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This year Apple is offering more choices of iPads than ever before, making the decision of which one to get increasingly challenging. No fewer than 40 different models of the latest generation iPads are available, which doesn’t even count the previous generation iPads that Apple still sells.
Whether you’re buying one for yourself or as a gift for someone special, deciding which iPad to get involves weighing many factors. Find out which features are most important for you and which are worth stretching your budget to get.
Latest Generation
The latest generation iPad comes in two sizes, the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina Display. The only differences between the two are size and price.
The iPad Air maintains the 9.7″ screen size of previous generations but has been slimmed down with a lighter weight and slimmer bezel than its predecessors. The iPad Air also comes with A7 and M7 co-processors, making this most generation of iPad faster than previous models.
The iPad Mini with Retina Display has the same specs as the Air, increasing its speed and adding Retina Display as improvements from the first generation Mini.
Size
Here is a comparison chart between the two size iPads:
The smaller Mini will give you more convenience than the Air but be sure you’re willing to sacrifice screen real estate for the added portability. Visiting a store to see the different sizes and feel the weight in your hands will help you decide whether to opt for the larger Air or the smaller Mini.
Price
Both the iPad Air and the Mini with Retina Display come in Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular Data and storage sizes ranging from 16GB to 128GB models. The Air is priced $100 more than the Mini with Retina Display for each model:
Storage Space – How Much Do You Need?
In deciding which iPad to get, storage space is one of the most important factors. You can’t expand the storage space of the iPad with an SD card, what you buy is what you get.
Except not really.
The operating system takes up some space on the iPad so you’ll end up with only 12 or 13GB of free space when you take your shiny new 16GB iPad out of the box. Load a few apps, shoot some video, take some pictures, download some music and suddenly your new iPad is nearly full.
Decide what you’re going to be using your iPad for to gauge how much space you’ll need. If you’ll be loading a lot of interactive textbooks, gaming apps or videos, opt for more space. HD videos downloaded to your iPad can use up several GB’s of space. Interactive textbooks can top out at 3GB so if you have a semester’s worth of books on your iPad, you’ll need plenty of storage.
Even without heavy duty storage needs, you may find yourself running out of room if you choose a 16GB model. iPad apps tend to be larger than iPhone apps, with some apps requiring over a GB of space. iPad apps tend to be larger than iPhone apps, with some apps requiring over 1GB of space.
If you’re upgrading from a previous model, see how much free space you have on your iPad. Go to
Settings => General => About => Available
and see how much free space you have. If you have less than 20% space available, you should consider getting more storage space on your next iPad.
If this is your first iPad or iDevice, you have a limited budget, you don’t have a lot of apps, don’t want music on your device and don’t need to have all of your photos with you, 16GB may be your best option.
Making the Most of Your iPad Space
You may be able to make the most of space on your iPad by deleting apps you don’t use. You can see how much space each app is using by going to
Settings => General => Usage => Storage
and see which apps are space hogs. If they’re your favorites, then keep them. If you’ve never used them or can’t even remember downloading them to your device, then delete them.
You can also see how much space is taken up by your music, photos, and videos. Do you really need your music on your iPad? When was the last time you listened to music using your iPad? Could you get by with using iTunes Radio, Pandora or Spotify instead?
You may also want to pare down your photos and videos. You can upload them to Flickr, Dropbox or another storage site to free up space on your iPad.
Wi-Fi Only vs. Wi-Fi + Cellular Data
Both the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina Display come as either Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular Data. As with storage space, you can’t add cellular data later if you purchase a Wi-Fi only model. Adding cellular data capabilities adds $100 to the cost of an iPad, plus the cost of the data.
If you need cellular data on your iPad, be sure to compare the cost and coverage before you buy. Here is a chart of cellular data pricing in the US:
Note that T-Mobile USA is offering 200MB of free data per month for the life of your tablet with the purchase of an iPad from them, which should be enough data to check emails when you’re away from Wi-Fi. If you have a cell phone “Share Everything” plan with AT&T or Verizon, you may be able to add your iPad to your plan for $10/month.
Check with your carrier to see what your cellular data charges would be for your iPad and whether a contract is required.
Also be sure to check the coverage map for your carrier. What seems like a great deal for cellular data may not seem so great if you can’t get coverage where you need it.
