iPad for Grade 3 Kid

hubs1982 on 07/05/2019 - 14:30

Hi fellow OzBargainers,

During the next academic year, one of my kids is going into Grade 3 and the school he goes to requires all kids to bring an ipad (school doesn’t dictate which type, I personally don’t like the mini) for use in class. We have previously bought him an Samsung Tab for Christmas back in 2017, he has been using it at home and has been handling it well (accidentally dropped it a few times, but no significant damage).

Background

  1. Shall be going on a holiday in July so can take advantage of TRS if required
  2. Are using mobile data as we don’t use that much internet (hence no nbn/broadband, always have someone at home and hence will be able to hotspot)
  3. Having read the PDS of the H&C insurance (Budget Direct) it appears that electronic tablets can be covered for an extra premium

My thoughts are:

  1. Whether we should buy an ipad out right using one of my credit cards (eg. HSBC Premier which offers 90 days’ worth of purchase protection insurance (loss, theft or accidental damage)); or
  2. Whether we should buy eGift Cards (Suncorp, TGG concierge…) to take advantage of the ~5% discount; or
  3. Whether it’s better off paying for it on a monthly basis (with the $29/month deals from Telstra/Optus)
  4. Do people normally purchase insurance for kids ipads? If so, with their H&C insurer or under separate insurer?
  5. Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • geek001 on 07/05/2019 - 14:39

    My kids have iPads for school as required by QLD govt. My advice is to get them something more than 16GB. The ones I got my kids are 16GB and they are constantly running out of space. I got them the Refurb iPad Air, which worked fine, but probably aging a bit now, my recommendation is to get the iPad Air 2 at least.

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:15

      Thanks for the advice.

  • thatonethere on 07/05/2019 - 14:46

    Don't get a ipad mini as I don't think they are supported for Naplan online (https://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-…).

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:15

      Thanks for the advice, wasn't planning on getting a mini as I think they are a little too small.

  • iDroid on 07/05/2019 - 14:47
    +2

    I recommend the best possible rugged protection you can get for that iPad.

    • martyn on 07/05/2019 - 15:07
      +1

      The "tradie" style cases are pretty bullet proof

      • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:16

        Thanks for the advice.

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:15

      Thanks for the advice, will do so.

  • sghetti on 07/05/2019 - 15:39

    The iPad 6th Gen (2018) model is at a pretty good price point. Officeworks has it for around $450? And it has their A10 chip, runs pretty fast and sufficient for what they'd be looking for.

    Unfortunately Apple keep a tight ship on their products and you're hard pressed to get a good deal well below RRP on any current models.

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:17

      Thanks for the advice, hopefully they will go on sale before our holiday in July.

  • shaybisc on 07/05/2019 - 15:41
    -1

    Silicon Valley parents are raising their kids tech-free — and it should be a red flag

    https://www.businessinsider.com.au/silicon-valley-parents-ra…

    The Techpreneurs of Silicon Valley are Keeping their Families Away from Technology. Should You Too?

    https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/319288

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:17

      Thanks for the advice, we are currently limiting screen time. Don't have a standard time, but maximum an hour a day.

      • sghetti on 08/05/2019 - 14:25

        If you aren't using it already and have iOS devices, you can use Screen Time to limit screen usage.

        You can set timers on the device as a whole, or specific apps or app categories, as well as set exception apps (such as iMessage/Phone). So they could be restricted to 1hr of Social Media time, but use Education apps for 2hrs.

        • hubs1982 on 10/05/2019 - 00:37

          Thanks for the advice. Will definitely set some limits for the kids.

  • altomic on 07/05/2019 - 16:12
    +1

    my kid needed one at the start of last year.

    the schools IT information sheet said 3rd gen would be fine. so i grabbed one of ebay for $80.

    school started and of course the educational Apps required gen 5 specs. the gen 3 wouldn't run several of the required apps. (i scored a store return/basically new 5th gen ipad off ebay for $320)

    got a free case/keyboard from a greys deal

    it's been over a year and no damage.

    TL:DR - get at least 5th gen to "future proof" it from school app software changes

    • hubs1982 on 08/05/2019 - 13:18

      Thanks for the advice, will get something recent to save any potential hassle.

  • shiznit on 09/05/2019 - 14:14

    Our school has a deal with JB hi-fi education. It's $411. 15 for the iPad 6 32GB and $521. 39 for the 128GB, which I think are pretty good prices.

    You should check with your school to see if they offer something like that.

    • hubs1982 on 10/05/2019 - 00:39

      Thanks, my wife spoke to a number of parents during pick up who have gone through this in the past and it seems that our school hasn't got this type of deal with Jb hi-fi…

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