64gb ipad owners: how useful is the extra space?

[desura]

Since the ipad air has limited codec support (eg: can't play whatever MKV file you throw on it like android can) does local storage really matter that much for it?

Or are app sizes so large that the extra space is essential?

 

[nickbits]

apps are not that big..16gb is going to be enough if you're just using apps.

although, if you are going to have a lot of games then maybe bump up to 32.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I've had, I think three 16GB iPads. I don't think I'll do that again. I always ran out of space, even if most of what I did was install apps. I think about 12 or 13GB is usable and that can go pretty quickly.

So I went with 64GB this time (work paid for this one) and this time it seems to be way more than I really need.

Of course each person's usage will be significantly different. But I think 32GB is probably a good size for many of us.

 

[desura]

Sounds about right.

I'm still a bit perplexed that they didn't include 2gb RAM in the air. Seems really obvious thing to do. Like, of all my devices, my iOS ones crash the most and it's all from low memory. Even my cheap $170 windows tablet has 2gb RAM.

And of course, will the ipad ever comes in AMOLED?

 

[vi edit]

32 gig is the sweet spot. It's enough for about 10 movies assuming you don't mind some compression and also a good pile of games.

 

[mmntech]

The default video player is pretty much limited to MPEG and MP4 formats but there are alternatives, like VLC. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/vlc-for-ios/id650377962?mt=8

I would start with the 32GB one if you're just using it occasionally. 64GB for videos or games, of if you're a heavy user

 

[vi edit]

For my movies, I usually do a two pass. Once through MakeMKV to get raw file. Then again through handbrake to get a much more manageable MP4 size. 2 gig output files look great on my retina iPad.

 

[desura]

For my movies, I usually do a two pass. Once through MakeMKV to get raw file. Then again through handbrake to get a much more manageable MP4 size. 2 gig output files look great on my retina iPad.

While that is true...

It's also way too much work. And what if you change your mind about the movie? You end up having to plan out what you want to watch like 4 hours in advance and then encode/transfer.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Since the ipad air has limited codec support (eg: can't play whatever MKV file you throw on it like android can) does local storage really matter that much for it?

Or are app sizes so large that the extra space is essential?

You can apparently dump MKV files on now and play them with VLC. That's been a huge plus for me. However, the price for a 64gb is ridiculous IMO.

 

[vi edit]

It's also way too much work. And what if you change your mind about the movie? You end up having to plan out what you want to watch like 4 hours in advance and then encode/transfer.

Longest part is ripping to MKV. Batch up your encoding and you can rip 8 of them via handbrake overnight. Of course, I'm using legally owned Blu Rays that I'm ripping for the kids to use and also have those MP4's shared out over iTunes to Apple TV.

 

[Oyeve]

The job let me have a 64GB ipad 2 recently. Its loaded with movies. IMO, 64GB should be the base amount on all gadgets.

 

[s44]

I'm still a bit perplexed that they didn't include 2gb RAM in the air.

How the hell else are they going to make you buy the New Air, now optimized to handle the multiwindow features of iOS8?

And of course, will the ipad ever comes in AMOLED?

Not while they're still suing Samsung.

 

[tsupersonic]

The job let me have a 64GB ipad 2 recently. Its loaded with movies. IMO, 64GB should be the base amount on all gadgets.

I think 32 GB should be the absolute lowest storage option on all tablets - it's 2014! I'd like to start seeing 256 GB models, come on storage/memory technology!

 

[desura]

You can apparently dump MKV files on now and play them with VLC. That's been a huge plus for me. However, the price for a 64gb is ridiculous IMO.

Yes, but isn't there an issue with the decoder? MKV files would be decoded via software while hardware decoders exist for all supported formats.

 

[bearxor]

When I buy an iPad, it's a 16GB version. It's more than enough but I never store movies or anything on it. So buy accordingly.

 

[Ravynmagi]

32GB is ideal... but dang it's so painful paying the extra $100 for just a 16GB bump.

I like my iPads, but it's getting harder and harder to justify the prices Apple charges.

 

[Eug]

My next iPad will be 32+ GB, specifically for MKV playback, in vlc (software playback and DTS support) and nPlayer (hardware playback but no DTS).

I'm hoping for a 32 GB minimum low end model on the iPad Air 2, but I don't think that will happen.

 

[ControlD]

32GB is ideal... but dang it's so painful paying the extra $100 for just a 16GB bump.

I like my iPads, but it's getting harder and harder to justify the prices Apple charges.

Agreed. I always went for the 16GB models for just that reason. I almost upgraded to a 32GB Air model but decided enough was enough.

I have to admit, now having a tablet that lets me plug in a thumb drive makes me wonder why I was considering paying so much for so little storage. That $100 upgrade for an extra 16GB of storage could get me several 32GB USB sticks ....

 

[Zaap]

What "extra space" ?

Seriously...64GB in 2014 is a pathetic con. Less than that is just downright unfathomable. Mobile device storage and especially for tablets needs to go up drastically. 64/128/256 should be standards, and 16 should be laughed out of the marketplace.

 

[desura]

So how bad is the memory situation? Seriously?

Nowadays, when I use my ipod touch 5g, it crashes noticably more often than my android phone. At least most iOS software should still be 32bit, so the situation isn't horribly bad on the ipad, but still, 1gb is insanely low.

 

[shortylickens]

If you like to watch loads of HD movies without constantly deleting and copying, it could be nice.

 

[Trombe]

Only common reasons to get something more than the 16GB is for media and/or lots of games IMO. TBH if it weren't for the T-Mobile deals going on earlier this year I wouldn't have even gotten my Mini retina, it just isn't (probably still isn't even with the discount) worth the normal asking price, especially with the extra $100 for only 16GB more.