ipad 3 (new ipad) vs. ipad 4 for gaming.

[nix253]

Hey guys. Posting a query after quite a while.

So i've got a new ipad, the ipad 3 gen on a very sweet deal. but i've previously been saving up for an ipad 4. and now i'm getting a little impatient after seeing that deal. so just want to know- not considering the AAA mobiles games like NOVA series and modern combat series and games like these which keep pushing the "graphical boundaries" everytime their new installment is released, how long is it possible for ipad 3 to remain games compatible?

and if it isn't too long then is it worth it to spend a huge amount of money on ipad 4 also.

i'm especially interested in games like monument valley, telltale games like walking dead and WAU, device 6, angry birds, rayman etc.

also if i buy an ipad 3 now, so late that it's been even discontinued will i still be able to get an after sale service if something goes wrong in the warranty period?

 

[poofyhairguy]

The iPad 3 was the worst iOS product ever made. It has less power-per-pixel on the GPU than the iPad 2, let alone the iPad 4. It was on the market for less than a year for a reason- it was basically Apple pushing retina before the technology was ready. Currently the iPad 3 runs iOS less smoothly than any other device compatible with the current version of the OS.

The iPad 4 is a huge leap from the iPad 3 in GPU power, as well as other reasons (like the lightening cable). If you want to get something that you can game on for a while, I think the iPad 4 is the floor.

 

[Red Storm]

I agree, between those two go with the iPad 4.

I have to ask though, how good of a deal is it? Because there's also the iPad Mini.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Yeah. The iPad 3 was the first retina iPad (high resolution) and it's GPU was a tad underpowered for the task. That would impact game performance.

Regarding compatibility though. I think you should still be able to play most of the games okay, (probably some lag) as long as Apple is keeping the iPad up to date with the latest version of iOS.

As of now, even the older iPad 2 is up to date with iOS 8.x. Though it would not be terribly surprising if iPad 2 and iPad 3 support both got ended together regarding iOS updates. But that is probably a year away.

So long story short, I think you got about a year (at least) of iOS updates for the iPad 3 and that should keep you compatible and able to play pretty much all iOS games.

PS. And I agree with the above posters. I'd spend a little more on an iPad 4, it's much better.

 

[razel]

Have both the iPad 3 and 4. Not quite sure what kind of gaming you'll be doing on it, but I have played both XCOM Enemy Unknown (an Unreal Engine game) and Civilization Revolution on both. I also played both games prior on the PS3.

You definitely need some patience on the iPad 3. You'll need to tap carefully when things get busy on the screen. There are several times where I'd send troops to the wrong tile. Even web surfing on the 3 requires patience. The iPad 4 has no issue with taps and runs the games a bit better but is still noticeably laggy. Web surfing is far more enjoyable on it. However I still enjoyed playing those games on both. IOS 8 does a better job of managing memory. With IOS 7 you'd do yourself a favor if you close all apps prior to playing XCOM.

Skip the iPad 3 and maybe even the 4. The iPad Air 2 maybe better for gaming since it goes with 2GB of RAM and is triple core. The iPad 4 is 1GB and dual core. However HONESTLY you won't be doing any serious action gaming on a tablet. You won't be playing Bayonetta 2 on it anytime soon.

By the way if you just plan on consuming media (watching streaming vids) the iPad 3 is fine. That screen is fantastic and it's battery life is still 9+ hours.

 

[Eug]

Don't waste your time with the iPad 3.

Between the two I'd take the iPad 4, but I'd recommend an iPad Air refurb (low cost) or else a new iPad Air 2 (best one, with 2 GB RAM). Both of the Airs are way, way lighter than the iPad 4, and much faster too.

 

[jacktesterson]

Hate to say it but that iPad 3 is not a good buy now