Last week, Apple held a presentation where two new iPad models were presented. The devices are already on sale, which means it’s time to put together a new guide for tablet buyers in mid-2024.
At the moment, there are only 3 iPad models that we can safely recommend buying, and 5 more that you can buy, but with reservations.
iPad 10th generation. Take only as a last resort
Our review of the base iPad 10
Content:
▪ Basic iPad 10
▪ Basic iPad 9
▪ iPad mini 6th generation
▪ iPad Air on M1
▪ iPad Pro on M1
▪ iPad Pro on M2
▪ iPad Air on M2
▪ iPad Pro on M4
▪ Results: what you can buy
Basic iPad 10. Only take it as a last resort.
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
▸ Price: from 38-40 thousand.
I bought this iPad myself a month after the start of sales and was not disappointed. Took him for 34 thousand, but I haven’t seen prices like these anymore. The device has risen in price to 40+ and you need to try to get it cheaper. Cupertino residents are in no hurry to update the line, and sellers are not reducing prices for one of the most affordable models.
✅Modern design.
⛔ The filling is no longer fresh. CPU A14 from the group iPhone 12 Suitable for most tasks, but after a year or two the tablet will slow down. 64 GB there is very little memory in the database, the model is 256 GB costs as much as more advanced iPad Air. There are difficulties connecting the Apple Pencil (old styluses are supported, which require an adapter), which the tablet will soon be updated.
In the USA after the presentation May 7 the model has fallen in price to US$349 (approximately 32,700 rubles), but in Russia the price has not yet fallen.
Who is this iPad suitable for: If you need the most affordable iPad right now, choose it, but it’s better to wait six months when the updated 11th generation iPad model is shown.
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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
▸ Price: from 30 thousand.
For the previous year and a half, the model was considered relevant, but after the presentation on May 7, it was transferred to the archive section. It’s high time, a tablet with 2019 hardware was only suitable for watching on YouTube.
✅ This model has no advantages.
⛔ Old processor A13, 64 GB, 3 GB RAMweak camera and privacy key design Home.
Who is this iPad suitable for: Do not buy this model even once, not second-hand.
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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
▸ Price: from 45-46 thousand.
In terms of processor, the Minik is more powerful than a couple of basic models, the amount of RAM is sufficient, but the storage in the database is not enough. Don’t forget about the jelly effect, which cannot be seen. The model was presented 2.5 years ago, and with a 99% probability the update will be shown this fall.
✅ Compact tablet in modern design.
⛔ Memory is low 64 GBProblems with the display, the tablet will be updated soon.
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, wait until the fall, when the mini will receive an update.
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iPad Air on M1. Not a bad option, but not the best
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
▸ Price: from 50-53 thousand.
A good tablet with powerful hardware, the performance reserve will be enough for several years to come.
✅ Good speed, in appearance you can’t tell it from the newest iPad Air. There are no problems with the selection of accessories.
⛔ Total 64 GB screen 60 Hz. No 13-inch model.
Who is this tablet suitable for: Now this is the most affordable tablet that you can write when buying. If you find an offer of less than 50 thousand, take it. Older Air models with a processor A14 BionicHow are you iPhone 12 It’s no longer worth searching.
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iPad Pro M1 (2021). Good hardware, but the model is difficult to find
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
▸ Price: from 72-73 thousand.
The tablet is very similar to the previous generation Air, but has more memory, and most importantly, a screen with ProMotion support.
✅ Quite powerful hardware, 128 GB in the base, light 120 Hzdual camera with Lidarport Type-C compliance with specification Lightning strike.
⛔The model is very difficult to find.
Who is this tablet suitable for: It’s now the most affordable iPad model with 120Hz headphones. Older iPad Pros are no longer worth considering purchasing. The price will be slightly lower, but the difference in performance will be noticeable.
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iPad Pro on M2 (2022). Very good buy at the moment
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
▸ Price: from 76-79 thousand.
Changes from the M1 model are minimal. The processor has become 20% more powerful, slightly limiting the wireless modules.
✅ Excellent hardware that will last a long time. Good price-power ratio. Support for related accessories.
⛔ The price tag is already presented on the basic MacBook Air.
Who is this tablet suitable for: A good device with performance reserves. This model is easy to find on sale. Unlike the Air, the M1 has a newer chip, more memory, and a 120Hz screen.
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iPad Air on M2. There are better options at the moment
Characteristics:
▸ CPU: Apple M2
▸ RAM: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 128/256/512/1024 GB
▸ Screen: 10.9″/12.9″
▸ Cameras: 12 MP + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Touch ID in the configuration key
▸ Price: from 75-77 thousand.
The new iPad Air turned out to be very strange. The tablet received a minor update and now directly competes with the modern Pro generation. And here on the Air side there are no main advantages, except that there are more options for body colors.
✅ Good dynamics, several different colors, 128 GB memory in the database.
⛔ The model is inferior in every way to the previous iPad Pro, which is still easy to find on sale.
Who is this tablet suitable for: It’s definitely not worth buying the model at the start of sales. Even in a few weeks, when the price of the new product drops a little, it will be more profitable to buy the next Air on the M1.
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iPad Pro on M4. Very famous, but for what?
Read our review of the iPad Pro M4 (2024) with nanotexture
Characteristics:
▸ CPU: Apple M4
▸ RAM: 8 GB (16 for models with 1/2 TB drives)
▸ Memory: 256/512/1024/2048 GB
▸ Screen: 11/13″ with ProMotion product
▸ Cameras: 12 MP with LiDAR + 12 MP front camera
▸ Authorization: Face ID
▸ Price: from 130 thousand.
Very powerful hardware that will sit idle and simply age for most device users. New sizes and Apple’s marketing policy made all accessories of previous generations incompatible with this tablet. If you have keys, a keyboard and a stylus, when you change the firmware, they will also have to be replaced.
✅ The most powerful chip M4, 256 GB in the database, there is Promotion and nanocoating in the two most expensive modifications.
⛔ The second camera module has disappeared somewhere, the tablet is elongated, the price is at the same level as the basic MacBook Pro. Not compatible with other accessories.
Who is this tablet suitable for: only those who can just go and pay 130 thousand for a new iPad and another 50-70 for accessories for it. Perhaps at WWDC 24 they showed us something interesting, namely macOS for this iPad. This is the only way to justify the force that now has nothing to direct.
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The Ultimate Guide to Model Selection
⛔ Not pregnant basic models iPad 9-10. The first one is outdated, the second one will be updated in the fall.
⛔ Not pregnant iPad mini 6. Most likely, the Mini will also be updated in the next six months.
⛔ iPad Air on M2 – We are waiting for the prices of the new product to stabilize, and then compare it with the iPad Pro on the M2.
⛔ iPad Pro on M4 – let’s see what they will show at WWDC 24 if this tablet does not run macOS, which is pregnant with the previous generation.
✅ iPad Air on M1 – the most affordable tablet that is recommended to buy today. The 60 Hz screen and 64 GB of memory are upsetting.
✅ iPad Pro on M1 – If you find such a tablet on sale at a reasonable price, you can safely buy it. These are practically the two disadvantages described above.
✅ iPad Pro on M2 – the most balanced purchase at the moment. A tablet with no obvious drawbacks (except for the price).
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Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
