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How to Buy an iPad: Everything You Need to Know

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Originally Posted On: https://www.thetechdiary.com/how-to-buy-an-ipad/

 

In early 2021, Cupertino tech giant Apple said it had 1.65 billion active devices worldwide. Fast forward to 2022, and that figure jumped to a whopping 1.8 billion.

Aside from its famous iPhone product line, Apple has its iPad lineup to thank for that growth. Indeed, it’s the market’s best-selling tablet, with Apple shipping 57.8 million units in 2021. That’s 27 million more than Samsung, which ranked second for shipping 30.9 million tablets.

So if you’re in the market for a tablet, you might want to buy an iPad, which is as sleek as it is functional.

To that end, we came up with this iPad guide to help simplify the buying process for you. So read on, as what you learn in this guide may help you make the right iPad choice.

Know the Models

There are currently four different iPad models: iPad Mini, iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The iPad Mini and iPad are more like tablets or oversized smartphones. On the other hand, the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro feature desktop-class architecture.

iPad Mini

The current iPad Mini model (6th generation) features an 8.3‑inch liquid retina display. It also comes with the A15 Bionic chip, the same one used in the iPhone 13 and 14 product lines. As for storage capacity, you can choose between 64 GB and 256 GB.

iPad

The latest 9th-gen iPad boasts a 10.2-inch retina screen. Moreover, it comes with the A13 Bionic chip, which you can also find in the iPhone 11 series. Like the 6th-gen iPad Mini, the current iPad model is available in 64 GB and 256 GB options.

iPad Air

The latest 5th-gen iPad Air boasts a 10.9-inch liquid retina display. Inside is Apple’s proprietary M1 chip, which you can also find on Mac desktops and laptops. Depending on your storage needs, you can get either 64 GB or 256 GB.

The iPad Air is more like a computer because of its 8-core central processing unit (CPU). In addition, it boasts an 8-core graphics processing unit (GPU). It also gives you 8 GB of random access memory (RAM) capacity.

iPad Pro

With its 12.9-inch screen, the latest 5th-gen iPad Pro looks almost like the MacBook Pro. And like the fifth-gen MacBook Pro, it also features the M1 chip. For storage capacities, you have five options: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.

Like the 5th-gen iPad Air, the current iPad Pro model also has an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. However, you can choose between 8 GB or 16 GB RAM.

Determine Which Model Suits Your Needs

Now that you know more about the latest iPad models and their features, the next step is to factor in your needs.

Do you need a high-performance table almost as powerful as a laptop? Maybe you need an iPad for work, as you rely on CPU-intensive apps like video or image editors.

In that case, consider buying an iPad Air or iPad Pro, as they can better handle such tasks. One reason is that their CPU, GPU, and RAM allow them to process much more data than the iPad or iPad Mini.

If you only need an iPad for general browsing, text editing, or light gaming, then an iPad or iPad Mini may suffice. You don’t need to spend several hundred dollars more if you don’t have to use the upgraded iPad features of Air or Pro.

Compare New vs. Used iPad Models

The base price of the current iPad is $329, $499 for the Mini, $599 for the Air, and $799 for the Pro. These rates are for brand-new, unopened products from Apple. They’re also the starting prices, so if you upgrade a Pro 128 GB to 1 TB, your final bill would be more than twice, at $1,799.

On the other hand, used iPads can sell for only half or even a third of their original price.

However, that still depends on how long their first owners have used them. Some who’ve only used their new iPads for a couple of months may sell their gadgets for about 75% of the original cost. They may still be a good deal, though, as the devices are likely still under warranty.

That said, always factor in the warranty when comparing iPad prices. A new one bought from Apple or its authorized reseller always comes with a one-year warranty.

Unfortunately, used iPads, especially those older than 12 months, often don’t. An exception is if their original owners purchased an extended Apple warranty. In this case, an older used unit may still be a great deal, provided it’s in good condition.

Include iPad Accessories in Your Budget

If you buy a new and current iPad model, it will come with a power adapter and charging cable. It will also come with a sim ejector if the one you purchase features cellular support.

Those are all the accessories included in the box. However, you don’t want to use your new, pricey gadget as-is; otherwise, it will be more prone to scratches or cracks.

Fortunately, you can get stylish yet protective cases for iPad, Mini, Air, and Pro. Likewise, you can purchase screen protectors to safeguard your device’s display screen. Some of these films also provide glare reduction features.

If you plan to use your iPad for creative tasks, don’t forget to invest in an Apple Pencil. You may also want to buy a Magic Keyboard to transform your iPad into a mini desktop.

That’s How to Buy an iPad

And there you have it, your ultimate guide on how to buy an iPad, whether new or used. Now you know you can choose from four current models, of which two (Air and Pro) are more like computers. However, if you only need a tablet for browsing, light gaming, or text editing, then an iPad or iPad Mini may be okay.

Are you looking for more tech-related articles like this? If so, we have many other informative guides to share, so feel free to browse our latest news and blog posts now!

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