In 2020, I was a clueless teenager.
I needed a computer to replace my aging 2013 MacBook Air (a device older than some of my cousins).
Being the impulsive teenager I was, I decided to ask myself a simple question: "what's a computer?" (if you know, you know).
And so I ended up with an iPad Pro.
The problem?
Apple released the M1 iPad Pro just six months later, featuring faster performance, a better display, and (with iPadOS 16) external monitor support.
Don't make the same mistake I did: here's a guide to the iPads you shouldn't buy in 2023 (by iPad category).
iPad
This category is more confusing than my Multivariable Calculus class.
The base iPad just got a major update last year: an iPad Pro-like redesign, the A14 Bionic chip, new speakers, Center Stage, etc. That should mean we won't get a major update this year, right?
Well...there's one issue with the base-level iPad at the moment: it still uses the first generation Apple Pencil.
On top of that, Apple's currently selling two base-level iPads: the 9th generation iPad (the old design) and the 10th generation iPad (the new design). The 9th gen costs $329, while the 10th gen costs $449.
This really complicates things. Here's what I was able to come up with (this is just my suggestion—PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING):
• If you don't plan on buying an Apple Pencil, buy the 9th gen/10th gen iPad depending on what you want.
• If you do plan on buying an Apple Pencil and you can wait, consider waiting for an 11th gen iPad (could come out later this year or in 2024).
• If you want an Apple Pencil and can't wait, consider a refurbished/used iPad Air (can be found for $469 from Apple's official section and cheaper on other sites)
Summary: feel free to buy a base-level iPad unless you really hate the first-gen Apple Pencil
iPad Mini
The current generation iPad Mini was released back in September 2021. For context, that's around a year before Queen Elizabeth II died.
The iPad Mini received the A15 Bionic chip (from the iPhone 13) and a major iPad Pro-esque re-design. Thankfully, the old iPad Mini design died off.
This year, we could see a new version with the A16 chip (iPhone 14 Pros) or maybe even the M1 chip.
Analysts are divided on whether or not the iPad Mini will get an update. However, any potential 2023 update would be small (a chip upgrade and maybe a couple of small features).
Summary: While there is a chance for a 2023 iPad Mini, we probably won't see anything until the end of this year or early next year. Unless you want to wait that long, buy the iPad mini now.
iPad Air
The iPad Air is another tricky category.
It was last updated in March of last year, meaning that we could see a new version towards the end of this year.
Here's the tricky part though: the iPad Air is already incredible. Even if Apple was able to improve it, they probably don't want to: an even better iPad Air would hurt iPad Pro sales.
There are some hardware updates floating around: I've heard of horizontal selfie cameras and the addition of the M2 chip.
At the same time, however, these aren't major updates. If you want to buy the iPad Air, now is still a good time.
Summary: pretty much the same as the first two categories: unless you can and want to wait for the M2 upgrade, buy the iPad Air now
iPad Pro
This is the easiest category: if you want to buy a new iPad Pro, buy one.
Last year, we saw a small refresh, including the M2 chip and the Apple Pencil Hover feature.
The next iPad Pro will likely feature the M3 chip and OLED displays. However, these iPad Pros probably won't be coming anytime soon.
Apple usually likes to space out iPad releases by 18-24 months. Going off of this schedule, Apple isn't expected to release a new iPad Pro in the coming months.
Summary: If you want an iPad Pro, buy one. It'll be a while before another update.
Final Thoughts
"2023 appears to be shaping up to be a quiet year for iPad hardware refreshes"—Hartley Charlton (MacRumors)
Thanks for reading!
Adi