Want an iPad? Apple wants you to pay attention to the new iPad Pro – and for good reason. This is Apple’s thinnest product ever, which is impressive considering it packs a laptop-level M4 processor, a gorgeous display, and a number of new software tricks. But the announcement hid something much more important: the trashing of the 9th generation iPad. The last of the “retro” iPad models, the 9th generation is finally retired from the scene, and for me that means this is my last chance to get a quick and reasonable upgrade for my 7th generation iPad .
I figured I could buy the 9th Gen at a decent discount now that it’s on its way out – and to Apple’s credit, I absolutely could. But a realization began to dawn on me as I shopped, and I left without making that final purchase.
There’s one thing stopping me from buying a new iPad, and that’s the feeling that Apple wants me to buy something else.
The basic iPad is all most people need
Apple’s iPad is my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a tablet, and that applies doubly if they’re also looking for a cheap one. Frankly, Apple has perfected the tablet, and the entry-level iPad represents everything that’s great about Apple design. It’s a phenomenal device, with enough power to run games and apps, a battery life strong enough to forget about charging it every day, and solid accessory support.
All of this means I have a good option when it comes to the iPad; the basic $329 iPad is all most people need.
Apple of course doesn’t want to admit it. It would be better if you buy an iPad Pro or an iPad Air. They have more powerful specifications, an even wider range of accessories and feature improved cameras.
But really, how many people actually need it? There is one case where the iPad Pro and Air are perfect for video editors and people who need that level of power, but if you just browse the internet or play a game every now and then, the iPad’s base A-series processor is just fine. Support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil is convenient for sketchers and sketchers, but the 1st generation Apple Pencil works well for everyone. Most people simply won’t need the features of expensive iPads, and for this reason I will always argue that the basic iPad is the best option for the majority.
Of course, I’m not going to call the police if you buy a more expensive iPad and don’t really need it. You should be happy with your purchase, and it’s ultimately your choice – but it’s clear to me that the base iPad is all I, and probably you, will ever need in a tablet. That’s why one of my strongest principles is that I will only buy the basic iPad: it gives me everything I need.
But hoo boy, it’s become very clear to me that Apple doesn’t want me to buy the base iPad, and that means I won’t be buying a new iPad at all.
Apple is testing me this time
My 7th generation iPad needs an upgrade.
It’s not because it lacks power, battery life or software updates. True to my word, this is all good. Excellent even. I haven’t come across a game that it wouldn’t run, and I love sitting down and crushing a session of Civilization VIOr Rome: total war. It even makes big changes as entertainment for toddlers on long car rides. It’s a fantastic tablet, and I wouldn’t need to upgrade it, were it not for a little problem.
Storage capacity.
I bought my iPad in 2019 and 32GB, although not much at the time, was ALL RIGHT. It wasn’t anything special, but damn, I wasn’t going to do much on the iPad anyway. Fast forward five years, and a combination of iPadOS 17 and system data takes up a total of 15.48 GB. That’s almost half of my tablet’s storage space taken up by my tablet. I’m at the stage where I have to erase downloaded games and videos just to update iPadOS.
I need more storage, and that’s the main appeal of a new iPad. Only, the 9th generation doesn’t really offer that.
Yes, the 9th gen offers 64GB of storage as standard, and that’s double what I’m currently stuck with. But I view a tablet as a long-term purchase; will 64 GB still be as good in five years? I doubt it very much. If I keep it as long as my last tablet, then 128 GB is a must.
So I’m going to buy the 128 GB version instead. It’s the obvious upgrade from 64GB; It probably won’t cost much more.
Well, it doesn’t cost much more for the 128GB version because the 128GB version doesn’t exist. Your options are 64 GB or… 256 GB? This is a big step forward, and not just in terms of storage. The only upgrade for the base iPad brings the price from a very reasonable $329 to a fairly staggering $449. And as much as I love the basic iPad, a hair under $500 is just too much.
Okay, so why not go for the 10th generation iPad? I was hoping to continue using my 7th generation iPad accessories, but I’m willing to put that aside if it means getting an iPad with decent storage that doesn’t cost $449.
“Bad luck,” Apple says. “Same story here: 64 GB or 256 GB. And the price is now $499.
“But what should I do if I want a tablet with 128 GB of storage? »
“Ah,” Apple said, opening a bulky coat. “Do I have the tablet for you…”
If I spent $100 more…
I’m still convinced that a basic iPad is all the iPad I’ll ever need. But — and this is important — if you charge me $450 for an iPad with a four-year-old mobile processor, a Lightning port, and an outdated design, then my dedication will waver. Even the $500 10th-generation iPad offers a three-year-old mobile processor, and even though you get a USB-C port, a more modern design and more storage than you’ll probably need , it still doesn’t seem like value for money.
Especially not when $100 shows you what else you could have.
The iPad Air features a larger screen in a smaller, thinner and lighter body, a a lot more powerful M2 processor and twice the RAM. And you get 128 GB of storage. Which, granted, is half of what the $500 iPad offers, but frankly, I’m unlikely to need that much anyway, so the difference is negligible.
Yes, I don’t need the M2 processor and 8GB of RAM is excessive for my needs. But when the iPad Air is priced so close to the upgraded iPad, it’s hard not to feel like you’re getting a really bad deal. And it works. I’m not buying the upgraded iPad because I’ll always feel like just $100 more would have gotten me a lot more.
Did Apple win? No, because I haven’t bought a new iPad yet. Chances are I’ll wait until the 11th generation iPad before making my decision. But if there’s no 128GB option at launch, then an iPad Air could be on the shopping list. Because really, what choice do I have?
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