All iPads Which iPad should I get?

[SunMoonStars]

There are so many to choose from I'm getting overwhelmed. I mainly use mine to read extensively (so larger is better), play a few games, web browsing, grocery list, misc. It travels with me so wifi and cellular will be needed.

I currently have an iPad Air 2 (2015) that is dying (black screen forced to reboot, loses my books weekly and touchscreen is losing it's grip). Rather than try a new battery it's time to get updated so it will sync with my iPhone, MacBook pro and mac studio. I'm a graphic designer so the iPad is more for sane leisure time since I have other devices that handle my workload better.

I've been leaning toward 11" something, 512gb ram, wifi cellular.

I don't need the latest and greatest. I prefer one that lasts long and does what I need it to do well. I would really appreciate your input.

 

[FeliApple]

Frankly, if you’ve been using the Air 2 and considered getting a new battery (so that means it works well enough for you), I’d just get the 11th-gen iPad with the specs you need. In that way, you’ll have maximum longevity without necessarily overpaying for an Air or Pro.

 

[SunMoonStars]

Frankly, if you’ve been using the Air 2 and considered getting a new battery (so that means it works well enough for you), I’d just get the 11th-gen iPad with the specs you need. In that way, you’ll have maximum longevity without necessarily overpaying for an Air or Pro.

Thank you for your input as that is the direction I am leaning. Wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything. It's been a long time since I've shopped for an iPad. I didn't realize that applecare is monthly, annual or 2 years. I think I'll go with the 2 years and see what happens from there.

 

[FeliApple]

Thank you for your input as that is the direction I am leaning. Wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything. It's been a long time since I've shopped for an iPad. I didn't realize that applecare is monthly, annual or 2 years. I think I'll go with the 2 years and see what happens from there.

Sounds good. I use iPads for content consumption as well, like you, and I recently got the 11th-gen iPad. I’m using it for that and it’s perfect, so I don’t see why you would have any issues.

To read, some games, web browsing, and notes like grocery lists, I think the 11th-gen is perfect. That’s what I use mine for. Grab the storage you like, add Cellular if you need it, and you’re set. In that way, since it’s new, you’ll have the longevity you need without overpaying, like I said. You’ll get a compatible iPad that suits your needs and has the headroom for the future. With that usage, you’ll be fine.

 

[BigBlur]

It may also be worth asking yourself if you really need cellular (and a data plan to go with it). Have you considered using a hotspot instead?

Personally, I've always gotten the Wi-Fi model and use my iPhone's hotspot when I need it. With the seamless integration, I can turn the hotspot on from my iPad (don't need to reach for my phone to turn it on...I can leave it in my pocket or bag).

 

[FeliApple]

It may also be worth asking yourself if you really need cellular (and a data plan to go with it). Have you considered using a hotspot instead?

Personally, I've always gotten the Wi-Fi model and use my iPhone's hotspot when I need it. With the seamless integration, I can turn the hotspot on from my iPad (don't need to reach for my phone to turn it on...I can leave it in my pocket or bag).

Doesn’t hotspotting obliterate your iPhone’s battery life? If I were a heavy iPad user on the go, I think I’d consider cellular. I don’t remove my iPad from home, ever, so it’s not something I’ve ever considered, but if I did, I think I would. You can avoid killing your iPhone “unnecessarily”. Unless newer iPhones are more resilient whilst hotspotting? I’m a bit of a battery life statistics enthusiast but I have to acknowledge that in over a decade of iPhone usage I’ve tested a hotspot usage pattern exactly zero times.

 

[rui no onna]

It may also be worth asking yourself if you really need cellular (and a data plan to go with it). Have you considered using a hotspot instead?

Personally, I've always gotten the Wi-Fi model and use my iPhone's hotspot when I need it. With the seamless integration, I can turn the hotspot on from my iPad (don't need to reach for my phone to turn it on...I can leave it in my pocket or bag).

Automatic hotspot doesn’t always work and it’s not as quick as simply unlocking your iPad.

Cellular’s worth it if one uses it frequently enough (e.g. I use it 6-8 hours daily). Plus you only get GPS on cellular.

Also, some carriers deprioritize hotspot data. I’ve had instances when hotspot was crawling but built-in data works fine.

 

[SunMoonStars]

It may also be worth asking yourself if you really need cellular (and a data plan to go with it). Have you considered using a hotspot instead?

Personally, I've always gotten the Wi-Fi model and use my iPhone's hotspot when I need it. With the seamless integration, I can turn the hotspot on from my iPad (don't need to reach for my phone to turn it on...I can leave it in my pocket or bag).

Currently I have ATT. When I called them they said they do not allow tethering/hotspots and has some limits to it all. That may have changed since I last spoke to them a few years back.

