Best iPads for students 2022

Getting through College is always quite the challenge, but there are always things you can do, or buy, to make it easier. Owning devices like laptops, smartphones, or tablets to use for studying and taking notes has become the norm for the majority of students. While a laptop or a smartphone might not be the most convenient for the classroom, tablets like iPads have proven to be quite useful for college students.

Is It Worth Getting an iPad for College?

Nowadays, it is virtually impossible to finish school without some technological device you use on a daily basis, be it a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. If we needed our PCs and laptops to write and turn in assignments, or research, now these gadgets have made their way into the classroom, and students use them for classwork and note-taking as well. But is it really worth it getting an iPad for College? Well, the short answer is that it depends. If you already have a laptop or PC you use for classwork or homework, and it meets all your requirements, then you probably don’t need to invest in an iPad. If, however, an iPad and its features would seriously lighten your workload as a student, then investing in one might be the smartest thing to do.

Benefits of Owning an iPad During College

If you are still wondering if an iPad is genuinely worth it or not, we suggest you do a little research on the topic. Take some time to do a little research on all the benefits of owning an iPad during College and decide if those benefits are worth the price of it. Check out the features of different kinds of iPads to find out what it is they do and if you absolutely need one or if a cheaper option will do. Here are some benefits of owning an iPad during College:

Efficient note-taking

An iPad is a great tool for taking notes during class. Not only is it fast, so you know you will keep up with the lecture as long as you type fast, but it is also useful in other ways based on its features. For example, with an iPad, you can edit, organize and rearrange your notes however you want in no time as opposed to physical notes on sheets of paper. You can also use other features if you need to draw something, change the color of your notes, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Study and read e-books

Besides using it for taking notes, a device like an iPad will make studying an easier task to do. If you want to contribute to saving the planet and using less paper, you can use your iPad for studying and reading e-books instead of physical copies. You can write and rewrite your notes and go over them without worrying about them falling apart as they would on an actual paper.

Storing your study materials in one place

Depending on your college major and studying needs, you might need an enormous amount of supplies for note-taking and studying. An iPad can cover the majority of your needs, if not all. From e-books and personal notes to any supply you might need for efficient note-taking, you will have them all on your iPad. You will never run the risk of forgetting one of those supplies as long as you have your iPad on you.

It’s light and portable

And since you can store all of your study materials on your iPad, you will cut down on the weight of your school bag. An iPad is a relatively lightweight device to carry around campus and during lectures compared to the weight of your books, notebooks, and other supplies. Furthermore, anytime you plan on traveling home and want to brush up on a course while away from school, all you need to bring with you is your iPad.

Scans documents and annotates to pdf

If you want physical copies of your books or notes on your iPad, you can do that in a matter of seconds through scanning. With an iPad, long gone will be the days you went to a library to scan and copy documents. Furthermore, you can add your personal notes and annotations to your pdf files and have them ready for when you need to revise.

Use it as a personal planner, calendar

Last but not least, an iPad will also replace your physical planners and calendars and help you become more organized. You will be able to add as many things to your calendar and planner as you want and it won’t look cluttered as a normal one would. An iPad is an investment that will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to get new notebooks and planners as soon as you fill out your current ones.

Guide to Best iPads for Students for 2022

If you have gone through the benefits of having an iPad during College and are convinced owning one would make your life as a student easier, it is time for shopping. Now all that is left for you to do is find out which is the best iPad. Different iPads have different features, and one can easily argue that the best one is simply the one to fit your needs best. Let’s go through some of the best options:

iPad Pro 

The iPad Pro comes in two different sizes for you to choose from, an 11-inch and a 12.9-inch. Another difference between the two is the display they use, with the 11-inch using the Liquid Retina display and the 12.9-inch using the Liquid Retina XDR display. This model is available in 8GB and 16 GB of RAM. In addition, it has a 12 MP front and back camera useful for taking high-quality pictures and communicating with people via the front camera.

Specifications

Reasons to buy

The iPad Pro is one of the best iPad out there and for many reasons. First of all, with this model, you can choose between two sizes available: the 11-inch one for a more compact option and the 12.9 inches to use as a replacement for your laptop. It is relatively lightweight and has a decent storage capacity that goes up to 2 TB. Last but not least, it has a face ID.

