Apple recently gave its iPad lineup a major upgrade, and it came with an interesting side effect: For the first time ever, Apple didn’t discontinue the last generation of the base iPad after releasing a new one. The $329 iPad (2021) is still around after the release of the $449 iPad (2022). And there is a solid reason for it.
The latest product isn’t the affordable recommendation that the basic iPad always was. The latest iPad (2022) doesn’t enjoy the “just get an iPad” attitude in 2022. Combined with existing models like the iPad Air and iPad mini, there are just too many iPads overlapping, and that makes the iPad lineup incredibly hard to fathom.
Is it an iPad or an iPad Air Lite?
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
The iPad (2022) has a larger 10.9-inch screen, Touch ID on the power button with an all-screen design, and an A14 Bionic chipset. Sounds familiar, right? If so, you are not wrong because the iPad Air (2020) also includes all this. It’s the new basic iPad in an iPad Air (2020) case. As a result, it is similarly priced.
When comparing it to the iPad Air (2022), you’ll notice that the iPad (2022) has the same cameras, a similar design, and the exact same screen size and storage options, with the difference being the processor form factor. The iPad Air (2022) is powered by Apple’s M1. chip, while the iPad (2022) remains on the A14 Bionic chipset.
The 64GB iPad (2022) is $449. If you go for the 256GB variant, you’ll have to shell out $599, which is exactly the same as the 64GB iPad Air (2022) option. But with the iPad Air, you get a lot of benefits, including a laminated display, an anti-reflective coating, and a desktop chipset with support for the second-generation Apple Pencil instead of the first-generation.
Both confusing and incredibly clear.
Apple
If you choose more storage, you will lose chipset power. If you have $599 to spend and go for the iPad Air (2022), which seems like the right choice, you’re missing out on storage. Some might say it makes the offering more distinctive, but the iPad Air without the price difference seems like an obvious upgrade.
But let’s say you bought the 256 GB (2022) variant of the iPad. You’ll probably work through it with light photo editing, a lot of office work, and media-consuming browsing. This workflow requires a keyboard, and the new iPad Magic Keyboard Folio is $249. If you opt for it, the cost goes up to $748, which is way too much for a machine that doesn’t run a full desktop operating system.
When it’s on sale, you can get a MacBook Air M1 for $100 more, or a 64GB iPad Air with a Smart Keyboard Folio accessory for about the same price. Why would anyone buy an iPad (2022) with a keyboard instead of one of these two M1 machines for $30 or even $100 more?
Apple
At $748 with a keyboard accessory, the new iPad (2022) enters the computing category with a mobile chipset and mobile operating system, which isn’t a good thing. If you really want touchscreen computing power, you’ll probably prefer the iPad Air with keyboard over the basic iPad.
If you’re an artist and your workflow doesn’t look like what I mentioned, you’ll need an Apple Pencil and storage. The iPad (2022) only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and does not have a laminated display. If you’re a beginner looking to get the latest iPad, you’re better off opting for an iPad Air with 64GB of space to store your work in the cloud or on an external SSD, which you probably already have.
Light work and art are the two main use cases for the $400+ iPad. Let’s consider a third possible use: You want to get an iPad for an elderly family member, her child, or just for multimedia use. In that case, the basic iPad (2021) should be your choice. If you’re okay with a slightly smaller screen and larger bezels, you can save $120 for a very similar experience.
Too many models, prices overlap
Apple
I’ve covered most of the iPad usage scenarios and in all of them I don’t see the iPad (2022) being the best option for any of them. The latest iPad makes the iPad lineup more confusing than ever. Apple has many different iPad configurations that overlap in price. Some might consider this freedom of choice a good thing. And that is! But the iPad (2022) doesn’t make buying decisions any easier.
Which iPad is right for you? That’s a great question. Apple
The $449 64GB option is really only for iPad enthusiasts who prefer the new design. If you want to count, you need that keyboard. And if you’re spending $748, you’d need to spend $30 more to get the M1 computing power. You’ll lose a keyboard trackpad, but it’s a better call overall. And if you’re an artist, you’ll probably want support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, which automatically turns off the iPad (2022). This means that the iPad (2021) is the one to continue the legacy of “just get an iPad.”
None of this means that the iPad (2022) is going to be a bad product. We’ve gotten high praise for the iPad Air (2022) and iPad (2021), and this latest iPad slots right in the middle between them. But when you look at the iPad (2022) as part of Apple’s larger iPad family, trying to find a proper place for it is a challenge. It’s not cheap enough, it’s not powerful enough, and the end result is something that looks like an iPad with no home.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn