The best iPad for 2024: How to pick the best Apple tablet for you<p>Finding the best iPad for you can be complicated. Between the <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-ipad-10th-generation-review-160014897.html">10th-generation iPad[/url], the <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-ipad-air-5th-generation-review-130019050.html">iPad Air[/url] and the <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-ipad-pro-2022-m2-review-140026198-140026510-140026377-140026181.html">iPad Pro[/url], Apple sells three roughly 11-inch tablets with key differences in terms of internal components and accessory support. With the most recent refresh to the iPad lineup, the company now sells two 13-inch slates as well. And the <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-ipad-mini-6th-generation-2021-review-130009170.html">iPad mini[/url] is still hanging around, too. If you’re looking to buy a new iPad, we’ve tested each model and rounded up the best values of the bunch.
<strong>Editor’s note (5/7/24)</strong>: Apple has announced a quartet of new iPads, including overhauled 11- and 13-inch <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apples-thinner-new-ipad-pros-feature-the-m4-chip-and-tandem-oled-displays-142031520.html">iPad Pros[/url] with OLED displays, thinner designs and faster M4 chips, a refreshed 11-inch <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/the-new-ipad-air-comes-in-two-sizes-including-a-13-inch-model-141005701.html">iPad Air[/url] with an updated M2 chip and an all-new iPad Air with a 13-inch display. There’s a new <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apples-new-magic-keyboard-for-the-ipad-pro-gets-a-function-row-and-haptic-trackpad-144312086.html">Magic Keyboard[/url] and <a data-i13n="cpos:8;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-pencil-pro-adds-squeeze-roll-and-haptic-feedback-to-its-bag-of-tricks-144712885.html">Apple Pencil Pro[/url] as well. As part of the updates, the 10th-gen model has permanently dropped in price to <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Amazon;elmt:;cpos:9;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=66ea567a-c987-4c2e-a2ff-02904efde6ea&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Amazon&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL2dwL2F3L2QvQjBCSkxUOThRNy8_dGFnPWdkZ3QwYy1wLW8tYXotMjAiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImViYjNhODE4LTY2YjMtNDZiZi05OGUzLTE2NjM5YWQ4Njk4YSJ9&signature=AQAAAZfks3z71_rFCorKEHQpCGd2ZWh2tqCA4BjQL9veucJb&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Faw%2Fd%2FB0BJLT98Q7%2F" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BJLT98Q7/">$350[/url], while the 9th-gen iPad has been discontinued. All of the new devices are currently available for pre-order now. Updated versions of the base iPad and iPad mini are still <a data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1" href="
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-04-07/apple-aapl-future-products-could-include-robots-and-smart-home-push-lupinmna">reportedly expected[/url] later in 2024. Our picks below may still work for a few people who desperately want an older model at a discount, but everyone else should wait to see how the new hardware stacks up. We’ll have full reviews in the near future and will update our advice accordingly.</p>
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<h2 id="jump-link-faqs">FAQs</h2>
<figure><img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-09/9a761a90-5bdf-11ee-b76e-82108a1e0ab4" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-09/9a761a90-5bdf-11ee-b76e-82108a1e0ab4" style="height:1600px;width:2400px;" alt="The 10th-generation iPad rests outside on top of a stack of books, on a wooden desktop, with its screen active, displaying a colorful home screen with various iPadOS widgets and apps."><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget</div></figure>
<h3 id="jump-link-how-long-do-ipads-typically-last">How long do iPads typically last?</h3>
