Ipad pro vs ipad air for students

Finding the best iPad for students in 2022 can be a bit of a quest. Is the most expensive iPad always the best one? Do you need all of the accessories too? And, most importantly, do you need all the official Apple add-ons or will cheaper third-party accessories do just as well?

Being candid, the truth is that the best student iPad is the one that meets your specific needs for the term ahead. It really is that simple, so if you're heading back to school, college or university anytime soon, you're going to want to keep reading for the best student iPads.

The flexibility of an iPad is truly where its benefits lie when considering the student lifestyle. Sliding an iPad in and out of a rucksack is significantly easier than lugging around a heavy laptop, it’s an instant-on affair instead of waiting for things to load up, and you can handwrite notes just as easily as type them. There's a reason they're so popular in back to school season.

All the iPads below come in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and 4G cellular models. The latest iPad Pro model even comes with 5G if you want ultra-fast internet on the go. This will mean an additional charge for a SIM card on a monthly basis with your chosen provider. If you can use your phone as a hotspot or make sure you’re on Wi-Fi in lecture theatres or in the library, there’s no need to pay extra for the cellular-enabled option.

We've also got a larger guide to the best student tablets (opens in new tab) – not just limited to iPads, but Android and PC tablets too – if you want to cast a wider net. If you're looking for a laptop instead, check out our guide to the best student laptops (opens in new tab) and if you know it's an Apple you're after, we've got the best MacBooks for students (opens in new tab) too.  

The best iPad for students in 2022: the top three

The best iPad for most students is the iPad Air. It's almost as powerful as the much more expensive iPad Pro, it has second-generation Apple Pencil compatibility for taking notes or doing artwork and the colour reproduction is superb. It's eminently chuckable, perfectly powerful and just the right size for Netflix box sets too.

The best small iPad is the iPad mini. It's quite expensive compared to the standard iPad but inside that smaller case is a very powerful processor that's even better than the one in the iPad Air. The cameras are good too.

The best budget iPad is the 9th generation iPad 10.2-inch. It supports the first rather than second-generation Apple Pencil but otherwise it's a good and more affordable alternative to the iPad Air. There isn't a lot of storage but with almost everything either streaming or in the cloud that isn't a huge problem.

Best iPads for students you can buy in 2022

(Image credit: Future)

The best iPad for students overall

Specifications

Display size: 10.9 inches

Space: Up to 256GB

CPU: Apple M1

Apple Pencil compatibility: 2nd Generation

Keyboard compatibility: Bluetooth, Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio

Reasons to buy

+

Colourful and sleek design

Reasons to avoid

-

Average cameras

As we said in our iPad Air 2022 review (opens in new tab): this fifth-gen slate "delivers the power of a MacBook Pro in a stylish frame and with user-friendly software". That's thanks to the addition of Apple's M1 processor being inside the latest slate. 

The Air works with the 2nd Generation of Apple Pencil, too, meaning that note-taking is just a matter of clipping the stylus satisfyingly on and off when needed – well, if you buy the accessory anyway (we list the best accessories towards the bottom of this page). 

The screen is pleasantly bright, and while it doesn't include a 120Hz refresh rate (the iPad Pro has this though), its LCD is exceptionally easy on the eyes, with a pro-level of colour reproduction. 

Battery wise it will depend how you’re using it, but we got up to 10 hours of browsing and general tasks. Of course, if you’re playing games then it'll run down faster. Not that you'll be doing that as a student, of course.

And while the fact that it comes in a range of cool colours doesn't technically matter, it doesn't not matter. It's nice if you can enjoy the look of the computer you use all the time!

(Image credit: Future)

Best iPad for note-taking and portable creative work

Specifications

Display size: 8.3 inches

Space: Up to 256GB

CPU: Apple A15

Apple Pencil compatibility: 2nd Generation

Keyboard compatibility: Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+

Very light and portable

Reasons to avoid

-

Limited screen size

If you don’t fancy the sprawling real estate of the rest of the iPad lineup, the iPad Mini is a perfect alternative for those just looking for something small to slide into a bag, perhaps along with a laptop, or instead of one just for lectures. The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen attaches to the side magnetically, meaning it's always ready to go when you want to take notes, draw diagrams, knock up sketches, or anything else.

