All iPads Which iPad should I get?

[surfzen21]

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.

Since you do a lot of reading on it, like I do, keep in mind the iPad does NOT have a laminated screen, nor does it have the anti-reflective coating, like your current Air does.

I have an 8th Gen iPad and I notice the non-laminated screen compared to the Air and Pro's. Maybe thats not a deal breaker but if I use the Apple pencil I notice it even more.

I recently added a matte screen protector to my iPad and it made a huge difference when Im reading in a sunny spot. No reflection is very nice although it does make the text have a very slight blurry look to it. Ive seen Airs with matte screen protector screens and it doesn't effect the text crispness as much, probably because its laminated.

If you can see the base iPad and the Air in person I would recommend that.

When I bought it for reading in 2019 I got the cheapest model with 32gb of storage and Im at the point that I cannot update the OS without removing apps 😂 and I barely have anything besides books on it. The OS takes up close to 17gb of space.

 

[Richard8655]

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.

I have to disagree here. I have the 9th and 11th gens and prefer their non-laminated displays. I find laminated feels delicate and not as solid as basic displays. The visual quality just as crisp and sharp. The gap is something I hardly notice and never bothered me. And to me the value equation over higher end iPads is excellent. But then I don't use an Apple Pencil, so that might make a difference in favor of laminated.

 

[OneCable]

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.

If it helps, the 11 inch M4 iPad Pro is 446g as opposed to the similarly sized M3 iPad Air at 460g. If you got a good deal on the iPad Pro it will be worth it.

 

[splifingate]

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

I said that two years ago, and then I bumped myself to an 11" M4 iPP (it was an "If you build it..." kind of decision).

TBH: they are all expensive.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Doesn’t hotspotting obliterate your iPhone’s battery life?

No. It can however obliterate the data plan that you have with your service provider if you do a lot of streaming.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I would say, since you already have an iPad Air, go for the new iPad Air. Absolutely no downgrades whatsoever, and while the regular iPads usually receive about five years of software updates, the iPad Air is usually receive 7 to 8+ years of software updates.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

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.

Lots of choice is a good thing. Like buying a new car, there are many to choose from, so we just do our homework. You are an experienced iPad user, as am I; when you say "I mainly use mine to read extensively (so larger is better)" it is exactly opposite my experience and my opinion. Although I still only own an early Air, I find that the iPad Mini size is far preferable for reading; if I need larger fonts all the reading apps make that very easy. The issue of size is the easiest decision parameter to resolve and making your size choice will dramatically reduce the choices that confuse you.

Note that my preferences do not matter here, because you are an experienced iPad user yourself. The point being you decide. What others here prefer is largely moot, except as regards technical performance issues.

 

[RLRabb]

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.

I’ve been using Hotspot from my iPhone on ATT for years with no problems.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I’ve been using Hotspot from my iPhone on ATT for years with no problems.

I too have been using Hotspot from my iPhone on ATT for years with no problems (western states of USA).

Edit: the exception being that a few hours of Netflix streaming or hours of gaming will use up our data to where AT&T notifies that I may get throttled soon. I have never over-reached the limit and been forced into throttling, and streaming is the only way I may use too much data. My plan has multiple users so it is complex.

 

[rui no onna]

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.

Their new plans include hotspot. If you’re still grandfathered to the very old $30 unlimited data plans, then those don’t have it.

 

[Duncan-UK]

I bought a latest gen entry level iPad this week. I looked at my iPad usage, and for this device 128gb is ample. The others, such as the Air and especially the Pro are grossly overpriced now. Dont get me wrong, I've got M1 Pros and an M2 13 inch Air but as a general device, the entry level one is such a good deal.

 

[Ctrlos]

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.

Consider the Mini for a second. It’s about the size of a paperback so perfect for reading and it’s smaller size makes it ever so portable.