Ipad air latest model. How to choose an iPad? A practical guide to Apple tablets. To shoot or not to shoot: that is the question

The subscription cost is 199 rubles per month after the trial period ends. Single subscription to a Family Sharing group. Offer valid for 3 months after activation of eligible device. Subscription renews automatically until cancelled. There are certain restrictions and other conditions.
The subscription cost is 199 rubles per month after the trial period ends. You can cancel your subscription at any time. Subscription renews automatically until cancelled.
The cost of an individual subscription is 169 rubles. per month after the trial period ends. You can unsubscribe at any time. Once the trial period ends, your subscription will automatically renew until cancelled.

NHL and NHL team insignia are the property of the NHL and their respective teams. All rights reserved.
Officially licensed United States Women's National Team Players Association © 2019.
Officially licensed products from NFL Players Inc. © 2019

Apple tablets are characterized by quality, so don't be surprised that 2-year-old models remain the best representatives of the class in 2020.

There are also older models to consider, which, while not sold directly in Apple stores, remain available from retailers, often at steep discounts.

With all this in mind, the number of options available can seem overwhelming, and you could end up spending more than you planned on buying an iPad that doesn't suit your needs at all. But you can avoid this fate by simply reading our guide. Below you'll find our roundup of the best iPads in 2020, with pros and cons, tablet specs, and of course access to full reviews of each model in the rankings if you want to take a closer look at any of the options below.

Find out what are in the world;
Not an Apple fan? Look ;

1 | IPAD PRO 11 (2018)

BEST IPAD YOU CAN BUY IN 2020

Pros: Stylus mount | Monstrous performance;
Cons: Software inferior to laptop | Stylus and keyboard separately;

The iPad Pro 11 is the best iPad you can buy in 2020. It may be an expensive tablet, but it's Apple's most powerful iPad yet, and it aims for a 2-in-1 design if you can afford the pricey keyboard.

The tablet has a laptop-like design and performance, and the new Apple Pencil attaches to the iPad Pro body using built-in magnets. With excellent speakers and a great screen-to-body ratio, it's hard not to love the carefully crafted design and hardware components inside.

And with the release of iPadOS, its software has changed, making the tablet even better than at launch.

Another purely mobile problem: the tablet does not have a headphone jack. If you need a standard 3.5mm port in your mobile computer, an Apple tablet is not the best choice.

Everything the iPad Pro 11 offers makes it Apple's best tablet - you'll just have to swallow the high price and the fact that it won't completely replace the MacBook.

2 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2018)

BEST IPAD AMONG LARGE TABLETS

Pros: Big screen | Unsurpassed sound quality;
Cons: Battery life | Face ID quality;

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) is a giant monster - a monster, but in a good way, as it will easily take over half of your life's digital tasks - goodbye mobile phone, laptop, album, mixing console, games console. It's the perfect tablet for creativity and work, with a huge screen, useful peripherals, and fast iPadOS.

It offers the most processing power available in a mobile device, four speakers, a bright screen and, depending on the model, more storage space than you'll ever need.

The tablet doesn't offer the best battery life, so don't expect long-term use. You may not be able to use it to watch movies on a long trip, nor will you be able to use it to mix music. The tablet also charges quite slowly.

Overall, the iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) is one of the best iPads you can buy in 2020, but if you don't need its huge display, the cheaper iPad Pro 11 will save you some money and remain more portable.

3 | iPad 10.2

Apple's base iPad gets a larger screen.

Pros: The display has become larger | Smart Keyboard support;
Cons: Slightly better than iPad 9.7 | iPad Air is better for drawing;

iPad 10.2 marks the next step in bringing Apple's base line of tablets even closer to the iPad Pro - or at least the latest iPad Air - thanks to support for the Smart Keyboard and a slight increase in screen size from 9.7 to 10.2 inches.

The iPad 10.2, among other things, offers some performance gains with at least one extra gigabyte of RAM compared to the iPad 9.7 (2018), although it still runs on A10 chips.

The design remains largely the same, meaning the bezels around the display are quite large and the home button remains, so if you're looking for one of Apple's sleekest tablets, this isn't it.

On the other hand, excellent battery life, decent performance and a very low price - at least by Apple standards - mean a lot to the average user, especially if you're looking for the best Apple iPad features on a budget.

4 | IPAD AIR 10.5 (2019)

BEST COMPROMISE FOR STUDENTS

Pros: Laminated screen | Smart Keyboard support;
Cons: Works with 1st generation Pencil | Old design;

The new iPad Air with a 10.5-inch screen is the perfect compromise between the entry-level iPad 9.7 and the more powerful but also expensive iPad Pro 11. In most stores in Russia it is sold at the price of the original iPad, so it is cheaper than the iPad Pro 10.5 (2017), which it replaces, although it is not a member of the “Pro” family. However, the tablet offers several high-quality features that make it a compelling addition to your laptop.

It's one of the cheapest iPads available that's compatible with Apple's Smart Keyboard Cover, meaning you won't have to deal with fancy Bluetooth keyboards to get the full tablet experience.

It is also equipped with Apple's A12 chipset, borrowed from the iPhone XS. This is an incredibly fast tablet. Students will be able to take notes and respond to email using a tablet, but artists will hate the first generation Apple Pencil.

5 | IPAD MINI (2019)

BEST SMALL TABLET OF 2020

Pros: Compact size | Surprisingly powerful;
Cons: Thick screen panels | Old Pencil;

Sometimes, as a tablet, you need a device that's little larger than a phone, and the iPad Mini (2019) fits the bill. It's a sleek tablet with impressive specs, the latest Apple processor, and decent battery life.

What makes the iPad Mini (2019) the best Apple tablet of 2020 is the ability to use the Apple Pencil, which turns the iPad into a tiny laptop in your pocket.

The iPad Mini (2019) is one of the best compact tablets available in the market in 2020, so if you are looking for a portable, pocket-sized device, you can't find a tablet better than the iPad Mini.

6 | IPAD PRO 10.5 (2017)

EXPERIENCE WITH IPAD PRO FOR CHEAPER

Pros: Great speakers | 512 GB model;
Cons: Screen raises price | iOS doesn't allow you to replace your laptop;

The iPad Pro 10.5 is Apple's all-star tablet, which recently succeeded the iPad Pro 11. There is good news for the Pro 10.5, however, as the tablet is now cheaper - although it continues to be sold directly from Apple

The new ProMotion screen offers an extra level of fluidity in everyday use - and the smaller bezels are exactly what make the screen larger while still keeping the overall size of a 9.7-inch tablet in 2020.

This is the iPad for professionals and those who enjoy consuming the highest quality multimedia content.

It takes advantage of the Apple Pencil and some iPadOS tablet features, including the Dock panel, Control Center, and Instant Markup with a stylus. If you invest in a recommended Smart Keyboard, you can take your iPad Pro to the next level without having to jump through hoops with Bluetooth accessories.

7 | iPad 9.7 (2018)

GOOD IPAD FOR THE TYPICAL USER

Pros: Inexpensive | Works with Apple Pencil;
Cons: Educational ambitions | No Smart Keyboard;

This is Apple's best iPad for the average consumer and education segment, even if it is still not the most powerful tablet from the manufacturer, what it lacks in performance it makes up for in price. On the other hand, the new iPad 10.2 is superior to the original iPad 9.7 in a number of ways, with the advantage of being available in Apple stores, whereas the 9.7-inch iPad is no longer available from Apple.

The new iPad (2018) succeeds the extremely similar iPad (2017), sitting below the Pro and Air series, remaining a solid tablet that hasn't changed much over the years - but Apple clearly thinks the idea is a success.

It works with Apple Pencil, offering you the cheapest way to draw on the 9.7-inch screen, although you won't be able to get a Smart Keyboard with this model, an option that remains exclusive to the Pro.

It also has a luxurious metal body, like all of Apple's iPad tablets, although it is slightly thicker than the iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro at 7.5mm.

With a built-in fingerprint scanner, iOS 12 under the hood and up to 10 hours of battery life for web browsing or video, the new iPad (2018) is an excellent media player and a good tablet in all respects, as long as you don't plan to use it for demanding tasks. task performance.

8 | iPad 9.7 (2017)

PREMIUM BUT AFFORDABLE IPAD

Pros: Sound quality | Performance for the price;
Cons: Apple Pencil separately | Old design;

iPad (2017) marked a name change for Apple's tablet series, as the Cupertino firm ditched "Air" in favor of a clean moniker.

Since then, the iPad (2017) has been replaced by the new iPad (2018), followed by the iPad 10.2 (2019), but it's still a good iPad if you're looking for Apple's most affordable tablet in 2020.

The only real problem is that new iPads don't cost much more, so if you can afford the price difference, a new 2018 or 2019 tablet is a better buy.

9 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2017)

OLD BUT GREAT IPAD

Pros: Big screen | Huge productivity;
Cons: Too expensive for some;

We really like the iPad Pro for its large size, and this tablet comes the closest to emulating the MacBook with its 2-in-1 hybrid form factor. It just runs iPadOS 13 instead of macOS.

It's the best tablet in terms of productivity and entertainment thanks to its 12.9-inch screen, four speakers and a docking station, along with a multitasking interface. Apple has redesigned its Control Center interface to make it easier to navigate between apps, and the tablet is also compatible with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Biggest weakness? The iPad Pro 12.9 price and size simply aren't right for everyone. But if you can afford it and want the largest iPad available, you'll love this tablet and it can replace a laptop for many.

10 | IPAD MINI 4

OUTDATED BUT DECENT.

Pros: Big screen | Sleek design;
Cons: Old processor | No fingerprint scanner;

Big screens aren't for everyone, which is where the 7.9-inch iPad Mini 4 comes in. The screen size means it's much more compact than Apple's larger tablets, especially since it weighs just 299 grams. Of course, it's not small enough that you can easily use it with one hand, but you'll be able to comfortably hold it for much longer than most Apple tablets, and you'll be able to toss it into your bag with ease.

It's also large enough that you can enjoy browsing the web or watching videos when you're away from home and the big screen, but the 7.9-inch tablet obviously won't be able to offer the same visual media consumption experience as older ones 9.7- and 12.9-inch Apple tablets.

Its small size and lack of Smart-Connector also make it less suitable for work than the Pro series tablets in the iPad camp, but the smaller tablet in the series is not intended to replace a laptop.

It's still quite a powerful tablet, thanks to 2GB of RAM and the aging but still impressive Apple A8. The screen remains sharp, rich in color and easy to see even in bright sunlight.

The iPad Mini 4 is without a doubt the best small tablet in the series, and it's also a fraction of the cost of the Pro range, with a price tag starting at $399. Models come in capacities up to 128GB of storage, so you won't be limited by any restrictions - although the Mini 4 doesn't have a 256GB version like the iPad Pro.

Notably, it was replaced by the iPad Mini (2019), which will be a much better value for most users, but it's still a serious tablet in 2020.

Even a child knows that the best tablet is the Apple iPad. But when the question arises about buying an iPad, we can’t decide for a long time “which iPad is better to get? iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro? In this Note I will tell you how to choose a tablet from Apple.

Select iPad. Which one is better to buy?

The first thing you need to start making a choice is to answer one simple question to yourself: “Why do I need an iPad?” and “Do I even need an iPad?” Maybe your answer will already suit you, and you won’t have to waste time reading this Note.

The next question is of a financial nature, but if you have already decided on buying an Apple tablet, then it is probably not so important for you, and you are ready for relatively small additional costs. But more on that at the end.

A short introduction

All modern iPads on the market are very powerful, and even the currently weakest iPad mini 2 is comparable to the iPhone 5S. Both of them have the same filling, and differ only:

display size;
camera (the iPhone 5S has a better camera than the iPad mini and iPad Air);
the presence of a 4G modem (Cellular);
and most importantly purpose.

Therefore, I see no point in describing the technical characteristics of the entire line of Apple devices, because they are all powerful enough that even the cheapest ones will not cause you any inconvenience in terms of their speed.

All modern Apple devices have a Retina display.

The size of RAM and processor power are more than sufficient to operate the corresponding device.

We choose the Cellular option (for connecting to cellular networks) based on their needs and financial capabilities. The option costs about 10,000 rubles, but the tablet won’t get any worse without it. Personally, in several years of owning an iPad, I have never used it, and I don’t plan to use it in the near future. As a last resort, you can always distribute the Internet from your phone via Wi-Fi.

Therefore, the choice given to the buyer, namely us, is quite narrow:

selecting display size;
selecting the size of disk space or “memory”.

The guys from Cupertino took care of everything else.

When we decide what exactly we need an iPad for?, then it won’t be difficult to decide on the size of the display, the memory, and the presence of a 4G module.

Mobility. iPad mini vs iPhone

One of the most important parameters of your future gadget is its mobility.

Everything is simple here, if you are always on the go, love to travel or lead an active lifestyle, then even the mini size of the iPad can cause you a lot of inconvenience, you should seriously think about purchasing an iPhone, which copes with any task with a bang and, sometimes, even better than the iPad mini.

Most applications on iOS require a constant Internet connection, so the iPhone wins here too, allowing you to connect to high-speed cellular networks without additional fees.

But the iPhone has limitations on memory size, and when shooting 4K video on the iPhone SE, 16GB only lasts for 12 minutes! Therefore, if you want to film your travels on an iPhone, be prepared to shell out a tidy sum for a model with a large volume. The iPad is a little more profitable in this regard, although only the iPad Pro 9`7 has support for 4K video; its price is comparable to the iPhone SE 16GB, and it comes with a minimum of 32GB.

But still, if your choice of such a portable device falls on the iPad, choose mini and you won’t go wrong.

Entertainment. iPad Air vs iPad mini

If you have firmly decided that the iPhone is not suitable for you for one reason or another, then you should think about how you are going to have fun with your tablet.

Let's say right away that the iPad is an entertainment device, and with less than 32 GB of memory you will experience severe discomfort after several months of using it.

The iPad mini is definitely the right choice for your gaming gadget.

Games on iOS require quite a lot of space, so the gaming device must be at least 64 GB, and if financial capabilities allow, we take 128, and, preferably, it should be a top iPad in its line, for example, mini 4 or higher, so that you can play any new games without lags for the next few years.

But this doesn’t mean at all that you can’t play games on the iPad Air or iPad Pro, it’s just that on the mini your fingers can reach any point on the display, which is mega convenient for active games. And the weight of the mini tablet is almost 150 grams lighter than the iPad Air, which will be very noticeable after half an hour of dynamic shooters. You can hold such a tablet with one hand and not experience any discomfort.

For more relaxed entertainment, iPad Air has no competition. Watching a movie in the kitchen or bathroom, playing strategy games, surfing the Internet, studying cooking, reading books on the train or before bed will bring more pleasure if the tablet screen is wider.

The memory size for such a bedside tablet may not exceed 32 GB, and it will not need the Cellular option if you have Wi-Fi in your home.

You will only need the tablet's memory for photos and in those moments when you are offline, for example, traveling, on a train or plane, download a few movies for the duration of the trip, music, and relax in comfort.

If you want to use the iPad Air for gaming, go for 64 GB or higher, Cellular option as needed and financially feasible.

What is iPad Pro?

Why don't I compare the Pro version of the iPad with the Air or mini? It's obvious from its name that Pro is designed to get work done.

Its size and weight are not suitable for active entertainment at all.

You can’t hold it and use it with one hand, your fingers simply won’t be able to reach even the middle of the screen, and the keyboard on it is comparable to the keyboard of the MacBook 13. And the chance of dropping it while holding it with one hand is many times higher, and we don’t want that at all. Repairing such a gadget will cost half its cost.

If you do not hold it with both hands, then you need to place it on the table or on your lap, then your hands will be able to reach the entire surface of the display.

You won’t be able to watch movies comfortably while lying down, placing the iPad Pro on your stomach and resting it on your knees; you’ll be looking at the display at an angle, which doesn’t really affect the picture. The solution is to buy a case that will fold into a stand, and it costs a lot. For such a piece of elastic with a magnet, Apple asks us to pay about 10,000 rubles.

The optimal use of the iPad Pro is sitting at a table with the device in front of you - which seriously makes us think about buying a MacBook!

Of course, if you are considering buying an iPad Pro, then it should be in the maximum 12.9" configuration and with an Apple Pencil, otherwise what's the point?

The only thing is, on March 21, 2016, there was a presentation of the new iPad Pro with a diagonal of 9.7 inches, and with the opportunity to buy it with 264GB of memory. This display size is recognized throughout the world as the most optimal size for a tablet, but the price of this device is steep, although yes, it is the most powerful of all existing tablets, and it is possible to have a “normal” size screen, shoot 4K video and use an Apple pencil. But for those who really need Apple pencil, they will take the version with a 13-inch screen. Therefore, my verdict for the iPad Pro with a 9-inch screen is a major option. If you want to show off and you have the means to do so, go for it. This is really a very cool show off. But processor power does not affect the speed of watching a movie or the Internet. For a bedside device, the Air is still an ideal device.

iPad Accessories

It seems that we have figured out for what purposes and what kind of iPad we need, but here’s another short paragraph about additional costs. Future iPad Pro owners will be interested!

The audience of iPad Pro users is not so large, and finding a case for such a tablet or protective glass can cause you a lot of inconvenience. For example, glass on an iPad Pro costs about 2,000 rubles, and sticking it on a 13-inch display costs another 1,000 rubles, which is almost 2-3 times more expensive than similar accessories for iPad Air or mini.

There are no problems with accessories for 9 inch and mini. Any supermarket has it in stock and in assortment. But I found behind the protective glass on the iPad Pro only in a neighboring city, where it was in a single copy. To order glass, wait a week. It is impossible to glue it evenly, all the glass is Chinese and crooked, the error is 2 mm or more, almost not noticeable, but still visible. In fact, small glasses also have an error, but much less than on 13 inches.

There is no case from Apple that would cover the entire body of the iPad Pro, like the iPad Air or mini. There are two separate ones, Smart Cover in front and Case in back. Each of these accessories costs almost 10,000 rubles. It’s not available in stores, and if it is, it’s in a different color, so we immediately order all the necessary accessories when purchasing the iPad Pro 12.9.

The most important device for the iPad Pro is the Apple Pencil ~ 10,000 rubles. A very large overpayment for a very small piece of plastic.

Therefore, choose an iPad keeping in mind that you will need at least two more accessories for it.

Let's sum it up

Display:

iPad mini: Convenient for use even with one hand, mobile. The ideal gaming device for iOS.

iPad Air: Convenient for watching videos and relaxing entertainment. The ideal bedside tablet.

iPad Pro: The giant is designed for stationary work. It has the highest price tag for both the tablet itself and its accessories. When transporting, you will need a bag that is not small. Its only advantage is an additional accessory in the form of the Apple Pencil stylus, which only works with the iPad Pro.

Memory:

16GB: The initial size is enough for approximately 3-6 months of active use of the tablet. If you wish, you can fill in the memory in a day. If you don’t have enough money for a larger one, then it’s better not to buy one at all. A highly undesirable option.

32GB: Minimum size. Enough for 6-12 months of active use of the tablet. Suitable for your first iPad. Perfect for home use and still has enough memory to play several games. The latest iPad models have been replaced with 64GB.

64GB: Golden mean. Your tablet will serve you faithfully and for a long time. You can install all popular applications on it at once. Perfect for gamers. You may never experience low memory problems.

128/256GB: Maximum option. Over several years of use, I was never able to fill all the disk space completely. Suitable for Pro version. For Air2 and mini4 this is overkill.

P.S.

I found a video on the Internet that was released a month later than my article, but the author has a similar opinion to mine. Here's the link if anyone is interested: “Which iPad should I buy in 2016?”

In the next article about Apple equipment, I will tell you where it is best to buy it and how to return Apple equipment back to the store.

Apple's iPad Pro series tablets really managed to become an excellent replacement for the Air series. The new iPad Pro 2 models should be improved, as is usually the case with Cupertino. Available tablets offer support for the Apple Pencil, an excellent system of 4 built-in speakers and more, but there are still some things we are seriously missing. For example, it would be nice to have a fingerprint scanner and a waterproof case.

Preliminary specifications of iPad Pro 2

The upcoming iPad Pro 2 series will apparently feature a more powerful A10X Fusion processor with four cores, but it is unknown whether the manufacturer will increase the amount of RAM. We hope the new iPad Pro 2 specs will include 4GB of RAM. In addition to the 9.7 and 12.9-inch models, Cupertino can introduce a third model with a 10.5-inch screen diagonal. All of them will run on the iOS 10 operating system out of the box.

Apple A10X Fusion processor (10nm)
12 megapixel main camera and 5 megapixel front camera
4K video recording, live photos
OLED screen with True Tone technology
32 GB of internal memory in the minimum configuration
New color - pink
Fingerprint scanner (in-display)

Earlier rumors said that future devices would get a touch-sensitive Home button, like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but now many experts are confident that Apple will abandon it altogether. Thus, the Touch ID fingerprint scanner will be built into the display. Moreover, there is a possibility that the company will also get rid of the 3.5 mm audio jack, which would be logical given the recent release of smartphones.

Most likely, the iPad Pro 2 will be equipped with a USB Type-C connector so that it can be connected to the 2016 MacBook Pro.

iPad Pro 2 release date

Given the fact that the original iPad Pro was announced in March of this year, its successor will be shown at the same time in 2017. There is no exact data because in such cases companies like Apple do not give early statements. We also can't be sure that all three models will be announced at the same presentation.

iPad Pro 2 price in Russia

It is easy to predict the cost of the next generation of tablets from the American company. The price of the iPad Pro 2 in the simplest configuration will not exceed 50 thousand rubles. The current iPad Pro with a 9.7-inch display and 32 GB of internal memory costs about that much. Obviously, the new 10.5-inch model will fill a fairly large gap between the other two devices, and its price will also be average.

Apple, alas, rarely gives its models catchy names, limiting itself, as a rule, to a number indicating the generation of the gadget, and a letter, the presence of which indicates that the product has been improved - for iPhone models this letter was S for a long time.

We have already told you... Understanding an iPad is more difficult than understanding an iPhone. The first few devices released before 2012 were marked with numbers, like mobile devices, then Apple, for an unknown reason (most likely, in order to expand the model range) decided to move away from this principle - and Air, Retina, Pro and even tablets appeared on the shelves just an iPad, without indicating the model.

By 2019, Apple had greatly updated its line of tablets and now officially sells 4 iPad models. We will introduce each one and tell you which ones deserve the most attention.

The most compact

iPad Mini 5 (2019) 64GB

Display: 7.9 inches, resolution 2048×1536, PPI 326
CPU: A12 Bionic + Apple M12 coprocessor
8 Mpix – 7 Mpix
3 GB – 64 GB
Battery: 5 124 mAh
Colors

Price: from 28,290 rubles

Fans of compact tablets have already begun to anxiously suspect that Apple has finally given up on the iPad Mini line - what else to think about if it hasn’t been updated for 4 years? However, in the spring of 2019, they breathed a sigh of relief - the Apple manufacturer introduced the 5th generation iPad Mini. As it turned out, Apple had no doubt at all whether to continue producing small “tablets” or not - it was simply accumulating strength for a breakthrough, which the appearance of the “five” turned out to be.

From the very first reviews to the present time, experts continue to shower the iPad Mini 5 with compliments - even those who believe that the presence of 7-8 inch tablets in the modern mobile market is pointless praise the gadget. What is most impressive is the performance of the new “tablet”: it received a 6-core A12 Bionic processor and 3 GB of RAM – the “predecessor” had only 2 GB of RAM and an A8 chipset. To get a better idea of the difference in performance, try using an iPhone XS after the 6th generation model.

