You need the perfect iPad, however looking for one may be overwhelming. Apple sells six iPad fashions in a variety of sizes, costs and capabilities. Our iPad comparability explains the strengths and weaknesses of every mannequin. 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 gained’t use.
Right here’s some simple recommendation on selecting the perfect iPad for you.
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Which iPad ought to I purchase?
Fairly than getting pressured by too many decisions, assume as an alternative of the benefits of the big selection of Apple tablets out there. The smallest is the iPad mini with an 8.3-inch show. The biggest is an iPad Professional or iPad Air with a 13-inch display. Costs vary for $349 to $1,299 (and up). Someplace in there’s the perfect iPad for you.
However earlier than this iPad comparability will get the variations, let’s take into account 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’ll be able to use a third-party stylus.)
Plus, you’ll be able to add a click-on keyboard and trackpad to show a tremendous pill right into a extremely succesful laptop computer. Then, on the finish of the day, pull the keyboard again off and lean again to get pleasure from video games or video.
Each iPad that Apple sells in the present day features a USB-C port. This implies it might cost from the identical cable as a MacBook or latest iPhone, and use equipment meant for Mac, like exterior drives.
Let’s do a fast abstract of the choices:
- iPad 11: 10.9-inch display, Apple Pencil USB-C, $350
- iPad mini 7: 8.3-inch display, Apple Pencil Professional, $499
- iPad Air: 11-inch display, Apple Pencil Professional, $599
- iPad Air: 13-inch display, Apple Pencil Professional, $799
- iPad Professional: 11-inch display, Apple Pencil Professional, $999
- iPad Professional: 12-inch display, Apple Pencil Professional, $1,299
Which iPad is finest for college students? iPad 11
Picture: Apple
The bottom mannequin iPad is common for an apparent cause: It prices solely $349. That’s near 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 scholar wants. Heck, its A16 processor can deal with every little thing most adults want for his or her private life, as we focus on in our assessment of the pill.
The 11-inch show offers loads of display house to work on – about as a lot as some dearer iPads. Plus its A16 chip is highly effective sufficient to deal with iPadOS 19 and follow-up variations.
The iPad 11 is the default pill alternative. When making your personal iPad comparability, ask your self, “What do I want that the funds mannequin doesn’t have?” A well-liked reply to that query is: “A bigger or smaller display.” There are different iPads for that.
iPad 11 downsides: Whereas the A16 is not any slouch, the processor is from 2022 so that is removed from Apple’s strongest pill. Despite the fact that it got here out in 2025, the iPad 11 can’t rerun the suite of AI-powered instruments known as Apple Intelligence.
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Finest funds pill
Apple iPad 11 with A16 chip (2025 mannequin)
Apple’s entry-level pill will get a stable improve, with a fine addition to the bottom mannequin’s storage. It is an excellent choice for watching movies, checking emails, browsing the net and extra.
- A16 processor
- Extremely Large 12MP entrance digicam helps Middle Stage
- Storage begins at 128GB
- Doesn’t assist Apple Intelligence.
iPad mini 7 is so very moveable
Picture: Apple
One of the 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.
Think about 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. iPadOS makes it a robust pc, and it beats even the biggest iPhone for watching video or enjoying 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 size, you’ll be able to 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. Plus, lack of Stage Supervisor limits its usability. And at $500, it’s a bit expensive if all you’re in search of is an book reader.
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Tiny pill with large skills
iPad mini 7
iPad mini 7 is tiny however boasts an 8.3-inch display. iPadOS makes it a robust pc, and it beats even the biggest iPhone for watching video or enjoying video games.
- So very moveable
- Nice book reader
M3 iPad Air is the Goldilocks of tablets
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 M3 processor makes it prepared for something most want, from watching video to enjoying video games to writing a novel. It’s nearly as highly effective the iPad Professional collection.
The USB-C port permits you to plug in Mac equipment so you’ll be able to, for instance, use an exterior SSD and show — together with assist for Stage Supervisor.
