Hey everyone! I'm in the market for an iPad mainly for school use, but I also want it for personal stuff like watching videos and maybe some gaming, especially emulating Pokémon games from the Gameboy, DS, and 3DS. I'm trying to decide between getting the standard iPad and the iPad Air. There's a $200 price difference, and though I can get a student discount, I'm not sure if the extras on the iPad Air are worth it. I've heard that the M1 chip in the Air is a lot better than the A14 chip in the regular iPad. Also, I'm aware that you can't develop apps or run .exe files on these devices, which is kind of a drawback for me. Any insights or recommendations? My budget is around $400, maybe $500 max for the iPad Air, but I'm also open to other options if they exist!
2 Answers
For most people, the standard iPad is totally sufficient! Unless you have very specific needs, it's usually more than enough for schoolwork and streaming. If you're just playing retro games and watching videos, go with the regular iPad—it'll save you some cash!
You might want to check out the new MacBook Neo if you're eligible for an educational discount. It starts at $500 and can run iPad and iPhone apps! There are also ways to use Windows apps through CrossOver, although that might not fully replace the functionality you’re after.
Yeah, but I still need something handy for taking notes, you know? The iPad's great for that!
I kind of agree! Plus, I think the iPad will evolve into something more advanced over the next few years. So, if you're investing for a long time, consider that.