The iconic iPad was launched on the 20th of January 2010. A beautiful new invention that brought the iPhone’s multi-touch interface to a much larger display. While the fascination for the iPad skyrocketed and dipped and skyrocketed again, the undeniable truth was that not many people NEEDED an iPad, but they did WANT one.
As a general appreciator of aesthetic experience and design, I think the iPad is a work of art and using it is a joy. But when deciding to purchase an iPad, one ought to consider what they are going to use their iPad for. There is a whole line up of available iPads. How do you choose?
- WHY IPAD — All the essentials in the most affordable iPad, with a beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display, powerful A13 Bionic chip, and an Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage. Work, play, create, learn, stay connected, and more.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Fast Wi-Fi keeps you connected at home, work, school, or wherever you go with your iPad.
Is An iPad Worth It?
Gorgeous Design and User Experience
This one is a no-brainer for me. If I was looking to buy a tablet, the iPad would have me sold on User experience alone. The design of the physical product and the interface are so integral to the experience of using the product.
We can do the math. Conservatively, most of us consume content for at least a few hours a day, plus an additional few on a weekend. 3 hours a day, 21 hours a week. That is over one thousand hours a year you’re spending with your device. Not including work. The iOS interface is so beautifully planned out, that using it feels like a luxury. The colors are exquisite. The lack of clutter, the smoothness, the simplicity, and the user-friendliness- all lends to a superior experience. When you think of it as an investment for a better experience, the money you spend is justifiable.
Portability
The iPad isn’t just an easy travel companion when you leave the house, it also allows you the freedom not to be chained to a desk. You can bounce around from desk to couch to kitchen to bathroom (no judgment). Outside of home, they’re easy to use while commuting, while traveling, while simply waiting in line at the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment or a suspiciously tardy date. An iPad offers more convenience than a phone while it isn’t nearly as cumbersome as a laptop.
Ease of Use and Accessibility to Every Demographic
The interface on the iPad is intuitive and simple which makes it very easy to get comfortable with and use/ It isn’t cluttered or complicated. The Global Search feature and your Virtual Assistant Siri are wonderful tools that help guide you through any difficulties if you are lost. No matter what your age, the iPad will adapt to your needs and use. If Grandma needs a kitchen recipe tutorial or a kid needs some educational interactive learning. The iPad has you covered. As Apple says, There is an iPad for everyone, find the one right for you.
Content Consumption
The iPad is the ultimate consumption device. It’s more portable than a television screen, bigger than a phone, not as heavy and troublesome as a laptop, it is the perfect Goldilocks product. The best of every world-if what you’re looking for is porridge. Streaming Services, Social Media, Gaming and Reading. Worry not, Goldilocks to the rescue.
Versatility and Multi-Purpose Use (Easy Extensions: Keyboard Pencil)
This sleek lightweight gadget allows for so many extensions and adaptations. The iPad is so versatile, it is up to nearly any task. Whether you’re working on a project, expressing your creativity or playing an immersive game, the iPad is a fun and powerful way to get it done. With the newer editions having the ubiquitous USB-C port in place of the lightning port, your ipad will now easily connect to other devices like cameras and harddisks for easy file transfer and no longer requires an adapter. Available in both WiFi and Cellular options, versatility increases just based on where and when you can use it. With the Magic Keyboard or the Smart Keyboard folio, typing is made easy. The Apple Pencil on a laminate display is a thing of beauty. It easily attaches to your gaming controller and adapts as a screen while you game. It really does give you the best of most worlds.
Multitasking: Stage Manager
Multitasking on the iPad is more intuitive and powerful than ever. The high processing power allows for seamless and smooth working across multiple powerful fuel-guzzling apps- Photoshop to Microsoft Office to everything else the Adobe Suite offers. The Slide Over and Split View functions allow for multiple apps to run at once, picture-in-picture is so convenient. As is the drag and drop function to move content between apps.
Creative Tool
With the myriad of applications available on the App store, the iPad is a fun and powerful device to deploy your creative energies. Here are a few possible avenues available for exploration:
- MUSIC PRODUCTION AND PODCAST
- NOTE-MAKING AND STUDY MATERIAL
- DIGITAL ART AND 3D DESIGN
- PHOTO EDITING AND VIDEO EDITING
- DOCUMENT SCANNER
- FILE MANAGEMENT
The iPad can comfortably handle most power dense applications. Even the most intensive creative projects are easily run- 3D design or high definition video editing or music production. I would bet that it wouldn’t just survive but thrive given it’s upgraded processing power and GPU.