<p>If history is any indication, expect Apple to update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS for at least five years, if not longer. The new <a data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/ipados-17-preview-a-smoother-multitasking-experience-for-those-who-really-need-it-173022677.html">iPadOS 17 update[/url], for example, <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:;elmt:;cpos:12;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3N1cHBvcnQuYXBwbGUuY29tL2d1aWRlL2lwYWQvbW9kZWxzLWNvbXBhdGlibGUtd2l0aC1pcGFkb3MtMTctaXBhZDIxM2EyNWIyL2lwYWRvcyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZWJiM2E4MTgtNjZiMy00NmJmLTk4ZTMtMTY2MzlhZDg2OThhIn0&signature=AQAAAZ0TnrK8oi4zygZGhYjEW6IBUjEIhQGj2FExlqHjoI9Q&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.apple.com%2Fguide%2Fipad%2Fmodels-compatible-with-ipados-17-ipad213a25b2%2Fipados" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/models-compatible-with-ipados-17-ipad213a25b2/ipados">is available on[/url] iPad Pros dating back to 2017 and other iPads dating back to 2018. How long your iPad’s hardware will last depends on which model you buy and how well you maintain it (if you’re particularly clumsy, consider an <a data-i13n="cpos:13;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/best-ipad-cases-to-protect-your-tablet-130033533.html">iPad case[/url]). A more powerful iPad Pro will feel fast for a longer time than an entry-level iPad, but each model should remain at least serviceable until Apple stops updating it, at minimum.</p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><h3 id="jump-link-whats-the-difference-between-the-ipad-and-the-ipad-air">What’s the difference between the iPad and the iPad Air?</h3>
<p>Compared to the 10th-gen iPad, the 5th-gen iPad Air runs on a stronger M1 chip (instead of the A14 Bionic) and has twice as much RAM (8GB instead of 4GB). Having an M-series SoC gives the Air access to certain iPadOS features such as <a data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/ipad-os-16-public-beta-preview-193037237.html">Stage Manager[/url]. Its display supports a wider <a data-i13n="cpos:15;pos:1" href="
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DCI-P3">P3[/url] color gamut, has an anti-reflective coating and is fully laminated. Being laminated means there’s no “air gap” between the display and the glass covering it, so it feels more like you’re directly touching what’s on screen instead of interacting with an image below the glass. </p>
<p>The Air also works with Apple’s latest Pencil stylus, Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio. Its USB-C port supports data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps (the iPad’s goes up to 480 Mbps). Although the two tablets look very similar, the Air is marginally lighter (1.02 pounds instead of 1.05 pounds) and thinner (0.24 inches instead of 0.28 inches).</p>
<p>The 10th-gen iPad is less expensive than the iPad Air, with an MSRP starting at $449 instead of $599. It’s the only iPad with a front-facing camera along the long edge of the tablet, which can be a more natural position for video calls. It also supports Bluetooth 5.2, whereas the Air uses Bluetooth 5.0. It works with the first-gen and <a data-i13n="cpos:16;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/the-new-79-apple-pencil-has-a-usb-c-charging-port-141732710.html">USB-C[/url] Apple Pencils – which are <a data-i13n="cpos:17;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/apple-ipad-10th-generation-review-160014897.html">more convoluted[/url] to charge – and a unique keyboard accessory called the <a data-i13n="elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:Apple;elmt:;cpos:18;pos:1" href="
https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=4130e2f0-a14f-4c5e-bdab-cd52ac7d8e79&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Apple&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hcHBsZS5jb20vc2hvcC9zZWxlY3QtaXBhZC1rZXlib2FyZHMiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImViYjNhODE4LTY2YjMtNDZiZi05OGUzLTE2NjM5YWQ4Njk4YSJ9&signature=AQAAAYr6D5fyvVZGUJfJ0ZmRXcoXzdAGDilzRWqO1gH7O44u&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fselect-ipad-keyboards" class="rapid-with-clickid" data-original-link="
https://www.apple.com/shop/select-ipad-keyboards">Magic Keyboard Folio[/url].</p>
<p>Apple also sells the 9th-gen iPad, as we detail above. That one uses a more dated design language with larger bezels, a Home button and a Lightning port, but it starts at $329.</p>
<h3 id="jump-link-how-do-i-take-a-screenshot-on-an-ipad">How do I take a screenshot on an iPad?</h3>
<p>As we note in our <a data-i13n="cpos:19;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-any-device-163053556.html">screenshot how-to guide[/url], you can take a screenshot on your iPad by pressing the top button and either volume button at the same time. If you have an older iPad with a Home button, simultaneously press the top button and the Home button instead.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/best-ipads-how-to-pick-the-best-apple-tablet-for-you-150054066.html?src=rssSource:
The best iPad for 2024: How to pick the best Apple tablet for you
