iPad fans, we need to talk. Apple revealed iPadOS 26 during its WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9, and as you would expect, it is the best version of Apple’s tablet operating system to date.

Visually, you have the big Liquid Glass update that will permeate every Apple OS later this year, but the most significant updates are the ones that turn your iPad into a MacBook replacement. These updates include numerous multitasking enhancements, a revamped external monitor experience, improved mouse and trackpad support, and more robust background app performance.

We've been burned many times by trying to use an iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. With that said, Apple has solved a lot of those problems -- but two remaining concerns may still deter most people from ditching one of the best MacBooks and adopting the iPad-only lifestyle.

iPad's laptop replacement credentials in 2025

iPadOS 26 continues Apple’s long, slow march toward making the iPad a true productivity machine. Stage Manager is no longer a janky compromise for windowing, but a genuinely useful tool for managing multiple app windows. This is further bolstered by external display support, which now feels native rather than bolted on.

Professionals forever frustrated by the rudimentary Files app on iPadOS now have robust options with an improved List view, custom folders, Dock integration, and blessedly drag-and-drop support. The improved background tasks allow for large file exports that can be tracked via Live Activities, giving you a real-time view of what's happening with your files.

Speaking of drag-and-drop, the menubar is essentially dragged and dropped directly from macOS into iPadOS. Options will be found in menus rather than buried in a Byzantine mess that requires half a dozen taps and swipes.

I'll grant you that it isn't an endless list of features, but these are so fundamental to using a laptop that any one of them was a dealbreaker when trying to use the iPad as a laptop previously.

Currently, the iPadOS 26 beta is still developer-only, but I'll be digging in to test it out early and often as we wait for the full release this fall. While I'm eager to try the iPad as a laptop experiment again, I'm still not sold that it will be the right option for most people.

iPad can't match MacBook battery life

While iPad performance has made huge strides over the years, along with feature updates, one aspect that has failed to advance is battery life, which is consistently one of the most important features to laptop buyers.

When Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPad at a special event on January 27, 2010, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, he emphasized that it could last an impressive 10 hours on a single charge. Apple could reuse that same slide for most of the iPad lineup in 2025.

In 2010, that outlasted the MacBook Air 13-inch (2010) by 3 hours and the MacBook Air 11-inch (2010) by 5 hours. In 2025, 10 hours doesn't hold a candle to the battery life of the current MacBook lineup.

Perennial powerhouses among the laptops with the best battery life, the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 boasts 15 hours and 30 minutes in our testing, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Pro hits an improbable 20 hours and 46 minutes.

Both outlast the iPad Air 11-inch M3, which lasted only 9 hours and 12 minutes. If you upgrade to the iPad Pro 12.9-inch M4, it comes much closer at 14 hours and 50 minutes. However, that upgrade will cost you, which takes me to another problem with the iPad as a MacBook replacement.

Priced to lose

Even if we stick to the iPad Air as our MacBook alternative, pricing isn't great. This is partially due to the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 returning to a starting price of $999 this year.

If you pair the 11-inch iPad Air M3 ($599) with the Magic Keyboard ($269), you already reach $868. Move up to the comparably sized 13-inch iPad Air M3 ($799); you're already over $ 1,000. That's also assuming you stick to the 128GB base models. Add another $100 to either model to match the 256GB of storage found in the base MacBook Air.

The aforementioned jump to the iPad Pro M4 12.9-inch M4 ($1,199) combined with the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro ($279) rockets you to a total of $1,478. You can find the MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 for less than that any day among our best MacBook deals.

Obviously, the best iPad deals will similarly slash the pricing on Apple's tablets, but you will still typically pay more for a comparable iPad plus accessories versus a MacBook Air.

If you are using the unique features of the iPad, whether that's the Apple Pencil Pro or just using the iPad without a keyboard as a touchscreen device, it's harder to quantify what that's worth to you. But if you are buying an iPad as a laptop replacement, it's certainly worth considering.

What's next for the iPad as a laptop replacement?

Apple is clearly hedging. It wants to maintain a world where the best option is to own both a MacBook and an iPad and benefit from their unique features. We make just enough progress each year to keep the dream alive, but there's always enough missing to stop most people from taking that leap.

So yes, the iPad with iPadOS 26 is better than ever. It may even be enough for students, casual users, or creators who travel light. But, even for people in those categories, the best laptop (or best MacBook to stay in the Apple ecosystem) may remain the better option. And if you’re a power user with demanding workflows or just someone who values flexibility over form factor, there is no question that a laptop remains the superior choice.

And at this point, I’m not sure Apple ever intends to change that.

MORE FROM LAPTOP MAG

• The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be the most beautiful phone to fail
• Amazon's next Prime Day sale starts July 8, here's what's new this year
• The next Xbox might be the strangest yet — and it could arrive soon

At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled its biggest iPadOS update yet, bringing the iPad platform closer than ever to being like a MacBook. But it doesn't seem that Apple plans on making the iPad your laptop replacement a possibility anytime soon.

WWDC was huge for iPadOS, and arguably it the upgraded iPad operating system was the highlight of the show. Along with the rest of Apple's operating systems, the new iPadOS will be numbered by year and have an all-new "Liquid Glass" look.

But looks aren't what makes the freshly minted iPadOS 26 such a huge step up for the iPad.

The latest version of iPadOS, expected to arrive this fall, comes shockingly close to being the update iPad users have longed for, making it all the more disappointing that Apple refused to push things further.

How close can iPadOS get to macOS without being macOS?

Apple announced some huge changes coming to iPadOS 26 during Monday's WWDC keynote, including some I've been hoping to see for a while now. Here's a quick look at the highlights:

• Stackable windows you can resize and move freely
• Mac-like mouse cursor
• Mac-style window buttons
• Menu bar on all windows
• Improved iPadOS Files app
• Improved window tiling
• Background tasks (i.e. exporting a video)
• Local audio/video capture
• Addition of Preview app from macOS

These changes might seem small, but they could make the iPad user experience more fluid, functional, and... Mac-like. Some of these features are pulled directly from macOS, which Apple compared during the presentation.

iPadOS 26 is obviously intended to take the iPad in a more Mac-inspired direction. That just makes it even more perplexing that iPadOS still exists.

iPads and MacBooks have never been more similar. They're even using the same M-series processors! iPadOS 26 will introduce a more Mac-like UI tailored to people who use their iPad with a Magic Keyboard (which can be pricey, but I have to admit it's a pretty good experience).

We've effectively reached a point where iPadOS 26 is turning the iPad into the de facto 2-in-1 MacBook.

It raises the question: Why not enable touch-input on macOS and put it on the iPad? After all, Apple specifically mentioned during its WWDC 2025 keynote that the Liquid Glass look will unify the visuals of all its operating systems, so iPadOS and macOS are already going to look virtually indistinguishable.

The core differentiating factor at this point is app compatibility. There's no clear reason why the M-series iPads can't run the same apps as the M-series MacBooks besides iPadOS.

Apple is effectively knee-capping its own premium iPads by not running macOS on them, and this becomes clearer the more iPadOS resembles macOS without being macOS.

Can an iPad ever compete with a MacBook? Not with this operating system

The introduction of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro (and now iPad Air) made it clear that Apple hopes you consider the iPad an alternative to the MacBook. iPadOS barreling toward a collision with macOS only reinforces that idea.

And yet, the iPad and the MacBook are still not truly comparable.

The iPad is in an awkward spot in Apple's lineup, especially the pricey iPad Pro (though it's frequently on sale). Thanks to iPadOS, the iPad Pro is essentially as expensive as a MacBook, yet not as capable in many ways.

With a few specific exceptions, if you want a device for getting work done, you get a MacBook. iPads are still generally considered entertainment devices, despite now having the same processors as MacBooks.

The iPad can potentially be Apple's version of a versatile 2-in-1 laptop, but that won't happen as long as it is limited to a mobile operating system rather than the full macOS experience.

So, iPadOS 26 is bittersweet for iPad fans. It comes close to what the iPad truly needs, yet still falls short.

More from Laptop Mag

• WWDC 2025 LIVE: The latest updates from Apple on iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apps
• Apple is finally giving iPadOS one of the updates it desperately needs — here are the highlights from WWDC 2025
• I found the 35 best Apple deals in June 2025

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote presentation on Monday featured a slew of announcements, including one of the updates iPadOS has needed for a long time now.

The question is, are all the updates in the newly-renamed iPadOS 26 enough to finally make the iPad a true laptop replacement? We'll have to wait until we can go hands-on with iPadOS 26, but it certainly looks more like macOS than ever before.

Here's a look at the new-and-improved iPadOS, when you can try it out on your iPad, and everything you need to know.

See also: Best Apple deals in June 2025

Finally, the iPadOS update we've been waiting for

Apple's keynote presentation at WWDC showed off its revamped aesthetic, "Liquid Glass," for all of its operating systems, which will now all be numbered by year (i.e. "iPadOS 26"). On top of the glassy new look, iPadOS is also receiving a long-awaited update: improved windowing and tiling, along with a Mac-like trackpad cursor.

The result is an iPadOS that appears to function more like macOS than ever before.

With iPadOS 26, you'll be able to resize app windows, stack them, and move them freely around your screen. Apps will still launch in the default full-screen mode like they currently do, but now you will also see a little icon in the bottom right corner of each app window that you can tap and drag to resize it.

You're not limited to the pre-made tiles anymore, either. iPadOS 26 will allow you to freely resize windows to whatever dimensions you want. Tiling is still an option, though, and iPadOS 26 will include more pre-made tiling layouts.

Plus, when you have a mouse or trackpad connected to your iPad, like the Magic Keyboard, the mouse cursor will look like a normal arrow in iPadOS 26, rather than the circle you currently see.

That might seem like a minor change, but it will help make navigating iPadOS with a mouse or trackpad much more precise (besides that it just looks better). With a trackpad connected, you will even see the red-yellow-green Mac buttons for closing and minimizing windows.

As someone who often travels with an iPad rather than a laptop, I'm excited for these changes and hope they work as well as advertised. The question remains, though: Will any amount of iPadOS changes make the iPad a true MacBook replacement?

Is better windowing enough to make the iPad a true laptop replacement?

I love my iPad, but it's no laptop. In some ways, that's a good thing. For instance, taking notes or drawing with my Apple Pencil is an infinitely better experience on the iPad than trying to do the same things with a stylus on a 2-in-1 laptop, which is always going to be a bit heavier and bulkier than a tablet.

Apple doesn't offer a 2-in-1 laptop, though, and doesn't seem particularly interested in giving the MacBook a touch screen, so the iPad has become its substitute for a 2-in-1.

I've tried replacing my laptop with an iPad multiple times. It isn't as clunky as some might expect, but I still tend to find myself longing for a laptop.

These new windowing updates in iPadOS 26 will address some of my issues. For instance, multi-tasking in iPadOS can be awkward due to the limited tiling options. The new windowing system gives you the freedom to organize and size your app windows however you want, much like on a laptop.

The improved cursor and window controls are helpful additions, as well. They're minor changes, but signal some level of recognition from Apple that people want to be able to use their iPads to get work done like on a MacBook.

With all that said, I'm still skeptical that a large number of people are going to consider an iPad and a MacBook as equal options, mainly because the iPad is still limited only to iPadOS apps, which are generally more like iOS apps than macOS apps. Of course, that's not exactly something Apple can change since it falls largely on third-party app developers.

Even so, the more iPadOS mirrors macOS, the more app compatibility is going to become the deciding factor for users.

iPadOS 26 compatibility and release date

Luckily, Apple isn't gatekeeping the new windowing and tiling features behind its more expensive iPads. They'll be available on any iPad that that can run iPadOS 26, which will likely include all but the oldest iPads compatible with iPadOS 18 (the current version).

Apple hasn't released the official compatibility list yet, but it will include the iPad Mini 7 and the latest base iPad 11, the latter of which is especially important to note. This means you can get a budget-friendly Mac-like experience on the base iPad 11 with the Magic Keyboard Folio.

I was surprised how much I liked using this setup in my review of the iPad 11 and I could see it being a great option for students or budget-conscious users. The new windowing updates coming to the full iPad line-up means that the user experience on the budget-friendly iPad won't get knee-capped in an attempt to get you to buy an iPad Air.

If you want to see what iPadOS 26 is like for yourself, the best way to try it out early is by signing up for Apple's Beta Software Program. The public betas for all of Apple's new operating systems will be available in July, so if you sign up now you'll automatically get an option to install the beta version of iPadOS 26 on your iPad when it's available (assuming, of course, that your iPad is eligible for the update).

The full release of iPadOS 26 will be sometime this fall, although Apple has not announced a specific date yet. We'll be covering all the latest updates and analysis of Apple's revamped operating systems in the weeks and months ahead, so stay tuned for more!

More from Laptop Mag

• The iPad 11 is the best budget-friendly tablet you can buy, but there are two big drawbacks
• iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Which affordable iPad is the best value?
• I spent a week gaming on the iPad Mini 7 — is it a handheld gaming PC rival?

The Memorial Day weekend sales continue, and it's not just for laptops. Tablets are also on sale, including ones that just came out.

Apple released its newest iPad 11th Generation in March, and it is once again on sale for a great price. The 11th-generation Apple iPad with an A16 chip is on sale at Amazon for $299. This is one of the lowest prices around for the iPad 11, and it's a great buy for those who are traveling over the summer and need a tablet to entertain themselves.

Browse: Amazon's entire Memorial Day sale

See also: Best Apple deals in May2025

As is the case with Apple iPads, you can't go wrong with them. The iPad 11 is one of the best tablets for those who don't want to dole out big money for an iPad Pro.

The 11th-generation Apple iPad is a slight improvement over the iPad 10, which was powerful for its price, thanks to the A14 chip performance. It also has a great Liquid Retina screen with True Tone technology and loud speakers. Despite its subpar battery life (11 hours), we gave Apple's previous-gen iPad 4 out of 5 stars and our Editor's Choice Award co-sign.

Powering the iPad 11 is the A16 chip, and it supports Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil USB-C, and Apple Pencil 1st gen. A downside of this iPad is the 128GB storage, so keep that in mind if you're planning on buying. The iPad 11 also supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster internet while streaming as well as USB-C charging.

Amazon's Memorial Day deal for the iPad 11

Finding budget-friendly tech that's actually worth your money can be tricky, which is why you need to be careful if you're searching for a new iPad.

The cheapest iPad in Apple's current lineup is the iPad 11, but the previous version, the iPad 10, is still available at plenty of other retailers. Whether you found a great iPad deal on the iPad 10 and are considering it or already have an iPad 10 currently, like I do, and find yourself wondering if upgrading is worth it.

After using both of these iPads extensively, I can confidently say there are some major differences, even though the iPad 11 and iPad 10 look identical on the surface.

You don't want to waste your money buying the wrong one when you can get one of the best tablets at an affordable price. So, here's a deep dive into the iPad 11 vs. iPad 10 to help you choose the right one.

See also: Best tablet deals in May 2025

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Price and configurations

At first glance, the iPad 11 and iPad 10 are nearly indistinguishable. They have the same price, screen size, and dimensions. As you might expect, the iPad 11 has a newer processor, but the most important change is the storage.

Apple increased the base storage on its base iPad from 64GB on the iPad 10 to 128GB on the iPad 11. So, the 11th-gen model offers twice as much storage for the same starting price.

While the newer processor, increased RAM, and longer battery life are all great perks of the iPad 11, the storage bump is a deal-breaker here. If you're buying a new iPad right now, there's virtually no reason to go with the iPad 10 over the iPad 11 due to the difference in base storage alone.

If you can find the iPad 10 at a steep discount and don't need much storage, there might be a case for the 10th-gen model. However, even then, there are other factors that make the iPad 11 a better value for your money.

Winner: iPad 11

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Design and accessories

You'll have a hard time telling the iPad 11 and iPad 10 apart side-by-side. In fact, they have precisely the same chassis. Apple didn't make any noticeable design changes to the iPad 11. Technically, its display is a hair larger at 11 inches instead of 10.9, but you would never know by looking at it.

There's nothing wrong with the design here. It's polished, straightforward, and looks good for the price. As the saying goes, if it's not broken, don't fix it. Both generations are even available in the same colors: silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

While design overhauls can be exciting, the identical designs, in this case, are good if you currently have an iPad 10 and are thinking about upgrading. This means that all of your current accessories will also work with the iPad 11, including the Magic Keyboard Folio and the Apple Pencil USB-C.

I've really enjoyed using both of these accessories, although admittedly, I wish the iPad 11 was compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, even if only to finally standardize Apple Pencil compatibility.

If you're going to get an Apple Pencil for the iPad 11 or iPad 10, don't get the Apple Pencil 1st Generation. Apple still advertises it as compatible with the base iPad, but it's not worth your money. The Apple Pencil USB-C is a better accessory for either iPad, and you would need an adapter just to connect the old 1st-gen Pencil to any modern iPad.

All of that to say, design isn't a deal breaker between the iPad 11 and iPad 10, and if you currently have an iPad 10, you won't need to buy new accessories.

Winner: Tie (they're the same)

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Battery life

Battery life was one of the most significant improvements I noticed in the iPad 11 over the iPad 10. It lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes in our battery life test, a decent lead over the iPad 10's time of 10 hours and 57 minutes. It's not a huge difference, but it's enough to give the iPad 11 an edge.

I used the iPad 11 for work, web browsing, streaming videos, and casual gaming, and was usually able to get through a full day on a single charge. If you're planning to use this as your daily driver, that extra half hour of battery life on the iPad 11 could come in handy.

Winner: iPad 11

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Display

Since the iPad 11 and iPad 10 feature the exact same chassis, it might not come as a surprise that they also have effectively the same size display. Technically, the iPad 11's display is 0.10 inches larger, but you would never notice. Both iPads sport 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina IPS panels with LED backlighting.

While they look virtually identical on paper (and in person), the iPad 11's display showed a slight edge in our tests. Both displays looked great in my hands-on use, with vivid colors, smooth animations, and good contrast. Everything from games to webpages looks clear and colorful on both iPads.

However, the iPad 11 performed a bit better across the board in our display tests, giving it a narrow win in this category.

