Just in time for the holidays, iPads in all sizes. From a “Mini Me” to a “Grande” version. What will fit in your stocking? Well certainly not the iPad Pro, but man I am looking forward to this model. To me, this is the epitome of computing. This is computing on the go. The strength of a computer and the mobility of a phone. Once the iPad Pro hits shops, Apple’s tablet range will be the most diverse it’s ever been, with three main form factors and a range of price options for customers to choose from.
Let’s take a look at what your options are, and which iPad you fit into. Which model is your flavor? iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air or the iPad Mini 4?
iPad Pro
Why you should consider this: The iPad Pro will have the largest screen and is Apple Pencil compatible. It will also be the most expensive, but your buying into the future.
Apple’s newest iPad Pro is also its biggest and most powerful. The iPad Pro has a huge 12.9-inch display, making larger by 3.2 inches. Despite being the largest iPad display, the iPad Pro retains its 264 ppi ‘Retina display’ status thanks to a 2732 × 2048 resolution.
The iPad Pro has an enhanced A9X CPU that makes it the most powerful iOS device on the market. The iPad Pro is also unique for offering support for the new Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, which provide stylus and physical keyboard input options respectively. All of which means that the iPad Pro is the perfect choice for artists who like to sketch on their tablets, as well as for those who want to use their iPad for the kind of productivity tasks usually reserved for a laptop. It’s a thing of beauty and starts at $799.
iPad Air 2
Why you should consider this: Its considered the Best ‘normal’ iPad
The iPad Air 2 is the current top model of the iPad as we all know it. It’s got the same-sized 9.7-inch display as the very first iPad, but with a sharper 2048 x 1536 resolution.
It’s also a lot slimmer and lighter than previous full-sized iPads at 6.1mm and 437 grams respectively.
Meanwhile, an A8X CPU and 2GB of RAM makes it the fastest device of Apple’s 2014 roster, and it still holds its own today as the second-fastest iPad in the range. The addition of a Touch ID sensor.
It’s worth noting that the iPad Air 2 is more than a year old now, but that you still have to pay the same price as you did on launch day. The positive side is that it’s a sign of what an excellent tablet it is that Apple feels confident it can stand as a flagship ‘normal’ tablet for at least a few months more. Simply stated, there still isn’t another 10-inch tablet that comes close to the iPad Air 2 for all-round excellence.
iPad Air
Why you should consider this: The most affordable model out there.
If you’re after a full-sized iPad but are on a strict budget, there’s the iPad Air. It looks and indeed acts very similar to its successor, the iPad Air 2, but it’s $100 cheaper. It’s significantly less powerful, of course, with an A7 CPU compared to the Air 2’s enhanced A8X, but it’ll still run iOS and apps and games smoothly.
There’s no Touch ID, so you won’t be able to unlock the iPad Air with your fingerprint, and the camera is a 5-megapixel unit. Personally, for $100 I would move to the iPad Air 2, but if your budget really can’t stretch, it remains a strong tablet.
iPad Mini 4
Why you should consider this: It’s the best value all around.
The is the second new iPad of 2015 and is a much-needed replacement for the iPad mini 3, which fell short on all specs. Essentially it offers the iPad Air 2’s performance – including an A8 CPU, 2GB of RAM, and a TouchID sensor under the home button – but in a smaller form factor. This compact tablet has a smaller 7.9-inch display, but the same 2048 x 1536 resolution as the Air family. It’s also 138g lighter. Small, powerful and priced in the middle of the road or iPads. With its ideal balance of power, portability, and price, the iPad mini 4 is arguably the best-value iPad in the range. Starting at $399 this tablet is the best choice at this size.
So whether you want the mini or need the Pro, Apple never disappoints (usually). The Apple value goes beyond hardware and software, it’s a life experience. Who best to test this experience than your cat – See video.