If you ’re an senior user bet to pick up an iPad , or someone need to gift an Apple tablet to Grandad or Grandma , which is the practiced iPad to choose ? There ’s a reasonable choice in thecurrent Apple catalog , from the diminutive iPad miniskirt all the way up to the implausibly powerful ( not to mention very expensive ) iPad Pro . It can be intimidating , especially as different users have unlike need . To serve you make sense of it all , here ’s our guide to finding the good iPad for seniors .
What makes an iPad good for older users?
iPad owners do n’t magically transform into timid technophobe on their seventieth birthdays , and there is n’t one right answer to this doubtfulness . Any iPad example might turn out to be the good alternative for a specific older user , look on that user ’s accurate requirements .
But there are a few criteria thattendto become more of a factor when our soundbox begin to age . screenland size of it is one chemical element , with eyes not being as stiff as they once were . Weight / portability can also become more crucial ; some older users have arthritis , while others regain they tire more easily than they used to when using a tablet for lengthy periods of fourth dimension .
We will also desire to think carefully about cost versus index and feature , since you do n’t want to expend lots of money on a machine with capableness you ’ll never really use .
But , as we say , these can be true for any substance abuser , so it ’s always best to talk to the mortal in interrogative sentence about their particular pauperism if you want to pluck the utter tab .
If you were to put us on the blot , however , we do have some sentiment about the iPads that are most probable to suit an older user . Here ’s our pick .
Best affordable option: iPad (10th generation, A14, 2022)
pro
con
At $ 349/£329 , the 10th - gen iPad may well be the brassy iPad good example in Apple ’s current lineup , but that does n’t intend it ’s a truly ‘ budget ’ machine in the pejorative sense . For many ( perhaps most ) hoi polloi , this iPad will hand over everything you want from a pill and not cost you a modest fortune in the process .
Apple ’s A14 Bionic chip power the iPad and it ’s ideal for browse the web , watching streaming services , and shopping online . It ’s an older processor – Apple is using more - late M - serial publication chips in the more - expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro , but it ’s a scrap that should be keep going by Apple for a few more year .
For FaceTime forebode there ’s a 12MP Ultra all-encompassing front camera that offer advanced features such as Center Stage ( which permit the user to move around on video calls while the iPad tracks them so they do n’t disappear out of horizon ) and 1080p video . This iPad was the first to place the television camera on the longer side of the iPad , so when you use it , the iPad should be in landscape modality .
Why are these feature particularly good for seniors ? Well , having an excellent video - call experience will permit them to keep in jot with the grandkids , protagonist or sept around the world , without look grainy or like they ’re calling from the other 2000s .
The 10.9 - inch show is also large enough for eyes that might be starting to belittle , while the touch target on the screen will be easy to hit with unsteady hands . Of course , many senior are full of more life and vigor than their grandchild , and the ability to connect an Apple Smart keyboard and first - gen Apple Pencil urinate this a perfect companion for traveling while writing memoir or create artistic creation .
Another major change Apple made with the tenth - gen iPad ( in gain to go the front - facing camera ) is that it no longer has a Home push button . iPadOS features many great swipe gestures for navigating through apps and menus , and to get to the Home screen door , you swipe up from the bottom center of the display . Touch ID is now situate on the big businessman button .
The 10th - gen iPad comes in these storehouse choice , priced as follow :
If you desire to add cellular potentiality then those are also available :
It is n’t just the best choice for old users , but probably for most user .
If you favour an iPad with a Home button , you may be able to find a 9th - coevals iPad ( which is the last one with a Home button ) still on sale . Look for stock at a third - party retailer . You may also discover one in Apple ’s license Refurbished Store ( U.S.orU.K. ) but the inventory availability fluctuate a stack , so it may not be in stock when you check . Be sure to check back at a later time .
Best lightweight option: iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024)
It ’s a distressing fact that as we senesce our soundbox can lose some of their strength or benefit some weather that we avoided when younger . If you ’re looking for a lightweight iPad , and therefore easier to hold for longer periods , then the iPad miniskirt ( A17 Pro ) is the one to select . At around 0.65lbs/293 g it ’s roughly half the weighting of the 10th gen iPad hash out above .
This is made possible , as the name advise , by the small display . But the 8.3 - inch panel is still an first-class size of it for the WWW , not to bring up better as an due east - reader thanks to being easier to hold .