Reasons to avoid

The main disadvantage of the iPad Pro is its price. This iPad model is quite expensive and considered a luxury for most college students who aren’t able to afford it. Secondly, some might find the 12.9-inch option quite large and heavy for an iPad. Thirdly, this particular iPad model is available in only two colors.

Current special deal

The price of the iPad pro depends on the display size and whether or not the model you are purchasing has cellular connectivity. The 11-inch iPad Pro costs $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs $1099. If you want either size with the cellular connectivity feature on it, that will add an extra $200 to your bill.

iPad Air

The iPad Air comes in a display size of only 10.9 inches, small enough to keep with you at all times and the perfect screen size for an iPad. The 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution combined with the P3 wide color and True Tone features make for a lively and high-quality display of shapes and colors on your screen. Furthermore, the iPad Air has an oleophobic coating that resists oil penetration and adhesion, i.e., fingerprint smudges.

Specifications

Reasons to buy

The iPad Air is considered the number one choice for many when it comes to iPads, and we’ll tell you why. First of all, it is the most affordable one for college students compared to other iPads. Its reasonable price is especially attractive considering it doesn’t fall behind on features compared to the more expensive models such as the iPad Pro. It has a great display resolution, a powerful Apple M1 processor, and a battery that will last up to 10 hours. Last but not least, the iPad Air is available in five different colors and is compatible with the Apple Pencil.

Reasons to avoid

Although one of the best options out there, the iPad Air has some disadvantages. This particular iPad model does not have Face ID as a feature. Secondly, the iPad Air is only available in two options storage-wise: 64 GB or 256 GB.

Current special deal

The iPad Air 5 (2022) costs $599. If you are interested in one with the cellular connectivity feature, the price goes up to $899.

iPad

Judging by the price, the iPad (10.2 inches) will appeal to most students as it is fairly affordable. Although having to pay less for an iPad means you get fewer features, this iPad is helpful for many students. While the iPad uses the dated A13 Bionic processor, it is still fast enough for you to use for schoolwork. IT has a Home button and a 12 MP front camera, and an 8 MP rear camera.

Specifications

Reasons to buy

If you absolutely need an iPad for school but don’t have too much money to spare, the iPad is your best option. It has a perfectly sized 10.2-inch display, big enough for reading and studying and small enough to carry around. It can be used with a first-generation Apple Pencil and has a Smart Connector for a Smart Keyboard if accessories are your thing. Last but not least, it has a 12 MP front camera.

Reasons to avoid

With the 10.2 inch iPad, what you pay for is what you get: the more affordable the price, the fewer features it has. This particular model uses the outdated A13 Bionic chip, so it is a bit slower than other iPads that use the M1. Another missing feature is the Face ID. And lastly, there are only two available options storage-wise: 64 GB and 256 GB.

Current special deal

The 10.2-inch iPad costs $329.

iPad mini 

Except for its size, the iPad mini bears a resemblance to the iPad Air in terms of features. This iPad has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and a Touch ID feature. The iPad mini (2021) has a 12 MP front and rear camera for high-quality pictures and is compatible with Apple Pencil. Last but not least. The iPad mini has 5G connectivity, meaning you can use it whenever you want.

Specifications

Reasons to buy

The iPad mini as a model has some great features that make it a great option for most students. This particular model has an 8.2-inch display and is fairly lightweight to carry around campus, and comes in five different colors. Both of the cameras on the iPad mini are 12 MP which makes it great for taking pictures as well as communicating with others via camera. Last but not least, it is compatible with Apple Pencil as an added advantage and has 5G connectivity.

Reasons to avoid

Though still an iPad, the screen on the iPad mini is fairly smaller than regular iPads. Furthermore, except for being compatible with Apple Pencil, the iPad mini has no Smart Connector or other accessories. Another missing feature on this model is the Face ID. Lastly, the iPad mini is more expensive compared to previous-generation models.

Current special deal

The iPad mini with 64 GB storage costs $499 ($649 with cellular connectivity). The one with the 256 GB storage costs $649 ($799 with cellular connectivity).

Special Financing & Deals for Students

Since everyone knows most college students don’t have money to throw around, Apple as a company offers special financing and deals for students on their products, including iPads. Always check for available deals for students on the Apple website. Apple also makes it possible for students to pay for Apple products via monthly installments.

Final Thoughts

An iPad can be a significant investment for most students, but nevertheless, a good one. Though they can be pretty expensive, there are always options available. If you are set on getting an iPad, choose one for your specific needs to save money and get the best out of your new gadget.