The new iPads are out, featuring a redesigned look on the base model iPad and a performance bump on the iPad Pro. While the old, cheaper 9th generation iPad, featuring the ancient design is still available, the question still remains; which iPad is good for me? Today, I will walk you through what iPad is perfect for you, from the casual people just using it to text to the high performance gamers.

To start, the all-around iPad. You’ve heard of it, you know it, you love it. It doesn’t have the BEST performance in all the iPads, it is still good for everyday use. It features the A14 bionic chip, which is the same type of performance in the iPhone 12. If you plan on just using your iPad to get schoolwork done and to maybe chat with friends, this is the best model for you. It can even handle some low-performance games such as Crossy Road and Clash Royale. However, there are two models to choose from in this category; the one-year old 9th generation iPad, or the brand new 10 generation one. The 10th generation iPad has a newer design, with no home button and a larger display. It also has a horizontal camera, which puts the camera in a place similar to the one on your Chromebook. It also comes in four colors; silver, pink, yellow, and blue. It has compatibility with the new Magic Keyboard Folio, which is a keyboard and case combination that lets you type comfortably and has a function row, which allows you to change the brightness and pause a movie. It starts at $450. However, if this new modern look isn’t something that interests you, you can opt in to the cheaper, less powerful, 9th generation iPad. It has a home button with touch ID, a smaller display, and bigger bezels (black space around the display). In spite of that, it starts at a cheaper $329 price tag. To summarize, if you just need the iPad for casual use and really only use it as a big phone, this is the best iPad for you.

The new 10th generation iPad in silver, yellow, pink, and blue. Image credit: apple.com

Up next, we have the best iPad for portability; the iPad Mini. While the mini is smaller than the competition with an 8.3 inch display, it has more power than
the base model iPad with the A15 Bionic, the
Same chip the iPhone 13 has. This is perfect for people that plan to take their iPad everywhere they go, as it has mega performance in a mini size. It works with the new Apple Pencil, which makes this a great device for note-taking and drawing. However, the iPad Mini does not have a keyboard case, earning you have to buy a Bluetooth keyboard from another company. So if you need a lightweight powerhouse for drawing and gaming, this iPad is for you. It starts at $499 for 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The iPad mini is the perfect portable tablet, being able to fit into the palm of your hand. Image credit: apple.com

Now that we have the regular iPads out of the way, we can get into the more “Pro” iPads. These have amazing performance, the best display, and the most powerful software features. Let’s start off with the ultra-powerful, everyday companion, (and my favorite iPad) the iPad Air. The Air has a 10.9 inch screen, the same as the base model iPad, however, the performance really stands out with the M1 chip. This is the same chip in the Macs, making it feel as fast and powerful as a high-end laptop at half the price. It comes with support for the newest Apple Pencil, and features a keyboard called the “Magic Keyboard,” which floats your iPad and has a great typing experience. Oh, and this is the last call for color in the iPad lineup, with silver, grey, blue, purple, and pink. All of these features start at $600, with 64 GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The iPad Air is a great tablet for being lightweight, yet extremely powerful with the M1 chip. Image credit: apple.com

However, if you are still looking for even more performance, and want to get the most of your iPad, there is the iPad Pro. It has an even better M2 chip, with 20% faster graphics. It also has the biggest and best display, with an 11 inch ProMotion display (ProMotion means it’s buttery smooth) and an even bigger 12.9 inch Pro Motion, Liquid Retina XDR display (more colors and stuff will look better). It also has the best cameras in an iPad, with a TrueDepth camera in the front allowing for Face ID and Animoji, and Wide , Ultra Wide cameras, and a LiDAR sensor, which allows you to put different objects virtually inside a space. It has the same accessories as the iPad Air, with support for the new Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. You can get all of this for $799 on the 11 inch model, and $1099 for the 12.9-inch model.