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Apple now has a catalog of tablets very well segmented according to the use we want to give it. Prices have been dropping with recent generations to make them more affordable and the general performance of the entire catalog remains very good. But... which one to buy? We are clear about it and we would choose the iPad (11th generation) for its quality-price ratio.

The iPad (11th generation) is not the most powerful model, that's a fact. But it is the model that is most oriented to a broad audience. We have a good screen, a battery that has great autonomy and its performance is excellent. In addition, it comes with the A16 chip, the same one found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.

Yes, the iPad may have become somewhat outdated due to this same chip, since not having a more recent version means that it is left without Apple Intelligence functions. But for everything else, we are talking about a model that performs exceptionally well for the price at which it usually operates.

The highlights

Why they stand out

Of all the iPads that make up Apple's current catalog, we choose the iPad (11th generation) for its quality-price ratio. Next, we are going to review the main characteristics of the iPad so that you are clear about what criteria to follow if you want to buy one of the current models.

Screen. While it is true that Apple has fallen a little behind the competition when it comes to iPad screens, little by little we are seeing better features. However, it should be noted that some models maintain the refresh rate at 60 Hz.

In any case, they are generally screens that look especially good, especially on the more expensive models (Air and Pro). These iPads also have several versions that incorporate different sizes of 11 and 13 inches.

Chips. iPads are tablets that stand out above all for their power. Some, like the Air and Pro, have computer processors. Regardless of the model in front of us, we can talk about good performance at all times. And yes, this is thanks to its chips, but also to how well optimized the software is.

The iPad (11th generation) and iPad mini (7th generation) are the only ones that incorporate mobile processors. They are not as powerful as the M4 of the Air and the M5 of the Pro, but we are still talking about processors that offer excellent performance.

Apple Intelligence. Apple has fallen behind in the race to implement artificial intelligence features in its devices. Apple Intelligence has not yet borne the fruits that we expected from the beginning, although to a greater or lesser extent it is available for most of its tablets.

While it is true that most models are compatible with Apple Intelligence (even the iPad mini, which is the oldest of all), not all of them are. Specifically, the iPad (11th generation) is not compatible with Apple Intelligence, and it is because of the chip it has built in.

iPadOS. Each type of Apple device has its own software or operating system, and tablets are obviously no exception. All of them come with iPadOS, which is closer to what we find in iOS with iPhones than to macOS with computers. And this is something that is increasingly incomprehensible to us.

Some iPads, like the Air and Pro, have computer chips built in, making them very powerful. In fact, they are so powerful that we could talk about alternatives to MacBooks if it weren't for the fact that iPad is more limited than macOS. And this is important because some applications are only compatible with computer software.

Additionally, like iPhones, iPads typically receive software updates for many years.

Battery. The battery is one of the areas where Apple usually stands out the most, at least in devices like MacBooks or iPads. Regardless of the model in front of us, we are going to find good autonomy figures, something especially interesting if we do not want to depend so much on the charger.

As a reference, Apple always talks about theoretical autonomy with a specific use, whether web browsing or playing multimedia content. In any case, iPads usually last approximately 10 hours of use.

Other options to consider

Although we have recommended the iPad (11th generation) as the best iPad for its quality-price ratio, there are other alternatives that should be kept in mind, especially if you are looking for other features. Here you have all the models that we can find in the current Apple catalog:

iPad Air M4. Although it is true that its price is much higher, the iPad Air M4 is another of the tablets with the best quality-price ratio in Apple's current catalog. The current generation incorporates the M4 chip (the penultimate base launched in MacBook). Its screen looks pretty good, it has 12 GB of RAM and is available in two sizes of 11 and 13 inches. In addition, its thickness is only 6.1 millimeters and the smallest version weighs 464 grams.

iPad mini (7th generation). The iPad mini (7th generation) is one of the most attractive models due to its format, since we are talking about the smallest iPad with an 8.3-inch screen. It is intended, above all, to be used outside the home and carried in a backpack without taking up too much space. Its chip is the A17 Pro, so it offers good performance.

iPad Pro M5. Finally, the iPad Pro M5 is Apple's most powerful tablet. It incorporates the M5 chip, thus offering exceptionally good power and performance. It is also available in two sizes of 11 and 13 inches, its screen has OLED technology and reaches a refresh rate of 120 Hz and has anti-reflective treatment.

