Apple on Tuesday released new iPads that will give us a lot to talk about for weeks to come. The new 10th generation iPad is a complete redesign that brings it into 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, new Apple tablets are more powerful than ever, providing more choices for consumers at both ends of the spectrum.
But buying an iPad is more confusing than ever. Apple now offers five different iPad lines starting at $329 and up to $2,000. Here’s how to disassemble the models:
- iPad (9th generation, 64GB): $329
- iPad (9th generation, 256GB): $479
- iPad (10th generation, 64 GB): $479
- iPad mini (64GB): $499
- iPad (10th generation, 256 GB): $599
- iPad Air (64GB): $599
- iPad mini (256 GB): $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
Those prices don’t take into account cellular options, which add $200 for the iPad Pro, $150 for the 10th generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, and $130 for the 9th generation iPad. It also doesn’t take into account the fact that 64GB of storage isn’t enough for a device that’s supposed to be a “computer”.
So while the options are certainly good, they can also be confusing. If you have $600 to spend, for example, you can get a new iPad with 256GB of storage, an iPad Air with 64GB of storage, an iPad mini with 64GB of storage, or a 9th-generation iPad with 256GB of storage and cellular connectivity. . All of these models have different screens, different processors, and different color options.
The 10th generation iPad has USB-C but still supports the Lightning-based Apple Pencil.
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And this is where it gets really confusing. Consider these facts about Apple’s iPad lineup:
- The three premium iPads have essentially the same 11-inch screen size.
- The 10th generation iPad introduced in 2014 did not have an anti-reflective coating.
- Every iPad sold by Apple has every app.
- 64GB storage is too small and 256GB is too big for most users.
- Only the 10th generation iPad model has a selfie camera in landscape mode.
- The iPad Pro has Bluetooth technology (5.3) newer than the 10th generation iPad (5.2), iPad Air, and mini (5.0).
- iPad mini is the only model that doesn’t support any of Apple’s keyboard cases.
- The 10th generation iPad does not support the second generation Apple Pencil.
Therefore, when deciding which tablet to buy, you not only have to look for almost two dozen options, but also take into account the small differences in different lines that ordinary consumers are not familiar with. Most buyers won’t be able to tell the difference between the iPad 10th generation’s armored screen and the iPad Air’s armored screen, or feel the speed of the A13 versus the A15. How is a consumer supposed to make an intelligent buying decision when they have to make a spreadsheet and explanation to see the different features?
Who is the iPad Air now? It has an M1 processor and second-generation Apple Pencil support, but if you’re a user who needs these features, you should consider the 11-inch iPad Pro. If you don’t, you should get a 10th generation iPad and save $150. And what about the iPod mini? Is it worth spending $50? additional Smaller screen and slightly better processor than the 10th generation iPad?
Then there is the update problem. The 10th generation iPad has just been released, so we don’t know how often it has been updated, but we do know other lines:
iPad Mini: Last update September 2021; Expected next update is March 2023
iPad Air: Last update March 2022; Expected next update is September 2023
iPad Pro: Last updated October 2022; Expected next update is March 2024
So if you are buying an iPad next February, you should consider that the iPad Mini will be updated soon. If you want one for the summer, an iPad Air update is just around the corner.
The new iPad was supposed to simplify the buying options but made the lineup even more confusing. It gives the impression that Apple hasn’t figured out what to do with its tablet lineup yet, so it’s throwing more and more at the wall to see what sticks with it. At some point, consumers will stop trying to figure it out.