I was leaning toward the larger screen too. Most people that I know who have the new mini are older/retired ladies who carry them in their purses. They want something portable that's a bit bigger than an i phone.

I will check out the link for the snugg pad. The i guy cover is specifically made for kid use with thick rubber bumpers all around but it is not small enough to put in most bags or purses. Maybe an i guy for my child's use and a snugg for on-the-go mom and dad use would work for us.

Another question: what's the best way to buy an i pad: online or at a store or used? We have a local retailer of new Mac products and also a retailer of used products. We live in a very diverse and hip university town so there is probably a large supply of used devices.

Thanks again for your help!

CB

More bang for the buck, essentially. Since you are new to the iPad and haven't used Mac in several years, I would buy from a store/person rather than on line, and get some pointers on operation. Also one of the first things to down load is the Tips and Tricks for the iPad.

My co-worker got one for Christmas and her 13 year old grandson set it up and showed her how to use it!

Find a ten-year-old.

Their dexterity will enjoy the larger play area.

I would get the basic $399 iPad2 with WiFi and 16gigs, no need for 3-G or storage capacity if most of what's done is with apps.

Only if you plan to download and store movies or TV shows will you need more than 16 gigs and then you'll have to switch to a Retina display at higher cost, unless you get a used iPad2.

~~~

He is not quite dexterous enough to use the mouse or laptop touch pad with good results.

I will have to discuss the the downloading/storage issue with his dad. We will want to use the device when our son is not using it. I had no idea about all of the storage issues. It is my very basic understanding that the memory/storage is NOT upgradeable.

I have what was top of the line, 64 gig, when I bought it and in loading one season of 30 Rock in high def, I've used up most of that.

If storage is a concern, you have to either get a more costly Retina edition or a used or refurbished iPad2 with higher capacity, like this:

$499: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC916LL/A/refurbished-ipad-2-with-wi-fi-64gb-black-2nd-generation

I highly recommend the item above. For $100 more you get 4 times the storage, and I have gotten several refurbished items from the Apple store, no complaints, full warranty.

For additional storage, there are USB drives which can adapt to iPads, though I haven't used them so cannot recommend:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/04/06/i-flashdrive-for-ipad-and-iphone-review-a-usb-drive-for-ios-devices/

It is all a bit overwhelming so I like to do lots of research and get lots of advice before making any decisions.

Thanks for the help!

That will be "current" for a long while. As compared to the iPad 3, it has a slower processor and no Retina display. Beyond that, they're pretty much the same.

As noted above, no need for more than WiFi.

I am probably going to get the top of the line I pad 2!

I have also gotten them new. Honestly, it is hard to tell the difference. Being entirely solid state, they either work or they don't. Cosmetically, the ones I got were essentially perfect.

A used iPad2 is probably in the $350 range. Here's some from across the country.

From the DC area: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/sys/3788713230.html

From NYC area (with a little drama http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/sys/3788676495.html

Chicago: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/sys/3778408045.html

Los Angeles: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/sys/3780770908.html

Thanks for the links. I think I'm well on my way to making a good choice!

Hello and thank you from Athens, GA

Why does a 4-year-old need an iPad?

That's the age when they should be working on active and imaginative play and manipulating objects with their hands.

This morning at the gym, I saw a mother with her small son, and the kid was totally absorbed in some game on a tablet (I don't think it was an iPad), so much so that he wasn't looking where he was going and wasn't paying any attention to things like "Here's the elevator." He was so inattentive, that she said, "Three warnings, and I'm taking it away."

My question was, why give it to him in the first place? It felt like the new version of plunking the kid down in front of the TV, only on-the-go.

A bit of computer time here and there may be ok, even preferable to watching the boob tube; but there are also other considerations. People don't like to hear it, but too much wifi exposure is harmful especially for little kids. And a little one sitting with a tablet on their lap, well that might not be the best thing.
It is considered controversial and you might decide the risk is not there, but at least be informed. Here's a place for you to start.

This page shows the wifi radiation measurements of an ipad and wireless router.
http://www.safeinschool.org/2013/03/ipad-wifi-radiation-captured-on-videos.html

Here's lots more pertaining to children
http://www.safeinschool.org/2011/01/protect-your-children-from-cell-phone.html

In our house, the router is turned off when not using internet, and especially at night. The ipad wireless is also turned off when internet is off and its being used for anything other than internet such as reading. Also, cell phones are off and plugged in far away from bedrooms. That first link shows why.

Best wishes to you

all along. This is how our brains are formed, interacting with the physical world, of which we are a part. Plenty of time for screenworld later.

Read the medical advise on screen time and young children.