Apple Ecosystem
If you’re already a christened member of the walled garden paradise that is the Apple ecosystem, the iPad is a wonderful little addition to the family. Unsurprisingly, it smoothly integrates with all other Apple devices. It even adapts itself as a second screen when connected to your macbook, increasing the display area. Paired with accessories like the Pencil and Keyboard, there is little you cannot do with the iPad.
Longevity
One of the greatest boons of an Apple product in general, iPad included, is that even though your initial investment is substantial, the product if cared for well, will (at the least) be supported and last smoothly for a half decade if not more. You shoulnt feel the need for an upgrade for at least five years after the release, and while performance might marginally slow down, it will be more than sufficient for everyday light use.
Productivity
The iPad is often marketed as a Productivity device. It’s uncluttered, smooth, simple design facilitates focus and minimizes distraction. Siri makes everything so much easier to find. The Global Search function allows fast and easy navigation to necessary items. The Apple iWork Productivity Suite allows you access to a whole bunch of professional applications, from Spreadsheets to Presentations to Notes and Documents. It facilitates easy file management and organization. Multitasking with Stage Manager lets you seamlessly switch between tasks, even run multiple applications simultaneously. This increases your overall efficiency and productivity which is never a bad thing.
Video Conferencing
This seems like a trivial reason to purchase an iPad but in reality an iPad makes taking a conference call incredibly easy and effortless. The iPad makes Meetings and Communication while on the go comfortable. Easy Breezy, flip it open and answer your call. Multi task while on the call- take important notes, or doodle with a straight face. Take a call at the office or from the subway, from a cafe or while you’re hiding from your family in your closet. The Center Stage feature adjusts the ultra wide front facing camera to track and focus on your face, allowing you to move around and still remain in frame. This essentially means you can move around and bring multiple people into and out of frame without worrying about chopping off heads and manually readjusting the camera angle.
Bonus: Camera and Speakers
I don’t think anyone uses an iPad as their primary photograph taking device, but iPads are well equipped with good cameras. Professionally, this allows you to instantly scan documents or take measurements of physical objects or snap a picture of something you want to sketch or just substitute for a vanity mirror before a meeting.
Diminishing returns
Ali Abdaal did an excellent job of tying the range of iPads and pricing to the concept of Diminishing Returns. In economics, diminishing returns is the decrease in the marginal (incremental) output of a production process as the amount of a single factor of production is incrementally increased, ceteris paribus. Meaning- As you spend more on an iPad, the return on investment for the price jump keeps reducing.
You spend $350 on a basic iPad and you get next to 88% of the iPad experience. An additional $150 will get you the iPad mini which provides maybe an additional 2% benefit, a benefit mostly based on preference. We are now at $500. You’re essentially paying an extra $150 for a smaller size and marginally better specs. Once more, an additional $100 bump in price will get you an iPad Air, which starts at $600. This roughly gives you 95% of the iPad experience. Similarly, the iPad Pros push you up to 100% of the iPad experience for an additional $200-$500 spike in price. This leaves you spending over ~$1000 on your iPad.
You can plot this on a graph (utility vs cost) and see that the more money you spend the less value you get per unit of money spent. This means- A dollar in addition to your primary dollar is getting you less than your primary dollar.
This should factor into your decision while picking the iPad that is right for you. The question of whether an iPad is ‘worth it’ just depends on you- your budget, your requirements, your preferences, what you value and what you do not, etc.
Which iPad should I buy? (Types of iPads)
1. The Basic iPad
At a humble price of around $350, this is your go-to budget-friendly iPad. A no-brainer for students and basic consumers on a budget. This already gives you around 88% of the iPad experience for a fraction of the budget. It does look a little old-fashioned in comparison to the newer models but if you’re looking for functionality, this holds up. Even though it has the weakest processor and least advanced screen in the iPad lineup, it is more than sufficient for most users. It gives you the most bang for your buck. The newer models support the first-gen Apple pencil as well as a smart keyboard, which greatly facilitates comfortable typing, handwritten notes, and digital art.
- WHY IPAD — All the essentials in the most affordable iPad, with a beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display, powerful A13 Bionic chip, and an Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage. Work, play, create, learn, stay connected, and more.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Fast Wi-Fi keeps you connected at home, work, school, or wherever you go with your iPad.
