Last week I wrote that under no circumstances am I ready to switch from a MacBook to an iPad, even with the new Magic Keyboard, and would rather buy myself a MacBook Air. For some reason, some decided that I have a negative attitude towards Apple tablets in general (or simply don’t know how to use them correctly). And while you can often find articles on the Internet that no one needs an iPad, I will express my alternative point of view: for me, a tablet is still an integral assistant for work, education and entertainment.
iPad in 2022 remains a standalone device
What is an iPad and what is it for?
Hello, friends! Quite often, gadget users wonder what an iPad is and what is it for? After all, it is interesting to know the meaning of this word, and perhaps you will want to purchase such a device. Let's talk about this today.
So, an iPad is a mobile computer (tablet) with a large screen (screen 1).
This gadget has been produced by Apple from 2010 to the present. New and new iPad models are appearing.
Why is this device needed? The gadget is used for many purposes, for example, you can surf the Internet, chat on Skype, take photos using the iPad camera, work with applications, watch movies and listen to music. At the same time, the ability to draw, check email, show photos and read e-books is available.
To understand what kind of product this is and whether it is worth buying, below we will take a closer look at some of the characteristics of iPads.
Differences between iPad and tablet
Let's look at the main differences between an iPad and a tablet. The first difference: the design of iPads from tablets. This device has a simple design, a wide diagonal screen, and a convenient interface for operation.
The next difference is the operating system of the gadgets. Many tablets come with Windows OS, Android, RT and other OS. Each iPad has only one operating system - iOS. After all, this is an Apple development that is needed to work on iPad devices.
Device display. It differs from tablets in screen size. Depending on the iPad model, the screen size can be 8-10 inches, or even more.
iPad performance and functionality. Any Apple device has a large amount of RAM memory, it is enough for work and does not need to be supplemented with various SD cards. Tablets have little internal memory; it can be increased with the help of external drives. In addition, you cannot just download files or any applications on an iPad. To do this you need to install the iTunes application. On tablets you can do this without additional programs. This gives quick access to applications.
The last difference between iPads and tablets is their cost. Cheap tablets cost an average of 2,000-10,000 rubles, and iPads cost 15,000-40,000 rubles. The price of an iPad is determined by its characteristics, for example, the device’s memory, Internet connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display size, and more.
How critical is it to use far from the latest Apple chipsets?
The 7th generation iPad, which launched in 2022, uses Apple's A10 Fusion chipset. The same one is installed in Apple TV 4K - it was first used in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 2016. With the 8th generation iPad - the updated cheapest tablet - the company jumped straight to the Apple A12 Bionic with Neural Engine. This is a chip originally from the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max, which began selling in 2018. In general, affordable Apple tablets do not have modern chipsets. It’s a pity that in this case the company does not follow the path of the 2nd generation iPhone SE, which features the Apple A13 Bionic.
An outdated chipset will reduce the number of iPadOS updates that Apple will release for the gadget. In real-life use, the Apple A10 Fusion is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the system itself, as well as built-in and simple third-party applications, work flawlessly - there were no significant slowdowns on iPadOS 13 and none on iPadOS 14. On the other hand, games have cropped graphics, which is critical for a large screen, and heavy applications on In the example, Affinity Photo works uncertainly. For my needs (watching videos, simple games, handwritten notes), the 7th generation iPad is still enough. But it seems that this won't last very long. I'm betting on a couple of years - no more.
Pros and cons of iPad
Let's look at the pros and cons of the iPad. Let's start with the positive points:
- Large screen. Sometimes it reaches a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. This screen resolution will allow you to watch movies and more, just like on a computer. After all, the information will be better perceived.
- More RAM for iPad. The RAM on an iPad is on average 2-5 Gigabytes. There is an internal memory of 16 GB. During operation, the iPad does not slow down, you can work on the Internet and with various applications.
- The iPad battery lasts about 8-10 hours without charging.
- The ability to connect Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other local networks is available.
- You can take photos using the built-in camera on your iPad.
- The mobility of the iPad and the lightness of the gadget. You can take it with you anywhere.
And the cons:
- high price for devices from Apple;
- Some Apple apps will have to be purchased.
The iPad has few disadvantages. The iPad is equipped with many applications just like a computer. Therefore, many users choose it. You can study information about the iPad on the official Apple website “apple.com/ru/ipad/why-ipad/”.
Verdict: Is Apple's Cheapest Tablet Worth Buying in 2020
The main purpose of the iPad for me is to consume video content. He broadcasts YouTube for several hours a day in different rooms of the apartment and in the office, shows films and TV series on the road, as well as at outdoor gatherings. For all this, Apple's most affordable tablet is more than enough for several years to come. Games without top-end graphics, but it will also run without problems. It is not particularly comfortable to use some serious professional software due to the slow speed of operation. Yes, the younger generation will definitely appreciate the device.
