{"id":77837,"date":"2024-02-22T23:04:49","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T23:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/22\/the-best-ipad-to-buy\/"},"modified":"2024-02-22T23:04:49","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T23:04:49","slug":"the-best-ipad-to-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/22\/the-best-ipad-to-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"The best iPad to buy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Apple\u2019s iPad lineup has gone from a single straightforward option to a sprawling array of different sizes, prices, options, and generations. Right now, Apple sells six distinct iPads in four categories. That can make choosing the best iPad for your needs challenging \u2014 especially when you look at how similar so many of the models are.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But with a little guidance and some consideration of why you\u2019re planning to buy an iPad and what you intend to use it for, you can navigate Apple\u2019s lineup with ease. I\u2019ve spent years using various iPads for both entertainment and work and have tested all of the current and recent models to know what they are best suited for.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Out of the box, any iPad provides an excellent portable video or movie-watching experience; access to a wide array of apps and games through the App Store; the ability to read ebooks, documents, and web articles on a bright comfortably sized screen; and communicate via email, messaging services, or video calls. With accessories like Apple\u2019s Smart<\/a> or Magic Keyboard<\/a> or the Apple Pencil<\/a>, an iPad can serve as a drawing tablet or a productivity device, perhaps even replacing a laptop for some people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The big secret here is that, with a few minor exceptions, any current or recent-model iPad you buy is capable of doing everything any other iPad in the lineup can do. Everything from the lowly ninth-gen base model iPad to the iPad Mini and all the way up to the largest iPad Pro 12.9 runs the same software and the same apps. iPadOS 17<\/a>, the latest update for the iPad, is available on devices dating back to 2017 and runs on any iPad you\u2019re likely to buy at this point, save for the fifth-gen base iPad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What to consider when buying an iPad:<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Price<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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Yes, this is obvious, but it\u2019s good to know how much you want to spend before shopping. You can get a new iPad for as little as $250, or you can spend well over $1,000 for a top model. Knowing how much you want to pay will guide you to the right models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Size<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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Most of Apple\u2019s iPads fall into the mid-size category, with roughly 10 to 11-inch screens. They are ideal for a wide variety of things and are flexible for both holding in your hands and using with a keyboard. If you primary plan to use your iPad for reading, you might want to go with something smaller; if you intend to replace a laptop with an iPad, you might want a bigger model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Accessories<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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Apple\u2019s accessory compatibility is somewhat fragmented across its iPad lineup. It has three different Pencil stylus models, three different keyboard attachments, and a wide variety of case options. While some iPad models share accessories with others, not all of them do, so if you want to use a specific accessory with your iPad, it\u2019s important to make sure both are compatible before you buy them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Still, there are nuances between the models that make them better suited for different needs. In this guide, I have recommendations for the best iPad for the majority of people, the best option if you\u2019re buying an iPad for kids, the best model for getting work done or creating digital art, and the best iPad if your main goal is to use it for reading. But again, those dividing lines are not walls, and you can use any of the iPad models to accomplish the same things as any other. (Though I personally would not want to write a novel on an iPad Mini.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Before I get into the recommendations, there are some things to be aware of when it comes to pricing. Apple doesn\u2019t make a lot of changes between iPad generations, and the processing power in any recent iPad has so much overhead that it can easily work for years without feeling slow or sluggish. Apple also has a strong track record of supporting the iPad for many years with software updates, so even older models can benefit from the majority of new features. That means you can often find excellent options on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save a lot of money and still offer an up-to-date, performant experience. So if you\u2019re debating between, say, an iPad Air and an 11-inch iPad Pro, a refurbished prior model year Pro might end up costing less than the current Air while providing a few extra perks that aren\u2019t available on the lesser model. There are also frequent sales on new versions of the most recent iPad models<\/a>, typically around when new iPads are announced in the spring and fall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You can use this logic across the lineup, so it\u2019s worth exploring the available options. The refurbished market changes too frequently for me to make specific recommendations in this guide, so everything here is based on the new, full retail cost. But I\u2019ve personally bought multiple refurbished iPads over the years and have never regretted not having the latest and greatest model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the interest of full transparency, it\u2019s worth pointing out that Apple is likely to revamp its entire iPad lineup at the end of March<\/a>. According to the latest rumors, we might see the launch of an M2-powered iPad Mini<\/a> and an 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Air<\/a>, as well as a new OLED\u00a0iPad Pro<\/a> equipped with Apple\u2019s newer M3 processor<\/a>. These are rumors, of course, but they\u2019re worth considering given Apple hasn\u2019t revamped the latest iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini in quite some time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The best iPad for most people<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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