It happens to the best of us. A newer and more flashy model arrives and we are no longer the latest and greatest news. The iPad did very well, of course. Ten years ago, the device redefined what a tablet is and maintained a dominant place at the top of the category, as countless competitors fell. Apple recently announced that it had sold north of 500 million units during the life of the device.
These days, the device has been overshadowed by its own branding. The standard iPad has become something of a run, compared to the Pro and Air. Now in its eighth generation, the product represents the entry level for Apple's tablet offerings. While the Air took center stage at the company's recent hardware event, it extended some love to the iPad.
The latest version of the tablet retains the familiar design of the latest generations, including the 10.2-inch (9.7) display and the smart connector on the side of the device for accessories introduced last time. The size isn't very dissimilar to the Air - it's a touch taller and about one and a half millimeters thicker, with an additional 32 grams weight.
This is the latest of three iPads to clip onto the Lightning port, which is definitely starting to look a bit of a relic. The upshot of this, however, is that the product continues to be compatible with older accessories, which means there's a good chance you'll save some extra money too. The tablet also comes with a larger charger than the previous generation.
The biggest update this time around is, unsurprisingly, internal. The new version of the slate gets the same A12, marking the first such update for the device in two years. The update puts it a generation behind the Air, which received the A12 last year and has been updated to the A14. The Pro, meanwhile, currently sports the A12Z. Confused, I know, but the main thing you need to know here is that the iPad is the entry-level model.
This includes the display, which is smaller than the other models and lacks the Pro's 120Hz refresh rate and brighter display. Nor does it sport Apple's True Tone display technology or the Face ID found on the Pro, while retaining the Home Touch ID button (compared to the power button on Air).The two-speaker system is also lacking compared to the Pro's four speakers, particularly when watching a movie on the tablet in landscape mode.
The battery has a nominal life of 10 hours, which puts it in line with other devices. I found that I was able to achieve something in line with the company's stated "daily life" for the product. If you're someone like me who only uses a tablet for a couple of hours a day for entertainment purposes, you should be able to get away with charging it every few days.
The iPad is compatible with the standard Smart Keyboard, but not with the new Magic Keyboard. If you're looking for something that can seriously replace your PC, you'll want to take a good look at Pro. The iPad is fine for sending emails and the like, but beyond that, you'll want to consider something more robust.
The iPad is truly the workhorse of the line. Starting at $ 329 for the 32GB model, it's by far the least expensive iPad model. The Air and Pro start at $ 599 and $ 799 respectively. And the retail prices are a certainty, ahead of the holiday season. As I type this, the entry-level device is currently flagged at $ 299 on Amazon.
The truth is, for most users, the standard iPad will be more than enough for most applications. Sure, that goes for people looking for devices to check email, visit some sites, play mobile games, and watch Netflix (although it may be time to reconsider camera placement in the age of teleconferencing). The iPad isn't the king of the hill it once was among Apple tablets, but it remains a great device.