Configurations and extras

In addition to everything we have mentioned before, it is worth keeping in mind that there are many configurations and extras that we can find in each of the iPad models.

Storage and unified memory (RAM). Each iPad is available in various storage and unified memory or RAM configurations. Depending on the use we want to give it, it is advisable to opt for one or the other. In any case, the lowest or minimum configurations are usually the ones that receive the most offers and the ones with the best prices.

Screens. As we have mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the iPad Air and iPad Pro are available with two different screen sizes, 11 and 13 inches. It is worth clarifying that since there are differences in size, there are also differences in weight.

Connectivity. We can also find different versions of iPad depending on connectivity. All models have a WiFi connection, but it is important that we keep in mind that each of the Apple tablets has another version that also includes a Cellular connection (4G).

Accessories. iPads are designed for productivity, so they are compatible with a good assortment of accessories, both from Apple and third-party brands. It is important to be clear about which accessories are compatible with which iPad model, since compatibility varies depending on the tablet.

FAQs about the best iPad

Which iPad to choose based on the use we are going to give it?

This is the most important question we have to ask ourselves before purchasing one model or another. The basic iPad is aimed at the majority of the public because it works very well. If you want to have Apple Intelligence without losing the size of the screen, and also gain good power, the iPad Air is the best option. If you want the most compact iPad, the iPad mini is the most attractive. And if we are looking for the greatest power and the best screen quality, the choice is the iPad Pro.

How much internal storage to choose?

This is another important question, especially since price has a big impact on the answer. Most offers are in the most basic configurations (usually 128 and 256 GB). However, the 128 GB version may be just enough if we want to store a lot of information locally.

Can iPads replace a laptop?

For power, yes. But iPadOS doesn't offer the same app compatibility as macOS. This is important to keep in mind. Perhaps in some cases it can serve as a substitute for a MacBook, but it depends a lot on the applications you want to use. Furthermore, to speak of a "substitute" it is necessary to have accessories such as a keyboard or mouse.

What are the differences between an A chip and an M chip?

While A chips come from iPhones, M chips come from MacBooks. The former are good for using the iPad on a daily basis, while the latter are especially interesting for their power. Are you going to squeeze all the power out of these latest chips? Probably not, but they are very good for running apps designed for productivity.

How long does an iPad battery last?

The autonomy depends a lot on the use we give to the iPad, whether we are playing music, if we have the brightness very high, if we use WiFi and Bluetooth networks, etc. In any case, Apple offers a theoretical figure on all its models, which is usually approximately 10 hours of use.

How long does it take to update the operating system on an iPad?

Similar to what we find in Apple telephony, iPads usually receive software updates for many years. They generally receive updates for five or seven years.

Final recommendation

Among the different proposals in the Apple catalog, we choose the iPad (11th generation) for its quality-price ratio. It is a tablet aimed at the broader audience of users both for the price and the performance it offers with daily use.

However, you may be looking for a tablet with different features. In this case, the iPad Air M4 is the second model with the best quality-price ratio, since on the one hand we have a more or less adjusted price and a chip that we see in Apple computers.

It is also important to keep in mind that the iPad mini (7th generation) is a particularly interesting model due to its portability as it has the smallest screen in the current catalog of Apple tablets, or the iPad Pro M5 which stands out for the great power of its M5 chip and for the very good quality of its screen.

Note: some of the links published here are affiliate links. Despite this, none of the mentioned articles have been proposed by the brands or the stores, their introduction being a sole decision of the team of editors.

Images | Álvaro García M. in Applesfera, Apple

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