Updated on 13 November 2026
Apple sells four kinds of iPad: the regular iPad, the iPad Air, the iPad Pro and the iPad mini. For most people an iPad Air is the best choice: fast enough for years, without the price of a Pro. Here is who each line is for and what to check when buying refurbished.
The short answer
- Watching, reading, school: a regular iPad (9th or 10th generation).
- Study, work and notes: an iPad Air with an M1 chip or later.
- High-end drawing, video and photos: an iPad Pro.
- Small and always with you: an iPad mini (6th generation or later).
The four lines compared
| Line | Display | Ideal for | Strongest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad | 10.2 or 10.9 inch | Study, video, reading, basic drawing | Lowest price |
| iPad Air | 10.9 to 13 inch | Study and work, notes, photo editing | Fast chip (M1 and later), thin and light |
| iPad Pro | 11 or 12.9/13 inch | Creative and professional work, laptop replacement | 120 Hz display, Face ID, fastest chip |
| iPad mini | 8.3 inch | On the go, reading, on the sofa | Small and light |
What to check with a refurbished iPad
- Updates: iPadOS 27 runs on the iPad from the 9th generation, the iPad Air from the 4th generation, the 11-inch iPad Pro from the 2nd generation, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro from the 4th generation and the iPad mini from the 6th generation. Older models no longer get new iPadOS versions.
- Apple Pencil: iPads with a Home button work with the Apple Pencil (1st generation); iPad Air 4 and 5, iPad mini 6 and iPad Pro from 2018 to 2022 with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or USB-C; the Apple Pencil Pro with the M4 iPad Pro, the iPad Air from M2 and the iPad mini 7.
- Storage: 64 GB is tight if you use many apps, photos or offline films. Choose 128 GB or more.
- Wi-Fi or cellular: a cellular model gives you internet everywhere. All iPads at iUsed are SIM-free.
New or refurbished?
The latest iPad Air (M4, March 2026) mainly got faster inside; design and display are the same as the previous model. A refurbished iPad Air with M1 or M2 does the same in practice for a much lower price. At iUsed every refurbished iPad comes with a 3-year warranty and a battery of at least 80%.
Frequently asked questions
Can an iPad replace a laptop?
For many people, yes, with a keyboard. For email, documents and browsing an iPad Air or Pro is enough. If you need specific Windows or Mac software, choose a MacBook.
Which iPad is best for school?
An iPad 9th or 10th generation. It gets iPadOS 27 and works with an Apple Pencil for notes.