Newer vs. Older Models
The iPad 2 is still being sold new at $399 and last year’s iPad Mini is also being sold new at $299.
The iPad 2 is nearly three year old technology, released in March 2011. For the same $399 price of the 16GB iPad 2 you could buy this year’s iPad Mini with Retina Display or for an extra $100 you could get this year’s iPad Air. If you don’t have the extra $100 and need a larger screen size, you may be tempted to get by with an iPad 2. While the iPad 2 can run iOS 7, the chances of it being upgradeable to future versions of iOS are unclear. Better to invest in more recent technology.
The decision between the iPad Mini vs. the iPad Mini with Retina Display is a closer call. If you can see the two models side-by-side, you can compare the sharpness of the screens to see if the difference is worth an extra $100 to you. Remember also that the iPad Mini with Retina Display has a faster processor and will probably have a longer life span before obsolescence.
Color
Both the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with Retina Display come in Silver/White and Space Gray/Black. Some people prefer the white frame for their tablets while others like a black frame. If you don’t care, you can research which color is best for resale to help you decide. Or check which one is available in the configuration you want.
Availability
If you’re buying an iPad with Wi-Fi only, your buying choices in the US are numerous. Many major retailers are offering the iPad, some with discounts and promotions to lower the price. Shop around for the model you want and keep an eye out for stores offering gift cards or sale prices on iPads.
If you’re buying an iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular Data, your shopping choices are limited to carriers and Apple. Talk to your carrier about whether you can buy an iPad from them without purchasing a new data plan.
I was unable to purchase an iPad Air with cellular from AT&T because I wanted to transfer my grandfathered unlimited data plan from an older iPad. I was informed by AT&T that I could only purchase my iPad from Apple, which I did and then I was able to transfer my unlimited data plan to my iPad Air.
If you are purchasing an iPad as a Christmas gift, be sure to check out the iPad order deadlines at the Apple Store website. As of this writing the deadlines are:
If you missed the shipping deadline, check with stores to see if they have the model you want in stock.
Who Shouldn’t Get the iPad
The iPad isn’t for everyone. Because the iPad has magnets for a Smart Cover, people with pacemakers should stay away from iPads.
See, iPad User Device Guide, page 124:
“iPad contains radios that emit electromagnetic fields. These electromagnetic
fields may interfere with pacemakers or other medical devices. If you wear a pacemaker, maintain
at least 6 inches (approximately 15 cm) of separation between your pacemaker and iPad. If you
suspect iPad is interfering with your pacemaker or any other medical device, stop using iPad and
consult your physician for information specific to your medical device. iPad has magnets along
the left edge of the device and on the right side of the front glass, which may interfere with
pacemakers, defibrillators, or other medical devices. The iPad Smart Cover and iPad Smart Case
also contain magnets. Maintain at least 6 inches (approximately 15 cm) of separation between
your pacemaker or defibrillator and iPad, the iPad Smart Cover, or the iPad Smart Case.”
Bottom Line
Buying an iPad is an investment in a device you may use daily for years to come so consider all of the factors before making your decision. Decide on your budget then weigh features such as screen size, storage space and age of the model. Think about whether you’ll need cellular data or if you’ll only need Wi-Fi. Shop around to see which stores have the best deals and which have the model you want in stock.
Most importantly, enjoy your new iPad!
Your Thoughts
Are you considering getting an iPad for yourself or someone else? What factors matter the most to you? Will your iPad be an upgrade from a previous model or your first iPad? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Great tips for choosing which iPad that best fits your needs. I wished I’d seen this a couple of weeks ago when I was in the market for an iPad for my son. Thankfully I was advised well, and after reading this post, I am even more confident I got him the “best fit” version for him.
Hi Carol, I’m glad you liked this guide, even though it’s a bit late for you. You’re right, it’s important to get the right fit for your iPad and with 40 different choices, one size doesn’t fit all.
I hope your son enjoys his new iPad, Carol!
Great side by side comparison, this couldn’t have come across my stream at a better time with my daughters Chrome Book out of commission for the second time this year. Honestly after the chore we seemed to go through to get the warranty work complete I don’t think I will even bother this time around even though we paid to cover this one again.
