5 Reasons to Update Your iPad 2

/

Apple released the iPad 2 in March 2011, almost six years ago.  

iPads are so reliable, they are still going strong in schools across the globe – but schools are starting to replace them for a number of reasons:

  1. iOS 10 is not compatible with the iPad 2, 3 or iPad mini (1st generation) preventing you from installing apps which are iOS 10-only including the current version of all the apps from Apple.  This will become a bigger issue over the coming year for updated versions of existing apps, but also wonderful new apps like Swift Playgrounds.
     
  2. Proxy Authentication issues preventing iPads from accessing the Internet effectively in NSW DoE schools have been resolved in iOS 10.2, but there is NO update planned for iOS 9-only devices such as the iPad 2 which may continue to experience issues.
     
  3. Bluetooth 4 is required for many educational robotics, but the iPad 2 only has Bluetooth 2.1 so its unable to work with some robots.  Important to check before purchasing.
     
  4. The new Apple Classroom App & Shared iPad features of Apple School Manager require a newer iPad to work, the iPad 2 is not compatible.
     
  5. Device Enrolment Program (DEP) is very helpful when moving to Mobile Device Management (MDM) and most iPad 2 devices in schools can’t be added to DEP. 

So what do you do now ?

It has always been important to budget for replacement of our ICT resources over a 3, 4 or 5 year lifecycle – so time to do the same with the iPads and budget to replace the iPad 2s over this year and next.

Apple and a number of resellers are offering trade-in programs which may be worth investigating.  Some schools are replacing them with new models for classes to use and then keeping the iPad 2s for non-Internet, non-robotics purposes.

We recommend all new iPads be purchased under DEP from Apple or Apple Reseller.