iPad Need help choosing iPad models

[bcemail]

I'm looking to buy iPads for my tween/teen daughters for Christmas. Started looking for deals but got confused about what models, versions, etc. They aren't numbered like iPhones!

They will be using them for some school work, games, FaceTime with friends, some digital art, etc.

I will most likely not buying the newest version, and I would be OK with used or refurb if the quality was really good. I'm pretty sure I don't want mini, only full sized, and I only need wi-fi, not cellular. I couldn't tell what the difference between regular and Air is, but I think either would work.

Are there certain model numbers I should look for, or any to avoid? I want to make sure I don't get anything that is getting outdated and might not keep up with modern use. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

 

[rluvbeach]

I teach middle school and just got the ipad air 4.

this is a great device for the classroom, but pricey.

i'm sure that your kids could use this all the way thru high school

 

[james10in]

Since you didn't give an idea of your budget, going by my thinking, you might be looking at entry level- mid level ipads so I won't talk about pro version here..

You can go with
Base 8th gen , only draw back is cheapest variant which goes around 300-330 USD is a 32 gb device..

Next up is Air 3 ,64 gb

Then comes the all new latest Air 4..

Devices to avoid for sure/ outdated devices-

New/refurbished ipad pro 10.5 - this device although has some good features but you might end with a display issue

Air 2- outdated

Anything below 7th gen iPad

 

[rui no onna]

From the current line up:

iPad 8th gen
32GB $329 or $279.99 for My Best Buy members (free sign-up)
128GB $429 or $359.99 for My Best Buy members (free sign-up)

iPad Air 4
64GB $599

Note, iOS itself uses around 10-15GB so I would strongly caution against the 32GB configuration.

Normally, I highly recommend buying Apple certified refurbished products. The 2018 iPad Pro 11" 64GB Wi-Fi for $549 is a particularly good deal. Alas, the iPads seem to be out of stock from the refurb store all the time now.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'm looking to buy iPads for my tween/teen daughters for Christmas. Started looking for deals but got confused about what models, versions, etc. They aren't numbered like iPhones!

They will be using them for some school work, games, FaceTime with friends, some digital art, etc.

I will most likely not buying the newest version, and I would be OK with used or refurb if the quality was really good. I'm pretty sure I don't want mini, only full sized, and I only need wi-fi, not cellular. I couldn't tell what the difference between regular and Air is, but I think either would work.

Are there certain model numbers I should look for, or any to avoid? I want to make sure I don't get anything that is getting outdated and might not keep up with modern use. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Get your daughters a couple of 8th gen iPads. The 8th gen iPad is great for kids.

 

[bcemail]

Thanks for all the tips!

Should have said budget, which is a bit flexible but the pros and probably the new airs are too much. I do like the idea of these lasting though. Are they similar to iPhones that way? I upgraded my iPhone 7 last year to an 11 but didn't really need to (don't tell my wife I said that). It was still functioning very well.

Looks like everything is sold out on the refurbished Apple store.

I will avoid 32gb sizes. A bit disappointing they still make anything that small.

So I'll try for iPad 7 or 8 or air 3 or 4? I haven't looked into the pros as I assumed they were too much but I'll see if any refurbished ones pop up.

Didn't know about the Best buy discounts thanks!

 

[rluvbeach]

also remember you can get the education discount at the apple store when buying for students. its was $50 off the price for the ipad air 4

 

[bluespark]

I'd suggest getting the current (8th) generation iPad in the 128 GB size. Unless your daughters have a specialized use-case (i.e., artists who will make extensive use of the Apple Pencil and therefore may wish to consider the current Air for its Pencil 2 support and magnetic Pencil charging), it's a *great* device at a very reasonable price point.

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks for all the tips!

Should have said budget, which is a bit flexible but the pros and probably the new airs are too much. I do like the idea of these lasting though. Are they similar to iPhones that way? I upgraded my iPhone 7 last year to an 11 but didn't really need to (don't tell my wife I said that). It was still functioning very well.

Looks like everything is sold out on the refurbished Apple store.

I will avoid 32gb sizes. A bit disappointing they still make anything that small.

So I'll try for iPad 7 or 8 or air 3 or 4? I haven't looked into the pros as I assumed they were too much but I'll see if any refurbished ones pop up.

Didn't know about the Best buy discounts thanks!

To me, the iPad 7 doesn't make much sense considering the iPad 8 can be had on sale brand new for the same price or just a little bit more.

The Air 3 is nice with its laminated display and all but in terms of longevity, both iPad 8 and Air 3 have Apple A12 chipset with 3GB RAM. It's very likely support will be cut off on both models around the same time. I haven't really seen any killer deals on the Air 3 yet and so unless the laminated display is a must-have, the iPad 8 offers better value.

There's also the potential to develop bright spots on the Air 3. Don't know how common that is. Neither my Pro 10.5 nor Air 3 have it. *knock on wood*

Mind, we have the iPad 5 (A9/2GB), 6 (A10/2GB), 7 (A10/3GB), Air 3 (A12/3GB), Pro 9.7 (A9X/2GB), Pro 10.5 (A10X/4GB) in use in our household. I fully expect even the iPad 5 and Pro 9.7 to still perform fine for the next 2-3 years (video streaming, social media, web browsing, casual gaming e.g. sudoku). I just don't recommend buying them now since the iPad 8 can be had for just a little more, offers smoother/snappier performance and will last a couple years longer.

 

[Phil77354]

My suggestion is to get either the iPad 7 or 8, 128 GB. Very similar specs and capabilities, both can use the Apple Pencil, etc. Great devices.

My wife and I have iPad gen 5, 6 and 7 and they all get heavy use. I'm trading in our iPad 7 32 GB (mistake to order it with only 32 GB) on a new iPad Pro 11" that is currently on order. The iPad 5 is nearly 4 years old now and works just as well as the others.