which i-pad?

[emc]

I'd go for a 16GB iPad Air if you are buying new.

If your mother wants to use it away from home you might have to use a cellular version with all the hassle that entails. If I use mine away from home I just "find" a free internet provider. I don't keep "private" details on mine so I don't need to worry too much about security. If she's only going to use it as a computer at home there is no issue.

32GB only if she's really going to go to town.

You can get refurbished ones from the Apple website.

I understand Fred's issues with Apple but then big business is all about maintaining as big a monopoly as you can get away with. My iMac has been the most reliable computer I've ever had and the I kept wishing the one I had at work would break down so I could have a fancy new model - but after eight years it was still going strong.

[Fishtales]

I'd go for a 16GB iPad Air if you are buying new.

If your mother wants to use it away from home you might have to use a cellular version with all the hassle that entails. If I use mine away from home I just "find" a free internet provider. I don't keep "private" details on mine so I don't need to worry too much about security. If she's only going to use it as a computer at home there is no issue.

32GB only if she's really going to go to town.

You can get refurbished ones from the Apple website.

I understand Fred's issues with Apple but then big business is all about maintaining as big a monopoly as you can get away with. My iMac has been the most reliable computer I've ever had and the I kept wishing the one I had at work would break down so I could have a fancy new model - but after eight years it was still going strong.

I thought that when I bought my wife her first one and she outgrew it in four months. Having it 24/7 is a lot different from getting a shot now and again

What hassle with the cellular one? The second one I got for my wife has mobile and the contract is with Vodafone for £5 per month and works fine, assuming a signal

[Wildfisher]

If you already have a smart phone you don't need to buy a cellular tablet. Get a hotspot app for your phone - free or pennies - then connect to it from your tablet. Don't know  if that's possible with Apple, but it's a snip with Android devices.

[Fishtales]

If you already have a smart phone you don't need to buy a cellular tablet. Get a hotspot app for your phone - free or pennies - then connect to it from your tablet. Don't know  if that's possible with Apple, but it's a snip with Android devices.

I can't remember if it works with the iPad through the Android phone but it works with my laptops through the phone. The iPad can be turned into a Hotspot and they can be connected through it

[Tyro]

Definitely check out the reconditioned IPads often available on Apples official website. These are usually brand new items that have been returned unused by major purchasing departments. They come with all Apples usual warranties etc. For battlefield guiding purposes I had to buy a top of the range 3G model with inbuilt GPS and got one as above off Apple with a saving of about £100 if I remember correctly. Never had any problems with it.

Len

[Wildfisher]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30655176

[Fishtales]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30655176

One of the many reasons why none of our iPads have been updated yet