Review: iPad with Retina Display - Still the Apple of Our Eye

Since the launch of the original iPad in 2010, the way we use and relate to technology has changed dramatically. Steve Jobs said, in 1983, "What we (Apple) want to do is we want to put an incredibly great computer in a book that you can carry around with you and learn how to use in 20 minutes..." and that is exactly what the iPad is.

Apple iPad with Retina Display

Caitlin and Ieuan have been playing with my iPad since they were about two years old (with supervision, I might add!). I remember being gobsmacked at how, when we sat down with them, they both had grasped literally within minutes how a touch screen worked.

There are a wealth of brilliant educational apps too, many free as well as paid for - pictorial versions of the alphabet, numbers, songs, stories and simple games. - and of course all happily portable to restaurants, doctors' surgeries and dental waiting rooms! Used properly, I think tablets are a great way to spend time teaching and having fun with your children. They'll never completely replace the importance of reading to my children but apps like, for example "The Going To Bed Book" by Sandra Boyton make a nice change.

Of course there are also a host of fun apps like Talking Tom (and his many friends) and junior versions of adult favourites like Candy Crush.  Ieuan loves watching Toy Story videos on constant repeat.  (We are hoping the Buzz phase passes soon!).

We currently have an original iPad but we felt it was time to upgrade to take advantage of the fantastic apps which are appearing on an almost daily basis. We did consider Android tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy or the Microsoft Surface 8 tablet (which has Microsoft Windows 8 as its operating system), but for me the iPad remains the benchmark.

Even from this photo, the stunning clarity of the iPad's Retina Display is clear

We opted for the Apple iPad with retina display. We chose the 32GB Wi-Fi model which retails around the £480 mark. It is incredibly lightweight, has a 9.7" screen and the clarity of the display is stunning. It comes with a host of new features such as the 5MP iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording and the FaceTime HD camera, which we prefer to using SKYPE when The Husband is away on business.

It comes with iOS 6. (the operating system at the heart of the iPhone, iPad and iPod). iOS7 is now available and our iPad can be easily upgraded by downloading the software from Apple when we're ready.

The new iPad gives us access to over 300,000 apps so that should keep the kids quiet, especially since battery life is up to 10 hours, and of course The Husband can watch his favourite rugby via the TV apps such as iPlayer and I can start the Christmas shopping on the quiet, without little eyes watching.  

A moment's peace and quiet from Ieuan!

Yes, the iPad is still the Apple of our eye.

*A collaborative post.

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