Purchasing for an iPad might be overwhelming. Apple sells six iPad fashions in a variety of sizes, costs and capabilities. Every pill has its strengths and weaknesses. You don’t wish to get one which doesn’t have all of the options you need, however you additionally don’t wish to pay an excessive amount of for options you received’t use.
Right here’s some easy recommendation on choosing the right iPad for you.
This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. Cult of Mac might earn a fee while you use our hyperlinks to purchase objects.
Which iPad ought to I get?
Moderately than getting confused by too many decisions, suppose as an alternative of some great benefits of the wide selection of Apple tablets accessible. The smallest is the iPad mini with an 8.3-inch show. The most important is an iPad Professional or iPad Air with a 13-inch display screen. Costs vary for $349 to $1,299 (and up). Someplace in there’s the proper iPad for you.
However earlier than we get into the variations, let’s think about the strengths all of them share. Any of those computer systems can use an Apple Pencil for taking notes or drawing, and do it it very properly. (Alternatively, you need to use a third-party stylus.)
Plus, you possibly can add a click-on keyboard and trackpad to show an incredible pill right into a extremely succesful laptop computer. Then, on the finish of the day, pull the keyboard again off and lean again to take pleasure in video games or video.
Each iPad that Apple sells as we speak features a USB-C port. This implies it may cost from the identical cable as a MacBook or current iPhone, and use equipment meant for Mac, like exterior drives.
Let’s do a fast abstract of the choices:
iPad 10: 10.9-inch display screen, Apple Pencil USB-C, $350
iPad mini 7: 8.3-inch display screen, Apple Pencil Professional, $499
iPad Air: 11-inch display screen, Apple Pencil Professional, $599
iPad Air: 13-inch display screen, Apple Pencil Professional, $799
iPad Professional: 11-inch display screen, Apple Pencil Professional, $999
iPad Professional: 12-inch display screen, Apple Pencil Professional, $1,299
iPad 10 is a robust pc at a low worth
iPad 10 has a USB-C port and works with the Apple Pencil USB-C.Picture: Apple
The ten.9-inch iPad is standard for an apparent purpose: It prices solely $349. That’s lower than a 3rd the value of the most cost effective MacBook. Even including a click-on keyboard and trackpad to let the pill convert to a laptop computer nonetheless places it about half the price of a MacBook.
And the funds iPad is a really succesful pc — all a younger pupil wants. Heck, it may do all the pieces most adults want for his or her private life.
The ten.9-inch show offers loads of display screen area to work on – about as a lot as some costlier iPads. Its A14 Bionic processor is highly effective sufficient to deal with iPadOS 18 and follow-up variations.
Not like Apple’s earlier funds tablets that use Lightning, this newer model features a USB-C port so it may use charging cables and plug-in equipment designed for MacBooks.
iPad 10 downsides: The display screen isn’t laminated so it doesn’t look nearly as good as pricier fashions. And whereas the A14 is not any slouch, the processor is from 2020 so that is removed from Apple’s strongest pill. The iPad 11 with a sooner chip is predicted in spring 2025.
Purchase from: Amazon
iPad mini 7 is so very transportable
iPad mini 7 suits in your hand.Picture: Apple
The very best pc is the one you could have with you. A 16-inch laptop computer isn’t very helpful if it’s so cumbersome you don’t carry it round a lot.
Contemplate the scale benefit of the iPad mini 7, which measures simply 7.7 inches at its longest dimension and weighs a bit over half a pound, but it nonetheless boasts an 8.3-inch display screen. iPadOS makes it a robust pc, and it beats even the most important iPhone for watching video or taking part in video games.
The place it actually shines, although, is as an book reader. There’s no higher iPad than this one for leaning again and having fun with a novel.
On the alternative finish of the dimensions, you possibly can add a click-on keyboard to make the mini laptop computer of your goals. Sorry, there’s no Stage Manger assist, nonetheless.
iPad mini downsides: Anybody planning to make use of an iPad mini as their on a regular basis pill wants good eyesight for the 8.3-inch display screen. Plus, lack of Stage Supervisor limits its usability. And at $500, it’s a bit expensive if all you’re on the lookout for is an book reader.
Purchase from: Amazon
So transportable
Apple iPad mini 7
4.5
iPad mini 7 is tiny however boasts an 8.3-inch display screen. iPadOS makes it a robust pc, and it beats even the most important iPhone for watching video or taking part in video games.
Execs:
So very portableGreat book reader
M2 iPad Air is the Goldilocks of tablets
Compatibility with the brand new Apple Pencil Professional is one purpose to purchase the M2 iPad Air.Picture: Apple
All of us grew up with the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Nicely, the iPad Air is like her third bowl of porridge. It’s good as a result of it gives a greater set of options than the cheaper fashions however is extra reasonably priced than the top-tier ones.
