Translation: Red Date Pudding
Source: CNET
Apple has recently revamped its entire iPad lineup. If you are planning to get one, that’s good news, but it also means our recommendations need some adjustments.
So, what should you do? To cut a long story short: Apple now has 4 iPad products. There’s the discounted 9.7-inch iPad, the latest 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the iPad Mini 4 waiting for you to choose.
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The 9.7-inch iPad is definitely a safe recommendation for anyone looking for a tablet.
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The latest 10.5-inch iPad Pro is overall the best iPad right now and the best choice for artists and high-end users.
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The 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPad Mini are quite extreme in size, but if you don’t mind that, you can consider these two models.
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If you already have the iPad Air 2, or even the 2016 version of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, then there’s no need to upgrade.
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There are many other tablets outside of the iPad that you can consider, especially kid-friendly options that can be as low as $50 to $80!
Now you should have a rough idea in your mind, so let’s categorize our iPad recommendations as follows.
Daily use iPad: The 9.7-inch iPad is a very good choice.
Sarah Tew/CNET
iPad (9.7-inch): A great choice.
This is Apple’s entry-level iPad. And oddly enough, it’s just called “iPad.” It has now replaced the excellent but outdated iPad Air 2. The new iPad is cheaper and more powerful, but it may be slightly weaker in display (same resolution, but more reflective, which means it can be more blinding to your eyes…)
It is indeed a highly cost-effective device. If you’re saying, “Hey! Patrick! Let’s buy an iPad!”, then you can go for it.
Buy it if you want:
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To save money.
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To buy one for a big kid.
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Just to use the tablet every day for sending and receiving emails, browsing the web, or playing games.
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If you don’t need a fancy stylus to draw or annotate documents (you can still buy a cheaper stylus that’s not a Pencil).
A larger display, faster processor, the best iPad: but the 10.5-inch iPad will cost you more!
Sarah Tew/CNET
iPad Pro (10.5-inch): The best model, but not worth the money in some aspects
The latest Pro iPad has the same technical specifications: there are now 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch models available, both have the same processor, storage capacity, and everything else. Only the screen size and resolution differ.
The iPad Pro has a very powerful processor (the super-fast A10X chip); more RAM (which means you can open more apps simultaneously for quick switching); better cameras (both front and back cameras are on par with the iPhone 7); a display with better color quality and faster refresh rate with anti-reflection; and most importantly, they all support the amazing pressure-sensitive (sold separately, $99) Pencil stylus. They also have a Smart Connector, which is a magnetic port that connects to a keyboard accessory without charging.
The 10.5-inch model replaces the equally excellent 2016 version of the 9.7-inch Pro. In fact, if you already have the 2016 version of the iPad Pro, you really don’t need to buy this 2017 version. Although the new iPad Pro has a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, it doesn’t look that different. However, its starting price ($649) is twice that of the base iPad.
This is the best iPad, but only video and photo professionals might need these advanced features.
Buy it if you are:
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Someone who has money and doesn’t want to settle.
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An artist who can afford it.
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Someone seeking the best display experience.
The larger iPad Pro upgrades its specifications and looks fantastic, but it’s big and expensive.
Ariel Nunez/CNET
iPad Pro (12.9-inch): The giant iPad
This model has a pixel-rich 13-inch display, but it also looks like a display taken off a laptop… you’d better use it as a desktop iPad, or as a larger tool for artists. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a significant advantage in that it can split-screen display two full app interfaces, unlike the 9.7-inch or 10.5-inch models which compress their interfaces.
At the time of the first-generation 12.9-inch release, the 2017 version has the following notable updates: faster A10X processor, better cameras, significantly improved anti-glare display, and a higher refresh rate TrueTone color adjustment display. If you like this size and use it daily, we think it’s worth upgrading. Please stay tuned for reviews on this model, but I’m currently trying it out, and it meets your expectations: a more efficient oversized iPad…
Buy it if you:
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Are an artist who can afford a $1000 iPad.
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Want a super large iPad for watching movies.
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Are a split-screen display enthusiast.
Okay, you can skip the iPad Mini 4.
Sarah Tew/CNET
iPad Mini 4: The older and smaller choice
The iPad Mini 4 is still available, and it is currently the oldest iPad. It has a smaller display than the traditional iPad, which was practical before phone screens got larger.
The iPad Mini is equipped with a slightly outdated A8 processor and does not have the split-screen display feature found in other iPads. Its battery life is also not very satisfying. If used as a portable reader, it’s still worth buying, but it’s not as cost-effective as the now-discontinued iPad Mini 2. If bought during the discount season, it could be a good choice.
