Which iPad is right for me?

Which iPad should I buy?

This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions about the iPad I receive. And I always give the same legalistic answer:

"It depends...😌"

What's important, which technical details you absolutely need to know, and which iPad I would recommend to specific groups, such as teachers, students, and those new to digital planning, you'll read about it now!

Our facilities

At Paperless Life, we have been using several iPad models daily for 3 years:

iPad 2021 (*) (9th generation), 10.2-inch, 256 GB, Wi-Fi

iPad Pro 2022 (*) (6th generation), 12.9-inch, 2 TB, Wi-Fi

iPad Pro 2018 (3rd generation), 12.9-inch, 64 GB, Wi-Fi

What do we use our iPads for for Paperless Life?

• GoodNotes Notes
• Customer support
• Answer emails
• Communication within the team and with freelancers
• Editing all YouTube videos
• Organization of appointments and tasks
• Working on the go with a keyboard

What do we use our iPads for privately?

• GoodNotes Notes
• For cooking
• Organization of appointments
• Entertainment
• shopping lists
• Document processing
• For private things (diary, etc.)

You can find all our devices here .(*)

Overview of the iPads we use in everyday life

	iPad 2021 (9th generation)	iPad Pro 2022 (6th generation)
Price	429 € - 799 €	1,449 € - 3,024 €
memory	64 GB - 256 GB	128 GB - 2 TB
Pencil	1st generation	2nd generation
Display size	10.2 inches	12.9 inches
Connection	Lightning	USB-C
RAM	3 GB RAM	M2 chip 16 GB RAM
Hover function	no	Yes

Price

Inflation and the sharply fluctuating exchange rate between € and $ have a significant impact on the current prices of Apple devices. New prices are significantly higher than in previous years. This makes it all the more important to buy the perfect device for your situation . If you haven't used an iPad before and want to buy one for personal use, you should consider purchasing refurbished products (used, completely overhauled devices), private auctions on eBay classifieds, or other portals. The advantage of refurbished products is that the devices are sold completely overhauled and come with the statutory warranty.

If you're not willing to invest that much money in a new iPad, you can also buy a used iPad from the 8th generation upwards if you use simple applications like GoodNotes, etc. This also makes a lot of sense from a sustainability perspective.

memory

My first iPad Pro had 64 GB. "I think that's enough," I told my boyfriend when I bought it, when I started my paperless life in 2020. I quickly realized that the storage was n't sufficient for my needs 😅 However, when I started my own business, I didn't want to invest too much in a new iPad, and a smaller iPad wasn't an option. So I opted for the iPad Pro with its smaller storage. My tip : Don't skimp on storage! If you plan to integrate it into your daily processes, too little storage will eventually come back to haunt you.

If you don't want to use the iPad for business purposes, but only for private digital planning, then in most cases 128/256 GB of storage is sufficient.

External storage

Because my first iPad only had 64 GB, I couldn't edit videos with it. So I quickly looked for a way to connect an external SSD to the iPad. Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro, as well as the new 2022 iPads, have a USB-C port . This gives you a lot of flexibility and the option to expand the iPad's storage. If you have the financial means, I would recommend purchasing adequate internal storage , even with the option to expand the storage.

Pencil

We never bought a 1st-generation Apple Pencil because we don't like the idea of ​​having to plug it into the iPad to charge it. Being a clumsy person, I felt the risk of bumping into it and breaking the connector was too great. We then bought a Pencil in 2020, which cost around €30 at the time, and it still works today. Unfortunately, the product is no longer available, but there are dozens of similar products. The Pencil has one major advantage over the original Apple pencils: When the battery is empty, you can charge it and write at the same time. Unfortunately, that doesn't work with the Apple Pencil.

RAM

For anyone like Anna who enjoys editing videos on their iPad and uses it professionally, the M2 chip is simply a dream. I haven't had a situation yet where I could push the iPad Pro 2022 to its limits. No matter what you do, everything runs smoothly. The iPad 2021 falls short in some areas.

Case colors

If you'd like a colorful iPad, you can check out the new 2022 iPads or the iPad Air and iPad mini. Personally, I always wear a protective case around my iPad and wouldn't want to use it without a case. The devices are simply too expensive for that. If you want to use it with a protective case, the color doesn't matter, since you won't see it.

Display size

The display size is one of the most subjective characteristics of an iPad. In my opinion, it depends on the intended use—what do you want to use the iPad for? Here, you have to consider what you personally prefer and consider the price, because the larger the screen, the more money you'll have to invest.

Wifi or Cellular

Apple calls the cellular connection feature on its products "Cellular." This means that the iPad offers the option of inserting a SIM card to establish a cellular connection.

In a time when Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere (okay, it's usually better abroad than in Germany 😂), I don't see any need for constant reception via a SIM card, at least in my everyday life. I use my iPad at home 95% of the time, and when I'm out and about, I can still access the data stored on it. In my opinion, you can save the money in most cases. If necessary, you can always set up a mobile hotspot for the iPad using your smartphone.

What about iPad Air & iPad Mini?

iPad Mini 6th generation

We don't currently have an iPad Mini in our home. However, I've read many iPad Mini reviews here in the online shop. So far, everyone in the reviews is extremely satisfied with the iPad mini. On the other hand, I've also canceled a few purchases because some people didn't like using the iPad Mini.

