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Qeries about the Apple iPad Air 9.7 Inch LED Wi-Fi 16GB 7Ghz Tablet


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Old 02-12-2015, 03:50
Anika Hanson
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Phones like my eighteen month old HTC M8 have a far higher resolution and PPI than the iPhone. Does that make them better phones than the iPhone?
The HTC one m8 and the iPhone 6 +/6S+ have the same resolution.
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Old 02-12-2015, 06:22
Stig
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I'm curious in what way? W10 has two UI, the desktop one and the tablet one. In tablet mode it's a tablet. Big finger friendly icons, full screen apps, with snap to half screen to multitask and so on. As a pure tablet what is it lacking?
In terms of UI, iOS makes a better tablet than Windows 10 IMHO. Even in tablet mode, I don't find Windows 10 on the Surface Pro 3 easy to use. Text entry is fiddly, and the screen elements aren't always easy to hit, even with a stylus.
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Old 02-12-2015, 15:38
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The HTC one m8 and the iPhone 6 +/6S+ have the same resolution.
My bad. I meant the iPhone 6. With the 6S Apple finally caught up with HTC.
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Old 02-12-2015, 15:42
zz9
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In terms of UI, iOS makes a better tablet than Windows 10 IMHO. Even in tablet mode, I don't find Windows 10 on the Surface Pro 3 easy to use. Text entry is fiddly, and the screen elements aren't always easy to hit, even with a stylus.
Ive never used a stylus, even in desktop mode. In tablet mode apps run with big buttons and swipe gestures, and i've never had a problem with them. I do know lots of people complain about the iOS keyboard. Wasn't it only a few months ago they finally had the keyboard show lower case letters when you're typing lower case?
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Old 04-12-2015, 07:06
Klauttu
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OP here.

Wow, so many replies!

Thank you for all your replies, and for your time. Much appreciated.

I guess 16GB will be sufficient for my use.
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Old 04-12-2015, 08:27
Anika Hanson
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Ive never used a stylus, even in desktop mode. In tablet mode apps run with big buttons and swipe gestures, and i've never had a problem with them. I do know lots of people complain about the iOS keyboard. Wasn't it only a few months ago they finally had the keyboard show lower case letters when you're typing lower case?
That has been fixed now but the keyboard on the iPad is one of the best on screen keyboards on a tablet.
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Old 04-12-2015, 11:38
misawa97
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Not sure 16gb is enough. I have the 64gb version and in no way use that but I know if I had the 16gb version I would be really struggling.

I like the Ipad air 2 but before that I had the Tab S 8.4 and for me I don’t feel like the Ipad is really superior. The screen on the Tab S I thought was slightly superior.

People kept telling me before I got the Ipad that IOS was so much smoother than Android with no lag but my again IOS does freeze just like Android does. I guess the biggest plus the Ipad has is the amount of dedicated tablet apps which run at the native resolution.

As for the process of putting video files and comic files via itunes. A nightmare!! Drag and drop is a whole lot easier.
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Old 04-12-2015, 21:00
alan1302
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Not sure 16gb is enough. I have the 64gb version and in no way use that but I know if I had the 16gb version I would be really struggling.
Does depend a lot on what you are going to with it. I use one at home so all videos and music is stream via a NAS drive so don't need a lot of internal storage.
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Old 05-12-2015, 00:46
zz9
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That has been fixed now but the keyboard on the iPad is one of the best on screen keyboards on a tablet.
That opinion is not universal.
"Keyboard is a common iOS problem that’s endured through many iOS updates. We’ve already encountered the occasional keyboard lag on the iPad and iPhone when shooting off an email or iMessage and we imagine that others will as we move away from the iOS 8.1 release. Thankfully, there are some simple fixes to try before throwing the phone against a wall or installing Swype."

iPad Pro.
"The iPad Pro's keyboard problems could use a little work
From software quirks to autocorrect woes, the iPad Pro can be tricky to type on whether you're tapping on glass or a real keyboard.
"
Not forgetting that the physical keyboard for the iPad Pro doesn't even have a trackpad.

