Here's how to choose the best Apple iPad tablet for your needs
Here's how to choose the best Apple iPad tablet for your needs
Here’s how to choose the best Apple iPad tablet for your needs
id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body”>
Apple’s iPad tablet continues to be a popular option for remote learning. The current lineup Apple iPad includes the 10.2-inch iPad (2019, seventh-generation), 10.5-inch iPad Air (2019, third-generation) and second-gen <a website and fourth-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released earlier this year. There’s also the fifth-gen 2019 7.9-inch iPad Mini. This lineup could be changing soon, however, with rumors of a new iPad Air as early as next week. (Here’s what we expect — and want — from the next iPad.) Read more: The best 2020 iPad deals: The 10.2-inch model is back on sale for $250 The features and performance get better as you move up in the line. Regardless of the iPad you go with, though, all of the current iPad models support the latest version of iPadOS and work with one of Apple’s Smart Keyboard and either the first- or second-gen Apple Pencil. That’s good news for anyone looking to do more than play Apple Arcade games, look at websites and stream videos and music. Plus, all of the current models support mouse and trackpad use for a more MacBook-like experience. That said, Apple iPads hold their value, and there’s generally a huge market for older used and refurbished iPads. Availability dried up some over the past several months with more people working and learning from home. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal before you buy an iPad. Read more: How to pick the best iPad keyboard trackpad case
The least expensive iPad is also the one we’re most likely to recommend for people looking casual leave application format for employee a new iPad for the family and general use. Despite its older A10 processor, the 10.2-inch iPad can handle the latest iPadOS just fine, and its display that’s slightly larger than its predecessor’s is better for productivity and entertainment. One word of caution, though: The base 32GB of storage can fill up fast, so we recommend going with the 128GB version if possible.
The 2019 iPad Air is a lot like the <a website iPad Pro from 2017. Starting at $499, it’s built around a 10.5-inch Retina display like the 2017 Pro but has an updated A12 Bionic processor like the one powering the <a website XS. If you want better performance and more storage space — there are 64GB or 256GB options — you should consider stepping up the Air. Plus, while it’s larger than the entry-level iPad, it actually weighs a hair less.
Whether you’re a digital artist or have waited years for an iPad that blurs the line between tablet and MacBook, the 2020 iPad Pro is what you want. Aside from different screen sizes (and respective resolutions) and weight, the 11- and 12.9-inch Pros are the same. If you’re considering the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you’ll likely want to spring for the 12.9-inch version for the significant increase in workspace. As for performance, this has all the latest and greatest components Apple’s iPads have to offer. If device longevity is key, you’ll want to pay the premium for the 2020 iPad Pro.
Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET The littlest iPad doesn’t look any different than it did in 2015, but for 2019 it got a faster A12 processor and Apple Pencil support. Those additions make the 7.9-inch Mini — <a website at $399 (£399, AU$599) — a smart choice for those who want a smaller device for notetaking and sketching while also giving you better performance for games and more screen space than your phone for reading and videos (and you won’t be eating into your phone’s battery life, either). While its wide bezels make it look a dated compared to the rest of the lineup, at least it has Touch ID and a headphone jack to go along with them.
Apple/Screenshot by Josh Goldman/CNET
iPad 2019 vs. iPad Air 2019 vs. iPad Pro 2020 specs
iPad 2019 (10.2)
iPad Air 2019 (10.5)
iPad Pro 2020 (11)
iPad Pro 2020 (12.9)
Availability
See it at Amazon
See it at Amazon
See it at Amazon
See it at Amazon
Display resolution
2,160×1,620-pixel resolution
2,224×1,668-pixel resolution
2,388×1,668-pixel resolution
2,732×2,048-pixel resolution
Pixel density (ppi)
264 ppi
264 ppi
264 ppi
264 ppi
Rear camera
8-megapixel f2.4
8-megapixel f2.4
12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide
12-megapixel f1.8 wide, 10-megapixel f2.4 ultrawide
Video recording
1080p at 30fps
1080p at 30fps
4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide)
4K at 24, 30 or 60fps (wide); 60fps (ultrawide)
FaceTime front-facing camera
1.2-megapixel photos; 720p video
7-megapixel photos; 1080p video
7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video
7-megapixel TrueDepth; 1080p video
Processor
A10
A12
A12Z
A12Z
Dimensions
9.8×6.8×0.29 inches
9.8×6.8×0.24 inches
9.7x7x0.23 inches
11×8.5×0.23 inches
Weight
1.07 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.09 lbs. (LTE)
1 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.02 lbs. (LTE)
1.04 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.04 lbs. (LTE)
1.41 lbs. (Wi-Fi); 1.42 lbs.(LTE)
Battery
Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular
Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular
Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular
Up to 10 hours use over Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours over cellular
Headphone jack
Yes
Yes
No
No
Connector port
Lightning; Apple Smart Connector
Lightning; Apple Smart Connector
USB-C; Apple Smart Connector
USB-C; Apple Smart Connector
Apple Pencil-compatibility
Yes; 1st generation
Yes; 1st generation
Yes; 2nd generation
Yes; 2nd generation
Unlock with
Touch ID
Touch ID
Face ID
Face ID
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0
SIM card support for cellular model
Nano-SIM; eSIM
Nano-SIM; eSIM
Nano-SIM; eSIM
Nano-SIM; eSIM
iPad Keyboard compatibility
Smart Keyboard
Smart Keyboard
Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio
Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio
Audio
Two-speaker
Two-speaker
Four-speaker
Four-speaker
Capacity and price: Wi-Fi models
$329 (32GB) / $429 (128GB)
$499 (64GB) / $649 (256GB)
$799 (64GB) / $899 (256GB) / $1,099 (512GB) / $1,299 (1TB)
$999 (128GB) / $1,099 (256GB) / $1,299 (512GB) / $1,499 (1TB)
Capacity and price: LTE models
$459 (32GB) / $559 (128GB)
$629 (64GB) / $779 (256GB)
$949 (64GB) / $1,049 (256GB) / $1,249 (512GB) / $1,449 (1TB)
$1,149 (128GB) / $1,249 (256GB) / $1,449 (512GB) / $1,649 (1TB)
Sarah Tew/CNET
Scott Stein/CNET
Watch this:
My first week at home using the new iPad Pro