Selecting the ideal iPad for students hinges on the nature of your academic tasks. Some might prefer a compact tablet for portability, while others might require a robust device for editing lengthy videos. Regardless of your needs, there’s an iPad tailored to suit you best. Whether you’re taking notes, sketching, or engaging in editing and graphic design projects, Apple offers a range of iPad options ideal for students at any educational level.
With Apple’s recent iPad releases, now could be the perfect moment to upgrade your old device or invest in a new iPad for your college endeavors. We’ve curated a list of five iPads, each with unique features catering to students pursuing various fields of study. Here are the top iPads for students to consider in 2024.
Which Is the Best iPad for Students?
1. 11-inch iPad Air (6th gen, 2024): Best Overall iPad for Students
We believe the 2024 iPad Air M2 is the ultimate student iPad, striking a perfect balance between performance and affordability. Boasting an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, sleek design, and an upgraded M2 processor, this model is a fantastic choice for students. The standout feature of the new Air is its M2 chipset, the same powerful processor found in the 2022 iPad Pro and several modern Macs. It offers ample power for most student needs while remaining more budget-friendly than the iPad Pro. Plus, its lightweight design makes it easy to carry in your bag throughout the day.
The iPad Air’s 11-inch 2732×2048 display delivers exceptional color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for classroom use, research, and entertainment. Paired with the latest Apple Pencil Pro and hover support, the M2 iPad Air shines as one of the best iPads for drawing, perfect for honing your artistic skills. The device features a 12MP wide rear camera and a 12MP front camera positioned for landscape mode, enabling Center Stage functionality.
While the M2 iPad Air may seem a bit pricey, it offers 128GB of storage, double the base storage of its predecessor, the older iPad Air (2022, M1), starting at $549 with educational pricing. This makes it the top choice for artists, providing excellent value for money. Additionally, Apple offers a 13-inch variant of the M2 iPad Air for those who prefer a larger display.
2. 11-inch iPad Pro (7th gen, 2024): Best iPad for Engineering & IT Students
For those with a more flexible budget, the latest M4 iPad Pro is an unbeatable choice. It stands as Apple’s flagship tablet, offering a remarkable blend of power and performance. Featuring a stunning Tandem OLED display, incredibly lightweight and thin design, and the powerful M4 chipset, the 2024 iPad Pro sets the standard for Apple’s tablet lineup.
The new Ultra Retina XDR OLED display is Apple’s brightest yet, reaching up to an impressive 1,600 nits. It also boasts ProMotion technology, delivering a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for gaming between study sessions. This OLED iPad Pro is particularly impressive for technology or engineering students, video editors, and those tackling demanding tasks. However, for the average student, its top-tier power and price might be more than necessary.
Similar to the 2022 iPad Pro, the latest model features a 12MP f/1.8 primary camera, ideal for capturing presentations, documents, and other school-related content. However, it no longer includes the 10MP ultra-wide camera found on the previous iPad Pro M2. This change should not pose an issue unless you’re a photography enthusiast. The front camera supports Center Stage, ensuring you’re always in view during video calls with classmates or online lectures. Additionally, you can enhance your experience with accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard.
In conclusion, if you can afford and fully utilize its power, the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 is an excellent choice.
3. iPad mini (6th gen, 2021): Best iPad for Note-taking and Reading
For students seeking a highly portable iPad for college, the iPad mini 6 is an excellent choice. Despite its smaller 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, its design closely resembles that of the 10th-gen iPad or iPad Air models. Don’t be misled by its compact size, though; the iPad mini 6 is equipped with an A15 Bionic chipset, the same powerful processor found in the iPhone 13 Pro Max, providing ample power in a small package.
The iPad mini’s compact size and Apple Pencil support make it perfect for note-taking, reading, and classroom use. Its small, lightweight design is particularly advantageous in lecture theaters or while traveling on public transport.
The iPad mini easily fits into any bag and can be carried around campus effortlessly. With no home button, the screen space remains uncompromised, and Touch ID is integrated into the Top/Power button. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 support and LTE 5G availability, depending on the model chosen. With a maximum storage capacity of 256GB, the iPad mini 6 offers ample space for most student needs. Weighing just 293 grams, it is the lightest and most portable iPad option for students.
4. 13-inch iPad Pro (7th gen, 2024): Best iPad for Creatives and Editing
The latest 13-inch iPad Pro pushes boundaries with its expansive screen and powerful M4 chip, offering the largest display in the iPad lineup without compromising on portability. Despite its size, it remains remarkably lightweight and slim. When paired with a Magic Keyboard accessory, it transforms into a solid laptop replacement, unmatched by any other tablet, making it an excellent choice for creatives and design students seeking a laptop-like experience.
