earlier this week, apple inserted Redesigned iPad and updates to iPad Pro. They are likely to help the company stimulate sales during the important holiday shopping season. But it also means that Apple now sells six different iPads, and you might find it a little difficult to choose the best one for you or your loved one.
If you are considering buying a new iPad, this means that you need to choose between:
- The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- The new 11-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air
- The redesigned iPad
- iPad mini
- Or last year’s regular iPad
This might sound like a daunting list, so here’s a guide to help you figure out which iPad best suits your needs, listing the cheapest iPad to the most expensive model.
2021 iPad: You just need a tablet
Apple iPad
Source: Apple Inc.
The 9th generation iPad was introduced in September 2021. It starts at $329 and is the cheapest option in Apple’s current lineup. It has an all-day battery and is ideal for basic tablet needs such as streaming movies, reading, emailing, surfing the web, social media navigation and FaceTiming.
It’s the cheapest, but it doesn’t feel like it. This is the iPad I’m currently using. It’s the right choice for you if you want to save a little money and not do complicated tasks like video editing. However, there are some drawbacks.
The screen and cameras are not as good as any of the other iPads. It has a dated A13 processor, first introduced in 2019, and it only works with the older Apple Pencil. Apple doesn’t sell a model that supports 5G cellular networks, so you’re stuck on slower networks if you choose that model. This is the “I just need a tablet” tablet.
2022 iPad: You just need a tablet but want some newer features
Choose this iPad if you need a great tablet and can spend more on the latest entry-level version available. It’s currently available to order online and will be in stores on October 26.
The new entry-level iPad (10th generation) gets a major redesign and starts at $449, which is slightly higher than the $329 iPad.
It has a larger 10.9-inch screen and no longer has a home button. Now, the power button on the top of the iPad has Touch ID capability, so just tap and hold that button to unlock it.
Another big change is the placement of the front camera. It’s now on the long side of the tablet, instead of the short side, helping you look more focused on the camera during video chats. It also comes in new colors including white, yellow, red and blue.
The new iPad is powered by the slightly older A14 Bionic chip, but it offers faster performance and longer battery life than the cheaper iPad. It has a sharper front and rear camera. And if you need it, you can also buy a 5G cellular version.
But here’s a drawback you should know: The new iPad only works with the older Apple Pencil. This only charges and pairs through the old Lightning port. And you, too You need to buy a $9 dongle if you want to charge this pen with your new iPad. It’s ridiculous that Apple hasn’t added support for the newer second-generation Apple Pencil, which charges and pairs through magnets on the side of other iPads.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s also available in some fun colors. A yellow iPad, anyone?
iPad Mini: You need a very portable tablet
Apple iPad mini 2021
Todd Haselton | CNBC
The The sixth generation of iPad miniwhich starts at $499, was released in September 2021. If you value portability, this is the pick for you.
This is a great iPad for kids because it has a smaller 8.3-inch screen and weighs just over half a pound. I’ve even seen doctors use it because it fits perfectly in a white coat pocket.
Like the new iPad, the mini has a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 12MP wide front camera, which work with Center Stage to keep you in focus during video calls. Apple also sells a 5th generation cellular version of the iPad mini, which means you can download apps, music, and movies if you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection. And it has a faster chip than the new entry-level iPad above.
The iPad mini works with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which costs $129, and is more comfortable to use than the older first-generation version. It is convenient for shipping. All you have to do is stick it to the magnet on the side of your iPad.
iPad Air: middle of the pack
iPad Air
Source: Apple Inc.
The The latest iPad Air, which starts at $599, debuted in March 2022 With Apple’s M1 chip, it’s a big upgrade from the A14 or A15 chips found in other iPads. It’s a great middle-of-the-road iPad for people who might be doing some video editing and gaming, but don’t need the better screens, cameras, and extra processing speed of the M2 chip found on the Pro models.
The iPad Air has a Center Stage, which helps keep you in frame during video calls, which means you can move back and forth around the room while you’re chatting on FaceTime and the camera will follow you.
You can buy the 5G cellular version of the iPad mini, which means you can download apps, music, and movies faster when you’re away from Wi-Fi networks.
Like the iPad Pro and iPad mini, the iPad Air works with the second generation Apple Pencil, and is more comfortable to use and charge when attached to a magnet on the side of the tablet.
iPad Pros: You need as much power as possible in a tablet.
The new iPad Pro from Apple comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes.
apple
The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are the latest iPads available, with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro offering a brighter, more colorful display than the 11-inch version. The new models — updated with the Apple M2 processor and more — are now available to order online and will be available in stores on October 26.
This is the iPad for serious gamers, video editors, photographers, designers (or creators in general) and anyone who just wants the best iPad on the market. The 12.9-inch iPad’s larger screen may make it attractive to people who prefer to use a tablet rather than a laptop.
The M2 chip is the biggest update with the new iPad Pro. It’s the same processor that was introduced in the MacBook Air earlier this year. Apple said the M2 offers about a 15% speed increase over the M1 processor used in last year’s iPad Pro. This can be useful for people who are trying to get as much speed as possible while viewing videos. There are some other upgrades too.
Both new iPad Pro models support Apple’s new Hover feature. With Hover, the display can now detect the tip of the Apple Pencil up to 12mm above the screen’s surface. Apple says this will allow artists to draw with more accuracy and make handwriting-to-text conversions faster. The iPad Pro works with the second-generation Apple Pencil, $129.
The 11-inch version starts at $799 with Wi-Fi while the 5G cellular model starts at $999. The 12.9-inch model starts at $1,099 with Wi-Fi and the 5G cellular version starts at $1,299. If you choose a maximum storage capacity of 2TB, the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will set you back $2,399.
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