Best storage capacity for a student

3G/ Cellular means that you can connect to a 3G data network whenever you do not have access to a WiFi network, so in theory, you could use the iPad out in a park or on the quad at school where there is no WiFi. You have to subscribe to a data plan from a service provide and pay a monthly charge to use 3G.

Nobody can tell you for sure how much storage capacity you will need, but I can tell you that you cannot add storage capacity to the device later on. There are WiFi drives that you can use with an iPad to store content, but that means an additional cost and another device to haul around with you.

The 16GB is going to be too small for you if you want to have movies with you because some movies can take up 5 or 6 GB and the average 90 minute movie in HD is probably about 2GB or so. The music will not take up that much space based on what you are saying, but recording classes and taking photos can take up storage reliably quickly if you record all of your lectures and save them and take lots of photos. Apps themselves may not take up a lot of space, but data in the apps can start to grow over time and game apps can take up a good bit of space on the iPad - depending on why game it is.

My philosophy is always go with the biggest device that fits into your budget, because like I said, you can't add storage later. I'm sorry, but I can't begin to tell you how much space a recorded class will take up, but recording all of them will add up.

I have a 64 GB WiFi only iPad 3 and I have about 24 GB of storage capacity left. I have two HD movies, a few video clips, around 350 songs, 180 apps, and about 1100 photos - which take up 2.8 GB.

I'm happy that Demo solved your question. I had read it and waited until my younger son got home to ask him a few questions. I figure the more opinions you have, the better. And Demo has the right idea that you should buy your ipad with the most storage you can afford. That tends to be the general concensus in responses to this question.

Our son got his ipad 2 64 gb before as he started his junior year in college this past year. At first, he quickly loaded it with music, a few movies, tv shows, apps, etc. It came to over 22 gbs. After his junior year he has used over 50 gb. He said the books do not take up much space, but the tv shows do and if he needs to, he can delete them. So it can add up fast. You want to record (video and audio?) it adds up. It will add up more quickly than simply taking photos. You might have to buy newspapers (or be given for free through your university) and they add up if not deleted periodically. Engineering projects take up space. Others might say you don't need to go too big because you can store things in the cloud. (We haven't done that here, so no opinion to offer.)

Like Demo, our son has no idea about recording, but as Demo said,it will add up. Movies eat up the battery more quickly, so that might be an indication that your recordings will take up more space.

So we suggest you consider the 64gb, and if you can easily afford it, and want to, consider the128 gb. (Personally, for me, the more it costs, the more I'd worry about it.)

And FYI, at least in the USA, most colleges have wifi throughout campus, so you might not need it too often on campus. But if you can afford it, the cellular will ensure constant connectivity to the internet anywhere! And because you aren't too familiar with cellular, depending on where you live and go to school, you will pick a carrier (often the carrier for your cell phone.) And when you are out of wifi range, your phone carrier will charge you, so you might want to do some comparison shopping.

It's great that you have Netflix.

Oh. Please be sure to buy a good strong case for your ipad.

Reseach independent reviews (esp. re storgage given the price,) and don't hurry to make a decision until you're sure.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your ipad and your years at university!

You're quite welcome. Good luck and all the best in your pursuit of the ideal iPad!