When you have been utilizing a fundamental iPad for some time and are prepared for a more moderen, higher mannequin, the iPad Air is perhaps your only option. Particularly if you happen to don’t have the cash for a Professional. Learn our assessment of the M3 iPad Air to study extra.
There are two variations that change solely by display dimension.
11-inch M3 iPad Air
The smaller iPad Air variant has an 11-inch display, the identical dimension because the smaller iPad Professional. That makes it a bit extra moveable than bigger tablets if a bit extra cramped to work on. Observe that this isn’t the 120Hz ProMotion show from the Professional pill – its max refresh charge is 60Hz as an alternative.
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Energy and effectivity
M3 iPad Air (11-inch, 2025)
The midrange iPad is the proper all-around pill for college students, work and informal front room use.
Pair with the Magic Keyboard for a laptop-style keyboard and trackpad. Works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Professional.
- Highly effective, desktop-class M3 chip
- Light-weight, all-screen design
- Non-compulsory keyboard and Apple Pencil equipment
13-inch M2 iPad Air
There’s additionally a 13-inch iPad Air model of the for individuals who need extra room to work or watch video. This additionally tops out at 60 Hz, although.
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Huge and exquisite
M3 iPad Air (13-inch, 2025)
iPad Air is highly effective, versatile, and options the unimaginable efficiency of the M3 chip constructed for Apple Intelligence. This model additionally sports activities a shocking 13-inch Liquid Retina show.
Different highlights of the pill embody Contact ID, superior cameras, blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6E and a USB-C connector.
- As massive as the largest iPad Professional with out the hefty price ticket
- Speedy M3 processor
iPad Air downsides: There are few drawbacks to Apple’s Goldilocks pill. Simply notice that even the most cost effective model it prices almost twice what the ten.9-inch iPad does — make certain you want the extra capabilities.
M4 iPad Professional is prepared for professionals
Picture: Apple
Individuals who make a pill their major pc usually 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.
It’s constructed round the highly effective Apple M4 processor, the identical chip used within the newest Macs. That offers 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. Then again, there are some superior capabilities lacking, and that frustrates some long-time Mac customers.
With the pill’s USB-C port, it might connect with nearly 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. In any iPad comparability, deciding 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 patrons gravitate to the Professional fashions as a result of they provide the perfect efficiency. And the 11-inch iPad Professional offers that in a extra moveable design than its bigger sibling. Should you count on to very incessantly carry the pc round, this is perhaps the model for you.
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Apple’s finest promoting pill
M4 iPad Professional (11-Inch, 2024)
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 finished.
- Beautiful display
- As highly effective as a MacBook
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 is massive sufficient for use all day, and the processor can simply deal with something you ask of it.
The total-size show makes it well-suited for individuals who should incessantly discuss with massive drawings, pictures or databases. Or present movies and pictures to shoppers.
Connect a keyboard/trackpad and you’ve got a robust convertible pc.
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Prime pill
M4 iPad Professional (13-Inch, 2024)
Constructed for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s high pill options an Extremely Retina XDR Show, 1TB SSD, 12MP entrance/again digicam, LiDAR Scanner, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Mobile, Face ID, all-day battery life and extra.
- Skinny and lightweight
- Lovely show
- All-day battery life
iPad Professional downsides: Irrespective of the scale, the iPad Professional is a tremendous machine. It’s additionally very costly. Assume onerous whether or not an iPad Air is perhaps sufficient for you, particularly if you’re eyeing the 11-inch model. As for the 13-inch model, assume over whether or not a MacBook is perhaps a greater choice.
Which iPad ought to I purchase? Don’t panic.
Whereas it’s necessary to place some thought into selecting the perfect iPad, don’t overthink your iPad comparability course of. Actually, there’s not a nasty 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 in another way about that call in a pair years while you and your iPad are inseparable.
Observe: 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.