The main disadvantage of the gadget for me, besides insufficient performance, is the lack of True Tone. I like this feature too much on all Apple gadgets and it’s very disappointing that it doesn’t exist on my personal tablet. Otherwise, there are no big complaints about it - this is a device worth its money.
Is it possible to connect a keyboard to an iPad?
You can connect a keyboard to any iPad (screen 2).
USB connectors on the iPad and USB cables will help you connect the keyboard. To do this, connect the keyboard and iPad using a wire - insert one end into the iPad, the other into the keyboard. Also, the keyboard can work with a touchpad and a computer mouse.
Moreover, you can use Bluetooth to connect the keyboard to your iPad. To do this, you need to activate Bluetooth on the iPad and make it see the external device. Special micro-flash drives help with this, with the help of which they connect devices at a remote distance.
Users of iPad gadgets may not need to connect a keyboard. After all, some iPads are sold with a keyboard. All you have to do is turn on the gadget and use the capabilities of the iPad.
Are just a couple of speakers enough for everyday content consumption?
To be honest, not always. When the next episode of any series is launched on the iPad, while I am preparing food to the rhythm of the hood, the sound from the tablet only complements its noise. My MacBook Air 2022 shows itself much better in this regard - even the iPhone 11 with its stereo imitation already makes it possible to understand words. The iPad Pro line, which uses four speakers instead of the regular iPad's two, is noticeably louder than my laptop, so any tablet from it would be better suited for this use case. However, it is difficult to say that the difference in cost between gadgets is justified in this regard.
Is it possible to open files from iPad on other devices?
You can open files from iPad on other devices. To do this, use the “Files” application on the iPad. This application allows you to manage files on your iPad and open them by pressing your finger on the file.
In addition, users can transfer files to storage sites such as Drobbox, Box and others. If you synchronize with these services on other devices, you can transfer and open files. You can use Bluetooth to transfer files, Wi-Fi, if available. All files on the iPad are securely protected, so use them safely.
Performance
The A14 Bionic chip has enough power for viewing media content, gaming and work. This is where all the Apple magic comes into play - all apps from the App Store are optimized for iPad OS 15 and run as smoothly as possible. I personally use the heavy-duty Logic Remote utility, which allows you to use the iPad as a mixer/controller for the Logic Pro audio editor on a MacBook - the device handles it perfectly.
How to choose an iPad for drawing and other purposes
Earlier on the blog, we wrote an article about the “best graphics tablets.” It shows the cheapest tablets that any user can buy. And here we’ll look at several iPad models that will help you decide which iPad to buy for drawing and more:
- Apple iPad 32Gb Wi-Fi Silver MW752. The average cost of this iPad is 25,000-27,000 rubles. The iPad has basic capabilities for surfing the Internet and drawing. Full characteristics of the gadget - “gsmking.ru/product/apple-ipad-2019-32gb-wi-fi-silver-mw752”.
- Tablet Apple iPad mini 7.9 Wi-Fi 64GB Gold (MUQY2RU/A). This iPad costs an average of 33,000 rubles. Has high performance, there are basic applications for any job. A detailed description of the iPad is available at the link - “eldorado.ru/cat/detail/planshet-apple-ipad-mini-7-9-wi-fi-64gb-gold-muqy2ru-a/”.
- Tablet Apple iPad 10.2 Wi-Fi+Cellular 32GB Space Gray (MYMH2RU/A). An excellent iPad for drawing and other works. The cost of the iPad is 41,990 rubles. Here is a description of this device: “eldorado.ru/cat/detail/tablet-apple-ipad-10-2-wi-fi-cellular-32gb-space-grey-mymh2ru-a/”.
To choose an iPad for drawing, focus on its characteristics. They will help determine the capabilities of the iPad. Also, use the Eldorado website to select and purchase iPads - “eldorado.ru/search/catalog.php?q=ipad” or other stores.
The camera's performance leaves much to be desired - is it here just for show?
Examples of photos on iPad 7th generation
The last couple of generations of basic iPads are equipped with extremely simple cameras: an 8 megapixel sensor, ƒ/2.4 aperture. Taking a normal picture with their help is far from the easiest task. Most likely, they were initially only for documents and augmented reality work - nothing more.
Yes, the front camera on the cheapest iPads of the 7th and 8th generations is 1.2 megapixels. This will not take a normal selfie, but for video communication, in principle, it is enough.
How much can you buy an iPad for? Do you need to overpay?
At the moment, the gadget can be bought for 29,000-100,000 rubles. Whether it is worth overpaying for this device is, of course, up to you to decide. The main thing is to understand for what purposes to use the iPad.
Let's say you need an iPad for drawing. So, when purchasing, look for just such a tablet. Or you want to watch movies, videos, work with services on the Internet - for this you choose an iPad at the appropriate price. The higher the price of an iPad, the more capabilities the device has. In some cases, an iPad replaces a regular laptop, for example, when traveling or on various trips.
