9th-Generation iPad Reviews: An Even Better Value With More Storage and a Better Front Camera

[MhaelK]

One of my friends who uses and likes the mini was gifted a 10.2” iPad, to him he said he didn’t like it as it was too big but to the person who gifted it to him their said it was affordable.

It reminds me of those people purchasing Android tablets over an iPad, yeah it maybe more affordable and at times better specs but what would the person you are gifting it to or purchasing it for will have the most enjoyable user experience.

My relative who has an iPad Air 4 is trading it in for a mini 6 for the purpose of portability.

So a friend of yours got giftet a $329 device. And you agree with him that it was a bad gift because he wanted a $499 device?? Lucky, that he didn’t wanted the $1099 12.9inch IPad pro because then the people who gave him the iPad as a gift would really have been in bad standing buying such cheap gifts.

If only there was a way he could exchange it and for just a bid extra of his own money he could upgrade to the more expensive model - now that would be a groundbreaking idea✊✊✊

 

[code-m]

So a friend of yours got giftet a $329 device. And you agree with him that it was a bad gift because he wanted a $499 device?? Lucky, that he didn’t wanted the $1099 12.9inch IPad pro because then the people who gave him the iPad as a gift would really have been in bad standing buying such cheap gifts.

If only there was a way he could exchange it and for just a bid extra of his own money he could upgrade to the more expensive model - now that would be a groundbreaking idea✊✊✊

You completely missed the point and decided to assume a lot. He had a mini 4 prior and was gifted an iPad 9th gen. It had everything to do with the size and not the cost. He can afford the most expensive iPad/Pro but to him it’s about usage and portability, believe it or not everything is not about having the best specs and low cost its about other things and this guy has a DSLR collection in the tens of thousands.

No he cannot as it would look like he is rejecting a gift from his significant other.

 

[MhaelK]

People say “lightning connector” like it’s a bad thing. Apple’s most popular device, iPhone, will be in a lightning connector it appears until 2023/2024. Sharing the same connector with an iPhone is a benefit.

The fact that the iPhone still have the lightning port in 2021 is also a bad thing. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

 

[MhaelK]

You completely missed the point and decided to assume a lot. He had a mini 4 prior and was gifted an iPad 9th gen. It had everything to do with the size and not the cost. He can afford the most expensive iPad/Pro but to him it’s about usage and portability, believe it or not everything is not about having the best specs and low cost its about other things and this guy has a DSLR collection in the tens of thousands.

But you yourself made it about cost in your post - and for the people gifting it to him, it is likely also about cost - as there is a difference between a $329 and a $499 gift. Also great that he can affort to upgrade. Then he should just be grateful for the gift, which was like given with the best of intentions.

I‘m not sure what his DSLR collection has to do with the matter - it is still the giver that decides the amount spend on the gift, or not?

 

[Moonlight]

You completely missed the point and decided to assume a lot. He had a mini 4 prior and was gifted an iPad 9th gen. It had everything to do with the size and not the cost. He can afford the most expensive iPad/Pro but to him it’s about usage and portability, believe it or not everything is not about having the best specs and low cost its about other things and this guy has a DSLR collection in the tens of thousands.

No he cannot as it would look like he is rejecting a gift from his significant other.

Is this "friend" you?

 

[JosephAW]

And the same chonky chassis and at this point laughably thick non-laminated screen. When is Apple going to just upgrade this thing to the Air 2's design? Did they really sell so few Gen 1 Air's that they have that much a of a backlog on spare parts or what?

Hey I’m still using my $115 Swappa iPad Air Gen 1 cellular. Might be the right time to bump to a gen two for ~$100

 

[sracer]

The best value iPad just got better.

Of course there will be those who will insist that this thing shouldn't exist because it isn't something that they are interested in.

I was quite comfortable with my Mini 5 (still am) and didn't think that I'd be interested in a larger iPad again, but this one has me reconsidering that decision. "Thanks" Apple.

 

[code-m]

But you yourself made it about cost in your post - and for the people gifting it to him, it is likely also about cost - as there is a difference between a $329 and a $499 gift. Also great that he can affort to upgrade. Then he should just be grateful for the gift, which was like given with the best of intentions.

I‘m not sure what his DSLR collection has to do with the matter - it is still the giver that decides the amount spend on the gift, or not?

