These are the best iPad models to buy before school starts(2)

 

These are the best iPad models to buy before school starts(2)

 

Also: The best iPad Air cases

iPad Mini (6th generation)

Best compact iPad

 

 

Jason Cipriani/ZDNET

pros & cons

pros

·         USB-C port

·         Support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil

·         Charges the Apple Pencil

·         Touch ID in the top button

cons

·         $150 more for cellular connectivity

·         It's smaller, but also more expensive

·         Unless you really value the size, you're better off going with another iPad

more details

iPad Mini (6th generation) specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid

 Retina display | Processor: A15 Bionic | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Space gray, pink, purple, starlight | Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 12MP FaceTime camera with Center Stage | Weight: 0.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery life: 10 hours

If you want something smaller and more manageable, the Apple iPad Mini fits the bill. Apple's recent update to the Mini brought it current with the company's new flat-edge design, a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil. 

It's powered by the A15 Bionic processor, and the display size was increased from 7.9 inches to 8.3 inches. By removing the home button and putting Touch ID in the top button, the overall size of the Mini actually decreased. 

ZDNET writer Jason Perlow said that the iPad Mini with 5G would be his "desert island device." 

"It is powerful enough to be the one and only Apple device that a large group of customers will ever need," he said, adding, "It has the same A15 Bionic SoC used on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro/Max."

Also: The best iPad apps for productivity

There's also a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, and it makes for a fantastic tablet to draw or write notes on. 

What is the best iPad?

The iPad Pro is the best iPad money can buy. It's the most capable in terms of performance and can be used for anything from graphic design to entertainment.

iPad model	Display	Processor	Weight
iPad Pro	11-inch Liquid Retina display or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display	Apple Silicon M2	1.03-1.5 pounds
iPad	10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone	A14 Bionic	1.05 pounds
iPad Air	10.9-inch Retina display	Apple Silicon M1	1.02 pounds
iPad Mini	8.3-inch Liquid Retina display	A15 Bionic	0.65 pound

Which is the best iPad for you?

If you're deciding between getting the base model iPad or the iPad Air (or for that matter, the iPad Air or the iPad Pro), we recommend sitting down and thinking of all the ways you want to use the iPad. 

If your list primarily consists of consumption activities, like watching videos and reading news, odds are the base model iPad is what you should go with. However, if you want to do a fair amount of emailing, messaging, writing, and web browsing, then the iPad Air is where your search should begin. As for the iPad Pro, it's clear that it's now meant for users who plan to push it to its limits while they work by connecting multiple accessories and monitors or other peripherals.

If you need a laptop replacement and love the iPad, then the iPad Pro is where to start your search.  

Choose this iPad...	If you want...
iPad Pro	The best overall option. This iPad can completely replace your laptop with its impressive power.
iPad	The portability of a tablet but don't want to replace your computer. The new 12MP ultra-wide camera even beats out the Pro.
iPad Air	To use your tablet for work and play. At just over a pound, the Air is compatible with the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil.
iPad Mini	A smaller, more manageable iPad model with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with mighty graphics.

How did I choose these iPad models?

Myself, along with other ZDNET writers like Jason Cipriani and our Reviews Editor June Wan, have been testing and using tablets for years. The selection process for the best iPad consists of using the tablet, reading other reviews both from consumers and product reviewers, and then determining what should and shouldn't make the list. I also considered the following factors: 

• Availability: Ultimately, Apple only has four iPad models, so there is little selection. However, each iPad is different enough to suit different needs. 
• Compatibility: Even though each iPad is an Apple product, I considered which iPads are compatible with accessories such as the second-generation Apple Pencil and which have the latest OS. 
• Price: The different iPad models will vary in cost since they focus on different things. For example, the iPad Mini's focus is portability, so it is small and costs less, while the iPad Pro is a powerhouse meant to replace a laptop, so you'll see a higher price tag. 

What is the best iPad for kids?

The base model iPad is the best tablet for kids since it's easy to use, lightweight, and can grow with your child as they need it for different purposes. The iPad Mini would also be a good choice since it's the smallest iPad in the lineup, perfect for little hands. 

What is the best iPad for drawing?

The best iPad for drawing is definitely the iPad Pro, thanks to its mini LED display that Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR, which is brighter and offers more color contrast when you're drawing. 

The Pro is also great for drawing since it supports the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, with a magnetic spot on the side to charge it. 

What is the best iPad for students?

The best iPad for students is the 5th-generation iPad Air. It has many of the same features as the powerful iPad Pro but costs a lot less for students' budgets. 

Also: The best note-taking apps for iPad

It's also compatible with the Magic Keyboard and the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, so students can utilize it in different ways. 

Should I get the iPad Pro or the iPad Air?

Where the iPad Pro is the model for those who want nothing but the best and most updated features, the iPad Air is the model for those who want to use the tablet for work and play, without big sacrifices in performance or features. 

What are the differences between an iPad, Amazon Fire, and a Samsung tablet?

It's easy to see the price difference between one of Amazon's

Fire tablets and an iPad. However, you have to remember that Amazon designs and builds its tablets as entry-level tablets that do the bare minimum. 

Performance is going to be slower, and app selection is going to be worse on Amazon's Fire tablet lineup. The iPad has access to the same App Store as the iPhone, with most apps optimized to take advantage of the larger display on the iPad. 

As far as Samsung tablets go, these devices will run on Android OS and are closer to iPads in terms of performance, design, and features. The Galaxy Tab S series is ideal for users who need power, such as creators and professionals. The tablets in this series have larger screens and more processing power, comparable to the iPad Pro. 

On the other hand, Samsung also makes a Galaxy Tab A series, which comes at a lower price point with smaller screens for those who need a simple tablet for everyday tasks and entertainment. 

Are there alternative iPad models to consider?

If you still want an iPad but want to pay less and don't mind older versions, you can buy a renewed iPad through Amazon's Renewed Store, which sells high-quality, like-new products that are refurbished and pre-owned. 

 

 

With my best wishes