If you’re on a budget and primarily using your iPad for entertainment, web browsing, lightweight text crunching and presentations, note taking, and studying, this iPad is an excellent choice. The truth is you’re not going to notice much of a difference between the A13 processor and the M1 chip if you’re only using your iPad as a basic consumer or a light creator. Realistically, this is all the iPad you need.
But where’s the fun in that?
2. The iPad Air
While you’re paying nearly double the Basic for the iPad Air (~$599), this bad boy has the new M1 processor which is a powerhouse (It is worthy to note though, that you probably aren’t ever going to push an iPad to its limits. Even though the processor is impressive, you don’t really NEED it. It isn’t worth pushing your budget only for the M1 chip.) A . It has a better build quality and feels more luxurious than the Basic. The laminate screen and the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil compatibility allow for a superior experience when it comes to creating art or even note-taking. Thinner bezels and light weight, the Air just feels good in your hands. Recommended for professionals that aren’t willing to splurge on a Pro. Be Mindful and pick what fits your requirement and budget.
- WHY IPAD AIR — Serious performance in a thin and light design. With an immersive 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the amazing performance of the M1 chip, iPad Air is a creative and gaming powerhouse. Featuring Touch ID, advanced cameras, superfast Wi-Fi 6, and a USB-C connector.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad Air comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
3. The iPad mini
This little delight is a tiny, light and easy consumption device (~$499). It is compact, flexible and portable , and it’s gorgeous display works wonderfully when used for browsing and reading, apple pencil (gen 2) compatible for making sketches and taking notes, and the perfect size to work as a portable screen to attach to a gaming controller. The USB-C port too allows for more versatility. It is lightweight and fits so easily in one hand, it is a joy to use as a luxury consumption device to supplement your smartphone and Laptop. As a creator, the lack of display real estate is limiting. It isn’t surprising that an 8.2 inch screen just doesn’t cut it as an artist. The tradeoff for having a smaller size is that the battery life also suffers, which needs bearing in mind. But if your purpose for a tablet is just a glorified Kindle, or a Netflix-device, this is a great buy.
- WHY IPAD MINI — The full iPad experience designed to fit in one hand. With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, powerful A15 Bionic chip, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage, USB-C connectivity, and ultrafast Wi-Fi. Take notes, mark up documents, and edit photos and videos.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos. iPad mini comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Fast Wi-Fi keeps you connected at home, work, school, or wherever you go with your iPad.
4. The iPad Pro
This is a very sexy power machine. The Big Daddy. 8 core CPU, 8 core GPU, 16 core neural engine, 16 gigs of RAM. A full blown computer compressed into an iPad. A very expensive iPad. The 11 ” starting at $699 and the 12.9” starting at $1049. But if your pockets are deep, this beauty is a real class act. It is a tablet equivalent to the Macbook Air. Multiple Simultaneous Video Rendering, 3D design, Gaming. You want it? You got it. This one is a real Beast. That being said- it does beg the painful question, Do you really need it? The truth is, next to nobody will use the iPad anywhere near its maximum capacity. And honestly, I don’t know why you would buy an iPad Pro instead of just getting a Macbook. Because while a touchscreen-based interface is marvelous for casual browsing, casual gaming, and media consumption, it’s usually a vastly inferior substitute for a mouse and keyboard for most work-related tasks. Unless of course you’re a hardcore designer and the large display, touchscreen and Apple Pencil are your main requirements. For a professional that values impeccable color specs and a wide display, perhaps it is justified. Otherwise It seems a little unnecessary and excessive. Marques Brownlee amusingly used the analogy of strapping rockets to your car when all you needed was a pick up truck. But, hey, if you can afford it, and you enjoy beautiful things, why the hell not.
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
Conclusion: So Should You Buy An iPad?
The iPad is your General Multipurpose Luxury Device. When you have a limited budget, there are always going to be tradeoffs. Optimize for the right requirements and pick an iPad that best suits your needs. Before asking ‘Is an iPad Worth it’? Ask yourself a few questions first- What is the primary purpose of this iPad? What am I optimizing for? What matters to me most about the iPad experience?
Make a quick scribble of the cost and benefits, the pros and cons, and choose an iPad that optimizes for your utility. Because maybe it isn’t about whether or not you need an iPad, perhaps it is which iPad do you need? The iPad is going nowhere. In fact, the iPad goes everywhere.
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Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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