Winner: iPad 11

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Performance

The iPad 11 has a clear edge over the iPad 10 in terms of overall performance, thanks to its newer processor and higher RAM. The iPad 10 launched in 2022, so its A14 Bionic chip is getting pretty dated. The iPad 11 has a much more recent A16 chip, also seen in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.

Unfortunately, the iPad 10 was released so long ago that we tested it with an older version of our main performance benchmark, Geekbench. So, we can't directly compare its Geekbench score to that of the iPad 11. Luckily, a couple of other tests point to a clear winner when it comes to performance.

The iPad 11 scored 100 points higher on the Jetstream 2 web browsing benchmark and completed the Adobe Premiere Rush video exporting test faster than the iPad 10. It's not a huge performance gap, but it's enough to make a difference if you're buying a new iPad. If you currently have an iPad 10, it may still be worth upgrading if you often use your iPad for tasks like video or photo editing and gaming.

Additionally, the newer A16 chip in the iPad 11 will also receive software updates for a few years longer than the iPad 10. Unfortunately, neither of these iPads is compatible with Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI platform. For that, you'll need at least an iPad Mini 7.

Winner: iPad 11

iPad 11 vs iPad 10: Gaming and graphics

One of the biggest advantages the iPad 11 offers over the iPad 10 is its superior gaming performance. Mobile gaming is one of my main uses for my iPad, so I immediately noticed the difference when playing some of my favorite games on the iPad 11.

For instance, in Hades I experienced zero lag, freezing, or stuttering on the iPad 11. My iPad 10 occasionally struggled with this, especially in rooms or zones with a lot of enemies. The iPad 11 also seemed to stay cooler during my hour-long gaming sessions.

Similarly, Katana ZERO, Wildfrost, and Death's Door all ran great on the iPad 11. They run fine on the iPad 10, too, but the performance is definitely a bit better on the 11th-gen model.

This showed in our tests, too. The iPad 11 scored nearly 3,000 points higher than the iPad 10 on the 3DMark Wild Life Original Unlimited graphics benchmark. It also had a higher average frames per second of 63.5 compared to the iPad 10's average of just 46.1. That's a noticeable difference if you often use your iPad for gaming, so the iPad 11 easily takes the win in this category.

Winner: iPad 11

Overall winner: iPad 11

If you're looking for an iPad on a budget or a new tablet in general, there's no doubt that the iPad 11 is one of the best values for your money on the market right now. Not only is it a better deal than the iPad 10, it's the best budget tablet you can buy.

While the iPad 11 features the same design and starting price as the iPad 10, it offers double the base storage, longer battery life, and significantly stronger gaming performance. So, if you're buying a new iPad, the iPad 11 offers better overall value than the iPad 10.

If you currently have an iPad 10, it may be worth trading in, especially if you frequently use your iPad for gaming (or other graphics-intensive tasks like digital art). If you have a 64GB model, you can also double your storage with a trade-in, and, as an added bonus, you'll get a few extra years of software updates and a little more battery life compared to the iPad 10.

If you're still trying to choose, you can visit our guide to the best tablets for even more top picks.

Sometimes, the best device for your money is actually the cheapest one.

The iPad 11 is the perfect example. It's Apple's least expensive iPad, but I'd argue it's also the best value for your money. It has some disadvantages compared to the more premium iPads, like a less powerful processor and less premium accessories. However, those are small compromises for the average user, so much so that you probably wouldn't notice the difference in everyday tasks.

I used the iPad 11 for work, gaming, reading, and streaming on Netflix for two weeks and was surprised by how solid it felt, considering it seems like a minimal upgrade over the iPad 10 on paper.

Don't judge this tablet by its chassis — the hardware inside got a noticeable upgrade that makes the iPad 11 one of the best tablets you can buy and a steal for budget users.

iPad 11: Specs (as reviewed)

iPad 11: Price and configurations

The iPad 11 is available in a few configurations, including Wi-Fi-only models starting at $349 and Cellular models starting at $499. You can choose from four colors, including blue, yellow, pink, and silver. Each model is also available in three storage configurations: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

This is Apple’s base iPad, so it’s designed to be the most affordable in the lineup. The 11th-generation model features the same price and design as the iPad 10th-generation, but there are a few improvements in terms of what you’re getting for your money.

Most notably, Apple increased the base storage in the iPad from 64GB to 128GB, which is a major upgrade. You’re now getting double the base storage for the same starting price of $349. The iPad 11 also sports a much newer A16 chip, which (as I’ll dig into below) significantly improves over the A14 Bionic chip in the 10th-gen iPad.

Our review unit is the silver Wi-Fi-only iPad 11 with 128GB of storage.

iPad 11: Design

Apple must have been living by the old adage of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” when designing the iPad 11. It sports effectively the same design as the 10th-gen model. Outside of their cases, I couldn’t tell the iPad 11 apart from my iPad 10.

That’s not to say this design is bad; it’s just nothing new. The display is a hair larger at 11 inches rather than 10.9, but the difference is indistinguishable. The chassis even measures exactly as the previous model. With that said, you really can't go wrong with this design. It's clean, straightforward, and reasonably thin, and lightweight for the price. If you get the iPad 11 in silver, it could even be mistaken for an iPad Air. Of course, the more colorful chassis options are fun, too (although a bit harder to match with a case).

In terms of screen size and dimensions, the iPad 11 sits in the middle of the iPad line-up, measuring 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches and weighing in at 1.05 pounds, putting it on par with the 11-inch iPad Air:

• iPad Mini 7 (8.3-inch display): 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches, 0.65 pounds
• iPad Air M3 (11-inch display): 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches, 1.01 pounds
• iPad Pro M4 (13-inch): 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches, 1.28 pounds

iPad 11: Battery life

Battery life is one of the iPad 11’s biggest strengths. It lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes in our testing, about half an hour longer than the iPad 10, a full hour longer than the iPad Mini 7, and nearly 2 hours longer than the iPad Air M3.

This means the iPad 11 delivers the longest battery life in the iPad lineup, second only to the iPad Pro M4. So, if battery life is your top concern, the iPad 11 delivers great value for your money.

It’s worth noting, though, that using the Magic Keyboard Folio with the iPad 11 drains battery life faster. I could still go a full day working on the iPad 11 with the Magic Keyboard without charging, but I always needed to recharge at the end of the day.

iPad 11: Display

The iPad 11 sports an 11-inch, 2360 x 1640, 60Hz Liquid Retina display that’s virtually identical to the display on the 10th-gen iPad. While the specs are the same, the iPad 11’s display offers a slight improvement in color quality and brightness.

Side-by-side with my iPad 10, I could hardly tell the difference, but the iPad 11’s display is slightly more vivid, with colors that are a tad brighter and richer.

Regardless of the quality improvement over the previous model, the iPad 11's display offers a solid all-around viewing experience for games, videos, and text. I noticed good contrast, smooth animations, and vibrant colors in everything from episodes of Supernatural to games like Hades and Katana ZERO.

In our testing, the iPad 11 featured slightly higher color gamut and display brightness scores than the iPad 10. While its display wasn’t as vivid as the iPad Mini 7 or iPad Air M3, the iPad 11 surprisingly sports a brighter display than its more premium siblings.

iPad 11: Magic Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil

The iPad 11 is compatible with all the same accessories as the iPad 10, including the Magic Keyboard Folio and the Apple Pencil USB-C. The downside is that the iPad 11 isn’t compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro. Frustratingly, it’s somehow still compatible with the antiquated Apple Pencil 1st Generation, though (which Apple doesn’t even sell anymore; besides that, you’d need an adapter just to connect it to the iPad 11).

While budget-conscious users are likely to need only the basic Apple Pencil USB-C, it’s still a bit frustrating that Pencil compatibility is not consistent across the entire iPad lineup. Even the iPad Mini 7 is compatible with the Pencil Pro.

With that said, I’ve been using the Apple Pencil USB-C for a couple of years and have been perfectly happy with it. It works great with the iPad 11, and it’s the ideal Pencil for anyone who wants to use their iPad to take notes or do a bit of casual doodling. Unless you mainly use your iPad for art, you probably don’t need the Pencil Pro.

The Magic Keyboard Folio is a surprisingly good accessory, as well. I generally don’t like kickstand keyboards like this one. I expected it to be a mushy, disappointing typing experience, but it’s much more solid than you’d think, delivering snappy, responsive keystrokes and seamless connectivity with the iPad.

Even mouse navigation with the built-in trackpad was much smoother than I expected. Plus, the Magic Keyboard Folio even has function keys. The only missing thing is keyboard shortcuts, which don't work in iPadOS.

I love this keyboard as an accessory, but I wish it was lighter and had a proper hinge or magnetic attachment inside to keep it shut when you have your iPad and keyboard closed. As it is, nothing is holding the keyboard shut when you fold your iPad down on it, so the whole thing will flop open if you pick it up by one half or the other.

iPad 11: Audio

The iPad 11 features landscape stereo speakers, two to each side, that offer a punchy, immersive audio experience. I normally use my iPad with my favorite pair of wireless earbuds, but if you prefer to use the speakers, they are plenty good enough for casual listening, for videos and games.

I used the speakers while watching an episode of Supernatural on Netflix and playing some Hades and found the audio clear and well-balanced. The energetic soundtrack in Hades had a good mix of bass and mids without drowning out dialogue or sound effects.

iPad 11: Performance

The iPad 11 is powered by Apple’s A16 chip, which was previously in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro. Interestingly, this is not the same A16 chip, though.

The A16 found in the iPhone featured a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, while the version in the iPad 11 sports a 5-core CPU and a 4-core GPU. For some reason, Apple gave the iPad 11 a less powerful version of an already outdated chip.

It’s also important to note that the A16 chip is not compatible with Apple Intelligence, which requires at least the A17 Pro or M1 chip. The iPad 11 is the only iPad that isn’t compatible with Apple Intelligence.

Despite those drawbacks, the iPad 11 had no trouble keeping up with my everyday tasks on it, including word processing in the Google Docs app, web browsing, streaming content on Netflix, and some casual gaming. Web pages and apps loaded quickly, and multi-tasking was fluid all around.

The iPad 11 performed noticeably faster than my iPad 10, as well, which showed in our test results, where it significantly outscored its predecessor across the board. There’s still an expected performance gap between the iPad 11 and the Mini 7 and Air M3, but it’s still a solid improvement if you’re upgrading from an older iPad on a budget.

iPad 11: Gaming and graphics

iPads have always been my favorite devices for mobile gaming, especially the iPad Mini 7. While the iPad 11 isn't quite as powerful as the Mini, it's no slouch either, delivering a smooth and enjoyable casual gaming experience that's a step up from the iPad 10.

I immediately noticed the improved graphics performance on the iPad 11 while playing Hades. While this game runs well overall on the iPad 10, I've noticed a bit of lagging now and then, particularly when rooms get crowded with enemies.

I didn't experience any lag or freezing at all on the iPad 11, though. Movement, load times, and combat were all perfectly smooth and responsive. The iPad 11 also stayed fairly cool during my gaming sessions (usually about 30 to 60 minutes).

The iPad can be a fun mobile gaming device that's especially handy if you travel, want a larger screen for mobile games, or are looking for something for your kids to game on. It's definitely best with a Bluetooth controller, though. I used a regular Xbox controller with my iPad without any issues.

The iPad 11 might not be the greatest iPad for gaming (I'd argue that title goes to the iPad Mini 7 thanks to its compatibility with the Razer Kishi Ultra), but it can keep up just fine with the vast majority of mobile games. If you want to play the rare AAA titles available on iPadOS, like Resident Evil 4 or Assassin's Creed Mirage, you should opt for an M-series iPad like the iPad Air M3 instead.

iPad 11: Cameras

The iPad 11 sports a 12MP wide main camera that supports 4K video up to 60 fps along with a 12MP landscape front-facing camera with Center Stage.

Most people are not buying an iPad for the camera, but there are situations where you might need it, like joining video calls or taking a photo of a document to mark up with the Apple Pencil. The cameras on the iPad 11 are perfectly fine for those uses, but the quality is nothing to write home about.

One key change from older iPads is the placement of the front-facing camera along the right edge of the iPad 11 rather than the vertical top edge. The iPad 10 had this orientation, too, and it’s much more convenient for FaceTime and other video calls than the portrait-oriented front-facing camera on older iPads.

iPad 11: iPadOS 18

Like all iPads, the iPad 11 comes with some standard apps pre-installed, such as Safari, Notes, and Maps. It includes Apple's standard limited one-year warranty, which you can extend with AppleCare+ for an additional $3.49 per month or $34.99 per year, giving you access to $29 repairs for screen damage or $99 for other accidental damage.

At the time of writing, the iPad 11 ships with iPadOS 18, which includes home screen and lock screen customization, a streamlined control center, and improvements to several default apps like Notes and Calculator.

For instance, the Notes app now has a handy Smart Script feature that can clean up your messy handwriting or even correct your spelling in handwritten text. The Calculator app also has a full scientific calculator now, which is a super helpful upgrade if you use your iPad as a work or school device.

While these features are nice updates, there is one new iPadOS feature you won't find on the iPad 11: Apple Intelligence. The iPad 11 does not have a powerful enough processor to run Apple's new AI platform. In fact, it's the only iPad in the current iPad line-up that doesn't have Apple Intelligence.

Bottom line

Despite a couple of drawbacks, the 11th-generation base iPad is still the best iPad for most people, thanks to a reasonable starting price with significantly more base storage, a newer processor, solid battery life, and decent performance for the price. While the iPad 11 might look identical to the iPad 10, it boasts some significant improvements in performance and battery life that make it a worthy upgrade and a great all-around budget pick.

The Magic Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil USB-C aren't perfect accessories, but they're better than you might expect and make a well-rounded package for students or anyone on a budget. However, it would be nice if Apple had made the iPad 11 compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro (and finally quit advertising the discontinued Apple Pencil 1st Generation). It's high time for Apple Pencil compatibility to get standardized across the iPad lineup.

The only other notable drawback to the iPad 11 is the lack of support for Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of AI features (which, at the time of writing, are still rolling out). The iPad 11 is the only iPad that can't run Apple Intelligence, which may be a letdown for some users. If that's a deal breaker for you, you would be better served with the iPad Mini 7 or the iPad Air M3.

However, those drawbacks aside, the iPad 11 is the ideal tablet for most people, balancing the basic features the average user needs with a reasonable price and decent accessories. Unless you absolutely need the top-tier performance from an M-series chip, the iPad 11 is the best budget-friendly tablet you can buy.

It's travel season so chances are you're considering buying a portable tablet to keep you busy on a long flight or train ride , the iPad 10 makes a great traveling companion. Although recently dethroned by the iPad 11, the 2022 iPad 10 is still one of the best tablets for most people.

Budget-wise, it's the cheaper iPad Air or iPad Pro alternative for Apple users.

Amazon continues to offer the 256GB model iPad 10 for just $349. It usually retails for $499, so that's a hefty $150 discount. This marks a historic new price low for a 10th-generation iPad with this much storage.

Browse: Amazon's entire sale

As a deals expert, I track iPad deals all year round, and this is one of the best I've seen outside of the holiday season.

Apple’s 10th Gen iPad is a powerful tablet that performs well, surpassing competitors in productivity-adjacent tasks. In our iPad 10 review, we rated it 4 out of 5 stars and gave it our Editor's Choice Award for its powerful performance, solid display, and killer speakers.

We also liked its nifty Apple Pencil, which you can bundle with your iPad 10 for $66 more ($13 off).

You may also convert the iPad 10 into a mini laptop by pairing it with the optional Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for $239 or the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case for $139 ($20 off).

Another standout Apple deal offers the latest iPad 11 with 128GB of storage for $326 ($23 off) at PC Richard. Although it bumps you up to an A16 chip, you're getting half the storage.

By comparison, Amazon's 256GB iPad 10 deal is $92 cheaper than PC Richard's current price for the 256GB iPad 11.

Now $150 off, the iPad 10 is a wise choice if you're shopping around for a versatile, travel-friendly device.

Today's best iPad 10 deal

Apple iPads are not the darling tech product they used to be.

What started off as this fascinating idea of a large device with an amazing display that could do everything your iPhone does and more became more synonymous over the years with the thing you give to a child so they'll be quiet.

Apple continues to give the iPads a lot of power. The recently released iPad 11 uses the same processor found on the iPhone 15, has 128GB of storage, and a 10.8-inch LED display. The iPad Pro M4 has power on par with the latest MacBooks. Even the iPad Mini is finding more uses thanks to cloud gaming. Yet they all still have the issue of not being a device to properly replace a laptop or computer.

That notion, however, might finally change with the release of iPadOS 19, as reported by Bloomberg on Sunday.

The new software for the iPad, which should be out later this year, will reportedly be a huge upgrade for the tablet that will focus on productivity, multitasking, and app window management. According to the report, these changes in iPadOS would make the iPad feel more like a Mac.

However, this will not be equivalent to having macOS on an iPad. It's clear that Apple still wants customers to buy an iPad and a MacBook, and not have one device do all the work.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Will the iPad get a new life at WWDC?

The next iPadOS will likely get its reveal at the Worldwide Developers Conference starting on June 9. Apple holds this event annually to show off its latest software for its devices, which usually receives its own show in September. This show in the fall is typically when Apple shows off the next iPhone; this year it'll be the iPhone 17 and maybe its new Air variant that is much thinner than previous iPhones.

This year's WWDC could be a big one for Apple. The company is currently struggling to develop its AI.

Last October, Apple launched its Apple Intelligence, which was supposed to incorporate AI into the iPhone ecosystem to summarize texts and do some photo editing. While those features have rolled out, it's done so on a very slow basis. Apple Intelligence has come to other Apple devices, including the Vision Pro VR headset.

Still, the big goal for Apple was to release an overhauled Siri. This change in the assistant was to make it more of a proper AI assistant that could understand requests based on app interactions. These would be tasks such as creating a reminder for an event based on an email conversation or identifying what song you want to play based on texts with a friend.

This new Siri was supposed to debut in the spring, but Apple made the announcement last month that it was being delayed. After a shakeup with the company executives in charge of the effort, the overhauled Siri should be getting a reveal in the fall, and if it does, it will probably be shown along with the iPhone 17.

