iPad buying guide 2024: DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE!

Looking for the perfect iPad in 2024? In this guide, I walk you through my iPad collection, from the iPad Mini to the iPad 10, the different sized iPad Pros. Whether you're after something portable, powerful, or perfect for creative tasks, there's an iPad that fits your needs. I’ll also help you decide which one offers the best value for your budget.

📱Check out the iPads I mentioned below:

🚀 Unlock Exclusive Content:

📬 Join My Substack:

🎥 Discover More Content:

🎓 Level Up Your Creator Game:

💬 Join My Community:

📲 Let’s Stay Connected:
Join me online where I share behind-the-scenes glimpses, daily insights, and more:

🛒 My Favorite Gear:
Here are some of the tools and gadgets that I swear by! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

🎓 Free Online Courses:

🎙️ Listen to the Eight or Sixteen Podcast:
Catch the latest episodes on your favorite platform:

🌐 Explore More:

🔍 About This Channel:
I cut through the tech jargon to bring you honest, real-world reviews of laptops, smartphones, tablets, headphones, and more. My goal? To help you find the tech you need to get stuff done, without the fluff.

👋 Who Am I?
I’m Mark Ellis, a UK-based tech reviewer passionate about helping you make smart tech decisions. No deep dives into specs, just practical advice you can trust.

📧 Get in Touch:

Please note: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:52 – iPad 10
04:59 – iPad Mini 6
07:52 – 11" M4 iPad Pro
09:58 – 13" iPad Pro
11:26 – Conclusion

[MarkEllisReviews]

Which iPad are you going to buy… and why?

[localnavy]

I am a photographer and I wanted something that was small portable and powerful enough to get the job done. I went with the iPad 10th gen and it has held up just fine with focus stacking, HDR pano blending, and just regular editing. I just don’t like the slow transfer speeds but it was a give and take for the price you cannot go wrong for the bang for buck. Everyone on the YouTube’s says that this iPad is not powerful enough for heavy photo editing and I say they are so wrong and never truly had a landscape photography workflow. Paired with the right apps I have a complete desktop workflow on a base 256GB model.

[danielc]

I have iPad Mini and is perfect. I don't need a huge iPad/tablet, I can use a laptop if I want power.

[jmharper]

Had my Mini for 2 years now and still loving it. Will probably hang on to it for another 2 years even if the 7 comes out- unless it blows me away with new features!

[andrewlauchengco]

I've watched several reviews of these buying guides and one thing stands out to me for reviewers who actually used their iPads--- The iPad mini 6 is a low-key staple favorite.
I understood why when I recently bought a used 11" M1 iPad Pro and a used iPad Mini 6. I used them for a full week each and ended up keeping the Mini.

Why the mini? Because It's the best at being a "Mobile Tablet". Not a laptop alternative/replacement-- but a mobile tablet. It's a long discussion, but I think most people who have the mini and have used bigger iPads understand why.

[Juhsentuh]

I wanted a bigger laminated display so went with the iPad Air 11” M2 (128GB) with an education discount and trade in. It cost me $370 with tax. Very happy with my purchase, it’s a nice upgrade from the iPad mini 5 I had for 5 years. I plan to keep the Air for a long time.

[bmccook]

10th generation. Perfect size. Fast enough for my needs and great price.

[RL-zyzm]

Just buy an iPad mini now and u won’t regret it. I’ve been waiting for the new 7th gen since last year, lots of rumor saying it’ll come out in March, May and September blablabla. I was sick of it and bought one. Favorite tech for the year in 2023 and still stand by my point in 2024.

[Mbsn]

I just purchased the iPad Air 13 inch with m2 chip. The m4 was about 600 dollars more. For what I use it for I am very happy. I was going to get a lap top later but now with the logitec keyboard I don’t need it.

[macglam]

Yup that was me got a 12.9 pro and went wooo it’s amazing! Literally collected dust for months it was so heavy and annoying to use lol

[deanw]

I went for an M4 pro 11”. Whenever I buy an iPad or iPhone I buy the model that will have the maximum longevity in terms of OS support. It’s a bigger outlay initially but it means I can skip a couple of upgrade cycles along the way. Plus I get an awesome screen and Face ID into the bargain (it’s amazing how much I *don’t* miss Touch ID…)

[NicolaWayneFolli]

Since I'm using my 6th gen iPad mainly for watching YT or TV series and reading comics, I think I'm going for the 13" Air...I want a big screen (so no mini or 11") but I definitely don't need extreme power and extra weight

[craighill]

Just upgraded my iPad Pro 11” M1 to an M4. I couldn’t be happier with it. And this was primarily for the screen quality. I have visual snow syndrome which makes the blacks seem grey and the whites too (just opposite) and this newer screen, whilst it doesn’t fix my issue it has reduced the horrible ghosting I was getting. Will I use it to its fullest potential? No, but the difference between Air and Pro is massive for me.

[DalsPhotography]

thank you for a great review! And a lovely soothing voice!

[dbug]

Planning to buy the iPad Pro M4 13 inch (Standard) with 512 storage, magic keyboard & Apple pencil pro). As I am upgrading from the classic iPad Pro 10.5 inch (no iOS 18 on them). The reason I chose the 13 inch is because I use the iPad for everything (work away from work, entertainment, studies and reading) and since I do not have a laptop, it is the perfect option for me and hopefully it will last for the next five years.

[pug_]

Waiting for the new iPad Mini; currently using the 5th Gen, which I bought 4 years ago.

Thanks for the content.

[MedievalRichard]

Purchased my first ever iPad last week - iPad Air 11" M2 2024. I also got a 3rd party magic keyboard for £75, rather than £300 Apple want, and it works great. Lets hope the m2 lasts many years and is fast.

[nightstalker]

Im a casual user. I love my youtube and movies. I wanted a couch surfer. Im a samsung phone user, but they dropped the 11 inch from their new lineup. I went pro m4 11 inch for one reason only. The display. Like I said, i watch mainly movies. I dont need extra power or the m4, but unfortunately you get a dull screen if you don't go pro. I say dull because i saw them side by side at Best Buy. The pro display was definitely noticeable over the air, mini and regular. After being spoiled with the display on my s24 ultra, i couldnt go to the dull Apple screens on the less expensive models.

[ljacobs]

I have the Mini 6. It overheats in hot/humid weather, drops Wi-Fi, and many apps are not optimized for the form factor and has a poor display.

[pumpichank]

I just watched your video on my brand new M4 13” iPad Pro with nanoglass. I’m upgrading from a gen 3 iPad Pro 12.9” which to be honest was still a great iPad. I didn’t absolutely need to upgrade, but Amazon had some amazing discounts and I’ve been meaning to “donate” the old iPad to the family. I’m fortunate to have a budget that can support getting the upgrade. I don’t think you’re wrong in your recommendations. While I’m not iPad-only, I do use the iPad heavily for music and art so I’m not just watching great YT videos like yours 😁.

That said, the nanoglass is absolutely stunning visually and feel wise. I will not be putting a screen protector on it (and didn’t have one on my old iPad), but I do have a magic keyboard (which I also have on the old one). Beware though that the M4 13” Pro is *not* compatible with either the previous generation magic keyboard or older generation apple pencils, so you might need to upgrade those accessories too.

I got this upgrade exactly because as you say, it should last me for a *very* long time. I got my previous iPad in 2018, and it’s still doing great after 6 years with just minimal battery health degradataion, so I fully expect this one to last at least that long if not longer.