There are a bunch of factors to consider before buying or upgrading to a brand new iPad. With Apple releasing new iPad models once or twice a year, deciding whether to wait or pull the trigger is more difficult than ever. Add the fact Apple is offering more options than ever before and this task becomes down right daunting. Thankfully, our comprehensive iPad buyer’s guide is here to help.
Currently, Apple offers five different iPad models; the iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4 and the gargantuan iPad Pro. I think the best way to tackle the question of which model is right for you is to start by considering precisely what it is you plan to use your iPad for. Next, narrow down what screen size is the best fit and finally consider the other factors like price and specifications.
Why do you want an iPad?
The chore of choosing an iPad is going to involve weighing your wants and needs and then choosing what features are necessary in spite of the trade offs. For example, many have found the extra screen real estate of the iPad Pro great for productivity and are willing to make the portability trade off.
Everybody has different needs for an iPad. Some use them for work, whether it’s in the enterprise as a businessman or woman as a creative professional, and others use them as pure entertainment and consumption devices. Let’s start by deciding why you want or need an iPad.
With the iPad specific features of iOS 9, the iPad has become a compelling productivity device, so if you are in the market for a device to use in your professional life, an iPad has never been a better choice.
If you only want an iPad for entertainment consumption, which is arguably what the iPad is best at, you’re in good company. It’s just important to know which camp you are in before we move on to the next consideration.
The iPad has historically been used as a consumption device. Even those who have used the device professionally, it has primarily been for consumption purposes like reading. With the introduction of the iPad Pro, the iPad has become a powerful input device as well. Rather than only using the iPad to consume, a growing number of people are using the device to create as well.
This has created a new breed of iPad users of which I’m included. These are people who use an iPad for their professional work during the day and then switch it over to a pure consumption device at night. If you think you might fall into this category, make sure to keep that in mind as we move on.
Head over to Page 2 to learn more about screen size.
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.
Price and Specifications
Now that we’ve nailed down what size iPad works best for you, it’s time to figure out what price you’re comfortable with and to think about a few other considerations.
The iPad mini 2 is the cheapest iPad you can buy from Apple right now starting at $269 and going up from there. Both the iPad mini 4 and original iPad Air start at $399. The iPad Air 2 starts at $499 and the iPad Pro comes in at a whopping $799.
I’m sure it’s no surprise that the larger the screen the more expensive the iPad. If you are on a tight budget and you don’t need the extra power features of the iPad Pro or the iPad Air 2, you will be more than happy with an iPad mini.
However, if you are on a tight budget but don’t want to sacrifice screen size, the original iPad Air is still an excellent iPad. However, there are two things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this scenario. First, you will be giving up the full-fledged Split-Screen multitasking if you go with the original iPad Air. Secondly, Apple is highly likely to release the iPad Air 3 soon. So, if you are either considering an iPad Air or Air 2, I recommend holding off for the new model.
Storage and connectivity are the next two things to think about. The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 come with either 16, 64 or 128 GB of storage while the iPad Pro is available in only 32 or 128 GB models. Picking between them can be difficult, especially since you will pay an extra $100 with each storage jump.
Unless you are an extremely light iPad users, I can’t recommend a 16 GB iPad to anybody. You will eat through 16 GB of storage quick and wish you spent the extra $100. If you are eyeing an iPad Air or iPad mini, 64 is usually plenty of storage for most people. I would reserve the 128 GB models for top tier power users and you know who you are.
If you plan on buying an iPad Pro, chances are you plan to use the device in your professional life. Also, if you are planning to drop the extra cash on an iPad Pro over other models, I assume you have fairly deep pockets. That said, I cannot recommend purchasing this much iPad in a 32 GB model. If you are going the iPad Pro route, please spend the extra cash for the 128 GB model. You can thank me later.
The first iPad I ever purchased was an iPad 2 with cellular connectivity. I thought it would be a handy extra feature, but I rarely used it. For the majority of people a Wi-Fi only iPad is going to be just fine, especially with the ease of tethering to your iPhone for internet. I’m not sure who still needs cellular connectivity on an iPad, so I recommend saving the extra $129 it will cost and putting it towards accessories or more storage.
Touch ID is a luxury feature that’s worth considering. You probably use an iPhone with Touch ID by now, and my guess is you enjoy the convenience. Only the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 feature Touch ID, so keep that in mind if the feature is important to you.
Head over to Page 3 to read our final thoughts.
Conclusion
Like every larger purchase you make, there are a considerable amount of things to think about before pulling the trigger. I hope this guide gave you a good idea of which iPad is right for you. If you are still having trouble, here are a few final thoughts to help.
In the past, I always agonized about buying the latest tech product only to have it become obsolete the next month. Over time I’ve come to the conclusion that you cannot make tech purchases while worrying about future releases. The reality is a newer model quickly supersedes every tech product.
At the end of the day, if you need a new iPad you need to go ahead and take the plunge. The good news is Apple’s products all have excellent lifespans and you can be assured purchasing the current model will serve you well for years.
That said, you shouldn’t be completely reckless either. Apple has given us a pretty good idea when to expect new products and fairly accurate rumors begin surfacing a few months before a major product release. For example, we are almost certain the iPad Air 3 is coming in March.
Other products, like the flagship iPhone, appear every September like clockwork. So it would be silly to buy a new one at full price in August knowing it is about to be replaced by a newer model.
All things considered, if you’ve decided to buy an iPad I can almost guarantee you will be a happy customer no matter what direction you decide is right for you. I know it can be a difficult decision, so if you have any other questions or information you’re curious about, let us know in the comments. We are here to help. Happy iPad buying!