We wouldn't recommend the iPad Mini as a laptop replacement, but as a way to read, highlight and take notes all on one device – and at the same time – it's an ideal student buy. But it's not just about notes – if you're taking a creative course and you want to be able to make music or create illustrations or anything else whenever inspiration strikes, it's fantastic. Bear in mind, it's smaller than an A5 notepad, so you need never be without it. And it's great for streaming and gaming fun, and all that good stuff, as our full iPad Mini (6th Gen) review attests.

(Image credit: Future)

The best cheap iPad for students

Specifications

Display size: 10.2 inches

Space: Up to 256GB

CPU: Apple A13 Bionic

Apple Pencil compatibility: 1st Generation

Keyboard compatibility: Bluetooth, Smart Keyboard

Reasons to buy

+

Fast software

Reasons to avoid

-

Starter storage is small

Just because it doesn’t have square edges, doesn’t mean you should write off the 10.2-inch base iPad. As a work tool, it’s perfect for using Apple’s Pages software for documents or hooking up to your various Google Docs, though it can run music-making software, video editing and just about anything really – it's very fast and really quite capable, even though its processor is older than any other iPad listed in this guide.

This option has more of a classic iPad look with a home button and larger bezels compared to the latest offerings, but the screen is attractive enough with a brightness that makes visuals pop. Also useful is the compatibility with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil, so if you want to take notes or make the most of the gamut of excellent art apps, this is a great way to get creative. The original Apple Pencil has a more awkward plug-in charging system and doesn't attach to the iPad, so we much, much prefer the 2nd Gen overall with the iPad Air – but in terms of actually drawing and writing, the 1st Gen works perfectly.

While the cameras, like most iPad snappers, are nothing to write home about, the battery life here really is. It'll provide 10 hours of light browsing and activity – so you won’t need to worry about constantly finding a plug point. It's a great machine for the price, as our fullApple iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen) review explains.

(Image credit: Future)

Best iPad for students 2022: The best of the rest

Best elite iPad for students

Specifications

Display size: 12.9 inches

Space: Up to 2TB

CPU: Apple M1

Apple Pencil compatibility: 2nd Generation

Keyboard compatibility: Bluetooth, Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio

Reasons to buy

+

Incredible mini-LED screen

Reasons to avoid

-

Face ID can be awkward

If money is no object and you’re looking for the very best student iPad, then you’ll find it in the iPad Pro. This was the first of Apple’s iPad line up to use Apple’s M1 chip (now being included across its laptop and desktop range). And it is powerful –probably so much so that you’ll rarely, if ever, be able to push it to capacity, even if editing 4K footage. 

Of course it's more expensive than anything else in the iPad lineup, but this investment gets you a glorious 120Hz refresh rate mini-LED HDR screen, which as we said in our Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch (2021) review “adds HDR image quality to rival some of the best TVs”. It's also compatible with the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil for scrawling on that luscious screen. 

This is a monster of a tablet and the only reason it’s not on top of this best list is because most term-time needs just won’t require a CPU this beefy. But thought of as a laptop replacement, the Pro with a bunch of accessories might well be the best iPad for your needs.

(Image credit: Future)

Best iPad for portable power

Specifications

Display size: 11 inches

Space: Up to 1TB

CPU: Apple M1

Apple Pencil compatibility: 2nd Generation

Keyboard compatibility: Bluetooth, Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio

Reasons to buy

+

Incredible 120Hz screen

Reasons to avoid

-

Face ID can be awkward 

This is just like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but the screen is smaller and doesn't have the mini-LED technology with HDR performance – it's just a great screen instead of an amazing next-gen one.

Otherwise, it's the same, including the ridiculously powerful M1 chip, impressive cameras, 120Hz refresh rate display, Apple Pencil 2nd Gen compatibility, option for huge amounts of storage, and so on.

