Key Takeaways
- For basic use, you’ll need to pay at least $499 for the 10th generation iPad.
- Perhaps the best option is the $599 iPad Air.
- The iPad Pro is usually expensive, so unless you have stringent requirements, you shouldn’t pay more than $999.
Apple’s iPad lineup has gotten a bit unwieldy lately. In 2010, there was just one model, and your only choices were storage capacity and whether or not you had 3G cellular. Come the end of 2024, there’ll be not only the base iPad, but also the iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro, some of which will have different size options, along with storage and cellular configurations. With the Pro, you’ll get to choose the type of glass covering the display.
All of this might leave you confused if you’re on a budget but still want a tablet that can get the job done. So how much do you actually need to spend to get a good iPad?
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iPad 10th Generation
$349 $449 Save $100
The 10th generation iPad comes with sleek new features that bring it closer to the Air and Pro models, including a Liquid Retina display with 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution and the A14 Bionic processor for smooth, powerful performance.
How much you should spend depends on what you want to do. If you’re only interested in reading, web browsing, social media, and video streaming, the 10th generation iPad will do the trick, but we recommend avoiding the cheapest configuration ($349). This configuration limits storage to 64GB, which is frankly unacceptable on a modern tablet without an SD card slot. iPadOS itself will take up several gigabytes, not to mention all the apps, books, music, and videos you want to download.
Realistically, you’ll need at least $499 and get a 256GB Wi-Fi only iPad. For everyday use as mentioned above, you don’t even need a phone, an Apple Pencil, or an external keyboard. If you’re an illustrator, you’ll definitely need some kind of stylus, and it’s hard to do school or work projects without a keyboard. Your phone is pretty much useless. If you have a smartphone, you can use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
A better experience
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
Apple’s mid-range iPad Air offers a nice balance between the base-level iPad and the iPad Pro, featuring a powerful M2 chip, a sleek design, and great specs across the board.
The sweet spot for many will be the 11-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi-only iPad Air, priced at $599. While the 10th-gen iPad uses the outdated A14 processor, the Air has been upgraded to the M2. While this is still not Apple’s latest, it is a MacBook-level chip and is far better for tasks like video editing and 3D gaming. Any app available on the iPad will be able to run, and will likely run smoothly.
The M2 is the main reason we recommend the Air to anyone looking for a laptop replacement, but there are other reasons too. First, only iPads with M-series chips can run Stage Manager on an external monitor, which gives you so much more window space that it’s now considered essential for a workstation setup.
It also has an anti-reflective screen coating so you can work in any environment. It also supports Apple’s best iPad accessories: the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. In some cases, you might be better off buying a cheaper Magic Keyboard clone on Amazon, but if you’re a professional illustrator, the Apple Pencil Pro is a must-have, costing $169 if you need it.
If you plan on loading up a lot of games and media, you might want to upgrade to 256GB of storage. The tablet is also available in a 13-inch configuration, but unless you really need the extra screen space, think twice. The cheapest 13-inch Air is $799, and its size can be unwieldy when traveling or backpacking from class to class.
Should you consider an iPad Pro?
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
$929 $999 Save $70
The small-display version of Apple’s most powerful iPad offers top-of-the-line specs and an ultra-slim design.
Frankly, you probably shouldn’t buy the Pro — it’s a better laptop alternative than the Air, but the Pro upgrade is a luxury for most people. need You don’t need the 120Hz ProMotion display, nor do you need quad speakers, Face ID, or “nano-textured” (matte) glass. The iPad Pro also has Apple’s cutting-edge M4 processor, but it’s overkill if you just want to browse websites and play Stardew Valley.
There are exceptions: if you’re working with video, photos, or illustrations, the Pro’s OLED display offers the best brightness and color reproduction. The M4 definitely speeds up 3D and video rendering, and it supports Thunderbolt/USB 4 peripherals, so you can connect high-performance docks, drives, and monitors. Only the Pro has a 2TB internal storage option, which is useful if you’re editing 4K video, 3D models, or large audio projects.
If you do want to buy a Pro, you shouldn’t spend more than $999 for the 11-inch, 256GB Wi-Fi model unless you have specific requirements. If your iPad will be your only computer, you could consider the 13-inch Pro with 512GB or 1TB of storage, but the former is already $1,499 and isn’t much of a bargain compared to a laptop unless you need maximum portability and a touchscreen.
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FAQ
Q: What about the iPad mini?
For now, most people should avoid the Mini — it hasn’t been updated recently, but the 64GB Wi-Fi version still costs $499 — and professionals like pilots and nurses might want to take a second look to see if size really matters more than anything else.
Q: Should I buy a refurbished iPad?
A refurbished iPad can be a smart way to save money. But be careful if you buy directly from Apple. Though Apple offers a new battery and a one-year warranty, it often overprices its older hardware. You might be better off betting on a third-party refurb.
