Buying guides
The best iPad for students
Notes, reading and writing essays: which iPad and which accessories actually make sense on a student budget.
iPad
Read our coverage All ipad
iPad (A16)
The iPad for most families. 128GB of storage as standard and a faster chip make the entry model easy to recommend.
Our score8.4 / 10
Released2025
Launch price$349
Our take
The iPad for most families. 128GB of storage as standard and a faster chip make the entry model easy to recommend.
We judge iPads on what people actually do with them — reading, notes, drawing, video — and on how well the accessories work, because an iPad is rarely used alone.
Pros
- Great value
- 128GB base storage
- Colorful
Cons
- Display not laminated
- Works with the USB-C Pencil only
Specifications
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina |
|---|---|
| Chip | A16 |
| Storage | From 128GB |
| Biometrics | Touch ID |
| Port | USB-C |
Mentioned in
Buying guides
Apple Pencil Pro vs Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Squeeze, barrel roll and pressure sensitivity: which Pencil you need depends on whether you draw or take notes.
