The cheapest iPad just got a whole lot better

The new iPad has been announced at the September Keynote. Apple gave a nice update to their entry-level iPad, and now it comes with a couple extra capabilities.

This Tuesday, Apple updated their entry-level iPad. It now comes with a larger 10.2‑inch Retina display, support for the full-size Smart Keyboard, and the amazing new capabilities of iPadOS. Apple says 60% of people’s first iPad is this one.

The display

Bezels have been slimmed down on this iPad, so the screen has increased to a 10.2 inch Retina display with 264 ppi sharpness and a maximum brightness of 500 nits.

Support

The iPad now has support for the first generation Apple Pencil and the smart keyboard. You can make quick edits to a webpage, color with the Apple Pencil, or write a term paper with the smart keyboard.

Security

Touch ID comes on this new iPad. With Touch ID you can secure data inside apps, make payments online or purchase apps from the App Store.

Battery

This iPad has 10-hour battery life, which will get you through the day on a single charge. You can charge the iPad via a lightning connector (unfortunately no USB-C, which is reserved for the iPad Pro).

Power

Apple has chosen the A10 fusion chip found in the iPhone 7 series, to power this iPad. It’s not as powerful as today’s flagship A13 chip, but still makes this iPad a very capable machine. Running multiple apps at once and playing intensive games will not be a problem for this device.

iPadOS

The newly released iPadOS is supported on this device. iPadOS is built on the same foundation as iOS, but lets you do so much more with the larger screen. You can view two apps at once, see widgets on the main home screen, and have shortcuts for Safari.

Size and Weight

Apple has kept this iPad very portable. It’s 9.8 inches in length, 6.8 inches in width and just 0.29 inches in depth. It’s also one very light machine, coming in at a feather-like 1.07 pounds.

Price

Apple is making this the most affordable iPad ever, with a starting price tag of just $329 for 32GB of storage, but you can upgrade it to 128GB for $100 more and cellular connectivity is an option as well. Students get a discount, reducing the starting price to $299, which is very affordable for a machine you can use as your daily driver. Last but not least, if you purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple TV, you get one year of Apple TV+ included: Apple’s brand-new video service.

Would you be interested in picking this iPad up?

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