Under the hood , the iPad mini is a powerhouse , with an A17 Pro chip ( as seen in the iPhone 15 Pro ) , 5 G capability on the LTE models , and powerful photographic camera with the same Ultra Wide front - facing module as on the 10th - gen iPad . It ’s compatible with theApple Pencil ( USB - C)and theApple Pencil Proand variousBluetooth keyboard , so you could expend it like a small laptop if you want to get stuff done .
It ’s a lovely package that offers the most portable root for those who want to take their iPad with them .
The iPad mini ( A17 Pro ) is useable in these configuration :
Check our usher to thebest iPad mini dealsto see if you’re able to get one for a lower price .
Best performance option: 11-inch iPad Air (2024)
While it ’s true that the iPad Pro framework are the most powerful iPads available , for most people they are simply overkill . Also , they fare with Pro - level cost , which is n’t smashing if you ’re only going to practice them to watch videos and FaceTime the grandkids . For the more discreet user who requires passel of big businessman but at a reasonable toll , the iPad Air is an excellent solvent .
There ’s not much to differentiate the tenth - gen iPad and the 11 - inch iPad Air . but , when you look closely , you may see from where the extra disbursal comes . The two gimmick are around the same size , and both sport a Liquid Retina show , but the one on the Air is fully - laminate , so there ’s no air - gap between the glass and digitizer , which make believe it feel like you ’re touching the actual pixels and makes using the compatible Apple Pencil ( 2nd gen ) that much smoother .
They feature the same 12MP camera on the back and front on the longsighted side of the equipment . But , under the hood the Air has the incredibly potent M2 processor , which was previously found in the last generation of iPad Pros , not to cite several late Macs . This guide things to another level . If someone wants to play games , utilise diagrammatically intensive apps or just wants a really fast substance abuser experience , then the M2 fork out that in spades .
The iPad Air has often been called the iPad Pro for normal the great unwashed , and that ’s exactly what it is . The USB - C port permit you to connect various external gadget , such as storage or monitors , so it can easily transform into a laptop with a C.P.U. that ’s background - class . Apple offer up the sleek Magic Keyboard page number case , but at $ 299/£319 it ’s way overpriced , so we ’d suggest a third - party Bluetooth keyboard and case as a more frugal option .
The iPad Air base configuration has 128 GB of store , twice that of the immoral 10th - gen iPad . That should be plenty for most citizenry ; you could rely on iCloud storage if you ’re worried that you ’ll flow out of space . you may also go with the more expensive 256 GB shape .
you could pick up the 11 - inch iPad Air in the following configurations :
Also study our roundup of thebest iPad Air dealstoo , so you do n’t miss out on any great offers .
Best luxury option: iPad Pro (2024)
For those to whom money is no object or require the high-pitched - end operation an iPad can deliver , the iPad Pro is the only choice . late upgrade to the latest M4 central processor , these are devices that perfectly fly . Every appointment is top - notch , from the Ultra Retina XDR display with tops - smooth ProMotion technology to the USB - C ports that back up Thunderbolt 4 . These are Pro devices . With that is the caveat that most multitude wo n’t inevitably see these benefit unless they are using pro - tied apps that push the machine intemperately .
The Pro comes in two sizes , 11 - inch and 13 - column inch , with the latter being an absolute whopper . If you need a with child screen then this is as big as it sire . Apple offers a 13 - in iPAd Air that ’s tatty , but its screen door is n’t as decent as the Pro , and the Air is actually heavier than the Pro . ( Go figure . )
To anyone other than a professional graphic designer , animator , or digital specialist who can harness the power of the iPad Pros , these are simply too much and your money would be advantageously spent on the iPad Air . But , if that ’s you or you just want a luxury iPad to revel , then this is the premium end of the street .
The iPad Pro 11 - inch ( 2024 ) is available in the following configurations :
If you want 5 G cellular capability , then these are the options :
The iPad Pro 13 - in ( 2024 ) is available in these conformation :
Here are the prices for the cellular - outfit good example :
Check out our roundup of thebest iPad Pro dealsto see if you could get a good deal on these flagship gadget . For more about how the iPad Pro and iPad Air compare readiPad Air ( M2 ) vs iPad Pro ( M4 ) .
