You won't save anything by buying an older version, unless it's a refurb. So I would just decide what size you prefer and get the newest version of that. The ipad 2 is five years old now. I have one and it will run iOS 9, but not nearly as handily as the current models will.

I have a mini. I never got one until they came out with mini with Retina display as I use it a lot for reading kindle books too and wanted the smaller size. I do use it a lot for surfing the net too. If you use it primarily for reading I'd think you would like the smaller book like size especially if you ever want to take your reading material with you some where. I love mine

You are absolutely right, Writersblock. The newer OS was developed for the current models. I am wondering why I even thought twice about getting the newest model.

3Katz, I just never liked the smaller size.. but then, I always preferred reading hardback books too. I don't mind the size of the 10" at all.. but I do look forward to a lighter version!

Thank you both!

Funkyart, I have the iPad Air 2. It's my second device and I'm on it constantly. I upgraded last year from the Retina, so it wasn't super old, but it was old enough. Beside a different operating system, another notable difference is the weight. The air is much lighter and easier to hold. I also have the iphone 6 which is set up to mirror my iPad, for pictures, video and even imessaging it comes in handly.

When I got my iPad Air 2 I was told that there were a lot of changes made not only with the software but also in regards to the processor they use. If you are planning to use it until it isn't functionable anymore, than you should absolutely get the most recent version available.

Also, if you just use if for the kindle and are not thrilled about spending the bucks for an iPad, you may want to consider one of the newer version kindles instead. They can do a variety of things, have apps and so on but cost a fraction of the price. The draw back is that the screen is not as large as an iPad's.

You can get a refurbished iPad 2 for about $100. I have a 2, but I got it through school. I really don't have any problems with it. A lot of my conferences have iPad apps, so that is pretty helpful.

I had an iPad 2. DH took that one and got me an iPad Air 2. My Air 2 is definitely much lighter/thinner and faster than the other one.

Last year I won an iPad Air 2 and when I compare it to my brother's iPad it is significantly lighter. However the cover you select can make a huge difference. I wanted an origami cover similar to the one on my original tablet, a Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. Amazon's origami cover is fairly light, fits beautifully and can be used in both landscape and portrait mode - plus it is so stable when sitting on my desk that I can easily use the touch pad to type messages without having to hold it with my left.

The reviews on Apple's site for the Apple Smart cover for the iPad Air were poor - apparently the original Smart cover for the iPad had 4 folds on the cover and Apple's Smart cover for the new models only had 3 and reviewers felt it was less stable. I looked at keyboard covers but they added even more weight.

I prefer my 3 year old Kindle Fire tablet over the iPad but since winning my iPad Air 2 I've now gone over to the dark side - I replaced my 5 year old Droid phone with an iPhone and I now have a Macbook. I gave my Kindle tablet to DD. I'm even looking at getting an iPad Mini to take with me when I go to Ireland this September.

I'm sure you'll really appreciate one of the new models - they are amazingly light and thin.

Maire

Thank you all for your experiences. I did a little bit of research this morning and the thing that stands out to me is that only the newest ipad air2 has multi-tasking capability in the new OS 9. And so it begins.. the newest features and capabilities are developed for the newest models.

For me, most of the improvements between ipad air and ipad air2 are not all that exciting. While thinner and lighter, the difference is small compared to my gain (or loss) from ipad. I don't really care about the camera improvements and while speed is always appreciated, the ipad just won't ever be my primary surfer. Mult-tasking definitely caught my attention though. It was my sole complaint when I first jumped on the tablet train.

I use the ipad at times when I can't or don't *want* to be at a desk or table. I don't think I am interested in a keyboard but if I am... why wouldn't I want the full size apple keyboard?

Where are you seeing a refurbished ipad2 for $100? At that price, I'd consider the older model but what I've seen is double the price.

