By WIRED
according to rumors, new iPads are on the way. Apple reportedly plans on launching a new iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini this month. Most of the changes will be internal (such as updated processors for faster performance) while the external design will mainly remain the same (aside from the possibility of a new 12.9-inch iPad Air and OLED displays on the iPad Pro models).
But even with next-generation versions on the way, the current models are still worthy—especially if you don’t want to pay full price for an Apple tablet and you don’t need the latest features. Below, we’ve gathered great deals on our favorite iPads along with a few useful accessories. Not sure which one to get? Check out our guides to the Best iPad and the Best iPad Accessories.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
iPad Deals
The iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a 10.9-inch LCD display, Touch ID built into the power button, and a USB-C port. Under the hood is an M1 processor, the same one powering the 2020 MacBook Air. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an iPad with slightly more power than the ninth-generation version. Although Apple is rumored to launch a new version within the next few months, the M1-powered iPad Air is still more than capable. It’s dipped lower to $413 in the past, but this is a good deal regardless.
We refer to the 10th-generation iPad (7/10, WIRED Review) as the “awkward choice”—we recommend the 9th-gen model instead, mainly because of the price. But it packs noteworthy features regardless. In addition to a more modern design (sans Home button and slimmer bezels around the display), the selfie camera has been moved to the center of the iPad (which is far more natural for video calls), and an upgraded rear camera. Powering it is Apple’s A14 Bionic chip that’s also included in the iPhone 12. It’s worth noting, however, that it frequently goes on sale for this price.
The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top pick for travel. It takes up minimal space in my tote bag and it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table. The 8.3-inch display is excellent for watching movies and reading ebooks too. If you’re using it to take notes, it also comes with support for the second-generation and USB-C Apple Pencils. Under the hood is the A15 Bionic processor, so it can handle games and taxing apps with ease.
iPad Accessory Deals
We like this case from Speck, particularly because it has built-in grooves for adjustable angles and a removable camera cover. If you have an Apple Pencil, you can store it in the built-in slot. There’s a latch in place of a magnetic cover too. It’s important to note this case is for the 10th-generation iPad.
We don’t typically recommend the Magic Keyboard Folio because it’s too expensive. The price did reach as low as $169 back in November, but this is still a good deal. Designed specifically for the 10th-generation iPad, this case comes with two pieces: the first half covers the back and has a built-in kickstand, while the second half has a detachable keyboard with a trackpad. It’s super convenient for those who use their iPad to work during the day and watch TV at night.
The first-generation Apple Pencil has its downsides—you need to remove the cap and plug the Lightning connecter at the end of the stylus into the iPad to charge it and there’s no place to connect it on the iPad when you’re not using it. But it still functions well and includes features like tilt sensitivity (for shading) and pressure sensitivity (the lines get thicker as you press down harder on the screen). Currently, the 9th-gen and 10th-gen iPads are the only models that still use this one. If you don’t want to buy it through Amazon, it’s also on sale at Best Buy for $79 ($20 off).
If you’re like me and have a tendency to forget to pack chargers for your devices when on the go, this power adapter is a great accessory. It comes with two USB-C ports (so you can two gadgets simultaneously), and it’s rated at 35 watts—which is powerful enough to recharge an iPad Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It dips to this price often, but we still think it’s a solid deal.
Discussion about this post