Video Review: Two Weeks With the New 10th-Generation iPad

[MacRumors]

It's been almost two weeks since Apple introduced the revamped 10th-generation iPad, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it on a daily basis for the purpose of a more in-depth review for those considering it as an upgrade or a holiday gift for a family member.

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The 10th-generation iPad is priced starting at $449, which makes it $120 more expensive than the 9th-generation iPad that Apple is still selling alongside it. At $449, it is $150 less than the iPad Air, a tablet that it shares many features with.

The iPad lineup is somewhat confusing now because the 10th-generation iPad and the iPad Air are so similar, but for most people, it is a good deal because it offers a solid set of features for an affordable price. Design wise, the new iPad has the same 10.9-inch display as the iPad Air, but it's not quite as advanced in terms of color and reflectivity.

Apple's newest iPad has the same general design as the iPad Air, featuring an edge-to-edge display with a Touch ID power button rather than Face ID integration. It also uses USB-C instead of Lightning, offering a more universal charging option, but it does not have Thunderbolt or the quicker transfer speeds you'll see on other iPad models.

There is an A14 chip inside the iPad, which is a good deal faster than the A13 chip in the prior-generation version. It is not as advanced as the M1 in the iPad Air, but it will last for years to come. There's a landscape FaceTime camera for the first time, which is a nice feature for those who prefer to use the iPad as a replacement for a Mac in a landscape orientation.

As a major downside, the iPad only works with the Apple Pencil 1, an unusual choice because it charges via Lightning and there is no Lightning port. You need a confusing set of adapters if you want to charge the Apple Pencil with your iPad, and it isn't clear why Apple didn't just add Apple Pencil 2 compatibility.

On the plus side, Apple designed a new Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad, and it goes hand in hand with the landscape camera to turn the iPad into a Mac alternative. It is a two-piece accessory that works as both a cover and a keyboard, plus there is a built-in stand. Apple also added a function row, something not even available for the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.

If you opt for the iPad Air instead of the iPad, you're paying $150 for an M1 chip, a jump in display quality, and support for Stage Manager multitasking, and if you opt for the cheaper 9th-generation iPad, you're losing quite a bit of screen real estate and opting for a much slower chip.

The 10th-generation iPad is a solid compromise between price and feature set, and it will appeal to many people who are seeking an updated tablet. What do you think of the iPad? Let us know in the comments below.

Article Link: Video Review: Two Weeks With the New 10th-Generation iPad

 

[kylelerner]

That pencil situation is *lead” with confusion.
Weird pencil sitch - what’s the “point?”
This isn’t “write.”

The above are a few jokes that are as good as this Apple Pencil situation.

 

[roncron]

I strongly prefer the iPad Air 4 or 5 due to having much better display and Pencil 2 support. The Air 5 is often available on sale for $50 or so off, which reduces the price differential with the iPad 10. There are some refurbished Air 4 units available from time to time, at about the same cost as the iPad 10. If I couldn't afford an iPad Air 4 or 5, I'd just get an iPad 9 for less money.

But lots of people have different preferences than me, and may have good reasons for preferring the iPad 10. I'm happy it's available for them.

 

[GMShadow]

As a major downside, the iPad only works with the Apple Pencil 1, an unusual choice because it charges via Lightning and there is no Lightning port. You need a confusing set of adapters if you want to charge the Apple Pencil with your iPad, and it isn't clear why Apple didn't just add Apple Pencil 2 compatibility.

I think Apple likely has stats on how many iPad 6/7/8/9 owners use an Apple Pencil. My guess is the number outside of education is low - most of the market for those iPads will be served by a $2 rubber tip stylus.

So, combine that with the extra cost of the Pencil 2 supporting HW, the need to do a laminated screen, and education likely wanting to keep to their $99 Pencil 1's, well, we get this compromise.

 

[jsavvy]

Disappointed to see this iPad released. I really don’t see the point of any new iPad working with the Pencil 1. I don’t think it’s worth the compromises. Just another iPad to fill in a price gap.

 

[NightFlight]

Just as others have said many times before, I don’t see the point of this iPad in the lineup. There is zero reason to buy this over an iPad Air which isn’t much more expensive and it doesn’t offer enough over the base iPad to make it worth it.

It would’ve made a lot more sense if the base iPad was discontinued and this was introduced for $379.

 

[Cloysterpeteuk]

It's not at all important to me what chip comes inside these iPads, mine is just for browsing and media consumption, maybe if I played some mobile phone games on there I would care. Same with the pencil, there must be a tiny percentage of purchasers who would buy that expensive accessory?, any creative types would surely want the 120hz display and nicer screens in they are creating art on there. It seems odd to want to pair a pricey pencil with the low end iPads.

 

[JPack]

The majority of $329 and $449 iPad owners likely purchased the device for media consumption. How many of those people spend $99 on a Pencil? Probably not a lot. And the Logitech Crayon is only $69.

The $449 iPad doesn't need a laminated display or Pencil 2 support. Yes, the price of iPad has increased. But at the same time, it no longer looks like a relic.

 

[5105973]

Thanks for the clear explanation of the differences. If I were in the market for an iPad, oddly enough this would likely be the one for me. But I have a really old one that still works fine for my purposes.

