Which iPad is better to choose today? All models, characteristics and disadvantages

With less than a month until the New Year holidays, many Apple technology lovers are at least getting a new tablet or buying an iPad as a gift. Surprisingly, in 2023 the Cupertino do not use any new model iPad. This has never happened before in all the years of production of the tablet. Cook and company taught us to get 2-4 updated devices every year.

Perhaps this is how Apple is trying to correct the falling dynamics of Mac sales; it’s not for nothing that they updated the line twice a year MacBook Pro. It would be cool if the line of tablets was put in order, for example, like this, and we started updating analogies with the iPhone.

In the meantime, the New Year’s iPad buyer’s guide looks like this.

Content:

• ▪ iPad 2022
  ▪ iPad 2021
  ▪ iPad mini 2021
  ▪ iPad Air 2022
  ▪ iPad Pro 2021
  ▪ iPad Pro 2022
  ▪ Results: what you can buy

This popular line provides the highest demand and covers the owner of 90% of tablet users. If you don’t know which iPad to buy, look towards the basic one. At an affordable price (not so much anymore) you will get an excellent device that will serve faithfully for 3-4 years, and then be inherited by your grandparents.

iPad 10th generation. You can take it, but with one substance

Our review of the base iPad 10

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: A14 Bionic
▸ RAM: 4 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 10.9″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key

Last year, the anniversary generation of the base tablet looked strange. On one side, it received an updated frameless design, a side button with Touch IDconnector Type-C and a convenient front camera. But on the other hand, the device was more expensive, since its predecessor remained in the current model range – iPad 9.

✅ The tablet looks modern, has a good front camera with support for all the latest features (such a convenient location is not available in other models). There is still enough power.

The Cupertino team warned a little about the situation with styluses by releasing an updated Pensil with a connector. Type-C. Now you don’t need to buy the oldest first-generation stylus to draw on the iPad 10, and at the same time make a garden of adapters every time to charge it from the tablet.

Topic: How do Apple Pencil models differ? Compare 3 styluses for iPad

⛔ The location of the model is modest 64 GB memory, the next model in the line 256 GB costs a lot more. We still don’t have many quality accessories for this iPad. Find the original cover Folio It’s difficult, there are a lot of replicas, the keys and keyboard cost almost as much as the tablet itself.

The hardware has aged a year, but the price tag has only increased. I bought this myself a year ago for 35 thousand rublesand now the new one costs from 50 thousand. On marketplaces, with discount coupons and cashback you can find approximately 43-45 thousandbut it is also very expensive.

Topic: I’ve been using the basic 10th generation iPad for half a year. Great tablet, but there are some downsides

Who is this iPad suitable for: if you need an inexpensive tablet here and now – your choice iPad 10. In all other cases it happened. I hope that spring is already born iPad 11 and the “ten” will cost less.

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iPad 9th generation. Forget about him forever

Here’s our review of the 2021 iPad

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: A13 Bionic
▸ RAM: 3 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 10.2″
▸ Cameras: 8 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in Home Click

After the presentations iPad 10 This model remained in the current line for one purpose – to increase the price tag for the new basic tablets. “Nine” accomplished this goal, at the next presentation iPad 11 We can proudly say that the price has remained the same. I didn’t see any reason to buy iPad 9 Last fall, and now I’m discouraging everyone from taking it.

✅ This model no longer has any advantages.

⛔ Hardware at 2019 level, 64 GB memory in the base, weak camera and conservative design with a lock Home.

Who is this iPad suitable for: Only the best Apple tablet for grandparents.

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The classic line of compact tablets is deliberately limited by Apple marketers. If the iPad could study phone calls and receive SMS (without Crutches and carrier applications), many large screen lovers would switch to it. A year ago we conducted an experiment and tried to replace a smartphone with a tablet.

It’s just a smaller tablet for the home or an expensive companion for the iPhone. Definitely forget the old 5th generation Mini with a hood under the canopy; you can take the current 6th generation, but there are some reservations.

iPad mini 6th generation. It will definitely be updated soon

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: A15 Bionic
▸ RAM: 4 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 8.3″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key

Last year, when choosing tablets, we did not recommend buying this iPad, expecting an early update. Now an update in a few months seems even more likely.

