Times are changing, and so is education means. With almost all materials now in digital forms and many meetings now taking place virtually, getting a suitable tech gadget, especially for students, is sacrosanct. While personal computers or a Macbook are undoubtedly good for students, they may not bring as much convenience and portability as a tablet. College students must write many essays, make presentations, and take notes.
Apple’s iPads are getting more sophisticated daily, with many valuable accessories making them versatile. For instance, a person can quickly convert their iPad into a MacBook with the Magic Keyboard case. But given students’ peculiarities like availability of funds and diverse disciplines, which iPad can they buy in 2023 to meet their needs?
Suppose you are a student reading this piece because you need a buying guide; welcome! I will help you decide which is best for you, depending on your situation. But before we get straight into this discussion, please, note that you may qualify for some discounts on the Apple education store. So, getting your new iPad and saving as much as $150 begins with looking in the right place. With that off the way, here are the best iPads for students in 2023
Best iPads For Students In 2023
- Best Power – iPad Pro 12.9 inches
- Overall Best – iPad Air 5 (2022)
- Most Budget-Friendly – iPad 9th Generation
- Best For Compactness – iPad mini 6
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Best For Productivity: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful MI chip used in Macbooks | Quite expensive for students |
| ProMotion that refreshes at 120Hz | A bit heavier than other iPads |
| Massive storage capacity | |
| 5G Connectivity |
There is no better iPad than the iPad Pro 12.9-inch currently on the market. Its smaller version, the iPad Pro 11-inch, is essentially the same, save for the screen size. While it may not be the perfect fit for students primarily because of the price, I feel I must include it on the list. Students with enough money to spend can get this iPad without regrets.
An iPad Pro 12.9-inch starts from $1,099 for its 128GB version, while its 2TB model costs $2,199. Of course, your sponsor or parents must be wealthy and generous to include that in your package. Even the 11-inch model, which starts from $799, can be a handful for any middle-income student. But again, it’s the best iPad ever, and you cannot probably ask for anything more if you choose to buy it.
Whether you are into graphic design or a medical student that relies heavily on animations, this beast of an iPad has got everything you need. Its M1 chip is about its most outstanding feature, plus the incredible refresh rates. You can read more about the specifications of this excellent tablet from Apple here.
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Overall Best For Students: iPad Air 5 (2022)
| Pros | Cons |
| Moderately-big screen | Limited storage option (256GB & 64GB) |
| Lightweight | No Face ID |
| Mid-range price | |
| Powerful M1 processor |
There is hardly any function a student hopes to get with an iPad Pro that they cannot get in an iPad Air 5. The latest update released in March 2022 has a 10.9-in display, costing $599 for its 64GB model. Its 256GB model, which I recommend, costs $749.
Besides the much lesser price advantage, the 2022 version now has the powerful M1 processor that makes the iPad Pro stand out. However, the difference is that iPad Air 5 does not have the ProMotion feature in the Pro models.
Also, with its weight of just 461g, iPad Air is about the lightest tablet to carry around. The camera is also at pal with the Pro models, and fashion-conscious students can choose from its different colors and styles. With all these features and others you can read here, iPad Air 5 is undoubtedly a student-friendly tablet.
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Most Budget-Friendly: iPad 9th Generation
| Pros | Cons |
| Most budget-friendly for students | Large bezel |
| Moderately large screen 10.2 | Older processor |
| Compatible with Apple Pencil 1 and Magic keyboard case | No Face ID |
Money is a big deal to most students, as many take loans to pursue their academic careers. If you are on student loans, you won’t want to add more burdens by getting an overly expensive gadget. iPad 9th gen will meet the needs of any student with its 10.2-inch Retina display and impressive 12MP front camera with a wide lens. Its A13 Bionic chip may be two generations behind, but it is incredibly fast for reading, marking texts, taking notes, and doing other students’ stuff.
iPad 9 generation also has two storage options – 64GB and 256GB – like the iPad Air 5. The 64GB model sells for $324, while its 256GB variant sells for $412. Its home screen button and pronounced bezels may make it less desirable, but it gets the work done for students, especially high school students.
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Best For Compactness – iPad mini 6
| Pros | Cons |
| Very compact | Limited support for accessories |
| A15 Bionic present in iPhone 13 Pro Max | Small screen |
| Lightweight (just 293g) | |
| Supports Apple Pencil 2 |
Here is it if you need an iPad just a few inches wider than the broadest iPhone. Apple probably had minimalists in mind while designing this tablet, as its 8.3-inch display takes little space and makes it the traveler’s choice. While closely resembling the iPad Air in features and functions, it doesn’t have the home button feature in older iPads that many people find annoying.
Great news to photo-freaked folks! This iPad has 12MP rear and front cameras, and the stereo speakers are a delight when watching movies. Its support for 5G connectivity also makes it a valuable tablet for students. If you don’t mind reading your texts on a small screen, the iPad 6 mini offers all you need for your studies.
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Wrapping Up
iPad Air 5 is undoubtedly my recommendation for students. It offers most of the features of an iPad Pro while helping to save some money. While iPad Pro 12.9 or 11-inch is the best in Productivity, it might waste efficiency and funds for a student that only needs an iPad for note-taking and reading. Other options on the list, particularly the miniature iPad mini 6, will serve a non-fastidious user.
You can get even more functions from your iPad with the right accessories, such as Apple Pencil and a magic keyboard case. And if you have to choose between an iPad and a laptop, you can confidently choose an iPad once you get the right accessories.