The iPad doesn't even come with handwriting recognition. Windows tablets do. That's the Surface Pro with its stylus but even my £120 Linx has handwriting recognition built into the standard keyboard, using a capacitive stylus or even your finger.
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Old 05-12-2015, 05:41
kidspud
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That opinion is not universal.
"Keyboard is a common iOS problem that’s endured through many iOS updates. We’ve already encountered the occasional keyboard lag on the iPad and iPhone when shooting off an email or iMessage and we imagine that others will as we move away from the iOS 8.1 release. Thankfully, there are some simple fixes to try before throwing the phone against a wall or installing Swype."

iPad Pro.
"The iPad Pro's keyboard problems could use a little work
From software quirks to autocorrect woes, the iPad Pro can be tricky to type on whether you're tapping on glass or a real keyboard.
"
Not forgetting that the physical keyboard for the iPad Pro doesn't even have a trackpad.

The iPad doesn't even come with handwriting recognition. Windows tablets do. That's the Surface Pro with its stylus but even my £120 Linx has handwriting recognition built into the standard keyboard, using a capacitive stylus or even your finger.
Yes it does, it has a giant one which is the screen. Far better that the one you get with the pro keyboard.
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Old 05-12-2015, 11:44
len112
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Apple iPad Air 9.7 Inch LED Wi-Fi 16GB 7Ghz Tablet

I am hoping to purchase an Apple Ipad, but am confused over a technical issue.

One advert I saw inferred that the tablet was 'unlocked'. I don't quite understand this. Surely they do not require a sim card.....do they!?

Will 16GB be sufficient for my needs if I am going to store very few pix or music?
Some Ipads have a sim card so you don't need to rely on a WiFi connection
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Old 06-12-2015, 01:50
zz9
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Yes it does, it has a giant one which is the screen. Far better that the one you get with the pro keyboard.
But nowhere near as accurate as a mouse pointer. As Stig said a few posts up some people can find it difficult to hit menu items with a finger. Using software like Word, Excel etc with drop down menus can be fiddly.
Of course since the iPad is just a tablet, and can only use apps that are designed for big fingers, it is less of a problem. But that is because it is a limited machine. Windows tablets, from the £130 Linx to the Surface Pro 4 can work as a tablet UI, with big finger friendly buttons, and if you want to do some real work and run proper, full, desktop versions of software in the desktop UI then the trackpad is better. The iPad, even the 'Pro', is fine for surfing the net and watching videos, the absence of a trackpad isn't a big deal because it can't run full programs.
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Old 06-12-2015, 06:21
kidspud
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But nowhere near as accurate as a mouse pointer. As Stig said a few posts up some people can find it difficult to hit menu items with a finger. Using software like Word, Excel etc with drop down menus can be fiddly.
Of course since the iPad is just a tablet, and can only use apps that are designed for big fingers, it is less of a problem. But that is because it is a limited machine. Windows tablets, from the £130 Linx to the Surface Pro 4 can work as a tablet UI, with big finger friendly buttons, and if you want to do some real work and run proper, full, desktop versions of software in the desktop UI then the trackpad is better. The iPad, even the 'Pro', is fine for surfing the net and watching videos, the absence of a trackpad isn't a big deal because it can't run full programs.
I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make (apart from trying to justify your purchase choice). I've already said, the iPad is a tablet, not 'just a tablet' with a far superior selection of apps. The linx and pro are hybrids which are a compromise between a table and laptop, with the linx being more like a low powered netbook.

I wouldn't buy a surface pro again (I bought it for business reasons) because my laptop is far more usable.

It is also utter nonsense to say the iPad can only be used for watching videos or surfing the net.

There are many high quality productivity apps available. I swap between my laptop and iPad to do word processing and presentations all the time (and of course can use it on the move). I've said before, I know someone who runs a large scale business who integrates iPad and iMac use everyday.
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Old 06-12-2015, 07:52
oilman
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But nowhere near as accurate as a mouse pointer. As Stig said a few posts up some people can find it difficult to hit menu items with a finger. Using software like Word, Excel etc with drop down menus can be fiddly.
Of course since the iPad is just a tablet, and can only use apps that are designed for big fingers, it is less of a problem. But that is because it is a limited machine. Windows tablets, from the £130 Linx to the Surface Pro 4 can work as a tablet UI, with big finger friendly buttons, and if you want to do some real work and run proper, full, desktop versions of software in the desktop UI then the trackpad is better. The iPad, even the 'Pro', is fine for surfing the net and watching videos, the absence of a trackpad isn't a big deal because it can't run full programs.

Making comparisons on inaccurate statements is just not helpful.

On any windows tablet, you can install programs like touchmousepointer (free) which turn whole screen into a giant mouse trackpad giving very precise control.
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Old 06-12-2015, 08:10
zz9
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I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make (apart from trying to justify your purchase choice). I've already said, the iPad is a tablet, not 'just a tablet' with a far superior selection of apps. The linx and pro are hybrids which are a compromise between a table and laptop, with the linx being more like a low powered netbook.

I wouldn't buy a surface pro again (I bought it for business reasons) because my laptop is far more usable.

It is also utter nonsense to say the iPad can only be used for watching videos or surfing the net.

There are many high quality productivity apps available. I swap between my laptop and iPad to do word processing and presentations all the time (and of course can use it on the move). I've said before, I know someone who runs a large scale business who integrates iPad and iMac use everyday.
In what way is a machine like the Linx a compromise as a tablet? I've given a few features it has that the iPad hasn't, so what is it lacking?

And I never claimed they can only be used for surfing the net and watching videos, just that they're fine for that. Want to run the full, proper, full-featured versions of Word, Excel etc and (a) you can't install them and (b) without a track pad many users find the drop down menus fiddly to operate, as Stig said. On a Windows tablet you can install them and use the keyboard trackpad to use them.

As for "low powered" it has a faster processor, twice the storage and twice the RAM as the iPad the OP is considering. If the Linx is low powered what does that make the iPad?
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Old 06-12-2015, 08:17
zz9
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Making comparisons on inaccurate statements is just not helpful.

On any windows tablet, you can install programs like touchmousepointer (free) which turn whole screen into a giant mouse trackpad giving very precise control.
I try not to consider third party apps. A couple of years ago I defended Windows 8.1 as great as long as you installed Classic Shell, to which critics said if you have to use third party software to make your OS work you've lost the argument.

Anyway, why would you need touchmousepointer when you have a trackpad? I was praising Windows, but you criticise me by pointing out a way Windows can be made even better. That just adds to my argument.
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Old 06-12-2015, 08:31
kidspud
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In what way is a machine like the Linx a compromise as a tablet? I've given a few features it has that the iPad hasn't, so what is it lacking?

And I never claimed they can only be used for surfing the net and watching videos, just that they're fine for that. Want to run the full, proper, full-featured versions of Word, Excel etc and (a) you can't install them and (b) without a track pad many users find the drop down menus fiddly to operate, as Stig said. On a Windows tablet you can install them and use the keyboard trackpad to use them.

As for "low powered" it has a faster processor, twice the storage and twice the RAM as the iPad the OP is considering. If the Linx is low powered what does that make the iPad?
It lacks decent apps across all categories, lacks a decent screen, lacks 3G/4g connectivity, has average battery life.

It needs more storage because it isn't a tablet, it has to hold a full blown Windows installation then any 'full blown software' that you install. How much usable storage do you end up with after a Windows/office install?

How are you measuring processor performance?

As you are discounting 3rd party software, i assume you've not installed any 'full Windows software' and considered the cost.

How much does office 365 home add to the cost of your linx?
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Old 06-12-2015, 09:14
oilman
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I try not to consider third party apps. A couple of years ago I defended Windows 8.1 as great as long as you installed Classic Shell, to which critics said if you have to use third party software to make your OS work you've lost the argument.

Anyway, why would you need touchmousepointer when you have a trackpad? I was praising Windows, but you criticise me by pointing out a way Windows can be made even better. That just adds to my argument.
Apologies I (badly ) misinterpreted your point.

The whole apple, linux, windows pissing contest is tedious anyway. It is horses for courses.

What suits one person does not suit another.
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Old 06-12-2015, 09:23
zz9
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It lacks decent apps across all categories, lacks a decent screen, lacks 3G/4g connectivity, has average battery life.

It needs more storage because it isn't a tablet, it has to hold a full blown Windows installation then any 'full blown software' that you install. How much usable storage do you end up with after a Windows/office install?

