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

[phalseHUD]

Embarrassing from the company that has given us great innovations such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone, magsafe and the iconic illuminated Apple symbol on the back of the MacBook. Apple truly has become crApple.

Sad really.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

$150 is a lot of money at this level. It’s a third again the price. Nothing ‘just a bit more’ about it.

I’d imagine a lot of the folks on MacRumors must be doing pretty well where $150 is ‘just a bit more’.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Current design
Larger screen
1GB more RAM
Faster chip
Better camera with smart HDR 3 and 4K video.
5G
USB-C
Landscape camera
Speakers optimized for landscape
New keyboard design with trackpad and function key row

It's objectively nicer than the iPad-9, and since price is subjective the consumer can decide if those upgrades are with the premium. A better option is a discounted iPad Air 4, but not everyone wants refurbished or used stuff.

LOOK YOU! I won’t let your FACTS get in the way of my Apple Aggrievement! /s

 

[bwillwall]

Meh. Consumers can decide if they like the upgrades. No one is being forced to buy the iPad-10.

If Apple didn't think it mattered the iPad-10 wouldn't have it; they could have saved money by not developing it. The Pros will get it next year with a redesign to accommodate a new Apple Pencil 3.

All of Apple's iPad keyboards are expensive compared to 3rd party, but the iPad 9's keyboard isn't as good as the iPad-10's. The iPad 10 is for people who want an iPad which is nicer than the 9 but doesn't cost as much as the Air.

The point of the iPad Pro is to be the ultimate iPad. Its pricepoint is fine because it includes advanced and over the top features. The Air is meant to be a middle-tier iPad, and frankly it costs way too much for that especiall if you want one of Apples overpriced keyboards. The 10th gen is just an insult. It's BARELY cheaper and they did so by penny pinching and pulling away as many nice features as they could, while making it look new.

 

[bwillwall]

I’d imagine a lot of the folks on MacRumors must be doing pretty well where $150 is ‘just a bit more’.

That's not how the math works out. You're spending 450. Then, supposedly 250 more to get the ridiculous keyboard because that's one of the things that makes it better. Who is gonna spend that and think, gee I'm sure glad I save $150 on significantly better design across the board. It's a ripoff. And yeah the Air is overpriced too. The Air should be 500 and the 10th gen shouldn't exist or should be 350 or under at least.

It's nice you think I'm rich, but no. I'm not buying any of those.

 

[JPack]

Well, from normal for-profit perspective, wouldn't you want those few people who are interested in Apple Pencil buy the more expensive Pencil 2 instead? Why make the experience tedious by supporting the Apple Pencil 1 and having an adapter? Thus imo it's just a strategy to upsell people to the Air.

Prior to this iPad 10, there's a huge gap between the $329 iPad 9 and the $600 iPad Air that was only filled with the iPad mini. I'm sure many consumers on the fence would lean more towards the $329 iPad 9 as they probably don't think the iPad Air is worth almost double the price. Enter this decoy iPad 10 for $450. People looking for cheap iPad will remain buying the iPad 9, but those on the fence whether to get the Air or not would now be more likely nudged to get the Air, as the price difference now is only $150 between that and the iPad 10.

It's sort of like asking why Toyota doesn't offer a leather seat package on their entry level sedan.

The majority of consumers buying a $449 iPad probably aren't willing to spend $129 for Pencil 2. That represents nearly 30% of the iPad price. Pencil 2 is an advanced content creation tool, not for the coffee table in the living room.

 

[bwillwall]

It's sort of like asking why Toyota doesn't offer a leather seat package on their entry level sedan.

The majority of consumers buying a $449 iPad probably aren't willing to spend $129 for Pencil 2. That represents nearly 30% of the iPad price. Pencil 2 is an advanced content creation tool, not for the coffee table in the living room.

I'm so glad I spent $120 extra on a 10th gen so I can save $29 on a Pencil that doesn't have an adapter I will lose. Yeah absolutely brilliant.

 

[Gsmaniac]

I was in the market for a new iPad and saw a refurbished 2020 iPad Pro 11 inch on the Apple Store which was cheaper than the new iPad 10. No brainer for me and went for the pro. Very happy with that decision

 

[GalileoSeven]

Lately, I've been intrigued with the idea of an iPad that could function as a laptop/desktop replacement (I'm not in the market for one - just find the idea interesting). Provided this has proper external display support, I could see a good niche for this if one's use case wasn't too demanding.

Combined with a Smart Folio (or one of the similarly styled knockoffs - provides good viewing/typing angles on the go) and a wireless Magic Keyboard and you have most of the components for a decent setup.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

That's not how the math works out. You're spending 450. Then, supposedly 250 more to get the ridiculous keyboard because that's one of the things that makes it better. Who is gonna spend that and think, gee I'm sure glad I save $150 on significantly better design across the board. It's a ripoff. And yeah the Air is overpriced too. The Air should be 500 and the 10th gen shouldn't exist or should be 350 or under at least.