The cost had to do with the person who is gifting something to another. It’s the important metric most people look at without considering other things and when you see a larger screen then it must be better mindset. You think Apple does not know this, their can easily reduce the cost if not keep it the same for the mini 6 but decided against it.

The DSLR collection demonstrates that it’s not about money, he can afford to upgrade or buy a new one that is not the point, maybe you don’t understand long term relationships/marriages hence you seem to have some difficulties.

You really believe that Apple is unable to relabel the iPad Air 3 at a lower price as the next iPad and be done with it.

 

[code-m]

Is this "friend" you?

Nope, it’s not one of those situations 😝

 

[Sf844]

Is this 2013?

 

[MhaelK]

The cost had to do with the person who is gifting something to another. It’s the important metric most people look at without considering other things and when you see a larger screen then it must be better mindset. You think Apple does not know this, their can easily reduce the cost if not keep it the same for the mini 6 but decided against it.

The DSLR collection demonstrates that it’s not about money, he can afford to upgrade or buy a new one that is not the point, maybe you don’t understand long term relationships/marriages hence you seem to have some difficulties.

You really believe that Apple is unable to relabel the iPad Air 3 at a lower price as the next iPad and be done with it.

If “his” significant other wanted to get him the best device possible, i don’t think the most affordable option would be the first choice even if it has the larger screen. In that sense you are IMO contradicting yourself saying first that price is the important metric, but then also that a larger screen is the important metric (best devic) even at a lower cost.

Of course Apple know how to get the most money out people. But just as with the DSLR collection I’m failing to see the relevance to the subject of a not-good-enough gift received. The prices are set by a third party and not the giver. Are you now not saying that the desired iPad mini is a bad buy due to its high cost?? which sounds like another contradiction to the fact that he should have been given the iPad mini as the gift over the cheaper iPad.

Also, while not an expert, but upgrading a gifted iPad to better suited size should really not be something bad in a healthy relationship. While complaining that a significant other only wanted to spend $329 and not $499 on a gift - probably should be taken as an early warning sign IMO

 

[Howard2k]

Apple should just release the top of the line iPad Pro for $329. That will do try trick for the naysayers.

 

[pdr733]

Pre-ordered this one. I don't have to pay in advance only at pickup, so I will check it out live (I assume it goes to sale on Friday so at least there will be demo units) and if don't like it can still cancel the order.
Will replace the 2017 base iPad, for very basic tasks (browsing the web, reading PDF/epub and occasional streaming video)
I noticed that MR is a particularly Hard-line enthusiast forum, probably there are people here who would insist I should get the biggest iPad Pro with the biggest storage possible for the above mentioned tasks. I simply not care, thankfully I don't sleep worse if I don't get the most expensive gear I can afford unlike some of those "enthusiasts"

 

[Mainsail]

This is the ideal device for people that do causal computing on their iPads when away from their Mac or MacBook. It's an inexpensive solution for simple everyday tasks that you can take along without worrying about it being lost, stolen or damaged. It's kind of a carefree device, which is nice.

BTW - I kind of fit into the category above. In the Spring, I bought an iPad Air 4 because the base iPad only had 32GB storage, and the additional $100 for more storage made it too close to the Air on sale. However, now that the base iPad has 64GB storage, I would have probably bought one of these for ~$300 on sale rather than the iPad Air 4 for the low $500s. Again, my tablet need are pretty basic and simple.

 

[bookcase]

I bought the 8th gen iPad last year to replace an aging mini and it's a great device, but for my purposes, I prefer the smaller form factor (and the laminated screen). So I'm trading it and going back to the mini, especially because the new design is awesome.

 

[boak]

It's a really, really good device for students that just want a simple tablet with note-taking abilities. Can't go wrong with $300. The specs may not be top-of-the-line but they're good enough to do the job.

 

[macsound1]

The fact that the iPhone still have the lightning port in 2021 is also a bad thing. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Why is it bad to use a connector that works well and everyone already has cables for?
I appreciate that I can charge my iPad with the same cable as my iPhone.

 

[nilk]

I'm not a heavy iPad user, so the standard iPad does the trick for me, but 32GB is not enough, so me and my wife have 6th gen (2018) 128GB models, and they are working fine for our purposes. Glad base is now 64GB. Ordered a 9th gen 64GB for my son so he doesn't have to keep borrowing ours, and that should last him a long time.

 

[code-m]

If “his” significant other wanted to get him the best device possible, i don’t think the most affordable option would be the first choice even if it has the larger screen. In that sense you are IMO contradicting yourself saying first that price is the important metric, but then also that a larger screen is the important metric (best devic) even at a lower cost.

