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If you’re looking for a tablet to help you work from home, it won’t have escaped your notice that Apple’s long-established iPad is widely regarded as one of the best. However, a slightly trickier question concerns which model should you buy – the iPad 10th Gen, or the iPad Pro?
According to our research, the 10.9-inch iPad 10th Gen is the best you can buy for most users, given it offers great value as a compact but capable tablet. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, gives you a lot more power and a bigger screen, which will come in handy for actual work, but it's a bit expensive for the average buyer.
Take a look at the rest of this guide to learn more about how these two tablets matchup on everything from features to pricing.
| Screen Size Measured diagonally across. | Screen Resolution In pixels - the higher the number, the greater the screen detail. | Battery Life As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks. | Processor | Storage The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system | Rear Camera | Front Camera | Apple Device Compatibility Which official Apple accessories the iPad pairs with | Price | Amazon | Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| The newest iPad and the best choice for virtually everyone. The screen and A14 processor are perfect for day-to-day browsing, and it's a good value. | An excellent portable tablet, but it feels less essential in this age of extra-large smartphones – especially as it's pricier than the iPad 10.2 | A slim tablet with an unbeatable processor and great rear camera but priced far above the excellent iPad 10.9. | An exceptional tablet, and cheaper than the top-of-the-range 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The screen is glorious and there's plenty of processing power | The absolute best iPad that money can buy, with a price tag to match. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard and it truly is a laptop alternative. | |||||||||
| 10.9″ | 8.3″ | 10.9″ | 11″ | 12.9″ | |||||||||
| 2360 x 1640 | 2266 x 1488 | 2360 x 1640 | 2388 x 1668 | 2732 x 2048 | |||||||||
| 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | |||||||||
| A14 | A15 Bionic | M1 | M2 | M2 | |||||||||
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| 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | |||||||||
| 12MP | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | |||||||||
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iPad 10th Gen or iPad Pro – Which is Best?
Though they come from the same stable, the iPad 10th Gen, and iPad Pro are very different beasts. While they may look similar, their functions are poles apart, as indicated by their price tags – the iPad Pro will set you back at least twice as much as the iPad 10th Gen.
There’s no such thing a bad iPad, but there is certainly a right iPad for you. Whether to grab an iPad 10th Gen or an iPad Pro depends entirely on your needs and budget:
- iPad 10th Gen is more affordable than the iPad Pro
- iPad Pro has a bigger, sharper screen with pinpoint detail
- Both the iPad Pro and the iPad 10th Gen have the M2 chip
If you’re after an iPad, it’s worth knowing that you can’t really go wrong with either the iPad Pro or the iPad 10th Gen. All offer Apple’s trademark attention to detail and pleasing level of polish and offer more than enough power for the average user.
The Pro excels for creatives and professionals, although we’ve noted that updates to the standard iPad that allow for the use of the Apple Pencil, and the Smart keyboard have somewhat narrowed the gap.
iPad 10th Gen Overview
- Cheapest iPad
- Powerful M2 processor
- The best choice for most users
The standard iPad, also known as the 10.9-inch model, may be the cheapest too, but don't assume that its basic. With an M2 processor and 10.9-inch screen, there's plenty to love, and at Tech.co we believe that this is the right iPad for most users. Whether you're streaming, working or playing games, it will run buttery smooth and won't let you down. The 10-hour batter life is great too.
You obviously won't get as much power as the iPad Pro, but with the M2 chip, you can be sure it'll handle most tasks you throw at it. Those in need of a full-on laptop replacement might want to check out the iPad lineup to be sure, but for most people, the iPad 10th gen is more than enough.
Pros
- Cheapest iPad available
- Compatible with Smart Keyboard
- 10.9-inch screen
Cons
- More expensive than previous iterations
iPad Pro Overview
- Biggest iPad
- M2 processor
- Face ID
The 2022 iPad Pro is the best iPad Apple has ever made. It supports the Magic Keyboard and the 2nd generation Pencil, the stylus designed for drawing and annotating on the iPad screen.
It's also received the M2 chip, which makes it decidedly more powerful than the M1, still found in the iPad Air and iPad Mini.
There are a few other key differences too. The design, will still the traditional rectangular slate, has been trimmed, meaning that the bigger 11-inch screen barely takes up much more room than the standard 10.9-inch model. It even manages to be lighter! The bigger 12.9-inch model doesn't quite manage the same feat, but even so, it's far from weighty and is comfortable to hold for extended periods.