Well, nearly the same – it is also cheaper. So if you do think you need huge power but don't need the larger scale, it's a good option. But we think that makes it a bit niche for students – the iPad Air is pretty much the same size, offers most of the same features, and is plenty powerful anyway, while being cheaper again.

Is there a student offer for iPads? 

There is indeed! Apple offers lower prices on a whole range of its products for students, though the exact amount of discount differs depending on the price. But Apple also does special student offers on iPads that tend to appear before term time on Apple’s website. These are usually around free items and discounted Apple Care. Student iPad offers for 2021 include a free set of AirPods when buying an eligible Mac or iPad through Apple's specific Education Store Online. 

In the UK, you'll need to be verified using the UNiDays system before you can browse the discounts. 

• Visit the Apple Education Store UK (opens in new tab)

In the US, things are much more straightforward and you can browse and buy without having to show proof of student status. 

• Visit the Apple Education Store US (opens in new tab)

Again, in Australia, you can just browse the prices at the link below. 

• Visit the Apple Education Store Australia (opens in new tab)

Other than Apple’s website, though, other retailers are particularly competitive before term time with deals on iPads and accessories so it pays to shop around to see what you can get. As ever, we have gathered some of the best prices across the web for each item below.   

Best iPads for students: The add-ons you need

With the right accessories your iPad can be as good as a laptop. Apple’s official keyboards aren’t cheap, but they have really evolved over the past few years. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and iPad Air incorporates a case, keyboard, stand. Using what Apple calls a ‘floating cantilever design,’ this means you can adjust the iPad screen to a perfect viewing angle. The Magic Keyboard RRPs for £279 in the UK and $299 in the US in its smaller size – very steep, but it's a quality product that's built to last.

If you'd rather not pay quite so much, Apple also offers the Smart Keyboard Folio and the Smart Keyboard. The Smart Keyboard Folio is suitable for iPad Pro and iPad Air and includes a folding cover and keyboard, but doesn’t have the floating design of the Magic Keyboard or trackpad. It merely props up the iPad in a regular stand set up and protects the front and back so you don’t need to worry about sliding it into a bag. The Smart Keyboard Folio is £179 in the UK and $179 in the US. The Smart Keyboard which is for the 10-inch iPad only includes the front cover as well as the keyboard and not the back, and costs £159 in the UK and $159 in the US. 

Of course, you don't have to use Apple accessories. iPads work with all Bluetooth keyboards from the cheapest to the most premium, but if you're going to be doing a lot of typing at college or uni we'd strongly advise buying on comfort, not cost. You'll thank us at the end of the year when your hands remain happy and strain-free. 

We'd also recommend an Apple Pencil for note-taking, illustration or just doodling during more tedious lectures. Both generations deliver paper-like writing and drawing but different iPads support different ones, so make sure you get the right one for your iPad. One of the iPad's best features now is that you can handwrite notes, then copy the text and paste it into word documents just like regular text on a computer – you can even copy and insert any diagrams you draw too. It's really great for turning notes into something shareable, or for adding them into wider research documents.

There are two generations of Apple Pencil available and we’ve highlighted which iPad works with which below. The biggest difference is that the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil charges wirelessly when you magnetically attach it to the side of your iPad, which is a much better and more useful setup. The first generation charges by sticking out from the Lightning port, which is odd and potentially disastrous if it gets bent. The 2nd Generation also comes with a handy double tap to change tools ability which means you can quickly switch between a pen and an eraser as you’re writing. Otherwise, both have pressure sensitivity and impressively little lag.

iPad for students limitations

iPads without doubt lean more toward creative disciplines and general study, rather than heavy duty number crunching or processing tasks. As such, engineering students for example will almost certainly be better with a powerful MacBook Pro than an iPad.

iPads, and specifically the new iPad Pros, are very powerful, but their is still a limitation to their abilities. It's also about screen real estate, too, as while you can hook up an iPad with attached keyboard to an external monitor, that adds expense to the setup.

For most creative or general use students, though, iPads are just as good as laptops for work and play, so are well worth considering as your primary student lifestyle computer.

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