If you're thinking about getting an iPad, it's easy to get lost among so many models, strange chip names, and different generations of Apple Pencil. The good news is that, if you're clear about your needs and budget, choosing the perfect iPad for you is much simpler than it seems.In this guide you will see, step by step, what you should look for to get it right the first time.
Today the iPad has become almost synonymous with tablet: it is used for studying, working, drawing, editing video, watching series, playing games or simply browsing. Apple offers a very varied catalog in size, power and price, from basic options to true professional machines.We're going to review all the current models, their recommended uses, and the key points (screen, stylus, keyboard, connectivity, storage, and price) so you can choose wisely and without overpaying.
1. Define how you will use your future iPad
Before looking at technical specifications and prices, the most important thing is to be clear about what you want it for. An iPad for checking email and social media is not the same as one for professional illustration, video editing, or intensive multitasking.The more demanding the use, the more sense it makes to upgrade.
Think about your most frequent usage scenarios: will you use it mostly on the sofa or will it be your main work tool? If your goal is to browse the internet, watch videos, read newspapers, or take simple notes, an entry-level iPad may be more than enough.If you're going to work with graphic design, digital drawing, Affinity, Canva, Pixelator Pro For photo and video editing, you're interested in better screens, more power, and better Apple Pencil compatibility.
It's also worth considering whether the iPad will replace (even partially) your laptop. If you want to write long documents, answer emails daily, or prepare presentations, keyboard compatibility and screen comfort become key.In that scenario, models of 11 inches or more are much more comfortable in the long run.
Don't forget the context in which you're going to use it: home, office, university, public transport… If you're going to be carrying it around all day, weight and size matter much more than if it's going to be mostly on your desk.And if you travel often, you might want to consider mobile connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi.
2. Get to know the iPad families: what each one offers
Apple structures its range into four main families: iPad "plain", iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. Each one targets a different type of user and budget, so understanding their philosophy well saves you a lot of confusion..
iPad (2025): the most balanced model in terms of quality and price
The iPad (2025) is the most interesting model if you're looking for the best balance between price, performance, and ease of use. It's designed for those who want a versatile tablet for everyday use without complicating their lives with advanced specifications.and for less tech-savvy users who value simplicity.
It features an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2.360 x 1.640 pixels, sufficient for viewing content with good clarity, studying, or working at a basic and intermediate level. Its A16 chip offers more than enough power for browsing, social media, office applications, multimedia consumption, and even some light editing.without obsessing over high-end performance.
Among its strengths are its autonomy and usage options with iPadOS 18. The battery comfortably lasts through a day of typical use, and the operating system provides access to a wide variety of productivity, study, and entertainment apps.Furthermore, it retains established technologies such as Touch ID, which remains very convenient and familiar to many users.
It's compatible with keyboards and Apple Pencil, making it a great option for students. Taking handwritten notes, highlighting PDFs, or making video calls for online classes or meetings is very easy thanks to its front camera and integration with official accessories.For general uses such as browsing, email, videos and networking, it's hard to find anything more well-rounded for the price.
Its starting price is around 387 euros for the 64 GB Wi-Fi version, with the option to upgrade to an LTE version if you need mobile data. Being the cheapest iPad makes it ideal for those who want to enter the Apple ecosystem without spending a fortune, as long as they understand they don't need the very latest model..
iPad mini (2024): Power in a very compact format
The iPad mini (2024) is designed for those who value a compact size above all else. Its main selling point is precisely its format: it's much more comfortable to hold with one hand, fits better in small bags, and is ideal for use on the go..
Aesthetically, it resembles the iPad of recent generations, but smaller and with slightly more capable hardware. Its use case fits very well with reading, browsing, checking email, taking quick notes with the Apple Pencil, or consulting documents.It can be used for watching videos and working with split windows, but the small screen is noticeable compared to 11-inch models.
In terms of performance, the iPad mini doesn't fall short for everyday tasks and light productivity. The problem, more than the power, is the screen size when you want to edit long documents, draw in great detail, or work for many hours at a time.For that reason, larger screens are usually more advisable.
Its cheapest version, with 64 GB and Wi-Fi, costs around 581 euros, which is not exactly cheap. At that price, unless you're clearly looking for something very compact, it usually makes more sense to go for the standard iPad or stretch your budget a bit to the iPad Air.which offer more comfortable screens for work and intensive leisure.
iPad Air 2024: Lightweight with M2 chip
The 2024 iPad Air represents Apple's idea of a lightweight and powerful tablet in its penultimate iteration. It's aimed at those who want more than the basic iPad, both in performance and screen, but without reaching the price of the Pro models.It's a very interesting option for work, study, and serious content creation.
The 11-inch model features an IPS panel with 2.360 x 1.640 pixels, 264 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate, with True Tone technology to adjust the color tone according to the ambient light. It doesn't quite reach the spectacular level of the iPad Pro screens, but it offers a very pleasant experience for viewing content, reading, and working for hours..
The major leap forward from previous generations is in the M2 chip, which replaces the M1. This processor, inherited from the Mac world, provides enough power for demanding tasks: more serious photo and video editing, advanced illustration, design apps, and multitasking with several applications open.It also includes Wi-Fi 6E, stereo speakers, and 12 MP cameras both front and rear.