I've been gaming on the iPad Mini 7 with a Razer Kishi Ultra controller for the past week and it's easily the best mobile gaming experience I've ever had, so good that it makes me look twice at handheld gaming PCs.

When you think about a gaming device, an iPad probably does not come to mind. Tablets are still no competition for the best gaming laptops, but mobile gaming is a different story. Handheld gaming PCs have become much more popular over the past few years, while more PC and console games have come to iOS. Cloud gaming spices up the competition even more since it allows you to play a wide library of PC and console games from any internet-connected device, even a phone or tablet.

All of that means gaming on an iPad can be a much more impressive experience than you might expect. But is it robust enough to compete with handheld gaming PCs and cloud gaming devices? My experience gaming on the iPad Mini 7 surprised me and highlighted how far mobile gaming has come, and how far it has left to go.

Gaming on iPadOS: The good, the bad, and the... odd

No matter how good an iPad is, it still has a much smaller library of AAA games than a PC, however, it isn't limited to quick mobile games like Candy Crush, either.

Gaming has improved significantly on the iPad since Apple introduced its M-series chips to the iPad Pro and iPad Air. These are the same chips that power Macs, putting them leagues ahead of the processors in most other tablets and opening the door for more resource-intensive AAA games to get iPadOS ports.

For instance, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Sid Meier's Civilization VI, and Resident Evil 4 are all available on iPadOS. Netflix has also been porting over a growing number of desktop games including Hades, Death's Door, and Dead Cells. Many indie games have gotten iPad releases, too, such as Dredge and the Kingdom series. These are great games that were designed for PC and console, so it's exciting seeing more and more available on mobile devices.

On top of all that, Apple Arcade is bringing even more mainstream games to iPadOS, like Disney Dreamlight Valley. While I've found some good games on Apple Arcade, they're often slightly different from the original or renamed to differentiate them from the standalone full price mobile version of the game (i.e. Stardew Valley and Stardew Valley+).

It's not a perfect comparison to PC gaming, though. Touch controls are finicky and awkward, especially on games that were designed for a keyboard and mouse. Many games are still too demanding for devices without a dedicated GPU like the iPad. Plus, the only way to use most cloud gaming services, like Xbox Cloud Gaming, on iPad is through your browser, which is not exactly the most streamlined experience.

While that may not change any time soon, one key accessory can vastly improve the iPad gaming experience.

The Razer Kishi Ultra: A game changer for the iPad Mini 7

A great controller is a must-have for iPad gaming and I think I've found the best of the bunch. The Razer Kishi Ultra is a clip-on USB Type-C mobile controller with the design and performance of a fully-fledged console or PC controller. The buttons are wonderfully clicky, there's haptic feedback, the triggers are smooth and responsive, and it even has RGB light strips.

I've done a bit of gaming on my iPad 10 with a basic Xbox controller, but the Kishi Ultra far exceeded that experience. It's one of the best-feeling controllers I've ever used, period. It also makes the iPad Mini 7 a much more competitive device for gaming.

Hades is one of my favorite games and happens to be available on iOS now through Netflix. I liked it already on desktop, but was surprised to find myself enjoying it even more on the iPad Mini 7 with the Kishi Ultra. This tablet-controller combo features a better display and better buttons than the Nintendo Switch with surprisingly capable integrated graphics performance. Plus, the combo weighs the same or less than most handheld gaming PCs.

Hades isn't a graphically demanding game, but lag and stuttering can ruin it. I experienced none of that on the iPad Mini 7. It kept up superbly well without any stuttering, screen tearing, or long load times. The iPad Mini 7 clipped into the Kishi Ultra is also just plain fun. It's a lightweight, responsive, ergonomic handheld gaming combo that really takes mobile gaming to a new level.

I also played some Star Wars Hunters on the iPad Mini 7 and the Kishi Ultra made a world of difference in my gameplay. This game is designed for touch controls, but they're a far cry from the comfort and precision of a controller. Movement, aiming, and activating abilities were all much easier with physical buttons, especially without my fingers blocking parts of the screen.

The Kishi Ultra also pairs with the Razer Nexus app, which acts as a hub for all of your iPadOS games but also notably makes it much easier to do a little cloud gaming. You can connect your cloud gaming accounts within the Razer Nexus app, allowing you to access them all in one convenient spot.

Can the iPad Mini 7 compete with handheld gaming PCs?

I genuinely enjoyed gaming on the iPad Mini 7, much more than I expected to. The Razer Kishi Ultra played a big role in that, taking the whole experience to a new level that got me wondering — is the iPad Mini 7 a serious contender as a mobile gaming device? Could it even compete with handheld gaming PCs?

After gaming on the iPad Mini 7 for a week, I can safely say that the new-and-improved Mini offers a fantastic gaming experience but isn't quite ready to take on fully fledged handheld gaming PCs. Even so, it may be the better option for some gamers. For instance, if you're new to gaming or used to mobile gaming, the iPad Mini 7 + Razer Kishi Ultra combo could be much more approachable for you than a Windows-powered handheld gaming PC. That's especially true if you have a large library of games you've already purchased on the App Store.

So, while the iPad Mini 7 isn't going to be replacing my desktop gaming PC anytime soon, I will be reaching for it first when I want to play certain games, like Hades or Stardew Valley. As integrated graphics and mobile gaming continue to improve, the iPad Mini could become a must-have for gaming on the go.

More from Laptop Mag

• I revived my ancient HP laptop with Linux — and it was easier than you think
• I “downgraded” to the iPhone 16e from an iPhone 16 Pro. Here’s what happened.
• I used ChatGPT as a Dungeons & Dragons roleplay coach and I’ve never felt more confident

I was skeptical about switching from my usual iPad 10 to the iPad Mini 7, but after two weeks with the Mini I'm reluctant to go back to a larger display.

The iPad Mini is in a peculiar spot in Apple's iPad lineup. It's more expensive than the base iPad and less expensive than the iPad Air, but it has a smaller display than both. It's not ideal for power users like the iPad Pro and isn't trying to replace your laptop. So, what is it for?

That's what I asked myself as I tested out the new-and-improved version of Apple's tiny-but-mighty iPad Mini, which last received a refresh in 2021. The iPad Mini 7 surprised me in a few ways, including one strength I wasn't expecting.

After using the Mini as my main tablet for a couple of weeks, I know exactly who this tablet is for, and it truly shines in a few key ways that set it apart beyond its size.

iPad Mini 7: Specs (as reviewed)

iPad Mini 7: Price and configurations

The iPad Mini 7 is available in several configurations starting at $499. It comes in four colors: Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. The base model includes 128GB of storage, but you can upgrade to 256GB ($599) or 512GB ($799). Those prices are for the wifi-only models, but all are also available with cellular connectivity for an additional $150.

Our review unit is the base wifi-only model with 128GB of storage in Space Gray.

iPad Mini 7: Design

The iPad Mini 7 has the same overall design as the iPad Mini 6 (2021). There are some tweaks, but they're minimal.

One major change to the refreshed iPad Mini is Apple Pencil support. It includes the new magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil Pro, which boasts a slew of new features like hovering and squeeze controls. The downside is that the iPad Mini 7 isn't compatible with the Apple Pencil 2nd generation (or the even older 1st generation model), so you may need to trade in your older Pencil for the Pencil Pro or the Pencil USB-C.

While Apple moved the front-facing camera on its other iPads, it's still on the top edge of the iPad Mini 7, meaning it's designed to be used in portrait mode. It's also worth noting that the iPad Mini 7 doesn't have a three-pin Smart Connector like the larger iPads, so if you want to connect a keyboard you'll need to go with a Bluetooth one like the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2.

The only thing I didn't like about the iPad Mini 7's design is the placement of the volume buttons on the top edge, across from the power button. I kept subconsciously reaching for the volume button on the left edge like on my larger iPad 10. However, the iPad Mini is so small that the volume buttons can't be on that edge or they get in the way of the Apple Pencil when it's magnetically attached. Still, reaching for the volume buttons along the shorter top edge of the Mini is a bit awkward.

The iPad Mini 7 has the exact same dimensions as the previous model, measuring 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches and weighing 0.65 pounds. To put that into context, here's how the larger iPads compare:

• iPad 10 (10.9-inch): 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches, 1.05 pounds
• iPad Air M3 (11-inch): 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches, 1.01 pounds
• iPad Pro M4 (12.9-inch): 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.2 inches, 1.28 pounds

iPad Mini 7: Battery life

The iPad Mini 7 is ultraportable, so great battery life is a must for maximizing its value. Luckily, it performed well in our tests, lasting 10 hours and 28 minutes. That's a bit shorter than the base iPad 10's battery life but almost an hour longer than the iPad Air M3 (11-inch).

On the iPad Mini 7, I went two or sometimes even three days between charges when using it for lightweight tasks like web browsing or reading ebooks. Of course, the battery drains faster during gaming, but not as fast as I expected. I could play an hour of Hades or Monument Valley 3 and only lose about 10% of the battery.

The iPad Mini 7 also recharges quickly. During our testing, 30 minutes of charging brought the Mini from 0 to 34% of its full battery capacity. That's more than the base iPad 10, iPad Air M3, or iPad Pro M4, likely because the Mini has a smaller battery than its larger siblings.

iPad Mini 7: Display

The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display on the iPad Mini 7 looks and feels fantastic, with vibrant colors, good contrast, and excellent text readability. It has just the right amount of screen real estate to balance portability and functionality — larger than your phone but not as big as a laptop.

This display size was perfect for reading ebooks on the Kobo app. It's small enough to be much more comfortable to hold than a larger tablet while offering more features than an ereader. I never noticed any lag or stuttering while web browsing, streaming videos, or gaming.

The iPad Mini 7 performed well in our display tests, coming in just a few points behind the iPad Air M3 across the board. It gets fairly bright at 480 nits, which was plenty for me, and scored on par with the iPad Air M3 and iPad Pro M4 on our color gamut tests. So, while this display may be smaller, it's not cutting corners on quality compared to the larger iPads.

iPad Mini 7: Audio

The iPad Mini 7 has a quad speaker setup, with two landscape stereo speakers on each of its shorter edges. These speakers sounded great in my testing, especially during gaming, where they can deliver a surprisingly immersive audio experience.

For instance, the music and ocean sound effects in Dredge were rich and atmospheric on the iPad Mini 7. Similarly, the high-energy, punchy Hades soundtrack was crisp and detailed with an excellent balance of bass, mids, and highs.

The iPad Mini 7's stereo speakers are also great for watching movies and TV shows. I watched my weekly Survivor episode on the Mini and the background ambiance of Fiji sounded rich and immersive with clear dialogue from Jeff and the players.

iPad Mini 7: Performance

While the iPad Pro and iPad Air are often marketed as laptop replacements, the iPad Mini is designed more for entertainment and casual use. Even so, its A17 Pro processor is no slouch. The iPad Mini 7 had no problem keeping up with everything from web browsing to gaming to some doodling in Procreate with the Apple Pencil Pro.

Even if you have the iPad Mini 6, the new model is a major upgrade. The A17 Pro chip is two generations newer than the A15 chip in the 2021 model. It's especially important to note that the A17 Pro supports Apple Intelligence, which is only available on Apple Devices with the A17 Pro chip or above (or M-series chips in the case of the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and Macs). While Apple is facing delays rolling out some key Apple Intelligence features, it's still worth considering upgrading to the iPad Mini 7 if you're interested in AI.

The iPad Mini 7 performed fairly well in our benchmark tests, landing between the iPad Air M3 and the base iPad 10, which is also where it fits into the iPad line-up in terms of price. The Mini's performance scores aren't far behind the iPad Air in most categories, like web browsing and video editing. So, if you're between the two and want a smaller screen, the iPad Mini 7 may be the perfect fit without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.

iPad Mini 7: Gaming and graphics

Gaming was by far my favorite use for the iPad Mini 7. That surprised me because I've never been particularly interested in mobile gaming. However, it has gotten a lot better recently with more ports of PC games coming to mobile devices, like Hades and Dredge, a couple indie favorites of mine.

There are even some AAA games making their way to the App Store, like Assassin's Creed Mirage. Plus, cloud gaming allows you to stream more demanding PC games to your iPad as long as you have an internet connection.

Gaming on the iPad Mini is a surprisingly satisfying experience, especially with a mobile controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra. This controller is the perfect companion for the iPad Mini 7, with the snappiest, clickiest buttons I've ever used. It was a breeze to connect, too. You just plug it into the USB-C port on the iPad Mini, which also allows for passthrough charging. The Mini and the Kishi Ultra together are about the same size as a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.

The Mini boasted smooth, snappy game performance with the Kishi Ultra in all of the games I tried. In fact, Hades ran so well on the Mini that I found myself enjoying it more than playing the same game on my desktop. The controls were quick and responsive, and I noticed zero lag or screen tearing. The punchy soundtrack and crisp combat audio effects sounded fantastic, and the display rendered the vibrant graphics in rich color. Overall, it was a great gameplay experience.

Although the iPad Mini 7 is not marketed as a gaming device, it's such a joy to use with a controller like the Kishi Ultra that it could be a surprising competitor to handheld gaming PCs. It's much lighter than one and more approachable for people who are new to gaming or used to mobile gaming.

Of course, it can't natively run PC games, but if you want a versatile mobile device that can deliver a fun cloud or mobile gaming experience, the iPad Mini 7 is tough to beat.

iPad Mini 7: Camera

iPads aren't the most ergonomic devices for photography, but their cameras can come in handy for things like scanning documents to write on with the Apple Pencil or jumping into FaceTime calls. The basic front and back cameras on the iPad Mini 7 are more than powerful enough for those everyday tasks.

It has a 12MP Center Stage front-facing camera with 1080p video at up to 60 FPS. Notably, it's in portrait orientation, meaning the camera is on the "top" edge of the screen when you're holding the iPad vertically. The rear camera is a 12MP Wide lens that can record 4K video at up to 60 FPS.

My test photos and videos on the Mini looked sharp and clear with good color accuracy and solid audio. The quality is on par with the cameras on my iPhone 12 Mini.

iPad Mini 7: Software and warranty

Like most iPads, the iPad Mini 7 has a suite of standard Apple apps pre-installed like Safari, Notes, and Maps. It also includes Playground, which is Apple's new AI image generation app. You can generate images with text prompts or combine pre-made themes, costumes, accessories, and places. It's one of the early Apple Intelligence features to roll out, with more on the way over the coming months and years.

The iPad Mini 7 includes Apple's standard limited one-year warranty, which you can extend and expand with AppleCare Plus for $3.49 a month or $34.99 a year, giving you access to $29 repairs for screen damage or $99 for other accidental damage.

Bottom line

The iPad Mini 7 is a mobile entertainment powerhouse in a lightweight, ultraportable chassis. Its stellar display and fantastic audio make for an immersive experience watching movies or playing games, especially with a compatible controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra. While the iPad Pro and iPad Air aim to replace your laptop, the iPad Mini sticks to what tablets are best for: entertainment and relaxation.

If you're looking for a tablet for mobile gaming, reading, and streaming movies and shows, the iPad Mini 7 is the way to go. Its smaller display makes it much more comfortable for those tasks than the larger iPads without sacrificing performance.

However, if you want to use your tablet for word processing, video editing, or work-related tasks, you should get the iPad Air or iPad Pro, which have more robust keyboard compatibility. That said, the iPad Mini 7 is a nice work companion for replacing paper notebooks, especially with the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Overall, the iPad Mini 7 is an excellent tablet for mobile entertainment, especially gaming. It's the perfect choice for anyone who wants a tablet for play instead of work.

Summer savings start now, and the best iPad deals right now are priced to impress. So if you've been holding off on buying an iPad due to price or gift shopping for a special occasion, I have good news.

Select iPads are up to $300 off at Amazon, up to $700 off at Best Buy, and up to $100 off at Walmart. Not to be outdone, B&H is slashing up to $400 off select iPad Pro tablets.

Right now, you can get the excellent iPad 11 for just $299 ($50 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.

Featuring a new A16 chip, the 11th generation delivers noticeably faster performance over the previous gen iPad 10. It also supports optional Apple accessories like Magic Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil USB-C, and Apple Pencil 1st gen.

As detailed in our iPad 11 review, we liked its powerful performance, strong graphics, and solid battery life. Although it lacks Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro, we gave it an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars and our Editor's Choice Award.

Despite its lack of Apple Intelligence support, the iPad 11 is the best tablet for most people. It's also the cheaper alternative to the iPad Air and iPad Pro.

Another iPad deal for those who want a portable MacBook-like device is the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro is down to $899 at Amazon ($100 off). Featuring Apple's blazing-fast 9-core M4 chip, the 2024 iPad Pro is up to 50% faster than the M2 iPad Pro and packs a GPU that's 4 times quicker. That means you can expect games and other graphics-heavy tasks to run smoother than ever before.

So, if you're looking for the best iPad deals right now for your spring tech refresh, you've come to the right place. Whether you want to buy an iPad for yourself or surprise someone for a special occasion, I'm here to help you lessen the hurt on your bank account.

Scroll on to see the best iPad deals right now.

Quick links

• iPad Cables & Chargers: from $13 at Amazon
• Apple Pencil USB-C: was $79 now $69 at Amazon
• Apple Pencil Pro: was $129, now $99 at Amazon
• Apple iPad 11: was $349 now $299 at Amazon
• Apple iPad mini 7: was $499 now $399 at Amazon
• Apple M3 iPad Air : was $599 now $499 at Amazon
• Apple M3 iPad Air 13: was $799 now $699 at Amazon
• Apple M4 iPad Pro: was $999 now $899 at Amazon
• Apple M4 iPad Pro 13: was $1,299 now $1,099 at Amazon
• Apple M2 iPad Pro 2TB: was $1,899 now $1,199 at Best Buy
• Shop: Today's best iPad deals at Amazon
• Shop: Today's best iPad deals at Best Buy
• Shop: Today's best iPad deals at Walmart

Best iPad deals right now — iPad

iPad mini

iPad Air

iPad Pro

iPad Accessories

 When is the best time to buy an iPad? 

iPad deals are a lot easier to find these days thanks to ongoing discounts available throughout the year. However, the best time to buy an iPad is typically during the later months of the year and Black Friday in particular. Around the holidays, we see the most competitive discounts among retailers and the lowest prices on Apple's premium tablets.