 

[now i see it]

Dan seems so relaxed and at ease doing this video. Probably the best one of his I’ve ever seem. Great job.

 

[ghanwani]

If I needed an iPad, I'd take the 9th gen over this one. The 10th gen which isn't compatible with Pencil 2 is a complete joke, an insult to customers. Very, very sad.

 

[Porco]

It’s worth pointing out (because MR keeps forgetting apparently) the 9th gen iPad is now the only iPad Apple sells as new that has a built-in headphone jack socket.

 

[MAcNIAC]

i stopped watching when you said “maybe i am being too harsh”.

no, no you are not.

 

[deevey]

Disappointed to see this iPad released. I really don’t see the point of any new iPad working with the Pencil 1. I don’t think it’s worth the compromises. Just another iPad to fill in a price gap.

And Logitech Crayon which is aimed at the Edu market.

Just as others have said many times before, I don’t see the point of this iPad in the lineup. There is zero reason to buy this over an iPad Air which isn’t much more expensive and it doesn’t offer enough over the base iPad to make it worth it.

It would’ve made a lot more sense if the base iPad was discontinued and this was introduced for $379.

1. It'll be supported for slightly longer.
2. $150, plus much cheaper repair cost due to the unlaminated display is going to enough of a price difference to justify buying them over the iPad Air in bulk e.g. Fleet/School/Corporate.

I strongly prefer the iPad Air 4 or 5 due to having much better display and Pencil 2 support. The Air 5 is often available on sale for $50 or so off, which reduces the price differential with the iPad 10. There are some refurbished Air 4 units available from time to time, at about the same cost as the iPad 10. If I couldn't afford an iPad Air 4 or 5, I'd just get an iPad 9 for less money.

For individuals in the market for a new iPad it makes more sense to wait for a bargain on an Air 4/5

The bulk buying market segment this is primarily aimed at though is unlikely to looking for flash sales or refurbs, and the Air 4 is no longer available brand new.

 

[jcshas]

Let‘s be honest here. This is the iPad for the rest of us.

 

[Wildkraut]

Disappointed to see this iPad released. I really don’t see the point of any new iPad working with the Pencil 1. I don’t think it’s worth the compromises. Just another iPad to fill in a price gap.

Well, they probably have a warehouse full of old Apple Pencil 1 that needs to be sold. Selling an old wine in new bottles is Apples way to boost the sales of old crap.

 

[wgaller]

If I needed an iPad, I'd take the 9th gen over this one. The 10th gen which isn't compatible with Pencil 2 is a complete joke, an insult to customers. Very, very sad.

Do you use a pencil, I imagine many people like myself, bought one, used it twice then never again.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I really don’t see the point of any new iPad working with the Pencil 1

Just another iPad to fill in a price gap.

Ah, so you DO see the point

 

[cicalinarrot]

That pencil situation is *lead” with confusion.
Weird pencil sitch - what’s the “point?”
This isn’t “write.”

The above are a few jokes that are as good as this Apple Pencil situation.

Your post took much more effort that the decision-making process behind the pencil situation.

 

[JPack]

If I needed an iPad, I'd take the 9th gen over this one. The 10th gen which isn't compatible with Pencil 2 is a complete joke, an insult to customers. Very, very sad.

If you wanted Pencil 2 support, shouldn't your rebuttal be, "I'll get an iPad Air"?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I shall always obtain endless amounts of delight from the iPad being “confusing” because, to Mac folks “They’re all glass and aluminum rectangles that are larger than iPhones! How can I ever be expected to tell the difference between them!”

“Can’t they change the number of ports or vary the CPU/GPU and RAM instead? Let me choose fast or faster Ethernet? Those are choices I know how to make! Not this ‘What budget, what size, what amount of storage, cellular or not’ nonsense.”

 

[Kierkegaarden]

As long as you don’t have a need for the Pencil, I would say this is a great device. If you want to use the Pencil, get the Pro or Air. The iPad was originally intended to be used with fingers, not a stylus, so this fits the bill in that regard.

 

[djadamjay]

pay $20 more and get a refurb previous Gen iPad Air with same processor, but better laminated display and pencil 2 support

 

[QCassidy352]

Just as others have said many times before, I don’t see the point of this iPad in the lineup. There is zero reason to buy this over an iPad Air which isn’t much more expensive and it doesn’t offer enough over the base iPad to make it worth it.

It would’ve made a lot more sense if the base iPad was discontinued and this was introduced for $379.

There are 150 reasons to buy this over the air. Personally I would spend the $150 for M1, laminated screen, and pencil 2 support, but Air costs 33% more for features many consumers won’t care about or even notice one iota. This is a perfectly fine option.

 

[roland.g]

It's not $150 reasons.

iPad 10th Gen - $449 + Folio Keyboard $249 = $698.
iPad Air 5th Gen w/ M1 - $599 + Logitech Touch Folio = $758.

For $60 more you get the same kickstand, a better protective case, and an M1 Air instead of the lower level iPad. Unless you don't plan to use a keyboard or you plan to save a bit more with some other 3rd party cheaper keyboard, the Air + Logitech makes way way way more sense.