This is the iPad that you need to buy if you’re a student. Yes, today I’m going to help you decide which iPad you need to buy as a student because, in reality, there are a lot of iPads in the lineup right now. We’re going to go over them one by one, and at the end of the article, I’ll tell you which iPad you should buy based on your budget or necessity.
Here are the best iPads for students.
iPad 10
iPad 10 Starting with the most budget-friendly option, the iPad 10th Generation (released in 2022). It’s great for everyday tasks and basic usage.
Key Features:
- A14 Bionic chip
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (colors are vivid, but it’s not laminated, meaning a small gap between the glass and the display)
- 4GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (limited, so not ideal if you need more space)
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours of web browsing.
Accessories:
- Compatible with the 1st generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil USB-C (both are budget options, but they still have pixel precision for note-taking).
- Works with the Magic Folio Keyboard (detachable, useful for typing on your lap).
The iPad 10 is the most colorful iPad and perfect for students on a tight budget. It offers great value with a decent display size.
iPad Mini
Next up, the iPad Mini (released in 2021). If you want something smaller and ultra-portable, the iPad Mini is ideal.
Key Features:
- 8.3-inch laminated display (great for portability)
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
The iPad Mini is great for students who want a compact device to carry around and use for light tasks like reading or note-taking. While it doesn’t have keyboard support built-in, you can get a keyboard for it, but it’s not my favorite option.
iPad Air
Released in 2024, the iPad Air is now available in 11-inch and 13-inch models.
Key Features:
- Liquid Retina display
- M2 Chip (powerful and efficient)
- USB-C and Smart Connector (for the Magic Keyboard).
The Magic Keyboard is a game changer. It has a trackpad, which is essential for productivity. For students, this is a major advantage because it makes document editing and navigation much easier.
Apple Pencil Compatibility:
- Works with the Apple Pencil Pro (with double-tap and pinch-to-switch tools).
- Find My support for lost pencils.
If you want an iPad that’s highly versatile, with great performance and support for productivity tools, the iPad Air is the best option for most students.
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro (with M4 chip) is the most powerful iPad in the lineup. It’s the thinnest Apple device ever made and comes in 11-inch and 13-inch versions.
Key Features:
- Face ID (instead of Touch ID)
- 120Hz display (super smooth performance)
- Liquid Retina XDR display (OLED-like quality)
- Thunderbolt 4 port and USB-C
The iPad Pro is great if you need top-tier performance for creative or professional work. But, as a student, you might not need the M4 chip unless you’re studying something that demands heavy computing power, like video editing or 3D modeling.
The Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro are both compatible, and the Pro model provides advanced features like monitor support and high-speed data transfer.
Conclusion: Which iPad Should You Buy?
If you’re on a tight budget, the iPad 10 is perfect.
If you want a small and portable device, the iPad Mini is ideal.
But the best all-around iPad for students in 2024 is the iPad Air. It offers a balance of power, productivity features, and accessories that make it the perfect choice for most students.
iPad Pro is a great option if you’re studying something that requires the most power, but for most students, the iPad Air is the best value.