For some users, the display was simply too small. For others, it's the perfect size. It's not suitable for me as a primary device, but as a secondary device, it has many uses: for on-the-go use, it's handy, it fits in a purse, and the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil is compatible with the new iPad Mini (6th generation) .

The iPad Mini is available in Space Gray , Rose , Violet , and Polaris.

Advantages:

• small and light → perfect for on the go
• Compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd Gen (6th generation and later)
• suitable for reading → hold with one hand

Disadvantages:

• small screen severely limits use

Possible areas of application:

• private use as a secondary device (e.g. smart home, reading, taking notes in GoodNotes)
• professional (suitable for handbag)

iPad Air

I'd probably choose the iPad Air if I wanted a compact iPad compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. Given the 256 GB storage limit, I see it more as a choice for ambitious personal use.

Professional use in photo and video editing would also be possible due to its performance. You could also consider expanding it with external storage in the form of an SSD. For professional drawing, however, I miss the hover function of the iPad Pro 2022, which is why I would lean more towards the iPad Pro for drawing. If you need a compact iPad with a lot of power, you should consider the iPad Air. The iPad Air is available in Space Gray , Blue , Rose , Violet , and Polaris . The iPad Air is a perfect compromise : it's powerful, colorful, and compact without breaking the bank.

Possible areas of application:

• Mobile photo & video editing
• Draw

Advantages:

• Colorful
• M1 chip for high performance with compact size and low weight
• USB-C port (thus flexible connection option)
• Compatible with Apple Pencil 2nd generation
• Compatible with Magic Keyboard

Disadvantages:

• 256 GB maximum storage capacity

iPad 2022 (10th generation)

Unfortunately, the disrupted supply chains in 2021/22 seem to have led to a design for the 10th-generation iPad that I would call a flop. The iPad has a USB-C port, while the Apple Pencil 1st Gen has a Lightning port, so you'll need to purchase an additional adapter to charge the Apple Pencil 1st Gen via a cable:

Conclusion & Recommendations

There is no general answer to the question of which iPad model is best, as it depends on several factors:

• How much money do you want to spend?
• What do you want to use it for?
• How "data-intensive" is the work you want to do with it?

How much money you want to spend is entirely up to you. However, some user groups can be summarized, and based on these, I will make the best iPad recommendations for a first-time purchase.

Which iPad should you use to get started with digital planning?

If you want to get an iPad specifically for digital planning, but don't have high technical requirements for the device otherwise, you should at least go for an 8th generation iPad (used from around €300). If your budget allows, I would recommend the 9th generation iPad as an entry-level model . We use this iPad ourselves every day and are very happy with it. For sustainability reasons, I generally recommend a used iPad , as you can save a lot of money and still find flawless iPads.

Which iPad for teachers?

For teachers, I would recommend the iPad Pro with the 12.9" display . The large display also allows for easy split-screen work. Given the price range, I would choose at least 512 GB of storage. Whether you absolutely need the 2022 iPad Pro or the 2021 version will largely depend on your budget. I know from the users of my teacher calendar that a very large proportion use the iPad Pro for teaching and are very enthusiastic about it, as one teacher told me:

Which iPad should I buy for university/study in 2023?

For students, I would recommend the 2021 iPad (9th generation) with 256 GB of storage. However, this iPad is only compatible with the 1st generation Pencil. If you want to use the 2nd generation Pencil, you're in a different price range. So if you want a good tablet at a fair price, the 9th generation iPad is a great choice!

If your budget allows, you could also consider the iPad Air , which is compatible with the 2nd generation Pencil. The iPad Pro , with its 12.9-inch screen, is also a solid device; the 2022 model even features the M2 chip, but it falls into the higher price segment.

For taking notes at university, you should definitely consider a keyboard for your iPad.

Which iPad for students?

For students, the range of devices available is very broad. The most important factor is budget . In the price range under €350, you can consider used devices like the iPad 10.2" 2020 (8th generation). The iPad 10.2" 2021, which has proven itself in school use, is available from around €429. If your budget is significantly higher, you can also consider an iPad Pro 2021 or newer.

Which iPad to buy for drawing in 2023?

If you're a freelancer, I'd recommend an iPad Pro 2021 with a smaller storage capacity. If you're using the iPad Pro for work, the M2 chip is necessary to take advantage of all the features, like the new Hoover feature . Then you should consider the iPad Pro 2022.

Which is the latest iPad?

The latest iPad models are:

• iPad Pro 2022 (6th Generation) (*)
• iPad 2022 (10th Generation) (*)
• iPad Air 2022 (5th Generation) (*)
• iPad mini 2021 (6th generation) (*)

Which iPad is the best?

The iPad Pro 2022 (6th generation) is currently the best the tablet market has to offer . I've been using it myself since November 2022 and I love it. I use the iPad every day for work and opted for the 2 TB version so I can edit long 4K YouTube videos.

Here are all the recommendations again in a table:

I recommend buying the appropriate Apple Pencil for your iPad ( Red = 1st generation , Blue = 2nd generation )

Here(*) you can find all iPads.

There are a ton of useful accessories available for each device. If you're interested, feel free to read the blog post about the accessories I use for working on the iPad.

My final tip: Always base your purchase decision on your personal application, as each individual use case requires a decision as to which device is best suited.

Sources:

https://www.apple.com/de/ (as of January 29, 2023)

The links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. If you click on such an affiliate link and make a purchase through that link, I receive a commission from the respective online shop or provider. The price does not change for you.