Other best times to buy an iPad are Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Amazon Prime Day, and back-to-school season.

 What is the best iPad to buy? 

Apple's latest iPad Air is the best iPad to buy and our number 1 pick for best overall tablet. It runs on Apple's old but still good M1 chip which makes it more than adequate for managing emails, socials, internet surfing, consuming content, gaming, and more.

Priced at $599 to start, you can usually find it on sale for $100 to $150 less.

What is the best budget iPad? 

Although overshadowed by the iPad 11, the 10th generation iPad is the best value iPad you can get.

In our iPad 10th gen review, we gave it a solid rating of 4 out of 5-stars and our Editor's Choice Award for good reason. We found its powerful performance, solid display, killer speakers, and useful Apple Pencil (sold separately) features impressive.

Could Apple's next iPad Pro feature a folding design? After more display specs leaked on Monday, the long-rumored folding iPad may still be in the works at Apple.

Weibo-based tipster Digital Chat Station — who has a record of leaking information about foldable tech — posted on the Chinese social media site that a prototype for a foldable 18.8-inch iPad includes an under-display FaceID sensor. Here's the full posting:

"Guoguo also has a Foldable iPad Pro, the engineering version has an 18.8-inch screen and uses a metal meta-lens. It mainly integrates Face ID Rx and Tx for under-screen 3D face recognition. Are you interested in a foldable tablet?"

If true, this update would confirm that Apple is still working on a foldable iPad. However, the post didn't go into further detail about the prototype, but this is not the first we've heard about it.

Rumors about a folding iPad or all-screen MacBook have been circulating for at least a year, especially since Apple filed a patent for a hinge for foldable displays in March 2024.

Of course, this hinge could be for an iPhone, but in May 2024, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that a much larger foldable device is in the works — a giant iPad or an all-screen MacBook. According to Kuo, the device will reportedly feature an 18.8-inch or 20.5-inch display, which would be similar to a 14-inch or 15-inch laptop when folded.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported similar rumors even more recently in December 2024, hinting that the mysterious foldable could be some sort of iPad-MacBook hybrid.

Monday's leak that this upcoming foldable may feature under-display FaceID could mean it won't have a camera notch, so it would be truly all-screen. It would make sense for Apple to pursue a notch-free design so the foldable can be used in portrait or landscape mode. However, this rumor is referring to a prototype, so the specs and features of the final design are still in flux.

However, at the very least this rumor seems to indicate that Apple is still working on a foldable iPad or MacBook of some kind. The question now is, when could it launch?

When could Apple release the foldable iPad Pro?

Apple has yet to officially confirm that it is developing a foldable iPad or all-screen MacBook. Rumors about this mysterious device indicate that it's still in the early stages of development. However, there have been some hints about when Apple might announce it.

Kuo reported last year that "the target mass production schedule for the panel and assembly is 4Q25 and 1H26, respectively," referring to the 20.5-inch and 18.8-inch sizes. Kuo also predicted that the foldable will feature the M5 chip. For context, Apple's latest iPads and MacBooks are currently running on the M4 series chips. So, this means the foldable won't launch until at least 2026. If Kuo's predictions for the device's mass production timeline pan out, it might not launch until 2027.

Bloomberg's Gurman reported an even later launch window estimate of 2028. Gurman also predicted the foldable will ultimately run iPadOS, not macOS, meaning it will be more of a large, foldable tablet than a laptop.

It's too soon to say for sure what category Apple's all-screen foldable will fall into or exactly when it will launch, but it seems like we won't see it until 2027 at the earliest.

More from Laptop Mag

• All-screen foldable MacBook: Everything we know so far
• Where to preorder the M3 iPad Air and the best deals so far
• The iPad 11 is Apple's most unintelligent move in years — don't fall for it

Apple is known for its innovation. It is the company that turned a rectangle of glass into one of the most prized gadgets on the planet, after all. So, whenever the Cupertino-based company has new hardware to showcase, it's a pretty big deal. Following a successful reveal of the new iPhone 16E in February, Apple has returned to woo us with more wonderful tech revamps, including the new 11th-generation iPad.

The new base iPad offers the same processor found in the iPhone 15, and while that's plenty short of "cutting-edge" when it comes to Apple's Bionic chips, it's still a fair amount of performance to pack into a tablet priced at $349. Paired with its 10.8-inch LED display, 128GB of storage, and USB-C support, you have the makings of a perfectly fine tablet for casual users, students, youngsters, and more.

Except you don't. Apple's new base iPad has one glaring omission tied to its A16 Bionic processor, and it could make this model the fastest in Apple's recent catalog of fresh tablets to be rendered obsolete.

Unlike every other freshly minted model of iPad, the iPad 11 doesn't support the company's new headline Apple Intelligence suite, featuring many of the most exciting tools to arrive on iPadOS in recent years. The new iPad may seem like a steal, but you could be robbing yourself of the iPad's most exciting features by snapping one up.

iPad 11: An unintelligent distraction in an aluminum chassis

The lack of Apple Intelligence support for the iPad 11 may have passed some people by, and why wouldn't you expect it to support one of Apple's most pushed features? The A17 Pro Bionic outfitted iPad mini 7 and similarly entry-level positioned iPhone 16E with its A18 Bionic chipset both manage to support Apple's new suite of AI-centric tools, after all.

This makes the iPad 11 the only new Apple device to be left out in the cold when it comes to a growing collection of AI-backed features and leaves it potentially feeling obsolete before the new-car scent wears off.

Taking a step back, it's clear that the iPad 11's real purpose is to act as the small Coke of the iPad menu. A low-cost distraction designed to make the other options look all the more like a better deal. It exists only to make the simultaneously unveiled iPad Air M3 seem like a no-brainer — even if it isn't. Sure, the iPad Air gets a more considerable upgrade, but it's still labored with a chipset that is set to become two generations old following Apple's expected unveiling of M5-powered devices later this year.

To those unphased by the lack of Apple Intelligence, I ask you to think ahead to June's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) where Apple will no doubt offer a spectacular parade of new iPadOS 19 features, many of them likely banking on Apple Intelligence to power them, and none of them accessible to you.

In my opinion, the iPad 11, no matter how tempting of a purchase thanks to its affordable pricing, should be avoided at all costs. What you save in dollars now, will only come back to sting you when you eventually want to upgrade to a device that's Apple Intelligence-ready.

If not the iPad 11, then what?

If you want to avoid the buyer's remorse that will potentially haunt the iPad 11, then perhaps allowing Apple to upsell you to an iPad Air or Pro isn't the worst decision. However, older models of the iPad Air and even the most recent iPad mini will both bring you into the Apple Intelligence fold for less.

Right now you can shave a few inches off of your expected screen size and nab the iPad mini 7 with its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and Apple Intelligence-ready A17 Pro chipset for just $399 at Amazon, $100 off of its typical $499 asking price.

If you really want to future-proof yourself, then the iPad Pro M4 is the clear option for making an investment right now that will last you for years. Right now, you can take advantage of a similar $100 discount, with the iPad Pro M5 (256GB) currently available at Amazon for only $899.

However, if that's still a little rich for your blood, there's always the new iPad Air M3. While it's a little less future-proof, Apple's M3 chip is plenty powerful to handle all of iPadOS' features and should have a decent shelf life when it comes to gaining from the latest Apple Intelligence tools.

It's a little more expensive than the iPad 11, but what you pay extra for now, will only add to the longevity of the device. You can pre-order the iPad Air M3 from Amazon now for $599.

That said, almost any M-series iPad is going to keep you under that Apple Intelligence umbrella for some time. So even the older iPad Air M2 makes for a solid purchase over Apple's latest standard iPad offering.

It's one of Apple's most unintelligent moves to release an iPad in this state, at a time when it's pushing its most intelligent features as a major selling point. Let's perhaps avoid making similarly unintelligent purchasing decisions in the aftermath.

More from Laptop Mag

• Best tablet deals in March 2025: Save $400 on Surface Pro 11 and more
• Tim Cook’s MacBook Air M4 teaser was actually… a new iPad Air?
• The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE just leaked and it might make you cancel your M3 iPad Air preorder

Apple finally unveiled its new product after stirring up excitement for the M4 MacBook Air, but it wasn't the product reveal many were hoping for.

Apple shared a press release this morning unveiling the 2025 iPad Air, now powered by an M3 chip. It sports the same design as the previous generation with the same starting prices of $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model. While the iPad Air M3 might not look different, it comes with a few nice upgrades, especially if you're currently using an older iPad.

The M3 chip offers the best graphics performance yet on the iPad, enough to run the handful of AAA games available on iPadOS. That graphics performance also comes in handy for anyone who uses their iPad for art, design, or video editing. According to Apple, the M3 chip delivers up to 40% faster graphics performance than the M1 chip.

It probably isn't a huge boost compared to the iPad Air M2 (which launched less than a year ago), but if you're considering upgrading an older iPad with an A-series chip, you'll definitely notice the difference.

Along with a chip upgrade, Apple also launched a new accessory for the iPad Air M3, a redesigned Magic Keyboard. It borrows the design from the new iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Apple launched last year, featuring a larger trackpad, an improved hinge, and a function row. The iPad Air version of this keyboard costs $30 less, but only comes in white.

The iPad Air M3 is available for pre-order starting today.

Apple quietly launches base iPad 11 alongside iPad Air M3

The iPad Air M3 wasn't the only device Apple announced today, although you'd be forgiven for missing the second announcement. Apple quietly unveiled an updated base iPad at the end of its press release for the iPad Air M3.

The base iPad 11 now features twice as much base storage, an 11-inch display (rather than 10.9-inch), and an A16 chip, the processor Apple used in the iPhone 15. It has the same starting price of $349 as the previous generation and comes in the same colors (blue, yellow, red, and silver).

While those upgrades are nice, it's worth noting that the base iPad is still not compatible with Apple Intelligence. It would need at least the A16 Pro chip to run Apple's on-device AI features, so it looks like the base iPad is getting left out of that for now. Additionally, the base iPad is still only compatible with the Magic Keyboard Folio, the Apple Pencil 1st generation, and the Apple Pencil USB-C (no floating Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro).

The iPad 11 is available for pre-order starting today.

Where's the MacBook Air M4?

On Monday, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a post on X that appeared to be a teaser for the highly-anticipated MacBook Air M4. So, many Apple fans may be disappointed that today's product launch wasn't a MacBook, but a pair of iPads.

It's only Tuesday, though. There's still a good chance Apple could launch the MacBook Air M4 this week. It's not uncommon for Apple to use smaller product launches to build up excitement for a bigger announcement, which could certainly be the case here. Plus, the MacBook Air is due for an update. Apple announced the MacBook Air M3 exactly one year ago today on March 4, 2024.

So, it probably won't be much longer before Apple unveils the MacBook Air M4. Even so, it is a bit frustrating seeing the iPad Air get an update after less than a year while the MacBook Air will now be left waiting over a year.

We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more news and updates on the MacBook Air M4, so stay tuned for more details.

More from Laptop Mag

• Tim Cook just gave us the biggest MacBook Air M4 clue we've seen yet
• Apple Intelligence just ran into more bad news — and Siri is the problem
• Apple is readying to announce a new MacBook this week, report says

iPad, youPad, we all Pad for iPads, and right now is the best time to iPad because Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale is on now, which includes discounts on just about every version of Apple's iconic tablet.

While you could go trudging through Best Buy's iPad sale all by yourself, we've decided that we'd be super cool and do it for you. Consider it our way of saying sorry for not getting you a Valentine's Day card. We've rounded up the best deals that we could find on a range of iPads, from the classic base model up to the swanky iPad Pro. Hell, we've even thrown in some deals on accessories.

If you're looking for a premium tablet, our favorite deal of the bunch has to be the $200 discount on the 13-inch iPad Pro M4, which is down to $1099. It's a beast of a tablet that puts many laptops to shame thanks to its lightning-fast performance and beautiful OLED display. The 11-inch version is on sale, too, but you're getting a bigger discount on the larger model, and we think it's worth the price jump.

If you're looking for more great tech deals this February, Best Buy is also having a huge laptop sale at the moment, so be sure to check out our Best Buy Windows laptop deals roundup if a new notebook is on your wishlist.

Best Buy Sale — Quick Links

• Apple iPad 10: Was $349 now $279
• Apple 11-inch iPad Air M2: Was $599 now $499
• Apple 13-inch iPad Air M2: Was $799 now $699
• Apple 11-inch iPad Pro M4: Was $999 now $899
• Apple 13-inch iPad Pro M4: Was $1299 now $1099
• Apple iPad mini 7 (A17 Pro chip): Was $499 now $399
• Apple Pencil Pro: Was $129 now $99
• Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air M2 (11-inch): Was $299 now $249
• Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad 10.9-inch: Was $249 now $199

Launched in May 2024, Apple's iPad Pro M4 is the most advanced tablet from the brand yet. If you want a portable M4 Macbook alternative, here's a deal you'll like.

Amazon continues to offer the base model 13-inch Apple iPad Pro M4 for $1,099 for Presidents' Day. That's a generous $200 discount, down from $1,299 and its biggest markdown yet! Not only is this the 13-inch iPad Pro M4's lowest price ever, it's also one of the best tablet deals I've seen since the holidays. Not to be outdone, Best Buy mirrors this deal.

If 256GB of storage doesn't cut it for you, Amazon offers the 512GB iPad Pro M4 for $1,299 ($200 off), the 1TB iPad Pro M4 for $1,699 ($200 off), and the 2TB iPad Pro M4 for $2,099 ($200 off).

The iPad Pro M4 is powerful enough to replace your laptop. Get yourself an iPad Magic Keyboard Case and convert it into a mini Macbook. Apple's blazing M4 9-core chip makes the newest iPad Pro 50% faster than the 2022 M2 iPad Pro. In terms of GPU performance, it's four times faster so expect graphics-intensive tasks to run smoothly.

At $200 off, the iPad Pro M4 is at its best price yet. It's a wise choice if you're looking for a super-portable laptop alternative.

Best 13-inch iPad Pro M4 deal

13-inch iPad Pro M4 Accessories

I love Apple tech, but I have to admit it can be pretty pricey. That's why I always look for good deals, so I can snag new Apple devices without paying the premium price at the Apple Store.

This weekend is a great time to pick up new Apple gear, thanks to fantastic discounts on everything from MacBooks to AirPods. I hand-picked the seven best Apple deals on Amazon right now, so you don't miss out on the best deals.

For example, the MacBook Air M2 is down to just $799 when you combine a 21% discount with a $149 coupon from Amazon! It's a fantastic bargain at that price, especially if you're looking for a budget laptop. While the M2 chip is a few years old, it still holds up well,, and you can expect several more years of updates from Apple.

If you're not in the market for a MacBook, you can still take advantage of some great deals on other products, including the AirPods Pro 2, iPad Air M2, and Apple Watch Series 10.

Best Apple deals on Amazon this weekend

I’ve always wanted a more portable device than a laptop to quickly write on whenever I want. However, I didn’t like the small screen of earlier iPad and iPad Air models, and the iPad Pro was too expensive. So, when Apple launched the 13-inch M2 iPad Air, I was overjoyed and immediately bought one. I also got the Magic Keyboard to turn it into a convenient typing machine.

However, after more than six months of ownership, I finally admit that replacing my MacBook Air with the iPad Air wasn’t a great decision. Although it has a few advantages, I wish I didn’t give up my laptop in favor of this tablet as my “just-in-case” device.

It’s heavier than my old M1 MacBook Air

The number one thing I had in mind when I bought my iPad Air was that it would be lighter than a laptop. While that is technically true, I did not realize that the Magic Keyboard is heavier than the tablet and would more than double the weight in my bag. I measured the weight of my 13-inch M2 iPad Air at home, which clocked in at 667 grams or about 1.5 pounds; this is about half the weight of the M1 MacBook Air, which measures 1,282 grams or over 2.8 pounds.

But when I checked the Magic Keyboard on my weighing scale, I was horrified that it came in at 695 grams or over 1.5 pounds. This is 28 grams (or nearly an ounce) heavier than the tablet itself, meaning the combined weight of both items equals 1,362 grams or about 3 pounds — this is some 80 grams or about 2.8 ounces heavier than my old laptop (which my wife now uses). It’s literally a pain in the neck to lug around in my shoulder bag.

This also makes it 134 grams or 4.8 ounces lighter than my 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, my main travel laptop. Despite the additional weight, my 15-inch M2 MacBook Air can do many other things that the iPad can’t. The only thing that stops me from substituting my MacBook Air for the iPad Air as my everyday carry is that it does not fit in my bag.

The 13-inch screen is still too small

I’ve always been a fan of large screens, as working on a small display puts me under eye strain and limits the number of things I can view simultaneously. I immediately grabbed the 13-inch M2 iPad Air when it became available. Before this, I used the 9.7-inch iPad 6th-generation, so the larger display of my new iPad was a total paradigm-shifter.

However, after several months of use, I found that even this larger display wasn’t enough for me. I usually work with two or more windows, so I frequently split the screen into several parts. When I have two apps open on the iPad Air, the text often becomes too small to read comfortably. I would increase the font or zoom size on the app, but it then limits my ability to scan the page.

This also affects the web pages I visit, with the small screen often cropping information that I need. So, instead of seeing everything at a glance, I have to swipe on the page to find what I need. The only advantage of my 13-inch M2 iPad Air over the newer MacBook Air models is that it doesn’t have a notch, allowing me to maximize my desktop real estate.

iPadOS is holding it back

Apple has equipped its iPad models, especially the Pro and Air, with formidable hardware. My iPad Air uses the Apple M2 chip and has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. That means it has the exact specifications as my 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, except for the SSD (my laptop has 256 GB), so I see no reason why the tablet cannot run macOS Sequoia.