✅ This “mini” has a good filling, it is more powerful than iPad 10 in the translation of the ruler.

⛔ Everything in the database 64 GBand no one has yet canceled the “jelly effect” that many users notice in portrait orientation.

Who is this tablet suitable for: as is the case with iPad 10, you can only take it if you need the tablet right now. Otherwise, it was recommended to wait six months before the release of the updated model.

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In the current gradation of tablets, “air” models look strange. On the one hand, they have a very powerful filling, the potential of which is difficult to realize, and on the other hand, they do not have the main chips from the chain. About – periodic screen updates 120 Hz.

Penultimate generation iPad Air 4 Don’t look at it, the tablet is already quite old and is very rarely found on sale.

iPad Air 5th generation. Worst purchase ever

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: Apple M1
▸ RAM: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 64/256 GB
▸ Screen: 10.9″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key

Although the characteristics of the paper, the models look good, in their place it is inferior to its competitors. The basic iPad costs less, and the more expensive firmware has more interesting options.

✅ The only advantage of the model is the current reserve power. The filling still cannot reveal its full potential at iPadOS.

⛔ Like the models described above, the database contains everything 64 GB . For the price you can get more expensive modifications iPad Pro.

Who is this tablet suitable for: no one at all. Or I’ll take the basic one iPad 10 with a large drive or go to the line About.

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The most sophisticated and most expensive line of tablets. The ability to use these devices will be a backup for 90% of users. Almost all devices here are still relevant and updated to the latest version of iPadOS, but let’s consider, perhaps, the last two generations: 2021 and 2022. Older tablets are difficult to find on sale, and what their battery condition will be is unknown.

iPad Pro 11″ 3rd generation and iPad Pro 12.9″ 5th generation. Best buy at the moment

Read our 2021 iPad Pro review

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: Apple M1
▸ RAM: 8 GB (16 for models with 1/2 TB drives)
▸ Memory: 128/256/512/1024/2048 GB
▸ Screen: 11/12.9″ with ProMotion equipment
▸ Cameras: 12 MP and 10 MP with LiDAR + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Face ID

✅ Good hardware, quite powerful dual camera with Lidarsupport 5G and port Type-C compliance with specification Lightning strike. Minimal differences from newer models.

⛔ Prices are at the level of basic models MacBook Air. This iPad is already a little hard to find.

Who is this tablet suitable for: If you need a tablet that will not be updated for at least 3-4 years, then this is a good model.

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iPad Pro 11″ 4th generation and iPad Pro 12.9″ 6th generation. Expensive tablets that will be updated soon

Characteristics:

▸ CPU: Apple M2
▸ RAM: 8 GB (16 for models with 1/2 TB drives)
▸ Memory: 128/256/512/1024/2048 GB
▸ Screen: 11/12.9″ with ProMotion equipment
▸ Cameras: 12 MP and 10 MP with LiDAR + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Face ID

Last year’s firmware update turned out to be minor. A small number of new features did not bring anything needed to this model. It’s definitely not recommended to buy these tablets now; it’s better to wait for an update next year.

✅ Top-end hardware.

⛔ The price is too high, the power is excessive. The model will most likely be updated next year.

Who is this tablet suitable for: As in the case of the iPad Air, it was not possible to find at least one compelling argument in favor of using this tablet.

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The Ultimate Guide to Model Selection

If last year we complained about the overly bloated range of devices, then this year Cook and company solved the problem. A year without new iPads in the automatic compartment for old devices, and not all current models now look like a good buy.

For the first time in many years, I had a chance to buy an iPad before the New Year holidays. Next year we will see several new models at once, and everything current will become cheaper. Some devices have not been updated at all since 2021, which costs more than at the start of sales.

💵 If you urgently need a tablet for basic tasks, choose iPad 10th generation.

💵 If you urgently need a tablet that will not be updated as a trend for 3-5 years, look away iPad Pro 2021.

All! The rest of the iPads are definitely not worth buying. Be patient for a few months.

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