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Vic Cardenas 8 years, 11 months ago.
Don’t have an ipad, but why the extra expense on another gadget?
Do you have an android phone already? Why not use that?
If you don’t, buy a prepaid one and use that for the truck phone # and processing square.
Boost mobile is $50 a month, phone around $179….
I just bought an at&t phone, it was $125, it gets the job done, the service is more but it’s the only thing that works where I moved to.
I’m looking into buying a refurbished iPad to keep on my truck, just for square. I’m looking at 2 models and looking for advice. I’ve never owned an apple product and don’t know a whole lot about the differences between ipad 1 and 2. I’m looking at 2 models basically: Refubished ipad 1 16GB wifi and refub’d ipad 2 16gb wifi. I’m mainly looking into these just to save some money, thus the refub’d. I figure they still have a 1 year warranty. Rebuild by Apple, not some other company, so they use the same parts. New battery (big plus in my book) and case. And I figure most people who turn these in after they broke them are usually people who just break the screen and buy the newest and most expensive “gotta have it” model.
I really will only be using this on the truck… for Square. I already have a PC and a laptop, so this will be my 3rd computer between me and my wife. Anything else I use it for will just be gravy. I can’t justify spending the extra money on a new model or a model with more GB’s or an ipad 3. I need to save all the money I can at this point in the build. I’m damn near broke! I figure I can buy a new one later once I get into business and make some money if this one is junk.
My question is: The ipad 1 is $299, the ipad 2 is $349. Should I spend the $50 extra to get the 2? Is there that much improvement in the processor and general design to justify the expense? Hopefully I can get some advice from someone who’s owned both?
You should call clear to see if it switches towers automatically if it’s really important to keep it on all the time while you’re driving.
Yea, I guess its probably not unless I rigged up some kind of geo-locator transmitting to a website. Twitter updates probably just fine. 🙂
For your purposes of Square, I think that an iPad 1 will be just as good as an iPad 2 for your needs. (I’ve owned both the iPad 1 and the iPad 2.) I do trust Apple with refurb products.
However, I noticed that both the iPads you were considering were WiFi only. Unless you’re confident that you can provide WiFi from your laptop, I’d seriously consider the iPad with 3G connectivity. Being able to connect to the Internet from anywhere would make a big difference – particularly for using Square.
Yes, they sell stands and drawers that cost as much as the ipad. I’m just using a cheap locking cash box with compartments. I bought an ipad case with finger rings and a leg for $25 so my ipad doesn’t take a dump out the window.
@wild Dog: It’s all good.
My plan was just to switch on the hotspot once while I’m at the commissary to give a quick twitter/facebook location update for my fans. Switch it off to conserve battery power (these things only have about 6 hours of life to them and I don’t want to be charging it all the time on the truck). Switch it back on when I get to my location to use the credit. So, I’ll automatically be resetting it anyway. You should call clear to see if it switches towers automatically if it’s really important to keep it on all the time while you’re driving.
Square now has free POS software available only for IPad. Waiting a little while to make sure they have worked out most of the bugs but I am fairly confident they will do so quickly.
Its called Amplifiear.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nonlinear/amplifiear-better-sound-for-the-new-ipad-and-ipad?ref=live http://www.kickstarter.co…ipad-and-ipad?ref=live
Yea, I am still talking about within the city. Looking at our local tower map, you can be in different parts of my small city 150k population, and be connected to different towers. So, I was wondering if I am linked to one, as I would be at home or office, and then my position moves within better range of another, and poor range of the original, I wonder if I have to do a modem reset to get optimum service.
Anyway, I wanted to post this gem for ya I just found: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552506690/brydge-ipad-do-more?ref=city http://www.kickstarter.co…-ipad-do-more?ref=city
There’s also a kickstarter for a cool “ear” you slap on the corner of your ipad to amplify the sound from the rear facing speaker towards the viewer. Pretty cool. I forgot the name of it tho.
Lemmie know how you like your ipad. I am likely gonna buy one, just feel guilty about buying it before so much work on the truck has to be done. I feel like it should be a reward for when I am at least at mid-point.
the app is free, the printer & the register drawer ranges from $250-$300 on ebay.
@ vic I must have missed that hot spot part LOL
Don’t have an ipad, but why the extra expense on another gadget?
Do you have an android phone already? Why not use that?
If you don’t, buy a prepaid one and use that for the truck phone # and processing square.
Boost mobile is $50 a month, phone around $179….
I just bought an at&t phone, it was $125, it gets the job done, the service is more but it’s the only thing that works where I moved to.
No, I don’t have an android phone already or associated expensive data plan from verizon (crooks).
I was attracted to the tablet style checkout system. And there’s a new “cash register” app for the ipad that seems pretty cool. ….
But, I hadn’t thought of getting a “burner” and using that for the business. That’s a thought. Thanks!!! I’ll have to check out rates for burners and see if that ends up being significantly cheaper.
Good question! I haven’t for the most part. I do know that clear is pretty well established around here and I’m really only focusing on SLC and not driving all over bf’n Utah. Just to clarify, I have a netzero hotspot which uses clears towers. Clear seems to have a pretty reliable signal near here (I also have a clear home dsl). I’m not too worried about it but I’ll let you know how well it works.
Hey Vic,
Did you do any investigating on how well a wireless router like Clearwire works in a mobile scenario? I was curious if there would be any reduction in signal quality or consistency as a truck worked in different parts of the city and grew further/closer to signal towers. If you would have to reset the modem as you changed proximity to another tower.
I’m glad you posted this Vic. I have been planning on an IPad for a pos device as well. I own an iPad 2 that will serve the truck. My phone will act as the wifi device. I have yet to decide on an app, but sounds like Square is a great option.
The iPad….the device that nobody needs, but everybody should have.
Good thread!
@ VIC I hope you got the iPad 2 with 3G, the wifi will hold you up if you don’t have a solid connection, and you won’t be able to get a solid connection unless you are in range for a FREE WIFI HOT SPOT, OR if someone in the area will let you piggyback off their internet which requires them to give you a password.
I’m an Apple geek ( or sheep as the call us ) The iPad 1 with wifi & 3G is all you need. Square register has been out for about 4-6 months now and you can use it to track all of your sales, even cash sales. You can buy an aftermarket wireless printer as well. I use my iphone and my ipad in the trailer and plan on using one in the food truck as well with the POS system ( runs about $300 ) + the price of an ipad.
For what you are using it for, the technology in the 1 is fine, the OS is the same in all the devices, just remember before running any updates on your ipad to turn off your virus software ( if using a windows based computer )
If you plan to purchase a data plan, the cost is only $14 & $25 a month, you’ll only need the $14 plan
Hey Wild Dog,
What is $300? The POS system? Square Register? I was wondering if Square Register costs or if it is a free app. Maybe you are referring to another POS system, or the printer hardware. Please elaborate.
Dave
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