Of course Apple know how to get the most money out people. But just as with the DSLR collection I’m failing to see the relevance to the subject of a not-good-enough gift received. The prices are set by a third party and not the giver. Are you now not saying that the desired iPad mini is a bad buy due to its high cost?? which sounds like another contradiction to the fact that he should have been given the iPad mini as the gift over the cheaper iPad.

Also, while not an expert, but upgrading a gifted iPad to better suited size should really not be something bad in a healthy relationship. While complaining that a significant other only wanted to spend $329 and not $499 on a gift - probably should be taken as an early warning sign IMO

Nah it’s similar to TV manufacturers pushing our larger screens at a low price and then people trying to justify why a computer monitor cost more for a smaller screen.

To the non-techy bigger screen equals better especially at a low cost. Unfortunately many people who purchase for themselves or for other believe their are doing good by purchasing a larger screw due to this mentality while not considering other factors.

Lol, again assuming about the relationship. It’s fine an electronic device is a pretty low bar to signal trouble if that is your reasoning or your understanding then you have bigger problems. Mature people just don’t use the gift as often with some excuse to make their significant other feel better. He will probably have it sitting on the counter using it once in awhile and then upgrade to the mini 6 which would provide the perfect excuse 😉

 

[boak]

I'm not a heavy iPad user, so the standard iPad does the trick for me, but 32GB is not enough, so me and my wife have 6th gen (2018) 128GB models, and they are working fine for our purposes. Glad base is now 64GB. Ordered a 9th gen 64GB for my son so he doesn't have to keep borrowing ours, and that should last him a long time.

why not keep the 9th gen for yourself and give him the 6th gen

 

[swester]

It's too bad they didn't also bump the spec on the rear camera! But considering these are often on sale for $299, this is a very solid upgrade overall and will probably sell tons of units for the holidays.

 

[MhaelK]

Nah it’s similar to TV manufacturers pushing our larger screens at a low price and then people trying to justify why a computer monitor cost more for a smaller screen.

To the non-techy bigger screen equals better especially at a low cost. Unfortunately many people who purchase for themselves or for other believe their are doing good by purchasing a larger screw due to this mentality while not considering other factors.

Lol, again assuming about the relationship. It’s fine an electronic device is a pretty low bar to signal trouble if that is your reasoning or your understanding then you have bigger problems. Mature people just don’t use the gift as often with some excuse to make their significant other feel better. He will probably have it sitting on the counter using it once in awhile and then upgrade to the mini 6 which would provide the perfect excuse 😉

You do realise that I was the one saying that an electronic device as the iPad shouldn’t be enough to cause trouble in a healthy relationship??? - it was not your argument, but mine!!!

I honestly can’t follow your reasoning at all. Now with the cheaper but larger TVs and having to justify paying for a monitor ??? I’m begining to think that you and I live in very different worlds where words and such doesn’t hold the same meaning. So really not much point continuing this conversation.

Apparently in your univers giving a $329 gift is a very rude thing - when there was a $499 option he wanted and he already has a very large DSLR collection (and maybe a monitor or a small TV). That is just a way of life there 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[Howard2k]

One of my friends who uses and likes the mini was gifted a 10.2” iPad, to him he said he didn’t like it as it was too big but to the person who gifted it to him their said it was affordable.

It reminds me of those people purchasing Android tablets over an iPad, yeah it maybe more affordable and at times better specs but what would the person you are gifting it to or purchasing it for will have the most enjoyable user experience.

My relative who has an iPad Air 4 is trading it in for a mini 6 for the purpose of portability.

Your friend sounds like a bit of an ungrateful douche to be honest. Hopefully the friend who gifted it exchanges it for a gift card and finds better friends.

 

[Iconoclysm]

The fact that the iPhone still have the lightning port in 2021 is also a bad thing. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Guess you don't remember the backlash when the dock connector became lightning? This is a delicate situation.

 

[code-m]

Your friend sounds like a bit of an ungrateful douche to be honest. Hopefully the friend who gifted it exchanges it for a gift card and finds better friends.

Nah, he is actually a very nice and generous friend. He just likes what he likes and to him the iPad mini size is perfect. It’s not about how powerful the device or the cost, it is how some people like their morning coffee a certain way or prefer a certain type and brand of shoe.