Best iPads For Students

iPads offer students a multitude of applications, from digital note-taking and attending video lectures to engaging in creative projects, conducting research, collaborating with peers, reading ebooks, utilizing productivity apps, and even enjoying entertainment like watching movies or playing games. iPads are great for educational and leisure activities, making them valuable tools for students.

In this article, I’ll cover topics such as whether iPads are enough for college, which ones are the best, the use cases, what storage capacity students should choose, and the best picks.

Top 6 iPads For Students in 2024

How Can Students Benefit from Using iPads?

iPads can assist students in many ways. Here are some of the most popular use cases for study:

• Note-Taking: students can take digital notes on iPad and annotate files with Apple Pencil.
• eBooks: iPads have multiple apps that give you access to thousands of ebooks and digital textbooks.
• Art: students who are studying art will find out that the iPad is very handy when it comes to graphical design.
• Productivity: several productivity apps allow students to be more organized: GoodNotes, Notability, Reminders, Notion, etc. That allows you to take notes and create to-do lists.
• Collaboration: iPads allow communication and sharing notes and documents with other students.
• Online Class: iPads have great cameras and great audio and many students use them to attend video classes.
• Research: The iPad allows students to lie on a sofa or bed and gather research more comfortably. iPads have LTE and WiFI connectivity.
• Multimedia and Entertainment: Students can watch educational videos on iPads, participate in virtual events, and even enjoy entertainment by watching movies.

Certain educational institutions may provide specific guidelines or suggestions concerning the use of iPads or similar devices. It is advisable to check the school’s website or reach out to the institution directly for accurate and detailed information.

Are iPads Better Than Laptops For School?

The iPad is a better pick for most students. It’s also the best tablet overall. suppose you don’t require specific software and processing power for schoolwork. But ultimately, this is entirely dependent on your use case and what you expect from your laptop. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, this table should help you to reach a decision:

Specification	iPad	Laptop
Processing Power	Lesser	Greater
Battery Life	Better	Worse
Portability	Better	Worse
Digital Note Taking	Better	Non-Existent (unless you opt for a laptop with a touchscreen + stylus support.)
UI	Easy-to-use	Requires getting used to
Allowed In Classes?	Yes	Yes
Longevity	5-7 Years	2-3 Years
Multi-Purpose?	Yes	Yes
Parental Controls?	Yes	No
Fanless?	Yes	No

The iPad is often a better choice for most students compared to a laptop. This is because students generally need a portable, quick device without requiring extreme processing power. iPads are fanless, ensuring a quieter experience in class, unlike laptops which can get noisy. Additionally, iPads are typically cheaper (especially the base models), portable, have excellent battery life, and are great for note-taking.

With the Magic Keyboard, an iPad can function like a laptop, but it won’t run laptop software or have the same processing power.

Differences between iPads and laptops

1. Portability: iPads are lighter and more compact.
2. Battery Life: iPads generally offer longer battery life.
3. Software Compatibility: Laptops run more versatile software.
4. Performance: Laptops usually have higher processing power.
5. Noise Level: iPads are silent, while laptops can get noisy due to cooling fans.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using iPads in Education

iPads have become popular tools in education, offering benefits like enhanced learning experiences, portability, and access to countless educational apps. However, they also have drawbacks, such as high costs and potential distractions. In this article, we explore the key benefits and drawbacks of using iPads in the classroom.

How To Choose

When choosing the best iPad, consider the following tips:

1. Purpose and Usage: Determine what you’ll use the iPad for, such as note-taking, media consumption, gaming, or professional work. Different models cater to different needs.
2. Size and Portability: iPads come in various sizes (ranging from 8.3 inches to 13 inches). Choose a size that balances screen real estate with portability.
3. Performance: Look at the processor (e.g., M2, M4, A14 Bionic). More demanding tasks like video editing or graphic design will benefit from higher performance.
4. Storage Capacity: iPads offer different storage options (from 64GB to 2TB). Consider your storage needs based on the type of content you’ll store.
5. Apple Pencil and Keyboard Compatibility: For note-taking and productivity, check if the iPad supports the Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd generation, Pro and USB-C) and Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio.
6. Battery Life: All iPads, on average, last 10 hours.
7. Budget: iPads range from budget-friendly models like the iPad (10th generation) to high-end models like the iPad Pro(7th gen). Balance features with your budget.
8. Connectivity: Consider if you need cellular connectivity or if Wi-Fi is sufficient for your needs.

By evaluating these factors, you can select an iPad that best fits your requirements and budget.

The Best Overall

For students, the best iPad option is the iPad Air. It offers the best value for money, making it a practical choice for most students. However, if we consider overall specifications, the iPad Pro stands out as the best iPad due to its superior screen quality, greater storage options, advanced processing power, and exclusive features like Face ID that are not available in other models.

That said, the iPad Pro is significantly more expensive. For most students, the iPad Air is the best option when it comes to balancing cost and performance. It is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, providing essential functionality for schoolwork. While the iPad Air has a 60Hz screen compared to the iPad Pro’s 120Hz display, this difference is negligible unless you are an artist who requires a higher refresh rate for detailed work. Additionally, the iPad Air has a laminated screen, similar to the iPad Pro, enhancing its visual quality.

Taking these factors into account, the iPad Air is the best iPad for students from a value-for-money perspective. Although the iPad Pro leads in terms of raw specifications, the iPad Air is more than capable of handling all the necessary tasks for school, making the iPad Pro an overkill for most students.