The tablet has a TrueTone display with stunning clarity and an excellent rear camera capable of taking photos at the level. However, there is one obvious detail that Apple was unwilling or unable to finalize: design. The Apple company does not seem to see the trend towards reducing display bezels - as a result, the frames on the “five” are as thick as on the “four”.

Note that the iPad Mini 4 is still on sale in 2019. Although its presence on the market is essentially absurd, since a new model with a similar amount of memory costs only 4-5 thousand more.

Best in terms of price/quality ratio

iPad 2018

Display: 9.7 inches, resolution 2048x1536
CPU: Quad-core A10, 2.34 GHz + Apple M10 coprocessor
Camera (rear - front): 8 megapixels – 1.2 megapixels
Memory (RAM – user): 2 GB – 32 GB
Battery: 32.4 Wh
Colors: silver / gold / space gray

Price: from 28,290 rubles

If the small iPad of 2019 was seriously updated compared to its “predecessor,” then in the case of the “just iPad” model, Apple limited itself to “cosmetic repairs” and minor changes. Although even with this, the iPad 2018 (6th generation) confidently takes over from the iPad 2017 the title of the best tablet in terms of price/quality ratio due to the lack of worthy alternatives. Remember the hare from “Alice” by L. Carroll, who said the now catchphrase that “you have to run just to stay in one place.” So, this expression cannot be applied to the tablet market, which has plunged into a lethargic sleep. There is simply no point in running for Apple, since no one is catching up.

Memory / Data transfer method	WiFi	Cellular
32 GB	RUB 19,780	RUB 27,290
128 GB	RUB 26,888	RUB 35,200

However, there are still several important changes. The 2018 budget iPad finally received support for the smart Apple Pencil, which previously only Pro models could work with. However, whether this is an advantage is a big question, because the “pencil” itself is not considered a budget accessory, it is not included in the kit, and on the market it costs about $100. Buying a stylus in addition to an inexpensive tablet for a third of the cost of the device itself is a strange step from the point of view of consumer logic.

The 6th generation iPad does not support Smart Keyboard - just like the previous model.

It is also important to note that the iPad 2018 has significantly accelerated. It received an A10 processor, with which owners of the 7th generation iPhone are very familiar. Previously, Apple did not include this processor in any of its tablets. Judging by user reviews, the A10 chipset is enough for the device to operate smoothly and cope with everyday routine tasks without problems - and even the fact that there is relatively little RAM (only 2 GB) does not negatively affect the performance of the tablet.

Most functional

iPad Pro 11

Display: 11 inches, resolution 2388×1668
CPU:
Camera (rear - front): 12 megapixels – 7 megapixels
Memory (RAM – user): 5.5 GB – 64 GB
Battery: 29.4 Wh
Colors

Price: from 49,449 rubles

Apple introduced an update to the Pro line of tablets in October 2018. Then everyone looked at the new “pills” with their mouths open with delight and with less clear feelings - at their prices. A year later, the price of the Pro line has decreased slightly - by about a quarter - and it has become a more tempting lot.

The iPad Pro, which was smaller, excuse the pun, turned out to be larger - the 10.5-inch model was replaced by an 11-inch one. At the same time, the dimensions of the device itself remained almost the same as before, and the increase in diagonal occurred due to the narrowing of the frames. This did not please all Apple lovers, since using the tablet has become even less convenient - now you have to put it on the palm of your hand.

However, it’s difficult to find fault with anything other than ergonomics in the iPad Pro 11 - this is an absolutely top-end device that competes, perhaps, only with its “big brother” on the market. The model is characterized by crazy performance, since it is equipped with the most powerful A12X Bionic processor in the world at the moment, and is suitable for performing absolutely any task - be it showing video content, playing tanks or processing a music track. Hence the high cost: iPad Pro 11 is not just a beautiful toy. This is a full-fledged working tool for a representative of any creative profession. So the purchase of a new Pro can be safely regarded as an investment - the device will quickly pay for itself.

