If you have an old iPad (or iPad mini) you may well find that, bit at a time, apps will stop working, crash or may even disappear from your iPad. If this is happening to you, then it may be time to get another iPad, especially if you use your iPad out and about, hooking up to free Wi-Fi services.

The current version of the iPad operating system is iOS 12.4. If your iPad is running on this, then it is up to date, and the Safari browser and email apps are fully supported. Your iPad is secure, and you can use Facebook and Whatsapp with no problems, plus all Google apps.

What iOS is running on your iPad?

To find out more about your iPad, see Find my iOS

Coming soon

Apple are about to release a new version of iOS specifically for iPads later this year, iPadOS

 

 

Older iPads (and iPad minis) may not support iOS 12, and this is where the problems may start. Bit at a time, apps will disappear or not function properly. There is also the possibility that your iPad will be less secure.

If this is the case, start thinking about replacing your iPad with a more recent model.

 

Buying a new iPad

 

At the time of writing, the latest version of iOS is 12.4 (August 2019).

 

 

Why is this important? Having an out of date iPad is rather like having a car where the door locks don’t always work. If you always park your car in your front garden and only visit trusted locations, it may well be fine and none ever breaks into your car.

 

In August 2019, the latest version of iOS was 12.4.

These are the models of iPad which are currently supported and are capable of running the latest iOS.:

 

My iPad will not support the latest iOS

iPads last a long time, especially if well cared for, so the answer to “Can I keep using my out of date iPad?” is “It depends”

• Do you use your iPad in coffee shops, on the train or in other public places connecting to wi-fi?
• Do you use your iPad for financial transactions? Or Internet banking?
• Do you use your iPad to run your business, accessing sensitive customer data?
• Have your favourite apps stopped working because they are no longer supported?
• Do your favourite apps keep crashing?

If the answer to these questions is “Yes”, then it may be time to swap your old iPad for a new iPad.

Each release of iOS addresses various security concerns, so theoretically, the more recent the iOS, the more secure it is. If you are concerned about security, consider installing antivirus for your iPad.

Antivirus for iPad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why should I worry?

 

Computers are a bit like cars. You can keep them going almost indefinitely, but at a cost. But like cars, there will come a day when your computer dies, or is so outdated, that it needs to be replaced.

Question

When should you replace your computer?

Answer

• When it can no longer be updated to the latest version of the operating system. It is important to keep up to date with the operating system, if you use your computer to browse the internet or for email.
• When the cost of fixing the problem is greater than the cost of buying a new computer. Laptops may well wear out quicker than desktop computers.
• If your computer is running so slowly and it is not economical to upgrade. However, the problem may well be unwanted software (malware) running on your computer, and all it needs is a detox.

 

 

Offers from Margot’s IT Support

Computer detox: £75

Computer upgrade for a faster laptop

Speed up your computer with a 1TB SSD and 8GB of Ram

An SSD is a solid state drive and is much faster than a conventional hard disk

1TB SSD and 8GB Ram with installation: £300. This is probably one of the most worthwhile upgrades you can do.

The old disk will be returned in a caddy, so you can used it for backup etc.

Desktop upgrade

Speed up your old desktop with a 1TB SSD and 8GB of extra memory: £300.

The old disk will be returned in a caddy, so you can used it for backup etc.

 

Running Windows 10?

Does your computer take forever to start?

In the story of the tortoise and the hare, the tortoise wins the race, but real life isn’t always like that. As far as computers go, hares are much better than tortoises.

If the answer to both questions is YES and your computer (laptop or desktop) is less than 4 years old, then upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive) may well breathe new life into your computer and change it from a tortoise to a hare.

You should not have time to make a cup of coffee while you wait for your computer to boot up. Replace the conventional hard disk in your laptop or PC with a large SSD, and suddenly, this computer that you have fallen out of love with becomes an object of desire, fast and responsive. Turn it on and it is there. You will need make your coffee BEFORE you switch on. Add some extra memory, and you will have a computer that will be the envy of all.

Special offer from Margot’s IT Support

Crucial 1TB SSD and upgrade to 8GB of memory: £300.

Your old disk will be placed in an external drive casing, so you can use it for backing up your system.

If you would like more information, complete this form and we will be in touch.