The 11-inch model starts at around 659 euros, while the 13-inch version goes for around 1.189 euros. The larger version offers more workspace, which is very comfortable if you draw or edit a lot, but the price jump is considerable, so it's worth considering how much you'll actually use that extra screen space..
iPad Air (2025): a “watered-down Pro” with an M3 chip
The iPad Air (2025) takes another step forward and gets even closer to the Pro range. In terms of design, it practically looks like an iPad Pro, with reduced bezels and very modern lines, but it maintains a somewhat more moderate price positioning..
Its 11-inch Liquid Retina IPS display, with a resolution of 2.360 x 1.640 pixels and 500 nits of maximum brightness, is very convincing for watching series, working on long documents, or casually editing photos. It doesn't have the 120Hz refresh rate or all the bells and whistles of the Pro panels, but it delivers very high quality for most demanding users..
The main advantage of this model is the M3 chip along with 8 GB of RAM and features of Apple Intelligence. We're talking about a computer processor, capable of smoothly handling almost anything you throw at it within the limits of iPadOS: demanding illustration apps, more complex video editing, heavy graphic design projects, and multitasking with several apps at once..
It is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard with trackpad, and features a USB-C connector. This opens the door to using it as a small laptop: you can connect an external monitor, hard drives, memory cards, and work with long documents using the keyboard and trackpad.For note-taking, basic office tasks, and general productivity, it's an extremely powerful tool.
Battery life is around 10 hours according to Apple and it starts with 128 GB of storage in its base configuration. In practice, the iPad Air (2025) is almost an iPad Pro with some screen details and extras cut back, but otherwise it's a very capable and well-balanced tablet for intensive use.Its starting price is around 699 euros for the 128 GB Wi-Fi version.
iPad Pro 2024: the top-of-the-line model with M4 chip and OLED screen
The 2024 iPad Pro is the absolute benchmark in Apple tablets. It is clearly designed for image professionals, very demanding users, and those who want the best possible experience in screen, power, and sound without worrying too much about the budget..
The new generation is offered in 11 and 13-inch versions, both with a very high-quality OLED panel. The 11-inch model has a resolution of 2.420 x 1.668 pixels, 264 ppi, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and up to 1.000 nits of brightness, ideal for working outdoors or in very bright environments.The color reproduction and contrasts are spectacular, something especially useful in photo and video editing.
Inside, it houses the Apple M4 chip, a true performance monster. It's perfect for high-resolution video editing, highly detailed illustration, 3D apps, heavy design projects, and for using multiple professional applications simultaneously without breaking a sweat.It is, quite simply, desktop power in tablet form.
It doesn't fall short in photography and sound either: a 12 MP wide-angle rear camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, compatibility with the latest versions of Apple Pencil, Bluetooth 5.3 and four stereo speakers that offer very powerful audio. For consuming multimedia content, it's probably one of the best experiences you can find on a tablet..
Of course, all this comes at a price: the 11-inch model starts at around 1.149 euros, while the 13-inch model goes up to around 1.459 euros. These tablets are geared towards those who truly need that level of screen quality and power for their daily work, or for those who simply want the best regardless of price..
iPad Pro M2 (2022): It's still a very capable beast.
Although it's not the latest model, the 2022 iPad Pro M2 is still a top choice on the market. It offers very high performance and a large screen, often at slightly lower prices than the latest Pro models depending on the offers..
The 11-inch version features a Liquid Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1.668 x 2.388 pixels, 120Hz ProMotion technology, HDR10 compatibility, and Dolby Vision. This translates into tremendous fluidity in animations, movement and drawing, and great image quality for enjoying high-definition content..
Inside, the M2 chip, also found in several Apple computers, offers very powerful performance. In configurations with 512 GB of storage and ample memory, it's a machine more than capable of handling video editing, professional illustration, advanced multitasking, and intensive workloads.The battery can last up to 13 hours, charging via USB-C.
The photography section includes a dual rear camera of 12 and 10 MP, plus a LiDAR sensor for augmented reality applications, and Face ID system for facial unlocking. If you find this model at a good price, it could be a great way to get a nearly next-generation tablet without spending as much as the recent Pro models..
3. Screen size and portability: finding the middle ground
One of the key decisions is screen size, because it affects both comfort and mobility. Smaller models are lighter and easier to carry, but sacrifice workspace; larger ones offer more usable area, although they weigh and take up more space..
If you prioritize absolute portability, the iPad mini is king. It fits almost anywhere, is ideal for reading, taking quick notes or reviewing documents on the go, and is easily handled with one hand.The trade-off comes when watching long videos, writing a lot of text, or drawing with precision, where a larger screen will give you much more comfort.
The 11-inch iPad (2025), iPad Air, and many Pro models are an excellent middle ground. They offer plenty of space for splitting the screen, working with a keyboard, and drawing, while maintaining a reasonable size for taking to class or work.For most users looking for an "all-rounder" device, this format is usually ideal.