However, Cupertino saw fit in putting a handicap on the tablet by putting iPadOS on it. This operating system has several limitations that prevent users from taking advantage of the Apple silicon found in the tablet. My biggest complaint is how Apple limits you to the App Store to install apps and programs on your tablet, especially now that an Apple silicon chip powers it.

I also have a pet peeve with the iPad’s round cursor when I use the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard (or any other mouse). It’s less accurate than the pointer you’d find on laptops, even though an iPad with a Magic Keyboard is essentially one. I feel that Apple is purposefully nerfing the iPad line so that it doesn’t cannibalize the sale of MacBooks.

I paid more to get less

My biggest regret with the iPad Air is that I paid more for fewer features and functionality. I spent $799 to buy the tablet and $349 to get the Magic Keyboard. This sums up to $1,148, whereas a 13-inch M2 MacBook Air now has a minimum of 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage, which only sells for $999. The newer 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with 512 GB of storage is a tad more expensive at $1,299.99, but you also get four times the space for your data.

With Apple rumored to launch the M4 MacBook Air soon, you should consider holding off buying the iPad Air with a Magic Keyboard (or any external keyboard), particularly if it drops the price of the M2 MacBook Air even further. Even if it releases a new M3 iPad Air, I still cannot justify that asking price for a tablet that’s been saddled with the iPadOS. The only time I’d thoroughly recommend it is when Apple finally decides to give iPad users the option to get macOS on their iPads.

I should’ve skipped the Magic Keyboard and opted for a cheaper alternative, like the Logitech Combo Touch. That would’ve saved me over a hundred dollars, making me feel better about my purchase. The only thing my iPad Air can do that my MacBook can never achieve is to serve as a wireless secondary monitor for the latter. However, aside from that and its touch screen, the 13-inch M2 iPad Air with the Magic Keyboard is a poor replacement for the MacBook Air.

More from Laptop Mag

• iPadOS: 5 reasons people hate it
• A new iPad Air may arrive soon — with one major upgrade
• The results are in: Here's how the iPad mini 7 compares to the rest of the iPad family

Valentine's Day is around the corner and Apple's iPad 10 is one of the best gifts to surprise your significant other with. It has everything one could ever want in a tablet — powerful performance, killer speakers, a gorgeous display, and long battery life

Currently, Amazon has the excellent iPad 10 on sale for just $299 just in time for Valentine's Day. It normally costs $349, so that's $50 in savings and one of the best iPad deals available at the moment.

Launched in 2022, the iPad 10 is one of our favorite tablets for everyday use. In our iPad 10 review, we rated it 4 out 5 stars and our esteemed Editor's Choice Award. While we wish it had better battery life, with Apple Magic Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil support, the iPad 10 does triple duty as a laptop or digital drawing pad.

Simply put, the iPad 10 is the best all-around tablet for streaming content and getting things done. It's a solid choice if you want to treat your sweetheart or yourself to a new mobile device.

Alternatively, you can get the latest iPad Air 6 for $499 ($100 off). This model launched last year and is built for Apple Intelligence, which is the tech giant's version of AI. It helps you prioritize messages, create images, and summarize audio recordings and transcripts from the note taking apps.

At just under $300, the iPad 10 is the best tablet for most people and is sure to warm that special someone's heart.

Today's best Appple iPad 10 deal

The iPad Air 6 offers solid performance with the M2 chip, impressive battery life, and a great speaker and display combo. And fortunately, it's on sale right now.

For a limited time, you can pick up a new 11-inch M2 iPad Air 6 for just $499 in every colorway at Amazon. Regularly $599, that's $100 in savings and a mere $1 shy of the lowest price we've ever seen for this mid-range tablet.

This iPad is a great pick if you're on the hunt for a tablet that'll last more than a full workday on a single charge, offer sharp resolution on a decently-sized screen, and perform well under medium pressure, from answering emails and streaming your favorite show to photo- and video-editing and slightly graphics-intensive games.

Sister site Tom's Guide awarded 4 out of 5 stars and its esteemed Editor's Choice award to the larger 13-inch 2024 iPad Air for its "snappy M2 performance for machine learning tasks and gaming," long battery life of over 11 hours, robust audio quality, and the landscape-oriented front camera for video calls.

Plus, the iPad Air 6 supports the Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard, so if you want to transform the tablet into a viable portable workstation, you absolutely can. You might not be able to get as many processor-intensive tasks done as you would with the M4 iPad Pro, but you can easily tackle your email inbox, work on a budget in Google Sheets, research topics, and other simple productivity tasks.

If you're not convinced the iPad Air 6 is the right tablet for you, take a look at more of the best iPad deals we've gathered this month to find a suitable alternative.

Today's best 11-inch iPad Air 6 with M2 deal

Apple launched the M2 iPad Air in May 2024, which historically would mean we wouldn't see a new iPad Air until late 2025 or early 2026. However, according to an October report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the next-gen iPad Air will arrive sometime early this year.

"Early" in the year could mean anything from February to May, so the potential announcement date is still a little fuzzy for the next iPad Air. Considering the existing M2 iPad Air launched in May, I'd assume a release date of May 2025 for the new iPad Air, but an announcement could come as early as March, the month Apple typically tends to debut new iPads.

In October, Gurman said, "Apple will probably implement the M3 chip in the next iPad Air." Thanks to a recent leak, we have further confirmation that the iPad Air will achieve M3 performance in its next iteration.

What we know so far about the next iPad Air

Thanks to @evleaks on X (via 9to5Mac), currently a private account belonging to Evan Blass, we have another source claiming the upcoming Air will be equipped with Apple's previous-gen M3 chip.

Blass shared a document that referenced the "apple-ipad-air-13-(m3)" and the "apple-ipad-air-11-(m3)." In the past, leaks from Blass have been fairly reliable, so while we're taking everything with a grain of salt until we hear directly from Apple, it's encouraging to see another source citing proof of the M3 chip in the next iPad Air.

Past a more powerful M3 chipset, rumors also suggest Apple will release a new Magic Keyboard designed specifically for the iPad Air. The new keyboard will supposedly "bring some of the features of the iPad Pro keyboard down-market," according to Gurman. Potential features could include a thinner and/or lighter design, a row of function keys with shortcuts, and a larger glass trackpad.

With an improved keyboard and stronger M3 performance, the iPad Air could become a budget-friendly laptop alternative for simple tasks.

Via 9to5Mac, an anonymous source reached out to a podcast with information on the upcoming iPad's display. Supposedly, the M3 iPad Air will receive "a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz." We've seen no other rumors that second this upgrade, but it sure would be nice.

Apple typically hosts an event every spring, so we should hopefully only have to wait a few more months to hear more about the more powerful, next-gen iPad Air.

The latest iPad Pro M4 made waves last year when Apple decided to make it the first device to receive the current-gen M4 chip. Fast forward to 2025 and it's continued to garner high praise since its release for overall performance and battery life.

Thanks to an epic deal going on right now, this powerful tablet that's been named by many as the best tablet available could be yours for just $879.

BJ's continues to offer the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 for $879. Regularly $949 at BJ's, that's $70 in savings and $20 cheaper than Amazon's current deal price. If you consider the iPad Pro M4 starts at $999 at full price from other retailers, you're really getting $120 in savings.

For BJ's members, you'll get these savings automatically. If you're a non-member, you can still take advantage of this deal by using the free 1-day online pass at checkout.

This discounted iPad Pro configuration features a gorgeous 11-inch, 2752 x 2064-pixel Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, an M4 chipset with a 9-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It's capable of Apple Intelligence and boasts support for the Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil, and a plethora of wireless keyboards and mice.

Considering how much power the iPad Pro M4 packs, it can easily double as a laptop alternative, even for more demanding productivity tasks and content creation.

If you don't feel like you need all that power in a tablet and you're looking for a more basic tablet that's simply capable of managing emails, streaming media, and browsing the web, check out the other best iPad deals we've found for January to see more affordable options.

This deal ends February 23.

Today's best iPad Pro M4 deal

The 13-inch Apple iPad Pro M4 is a lust-worthy tablet, and for good reason. This model has Apple's latest and fastest chip inside, paired with the largest display found in an Apple tablet. Right now, you can pick up a 13-inch Apple iPad Pro M4 for $1,099 at Amazon.

That price is the lowest ever for the 13-inch iPad Pro M4. It represents a full 15% discount over the usual $1,299 price. And it's a price we hadn't seen until this month. Note: The $1,099 price is currently only valid on the Space Gray version of the 13-inch iPad Pro.

The 13-inch iPad Pro M4 packs a roomy 2,072 x 2,064 pixel Ultra Retina XDR OLED screen with ProMotion, P3 wide color gamut, and an antireflective screen coating. Its large screen size makes this model a viable MacBook Air M3 laptop replacement for some people, especially when paired with Apple's optional $349 Magic Keyboard.

Inside sits Apple's fast 9-core M4 chip, which Apple says makes the 2024 iPad Pro 50% faster than its M2 predecessor. This tablet consumes less power, and it has 4X the graphics performance of the M2 model (so games, content creation tasks, and animations can run even more smoothly than before).

Even though peak holiday shopping is now behind us, this 13-inch Apple iPad Pro M4 deal shows some great deals are still out there, just waiting to get snapped up by intrepid post-holiday shoppers.

Today's best iPad Pro M4 deal

If you're still hunting for good holiday deals on Apple gear, Walmart has you covered. Whether you're looking for a generous gift for a loved one or yourself, these deals on recent-gen iPads and the latest Apple Watch go easy on your wallet.

While none of these deals are all-time lows, they're all close enough to remain enticing. For example, the 9th generation Apple iPad (2021) is down to $249 from its usual price of $329. This model is the least expensive iPad you can buy today, and it's a good choice for basic app use, web browsing, and streaming. The one gotcha is it uses a Lightning connector, so if you've been on a tear to ditch Apple's old mainstay, then look elsewhere.

One possibility instead of the iPad 9 is to step up to the $279 iPad 10. The 10th generation iPad has a USB-C connector, which makes it a great iPad choice if you're looking for a model that's more seamlessly compatible with USB-C Apple devices like MacBooks or iPhones. While Walmart only has the blue and silver colorways at this price, Best Buy has all four colorways on sale for the same price.

Meanwhile, if you're looking to accessorize your Apple tech with a smartwatch, you can splurge out on the latest Apple Watch Series 10 for $349 (it's also the same price at Amazon).

While none of these deals will come before the Christmas holiday, you might be able to pop into a local store and pick one of these up (depending upon availability and store hours in your area). Act fast to grab one of these deals while they last.

Today's best Apple iPad and Watch Series 10 deals

While making some of the world's most powerful mobile and tablet devices, Apple has been slow to outfit its iPhones and iPads with much in the way of a radical redesign over the last few generations.

Meanwhile an entirely new form factor has emerged in foldables, with Apple being among the few major names that is yet to adopt it.

However, a recurring rumor surrounding a future iPad does suggest there's something in the pipeline at Apple Park, and a fresh report has shone further light on what we could expect.

Apple's foldable iPad: A giant screen that blurs the lines between tablet and MacBook

According to a recent Bloomberg report, while Apple is one of the last major tech brands to adopt foldable hardware when it does arrive, it'll be far more ambitious than others.

Apple is expected to give its iPad line the foldable treatment, likely due to the touchscreen-friendly nature of iPadOS over macOS.

However, this iPad will be one like no other, essentially the same size as "two iPad Pros side-by-side." Given its foldable nature, this would also mark Apple's first entry into 2-in-1 computers, with the device able to function in a laptop-like stance, tent mode, and open and closed forms.

The result is similar to previous foldable iPad reports sprouting from an Apple road map leak from November 2023 which suggested that a 20.5-inch foldable model would arrive in 2026 with a carbon fiber kickstand. However, Bloomberg's report points to both an 18.8-inch display and a 2028 release date.

Apple is still ironing out the creases

The pushback to a 2028 release date may be due to Apple's work to eliminate the biggest downside of modern foldables: the "crease" that forms over time at the folding point on the device.

According to Bloomberg, Apple's foldable will present a "nearly invisible crease," suggesting that while its engineers have not completely solved this issue, but that Apple has made great strides to eliminate it as best as possible.

According to the report, "[Apple] wants the screen to look like a single, uninterrupted piece of glass."

There's no word on how Apple's engineers have managed this, but it's likely all down to the shape and function of the foldable's hinge.

By adopting a tear-drop hinge design, Samsung has seen similar crease reduction in its Z Fold and Z Flip smartphone lines. It's likely that Apple has spent some time in perfecting its own design, which may have already been revealed in a patent discovered by trademark sleuths Patently Apple in March 2024.

Outlook

A foldable iPhone is also expected to be released by Apple at some point in the near future. However, while that will be an iPhone-first, Apple's will be the second company to convert the iPhone to a foldable after Samsung made an attempt in August 24, 2023.

That said, the company's supposed foldable iPad goals are leaps and bounds from this and a giant-sized upgrade for non-laptops at least. While it may blur the lines between iPad and MacBook to a large degree, a giant-sized foldable iPad could open to doors to wider iPad adoption as a laptop replacement.

However, this iPad's biggest limitation would be the use of iPadOS, with the platform a long way off from delivering the same experience for creative and productivity-focused tasks as a full Mac.

More from Laptop Mag

• Apple's foldable iPad will be worth the wait if it has this long-rumored feature
• Samsung built a foldable iPhone — it's literally held together with tape
• A foldable iPhone may arrive in 2026 after Apple cracked this major design problem

The Apple iPad Air 6 with M2 processor makes a terrific premium holiday gift, and right now, you can still score $100 off the 11-inch Apple iPad Air 6 with M2 processor at Amazon. This sale brings the 11-inch Apple iPad Air 6 with M2 chip back down to just $499, just $1 more than its all-time low price at Amazon, and a cool 17% discount over the regular $599 price.

Holiday shoppers take note: You can choose either Blue or Purple colorways, but the Blue model arrives after Christmas. Sometimes, we've seen products arrive earlier than Amazon's expected date, but that's not something you can count on during the holiday season. If you need a gift physically in hand for Christmas, we recommend buying the Purple colorway.

The iPad Air 6's M2 processor delivers better performance than the Bionic chip in the less expensive 10th-generation 10.2-inch iPad ($279 at Amazon, normally $349). Plus, it supports Apple Intelligence AI, so you can tap those features as they roll out. If you appreciate color accuracy, the iPad Air 6 M2 has a better display, with P3 wide color gamut support and anti-reflective coating.

Tom's Guide reviewed the 13-inch Apple iPad Air 6 M2 and gave it 4 stars, calling it a good value for its performance and long battery life.

This remains one of the best iPad deals we've seen throughout Black Friday and this holiday shopping season. Head to Amazon now to snag one before they disappear.

Today's best 11-inch iPad Air 6 with M2 deal

The iPad mini finally got a refresh last month, after a years-long wait. You don't have to wait to save on a new iPad mini, though. The new model is already on sale for Black Friday, along with the iPad mini 6 and the Apple Pencil!

Right now Amazon is offering a $40 discount on the new iPad mini 7 for Black Friday. The new version features a major processor upgrade, double the base storage, compatibility with Apple Intelligence, and compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro.

If you don't need the latest upgrades and just want a compact iPad for entertainment, check out the iPad mini 6 for $150 off at Amazon! We gave this model a glowing Editor's Choice award and it's still a great buy at this sale price.

If you want to use your iPad for notetaking or drawing, remember to pick up a new Apple Pencil, too! All three of the main models are on sale right now, including the new Apple Pencil Pro.

See also: Top MacBook Black Friday deals: Save up to $500 on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac accessories

Android tablets can try all they want to, but there's currently no better tablet than the iPad. If you're looking for an inexpensive iPad capable of streaming your favorite shows, browsing the internet, and taking care of light productivity tasks, you should turn to the iPad 10.

Apple's iPad 10 is at its lowest price of $249 right now on Amazon for Black Friday. It's slashed to $259 directly on Amazon, and an on-page coupon for $9.01 will bring you down to its all-time-low price of $249. Just make sure you click the checkbox next to the coupon to apply it before checkout.

In our Apple iPad 10 review, this affordable tablet managed to surpass its competitors in performance-related tests. Most impressively, it earned a Geekbench 5 multi-core score of 4,040, besting the iPad Gen 9, OnePlus Pad, and Lenovo Tab 11.

We loved the tablet's killer speakers, bright and colorful display that's "pretty darn lovely to look at," and a "sharp and vivid" rear camera.

We awarded the iPad 10 4 out of 5 stars and our esteemed Editor's Choice award. If you're looking for a reliable, affordable tablet to stream media and take care of internet-based tasks, you won't be disappointed with the iPad 10.

For holiday gift ideas or to find a little treat-yo-self present, feel free to browse through all the Black Friday deals we've rounded up so far.

Best iPad 10 deal 

Apple's 2024 iPad Pro M4 is a portable alternative to the recently launched MacBook M4 notebooks. One of today's best early holiday deals drops the iPad Pro M4 to an all-time low price ahead of Black Friday.

Best Buy is now selling the 512GB 11-inch iPad Pro M4 on sale for $1,099. It normally costs $1,199, so that's $100 off and one of the top iPad deals of the season. My Best Buy Plus members save an extra $50 at checkout which drops it to $1,049 ($150 off). My Best Buy Plus costs $49.99 so the $50 discount pays for the membership.

Alternatively, you can buy the 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro M4 for $899 ($100 off) with My Best Buy Plus. You can also get the larger 512GB 13-inch iPad Pro for $1,399 ($150 off) with Plus.

Featuring Apple's blazing M4 9-core chip, the 2024 iPad Pro is 50% faster than the 2022 M2 iPad Pro and uses just half the power. Its GPU performance is 4X times faster so mobile games and other graphics-intensive tasks run smoother than ever.

Pair the iPad Pro M4 with Apple's Magic Keyboard Case (sold separately for $299) or Logitech's $259 Combo Touch Keyboard Case and you'll have an ultraportable mini laptop.

Now up to $150 off, the iPad Pro M4 is worth considering if you're looking for a travel-friendly productivity device.

Today's best iPad Pro M4 deal

Apple made us wait three long years, but the new iPad mini 7 is finally here. And if you're thinking about picking up an iPad mini 7 as soon as it arrives in stores on October 23, you'll be happy to know critics are raving about it.