If you are very eager to get a iPad that is convenient to carry while traveling, or if you like this size, then go ahead and buy it.
Otherwise, stick with the 9.7-inch iPad. (You’ll be happier that way…)
And what about the Pencil? If you buy the Pro but don’t need the Pencil? Maybe you don’t need the Pro then.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Other considerations
Storage capacity? Apple has increased the base capacity of the iPad Pro to 64GB, which is good news for everyone. Then it goes directly to 256GB, with a maximum capacity of 512GB. If you are worried about insufficient storage, then 256GB should be quite safe (even oversized). And 512GB is almost only suitable for those with a large number of image storage and video editing needs: professional image editing and video editing. The entry-level 9.7-inch iPad has a storage capacity of 32GB, which is sufficient for basic use. But if you want to reach the 128GB capacity, you need to spend an extra $100, which is not a bad choice if you plan to download a lot of movies and large files.
Do you want a tablet that can turn into a laptop? Buy a Microsoft Surface Pro or another Windows tablet. They can connect keyboard and touchpad accessories more flexibly and work like a normal computer.
Using cellular data networks with the iPad is unbearable for many. With the WiFi version of the iPad, you can wirelessly connect to your phone. The LTE version models are more expensive to upgrade. (Unless someone else is paying for it, so that means, everyone is welcome to pay for me!)
Want discounts and to shop outside the Apple Store? As mentioned above, sometimes you can find quite good discounted iPads, but they generally require shopping outside the official Apple Store. Major retailers such as Target, Staples, Walmart, Best Buy, and even Toys R Us regularly offer good iPad pricing, sometimes even at discounted prices. (Amazon is not among Apple’s retail partners, so Amazon is not a good place to buy a new iPad.) If you can find the 2016 version of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro for $450 or less, it’s still a great choice. The latest 2017 version of the iPad generally fluctuates between $329 and $299—about a 10% discount. The best time to buy the iPad Mini is during the discount season!
For young friends on a tight budget, the Amazon Kindle Fire is definitely your best choice. Especially when the Amazon Kindle Fire is as cheap as $50 (the recently upgraded version), the $80 Fire HD 8 might be a better choice. Moreover, the children’s edition of the 7-incher has a two-year “no-questions-asked” return guarantee. So now there are three versions of the Fire tablet available—two children’s editions and one 8-inch “adult” version—much cheaper than the new iPad. But don’t expect to connect to your iTunes library or Apple-specific apps.
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Check out the Amazon Fire HD 8 review
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Check out the Fire 7 HD review
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View the Kindle Fire children’s edition on Amazon
Don’t like iOS? You have many other options! Besides the Amazon tablets mentioned above, there are many Android tablets, Chromebooks (some of which now run Android apps), and touchscreen Windows devices. Considering price thresholds and functional needs (entertainment vs. work, gaming vs. essential apps), there are dozens of alternatives to the iPad available for you.
What about discounts? Some outstanding models are still within reach if you can find them: the iPad Air 2 is still a very good choice and looks very similar to the current 9.7-inch iPad. If the price of the Air 2 is lower and the storage capacity is appropriate, then buy it. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is excellent, and if it’s during the discount season, it’s the best choice. If the iPad Mini is reasonably priced (around $200), it’s perfect for kids.
How much do you care about the ProMotion display on the iPad Pro? Apple’s latest display can reach a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which is twice that of the regular iPad. It makes things look very smooth, which is a big advantage for gaming, and it reduces the latency of the Pencil stylus. But for most people, unless you are ready to pay for these special features, it’s actually unnecessary. However, the whole set of ProMotion and Apple’s color-enhanced Pro display (and their anti-reflective surfaces) combines to create a high-level display upgrade. You might consider getting one for yourself.
What about the Pencil? The pressure-sensitive Pencil is Apple’s best iPad accessory—it’s the best art tool available. But if you are just a casual art enthusiast, a regular iPad with a regular stylus is sufficient. However, if you want to buy the iPad Pro, you must have a budget for the Pencil too, otherwise, why would you buy the iPad Pro?
What about keyboards? Apple’s iPad Pro Smart Connector supports some responsive keyboard accessories, but it’s really not necessary. A good Bluetooth keyboard can support regular iPads and provide similar functionality. However, all iPad keyboards lack one thing: a touchpad, so editing is quite a challenge!
Should I wait? iOS 11 will provide a series of potential multitasking upgrades for the iPad, but we don’t know which iPad models will be able to handle these upgrades well. You might want to wait until fall to determine (that’s when iOS 11 officially launches, although the public beta will also be available this summer). But purely in terms of hardware, the iPad product line has undergone significant upgrades and makeovers over the years. If you want one, now is also a good time to buy.