Hi Ed, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Wow, sorry about your daughter’s Chrome Book. Yes, many people try to decide between a Chrome Book and the iPad. It will be interesting to see which one you find to be more useful.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for another great tech post. There were a couple items that it made me think about:
* What happened to the 3rd and 4th generation iPads? I looked for those because I was under the impression that the newest iPad was expensive due to the new whizzy thin screen. However, I dragged out my iPad 2 receipt from May 2011 and a 64GB iPad Air is the same price as an iPad 2 back then. I hate to give up my current items I have like the camera connection kit and an iPad 2 dock, another dock in the kitchen and the smart cover that will all be nothing but paperweights if I upgrade. I guess I should be happy that Apple is charging the same price for the new technology.
(BTW- I didn’t realize that the dock I had was for the iPad. I had put it on the junk pile because I’d been using it with my iPhone 4s!- Thanks for reminding me!)
* Maybe I can downgrade my memory because I checked my usage as you helpfully suggested and I really had to laugh. After Photos & Camera, Martha Stewart is taking up nearly 8 GB!
* I don’t know who wrote this (was it you?), but the larger screen was recommended for those interested in photography. Technically, the mini with Retina display is equivalent to the larger Air, but for us baby boomers actual size of the screen seems to be an issue. What is your opinion? I think also, it was an Apple store guru that said a black or dark surround is best for photography.
* Finally, my own recommendation would be to get a Personal HotSpot add on for your phone so that you don’t need an additional cellular plan for your iPad. I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but so far, the personal hotSpot works fine. I haven’t compared the data usage issues of having it all on your phone vs. the iPad having it’s own plan. Any thoughts there?
Thanks again,
Ann
Hi Ann, Great comment. I will address your questions individually.
You’re right, the price of the iPad Air is the same as the price of the original iPad. The price of the device hasn’t changed since it was announced in January of 2010. The price of the Mini with Retina Display is $399, which is an increase from $329, the original price of the 16GB Mini when it was launched last year. When Apple added Retina Display to the Mini, it increase the price by $70, but the original Mini is now available for $299, the least expensive iPad ever.
Wow, Martha is being a data hog! Do you have a lot of older issues of her digital magazine on your iPad? If you don’t need them, you can save a lot of storage by deleting them…
I am a fan of big screens. The bigger the better as far as I’m concerned. I have a 17″ laptop, named The Beast, and the larger iPad. I prefer larger screens because more content fits on the screen so I don’t have to scroll as much.
Yes, the insides of the Mini with Retina Display are the same as the iPad Air, so you just have to decide based on screen size and price.
I also like a black frame on my iPad because it disappears, though I know people who have the white and they say it disappears for them too. Look at them both and see if it makes a difference to you.
I personally am not a fan of personal hot spots. First, I can’t get one because I’m grandfathered on my unlimited data plan for my iPhone on AT&T so getting a hot spot would terminate my unlimited data. Second, I have been known to leave my iPhone behind so I prefer having a separate data plan for my iPad (See, Surviving without an iPhone https://wonderoftech.com/surviving-without-an-iphone/ ). Third, the data speed of personal hotspots that I have used has been too slow for me to retain my precious sanity. Fourth, personal hotspots can drain a battery quicker than any other use of a phone that I have witnessed. Fifth, if you have a share everything plan, adding the iPad to your plan may be less expensive than paying for the personal hotspot service.
Those are the reasons why I don’t suggest personal hotspots. 🙂
Thank you for your amazing comment, Ann! Always a pleasure to have you share your insights with us here.
If you do upgrade from your iPad 2 to an iPad Air or Mini, you will be switching over from the 30-pin connector to the lightning connector but you don’t need to trash all of your old accessories. Get a lightning to 30-pin adapter from Apple and you should be all set: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD823ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter?fnode=3c
The 3rd and 4th Generation iPads are no longer being sold as new from Apple. You may be able to find them from other retailers who still have inventory or buy them used on eBay, Glyde or another site.
Hi Carolyn,
I may be a bit thick here, but I’m not quite following you.