The 13-inch models (in Air and Pro) are already geared towards those who will use them almost as a laptop replacement. The large screen size is very convenient for detailed editing, multitasking with several apps at once, and intensive use with a keyboard and mouse.In return, they are less practical to carry around all day and their price increases significantly.
Also consider the weight and how you'll use it: if you plan to hold the iPad in your hand for a long time to draw or read, every gram will make a difference. If you're going to mostly be using it on a table with a keyboard, the larger size will be much more productive at the cost of losing some mobility..
4. Apple Pencil and keyboards: key to drawing and studying
If you're a designer, illustrator, or student who takes a lot of notes, accessories make all the difference. Compatibility with different generations of Apple Pencil determines the level of precision, pressure sensitivity, and advanced drawing features.So it's a good idea to find out which iPad supports which pencil.
The latest generations of Apple Pencil offer different levels of pressure and tilt recognition, resulting in more natural and controlled strokes. For illustration and design, that extra sensitivity is very welcome, especially in applications like Affinity, Procreate, or other creative apps.In more basic models the experience is still good for notes and sketches, but the leap is noticeable when you get more serious with digital art.
Regarding keyboards, many iPads are compatible with the Smart Keyboard or the Magic Keyboard with trackpad. This allows you to transform your tablet into a kind of lightweight laptop, ideal for students writing papers, professionals answering emails, or anyone who needs to type comfortably.It's especially useful if you do a lot of multitasking with split windows.
If you plan to write often, it's highly recommended to go for screens of at least 11 inches. On smaller devices, such as the iPad mini, you can type, but the space for the keyboard and documents is more limited and can be uncomfortable for long sessions.The combination of an 11-inch screen, keyboard, and Apple Pencil is usually a great balance for studying and working.
5. Storage: How many gigabytes do you really need?
Storage capacity is another point that can confuse you, because upgrading from one option to another significantly increases the cost of the device. The choice depends on whether you store a lot of videos, photos, large projects, and big apps on the iPad itself, or whether you rely on the cloud and external storage..
For very basic use (web, email, light notes and some streaming) 64 GB may be enough if you manage space well, but it falls short as soon as you start accumulating editing apps, games or multimedia files. If you can stretch your budget, 128GB or more offers a lot of peace of mind, especially if you want your iPad to last for several years without constantly deleting things..
If you work with video, heavy design projects, or large photo collections, it's usually best to go for higher capacities (256 GB or more). In these cases, every gigabyte makes a difference when you start moving projects with several gigabytes per file and using professional apps that take up a lot of space.Remember that you can't expand the internal memory on iPads, so what you buy is what you get.
In any case, you always have the option of supplementing with cloud services or external drives via USB-C on compatible models. By combining average capacity with good use of the cloud, you can save some money without sacrificing a certain degree of flexibility..
6. Connectivity: Wi-Fi only or mobile data also
Another aspect to consider is whether you need your iPad to have mobile connectivity (LTE/5G) in addition to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi-only models are cheaper, but they depend on having an available network to connect to the internet.whether at home, at university, or sharing data from your mobile phone.
If you're mainly going to use it indoors with Wi-Fi, you probably don't need to spend extra on the mobile data version. On the other hand, if you're constantly on the go, work outdoors, or travel a lot, having a SIM or eSIM in your iPad to connect anywhere is a real convenience..
The latest models integrate Wi-Fi 6E, which improves speed and stability on compatible networks. This is especially noticeable when you work with large files in the cloud, make frequent video calls, or need to download and upload content at a fast pace.It's not essential, but it's a plus for the future.
7. Budget and value for money
We come to the factor that usually ends up deciding: money. The price range for iPads goes from relatively affordable figures to genuine investments designed more for professionals than for the average user.The key is not to pay for power and screens that you won't use.
If you're looking for something affordable and versatile, the iPad (2025) is the benchmark for value within Apple's catalog. For the price, it more than covers browsing, networking, videos, note-taking, video calls, and some light work.It is a highly recommended option for students, families, and users who want a reliable tablet without venturing into professional territory.
If you want to take a leap in power and screen quality without spending as much as on a Pro, the iPad Air (2024 and 2025) are the top contenders. The Air with the M3 chip, in particular, is almost a disguised Pro, with more than enough power for design, editing, and moderate professional use.Its price is higher, but for many advanced users it's worth it.
The iPad Pro, both the 2024 M4 and the 2022 M2 Pro, make sense when the iPad is your primary tool for creative or high-performance work. If your workflow relies on a top-quality display, 120Hz refresh rate, plenty of power, and advanced accessories, then the price jump is justified.Otherwise, you might be paying for something extra that you won't use.
Don't forget that in some countries, such as Brazil or others with high taxes, Apple products are significantly more expensive. In those cases, it often makes even more sense to opt for models with a better price-performance ratio, such as the iPad (2025) or the iPad Air, instead of going directly to the Pro.unless your professional job truly requires it.
Ultimately, choosing well comes down to matching three things: the actual use you're going to give it, the level of power and screen you need, and what you're willing to spend. If you align those three factors, it's hard to go wrong: you'll have an iPad that fits your daily life, without paying for features you won't use or finding it inadequate after a few months..