It's nice you think I'm rich, but no. I'm not buying any of those.

The other poster said, “$150 is a lot of money at this level. It’s a third again the price. Nothing ‘just a bit more’ about it.” I agree. In my mind, if someone thinks $150 is ‘just a bit more’, they may be more financially well off. Maybe not rich, but certainly someone who doesn’t see spending another $150 as an issue.

 

[darngooddesign]

It's BARELY cheaper (than the Air) and they did so by penny pinching and pulling away as many nice features as they could, while making it look new.

$150 is not "barely cheaper" to people shopping base iPads.

It costs less to upgrade from the 9 to the 10, than it does to upgrade from the 10 to the Air. The iPad-10 gives you some nice upgrades over the iPad-9 for $120 without having to spend $270 to upgrade from the iPad-9 to the iPad-Air. Im not sure why you feel insulted about something that is an optional purchase; something you can choose to ignore.

 

[philcourage]

Pencil 2 is an advanced content creation tool

I'll admit that sometimes I use it to scratch my dog's head. She likes it. Advanced scratcher tool too.

 

[5105973]

@Dan Barbera did a very good straightforward video presentation with the information I needed and helped me get clarity on the iPad choices.

I have decided I like it. I put it on my Christmas wish list along with the keyboard case. I’ll put my old iPad up for trade. I’m not sure if my husband will want to do that though, since iPads are useful all over the house. He just retired one of our old ones with the old fashioned charging connector.

I like the pink. I like the keyboard. I like the shape and overall design. I like the features just fine. I’m not a fancy content creator but I do like to sketch on iPads sometimes. I never got around to getting Pencil 2 for my iPad mini. I have an old Apple Pencil around here somewhere, though I think I loaned it to a kid. If I can’t find it, no big deal, $99 Apple Pencil and adapter if I need it is fine.

As long as there isn’t anything about the display that might trigger my migraine condition I’ll be happy to see this on Christmas Day. If I see it. It’s on a WISH list, not a list of demands. My husband may very well find something else he’d rather get me. He may decide it’s not in the budget. Whatever.

I’ve seen all the arguments and indignation over this entry and I understand them. I just don’t have the same reservations about this product. It slots in nicely with my other Apple products and it has what I want and nothing I don’t want to pay for.

 

[darngooddesign]

@Dan Barbera did a very good straightforward video presentation with the information I needed and helped me get clarity on the iPad choices.

I have decided I like it. I put it on my Christmas wish list along with the keyboard case. I’ll put my old iPad up for trade. I’m not sure if my husband will want to do that though, since iPads are useful all over the house. He just retired one of our old ones with the old fashioned charging connector.

I like the pink. I like the keyboard. I like the shape and overall design. I like the features just fine. I’m not a fancy content creator but I do like to sketch on iPads sometimes. I never got around to getting Pencil 2 for my iPad mini. I have an old Apple Pencil around here somewhere, though I think I loaned it to a kid. If I can’t find it, no big deal, $99 Apple Pencil and adapter if I need it is fine.

As long as there isn’t anything about the display that might trigger my migraine condition I’ll be happy to see this on Christmas Day. If I see it. It’s on a WISH list, not a list of demands. My husband may very well find something else he’d rather get me. He may decide it’s not in the budget. Whatever.

I’ve seen all the arguments and indignation over this entry and I understand them. I just don’t have the same reservations about this product. It slots in nicely with my other Apple products and it has what I want and nothing I don’t want to pay for.

Enjoy the iPad if Santa does bring it.

 

[wgaller]

@Dan Barbera did a very good straightforward video presentation with the information I needed and helped me get clarity on the iPad choices.

I have decided I like it. I put it on my Christmas wish list along with the keyboard case. I’ll put my old iPad up for trade. I’m not sure if my husband will want to do that though, since iPads are useful all over the house. He just retired one of our old ones with the old fashioned charging connector.

I like the pink. I like the keyboard. I like the shape and overall design. I like the features just fine. I’m not a fancy content creator but I do like to sketch on iPads sometimes. I never got around to getting Pencil 2 for my iPad mini. I have an old Apple Pencil around here somewhere, though I think I loaned it to a kid. If I can’t find it, no big deal, $99 Apple Pencil and adapter if I need it is fine.

As long as there isn’t anything about the display that might trigger my migraine condition I’ll be happy to see this on Christmas Day. If I see it. It’s on a WISH list, not a list of demands. My husband may very well find something else he’d rather get me. He may decide it’s not in the budget. Whatever.

