iPad The entry level iPad doesn't get enough credit.

[joeblow7777]

I just want to say that year after year I feel like the entry level iPad doesn't get the credit it deserves as we're all fixated on the latest Pro, Air, or Mini models, with their better specs and more "modern" designs. But meanwhile, the entry iPad is hundreds of dollars cheaper and has practically the same functionality of any other iPad.

So it's got bezels... who cares? A home bottom... I actually miss that on the newer devices sometimes. CPU is a couple of generations behind... still overkill for most tablet tasks. Non-laminated display... I really don't think it's as big a deal as people make it out to be.

Honestly, dollar for dollar, the entry level iPad is probably the best tablet on the market, and can meet the needs of most consumers.

I say this as the owner of an iPad Air 4 as my main personal tablet, but an iPad 9 (recently upgraded from an iPad 8) as my work issued tablet.

 

[KittyKatta]

I just want to say that year after year I feel like the entry level iPad doesn't get the credit it deserves as we're all fixated on the latest Pro, Air, or Mini models, with their better specs and more "modern" designs.

???
The standard iPad has been the best selling tablet on the planet for over a decade.

 

[ssledoux]

I just commented about this recently, as far as really giving a lot of bang for the buck. I have grandkids using the 6th gen, one using 8th gen, and just picked up a 9th gen. I also have a couple using Air 3s (hand me downs), and 1 mini 5, and I'll never bother buying anything other than base for them again. With the new 64 gb storage, it's a great pad for the money!

 

[KittyKatta]

I just commented about this recently, as far as really giving a lot of bang for the buck. I have grandkids using the 6th gen, one using 8th gen, and just picked up a 9th gen. I also have a couple using Air 3s (hand me downs), and 1 mini 5, and I'll never bother buying anything other than base for them again. With the new 64 gb storage, it's a great pad for the money!

The funny (and sad) thing about iPads is that 99% of our iPad tasks can be done on any iPad. Even though I have an iPad Pro 2020 with Magic keyboard, the iPad I carry around most is an old iPad Pro 9.7. Of course one is much better than the other but in the end then they’re all the same. (Well, at least until Apple actually does do something to utilize the speed / Ram / screen / accessories / ports / apps / iOS)

 

[MBAir2010]

My entry lever iPad from 2017 still packs a punch-
I wish I could pack a punch and send that to Cupertino for deeming this un Monterayable

 

[Username-already-in-use]

The generic iPad is great value for money and is ubiquitous in education for its long-term support, inexpensive insurance costs and high processing power for the price.

The reason people go Air or Pro are for general convenience, productivity and quality-of-life reasons: larger screen, better screen technology, better CPU, more RAM, Pencil 2, USB-C/Thunderbolt, LIDAR etc.

If you just wanted an iPad just for the apps and you were money-conscious then there is no better value than the iPad 9/8/7 etc.

 

[joeblow7777]

???
The standard iPad has been the best selling tablet on the planet for over a decade.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm not talking about sales. I know it sells well. I mean, for example, how many threads are there on this forum talking about the standard iPad compared to the other models? I don't even think it's fair to call it the "budget" model as many people do, because that usually implies an inferior product with lots of flaws. I know that this is an enthusiasts forum so people are going to be more fixated on the best hardware, but I'm just saying that the standard iPad often doesn't get as much positive attention as it deserves.

 

[rui no onna]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm not talking about sales. I know it sells well. I mean, for example, how many threads are there on this forum talking about the standard iPad compared to the other models? I don't even think it's fair to call it the "budget" model as many people do, because that usually implies an inferior product with lots of flaws. I know that this is an enthusiasts forum so people are going to be more fixated on the best hardware, but I'm just saying that the standard iPad often doesn't get as much positive attention as it deserves.

I think as far as Apple is concerned, the entry-level iPad gets the kind of positive attention they want ($$$ sales). Over 50% of iPads sold are of the basic model.

This is an enthusiast forum so it's to be expected that many here skew towards higher end models. However, despite that, the basic iPad is fairly well regarded here for the most part.

Mind, we just bought a couple of iPad 9s to send to nieces in the Philippines. The 64GB and front camera are pretty nice upgrades from the iPad 8.

 

[TechRunner]

Coming up on two years of flawless enjoyment with my 7th gen. My only other iPad was a first gen, so I can definitely vouch for the value of the base iPad.

Having said that, I'm hoping to splurge for an 11" Pro and MKB in the spring...

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Mind, we just bought a couple of iPad 9s to send to nieces in the Philippines. The 64GB and front camera are pretty nice upgrades from the iPad 8.

I’m quite amazed and pleasantly surprised they put Center Stage on the iPad 9. I am sure your nieces will be very excited to receive them.

 

[Feyl]

I think it's one of the best Apple products, honestly. It's reasonably priced, it's powerful and still has a headphone jack. I don't really miss it on iPhone but on every bigger product I want it to have it.

 

[alexlovesmac]

I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 last December as it was having a promotion, but I somehow always go back to my iPad 6th generation. The Tab S7 is a good device, but I think as far as tablets go, Apple still makes them better.

