iPad Is there any point in getting a base ipad?

[It’s always something]

No, not at all. It just means it won’t support Apple Intelligence.

I hope you’re right, but I am concerned that app developers will begin taking advantage of the extra RAM on newer devices, and that this will mean sluggishness as the OP suggests, or possibly a shorter window of support by app developers for gadgets that don’t have the necessary hardware. 🤷‍♂️🤔

 

[EugW]

I hope you’re right, but I am concerned that app developers will begin taking advantage of the extra RAM on newer devices, and that this will mean sluggishness as the OP suggests, or possibly a shorter window of support by app developers for gadgets that don’t have the necessary hardware. 🤷‍♂️🤔

4 GB RAM in an iPad is still fine in 2025 for basic mainstream usage. Even 3 GB RAM is relatively OK. 6 GB RAM in the base iPad will be good for years to come, especially considering it won't need to deal with the overhead of Apple Intelligence.

For a similar price this year, we have the option of getting:

2022 iPad Air M1 refurb with 8 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. Apple Intelligence supported.
2025 iPad A16 new with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. Apple Intelligence not supported.

I will get the iPad A16 because it has twice the base storage and because it will get updates for longer. This will not be used for heavy video editing or hardcore gaming, so A16 and 6 GB RAM will be sufficient for many years to come.

Outside of Apple Intelligence, the only significant drawback I can see is the loss of the Clean Up feature in Photos. That Clean Up feature doesn't require Apple Intelligence to be turned on (as it works on my M4 with AI turned off), but it still has that M1 or A17 Pro minimum requirement. However, the base iPad won't be used for much photo editing in our household anyway so I'm not concerned. We already have two M4s (Mac mini and iPad Pro) in the house, and will soon have a third M4 (MacBook Air).

 

[yabeweb]

Another vote for the base iPad 11 if one is going to use it for watching videos, general email, texting and web browsing. If you think there’s a chance you might be using the new iPad for anything more, there’s always the 11-inch Air for not that much more money. But don’t even think about the iPad Pro, as nice as it is. As I have written elsewhere, while in my local Apple Store to buy my M2 iPad Air, I told the Apple Geek that I didn’t need the M4 iPad Pro. His response: “No one needs the M4 iPad Pro.”

Some of us do, i mean if is your min device and do everything with it, it really works wonders.
iPad Pro m4 is my main device, and do affinity and some other intensive task, i could probably work with an Air, but why would i?

The pro motion, the pencil pro, the quad speaker, all adds up, so the cpu is one big part, but not the only one.

Not for everyone, but some of us do need the m4 pro, just like some need a MacBook pro and other are doing fine on MacBook Air.

 

[EugW]

Another vote for the base iPad 11 if one is going to use it for watching videos, general email, texting and web browsing. If you think there’s a chance you might be using the new iPad for anything more, there’s always the 11-inch Air for not that much more money. But don’t even think about the iPad Pro, as nice as it is. As I have written elsewhere, while in my local Apple Store to buy my M2 iPad Air, I told the Apple Geek that I didn’t need the M4 iPad Pro. His response: “No one needs the M4 iPad Pro.”

I don't need the iPad Pro either, but I bought it. It's too expensive, but at least it comes with 256 GB base storage. However, the OLED screen is just so much nicer than all the other iPad screens out there for video playback. It's gorgeous. The Magic Keyboard is nicer too. However, I can partially write it off so its price is a bit less of a concern for me as it's an expense. Plus, I bought it with a free CA$140 gift card last year in the Back-To-School sale.

Anyhow, I am waffling now for a new iPad for the kid (which I can't write off). Instead of the regular iPad, I am considering buying the iPad Air if the Back-To-School sale is the same this year as last year. I didn't realize that last year Apple provided a $140 gift card for the iPad Air. Here in Canada:

iPad A16 edu - CA$469 / US$327. No gift card provided.
iPad Air edu - CA$729 - $140 gift card = CA$589 / US$411.

 

[StoneJack]

I don't need the iPad Pro either, but I bought it. It's too expensive, but at least it comes with 256 GB base storage. However, the OLED screen is just so much nicer than all the other iPad screens out there for video playback. It's gorgeous. The Magic Keyboard is nicer too. However, I can partially write it off so its price is a bit less of a concern for me as it's an expense. Plus, I bought it with a free CA$140 gift card last year in the Back-To-School sale.

Anyhow, I am waffling now for a new iPad for the kid (which I can't write off). Instead of the regular iPad, I am considering buying the iPad Air if the Back-To-School sale is the same this year as last year. I didn't realize that last year Apple provided a $140 gift card for the iPad Air. Here in Canada:

iPad A16 edu - CA$469 / US$327. No gift card provided.
iPad Air edu - CA$729 - $140 gift card = CA$589 / US$411.

U dont need 2 similar ipads maybe buy mini then

 

[EugW]

U dont need 2 similar ipads maybe buy mini then

iPad Pro is mine. iPad A16 is for my kid.

 

[StoneJack]

iPad Pro is mine. iPad A16 is for my kid.

Good combination then

 

[Richard8655]

Always had regular iPads and all met my needs perfectly. Just got the iPad 11 and the processor speed and storage amount is just fine. Always felt higher end iPads were mostly clever marketing techniques by Apple to increase their profits.

 

[EugW]

Always had regular iPads and all met my needs perfectly. Just got the iPad 11 and the processor speed and storage amount is just fine. Always felt higher end iPads were mostly clever marketing techniques by Apple to increase their profits.

Truthfully, the base iPad is all I need, but the iPad Pro I overspent on is indeed an amazing piece of kit. It's better than the base iPad in every way, but it's just not necessary for what I use it for. Nonetheless, I wanted to splurge and fortunately I can write part of it off so it's less of a hit to the wallet.

 

[Richard8655]

Truthfully, the base iPad is all I need, but the iPad Pro I overspent on is indeed an amazing piece of kit. It's better than the base iPad in every way, but it's just not necessary for what I use it for. Nonetheless, I wanted to splurge and fortunately I can write part of it off so it's less of a hit to the wallet.

Make sense. If you enjoy the extra features it brings even if more than needed, absolutely. Especially if the financial expense can be mitigated.