Which iPad is right for you? We break down the various options

Apple's iPad lineup consists of four different models, all of which offer a tablet experience unlike anything you'll find anywhere else.

More recently, Apple updated both iPad Pro models with a faster processor and better display technology for the 12.9-inch model.

Each iPad that Apple offers has a different design, different specifications and, of course, different prices.

There's the iPad, the iPad Air, the iPad Mini and the iPad Pro, but which iPad does what, and is the high-end iPad Pro worth it?

Truth be told, all iPads run the same software and have access to the same apps on the App Store.

But there are differences in the type of keyboard they'll work with, and there are two different generations of the Apple Pencil, each for specific iPad models.

So why not just buy the least expensive model?

Well, screen size, overall capabilities, and performance, for that.

We'll break down the differences between the iPad models so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Best for entertainment: iPad 8th generation

It arrived last September at its base starting price of $329 and was our pick for the best tablet of 2021. The update packs improved performance into the iconic tablet design that Apple has yet to fully deviate from.

If you're upgrading from an older iPad model, you'll be happy to know that Apple increased the screen size with last year's base model, from 9.7 inches to 10.2 inches.

The Touch ID fingerprint reader is still hidden in Apple's tried-and-true home button.

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The eighth-generation iPad's performance boost comes courtesy of Apple's A12 Bionic processor.

That's the same chip Apple used in the iPhone XS, so it's a couple of years old, but it's still not far behind.

Combined with the performance gains of iPadOS 14, iPad will have no problem browsing the web, playing games, or watching your favorite creators on YouTube.

The base model Apple iPad is the ideal tablet for someone who doesn't necessarily want a laptop replacement or needs something to do heavy photo or video editing.

It's more than enough for a young student or anyone who sees the iPad more as an entertainment device.

Best for work and play: The iPad Air

buy it at

MX$16,499 or

USD$ 124

A model once forgotten, Apple completely updated and redesigned the fourth-generation iPad Air in late 2020. The Air sits comfortably in the middle of Apple's tablet lineup, both in terms of price and capabilities, and is incredibly attractive for those exact reasons.

The new Air looks more like the iPad Pro, with flat edges, a place to wirelessly charge the second-generation Apple Pencil, and a USB-C port.

It comes in five colors: space gray, silver, rose gold, green, and sky blue.

The screen goes almost edge to edge, without a home button.

It also lacks Face ID, a feature that's still reserved for the iPad Pro line. Instead, Apple built its Touch ID fingerprint technology into the iPad Air's sleep/wake button.

It was the first time we've seen Apple use Touch ID anywhere other than the home button, and it worked flawlessly in our tests.

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Inside the Air is Apple's A14 Bionic processor.

It's the same processor used by the iPhone 12 line, and it's incredibly fast and powerful.

Apps open quickly, games are lag-free, and multitasking is a breeze.

The Air is powerful enough to handle everyday tasks like email and web browsing, but it also keeps up with your photo and video editing needs.

If you're looking for a tablet you can get some work done on that's more powerful than the entry-level iPad and not as expensive as the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is a good choice.

Best for Portability: The 5th Gen iPad Mini

buy it at

 USD$499 / 

 MX$13,499

The iPad Mini is essentially a smaller version of the base model iPad.

It uses Apple's A12 processor and comes with up to 256GB of storage and support for Apple Pencil.

There's no smart keyboard cover for the Mini, but you can connect any Bluetooth keyboard to the tablet for long-form typing.

Of course, as its name implies, the Mini is smaller than the rest of the iPad lineup, with a 7.9-inch Retina display.

The Mini is ideal for someone who is constantly on the go and wants access to the power of an iPad and the App Store ecosystem in a portable form factor.

Best for a Laptop Replacement: The 5th Gen iPad Pro

buy it at

 USD$849 / 

 MX$27,299

The iPad Pro line is designed for and aimed at those who want the most powerful and capable tablet Apple has to offer.

Apple included the same M1 Apple Silicon processor that's also found in the company's latest Mac computers in the iPad Pro. Yes, that means the MacBook Pro and the new iPad Pro use the exact same processor.

In addition to a new processor, you can now get either model with 8GB or 16GB of memory (up from a maximum of 6GB on the 2020 model), which means apps and Safari tabs stay open. more time in the background and give you better overall performance.

There's now a USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 port on the iPad Pro, adding better support for displays and faster data transfers to external storage devices.

And for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple introduced a Mini LED display that it calls Liquid Retina XDR display.

That fancy marketing term translates to an overall enhanced image, but it's especially apparent when watching videos or looking at photos.

Blacks are more faithful, and colors are more saturated but still realistic.

The iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard and its trackpad can replace a laptop, or at least be used in place of a laptop for most computing tasks.

The second generation Apple Pencil will work with the new iPad Pro to take notes or draw.

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