 

[rui no onna]

I’m quite amazed and pleasantly surprised they put Center Stage on the iPad 9. I am sure your nieces will be very excited to receive them.

The relatives who'll be hand carrying the items delayed their flight multiple times due to COVID lockdown/quarantine policies (originally planning on going July 2021). The nieces got lucky the new iPads were released before the final schedule (Oct 15).

 

[JPack]

As a media consumption tablet, the only thing that annoys me is the single speaker direction. For everything else, it works very well for the price.

 

[ericg301]

debating whether to trade in my perfectly fine 7th gen for a new 9th gen.

 

[rui no onna]

debating whether to trade in my perfectly fine 7th gen for a new 9th gen.

The 7th gen is still fine more or less on iPadOS 15.

If you have no complaints with yours (e.g. need more storage, etc), then you might as well just wait for the next gen or the one after. Better device, maybe even a RAM upgrade for the same $329 price.

 

[mebehere]

I’ve had the 3, 5, 6 and 8. No complaints.

 

[Richard8655]

I think as far as Apple is concerned, the entry-level iPad gets the kind of positive attention they want ($$$ sales). Over 50% of iPads sold are of the basic model.

This is an enthusiast forum so it's to be expected that many here skew towards higher end models. However, despite that, the basic iPad is fairly well regarded here for the most part.

Mind, we just bought a couple of iPad 9s to send to nieces in the Philippines. The 64GB and front camera are pretty nice upgrades from the iPad 8.

I don't think the regular iPad is as well regarded here as one might think. It's rarely ever mentioned, and if someone were new to the iPad and then came here, they'd hardly know it existed. You can tell it's not regarded as serious with frequent references to giving or buying the regular model for grandparents, kids, aunt living in the country, or those considered not so sophisticated. All the while not appreciating that it does practically everything just as well as the high end models.

 

[defferoo]

I have the iPad 5 and it still works great for content consumption (provided you're using headphones cause speakers on one side are a no go). I can tell the CPU can't quite keep up with iPadOS 15, but we're talking about an A9, which is pretty impressive given its age (6 years!). I'll be upgrading to the new mini for the smaller size, but will keep the old one around.

EDIT: on a side note, in landscape mode, jelly scrolling is pretty obvious

 

[throAU]

like a lot of technology, you pay increasing amounts of money for diminishing returns.

the entry level ipad is a very capable device and is near the the base of the exponential price vs. performance curve. outside of the screen and storage capacity, the ipad 6 and ipad pro 10.5 i have in the household are also very close for example.

And... my pro has white dot, and the 6 doesn't.

 

[rui no onna]

I don't think the regular iPad is as well regarded here as one might think. It's rarely ever mentioned, and if someone were new to the iPad and then came here, they'd hardly know it existed. You can tell it's not regarded as serious with frequent references to giving or buying the regular model for grandparents, kids, aunt living in the country, or those considered not so sophisticated. All the while not appreciating that it does practically everything just as well as the high end models.

Because barring specialty requirements, the entry-level iPad is pretty much the best option (price/performance) for the masses. Alas, MacRumors is full of folks with specialty requirements (or wants really) — ProMotion, stereo/quad-speakers, laminated display, FaceID, more RAM, massive storage, etc. Regardless, I think most at least recognize the value of the basic iPad.

It seems to me the Air gets the least love. I've seen plenty of posts mention Apple should just kill off the Air and keep just the basic iPad and the iPad Pro.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I’ve saying this for awhile now that the budget iPad gives you the best bang for the buck. I was leaning on getting the new iPad mini and decided to go with the 9th gen. I got it from Walmart for $287 including tax because I was an employee at the time so I got a 10% discount.

It’s a nice screen and like others have said it does pretty much what the other iPads can do at a fraction of the price. I have a 6th gen that’s still going strong and wanted a slightly larger screen. It should arrive this Friday.

 

[Fluttershy462]

Indeed, for how cheap it is, the utility and reliability is still ahead of any other tablet.

Another iPad is its only rival

Edit: I have the 8

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I don't think the regular iPad is as well regarded here as one might think. It's rarely ever mentioned, and if someone were new to the iPad and then came here, they'd hardly know it existed. You can tell it's not regarded as serious with frequent references to giving or buying the regular model for grandparents, kids, aunt living in the country, or those considered not so sophisticated. All the while not appreciating that it does practically everything just as well as the high end models.

That isn’t my experience. Now and again we get the “what iPad should I get?” posts from people new to iPadOS - and the base level iPad is always in the mix as a suggestion by posters here.

 

[rui no onna]

Indeed, for how cheap it is, the utility and reliability is still ahead of any other tablet.

Another iPad is its only rival

Edit: I have the 8

True. The Amazon Fire tablets are super cheap but honestly, they feel kinda disposable.

Meanwhile, we've still got both iPad 5th and 6th gen in use in the household and I've heard no performance complaints from their users. These same users found the iPad 3rd gen too slow and laggy on iOS 6.