Apple launched new iPads on Tuesday that will give us plenty to talk about for the weeks to come. The new 10th generation iPad is a complete redesign that brings it in line with the Air and mini, and the new iPad Pro is the fastest tablet ever, with an M2 processor and Wi-Fi 6E. Simply put, Apple’s new tablets are the most powerful ever, giving consumers more options at both ends of the spectrum.
But buying an iPad is also more confusing than ever. Apple now offers five different iPad lines starting at $329 and going up to $2,000 and up. Here’s how the models break down:
- iPad (9th generation, 64GB): $329
- iPad (9th generation, 256 GB): $479
- iPad (10th Gen, 64GB): $479
- iPad mini (64GB): $499
- iPad (10th Gen, 256GB): $599
- iPad Air (64GB): $599
- iPad mini (256GB): $649
- iPad Air (256 GB): $749)
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 128GB): $799
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 256GB): $899
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 512GB): $1,099
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 128GB): $1,099
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 256GB): $1,199
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 512GB): $1,399
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 1TB): $1,499
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1TB): $1,799
- iPad Pro (11-inch, 2TB): $1,899
- iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2TB): $2,199
And those prices don’t even factor in cellular options, which add $200 to the iPad Pro, $150 to the 10th generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, and $130 to the 9th generation iPad. It also ignores the fact that 64GB of storage isn’t really enough for a device that’s supposed to be a “computer.”
So while the options are certainly good, they can also be overwhelming. If you have $600 to spend, for example, you can get a new iPad with 256GB of storage or an iPad Air with 64GB of storage, an iPad mini with 64GB of storage, or a 9th generation iPad with 256GB of storage. storage and cellular connectivity. And all of these models have different screens, different processors, and different color options.
![iPad 10](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Deciding-which-new-iPad-to-buy-has-never-been-so.jpg)
The 10th generation iPad has USB-C but still supports the Lightning-based Apple Pencil.
Apple
This is where it gets really confusing. Consider these facts about Apple’s iPad lineup:
- Three separate iPads have essentially the same 11-inch screen.
- The 10th generation iPad lacks the anti-reflective coating introduced in 2014.
- Each iPad sold by Apple has a different processor.
- 64 GB of storage is too little and 256 GB of storage is too much for most users.
- The 10th generation iPad is the only model to have a selfie camera in landscape orientation.
- The iPad Pro has newer Bluetooth (5.3) than the 10th generation iPad (5.2) and iPad Air and mini (5.0).
- The iPad mini is the only model that does not support any of Apple’s keyboard cases.
- The 10th generation iPad still does not support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.
So not only do you have to sift through nearly two dozen options to decide which tablet to buy, but you also have to consider small differences in the different lineups that might not be obvious to casual consumers. Most buyers probably couldn’t tell the difference between the 10th Gen iPad’s non-laminated display and the iPad Air’s laminated display or feel the speed of an A15 versus an A13. How are consumers supposed to make a smart buying decision when they have to create a spreadsheet and explainer just to understand the different features?
And who is the iPad Air for now? It has an M1 processor and second-generation Apple Pencil support, but if you’re a user who needs those features, you should consider the 11-inch iPad Pro. And if you’re not, you should just get the 10th generation iPad and save $150. And what about the iPad mini? Is it worth spending $50 After than the 10th generation iPad for a smaller screen and a slightly better processor?
And then there is the question of the update. The 10th generation iPad was just released, so we don’t know how often it will be updated, but we do know the other lines:
ipadmini: Last updated September 2021; next update due March 2023
ipadair: Last updated March 2022; next update scheduled for September 2023
iPad Pro: Last updated October 2022; next update due March 2024
So if you buy an iPad next February, you must consider that the iPad mini might be updated soon. If you want one in the summer, there’s likely to be an iPad Air update just around the corner.
The new iPad was supposed to simplify purchasing options, but it only muddied the lineup further. And that makes it seem like Apple still doesn’t quite understand what to do with its line of tablets, so it keeps throwing more and more at the wall to see what will stick. And at some point consumers will just stop trying to figure it out.
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