The 4 Best iPads for Students That Are Actually Worth Buying

Looking for an iPad? Let's explore your options and figure out which one is best for you. Apple's iPad is a revolutionary piece of technology in the handheld device market. In just the first half of 2020, Apple shipped around 19.5 million iPads. This indicates that there is a growing demand for iPads, especially with students needing remote learning tools more than ever during this pandemic.

But is Apple's fantastic – but expensive – gadget right for you? And, if so, which is the best iPad for students? How do you pick the right one for yourself? Let's dive right in and look at the different iPad models available now, and which ones are best for you.

1. iPad Air 5 2. 9th Generation iPad 3. iPad Mini 6 4. iPad Pro

The Apple iPad is a touchscreen tablet device that was released in 2010. If you're wondering how to choose the best iPad for yourself, there are a few things you should know. Generally, there are three different models of iPads:

• Default iPad
• iPad mini
• iPad pro

The default version is designed for the general audience, since the Mini is aimed primarily at home users. The Pro is for professionals and those in fields such as design. However, you can try all three, as they have the same basic features.

However, students mainly intend to use them for studying and reading. Hence, finding the best iPad for students is a matter of personal preference. This is why let's get straight to the point and explore your options available today.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an iPad

Before you shop online or head to an Apple Store, let's figure out how to choose the best iPad for you, taking into account both your requirements and your budget.

Now, all iPads are quite powerful and can be great for students. But before you go out and buy an iPad, there are a few things to consider:

• What will you be using your iPad for?
• How much are you willing to spend on it?
• How much storage do you need?
• What size screen is ideal for you?
• Do you want the option to use accessories like a keyboard?

If you can answer all of those questions, choosing among the iPads available today should be easy. As noted, they are all powerful, and any one of them would be the best iPad for a student; you could easily pick any of them and get your work done.

The 4 Best iPads for Students and Teachers

With students' needs growing ever more diverse, tablets need to be up to the task. That means that an iPad must do a few things well:

• Great overall performance
• Pleasing display
• Excellent battery life
• Solid specifications overall

With all that in mind, you can see how to pick the best iPad for you. But to narrow things down, we've selected four of the best iPads for students available today:

Best Overall: iPad Air 5

In 2022, Apple released one of its best products ever – the iPad Air. This exceptional device caused a stir in the tech world, with many hailing it as the best tablet they had ever used.

Here are some key facts about it:

Size:

- 10.9-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a brightness of 500 nits - Equipped with Apple iPadOS 15.4, upgradable to 15.5 - Apple M1 octa-core chip paired with 8GB RAM - Storage options - 64/256 GB - 12-megapixel front and main camera, capable of recording in 4K resolution

Performance:

With its fast performance, this iPad is one of the best tablets Apple has ever made. Many reviewers praise it for delivering pro-level performance at a mid-range price. In many benchmark tests, it even outperforms previous pro models. That's why it's on this list.

Battery:

The tablet has excellent battery life, with 9 to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback over Wi-Fi, but as a student, you can expect 10 to 13 hours with its 28.6 WH battery.

Advantages:

• Outstanding M1 chip
• Exceptional front-facing camera performance
• Support for 5G network
• Available in up to five different colors

Disadvantages:

• The base model comes with only 64GB of storage.
• Cellular connectivity costs extra.

Cause for concern:

Here is a table that may help you choose:

Budget pick: iPad (9th generation, 2021)

If you're on a tight budget, an older Apple product may be more suitable for you, as their prices tend to drop significantly when new versions are announced. That's why the ninth-generation Apple iPad 10.2 inches comes in second on our list, mainly because it is a cost-effective option.

Still, when you look at its specifications and performance, it does not look like an economy model. They are:

Specifications:

• 10.2-inch Retina IPS LCD display with 500 nits brightness
• Powered by Apple iPadOS 15, upgradable to 15.5
• Apple A13 Bionic chip (7 nm+) with 3GB of RAM
• Storage options - 64/256 GB
• 12MP front camera and 8MP rear camera, supporting Full HD (1080p) resolution

Performance:

Apple claims it's 20% faster than its predecessor, and it is. If you're going to use the device mainly for learning and content consumption – watching videos, films, etc. – its performance will be ideal for students. With a benchmark score of 617,292 on AnTuTu, the A13 chip also suggests that it can handle more resource-intensive applications.

Battery:

In terms of battery capacity (8,557 mAh), this is the best iPad on our list. In other words, you can easily get 10-12 hours of multimedia usage or 14-16 hours of study time. As we've mentioned before, the specs don't really scream “budget option.”

Advantages:

• Excellent budget pick
• Outstanding A13 Bionic chip performance
• Bright and colorful display
• Unmatched battery life

Drawbacks:

• Only 3GB of RAM
• Design is starting to show its age
• No support for Apple Pencil

Cause for concern:

Here's a chart to help you decide whether to choose this device:

3. Best Value: iPad Mini 6

The Apple iPad Mini 6 or the 2021 version is great for those who prefer a smaller screen for learning. Additionally, if you're tight on budget but don't want to compromise on quality, this attractive tablet is just for you.

