model for less than what I can sell my older one for. My current iPad Mini 2 I picked up for $80 buy now. The key is to search the latest listings and get the cheap buy nows before anyone else. Good luck!

lxsw20

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#1728283 1-Mar-2017 13:17

kiwifidget:

I think the mini2 will have to do, its a big jump up to the next model at $650.

Will it work on 5GHz wifi?

If $ is an issue, why not get a referb, it's in the link I posed. They are 100% as new.

kiwifidget

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#1728288 1-Mar-2017 13:26

Sam91:

kiwifidget:

Sam91:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/tablets-ebook-readers/ipads/ipad-mini/auction-1270538300.htm

Is that your listing @sam91

Nope, sorry for not being clearer. It's just a recommendation. I'd try my luck bidding on that auction.

For a while I was buying iPads when good deals popped up. Usually I would get a free upgrade by buying a newer model for less than what I can sell my older one for. My current iPad Mini 2 I picked up for $80 buy now. The key is to search the latest listings and get the cheap buy nows before anyone else. Good luck!

Thanks @sam91. I notice the charger is missing from the photos. Have asked the question so will see what happens.

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#1728290 1-Mar-2017 13:29

iPads dont come with chargers. they just came with the lightening cable.

kiwifidget

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#1728296 1-Mar-2017 13:35

lxsw20:

kiwifidget:

I think the mini2 will have to do, its a big jump up to the next model at $650.

Will it work on 5GHz wifi?

If $ is an issue, why not get a referb, it's in the link I posed. They are 100% as new.

Sorry @lxsw20, I completely missed your post due to scrolling too fast.

Refurbs are fine with me. I've got 2 Android tablets which get used a lot, but I'm the only one in my family without an ipad, and after speaking to my UK based sister for about an hour on the phone this morning I'm thinking the payback period may be acceptable! My sole purpose for it at the mo is Facetime, but down the track it may be useful for other things, but I wouldn't have a clue about that.

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shk292

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#1728328 1-Mar-2017 14:05

kiwifidget:

Refurbs are fine with me. I've got 2 Android tablets which get used a lot, but I'm the only one in my family without an ipad, and after speaking to my UK based sister for about an hour on the phone this morning I'm thinking the payback period may be acceptable! My sole purpose for it at the mo is Facetime, but down the track it may be useful for other things, but I wouldn't have a clue about that.

This really grates with me - the need(?) to use a specific manufacturer's hardware in order to run proprietary software to make a voice/video call. What if telephones were like this? "Oh, I'll just go out and buy another phone because mine is a Panasonic and my sister is on a Uniden"?

Nothing personal against you kiwifidget, but why not use Skype, or Google hangouts, or FB messenger, or Whatsapp etc etc etc?

kiwifidget

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#1728339 1-Mar-2017 14:13

shk292:

kiwifidget:

Refurbs are fine with me. I've got 2 Android tablets which get used a lot, but I'm the only one in my family without an ipad, and after speaking to my UK based sister for about an hour on the phone this morning I'm thinking the payback period may be acceptable! My sole purpose for it at the mo is Facetime, but down the track it may be useful for other things, but I wouldn't have a clue about that.

This really grates with me - the need(?) to use a specific manufacturer's hardware in order to run proprietary software to make a voice/video call. What if telephones were like this? "Oh, I'll just go out and buy another phone because mine is a Panasonic and my sister is on a Uniden"?

Nothing personal against you kiwifidget, but why not use Skype, or Google hangouts, or FB messenger, or Whatsapp etc etc etc?

Because there is 12 of them and one of me. I'm the techie one. Easier for me to adopt a new technology than them. And yes, it grates.

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