I, like a lot of photographers & content creators, am well into the Apple ecosystem, and for me the iPad is a wonderful device to have at my hands. The iPad Pro's amazing screen and M4 power make it a great choice – and the only reason I'm looking this time is that my last iPad Pro lasted sooooo long!
Apple has always provided surprisingly powerful chips in the all iPad series, so none are bad, which is why we have a guide for the best iPads for photographers.
As Cyber Monday has now started, the best deals are tending, slightly, I think, toward more computing devices and, well, you may not remember but Apple was once called 'Apple Computer' – so perhaps that's why iPad deals seem to be rising...
As well as refreshing the main iPads, Apple also just updated an old favourite of mine, the iPad Mini. Some people don't get it, but there are a lot of reasons for a smaller tablet – everyone has their own. I used an iPad Mini with my DJI Inspire 1 and 2 as the display, for example; much better than using a phone.
If the £500-ish of the new iPad mini seems a bit much, you could try getting something renewed?
I'm actually trying to decide which iPad I want myself right now; I've been making do with a first-generation iPad Pro which still works but will celebrate it's 10th birthday in the coming year.
That's quite a testament to the longevity of these products (I'd be surprised if any of the non-Apple 'best tablets' do as well to be honest), but it is reaching the point that the processor on board struggles.
That said, it STILL handles its main task with aplomb, and that is a 3D videogame. Admittedly the game in question is Minecraft, and it's my son who is doing the playing (when I can't tempt him out with one of the best drones for kids) but, still, bravo Apple. Honestly that is a long life for a device.
Not to mention quite a compliment to its robustness. I'm sure the M4 iPad Pro that currently tempts me is nearly as strong given what I've read, but perhaps I won't share it with an 8-year-old right away when the 10.2-inch base iPad has all the power he needs!
There is a cheaper option...
I don't love it, but there is a cheaper way to get something that looks a bit like an iPad – the Fire tablets. These Fire Max now boasts up to 2000 x 1200 resolution, you can get a stylus and you can even get an extra £10 off if (shudder) you're prepared to all the device to show you ads. I mean, I wouldn't get one myself, but I understand why people do:
