Today, the world is transitioning to a digital setup and virtually everything is carried out using digital devices. College students are not left out of this transitioning. They no longer operate fully in the traditional way and as a result, there is much demand on their time. This also restricts their ability to perform effectively if not properly coordinated.
To overcome the numerous challenges, college students need to leverage technology and technological devices. One of the devices is an iPad. In this article, we will explain everything about the best iPad for students and why you need one.
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What Is An iPad?
An iPad is one of the technological devices that make life easier and faster. It is multifunctional and performs various tasks as fast as possible. There are numerous options for you if you choose to make use of an iPad and this could be overwhelming. It can be difficult for you to know which one is the best fit for you as a student, owing to the numerous activities you can use it for such as doing assignments, carrying out research, attending online classes, networking with friends online, reaching out to your family, among other things.
When you decide to go for the best iPads for students, you have to answer the following questions:
- What is the reason you need an iPad?
- How much are you budgeting for it?
- What screen size do you need?
- Do you need the one with a keyboard?
- Why You Should Choose the Right iPad?
Before launching out to buy an iPad, you want to be sure of the one you need and why you need it. many iPads can perform the basic tasks of browsing the internet, reading the information, and streaming videos. However, iPads produced after the 5th generation will perform more critical tasks. These newest iPads are more expensive but they will give you more value for your money.
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Are iPads The Best For Students?
When you search for tablet reviews, iPads are usually the most purchased by students. It is because of their convenience and high performance rate that students opt for them. They are easier and faster to use as well. Besides, they have amplified Wi-Fi connectivity and are the best for multitasking due to their processor. iPads also have the largest screen display, with high definition and strong brightness. All these features are very responsive to the demands of schoolwork.
iPads are the best for students to take notes and attend online programs. Their durability is also topnotch, making them ideal for students due to the financial demand of their academics. In addition, an iPad is resistant to water and heat.
Furthermore, the App Store of an iPad is loaded with great apps that are iPad-specifics. Many of them will be ideal for students to take notes, convert handwriting to texts, convert speech to texts, record lectures, manage timetables, and of course, video calls their family and friends back home.
Getting a good iPad is ideal for you. Its design was a well-thought-out plan because of its powerful features. We have researched the best iPads for you and if you are a student on a budget, they are affordable too. Here are what we have for you:
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Top iPads for Students
Here are our best pick o iPad for students:
1. iPad Air 4
This iPad is the commonest and most used of all the iPads. It may not be an iPad Pro, but it has the best features you can dream of. Purchasing it will save you the cost of purchasing higher-end simulations.
The size is 10.9 inches, which is compact enough to move about without feeling like you are carrying a load. The screen is 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi). The Retina display features wide color and True Tone. With Touch ID, you can unlock your device. It is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro-Magic Keyboard. It has 64GB or 256GB storage size. The price of the iPad Air 4 is $499.
2. iPad Mini 5
This iPad is more comfortable and smaller in size. If you need something more compact to carry about, then iPad Mini 5 is the best for you. It has a smart connection and helps to ease off the stress from you.
The size of the iPad Mini 5 is 7.9 inches, which is a perfect balance to move about with. The Retina display features True Tone. It uses Touch ID and has an A12 Bionic chip. It may not be compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard but you can make use of other Bluetooth keyboards. You can also use the first-generation Apple Pencil with it. The starting price is $399.
3. iPad 8th-Generation
If you are a student on a low budget, this iPad is a great option for you. It is compatible with Smart Connector, with a 10.2-inch Retina display. That is large enough to read your books and take down your notes. However, it is not compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, but it can function well with the first one.
Moreover, the iPad 8th-Generation makes use of the older A12 Bionic chip fast enough for your schoolwork. It has a storage capacity of 32GB or 128GB, which is very small if you want to save so much large capacity for documents. It has 256GB capacity for storage and does not use face ID. The starting price is $329.
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4. iPad Pro
The iPad Pro is the best of them all. It is the most expensive too; that is if you do not mind the price. It has two different sizes of 11 inches and 12.9 inches. You have the option of selecting the more convenient one for you. Both of them have different storage capacities too; from 128GB or 512GB or 1TB.
It does not have any home button but enough screen space, all thanks to its bezel-less design. Moreover, it uses Face ID for biometrics and has the latest A12Z or M1 Bionic chip with Neural Engine from Apple. Also, it gives you the comfort of taking photos of documents, class boards, and presentations. It has only two color options of silver and space grey. You can get it at a starting price of $799.
5. iPad Air (2020)
The iPad Air (2020) borrows a lot of what we like from the iPad Pro, at a more affordable price. It’s arguably Apple’s best iPad ever, although it’s higher price tag may not be for everyone. Overall, this is the best student tablet for college in our book.
The current-gen iPad Air has the same super-thin bezels as the iPad Pro, as well as support for the Magic Keyboard, which makes it a true laptop competitor. On top of that, Apple’s blazing-fast A14 Bionic chip helps future-proof this tablet with enough speed for demanding apps and multitasking. Apple also managed to put Touch ID in the lock button.
Would You Rather use an iPad or a Laptop?
Before you go ahead to buy an iPad, you probably have considered certain options like a low price, great apps, portability, suitable for making video calls, and others. What should matter the most to you is its suitability for your purpose.
If you wonder whether an iPad or a laptop is the best for you, we think an iPad is incredible. Some of the reasons include:
- Many of the apps installed on the laptop are found in a tablet, including Microsoft Office apps like Word and PowerPoint. In some cases, you might find out that an iPad is more powerful than a laptop.
- Another advantage is that the iPad is portable enough to contain all the books you need for your studies. As a result, you can carry your books around and can study at any place. But that may not be the case with a laptop.
- An iPad has more lightweight than even the lightest laptop. You are not going to have some issues wondering how you are going to carry a load while on transit or going for lectures.
- The battery life of an iPad lasts for 10 hours, which is enough to carry you for the day. As a result, you are not getting frustrated looking for a way to charge your device. Unfortunately, most laptop batteries do not last this long. That means, since the iPad can serve you this purpose, you don’t have any reason going for a laptop as an option.
- The keyboard of an iPad is another great feature. You do not need to type on an on-screen keyboard. However, you can sync any Bluetooth keyboard or plug in an Apple iPad keyboard and effectively convert your iPad into a laptop. Some iPad also have Apple Pencil which will be handy if you need to jot down some notes on your iPad screen during lectures.
Can I Get iPads For Students At A Discount
If you think that the price of an iPad is on the high side for your budget, it is quite understandable. However, there is good news for you: you do not have to pay full price any longer. This is why: Through the Apple UK Education Store or Apple US Education Store, Apple offers special discounts to students studying in both countries. All you need to do is to sign up with details of your studentship and course of study, together with proof of your identity. You may be lucky to get a discount.
Conclusion
When you are considering the top iPad for students, you need to also consider the features that are important to you. You may prefer a pocket-friendly one, while another student may not mind the price but is more interested in the performance. Yet, another may consider the convenience. If you feel a laptop or a computer is not the best for your specific study needs, then you will need an iPad.