Differences Between iPad Air and iPad Pro?

The iPad Air differs from the iPad Pro in several aspects:

• The iPad Air lacks a 120Hz display, a feature present in the iPad Pro.
• It offers lower storage capacity and RAM compared to the iPad Pro.
• While the iPad Air features Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor), it lacks Face ID.
• The cameras on the iPad Air are not as advanced as those on the iPad Pro.
• The iPad Air has a lower peak brightness.
• In terms of processing power, the iPad Air’s processor is not as robust as the iPad Pro’s.
• Additionally, the iPad Air is smaller in size compared to the iPad Pro.

Best For Engineering Students

Engineering students often need devices that can handle heavy, demanding apps. That’s why the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch M4 is one of the best tablets for students overall. It offers exceptional processing power, a high-quality display, and full compatibility with the Apple Pencil, making it perfect for running engineering software, drawing complex diagrams, and taking detailed notes. Its portability, long battery life, and robust app ecosystem further enhance its suitability, providing engineering students with a powerful yet mobile device for their coursework.

Best For Medicine Students

iPad Air is the most popular choice for students. There are two options: Apple iPad Air, 11-inch or 13-inch. The specs and features are almost identical, but it’s a matter of preference, weather you like a bigger screen or not. A bigger screen is more comfortable when it comes to taking notes and multitasking, but a smaller screen is more comfortable for reading; it’s also lighter.

Best For Art Students

For Art students, an iPad Pro 13-inch M4 is the best possible option. It offers the largest screen, the brightest screen with a higher resolution. The newest iPad Pro has an Ultra Retina Tandem OLED, 120Hz refresh rate display. It’s compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil 2. The battery lasts up to 10 hours. iPad Pro, for now, is the only model that offers an OLED display; other models have an LCD display.

Smallest iPad

The smallest from the newest generation of iPads is the iPad Mini 6th gen, which is 8.3-inches big. It has a Liquid Retina IPS LCD with 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio. It compatible with Apple Pencil 2. You can take handwritten notes on it, draw on it, use Procreate and much more. Some people avoid it due to the small screen, however some prefer it just for that exact reason. Personally, I believe it’s a bit too small if you want to take notes on a daily basis or draw, but it’s perfect for research and reading, it’s easy to hold in your hands, and it’s the perfect size for a reading device.

Most Affordable

Of all the iPads, the classic iPad has always been the cheapest. It has the weakest processor, and it has a non-laminated display. It’s also compatible with Apple Pencil Gen 1 and Apple Pencil USB-C. Overall, it’s a good tablet, and for most of the students, it can handle everything that is required. It also comes in 4 colors: Silver, Pink, Blue, Yellow. Pink is a very popular color among female users.

Older Generation iPads

You can buy an older iPads from older generations to drive down the price:

Tablet Name	Sceen Size	Generation	Released Date	Display	Resolution	Refresh Rate	Starting Price	SIM	Weight	Battery	Chipset	Max Storage	RAM	Front Camera	Back Camera	Port
Apple iPad Pro 12.9	12.9-inches	5	2021, May	LCD	2048 x 2732	120Hz	~$1049	Nano SIM, eSIM	1.5lbs	10758 mAh	Apple M1	2TB	8GB, 16GB	12MP	12MP	USB-C
Apple iPad Pro 11	11-inches	3	2021, May	LCD	1668 x 2388	120Hz	~$800	Nano SIM, eSIM	1.03lbs	7538 mAh	Apple M1	2TB	8GB, 16GB	12MP	12MP	USB-C
Apple iPad	10.2-inches	9	2021, September	LCD	1620 x 2160	60Hz	~$400	Nano SIM, eSIM	1.07lbs	8557 mAh	Apple A13 Bionic	256GB	3GB	12MP	8MP	Lightning
Apple iPad Air	10.9-inches	4	2020, October	LCD	1640 x 2360	60Hz	~$549	Nano SIM, eSIM	1.01lbs	7606 mAh	Apple A14 Bionic	256GB	4GB	7MP	12MP	USB-C
Apple iPad Mini	7.9-inches	5	2019, March	LCD	1536 x 2048	60Hz	~$450	Nano SIM, eSIM	0.68lbs	5124 mAh	Apple A12 Bionic	256GB	3GB	7MP	8MP	Lightning

Accessories Students Need

Must-Have iPad Apps For Students

1. Notability: For note-taking and organizing notes, including handwriting with the Apple Pencil.
2. GoodNotes: Powerful note-taking with handwriting recognition and organization features.
3. Microsoft OneNote: Versatile note-taking, organizing, and sharing notes.
4. Evernote: Captures notes, to-do lists, and organizes them in notebooks.
5. Google Drive: Essential for storing, sharing, and collaborating on documents.
6. Khan Academy: Free educational videos and exercises on various subjects.
7. Duolingo: Fun language learning.
8. Forest: Gamifies staying focused by encouraging users to stay off their devices.
9. Quizlet: Creating and studying flashcards.
10. WolframAlpha: Solves math problems and provides detailed information.
11. Procreate: Professional-grade drawing and illustration.
12. ChatGPT: AI-based assistance for information and study help.
13. Notion: All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and projects.
14. Concepts: Flexible sketching and design.
15. Freeform: Collaborative brainstorming and ideation.
16. Todoist: Task management and to-do lists.
17. YouTube: educational videos and entertainment.

FAQ’s