How are you measuring processor performance?

As you are discounting 3rd party software, i assume you've not installed any 'full Windows software' and considered the cost.

How much does office 365 home add to the cost of your linx?
To say "it lacks decent apps across all categories" is simply wrong. It comes as standard with Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Onenote mobile apps, and apps like the official Twitter or ebay apps are the same as their iPad versions. Plus Cortana and XBox. If Apple users defended the Mac for years against criticism that it didn't have anywhere near the range of software the PC had then the exact same argument applies here, even without considering that Windows tablets can run all full Windows programs which makes it a far more powerful machine. Even the thousand pound iPad Pro can't run full programs, only apps with cut down features.

Screen wise the Linx is great. Not once have I ever looked at it and thought the screen was lacking. Again when the iPhone was way behind HTC, Samsung etc resolution "wasn't important". When Apple bought out their Retina display suddenly resolution was the bees knees. Then when HTC and Samsung overtook them they didn't mention resolution any more. Just like they refused to accept that bigger phones were a good idea, right up to the point Apple announced bigger iPhones...

Storage wise about 20gb is free of the 32gb drive. Better than the 12gb free on the iPad.

And my point about software, the point critics of W8.1 made, was software to make the OS work better. Clearly both the iPad and Windows tablets are designed to install apps and, with Windows, programs. But that mouse pointer app is to make the OS easier to use.

As for Office 365, the cost is the same as for any PC. The Linx does come with the Office Mobile free, but again they're free for anyone.

So for lacking we have a screen resolution you'd be hard pressed to notice, 3G (but I use my HTC phone as a wifi hotspot) and that's about it.

On the plus side I have twice the storage, easily expanded by another 128gb, twice the RAM, faster processor, two full size USB ports, true multitasking, bigger screen, extendable display, user accounts (great for letting your kids use it without being able to read your emails or look at your photos), a proper keyboard with trackpad, handwriting recognition built into the on screen keyboard, ability to install any programs including full featured desktop versions, complete integration with my PC with files and settings automatically shared (if you choose) and battery life is great.

For under half the price....
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Old 06-12-2015, 09:24
zz9
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Apologies I (badly ) misinterpreted your point.

The whole apple, linux, windows pissing contest is tedious anyway. It is horses for courses.

What suits one person does not suit another.
Exactly, which is why I said it comes down to what the OP wants to use it for and what apps they want to use.
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Old 06-12-2015, 10:35
kidspud
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To say "it lacks decent apps across all categories" is simply wrong. It comes as standard with Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Onenote mobile apps, and apps like the official Twitter or ebay apps are the same as their iPad versions. Plus Cortana and XBox. If Apple users defended the Mac for years against criticism that it didn't have anywhere near the range of software the PC had then the exact same argument applies here, even without considering that Windows tablets can run all full Windows programs which makes it a far more powerful machine. Even the thousand pound iPad Pro can't run full programs, only apps with cut down features.

Screen wise the Linx is great. Not once have I ever looked at it and thought the screen was lacking. Again when the iPhone was way behind HTC, Samsung etc resolution "wasn't important". When Apple bought out their Retina display suddenly resolution was the bees knees. Then when HTC and Samsung overtook them they didn't mention resolution any more. Just like they refused to accept that bigger phones were a good idea, right up to the point Apple announced bigger iPhones...

Storage wise about 20gb is free of the 32gb drive. Better than the 12gb free on the iPad.

And my point about software, the point critics of W8.1 made, was software to make the OS work better. Clearly both the iPad and Windows tablets are designed to install apps and, with Windows, programs. But that mouse pointer app is to make the OS easier to use.

As for Office 365, the cost is the same as for any PC. The Linx does come with the Office Mobile free, but again they're free for anyone.

So for lacking we have a screen resolution you'd be hard pressed to notice, 3G (but I use my HTC phone as a wifi hotspot) and that's about it.

On the plus side I have twice the storage, easily expanded by another 128gb, twice the RAM, faster processor, two full size USB ports, true multitasking, bigger screen, extendable display, user accounts (great for letting your kids use it without being able to read your emails or look at your photos), a proper keyboard with trackpad, handwriting recognition built into the on screen keyboard, ability to install any programs including full featured desktop versions, complete integration with my PC with files and settings automatically shared (if you choose) and battery life is great.

