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Which iPad is Best for Me

Hi I am a college student using softwares such as photoshop and procreate. I was wondering which iPad you think would be best for these types of programs and why.

Posted on Mar 8, 2021 10:21 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 8, 2021 5:04 PM

“Best” is subjective. 


You can compare iPad models here:

iPad - Compare Models - Apple


The 2020 “iPad” (the iPad8) is the current entry-level iPad. The 2020 iPads Pro are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, cutting edge hardware. The 2020 iPad Air4 has a newer processor than the current iPad Pro models - this model offering a mid-range high performance option. The iPad mini5 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.


Whatever model you chose, be mindful of the internal storage that you select - as internal storage and hardware cannot be upgraded or extended. Whatever you choose will be with the iPad for its lifetime. We see regular tales of woe from those seeking the economy of low storage, only to discover that their needs exceed the available storage. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify your storage needs, add a healthy margin - then double it. Alternatively, buy as much storage as your budget will allow, accepting that this is a non-reversible decision after purchase.


Only you can decide upon your needs, expectations and budget.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 8, 2021 5:04 PM in response to brynn259

“Best” is subjective. 


You can compare iPad models here:

iPad - Compare Models - Apple


The 2020 “iPad” (the iPad8) is the current entry-level iPad. The 2020 iPads Pro are the opposite end of the scale - top of the range, cutting edge hardware. The 2020 iPad Air4 has a newer processor than the current iPad Pro models - this model offering a mid-range high performance option. The iPad mini5 is perhaps an entirely different proposition - offering a smaller form factor and other differences in hardware and ultimate capability.


Whatever model you chose, be mindful of the internal storage that you select - as internal storage and hardware cannot be upgraded or extended. Whatever you choose will be with the iPad for its lifetime. We see regular tales of woe from those seeking the economy of low storage, only to discover that their needs exceed the available storage. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify your storage needs, add a healthy margin - then double it. Alternatively, buy as much storage as your budget will allow, accepting that this is a non-reversible decision after purchase.


Only you can decide upon your needs, expectations and budget.

Mar 8, 2021 5:09 PM in response to brynn259

I am confuse.

Procreate is an iOS/iPadOS/iPad app only.

So, how are you already using this app?


All current iPad models all run the same full iPadOS.

All current iPad models all either use the original, 1st or newer 2nd gen Apple Pencil.

( iPad 8th gen and iPad Mini 5 all use the original, 1st gen Apple Pencil )

( 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro and 2020 iPad Air 4 models use the 2nd gen Apple Pencil )



So, iPads are more like cars, now.


You are paying for iPad optional features, now.



Do you want/need larger internal data storage space for data, like music. movies and photos/images and room for other types of data?


Do you need a larger or smaller iPad screen?


Do you need/want an iPad model in a variety of colors?


Do you want/need a bonded, laminated display?


Do you/want/need higher color gamut display with Tru-tone room brightness calibration?


Do you want/need faster, more powerful internal CPU?


Do you want/need more internal processing RAM?


Do you want/need better iPad cameras?


Do you want/need better/more iPad speakers?


Do you want/need the improved, 2nd gen Apple Pencil?


Do you want/need to have the new Magic Keyboard portfolio for the 2018/2020 iPad Pro/iPad Air 4 models?



All of these options are what you need to decide if you really need, or not, and to decide to pay for accordingly.

The more iPad features you decide you need, the more you pay.


It all comes down to how much money you are willing to spend on iPads with additional, premium features.


You can now pretty much do everything on any current iPad model, now.

All current iPad models are sufficiently powerful enough to do pretty much any task put to them now.



https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/


Purchase the largest internal data storage capacity iPad model you can afford as no Apple mobile iOS/iPadOS devices have ANY internal expandable storage.



Best of Luck to You!

Which iPad is Best for Me

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