How to Buy an iPad for Your Salsa Photo Booth
So you've purchased your first Salsa, and you're waiting for it to arrive (yay!). If you don't already have an iPad, you're going to need to purchase that next.
In order to to run the powerful and feature-filled Salsa application, you're going to need an iPad capable of making your photos, boomerangs, GIFs, and videos crisp, vibrant, and fun. 🌈
What To Know
Selecting Your iPad
When selecting your iPad, there are a few things to keep in mind:
What To Know
Model and Generation
Salsa supports the following iPad models and generations:
iPad Pro
12.9” iPad Pro 6th Generation (2022)
11” iPad Pro 4th Generation (2022)
12.9” iPad Pro 5th Generation (2021)
11” iPad Pro 3rd Generation (2021)
12.9" iPad Pro 4th Generation (2020)
11" iPad Pro 2nd Generation (2020)
12.9” iPad Pro 3rd Generation (2018)
11” iPad Pro 1st Generation (2018)
iPad Air
10.9” iPad Air 4th Generation (2020)
10.9” iPad Air 5th Generation (2022)
IMPORTANT: Salsa booths ship with faceplates specifically made for the 12.9” iPad Pro 3rd Generation and later.
If you’d like to use a different iPad, you should purchase a different faceplate here.
What To Know
Screen Size
Which size screen is entirely up to you, however each has its own benefits.
12.9” iPad Pro
Larger, more immersive screen
Don’t need to purchase an alternative faceplate (3rd and 4th Generation only)
11” and 10.9” iPad Pro and Air
Requires less power if running off battery pack
More affordable and cost effective if deploying multiple booths
What To Know
Storage Capacity
The iPad’s storage provides space for you to download the Salsa iOS app, along with any other apps or files needed for designing and running your events.
The Salsa app will temporarily store captures before they're uploaded to your Salsa account. Once the event is over and all the captures have been uploaded , they are removed from the iPad to free up space for the next event.
While iPads are available in a range of storage capacities – starting at 64GB or 128GB, and up to 1TB – the base model storage option is more than enough, especially if you plan to use it solely for running events.
What To Know
WiFi Only vs WiFi + Cellular
Strong and stable WiFi can be a luxury at an event, so having an internet back-up plan can be a great idea.
While internet access isn't necessary to start an event, being able to provide the shared photos to guests immediately can be a delightful experience. Some clients choose to use a standalone hotspot for their photo booths, but you can purchase an iPad that has built in cellular connectivity similar to a smartphone.
You can read more about supported carriers and how to subscribe to a cellular plan on Apple's website.
Note: AirPrint may not be available when using the iPad’s cellular data. If you’re planning to offer printing and immediate digital shares at an event without WiFi, consider using a dedicated hotspot device.
What To Know
Warranties and Insurance
New and refurbished iPads sold through Apple and authorized re-sellers come with a standard one-year manufacture warranty. However, these do not cover accidental damage, loss, or theft.
Salsa is rugged and robust, but accidents do happen.
AppleCare+, Apple's extended warranty, can come in handy for any "Oh 💩!" situations, which allows for repair or replacement for a nominal service fee. To read more about AppleCare+ you can visit their website.
For coverage of loss or theft, you may want to look into business insurance’s offerings for covering these particularly unfortunate instances. Alternatively, if you purchased your iPad through your wireless provider, they may also provide mobile insurance, normally through Asurion.