Giant

iPad Pro 12.9 inches

Display: 12.9 inches, resolution 2732x2048
CPU: 8-core A12X Bionic + Apple M12 coprocessor
Camera (rear - front): 12 megapixels – 7 megapixels
Memory (RAM – user): from 4 GB – from 64 GB
Battery: 36.7 Wh
Colors: silver/space gray

Price: from 59,940 rubles

The iPad Pro 12.9 is more of a niche device than the 11-inch model. For the average user, 11 inches will be too much for the eyes, and two extra ones will turn out to be more of a disadvantage than an advantage - who likes to carry a semi-TV with them?

This is probably what explains the illogical nature of Apple’s pricing policy for the iPad Pro 12.9. The first thing that catches your eye is the minimal difference in cost between the Wi-Fi and +Cellular models. Moreover, the more memory the tablet has, the smaller it becomes - for example, a terabyte version with SIM card support is only 900 rubles (1%) more expensive than a device without a slot. The second example of inconsistency: some versions of the 12.9-inch tablet are generally cheaper than their 11-inch counterparts. We are talking about Cellular versions of 512 GB and 1 TB.

So who is the iPad Pro 12.9 for? First of all, for those who, due to their work duties, are forced to carry a 1.5-kilogram laptop with them everywhere. The large iPad is offered precisely as an alternative to a laptop - thanks to the case with the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, it is convenient to type on the gadget. This tablet is also not “fluffy”, but compared to weighty monsters stuffed with HDDs and fans, it is 2 times lighter. It is also worth noting that Apple has worked to the best of its ability on the ergonomics of the 2018 iPad - it has become more compact than the device released in 2017 and has less weight.

The remaining characteristics, with the exception of the screen diagonal, correspond to the characteristics of the iPad Pro 11 - the same pixel density per inch of the display (264 PPI), the same powerful processor “under the hood”. Both tablets are compatible with the smart 2nd generation Apple Pencil stylus, which gives you great opportunities to realize your creative ambitions.

Which iPad is better to buy in 2019: table

To make it easier for the user to decide which iPad to choose in 2019, we will collect the most important characteristics of current devices in one table:

Parameter/Model	iPad Mini 5	iPad 2018	iPad Pro 11	iPad Pro 12.9
Display diagonal
CPU
Autonomy
Weight (without Cellular)	300 grams	469 grams	468 grams
Compatible with Apple Pencil?	Yes, 1st generation	Yes, 1st generation	Yes, 2nd generation	Yes, 2nd generation
Number of speakers
Key Feature	Compact device	Budget device	High tech device	Large device

It is clear from the table that Apple managed to avoid the so-called cannibalism– situations when several models are interchangeable, occupy the same niche, as a result of which sales of one of them negatively affect the sales volume of another. Each of the current iPad devices is aimed at a specific category of consumers.

Conclusion

The best option for a fan of Apple products in 2019 is, perhaps, the iPad Pro 11. This is one of the latest models, equipped with top-end hardware, supporting all the manufacturer’s branded accessories and having small dimensions. If you don't have enough money for the Pro 11, you should take a closer look at the 6th generation iPad 2018. You need to understand that both in terms of functionality and design, this device is significantly inferior, but at the same time it demonstrates good performance and has an extremely affordable price for Apple products - from 19 thousand rubles in the minimum configuration.

It is still better for the average user to refrain from purchasing the iPad Pro 12.9 - the “giant” is no better than the Pro 11, but it is also more expensive and less convenient. Buying an iPad Mini 5 is advisable only for those who find the 9.7-inch device too bulky - although in this case it would be wiser to choose a powerful one. Overall, the Mini lineup is like a dead horse that Apple keeps kicking, hoping it will get up and run. It looks like 7-8-inch tablets will soon “leave the scene” completely - they will be replaced by smartphones with a “6+” screen diagonal, of which more and more are appearing on sale.