My first iPad was an iPad2, I still use it. Then I bought a mini because it was perfect for my purse, smaller, lighter. I think it was 2 years ago that I bought the Air @ and I love it. But I am such an iPad junkie that I bought the iPad Pro. I love it and it could actually replace my MacAir. I love the Pro because of the Apple pencil. I also have the keyboard cover for it and I think that is one of the reasons that I feel it could replace my MacAir. I have my Mac set up in my library where I use it for most of the day. In the evening I gather my iPads and go into the living room with DH. The mini stays in my purse for away from home use.

Funky, I'm excited for you! It will be so nice to have an updated version. My iPad2 and my mini seems so clunky and slow moving. If you don't care about drawing and sketching apps where the pencil is most useful I think the iPad Air2 would be perfect for you. There is a new Pro version out that is smaller than the one I got. I think it was released right after I bought my larger Pro.

Thanks, Holly! I am excited too. I did look at the pro also but I decided not to go pro because of the cost and because I don't think I'll use the features. I do need to replace my laptop and it would be tempting to go a direction where the tablet takes the place of both but I really can't imagine I'd use the ipad like I use my laptop. Maybe I should put more thought into it..

I have both sizes of the iPad Pro and seriously love them both for different reasons. The large size has replaced my laptop for everything except spreadsheets. The keyboard is a joy to use. However, the large one is just too darn big to travel with easily especially since it is vulnerable to flexion when stuffed in my carry-on bag, but the smaller one is aces. I was concerned that I would have problems typing on the smaller keyboard, but I find it really easy to use. My biggest complaint is that you really can't use a cover when you are using the smart keyboard, so apps that require portrait mode are a hassle because the keyboard won't hold up the iPad Pro in portrait mode. Added to the easy to carry size, the smaller Pro has so much memory that I can download lots of video for entertainment when traveling.

I don't know for what purposes you use your laptop, but I would encourage you to visit an Apple store and try typing on the smaller Pro's keyboard. I think you will be surprised how easy it is and the smart keyboard is easily detached when you want to read without extra weight.

The other downside for your purposes would be the much shorter battery life on the Pro versus other iPads.

Funkyart, the reason I really like my cover/keyboard is because it protects the ipad as well where I don't believe a full sized keyboard would, though of course I could be wrong.. At first I thought the smaller keyboard would be a problem but I quickly adapted and now I can't tell the difference. I type on it very fast with great ease. It's so convenient that my iPad is all I use; I only pull out my laptop when I absolutely have to. It has hinges and folds up like a clam when not in use which protects the screen, it's light on my lap and has the look and feel of a laptop. Granted it's not for everyone, but since I've been so happy with it, I thought I'd share just in case anyone is in the market.

Thanks for your experiences, Fun2. Unfortunately, there isn't an apple store that is convenient.. the closest one is almost an hour away and it's not the best of the apple stores. The things I use my laptop for that I would be unlikely to move to the ipad include MS word documents and excel spreadsheets. Some are work related, some personal. I do have the Words and Numbers apps but while I'd do quick updates with them, I would not likely create new documents or attempt to do anything highly formatted.

When I bought my first ipad, it was to be an escape from my many work hours at the computer. I still look at it that way-- as a source of entertainment for reading, music, and much more rarely, games & movies.

You can try BestBuy, although I wouldn't actually purchase anything from them.

Funky, with the criteria you set I think the air would be perfect. I do love my Pro and I am going to buy the smaller Pro and retire my iPad2. It is just too clunky.

Fun2be, I will use an old Vera Bradley laptop case to carry my Pro. we are leaving for the beach this Saturday. I'm leaving my laptop home and taking my Pro and Air.

My grandsons spent a few days with me and they both loved the color therapy app. We downloaded it on their iPads and I ordered a stylus for each of them because it's easier than using your finger. My oldest DGS commandeered my Pro because he loved the bigger display and the Apple Pencil.

Oh writersblock, there are a number of places I can see the ipads. I just don't think it's necessary.. I WOULD go to an apple store if there was one closer but bestbuy or Walmart? No thanks!

Holly, I think you are right. I am pretty close to ordering an Air2 ..now I need to decide if I'll need 3G.. I have used it on my current ipad but not in ages.