 

[splifingate]

There are so many to choose from I'm getting overwhelmed. I mainly use mine to read extensively (so larger is better), play a few games, web browsing, grocery list, misc. It travels with me so wifi and cellular will be needed.

I currently have an iPad Air 2 (2015) that is dying (black screen forced to reboot, loses my books weekly and touchscreen is losing it's grip). Rather than try a new battery it's time to get updated so it will sync with my iPhone, MacBook pro and mac studio. I'm a graphic designer so the iPad is more for sane leisure time since I have other devices that handle my workload better.

I've been leaning toward 11" something, 512gb ram, wifi cellular.

I don't need the latest and greatest. I prefer one that lasts long and does what I need it to do well. I would really appreciate your input.

The most expensive, of course!

 

[SunMoonStars]

Automatic hotspot doesn’t always work and it’s not as quick as simply unlocking your iPad.

Cellular’s worth it if one uses it frequently enough (e.g. I use it 6-8 hours daily). Plus you only get GPS on cellular.

Also, some carriers deprioritize hotspot data. I’ve had instances when hotspot was crawling but built-in data works fine.

I am the caregiver to my mom so we are in doctors offices more often. I also have other obligations that takes me to various locations and it makes it a pain to constantly look for their wifi info. So to keep things as simple as possible at this point in time I'm opting for cellular.

 

[SunMoonStars]

The most expensive, of course!

Ha! You are talking to a cheeseball and I refuse to spend money I don't have to.

 

[SunMoonStars]

Doesn’t hotspotting obliterate your iPhone’s battery life? If I were a heavy iPad user on the go, I think I’d consider cellular. I don’t remove my iPad from home, ever, so it’s not something I’ve ever considered, but if I did, I think I would. You can avoid killing your iPhone “unnecessarily”. Unless newer iPhones are more resilient whilst hotspotting? I’m a bit of a battery life statistics enthusiast but I have to acknowledge that in over a decade of iPhone usage I’ve tested a hotspot usage pattern exactly zero times.

There are times I'm in locations where its all spotty at best. I take my ipad wherever I'm going to read and phones are too small for me to read for long periods of time.

 

[SunMoonStars]

It may also be worth asking yourself if you really need cellular (and a data plan to go with it). Have you considered using a hotspot instead?

Personally, I've always gotten the Wi-Fi model and use my iPhone's hotspot when I need it. With the seamless integration, I can turn the hotspot on from my iPad (don't need to reach for my phone to turn it on...I can leave it in my pocket or bag).

I have considered wifi only and it probably won't work as seamlessly as I'd like. I'm not looking for ways to spend money but I am looking for simple especially at this time in my life. My ipad is my sane space and the less hassle the better.

 

[zenmacx]

I began with a WiFi only model via my iPhone's Hotspot, only to find it a bit annoying. Sounds trivial but the extra steps involved to connect was off putting. Especially when I was doing a quick lookup, and not planning a long session. Traveling a lot it was just not as convenient as I imagined.

Fortunately the solution was easy as I had a family member that was happy to be gifted my iPad.

Currently I've been enjoying a Cellular equipped 11" iPad Air and find it fast, easy and super convenient. Well worth the extra cost for my usage.

 

[Coolpher]

So my parents got us the first iPad and they got equipped with cellular for real estate, but we were able to use it at home and then when I bought my own second generation, I went with Wi-Fi all the way up until 2015 when Apple released the first iPad Pro 12.9 inch I was sold and I got rid of my MacBook Pro 15 inch and went with a Wi-Fi iPad Pro and then it was the next year. I decided to get it from T-Mobile and pay it off monthly and that is when I got my first cellular iPad and I have not looked back since over the years Even now with the seventh generation M4 13 inch yeah I didn’t use it all the time but let me tell you the times that I really needed it and it worked flawlessly was worth every penny and now this generation I actually bring it to work where our Wi-Fi sucks and the cellular isn’t that much better but it is better and I use it every day for like eight hours again worth every penny and yes, I’ve tried hotspotting and it’s gotten better but it still doesn’t compare to direct cellular on device and the GPS is a big plus

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

There are so many to choose from I'm getting overwhelmed. I mainly use mine to read extensively (so larger is better), play a few games, web browsing, grocery list, misc. It travels with me so wifi and cellular will be needed.

I currently have an iPad Air 2 (2015) that is dying (black screen forced to reboot, loses my books weekly and touchscreen is losing it's grip). Rather than try a new battery it's time to get updated so it will sync with my iPhone, MacBook pro and mac studio. I'm a graphic designer so the iPad is more for sane leisure time since I have other devices that handle my workload better.

I've been leaning toward 11" something, 512gb ram, wifi cellular.

I don't need the latest and greatest. I prefer one that lasts long and does what I need it to do well. I would really appreciate your input.