Nonetheless, the iPad Air’s speedy M2 processor makes it prepared for something most want, from watching video to taking part in video games to writing a novel. It’s virtually as highly effective the iPad Professional sequence.
The USB-C port permits you to plug in Mac equipment so you possibly can, for instance, use an exterior SSD and show — together with assist for Stage Supervisor.
When you have been utilizing a primary iPad for some time and are prepared for a more moderen, higher mannequin, the iPad Air is likely to be your only option. Particularly if you happen to don’t have the cash for a Professional.
There are two variations that fluctuate solely by display screen measurement.
11-inch M2 iPad Air
The smaller iPad Air variant has an 11-inch display screen, the identical measurement because the smaller iPad Professional. That makes it a bit extra transportable than bigger tablets if a bit extra cramped to work on. Word that this isn’t the 120Hz ProMotion show from the Professional pill – its max refresh price is 60Hz as an alternative.
Purchase from: Amazon
13-inch M2 iPad Air
There’s additionally a 13-inch iPad Air model of the for many who need extra room to work or watch video. This additionally tops out at 60 Hz, although.
Purchase from: Amazon
iPad Air downsides: There are few drawbacks to Apple’s Goldilocks pill. Simply notice that even the most cost effective model it prices practically twice what the ten.9-inch iPad does — make sure you want the extra capabilities.
Two sizes to select from
Apple iPad Air M2 11-inch
5.0
Apple’s “Goldilocks” pill gives a greater set of options than the cheaper fashions however is extra reasonably priced than the top-tier ones. And the iPad Air’s speedy M2 processor makes it prepared for something most want. There are 11-inch and 13-inch variants.
Execs:
Higher options than iPad 10Choice of 11-inch or 13-inch display screen sizes
Cons:
Not a robust as iPad Professional
M4 iPad Professional is prepared for professionals
The M4 iPad Professional is surprisingly slim and lightweight.Picture: Apple
Individuals who make a pill their major pc typically select iPad Professional as a result of it’s Apple’s strongest, with the best-looking show. Somebody utilizing a pc all day doesn’t wish to make compromises. And it’s not simply professionals: that is the best-selling iPad mannequin by a large margin.
It’s constructed across the highly effective Apple M4 processor, the identical chip used within the newest Macs. That provides it efficiency on par with Apple notebooks.
That mentioned, Apple intentionally made iPadOS less complicated than macOS. That always makes it simpler to make use of, a profit for common customers. Alternatively, there are some superior capabilities lacking, and that frustrates some long-time Mac customers.
With the pill’s USB-C port, it may hook up with virtually any accent a Mac can. And there’s Thunderbolt assist for very high-speed file transfers, too.
This mannequin additionally is available in two sizes. Selecting which of those is best for you is as necessary as deciding between the iPad Professional and the iPad Air.
11-inch iPad Professional
As famous, pill consumers gravitate to the Professional fashions as a result of they provide the most effective efficiency. And the 11-inch iPad Professional offers that in a extra transportable design than its bigger sibling. When you anticipate to very continuously carry the pc round, this is likely to be the model for you.
Purchase from: Amazon
13-inch M4 iPad Professional
There’s no higher choice than the 13-inch iPad Professional for somebody who’s going to make a pill their major pc. The display screen is giant sufficient for use all day, and the processor can simply deal with something you ask of it.
The complete-size show makes it well-suited for individuals who should continuously discuss with giant drawings, photographs or databases. Or present movies and pictures to purchasers.
Connect a keyboard/trackpad and you’ve got a robust convertible pc.
Purchase from: Amazon
iPad Professional downsides: Regardless of the scale, the iPad Professional is an incredible system. It’s additionally very costly. Assume onerous whether or not an iPad Air is likely to be sufficient for you, particularly in case you are eyeing the 11-inch model. As for the 13-inch model, suppose over whether or not a MacBook is likely to be a greater choice.
Apple’s finest promoting pill
Apple iPad Professional M4 11-Inch
5.0
iPad Professional is Apple’s strongest, with the best-looking show. It’s a no-compromises pill for these able to get issues executed.
Execs:
Attractive screenAs highly effective as a MacBook
Which one must you get? Don’t panic.
Whereas it’s necessary to place some thought into choosing the proper iPad, don’t overthink it. Actually, there’s not a foul pill in Apple’s lineup.
The worst that’s prone to occur is that you just’ll purchase extra pill than you want. And also you would possibly really feel otherwise about that call in a pair years while you and your iPad are inseparable.
Word: This text was first printed in February, 2022 and has since been up to date with particulars on the M4 iPad Professional, M2 iPad Air and iPad mini 7.