For under half the price....
So, you have an operating system that takes up 4 times the space and requires more memory to run it (I assume it's the 32bit version), a limited selection of apps, free apps that are available for any table, an inferior screen.

I cannot see any evidence the processor is faster (but I don't know how you reached that conclusion).

However, you seem to be describing a low end laptop, so we do agree on that.

Oh, and unless reviews are wrong, battery is average at best.
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Old 06-12-2015, 18:14
zz9
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So, you have an operating system that takes up 4 times the space and requires more memory to run it (I assume it's the 32bit version), a limited selection of apps, free apps that are available for any table, an inferior screen.

I cannot see any evidence the processor is faster (but I don't know how you reached that conclusion).

However, you seem to be describing a low end laptop, so we do agree on that.

Oh, and unless reviews are wrong, battery is average at best.
Lots of W10 tablets have 1gb RAM, so clearly it doesn't "need" twice the memory. Windows 8.1 and 10 are actually very efficient and happily run on far lower spec machines than Vista did. I installed 8 and then upgraded to 10 on a Compaq netbook that is five years old and has an Atom chip and 1gb RAM, and it runs better than the original XP.
Twelve gb is three times the 4gb that the iPad needs for its OS, not four. Not bad since it has so many features the iPad doesn't and can any full Windows programs.And after saying the apps were lacking across all categories you now criticise it for having the same apps as any other tablet?

The chip specs for the iPad are reported as 1.3 ghz dual core. The Linx is 1.7 quad core.

And your instance on calling it a laptop only proves it does more than the iPad. If I gave you a Linx, and you'd never heard of it before, and I didn't give you the keyboard and it was in tablet UI, what would make you think it was a laptop? What is it lacking that tablets like the iPad have? What actual features?

Dismissing Windows tablets because they can do more makes no sense. It's like you finding a car for sale that does everything you need but then you see it has a towbar and refusing to buy it because "I don't want a tow car and I'll never tow anything"
It's only a tow car if you choose to tow something. It still does what you want it to if you ignore the towbar, and who knows, one day you might urgently need to tow something? You have lost nothing but gained a feature that you might use but doesn't do any harm if you don't.

You earlier accused me of just trying to "justify" my purchase. Sounds like you're trying to justify yours. I've given a dozen real, useful, features of the Linx that offer serious, genuine, advantages and all you can say is the iPad has more pixels on screen.

Even the OPs question, "will 16gb be enough" is something he wouldn't need to ask with a Linx or any Windows or Android tablet. Try it, and if you need more just buy a micro SD card for a fraction of the price Apple charge for more storage. Simple.

(There may be Android tablets that don't have a micro SD card slot. I love my HTC Android phone but I've never had an Android tablet and don't know them all.)
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Old 06-12-2015, 20:44
oilman
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Exactly, which is why I said it comes down to what the OP wants to use it for and what apps they want to use.
Agreed.
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Old 26-12-2015, 07:16
kate36
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Apple have reduced the amount of space required to do OS updates.




http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/27/79...e-space-needed

Some people can get by with only 16GB. If you need more you can always buy up to 128GB of storage space. My iPad Air 2 has 128GB of storage space.

I didn't think you could do that with iPad as there is no SD card slot ??
Mind you, I have the iPad Air, perhaps the iPad Air 2 has one ?
I have the 32GB version, which I'm pretty sure will be sufficient as I have a laptop with 500GB as well. I use my iPad for general browsing, emails and messenger/Facebook .
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Old 26-12-2015, 09:32
Anika Hanson
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I didn't think you could do that with iPad as there is no SD card slot ??
Mind you, I have the iPad Air, perhaps the iPad Air 2 has one ?
I have the 32GB version, which I'm pretty sure will be sufficient as I have a laptop with 500GB as well. I use my iPad for general browsing, emails and messenger/Facebook .
No you can buy iPads with different amounts of onboard storage. My iPad Air 2 came with 128GB of internal storage space. You don't need an SD card if you are willing to pay for more internal storage space.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/comput...62990-pdt.html


The iPad Air was also available in 128GB when it was first released.
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