Even though the tiny tablet hasn't been officially released yet, tech reviewers got their hands on iPad mini 7 tablets early. Luckily, the early verdicts are pretty positive.

Here are the most compelling reasons critics recommend the iPad mini 7.

People praise its Apple Intelligence-ready chip

The iPad mini 7 features an A17 Pro chip — up from the iPad mini 6's A15 Bionic chip — which is the same chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro. With it, the iPad mini 7 will be able to support Apple Intelligence when it launches.

Our sister site, Tom's Guide, says "The upgrade to Apple's new A17 Pro chip lets you browse web pages, watch videos and play games more smoothly." On the Geekbench 6 performance test, the iPad mini 7 scored a multi-core score of 7,213, much higher than the iPad mini 6's score of 4,540.

Wired also positively notes the iPad mini 7's "performance boost with [the] A17 Pro" and that it has "double the storage over [its] predecessor," finally bumping the base storage amount from 64GB to 128GB.

People love that it finally supports the Apple Pencil Pro

Apple finally gave the iPad mini 7 support for the Apple Pencil Pro. The Verge writes that "The Mini can do all of the Pencil Pro things other iPads can — all the hovering and squeezing and barrel-rolling works just fine, and if you’re a Mini-toting artist, this might be worth the upgrade all by itself."

Engadget seconds this by saying "the combo of the Apple Pencil Pro and iPad mini makes for a tiny but extremely capable digital notebook and canvas."

This now means that all of the most current iPad models support the Apple Pencil Pro, which is objectively the best Apple Pencil you can pick up right now.

People say the 'jelly scrolling' issue is a lot better

Jelly scrolling is a known issue among critics and fans of previous-gen iPad minis, even though Apple told Ars Technica the issue was "normal behavior for LCD screens." Luckily, it seems the issue is much better with the iPad mini 7.

Stuff writes, "Apple reckons it's optimized the display, but won't provide any details on how. To my eyes, the jelly scrolling doesn't look as bad as I recall it being last time," but notes that he didn't mind it that much on old iPad minis and doesn't have an old one to compare it to.

The Six Colors review expands on this, with the reporter saying "It's my understanding that the new model's display circuitry is different from the old model, and I couldn't detect any 'jelly scrolling' in my use."

However, critics don't love the 60Hz refresh rate

Apple left the iPad mini 7 with an outdated 60Hz refresh rate, which Wired says "isn't surprising considering the new iPhone 16 also didn't get bumped to 120Hz, but it's frustrating, as most phones and tablets have 90- or 120Hz panels at this price."

Engadget similarly describes the iPad mini 7's display as "a very nice screen, but it's still a standard LCD display with a now-pedestrian 60Hz refresh rate."

It took three years for Apple to debut a new iPad mini this time around, but hopefully we don't have to wait another three years for an iPad mini 8, hopefully with a 90 or 120Hz refresh rate.

After a three-year wait, the iPad mini 7 is finally here, and it impressed me more than I expected.

Last week, Apple quietly announced a long-awaited refresh to the iPad mini 6, which launched in October 2021. Our lab testing team put it through the paces, so we can now see how the iPad mini 7 compares to the Air and the base iPad.

Three years is a long time in the tech world, and the new mini got some major upgrades, but even given that, I was still blown away by just how well it performed. Our sister site Tom's Guide gave the iPad mini 7 a shining 4.5 out of 5 stars, so I'm not alone in my admiration for the new mini.

If you're considering trading in your old iPad or buying a new one, you should look at these test results to see just how well the iPad mini 7 compares to its rivals.

iPad Mini 7 overall performance

The iPad mini 7 boasts an A17 Pro CPU, a six-core integrated GPU, an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with support for P3 wide color, a 12MP rear camera with 4K video, and a 12MP portrait-mode front-facing camera.

This is the first Apple device featuring an A17 chip since the iPhone 16 line-up skipped an entire generation and went straight to the A18 chips. So, we're finally getting a look at how the A17 generation compares to the M-series chips, specifically the M2 chip in the iPad Air 6.

Surprisingly, the iPad mini 7 outscored the iPad Air 6 by 283 points in the Geekbench 6 single-core test. The Air has the lead in the multi-core and Crossmark tests, but it's still impressive to see the A17 Pro chip come so close to the M2 chip's performance.

While the iPad mini 7 and iPad Air 6 scored similarly, the base iPad lagged behind in the Crossmark test. (It's a few years old at this point and was tested with an older version of Geekbench, so we can't directly compare its single-core or multi-core scores.)

Since the iPad Mini finally got an update, the base iPad is now several generations behind with the old A14 Bionic chip, which has a significantly lower overall performance score, as one might expect. Hopefully, the base iPad will get a refresh in Apple's next update cycle.

iPad mini 7 graphics and gaming

With the A17 Pro chip, the iPad mini is uniquely well-suited for gaming, especially with cloud gaming getting more popular. The display is bigger than a phone's but not as bulky as a full-size iPad, let alone a MacBook, making the mini perfect for mobile entertainment. Plus, the iPad Mini 7 is small enough to pop into a handheld controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra and carry around like a handheld gaming console.

Apple claims the iPad mini 7 can run AAA games, although only a few are available natively on iPadOS right now. However, cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now can run on any mobile device through a browser, significantly expanding the number of desktop-level games you can play on an iPad.

More mainstream titles have also been getting ported over to iPadOS recently. For example, Netflix Games brought hits like Hades, Death's Door, and Oxenfree to the iPad. Similarly, Apple Arcade includes a port of Disney Dreamlight Valley along with expanded mobile versions of Dead Cells and Stardew Valley.

I love gaming on my iPad, so I was excited to see how the new iPad mini 7 performed in this category. It didn't disappoint, but I was surprised at just how well it scored. The iPad mini 7 not only maxed out the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark test, but it also achieved an average of 59.9 frames per second, nearly identical to the iPad Air 6's average of 60 fps.

Considering the iPad Air 6 has an M-series chip, I was expecting it to have a noticeable edge over the mini 7 in gaming, but it looks like the two perform virtually identically.

The base iPad fell significantly behind with an average of just 46 fps, so if you're looking for a tablet for gaming and entertainment, the iPad Air 6 or iPad mini 7 are your best options.

Should you upgrade to the iPad mini 7?

If you have a 6th-generation iPad mini, the 7th-generation model is definitely worth the upgrade. The long wait for a refresh means a significant leap in chip technology. The iPad mini 7's benchmark results show that the A17 Pro chip performs on par with the M2 chip in the iPad Air 6, so you can expect fantastic overall and gaming performance, despite the smaller form factor.

It may also be worth upgrading to the iPad mini 7 if you have a base iPad 10 or an older iPad Air, particularly if you are an avid mobile gamer. The iPad mini 7 and iPad Air 6 are significantly more powerful than the iPad 10, although the Gen 10 is still a strong, affordable tablet.

The main differences between the iPad mini 7 and the iPad Air 6 are accessories and screen size. If you want to use your tablet as a laptop replacement with the Magic Keyboard, you'll need to opt for the Air. On the other hand, if you mainly want a tablet for travel and entertainment, the new-and-improved mini is the way to go. The new mini and Air are compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro for artists or note-takers.

It's also worth noting the mini costs $100 less than the Air but includes the same amount of base storage, so it's a good option for anyone in between the $600 Air and the $350 base iPad.

More from Laptop Mag

• Apple quietly releases iPad Mini with major chip upgrade and double the storage
• iOS 18.1 releases next week, bringing Apple Intelligence to iPhone 15 and 16
• Is the Apple Pencil Pro worth buying? A singular new feature could propel it to the mainstream

Apple quietly launched the iPad mini this week and it is currently available for pre-order, but if you’re thinking about using it for gaming, I’d think twice.

Odd marketing strategy aside, Apple claims that the iPad mini can “play demanding, graphics-intensive AAA games.” However, it was also confirmed that the iPad mini would be outfitted with the A17 Pro.

Now, we know that the A17 Pro can technically play AAA games, but that doesn’t mean that you should.

We learned that with the iPhone 15 Pro and it may be even worse with the iPad mini. Why? Let me explain.

How did the A17 Pro run AAA games?

We couldn’t get some serious gaming in during our iPhone 15 Pro review because the hyped-up titles, like Resident Evil Village, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and Death Stranding, hadn’t launched yet. But since then, we got a good look at what the A17 Pro is capable of.

Digital Foundry showcased the performance of Resident Evil Village on the iPhone 15 Pro, and while it was playable, it didn’t seem like the best gaming experience. I’m not expecting marvelous graphics; at max settings, the game crashes within 30 seconds. However, even lower graphics doesn’t stop the performance itself from lacking.

According to Digital Foundry, the A17 Pro struggled with inconsistent frame times and stuttering when the frame rate was set to variable. When it’s capped at 30 fps, it performs better, but it still suffers from fps drops and low frame times depending on the area you’re in. For context, frame times determine how long it takes the GPU to render a single frame (calculated in milliseconds).

Digital Foundry also took on Assassin's Creed Mirage on the iPhone 15 Pro. Similar to Resident Evil, the High preset dropped below 30 fps with inconsistent frame times, and that’s with the 30-fps frame cap. At the Low preset, the game is at 30 fps more often, but high-density areas still drop the performance down to 20 to 25 fps.

An incredibly odd performance issue is that Assassin's Creed Mirage pauses when it autosaves. Considering this is an open-world game, you'll encounter autosaves often, which will get frustrating.

With Death Stranding, Digital Foundry found that the A17 Pro was capable of running the game at a smooth 30 fps, but navigating around built structures and vehicle traversal would tank the fps and frame time.

The issues with the aforementioned AAA games are rough. It’s one thing to tear up a game’s visuals to make it playable on a weaker device, but if the performance of that device can’t even withstand 30 fps, what’s the point?

Will the iPad mini be any different?

Unfortunately, it may be worse. The iPhone 15 Pro featured a 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 (460 pixels per inch) display whereas the iPad mini is outfitted with an 8.3-inch, 2266 x 1488 (326 ppi) display. So not only does the iPad mini sport a larger screen but also a lower ppi. Let’s get into why that’s an issue.

AAA games like Resident Evil Village, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and Death Stranding take some serious hits in terms of fidelity. It’s not necessarily a con; it’s the only way these games would be able to run. However, since the iPad mini’s display is larger, you’ll see more of the visual downgrade.

Again, those visual downgrades would be more acceptable if the performance was better. While I cannot speak to how the new iPad mini will run these games, the world’s experience with the A17 Pro doesn’t tell the best tale.

To be fair, while Apple did make a wild claim about AAA games, the example it provided was Zenless Zone Zero, an ARPG developed by miHoYo. Now that game may run incredibly well, but the issue with this comparison is that miHoYo develops its games with mobile in mind.

The same goes for the rest of the miHoYo titles on iPhone. Meanwhile, the aforementioned titles were quite literally an afterthought. So a broad statement like the iPad mini can “play demanding, graphics-intensive AAA games” doesn’t seem legit.

We need to wait to get the iPad mini in for testing to give you a proper criticism, but right now it isn’t looking good for Apple’s latest iPad.

Don't be slowed down by shoddy tablets and invest in one of the best student iPads to get the most out of your college days. These iPads are especially useful when paired with our best college laptops, and could even be used as one with a magic keyboard.

Our number one pick for best student iPad is none other than the iPad Air M2, a tablet that fuilfills a solid middle ground between performance and affordability. Its Apple M2 chip delivers satisfying performance backed by 8GB of RAM, yet the product itself starts as low as $599. If that seems a bit steep for you, we recommend the 10th generation iPad, which launched in 2022. It's powered by the A14 Bionic chip and starts as low as $349, although that's with only 64GB of storage, assuming that's enough for you. Just keep in mind, it doesn't function with Apple Intelligence features.

But for college students who (somehow) have money to spare after all of your tuition expenses, the iPad Pro powered by M4 is without a doubt the best pick available, featuring excellent processing performance in a gorgeous, high-resolution OLED display that will make artists happier than ever, especially when paired with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. Otherwise, Apple recently announced the iPad Mini starting at $499, and we predict it'll sit among the best iPad products for students.

Without further ado, here are the best student iPads you can buy right now.

Quick list

How to choose the best student iPads

Finding the best student iPad a matter of budget and determining which features make the most sense for you. Begin by asking yourself the reasons you want an iPad, and you'll come to an answer in no time.

If you don't own a tablet or an iPad and want something affordable to draw with, snap photos/videos, take notes, run applications, and potentially even using like a laptop with an accessory like Magic Keyboard, you can absolutely get away with a lower powered product. The 10th generation iPad will be more than capable of fulfilling this, yielding a bright and colorful LED display with the A14 Bionic chip, yet maintaining a lower price point.

If you already have a tablet or an iPad but want something more powerful, or simply need a stronger machine to handle demanding tasks (and potentially require greater storage), the iPad Air is a good bet for most users. It's a bit more expensive, starting at $599, but it makes up for it with the powerful M2 chip and 8GB of RAM, also capable of being configured with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage.

And finally, the iPad Pro powered by M4 is the number one choice for those willing to splurge, but also want to get access to the fastest processing performance alongside excellent additional features. Best of all, it's behind a gorgeous OLED display, and has amazing additional benefits like ProRes recording that allows for visually lossless files. Nano-texture display is also available for reduced reflectivity, which is especially useful if you plan to use the device in harsh sunlight.

Obviously, we're on Team Laptop here at Laptop Mag, but we've got a lot of respect for the humble tablet too — especially Apple's exceptional iPad lineup. That's why we've been tracking down the best iPad deals at Best Buy and Walmart on your behalf.

We're in the eye of the storm at the moment, with Prime Big Deals Day behind us and Black Friday on the horizon, but that doesn't mean there aren't great offers to be found. Hell, if you know where to look there are deals on products that aren't even out yet, like the $15 discount on the Apple iPad mini 7 at Walmart.

Best Buy also has a bunch of iPad models on sale, including $100 off the latest version of the iPad Pro 13, which is down to $1,399. Our favorite deal is on an older model though — a massive $500 off the Apple iPad Pro M2. On a similar front, you can also save a hefty $200 on the 10.9" iPad Air M1 at Best Buy. Sure, it's an older model, but it's also only $399

Rounding out the deals we've got the humble iPad for $299 at Best Buy. It might not have any extra names or fancy titles, but this is still an excellent tablet, and, with this $50 discount, it's the cheapest way to join the iPad ecosystem.

As we approach November, we've been keeping our eyes peeled for all the best early Black Friday deals, so check out our deals hub to see the great discounts we've found on laptops, tablets, and more.

Best early Black Friday iPad deals at Walmart and Best Buy

Is an iPad as crucial to own as a laptop or a smartphone? Probably not. But do iPads make shopping, streaming your favorite show, and scrolling social media loads better? Absolutely.

If you're ready to add an iPad to your device library or upgrade your existing iPad, now is the best time. Black Friday is still a month away, but that's not stopping retailers from offering epic early discounts.

Apple's tiniest, most powerful, and cheapest tablets have all landed on this list with significant discounts. Snap up your favorite before it goes back up to full price.

If you're looking to start your holiday shopping early, make sure you also check out the best early Black Friday deals we've rounded up so far this year.

Best early Black Friday iPad deals

Apple 11" iPad Air 6 (2024)

Apple 11" iPad Pro M4

Apple 13" iPad Pro M4

Apple 10.2" iPad 9

Apple iPad mini 6 (64GB)

Apple finally did it. After three long years, a new iPad Mini is here.

If you missed the announcement, that's probably because it didn't get much fanfare, just a humble press release posted on Apple's website on Tuesday morning. While the new iPad Mini didn't receive the same hype the iPad Pro got earlier this year, it's still a big announcement you might want to get excited about.

Here's a look at all the updates in the new iPad Mini, including one feature it's missing and one surprisingly good use for it.

Apple finally announces a new iPad Mini after 3 year wait

On Tuesday, Apple announced the 7th-generation iPad Mini, featuring a new processor with support for Apple Intelligence and double the base storage of the previous model.

The design remained effectively the same, but inside the new Mini has the A17 Pro chip. This is an interesting choice since the new iPhones skipped the A17 generation entirely and all feature A18 processors. So, it's surprising to see the A17 finally make an appearance. Since the new Mini has the A17 Pro, we could see the base A17 in the upcoming 4th-generation iPhone SE.

The A17 Pro chip offers 30 percent more performance than the A15 Bionic chip in the 6th-gen iPad Mini along with 25 percent stronger graphics performance. That means the new iPad Mini is significantly better for gaming than the previous version. The iPad Mini might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of gaming, but that could change as cloud gaming becomes more popular. The iPad Mini is the perfect size to use as a portable gaming device, particularly with a snap-on controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra.

The new chip also makes the iPad Mini 7 better for tasks like photo or video editing. It's capable of running Apple Intelligence, as well, which is expected to start rolling out this fall. Plus, it's compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro, which offers some exciting new features for artists.

Unfortunately, one feature I was hoping to see on the new iPad Mini didn't make the cut: OLED. The iPad Mini 7 features the same 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display as the previous model. That's a real letdown considering it has so much going for it otherwise, particularly for people who would really appreciate OLED, like gamers and artists.

On the upside, Apple did give the Mini a valuable storage spec bump. Now the base storage is 128GB, double the 64GB offered on the 6th-generation model. You can increase the storage to 256GB or 512GB if you want even more space.

How to pre-order the iPad Mini 7

The iPad Mini 7 will be available in stores starting October 23, but you can pre-order one right now if you're too excited to wait. Pre-orders are live on the Apple website with the base model starting at $499. If you're a student, you can use education pricing (with a valid education email address) to get the Mini for $449.

If you're trading in your old iPad, don't forget you may need to get a new Apple Pencil with your new Mini. It's only compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C, not the first or second-generation Pencils. Luckily, you can get the Apple Pencil Pro for just $90 on Amazon right now, a 30 percent discount off the regular price. The Apple Pencil USB-C is down to just $65, making it a serious bargain.

Laptop Mag will be keeping an eye out for early deals on the new iPad Mini, too, so keep an eye out if you want to save some money on yours. We'll also be sharing more details on the latest from Apple, so stay tuned for more info.

