All iPads Need Help Deciding What IPad

[will16promax]

Hello ,
I am looking at buying a iPad around the end of January/ February this year .
But I cannot figure out which one to go for ,
For reference I have a iPhone 16 pro max for my personal phone and I used to have a m1 MacBook Air before my cat killed it .
So I am thinking maybe the iPad mini ? But then the display won’t be as good and it’s not much bigger then my iPhone so then I thought the iPad Pro but then which one ?
So yeah pretty confusing so if anyone could give any insight or any advice that would be appreciated .
Thanks

 

[fatTribble]

I think it depends on what you plan to use it for. I find the basic iPad being a good product and excellent value for the money. That might work for you if you don’t have any particular processing requirements. If you’re going for the Pro, I’d suggest considering what those extra features do for you personally. Apple’s site has an excellent Compare tool where you can pull up different combinations of iPads to see the differences.

 

[will16promax]

I think it depends on what you plan to use it for. I find the basic iPad being a good product and excellent value for the money. That might work for you if you don’t have any particular processing requirements. If you’re going for the Pro, I’d suggest considering what those extra features do for you personally. Apple’s site has an excellent Compare tool where you can pull up different combinations of iPads to see the differences.

Basically it will be YouTube , general browsing etc
Maybe some Netflix etc
Just want something that’s bigger then my current phone has a similar screen tech like the phone has and has some sort of biometrics.
I have tried to the online comparison but it’s still confusing to me because it’s not clear what is what if that makes sense .
So for instance I am thinking pro because of the Mac chip and screen but thinking the air because of the cheaper price but then I get no Mac chip and a lcd display .

 

[fatTribble]

Basically it will be YouTube , general browsing etc
Maybe some Netflix etc
Just want something that’s bigger then my current phone has a similar screen tech like the phone has and has some sort of biometrics.
I have tried to the online comparison but it’s still confusing to me because it’s not clear what is what if that makes sense .
So for instance I am thinking pro because of the Mac chip and screen but thinking the air because of the cheaper price but then I get no Mac chip and a lcd display .

I have the Pro with the M1 chip. Honestly it’s overkill for my web browsing and photo viewing even today. But I got the Pro for the large screen.

If you’re planning to use it for browsing and watching shows, their most basic processor will be fine.

Are you near an Apple Store or Best Buy where you could look at the screens to see if the upgrade is noticeable to you?

 

[MacRazySwe]

I have an old 2018 iPad Pro and a mini 6th gen.

I would strongly advise against the mini. The "Jelly Scrolling" issue that you can read all about in the forums is very much real. I didn't think I would mind much, but it's made me very much dislike my iPad mini to the point I no longer use it.

How often do you plan to upgrade? Basically you could:

a) Go for the cheapest 11th gen you can find, and upgrade again in 2-3 years time and benefit from the trickle-down of new technology.

b) Go all in on the iPad Pro and expect it to last many years (if history is anything to go by). iPad Pros are quite overpowered for the software they run and you can expect a Pro model to last for a long time, except for battery perhaps.

I opted for a Pro last time but will probably just go with a more basic model next.

Edit: If you're used to Face ID and 120hz ProMotion displays on the iPhone, those are only available on the iPad Pro.

 

[will16promax]

I have an old 2018 iPad Pro and a mini 6th gen.

I would strongly advise against the mini. The "Jelly Scrolling" issue that you can read all about in the forums is very much real. I didn't think I would mind much, but it's made me very much dislike my iPad mini to the point I no longer use it.

How often do you plan to upgrade? Basically you could:

a) Go for the cheapest 11th gen you can find, and upgrade again in 2-3 years time and benefit from the trickle-down of new technology.

b) Go all in on the iPad Pro and expect it to last many, many years (if history is anything to go by). iPad Pros are way overpowered for the software they run and you can expect a Pro model to last for a long time, except for battery perhaps.

I opted for a Pro last time but will probably just go with a more basic model next.

Oh yeah the jelly scroll not seen a iPad mini in person so completely forgot about that,
Basically got a 1000 budget with a little extra if needed .
Like I said before I went for a pro iPhone to last me a while so that’s why I am leaning to a pro iPad but don’t know about the different chips etc

 

[MBAir2010]

get a Blue one!


I love my base iPad 2023 USBc Blue, until 2025 Octobers.

 

[rui no onna]

Hello ,
I am looking at buying a iPad around the end of January/ February this year .
But I cannot figure out which one to go for ,
For reference I have a iPhone 16 pro max for my personal phone and I used to have a m1 MacBook Air before my cat killed it .
So I am thinking maybe the iPad mini ? But then the display won’t be as good and it’s not much bigger then my iPhone so then I thought the iPad Pro but then which one ?
So yeah pretty confusing so if anyone could give any insight or any advice that would be appreciated .
Thanks

Where are you located? Because Costco (US) has some awesome clearance deals on the M4 iPad Pros right now. I believe that's the first iPad model with OLED display.

All the older and lower end models have either LCD or Mini-LED.

 

[MacDevil7334]

Where are you located? Because Costco (US) has some awesome clearance deals on the M4 iPad Pros right now. I believe that's the first iPad model with OLED display.

All the older and lower end models have either LCD or Mini-LED.

Completely second this. If you are in the US, Costco has the 11” M4 pro 256 GB with WiFi + cellular for $799. Or you could choose either a 512 GB WiFi only or a 1 TB nano texture display with WiFi only for another $100. All of those are significant discounts over the original prices (the 1 TB model is by far the biggest discount, but you have to want the nano texture screen). The M4 will be a perfectly good chip for many years to come, especially for your uses.

 

[drrich2]

When shopping for my 2022 M2 11" iPad Pro, the convenience of Face I.D. was key, and I'm told some find 120-Hz Promotion refresh rate more comfortable for their eyes (I don't know that I can tell, but I have some eye issues so figured I'd be of the safe side with the Pro). I historically haven't had as good an experience with finger print readers, and as often as it goes to sleep if I don't touch the screen frequently, Face I.D. was a big deal.

 

[It’s always something]

If you’re at all inclined towards the mini for its form factor, I suggest visiting an Apple Store and finding out whether the “jelly scroll” is even an issue for you. Millions of people are happy with them, including me.

 

[rui no onna]

If you’re at all inclined towards the mini for its form factor, I suggest visiting an Apple Store and finding out whether the “jelly scroll” is even an issue for you. Millions of people are happy with them, including me.

Honestly, I don't even notice it even on the mini 6. Then again, I don't read while scrolling.