I’ve seen all the arguments and indignation over this entry and I understand them. I just don’t have the same reservations about this product. It slots in nicely with my other Apple products and it has what I want and nothing I don’t want to pay for.

You don't seem so grumpy to me.

 

[5105973]

You don't seem so grumpy to me.

Thank you. Yeah actually I’m usually pretty laid back. Sometimes, in the morning before I have fully awakened and have to take care of pets before I’ve had my morning coffee it gets a bit dicey though! 🤣

 

[deevey]

I'm so glad I spent $120 extra on a 10th gen so I can save $29 on a Pencil that doesn't have an adapter I will lose. Yeah absolutely brilliant.

But if you were already using an Pencil 1 with your old iPad I bet you'd be happy only needing a $2 adaptor or cable.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I think the real comparison that Mac news/review sites ought to be making isn't 10th Generation iPad vs. Fifth Generation iPad Air, but rather 10th Generation iPad vs. Fourth Generation iPad Air. You have refurbished versions of the Fourth Generation iPad Air selling on Apple's site for the same cost as the 10th Generation iPad. You have the same A14 Bionic SoC in play, but you have a whole host of differences.

Personally, I love my Fourth Generation iPad Air and am not in the market for either a 10th Generation iPad nor a Fifth Generation iPad Air.

But if someone were to ask me, between 10th Generation iPad and Fourth Generation iPad Air which route to go, unless they want an Apple Pencil, I'd have no clue which one to direct them to. I'm sure I won't be the only one feeling that way.

 

[person s]

I bought a 10th gen ipad for my wife to replace her 5th generation model
she’s happy with it
she’s never likely to need the pencil
I’m using the 5th gen for choir music

 

[Technerd108]

Great review. Honest opinion and hits all the points that need to be made.

It is unfortunate about the pricing. Since you can get an iPad Air base model for $519 right now on Amazon that is $69 difference. You get a lot for that difference. A laminated and anti-reflective screen, M1 and 8gb ram, Apple Pencil 2 support and to me that is way worth the difference in price.

I think for most people the iPad Air just makes more sense. It is not cheap but it is not crazy expensive like the iPad Pro. Apple should have given 128gb storage for the air but unless you are a heavy user then 64gb is fine. If you are a heavy user then you would probably just get the Pro anyway.

When it comes to just wanting a basic iPad I just don't see why the 10th gen exists at its price. I can get a 9th gen which I can use to charge my Apple Pencil 1 with the lightning port, it has an earphone jack, it is still fast and it costs around $279 at most retailers other than Apple. If I don't want to spend a lot of money and don't care about the nicer features then the 9th gen just makes a lot more sense. Around $300 with tax is a lot easier to swallow than around $500 with tax. $200 to get a slightly larger screen, slightly faster processor and cool colors and better design? Seems like a lot of money for that. Sure the FaceTime camera placement is better too.

However if I was going to spend around $500 for an iPad I would at least want the air. Then you consider you can still buy the 4th gen air and I have seen sales at Walmart for $349 for the base air 4th gen which is $100 cheaper than the regular 10th gen iPad??? Why would anyone want the 10th gen over the 4th gen air?? I would rather pay $399 or $349 for a 4th gen air any day than the regular iPad. Heck I don't see the big deal about the FaceTime camera to pay more for a worse device.

I really don't know what Apple was thinking with the 10th gen iPad. If they released it at the same price as the 9th gen then NO one would complain as it is clearly in some ways better than the 9th gen but it is just not worth the extra cost and I bet a lot of students or schools will miss the earphone jack a lot.

 

[bwillwall]

$150 is not "barely cheaper" to people shopping base iPads.

It costs less to upgrade from the 9 to the 10, than it does to upgrade from the 10 to the Air. The iPad-10 gives you some nice upgrades over the iPad-9 for $120 without having to spend $270 to upgrade from the iPad-9 to the iPad-Air. Im not sure why you feel insulted about something that is an optional purchase; something you can choose to ignore.

The Air will be 150 off in no time.

 

[darngooddesign]

The Air will be 150 off in no time.

Well obviously you should buy it then. However, the iPad 10 will probably be discounted as well.

That time is not now.

 

[bwillwall]

Well obviously you should buy it then. However, the iPad 10 will probably be discounted as well.

That time is not now.

I won't be buying any of them. iPads are the worst product line Apple makes, and the current lineup is an overpriced mess.

 

[darngooddesign]

I won't be buying any of them. iPads are the worst product line Apple makes, and the current lineup is an overpriced mess.

So you are this bothered by something you have zero interest in?

 

[Atomic1977]

Hmm why are you here in a post about ipads when you’re not even going to buy one? For me the iPad 10 doesn’t even really spark any interest since I just got a iPad 9 about a month ago.