More from Laptop Mag

Apple's decision to debut its latest M4 chipset on its latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models in May gave its premium tablets a sizeable boost in interest. However, a new report suggests that interest, and the demand that came with it, have considerably dropped — and several factors may be to blame.

Apple M4 iPad Pro: 

A recently published report by DSCC supply chain analyst Ross Young, a reliable source of information surrounding Apple's iPhone and iPads both pre and post-release, highlights a scaling back of production of the M4 iPad Pro's OLED panels, suggesting that Apple may have overestimated the demand for its latest tablet.

According to Young, the number of panels expected to ship (and to feature in this new iPad model) was originally estimated to be around 10 million for this calendar year. However, Young believes the actual numbers will be closer to, if not below, 7 million.

Does this suggest that the M4 iPad Pro is a flop? Not at all. However, it suggests that regardless of the impressive stream of upgrades available in Apple's latest slate, it's just not appealing to customers at the scale the company initially hoped for. So, what's to blame?

Apple's M4 iPad woe: What's to blame?

While the new M4 iPad Pro is impressive, it's not without its faults. Putting aside the recent iPadOS 18 update that was rendering Apple's latest iPad Pros inoperable, the lower-than-expected demand for this premium slate may have more to do with its price and its potential.

The starting price for the 11 and 13-inch M4 iPad Pro is $999 and $1,299, respectively — a sizeable investment that can skyrocket to $2,599 if you want the highest configuration available.

While the latter price is likely reserved for those seeking to use the M4 iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, that staggering price also doesn't factor in the cost of the new Apple Pencil Pro ($129) or Magic Keyboard ($349) which can further push the price of the iPad Pro to $3,077, and that's without factoring in the cost of your AppleCare+ plan, too.

That's a staggering amount of money to spend on a tablet, which is often seen as a secondary to a good laptop or smartphone, and rarely as a primary device. Especially when, according to survey data provided by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), up to 42% of iPhone users will offset the cost of a newer model by trading in, while only 3% of iPad owners will do the same — which can greatly limit how often fans of Apple's slate will be able to upgrade and make its price a much taller hurdle to clear.

There's also the issue of justifying the inflated price of the M4 iPad Pro, and we don't just mean in relation to its much more affordable 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air counterparts (which start at $599 and $799, respectively). The inclusion of the M4 chip makes the new iPad Pro among the most powerful in Apple's catalog. However, there's very little that iPadOS has to offer that will allow users to take full advantage of that.

I've long been a believer that the iPad Pro has outgrown iPadOS, but with touchscreen MacBooks still being a thing of fantasy there's no framework for macOS to make the leap to Apple's slates at the present time. Leaving us with an impressively powerful tablet, and very little to do with it.

Outlook

Another factor that could affect sales of the M4 iPad Pro is that many Apple users could be waiting on future M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, the latter of which we expect to see unveiled during Apple's upcoming October Mac and iPad event.

Thanks to macOS Sequoia, these platforms are less restrictive than iPadOS, allowing users to take full advantage of Apple's latest M4 chipset, and do so at a more justifiable price than the $1,000+ iPad Pros.

More from Laptop Mag

• The iPad Pro M4 has outgrown iPadOS, but is it ready for macOS?
• Is the new iPad Pro M4 good enough to replace your laptop?
• iPad Pro M4 vs. iPad Air 6: Which new iPad will be right for you?

iPads might not be the most crucial gadget in everyone's repertoire, but that doesn't mean they're not supremely nice to have. Let's be honest: Doomscrolling on your phone while you're crashed out in bed just isn't the same.

If you've been waiting to justify the expense of a new iPad, now is the time to finally pull the trigger, and thanks to discounts via Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, you can scoop one up for an unprecedentedly low price.

Whether you want a full-featured way to compute on the go or you're intrigued by a new wave of "pro" apps like Logic and Final Cut — both of which have finally made their way to Apple's famed tablets — these are the iPad deals you need to snap up before it's too late.

Just remember, many of these deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Not a Prime member? Join Prime now and gain access to these amazing deals throughout the next few days!

Best iPad deals for Prime Big Deal Days 2024

Apple 11" iPad Air 6 (2024)

Apple 11" iPad Pro M4

Apple 13" iPad Pro M4

Apple 10.2" iPad 9

Apple iPad mini 6 (64GB)

It's been a big week for Apple, as Monday saw the company offer sweeping updates to its iPhone, Mac, and Watch devices through its latest major milestone operating system releases in iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11.

However, while these feature flush updates are now available to all, some iPad models won't be receiving the latest iPadOS 18 update as Apple has temporarily paused its rollout.

Apple's decision to pull the update is in response to several claims that its latest software update is rendering its premium iPad Pro models completely inoperable.

iPadOS 18: Something wicked this way comes

iPadOS 18 was released alongside its Apple operating system brethren on Monday, but it wasn't long before iPad users reported major issues with the update.

Murmurings of problems surrounding the release of iPadOS 18 arose on Reddit after one user claimed that the update had 'bricked' their device. Bricking, in this sense, indicates that the device in question has become completely unusable or unresponsive — typically in a way that renders the device irreparable.

Before long, several other users had reported the same issue in response or parallel threads, all with one thing in common: they were all owners of Apple's latest M4 models of iPad Pro, a device that can cost up to $2,599 in its highest configuration.

One user shared that following diagnostics performed on their M4 iPad Pro by the Apple Store, they were told that their iPad would "never turn on again." Several other users confirmed this assessment, claiming Apple Store employees had confirmed their hardware had failed.

Thankfully, due to Apple's one-year warranty for the iPad Pro M4, the user has since been offered a replacement. However, other users report longer support pipelines, with many being directed to senior support channels. Those who are eligible for replacements are reportedly facing waits of 3-5 days.

Apple's response to iPadOS update woes

It would seem that issues surrounding the iPadOS 18 update are limited to M4 iPad Pro models, and users shouldn't be too concerned about updating their iPad as normal — though Apple always recommends performing a backup and leaving your device on charge throughout the process, just in case.

While it was initially suspected that the fault could be a result of M4 iPad Pro users downloading the concurrently available iPadOS 17.7 patch before applying the latest iPadOS 18 update, several users have reported the same issue without installing the earlier version beforehand.

In a statement provided to MacRumors, Apple responded to the fault, saying "We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models as we work to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices."

Apple has previously had to remove software updates for both iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 after similar incidents of device bricking occurred. Apple has not yet announced a timeline for when M4 iPad Pro users can expect iPadOS 18 to become available to download once more.

More from Laptop Mag

• Apple October Event: What to expect from Mac M4 and iPad
• Best iPad deals of September 2024: Today's top discounts
• Amazon drops iPad 9 to $199 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days 2024

Apple's 9th generation iPad is cheaper than ever on Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Launched in 2021 and succeeded by the iPad 10, the iPad 9 is still one of the best tablets around in 2024.

Right now, you can pick up the iPad 9 for just $199 at Amazon. Typically $199, that's $130 in savings and the cheapest price it's ever dropped to. Although we normally don't recommend products over 2 years old, the iPad 9 is an exception. 

You'll see in our iPad 9 review, we gave it a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It impressed us with its outstanding performance, bright, vivid display, and excellent battery life. 

If you want to add a tablet to your arsenal of everyday gadgets, at just under $200, the iPad 9 is a no-brainer. 

Today's best iPad 9 deal

Apple's iPad Pro M4 tablet is powered by the same hardware expected to arrive in its next-gen M4 MacBook series. Before Apple's October event is announced, Amazon's end-of-summer sale is slashing prices on iPads.  

One ongoing deal this week is the iPad Pro M4 for $899 at Amazon. It normally costs $999 so that's a $100 off and Amazon's lowest-ever price for this 11-inch iPad Pro M4. This is an excellent deal since you're getting the iPad Pro M4 for an all-time low price ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. If you want a bigger display (and bigger savings), the 13-inch iPad Pro is on sale for $1,195 ($105 off) and just $5 shy of its all-time low price, which it hit just days ago.

The 13-inch iPad Pro does double duty as a laptop when paired with a  Magic Keyboard Case (sold separately for $339) or Logitech's Combo Touch Keyboard Case for $199 ($30 off). Logitech's Pebble 2 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse combo for $55 ($5 off) is also worth considering. 

Launched in May 2024, the iPad Pro M4 is the first iDevice to feature the blazing-fast Apple M4 9-core CPU. By comparison, it's 50% faster than the older model M2 and uses just half the power. In terms of GPU performance, it’s a whopping 4X times faster. iPad Pro M4 users can expect games and other graphics-intensive tasks to run smoother than ever before. 

Now up to $105 off, the iPad Pro M4 is Apple's most powerful tablet yet and a solid buy if you want a portable device for getting things done on the go.

Today's best iPad Pro M4 deal

As a student, a tablet is an excellent investment for studying on the go, relaxing in bed with your favorite TV show, and hopping on a video call with family between classes. And right before school starts back up, Amazon is delivering major discounts on Apple's best iPads.

The iPad 10 is available for $299 on Amazon — $150 less than its original retail price and the cheapest we've seen it. It is also available for $299 in blue at B&H. 

This iPad is ideal for basic tasks like media streaming, video calling, internet browsing, answering emails, and mobile gaming. For simple internet research or writing a paper in Google Docs, pair the iPad 10 with a Magic Keyboard Folio or Apple Pencil to make your work easier.

If you're looking for a tablet that could fully replace a laptop, check out the discounted iPad Pro M4 ($70 off), Apple's most powerful tablet yet. Or, check out the best iPad deals we've rounded up to find something in the middle.

Today's best iPad 10 deal 

Apple is looking to make a splash by entering the foldable market and taking the fight to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip/Fold line-up by releasing a foldable iPhone and iPad as early as 2025.

Throwing a wrench into the works, an investor note revealed to MacRumors late last week saw analyst Jeff Pu suggest that Apple's duo of devices could be delayed into 2026.

Pu previously suggested that Apple's foldable iPad could be released in 2025 with a foldable iPhone to follow in 2026, but new information highlighting "display durability issues" now leads them to believe both devices are set to launch in Q2 2026.

While rumors of a foldable iPad release have bloomed, its expected arrival has shifted back and forth over time, with this new predicted window of release bringing us full circle to the mid-2026 date featured in an Apple road map leak from November 2023.

However, regardless of how long we have to wait to see Apple's foldable tablet hit store shelves, it'll all be worth it if Apple finally takes the plunge and brings a long-rumored feature to its reported 20.3-inch foldable tablet.

Foldable iPad or all-screen MacBook, why not both?

While we refer to Apple's upcoming large-screen foldable as an iPad, there's still some uncertainty about whether this is really the case. While the device will no doubt resemble a tablet when laid flat, other analysts have referred to Apple's upcoming foldable as an all-screen MacBook.

This would see Apple not only aping on Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip-Series of devices for its foldable iPhone model but also mirroring Windows laptop releases like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16.

Not only would an all-screen MacBook be Apple's first foldable, but it would also mark the first instance of a MacBook with touch support and considerably blur the lines between the company's laptops and tablets amid a considerable push for them to be viewed as viable laptop replacements.

However, why should Apple's foldable be one of the other? Is it possible for the large-screen foldable to offer a macOS-like experience while at the same time delivering the touch and mobile elements of iPadOS?

It's time for macOS on iPad

Given the new timeline of when we can expect to see Apple's foldable iPad or all-screen MacBook, it's a safe bet to assume that it will at the very least be making use of an M5 chipset — affording it considerable computing power alongside all of the benefits of Apple Intelligence.

If there's one thing the recent launch of the M4 iPad Pro has shown, it's that iPads are now being earmarked as genuine candidates for laptop replacements. Their ailing and often left-behind software is the only thing holding them back from truly being so.

iPadOS has plenty of positives to talk about, but it often feels like the awkward middle-child of Apple's operating systems — a stretched-out version of iOS to suit a macOS-sized frame, while generally lagging behind both in terms of overall features.

The more powerful Apple's tablets become, the stronger the case that they've potentially outgrown their iPadOS platform, and are now ready to handle some form or version of macOS.

macOS on iPad: Easier said than done

Bringing macOS to iPads, even on large-screen devices with more powerful M5 chips, isn't quite as easy as swapping out one operating system for another. Mainly because macOS has no built-in touch support.

That being said, macOS on iPad isn't a revolutionary concept. And there has been talk of a hybrid or macOS 'lite' featuring on iPad for some years. Apple has reportedly spent a considerable amount of time and effort to develop a "smaller" version of macOS under the code name "Mendocino," which was originally planned to be released alongside the iPad Pro M2.

However, Apple's upcoming foldable seems like the ideal moment to revive Mendocino, with its future hardware best suited to bridge the gap between laptop and tablet in terms of form, power, and function.

While Apple's foldable could be a hit-or-miss venture (with foldable phones and tablets still securing a sturdy foothold in the market), few would sneer at seeing the iPad get a long-needed and long-overdue upgrade in terms of its software and operating system.

More from Laptop Mag

• The iPad Pro M4 has outgrown iPadOS, but is it ready for macOS?
• Is the new iPad Pro M4 good enough to replace your laptop?
• iPad Pro M4 vs. iPad Air 6: Which new iPad will be right for you?

Now that the iPad Pro M4 has made its debut, Best Buy is trying to move its iPad Pro M2 stock to make room. Luckily for you, that means the cellular model Apple 11-inch iPad Pro M2 just dipped to $699.

Typically $999, this is a whopping $300 in savings and the lowest price we've ever seen for this 11-inch iPad. And no Best Buy Plus membership is required to snag these savings!

While the iPad Pro M4 is more powerful than the iPad Pro M2, its overkill for most users. In our 12.9-inch iPad Pro M2 review, we rated it 4 out of 5 stars and awarded it our Editor's Choice badge for its stunning display, fantastic speakers, and strong performance, capable of doubling as a productive laptop when paired with Apple's Magic keyboard.

And if the iPad Pro M2 offers plenty of performance power, why not buy this last-gen model at an epic discount? 

If you're looking for a bigger display and more storage, Best Buy slashed the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1TB of storage to $1,299 ($700 off). Or, if you want to see all your options before making a decision, check out the best iPad deals we've seen lately.

Today's best iPad Pro M2 cellular deal

Prime Day deals are popping off in every category we cover here at Laptop Mag, including many of our favorite products. Prime Day tablet deals include a particularly enticing offer on the tablet I recommend to most people: the iPad 10. 

You can pick up the iPad 10 for just $299 at Amazon today. That's an incredible $150 less than the launch price for this base model. This discount is the best iPad deal on a current-generation iPad for Prime Day. 

Apple's 10th-generation iPad is the best tablet for most people. It will bury the performance of any other sub-$300 tablet, offers excellent battery life, and packs surprisingly great speakers. While you don't need any accessories, if you want to expand your usage beyond basic tablet tasks, you can invest in a Magic Keyboard Folio or Apple Pencil to transform it into a laptop alternative or digital drawing pad for getting things done on the go. 

We don't expect to see the iPad 10 dip any lower over the week, so if you've been in the market for an affordable tablet, don't wait for this one to sell out.

Today's best iPad 10 deal 

Apple is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to its future product releases, but the same can't be said about the company's backend software — which is routinely scrutinized by those seeking out clues on where the company is headed next.

That's exactly how X user Nicolás Álvarez came across a fresh breadcrumb trail of iPad clues that reveal the as-of-yet-unannounced Apple M5 chip arriving on a future iPad Pro and promising information about Apple's ever-elusive iPad mini 7.

New iPads uncovered

The backend of Apple's software contained references to three new iPads, indicating the likelihood of these particular models being released over the coming 12-month cycle.

The leak identifies an 11th Gen iPad, an 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro M5, and the long-rumored but little-seen iPad mini 7. As compiled by @aaronp613 on X, the complete identifiers indicate both cellular and Wi-Fi options for all models.

When can we expect new iPads in 2024?

While the information in Apple's code is legitimate, that doesn't necessarily mean it's set in stone. That being said, the revealed iPads seem well within the realm of possibility and are more than likely the company's next step. However, the question remains: When can we expect to see each model released?

No dates are linked to the identifiers of each iPad model, so we can only speculate on when these iPads may eventually be released. However, Apple's prior release schedules can give us more accurate insight about what to expect.

With Apple having only recently released the new iPad Air and iPad Pro M4, we'd expect the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro M5 models to mirror a similar release window of around May 2025.

This fits nicely with Apple's new approach to offering more consistent annual upgrades across its product catalog. As such, it's also likely that the new iPad Pro M5 will be released alongside new iPad Air models.

However, the standard 11th Gen iPad and iPad Mini 7 could potentially be released this year. Judging by previous iPad releases, the earliest we'll see the pair is September through October 2024.

• iPad mini (4th Generation) release date: September 9, 2015
• iPad mini (5th Generation) release date: March 18, 2019
• iPad mini (6th Generation) release date: September 24, 2021

• iPad (8th Generation) release date: September 18, 2020
• iPad (9th Generation) release date: September 24, 2021
• iPad (10th Generation) release date: October 26, 2022

Which iPad mini can we expect?

Rumors surrounding a 7th Gen iPad mini have been swirling for some time, with experts, analysts, and leakers all being proven wrong in their predictions about how close the tablet was to release.

The most up-to-date predictions from reliable analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo suggest that the iPad mini 7 will begin mass production in 2H24 — which fits with earlier predictions from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman that the small-scale iPad is likely to arrive "Before the end of the year at the earliest."

However, a recent leak from ZDNet Korea suggests that the iPad mini may feature an OLED display, but it's not yet known if this means the upcoming 7th Generation release or a future 8th Generation model.

We've yet to gain any further clarity on which we can expect, but it does talk to Apple's intentions of making the leap to OLED in full after adopting the display tech for the first time with the latest iPad Pro M4.

For more information, check out the latest information in our iPad mini 7 and OLED iPad mini rumor hubs.

