Looking to get my lad a good iPad that should last a few years but not the most swanky new versions that cost too much! Anyone recommend a good model that is decent price wise but will still do a good job for a while? Whilst I always have iPhones and know the models; haven’t a clue about the current/recent iPad models. Any tips on where best to buy also appreciated. Thanks.
I think the iPad Air is the best compromise between price and performance. I bought mine new but you can get 5th gen refurb from Apple. With a12 month warranty. Only problem is the newer models have either 64 Gb storage which is a bit tight for £379 or you need to jump to 256Gb and find another £120 https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refur...~prd-~mca-~nt-search&cid=aos-uk-kwgo-refurb-- there are 3rd party refurb companies that do older and cheaper ones eg you can get a version 4 with 64gb from music magpie for £270 or 256 for £330 https://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/store/category/ipads-and-tablets/apple/ipad-air-4-2020/ but I ve never used them. Also that’s a5 year old iPad and it probably won’t be supported much longer. With iOS upgrades. There really isn’t a cheap iPad. For anything cheaper you have to go Android
Having owned a few I think they’re all much of a muchness. Indeed I no longer own an iPad personally as I’m more likely to use my phone or a sit down desktop computer. While Apple is good at marketing there isn’t that much of a step up between iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro to justify the price. The line-up is a bit confusing, so I’d summarise as below iPad - default, used a lot in education, 60Hz screen, TouchID, and smaller base storage, cheapest iPad mini - like the iPad but smaller, costs more iPad Air - very similar to the iPad but more colour options and slightly larger screen with smaller borders; has an M-class processor which means Apple allow you to plug it into a USB-C monitor and have Stage Manager/a more desktop like layout if that appeals to you iPad Pro - all the advantages of the iPad Air but with a 120Hz smoother screen, Face ID for unlocking, more storage, and the latest processors. Can also get in a much larger size. Cost a lot. Worth noting also that the accessories typically get more expensive with the more expensive iPads - you may or may not want a nice keyboard case, which if the official Apple ones will cost about £200 minimum. Next time I buy an iPad for my kids it will probably be a base iPad, and the eldest can have the keyboard case to use it as a laptop substitute for school work. If I wasn’t already deep in the Apple ecosystem I’d look seriously at the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which is much cheaper and does many of the same functions using Chrome OS. Google in general are taking tablets much more seriously, having always been hindered by developers being less keen to optimise their phone apps for larger screens. They recently had an event for developers where they showed tools to help them make apps work well on different screen sizes and device types. In a year I can imagine there will be Android 16 tablets that are much more compelling and competitive at a lower price, with ChromeOS and Android being merged or made more similar as a solution to the problem. Whatever your preferences avoid clicking buy on anything Apple until mid-June - they have their worldwide developer conference in a bit over a week when they may well release new models, and thus everything older will likely get cheaper.
I think you will find ipads are all made in China so shouldnt be affected by an american goods boycott. Also Apple isn't generally a Trump supporting company
The latest basic iPad will be good enough mate. My kids are 11 & 9 and we bought the IPad Air for them in 2020. They never saw the benefit of the “extra stuff” from the basic model. Battery went on them last Xmas so we got them the latest basic one. It’s more than good enough for them pal and they can do everything on them with no qualms.
I mean if you want to take a real stance boycott everything with a battery in. The cobalt almost certainly comes from slave labour.
Got my dad a Samsung A9+ for Christmas- it's a decent tablet. Never really been an Apple fan - always gone down the Android route
I'm sorry but I still find it crazy that people who are boycotting American goods are more than happy to use and buy from China...
The products are only assembled there. I doubt Apple have any Chinese manufactured content unless it was China market only Apple product