2016 iPad Buyer’s Guide – A Comprehensive Breakdown to Help You Choose Which iPad Is Right for You

Screen Size

Alright, let’s get down to what will probably be the most difficult decision in this process, the screen size. You can now choose an iPad with either a 7.9″, 9.7″ or 12.9″ screen. Ultimately, this decision is going to come down to how much of a premium you put on portability.

The 7.9″ iPad mini is obviously the easiest to tote around. It will fit in any bag, briefcase, or purse you might carry around. The downside is the limited screen space for getting work done. If you try to take advantage of the new multitasking features on an iPad mini, things get cramped real quick.

If portability is near the top of your list and you primarily plan to use your iPad as an entertainment device, the iPad mini is going to be your best bet. It’s easy to hold and extremely light and if you are an avid reader, the iPad mini is easily the best iPad for reading e-books. It’s a great device for those who want more functionality than a dedicated e-reader or lower tier tablet.

The 9.7″ iPad Air line provides and excellent balance between portability and usability. The screen size makes multitasking a more realistic option compared to the iPad mini, and it is still fairly easy to carry around. However, keep in mind that Split-Screen multitasking is only available on the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 4. The original iPad Air only supports Slide Over. For power users, Split-Screen mode is a fantastic addition to the iPad, so I recommend purchasing a supported model.

For many professionals, the 9.7″ screen size hits the sweet spot. If you do a lot of traveling or plan on carrying an iPad everywhere you go but still need space to get things done, it’s hard to beat the iPad Air models. Similar to the iPhone 6s, the iPad Air is probably the most practical option for most iPad buyers.

So what about the massive 12.9″ display of the iPad Pro? The iPad Pro is a tougher sell than its smaller siblings because of the price and size, but there are three types of people who I think this device is perfect for.

First is the professional who needs either the extra screen real estate or the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil has received high marks from many creative professionals. So if that’s you, the iPad Pro should be at the top of your list.

Also, there are plenty of professions who find the iPad Pad Pro’s display ideal. For example, if you deal with a high number of PDFs, the iPad Pro is hands down the best for viewing and annotating. Throw in the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro becomes a near perfect annotation device.

The second type of person who may prefer an iPad Pro is somebody who is looking to replace their laptop. There is a growing number of consumers who can do every kind of computing task on an iPad and the only hesitation has been the smaller screen size. Most consumers aren’t willing to use a 9.7″ device as their only computer, but the 12.9″ size is more compelling. Most people I know can do everything they need on an iPad and the iPad Pro is still more portable than any laptop out there.

Obviously, those who rely on software only available on a laptop don’t fit in this category and you know who you are, but the iPad Pro could fill the role of primary computer for a majority of consumers.

The last group is the buyer who wants the biggest baddest portable entertainment machine. The iPad Pro is easily the best consumption device Apple has ever created, and I’m not just talking about iPads. Most reviews I’ve read found the speakers of the iPad Pro to be cleaner and louder than any of Apple’s MacBooks or iMacs. Add the fact that the iPad Pro’s screen resolution is better than the 15″ MacBook Pro with Retina Display, and you have one kick butt Netflix machine.

Head over to Page 3 to learn more about Price and Specifications.