• iPad mini 7 rumors: Expected price, release date, specs, and more
• iPad mini OLED rumors: Display, design, and release date

More from Laptop Mag

• iPad change could flip everything you know about Apple's tablet on its side
• The iPad Pro M4 has outgrown iPadOS, but is it ready for macOS?
• 4 truths about the new iPad Pro M4 you need to know

The iPad Mini might be Apple's smallest tablet, but it could have huge potential, especially with a stunning OLED display. Apple recently unveiled the iPad Pro M4 with an OLED display at a May 7 event ahead of WWDC 2024. So, Apple is ready to dive into its OLED era. 

The iPad Pro may be the first Apple product with OLED, but it certainly won't be the last. The iPad Mini could soon get this major display upgrade and an exciting design update. 

Here's everything we know about the OLED iPad Mini, including its potential release date, price, design, and more. 

OLED iPad Mini: Release date

The OLED iPad Mini is on the horizon, but it's still unclear whether it will be the iPad Mini 7 or the iPad Mini 8. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the next iPad Mini will enter mass production in the second half of 2024. That model, the iPad Mini 7, will be the first iPad Mini released since the Mini 6 launched in 2021. 

Considering that three-year gap, it's possible Apple could give the iPad Mini 7 a significant design update with an OLED display to help justify the long wait. However, a May 23 report from ZDNet Korea hints that the OLED iPad Mini might not launch until 2026 alongside an OLED iPad Air. This lines up with a report from research firm Omdia, which indicates that most of Apple's products won't get OLED until closer to 2026. 

So, Apple might save OLED for the iPad Mini 8 rather than the Mini 7. Apple's release date history for the iPad Mini has been a bit inconsistent, but it still gives us hints of potential windows for an OLED iPad Mini release date: 

Based on this data, Apple prefers fall release dates, except for the iPad Mini 5. It looks like Apple is also leaning toward September releases. So, mid- to late September is the most likely time frame for an OLED iPad Mini release, regardless of the year. If Apple plans to give both the Mini and Air OLED upgrades in 2026, they will likely launch on the same day. 

OLED iPad Mini: Price

Pricing for the iPad Mini has always been a bit odd compared to the rest of the iPad line-up. One would think it would be the most affordable iPad due to its small screen. However, the base iPad (10th generation) is currently $150 cheaper than the iPad Mini (6th generation). So, Apple is positioning the Mini as a premium device on par with the larger iPad Air. 

An OLED display would be a great way to justify the higher price of the iPad Mini. However, it's still possible Apple could bump up its price. The iPad Mini currently starts at $499, just $100 less than the 11-inch iPad Air M2. Apple will likely aim to maintain that price gap. So, if it does increase the price of the OLED iPad Mini (compared to the current iPad Mini 6), it likely won't go above the $599 price tag on the current iPad Air. 

OLED iPad Mini: Design

The design will be the OLED iPad Mini's show-stopper feature. I've made the case that the iPad Mini deserves an OLED display. Considering the Mini is the ideal iPad for media consumption, an OLED display would make it a phenomenal handheld device for watching movies, especially in cramped quarters like airplanes. 

A recent leak from ZDNet Korea indicates that Apple is indeed planning to upgrade the iPad Mini to OLED. The screen size will likely remain roughly the same, at just over 8 inches. However, the rest of the OLED iPad Mini could look noticeably different. 

Several recent leaks from trusted sources report that Apple's entire product line-up is getting thinner in upcoming design refreshes. The ultra-thin chassis on the iPad Pro M4 was one of the highlights of Apple's May 2024 iPad event and appears to be the start of this new thin devices trend. Since the iPad Mini is already considered a premium device, there's no reason to assume Apple would leave it out. 

So, it's possible we could see Apple give it a refresh similar to the iPad Pro M4 by adding an OLED display and a thinner, lighter design simultaneously. That means the Mini will be even more comfortable to hold in a single hand. It would be especially impressive if it were even lighter than an iPhone, but we'll have to wait and see.

OLED iPad Mini: Features

The OLED iPad Mini could include several key features, although some will depend on the software updates Apple releases over the next year or two. For instance, since the Mini is getting an OLED display, it could also get ProMotion. Apple may want to keep this feature exclusive to the iPad Pro, but it would still be nice to see. 

Likewise, we can expect the OLED iPad Mini to resolve some persistent display flukes on the current iPad Mini 6. For example, MacRumors recently reported that Apple is working to fix the "jelly scrolling" issue seen on the iPad Mini 6's LCD. 

"Jelly scrolling," also known as screen tearing, occurs when different areas of a display lag during scrolling, resulting in mismatched frames. While this issue will hopefully be less prominent in the iPad Mini 7, thanks to the OLED display, it should be completely gone with the OLED iPad Mini. 

The OLED iPad Mini could also include support for the Apple Pencil Pro, which was announced in May. This stunning refresh to the Pencil is currently only compatible with the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2.

This is partly because Apple had to relocate the placement of the magnetic charger to accommodate landscape mode selfie cameras in these two new iPads. If Apple doesn't add the same camera update to the iPad Mini 7, it will certainly be in the iPad Mini 8 (the most likely model to feature the OLED display). So, we can expect the OLED iPad Mini to be compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.

The OLED iPad Mini will likely also feature a much more powerful processor than the current iPad Mini 6, which includes an A15 Bionic chip. At WWDC 2024, Apple announced Apple Intelligence, its new AI platform. Apple Intelligence is designed to mainly run on-device, which requires quite a bit of processing power.

So, Apple will likely give its upcoming iPads major processor upgrades to accommodate those new AI features. An M-series chip might be a bit overpowered for the iPad Mini, but it's not out of the question. Apple could also potentially give it an A18 chip like the upcoming iPhone 16 line-up. Either way, we can expect the OLED iPad Mini to be more than capable of running Apple Intelligence features locally.

OLED iPad Mini: What's next?

The OLED iPad Mini could launch anywhere in 2025 or even 2026, although a fall release date is the most likely. Of course, Apple could also unveil it at a surprise event as it did with the iPad Pro M4 in May 2024. So, we're watching closely for the latest news, leaks, and rumors surrounding this exciting update to one of Apple's most underrated products. 

As we wait for an official OLED iPad Mini announcement, there's still a lot to look forward to from Apple. There are several major OS updates coming later this year, including iPadOS 18, which will bring the first wave of Apple Intelligence features to the iPad. Laptop Mag will be covering the latest updates on the iPad line-up and all things Apple, so stay tuned for more insights, rumors, and details. 

More from Laptop Mag

• Did Apple forget about the iPad Mini?
• OLED MacBook rumors: Release date, price, and design update
• Is the Apple Pencil Pro worth buying? A singular new feature could propel it to the mainstream

Prime Day 2024 isn't until July, but Amazon isn't hearing all that. The online retailer is not holding back when it comes to slashing prices on Apple products. 

Currently, the 13-inch iPad Pro M4 with 256GB is on sale for $1,219 at Amazon. Usually, it retails for $1,299 so you're saving $80 with this deal. If it sells out, Staples has it for the same price. You're getting the iPad Pro M4 for its lowest price ever in one of the best pre-Prime Day iPad deals of the season.

If you need more wiggle room for your files, B&H offers the 512GB model 13-inch iPad Pro M4 for $1,399 ($100 off). 

The 2024 iPad Pro is the first device to feature Apple's blazing-fast new 9-core M4 chip. It's 50% faster than the older model M2 and uses just half the power. In terms of GPU performance, it’s a whooping 4X times faster. This means with the iPad Pro M4, you can expect games and other graphics-intensive tasks to run smoother than ever before. 

If you want to snag Apple's most powerful tablet sooner rather than later, this iPad Pro M4 deal is worth considering. Quantities are moving fast, so I recommend you act now.

Today's best iPad Pro M4 deal

Apple announced two new iPads at its "Let Loose" event in May: The iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Air 6 M2, which come in two sizes. The company even advertised a price cut for the base 10.9-inch iPad. The one tablet that wasn't mentioned at all? The iPad mini 7.

The tiny 8.3-inch iPad mini 6 is a favorite among many because of its ideal size for streaming video and reading print. It was released almost three years ago, in September 2021, yet Apple has seemingly forgotten about the iPad mini.

While we haven't heard much about the next-gen iPad mini, reliable analysts—including Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman—seem to think it does indeed exist, and even better, it could be launching as soon as the end of 2024.

It may not be much, but here's what we know about Apple's fan-favorite tiny tablet: the iPad mini 7.

iPad mini 7: Expected release date

In November 2023, reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that “mass production of the new iPad mini is delayed to 2H24, vs. the previous prediction of 1Q24.” 

If this estimate is true and Apple starts mass production in the second half of 2024, the iPad mini 7 could launch in late 2024 or early 2025.

In April, Gurman reported that Apple "is working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini, but those won't be coming before the end of the year at the earliest." 

iPad mini 7: Expected pricing

Right now, the iPad mini 6 starts at $499. That's $100 more expensive than its predecessor, the iPad mini 5, which started at just $399.

Although Apple hasn't confirmed the price (or existence) of the iPad mini 7, it's unlikely that it'll be lower than the iPad mini 6's starting price of $499.

It's possible that Apple could even drop the price of the iPad mini 7 to match that of the iPad mini 5 at $399.

At Apple's  "Let Loose" event in May, the iPad 10's new suggested retail price was announced: $349. That's $100 less than its previous suggested retail price.

As Laptop observed a year ago, it's strange that the smaller iPad mini was more expensive than the 10th-generation iPad when there was only a $50 difference between them. Now, it'd be a $150 difference! 

Granted, the iPad mini 7 could boast a more powerful chip and possibly a better display. However, those two upgrades would have to be significant enough to justify buying a smaller tablet for an extra $150.

iPad mini 7: Specs

The next-gen iPad mini likely won't improve much in terms of specs.

In response to a reader question about Apple's iPad mini 7, Gurman reported that "[Apple] isn’t likely to do another major overhaul of the product, so I’d expect the next model to offer little more than a processor upgrade."

What might that chip upgrade look like? Well, rumors are circulating that it could be an A16 Bionic chip, an A17 Pro Bionic chip, or even an M1 chip, but the truth is, we just don't know yet.

The current-gen iPad mini 6 features an A15 Bionic chip. Jumping to an M1 chip seems unlikely and simply upgrading to an A16 Bionic chip doesn't seem like it'd justify the $150 price difference between the iPad mini 7 and the 10.9-inch iPad. That leaves the A17 Pro chip as our best guess right now.

Regardless of which chip upgrade Apple goes with for its iPad mini 7, a stronger, more efficient processor will result in better battery life. In our iPad mini 6 review, we squeezed out 10 hours and 59 minutes on a single charge, so even more battery life than that in the iPad mini 7 would be fantastic.

The iPad mini 7 might not see much in terms of increased RAM, but we're hoping to see increased storage. The current iPad mini 6 offers two storage options: 64GB and 256GB. Apple finally bumped up its iPad Air line to start with a minimum 128GB of storage, and we're hoping the company does the same with the iPad mini 7.

iPad mini 7: Design

As of right now, the iPad mini 7 isn't expected to offer anything new design-wise compared to the iPad mini 6.

We'll likely have the same color options to choose from — Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, and Purple — but of course, we'd love to see more colorways. More pastel colors, like Blue or Yellow, would be great, and an iPad mini in Space Black sounds like a sleek dream.

iPad mini 7: Display

The iPad mini 7 is bound to boast display upgrades. Nothing official has been announced yet from Apple, but with about three years separating the iPad mini 6 and the iPad mini 7, it'd be wild to not see an improvement to the mini tablet's display.

The iPad mini 6 features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with IPS technology that's LED-backlit and offers a 2266 x 1488-pixel resolution, 500 nits brightness, and True Tone.

Previous rumors suggested that the iPad mini 7 could gain an OLED panel or a 120Hz ProMotion display, which would help justify the current price difference between the iPad mini and the base iPad model, but most analysts seem to think that these display upgrades are reserved for Apple's higher-end Pro models, including Ross Young.

One major upgrade likely coming to the iPad mini 7 is a fix for the infamous jelly-scrolling issue. If you're unfamiliar, jelly scrolling is essentially screen tearing due to refresh rate differences across the screen, and it makes images and text on one side of the screen appear tilted downward, which is incredibly annoying when you're trying to read. Check out jelly scrolling on the iPad mini 6 in action below.

In response to an Ars Technica article on jelly scrolling, Apple said the issue was "normal behavior for LCD screens." Ars Technica updated the article a second time two days after Apple's response to include this info: "An iFixit teardown suggests that the iPad mini's more noticeable scrolling issue is a byproduct of how the display controller is mounted."

According to a leaker on Chinese social network Weibo (via Tom's Guide), Apple will change the way the screen is assembled to "[improve]" the jelly scrolling phenomenon. It's not clear yet how Apple intends to tweak the display, but the jelly-scrolling issue should be much less of a problem on the iPad mini 7.

iPad mini 7: Outlook

The iPad mini 7 is three years overdue, and we can't wait for Apple to announce it officially. 

It may not boast incredibly impressive upgrades, but even small improvements to its processor (and therefore battery life) and display would be much appreciated. Because the $499 iPad mini 6 is already overpriced compared to the now $349 iPad 10, we're hoping the iPad mini 7 stays at the same price.

Apple has been silent about the iPad mini 7, and we haven't heard many rumors from frequent leakers and analysts. However, we're still hopeful that a late 2024 launch could be in the cards. Apple does tend to have an event in September and October, so perhaps we'll hear more concrete details then.

Apple released the first iPad in 2010, but it wasn’t until this week at WWDC 2024 that the iPad finally got the Calculator app. (Math somehow fell through the cracks in one iPadOS update after another over the past 14 years.) Of course, there are plenty of third-party calculator apps on the App Store, but I’ve always thought it’s odd that this basic app was missing from the iPad. 

That finally changed on Monday. There were rumors Apple would add the Calculator app to iPadOS this year, but I was hoping it would include some advanced features like graphing capabilities. What we got instead impressed me even more: An all-new app called Math Notes.

While the sum of incremental updates to iPadOS 18 is a bit underwhelming, Math Notes stands out as something wholly new: It looks engaging, responsive, and even — a rarity for math among liberal arts graduates — fun. 

Not only does Math Notes arguably appear to be the most innovative feature in iPadOS 18, but it could also reveal how Apple can redefine what makes the iPad a must-have device. 

Math Notes is the ultimate homework tool for students 

When Apple revealed the Math Notes feature in the iPad Calculator app at WWDC on Monday, I thought, "This is a game-changer for students." 

Math Notes allows you to write math problems with the Apple Pencil and calculate solutions in the Notes app. When you write an equals sign, Math Notes will automatically run the numbers and add your answer. It will even recreate your handwriting so the solution matches the rest of your work. 

That's not all. Math Notes can also recognize variables, which means it can solve complex math problems for which you would typically need a scientific or graphing calculator. I was hoping the iPad Calculator app would be a graphing calculator. It isn't quite as powerful as my old TI-84 Plus, but Math Notes includes some basic graphing capabilities. 

When you write out certain equations in Math Notes, like a basic parabolic function, you can tap the equals sign, and a little pop-up option will appear saying, "Insert Graph." If you select it, Math Notes will generate a graph of the function you wrote. 

These features are helpful for all kinds of tasks, but studying is where Math Notes will probably shine brightest. It could be an excellent tool for helping students visualize math problems and check their work. The iPad is already popular among students, so it's great to see Apple leaning into that with a perfect tool for studying.

Math Notes isn't just good for students, though. It's also suitable for the iPad because it could hint at a path forward for this struggling product category. 

How Math Notes leverages the iPad’s unique strengths 

Math Notes isn't the first iPad app to include advanced math features like generating graphs or solving equations. WolframAlpha has been offering tools like that for years. However, WolframAlpha is much more complicated than Math Notes and doesn't allow you to write math problems by hand. In contrast, Math Notes is simple to use, integrated seamlessly into iPadOS, and designed specifically for the Apple Pencil. 

That's what makes this feature innovative and unique. Unlike so many other iPad apps, Apple apparently created Math Notes for the iPad first and foremost. It utilizes the unique capabilities and strengths of the Apple Pencil, which is increasingly becoming the iPad's stand-out feature. 

When the iPad initially launched, it was mainly a large-screen companion to the iPhone. In the past 14 years, iPhone screens have gotten much larger, making the iPad's value proposition less appealing. At the same time, the MacBook line-up has gotten lighter and slimmer but remained more powerful than the iPad.

These factors are leaving the iPad in an awkward spot, and it's showing in sales data, too. iPad sales were down in Apple's Q2 2024 earnings report, the most recent one ahead of WWDC. Apple must redefine what makes the iPad unique and what it has that the iPhone and MacBook don't. The most obvious solution is the Apple Pencil.

Apps like Math Notes create unique value for the iPad centered around the Pencil. You'll be able to use Math Notes on the iPhone and Mac, but you can only use the full Apple Pencil version on the iPad. Apple Pencil-focused features like this create compelling reasons to use an iPad without taking anything away from the iPhone and Mac. That could be the key to the future of the iPad and iPadOS.

Is this a peek at the future of the iPad? 

The iPad has had an interesting couple of years. 2023 was the first year in the iPad's history when Apple released no new iPads. Apple did a 180 in 2024 by launching four new iPads and a redesigned Apple Pencil and giving the iPad Pro the M4 chip before the Mac. Despite all those hardware upgrades, iPadOS remains somewhat clunky and half-baked, holding the iPad back from becoming a true laptop replacement. 

The Math Notes app got me thinking, though—maybe the iPad's future isn't as a laptop replacement. Maybe its potential lies in the Apple Pencil. 

There are countless things you can do on a phone or laptop that are more natural with a pencil, like drawing or solving math problems. The iPad is uniquely positioned to quite literally tap into all those possibilities. Math Notes is a perfect example of how designing apps and features for the Apple Pencil can create value for the iPad. If Apple can bring more apps like this to the platform, the iPad could become a must-have device rather than a pricey companion to the iPhone and Mac. 

Math Notes is a great feature on its own, but what it represents really counts: the Apple Pencil is the key to the iPad's future. 

More from Laptop Mag

• iPadOS 18 preview: Apple Intelligence, new features, release date, and more
• Apple warns against cloud-AI data collection, leans into on-device AI
• Is the Apple Pencil Pro worth buying? A singular new feature could propel it to the mainstream