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iPads
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Chapter 1. iPads
The following iPads are supported by TouchBistro. Consult this chart for our recommendations regarding suitability for use with TouchBistro Standard/Pro or for use in a food truck or with TB Payments. Shaded rows indicate the iPad is for sale at the Apple site and recommended.
We recommend always purchasing the most current iPads sold by Apple.
|
iPad
|
Connectivity
|
For Sale by Apple?
|
Recommended
|
Compatible with a Food Truck
|
|
iPad Air
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
iPad Air 2
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
iPad 9.7
|
Wi-Fi
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Air 10.5
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Wi-Fi
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Pro 9.7
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Pro 10.5
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Pro 11
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Wi-Fi
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Pro 12.9
|
Wi-Fi
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Mini 5
|
Wi-Fi
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
|
iPad Mini 4
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Wi-Fi
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
iPad Mini 3
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
iPad Mini 2
|
Wi-Fi
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
iPad Air 9.7
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Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Air 2 9.7
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Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad 9.7
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
Y
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Air 10.5
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
Y
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Pro 9.7
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Pro 10.5
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Pro 11
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
Y
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Pro 12.9
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
Y
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Mini 5
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
Y
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Mini 4
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Mini 3
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
|
iPad Mini 2
|
Wi-Fi + Cellular
|
N
|
N (see Note 3)
|
Y
|
= this iPad model is for sale by Apple and recommended for use with TouchBistro.
Section 1. Notes
Note 1 – iPad 9.7 vs Mini 5?: We do not recommend the Mini 5 (called simply “Mini” by Apple) for use as a fixed POS. The full-sized iPad 9.7, iPad Air 10.5, and iPad Pro offer a better experience. However, venues that offer tableside ordering might consider the Mini 5 for use by servers. Food trucks with limited counter space may also consider using the Mini 5 over the full-sized iPad. We do not recommend the Mini 2 or 3 for use with TouchBistro.
Note 2 – iPad Mini 3: The Mini 2 and Mini 3 have equal performance specs. The Mini 3 has an additional fingerprint identity sensor, which TouchBistro does not support.
Note 3 – Food Truck Hardware: Food truck configurations using a cellular iPad also require a Bluetooth receipt printer. If your non-food truck venue has access to cable or ADSL Internet (for example, quick-serve restaurants or restaurants with tableside service), purchasing iPads that support cellular connectivity would be an unnecessary expense for non-food truck venues. As well, food trucks with a cellular router are advised to purchase the Wi-Fi only model. For a greater discussion of hardware requirements for a food truck, see this guide.
Note 4 – USB C Connectivity: These iPads do not use the Apple lightning cable but use a USB-C cable. They are not compatible with iDynamo swipers. As well, if you are using the TSP100III (TSP143IIIU) USB printer, ensure you have the proper USB-C cable to plug into the printer.
Section 2. iOS
Your iPads need to be running iOS11 or capable of being updated to iOS11. See Older iPads below regarding iPad models that cannot run iOS11. iPads running KDS need to be updated to iOS9.
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iOS
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Version TouchBistro Stopped Supporting the iOS
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6.x and earlier
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TouchBistro 5.2
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7.x
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TouchBistro 5.9
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9.x and earlier
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TouchBistro 7.2.6
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Section 3. Minimum Memory
TouchBistro strongly suggests you only use your iPads for service purposes. We do not recommend using your iPads to run other apps or stream music. Hence we do not suggest purchasing iPads with greater than the lowest available base memory.
Chapter 2. Older iPads
TouchBistro recommends always using the latest iPad sold by Apple.
We do not support:
- The original iPad
- iPad 2
- iPad Retina (3rd/4th Generation)
- Mini 1
If you are purchasing iPads (new or used), please follow the iPad hardware recommendations noted above. Although we support iPad Air 1/2 and iPad Mini 2, developing app technology may outgrow those iPads’ hardware specs/speed. We would not recommend launching a new venue and sourcing older iPads. If you have an older iPad model (iPad 3rd Generation and above), we recommend using it in the near term for our CFD app. However, we also caution sourcing older iPads for long term use with the CFD.
Section 1. KDS
KDS requires the iPad running the KDS to be running iOS 9.x or higher. The only generation of iPad that can’t be updated to 9.x is the original iPad model. If your KDS iPad is still running an iOS lower than 9.x, you will need to update your KDS iPad’s iOS before installing the KDS. If you have an older iPad in your venue (iPad 2 or better), we suggest using it as the iPad for your KDS. However, TouchBistro cannot guarantee future updates of the KDS will support older iPads. Hence we caution purposely sourcing older iPads for long term use with the KDS.
Chapter 3. TouchBistro Language Support
TouchBistro will display in English or Spanish automatically if your iPad’s default language is set for one of these languages.
Section 1. Best Practices
It’s advisable that your iPads and Mac Mini must be shut down every night to ensure optimal functioning. You should not run other apps (for example, music streaming services) on your iPads or Mac computers during service hours to also ensure the best possible experience and speed. TouchBistro support may require you to uninstall or suspend certain third-party apps before being able to render support.
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