* The Display- I just checked the Compare iPad Models page on the apple.com website, and as I understand it, the iPad Air comes with the Retina display, and the iPad mini can be purchased with or without Retina. BUT, the Retina display in both the mini and the Air HAVE THE EXACT SAME RESOLUTION, 2048×1536. So that means, you shouldn’t have to scroll around to see the same content on the smaller screen. As I understand it, you just have more pixels squished into a smaller area. The 7.9″ mini has 326 pixels per inch and the 9.7″ Air has 264 pixels per inch, but they both DISPLAY the same number of pixels. Not having seen them side-by-side, I assume that the same number of pixels in a smaller space would make the same content appear smaller? I’m a little confused about that…
* I certainly understand why you don’t want to give up your unlimited data plan- keep it as long as you can! And yes, that’s a good point about draining your iPhone battery- I only use the hotspot with my phone on the charger. But, I don’t understand why using a hotspot though your phone would be slower than directly with the iPad. They are both accessing the same cellular network. Does the hotspot add some latency to the connection?
* Yes- Martha Stewart Living is a very data-intensive magazine. As of now, I have almost a years worth of back-issues on the iPad because I have the idea that I’m going to extract the tidbits of info interesting to me to some kind of electronic filing system (Evernote?). I have stacks of magazines with stickies marking interesting things, and I’ve never figured out how to deal with it all. I eventually throw the older stacks out. if you’ve tackled this issuer in the past, let me know. I think I’m a hoarder of information!
And thanks, that’s a good point about the adapter, although I’m not sure it would work with my 3rd party product called the PadDock since it’s a stand that holds the iPad on 4 sides. I don’t think I could fit an adapter in there.
Excellent points again, Ann. I tend to double tap text to have it fill the screen when I read on my mobile devices. It’s easier to read and less distracting that way. So more text would fit on my larger Air screen than a Mini.
The data is slower through the hotspot because the iPad’s Internet connection isn’t a direct connection but runs through the phone.
You could take screenshots of interesting pages in Martha Stewart’s digital magazines and then arrange those photos in an album. To take a screenshot, hold down the power button and the home button at the same time until you hear the shutter sound.
You’re right, not all cases and docks are compatible with the adapter. I’ve been lucky as all of my cases and docks have worked with the adapter.
This is how you choose iPad. Apple’s website now says that the $30 AT&T plan is for 3GB of data,
Hi Disha, Yes, that price is what the chart above states for AT&T 3GB of data for $30/month. Both the Apple website and AT&T website list that as the price.
That’s a great overview Carolyn. I’m very satisfied with my iPad mini, and that’s why I would stick with it, mostly because of the size. I carry it with me everywhere, and I am using 3G and 4G all the time. So, for me the choice is clear. I use it mostly for work.
– Jens
Hi Jens, That’s great you’re so happy with your iPad Mini. The convenience of having it with you everywhere must be wonderful.
If you ever choose to upgrade, be sure to compare it to the latest generation iPad Air because the size and weight differences are much smaller now with this generation of iPads. But if you’re happy with your iPad Mini, and it certainly seems as if you are, then no need to upgrade!
Hi Carol,
Well, when I said I got it on on Triberr, I meant mine is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 🙂 but I really love it.
You’re not going to believe why I got this thing for! I got it because I like to listen to brainwave entertainment recordings as I’m falling asleep, and even though I have a few of those in my old MP3, YouTube as many more.
However, since I have only a desktop beside that, I couldn’t take my computer to my bed, while I sure can take a tablet to my bed 🙂
Yep, that’s why I got that tablet, and really love it.
Thanks for your iPad review. I sure it can help people make a choice.
Hi Sylviane, That’s great that you found a tablet that you love. Many of the factors in this article apply whether you’re looking at an iPad or another tablet. Last year I wrote an article comparing different types of tablets so this year I wanted to try something a bit different. (Which Tablet is Right for You?)
A Wonder of Tech reader was just telling me about an iPhone app that helps put you to sleep and wake you up that I want to try out to see if it works. Very interesting use of technology!
I want the iPad mini with Retina display!
Hi Aras, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I hope you get your wish. 🙂
I want to buy my first one iPad and I think, in this article there is some important information that could be used to buy an iPad. This article is the great one 🙂
Thank for this information Carolyn :-bd
Hi Nanda, I’m so glad you were helped by this article. Buying an iPad can be confusing because of all the choices, and buying your first one can be even more challenging. I hope you enjoy your new iPad, Nanda!
Yes, you are right. With so many options are offered, choosing an iPad can be very confusing. Thank you Carolyn 🙂
You’re very welcome, Nanda!