All this tech doesn't come cheap – the Pro starts at $799 for the 11-inch model, but those that need extra power from their iPads will be more than happy to pay up for the most advanced iPad Apple offers.
Pros
- Most powerful iPad yet
- Slim and light
- Apple M2 chip
- Perfect size for designers
Cons
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
The iPad 10th Gen is Best for Casual Users
If you’re mainly a browser, streamer or social media addict, then the iPad 10th Gen is the one for you. In fact, it’s the smart choice for pretty much everyone, outside of those with very highest demands on their tech. Chances are that most owners don’t even get close to stretching the iPad, and it’ll happily cope with your daily demands.
The processing boost proves that it's no slouch, and while the Pro’s display does color more justice, you won’t have any complaints in isolation. The iPad’s Retina display is still sufficiently gorgeous that your Netflix binges will look superb.
Throw in the iPad’s decent-to-great specs, plus its reasonable price tag, and you’ve got yourself a heck of a tablet that will last you a long time.
Tempted by an iPad Mini or Air? See our full guide – Which iPad Should You Buy
The iPad Pro (12.9-inch) is Best for Designers
If you’re a creative type, then the 12.9-inch Pro makes the most sense for you. Firstly, it has that bigger screen, making is easier to get perspective on your work as well as comfortably work on detail. You’ll also appreciate the new range of color reproduction.
The M2 processor means you’ll be able to do some serious video and image editing, without the iPad breaking into a sweat or slowing you down.
The USB-C port is also a boon for artists, as it allows you to directly plug in a device like a digital camera to your Pro and export photos as soon as you’ve snapped them. It can also plug directly into a large display.
The Pro also boasts improved cameras, with a 12Mp camera and ability to shoot in 4K.
Need something more than a tablet? See our guide to the Best Laptops for Designers
The iPad Pro (11-inch) is Best for Business
For most office workers, carrying the 12.9-inch Pro between meetings might not be ideal. However, the 11-inch is deceptively diminutive, while still managing to offer up a decent size screen.
That M2 processor means that no matter what applications you’re using for work, you won’t cause your iPad to burst into flames, and it’ll handle the most graphically intense presentation that you can muster with ease.
It’s also a handy tool for business meetings online, with the front facing camera producing a Full HD image, and the four speakers (compared to the iPad’s two) helping pick out the voices of your meeting pals loudly and clearly.
Then there’s the Apple Pencil 2, which does feel like an integral part of the Pro experience. It’s an excellent tool for making notes or sketching ideas quickly, while the clever magnetic hold and charge solution that Apple has hit upon makes it even more compelling.
Another peripheral worth mentioning for business users is Apple’s folio keyboard, which is the perfect companion for the 11-inch model and will make typing those reports a lot more comfortable and enjoyable than doing it on the screen. It also frees the display of the virtual keyboard, so your view won’t be obscured while you work.
For more information, read our guide to the best tablets for business.
Best iPad for Home Working
The last few years have upended the traditional work environment for millions of people, with many of us swapping the boardroom for the bedroom, or any other space at home we could find. If you want an iPad best suited for home working, we think that's the iPad Pro, thanks to its large screen, USB-C port and powerful M2 chip.
However, we know that's an expensive option, so if you can't stretch to a Pro, then the standard, 10.9-inch model iPad is a great alternative. The screen isn't quite as big, but thanks to updates to the iPadOS, even the standard iPad can now almost perfectly mimic a traditional laptop, with folders, and mouse and keyboard support. Not only that, but the 10-hour battery life will keep you going for a long time, whether you're in the office or at home.
Verdict: Which iPad Should you Buy?
To summarize, if you’re a typical user – and that’s most of us – the iPad 8th Gen will do all you want, and more. Don’t feel like you’re compromising either, in not picking up the premium Pro – the iPad packs a punch in its own right, not to mention boasting a highly detailed screen and a slim design.
If you’re a designer, artist, or simply have high demands from your tablet, plump for the Pro. It’s packed to the gills with processing power that puts many laptops to shame. You won’t be left wanting, and the M1 processor is ideal for image/video editing and general graphically intense work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Larger screen (11-inch & 12.9-inch)
- USB-C port
- Face ID
- More storage space
- Four speakers
- Apple Pencil 2 compatible
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