I had the original iPad, then upgraded to an iPad Air. I would suggest you buy the iPad Air 2. Check apple's refurbished stuff for decent prices and full warranties. . (Here's the link to apples refurb page with iPad Air 2 for sale) If you have an iPhone, you can use it as a cell hot spot so you don't have to buy a 3G iPad. I've even gotten an Apple Watch to enhance the whole experience (as I drink my KoolAid )

edited to correct auto check spelling errors...

Holly-Kay, I actually had my large Pro in a soft-sided laptop case, but I guess I'm not careful enough because the screen protector was cracked when I reached my destination. I think shoving it under the airline seat was probably the culprit. That said, the smaller Pro is easier to use on the plane anyway and has a longer battery life so I don't mind leaving the larger version at home.

bluebird, Thank you! I had checked out the refurbished but on the current model, the savings just weren't enough for me to want to go with refurb.

I am down to deciding how much storage I need...

Fun, thanks for the heads up. I'm going via car with my DD, DSIL, and DGSs so I will be using it for the trip. If I was going by plane I would probably keep right on my lap but good to know not to stow it where it can get damaged but the VB laptop case is a hard case with padding over it and covered with a VB fabric. It is really quite sturdy.

Funky, I usually go with the max . I don't know why I do that but I always want to make sure I have plenty of memory available.

Fun, this what the interior looks like, less the kitty of course. He just can't resist an open box or bag. I'm not sure if you can see the structure but I could stack suitcases on top and it would maintain it's shape. It was a spur of the moment purchase when we were at the beach about three or four years ago. I also use it as a travel art bag also.

That looks like a great bag, Holly-Kay. The kitty is pretty cute, too. Thanks for the picture.

Holly, I am curious what you use all that storage space for. I really don't think I have the need.. but maybe there's something I am not considering.

I'll stream movies if needed. I won't download them.

I won't store docs or images on it (they'll go to my primary computer, a passport drive and/or the cloud)

I have a number of apps but nothing that requires 128GB of storage

Anything I am missing?

Ha. I was all set to order the 64GB tonight.. but now I want to know what might make me wish I needed 128!

Funky, I think because you keep a device for a long time, it's a good idea to have space because newer apps and iOS updates seem to take up more and more memory. However, 64GB is probably enough especially since that's the largest memory offered in an iPad Air 2 which is the model that I think you are buying?

ETA: Sorry, my mistake. I see the 128GB option now.

Yes, I am buying the ipad air 2.. but there is an option for 128GB.

Funky, I can only explain it by saying that I have to go big or go home. I should probably go with less memory because I have so many iPads but each time I'm faced with the decision I think oh rats it's not that much more to go larger. I do know that when I bought iPads for my grandsons DD said to get them 16GB and that didn't work out well at all. They were constantly running out of memory. I just replaced my ten year old DGS's with 32. I wanted to go with 64 but DD said the 32 should be fine. We will see how that works out though, I think I should have gone with the mini 4 for him.

if you go with the Air2 you will love it! It sounds like 64GB will be fine for you. They are so light weight and you will be amazed at how much better it is than your older one. When I go to PC I cannot resist going to the Apple Store and that always gets me in trouble.

Oh yeah, if I lived closer to the Apple store, I'd already have one.. and a MacBook air! (Though I am not a fan of the PC store..

OK, so the things that start sucking up space are Movies (HD especially), photos/videos, and certain video intensive games. Other files take up space but text files are pretty darn small.

Maybe I sound like a cheapskate, but I can buy (and have) a 1 Terabyte passport for less than the price diff between the 64GB ipad air 2 and the 128GB. Given the low cost of storage, the price diff between the models is ridiculous.

I am a very casual gamer. I am not recording music with Garage Band or any of the other music composition apps. Other than scrabble, I might play 1-2 games a year. I won't use the camera extensively and when I do, I won't store photos on the ipad. I think the 64GB will be fine. I actually think the 16GB will be fine but I'll go 64. :)

Thanks so much everyone!!

Yeah!!!!! I can't wait for you to get it. I bought my MacAir about six months before I got my Pro. If I got the Pro first I may not have purchased a MacAir.