The 13-inch iPad Pro offers a range of storage options, including up to 2TB, ensuring you have ample space for everyday college work, professional software, and numerous apps, eliminating the need for frequent upgrades. For those working in challenging lighting conditions or preferring a matte-like display, the option for a nano-texture coating on the M4 iPad Pro is available.
While the 13-inch iPad Pro M4 may be a significant initial investment, its power and performance make it a worthwhile long-term investment, as it is unlikely to require replacement when the next model launches. By investing more now, you can potentially save money in the future. In summary, the M4 iPad Pro is the ideal choice for editing and graphics design students who seek the ultimate experience.
5. iPad (10th gen, 2022): Best Budget iPad for Students
Thanks to a recent price cut of $100 and the discontinuation of the 9th-gen iPad, Apple has made the 10th-gen iPad more affordable, now priced at $349. Education pricing offers an additional $20 discount, making it the best student iPad under $350. Despite being a budget-friendly device, the iPad 10 doesn’t compromise on features, offering a similar suite as the premium iPad Air and iPad Pro models, all within a lightweight chassis.
The 10.3-inch Liquid Retina Display makes the iPad 10 ideal for taking notes in class, attending online lectures, or watching tutorials. It’s a sensible choice for most users, especially with 5G support for on-the-go use and a 12MP camera optimized for landscape orientation, perfect for regular FaceTime calls. Pairing it with the Magic Keyboard Folio can turn your tablet into a laptop-like setup in the library or classroom, and the adjustable kickstand with a 14-key function row adds versatility.
Although the iPad 10 lacks support for the Apple Pencil 2, you can still use the 1st gen Apple Pencil or opt for the Apple Pencil USB-C model to avoid dealing with dongles. Despite some limitations, the modern design, decent display, and solid processor make the iPad 10th-gen a wise investment for budget-conscious students.
Factors to Consider Before Buying an iPad for College
Apple’s iPad lineup includes four models: iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, each offering unique features that can make choosing the right one for students challenging. Several key factors should be considered when selecting the best iPad for college to ensure you make the right choice.
1. Screen Size
The iPads vary in size, from the compact 8.3-inch screen of the iPad mini to the more substantial 13-inch display found on the iPad Pro and now the iPad Air as well. Each screen size serves different purposes and offers various benefits. For tasks like reading, note-taking, or on-the-go use, a smaller model may be preferable. However, if you’re looking to replace your laptop with an iPad or desire a laptop-like experience, a larger model may be more suitable.
2. Chip
Apple’s processors have evolved, with the M4 chipset being the latest addition. The M4 offers remarkable capabilities and significantly faster performance, up to 2x faster than previous iPad models with the M2 chipset. However, not everyone requires such processing power. The M2 and even the M1 chipset provide excellent performance for everyday tasks like reading, drawing, making presentations, and running various apps.
3. Storage
When purchasing an iPad for academic use, students should also consider storage capacity. Typically, iPad Pro models offer more storage options than other models, with capacities reaching up to 2TB. In contrast, the standard iPad, iPad mini, and certain iPad Air models offer storage options capped at 256GB. Fortunately, Apple has expanded storage options for the new M2 iPad Air, offering 512GB and 1TB variants.
If your daily tasks involve managing numerous files and apps, and you intend to rely solely on your iPad, opting for higher storage capacities is advisable. However, if you’re a light user or also own a laptop or PC, storage capacity may not be a significant concern.
4. Accessories
Apple offers a variety of accessories for iPads, but compatibility varies across the lineup. There are four Apple Pencil models, three keyboard attachments, and a wide selection of iPad cases. While some iPad models support all modern accessories, others do not. If you do not plan to use accessories, compatibility may not be a concern. However, if you intend to use accessories, ensure compatibility between your iPad and the accessory you choose.
5. Price
Price is inevitably a crucial consideration. It’s important to have a budget in mind when shopping for an iPad. Apple offers a diverse range of iPad models at various price points, starting as low as $350 and reaching over $1000 for the top-tier models. Students can find suitable iPads for college priced between $349 and $1199, depending on the model.
Do Students Get Discount on iPads?
Certainly! Apple offers student discounts on iPads through its “Apple Education Pricing” program, available to all individuals in the education sector. This includes current and newly accepted students, their parents, faculty, staff, university/school board members, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. These discounts apply to all iPad models, from the affordable iPad to the premium iPad Pro. You can avail of these discounts on the Apple Online Store for Education or at physical Apple Stores.
For more information on iPad Student Discounts, refer to our comprehensive guide.
Which iPad model are you considering purchasing? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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