Although you don’t need the performance of an iPad Pro for “leisure time”, I’d recommend one anyway since the displays, build quality and speakers on them is so much better than on iPads Air and 10.9” iPad.

Whether reading, browsing the Internet, or watching movies/video, you want good speakers and a bright display that remains useable in brighter environments. By comparison, only iPads Pro truly offer great displays and built in speakers.

So whether refurbished or new and discounted, I’d only go for a 11” M1 or M2 Pro.

The overall value/$ of iPad Pro is just many times greater than on the less expensive iPads Air and iPad 10.9”.

*If your budget allows it then I’d even go as far as recommending an iPad Pro M4. There are many “as new” refurbished 11” M4 iPads Pro available in the market right now and the value on those is really great. The “tandem OLED” is better than on any other tablet or laptop. Not necessary for you but worth considering.

 

[Isamilis]

I’d suggest to get iPad Air. You have been familiar with it. You won’t experience downgrade display from Air to regular iPad. iPad Air has also 13” if you prefer bigger screen.

 

[SunMoonStars]

So my parents got us the first iPad and they got equipped with cellular for real estate, but we were able to use it at home and then when I bought my own second generation, I went with Wi-Fi all the way up until 2015 when Apple released the first iPad Pro 12.9 inch I was sold and I got rid of my MacBook Pro 15 inch and went with a Wi-Fi iPad Pro and then it was the next year. I decided to get it from T-Mobile and pay it off monthly and that is when I got my first cellular iPad and I have not looked back since over the years Even now with the seventh generation M4 13 inch yeah I didn’t use it all the time but let me tell you the times that I really needed it and it worked flawlessly was worth every penny and now this generation I actually bring it to work where our Wi-Fi sucks and the cellular isn’t that much better but it is better and I use it every day for like eight hours again worth every penny and yes, I’ve tried hotspotting and it’s gotten better but it still doesn’t compare to direct cellular on device and the GPS is a big plus

I've watched others deal with the frustration of wifi only. I've realized I just can't do that when I use it for my sanity. My Air is frustrating enough just trying to read when the screen goes black and have to reset reload. When I'm at the point of throwing it across the room its time to move on.

 

[SunMoonStars]

Although you don’t need the performance of an iPad Pro for “leisure time”, I’d recommend one anyway since the displays, build quality and speakers on them is so much better than on iPads Air and 10.9” iPad.

Whether reading, browsing the Internet, or watching movies/video, you want good speakers and a bright display that remains useable in brighter environments. By comparison, only iPads Pro truly offer great displays and built in speakers.

So whether refurbished or new and discounted, I’d only go for a 11” M1 or M2 Pro.

The overall value/$ of iPad Pro is just many times greater than on the less expensive iPads Air and iPad 10.9”.

*If your budget allows it then I’d even go as far as recommending an iPad Pro M4. There are many “as new” refurbished 11” M4 iPads Pro available in the market right now and the value on those is really great. The “tandem OLED” is better than on any other tablet or laptop. Not necessary for you but worth considering.

Have flirted with the idea of a refurbished Pro. Will cost everything out when I narrow down the models.

 

[Bromio]

I had the same experience (old iPad Air 2) and purchased an 11-inch iPad Air (M2). No regrets. It is overkill, actually, but I didn't want any display downgrade.

 

[Spacegray]

I had the same experience (old iPad Air 2) and purchased an 11-inch iPad Air (M2). No regrets. It is overkill, actually, but I didn't want any display downgrade.

That's what i would have recommended too. Power, future proofness and may be a good discount at the moment.

 

[SunMoonStars]

That's what i would have recommended too. Power, future proofness and may be a good discount at the moment.

Especially like the longevity since I use them until they completely quit.

 

[SunMoonStars]

I had the same experience (old iPad Air 2) and purchased an 11-inch iPad Air (M2). No regrets. It is overkill, actually, but I didn't want any display downgrade.

That is what I thought between the Air and Pro. If its too heavy it won't work well while reading for hours. My older eyes need all the help they can get.

 

[Tripps9000]

if you are looking for a iPad basically you have two choices new iPad 11 or the new iPad Air if you want to save money iPad 11 or want more future proof the new air is the one I bought the iPad 11 to replace my iPad 9 which only having 3 gigs of ram was having one heck of a time running iOS 18 since I upgraded the iPad 11 runs like a beast I didn’t need ai on my iPad so that’s why I got the iPad 11

 

[Dylan33x]

My personal thought is a iPad Air 5. Especially used on Facebook, it’s a great value imo especially compared to the 11th gen.

Coming from an Air 2, it’s likely you’re going to notice the air gap between the glass and the display on the 11. I know it doesn’t sound like anything, but even non tech people I know notice it and don’t love it.

The brightness and overall display on the Air 5, along with the M1, to me make it the obvious pick for anyone wanting an iPad.