This image depicts an iPad Mini 6, commonly used by students.

Its “five beautiful finishes,” as Apple puts it, are doubtless attractive, and you can choose your favorite color. But the tablet's specifications and capabilities should grab your attention.

Specifications:

• 8.3-inch Retina IPS LCD display with 500 nits brightness
• Powered by Apple iPadOS 15, upgradable to 15.5
• Apple A15 Bionic chip with 5nm process and 4GB RAM
• Storage options - 64/256 GB
• 12MP front camera and 12MP primary rear camera; rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30 and 60FPS, front camera supports Full HD (1080p) resolution

Performance:

Performance shouldn't be an issue, thanks to the speedy A15 chip. 4GB of RAM is more than enough for most students and great for both learning and general content consumption.

Battery:

You don't have to worry about battery life, as it has been tested to last at least 10 hours with multimedia usage, so you can easily stretch it to around 12-13 hours. Additionally, the USB-C charging makes it even more ideal, as it charges up to 100% quickly.

Advantages:

• Bright and sharp display
• Sleek and streamlined design
• Fast charging capability

Drawbacks:

• A bit expensive for the Mini size
• No headphone jack

Rationale:

Here's a chart to help you choose:

4. Top Performance: iPad Pro (2021) - 11 inches

If money is no object, the 11-inch iPad Pro is the one for you. Apple pulled out all the stops with its 2021 iteration of the iPad Pro, which is widely regarded as the most powerful iPad ever made. Some even say it's on par with a PC.

This image displays the 2021 iPad Pro, suitable for students.

For the price of a high-end desktop computer, you would expect a lot, and you get it. The specs are awesome:

Norms:

• 11.0-inch Retina IPS QHD LCD display with a brightness of 600 nits and a refresh rate of 120Hz
• Powered by Apple iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to version 15.5
• Apple M1 octa-core processor, equipped with an 8-core GPU and 8/16GB memory options
• Storage capacity – 128/256/512 GB or 1/2 TB configurable models
• 12MP quad-LED main camera with support for 4K video recording at 30FPS and 60FPS
• 12MP front-facing selfie camera supporting Full HD (1080p) resolution, 1080p@30FPS or 60FPS recording

Performance:

In terms of performance, the iPad's slim form factor enables desktop-class performance without any compromises. This makes it great for quick study sessions and for consuming any kind of content or multitasking. With at least 8GB of RAM, you can easily switch between multiple apps with ease.

Battery:

The massive 7,500 mAh battery easily gets you ten hours of use even in the most power-hungry sessions, with light usage stretching that to 12-14 hours.

Advantages:

• Unmatched performance
• Stunning display
• Keyboard attachment
• Fueled by the blazing-fast M1 processor
• Ultra-portable design

Disadvantages:

• The base model starts at $750
• The M1 chip comes at a slight premium

Cause:

Are there any student discounts for the iPad?

Apple has a dedicated education section. This means they offer discounts for students, but it depends on your location and region. There are various prices and discounts depending on where you are.

Here are some prices for your convenience:

These are the only versions that universally offer student discounts. You can check for yourself based on your location, but if your budget is below these prices, you're better off looking for older editions.

The Best iPad Data Recovery Solution for Students

Now that you've chosen which iPad to buy, what if you lose important information or files on it, such as:

• Photos
• Videos
• Documents
• Papers

In such cases, you can use the MobiSaver tool to save or retrieve your files. It's a user-friendly iPad data recovery software that lets you easily recover deleted photos, messages, emails, and other files from your iPhone and iPad, including recovering permanently deleted photos. Here, we'll provide you with a complete guide on how to use MobiSaver to restore data on your iPad.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer

Download and run the MobiSaver tool. Click “Recover from iOS Device” on the left, then click “Start”.

Step 2. Scan the Lost iPhone/iPad/iPod Data

MobiSaver will scan your device automatically and find all your lost data. Just wait for the scan to complete.

Step 3: Recover Lost iPhone/iPad/iPod Data

You can select the lost data you want to recover, such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, notes, voice mail, and other files, and then save these data to another location.

Abstract

These are the four best options available on the market right now. Any of them would serve a student well. It's up to you to choose based on your budget and what features you value.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buying an iPad

These various aspects of the iPad might have raised some questions for you. Now that you have all the information you need to buy, consult this FAQ if you still have questions:

Is the iPad a good choice for students?

It does. The iPad is a productivity booster for writing, drawing, and reading – which is why so many students want one, and why so many successful ones have one.

For college, is it better to buy a Mac or an iPad?

If you need more horsepower for productivity or heavy-duty work, such as graphic design or video editing, the Mac is undoubtedly the better choice. But if your studies involve mostly light reading, writing, and drawing, the iPad is a superior and relatively cheaper option.

What's the difference between an iPad and a laptop?

The iPad's convenience stems from its portability: you can take it almost anywhere without having to lug around a charger or the other paraphernalia that typically accompany a laptop.