It has never been easier to choose which iPad to purchase.

Apple releases Tuesday’s release iPads with new featuresWe’ll have plenty to talk about in the coming weeks. The new iPad Pro, the 10th generation, is a complete overhaul that brings it in line to the Air and mini. With an M2 CPU and Wi-Fi 6,E, the iPad Pro will be the fastest tablet ever created. In simple terms, Apple’s new tablets are its strongest ever, bringing more options for consumers at both ends of the spectrum.

The purchase of an iPad is more difficult than ever. Apple now offers five iPad line options starting at $329 and ending at $2,000 plus. Here’s how the models break down:

• iPad (9th generation, 64GB): $329
• iPad (9th generation, 256GB): $479
• iPad (10th generation, 64GB): $479
• iPad mini (64GB): $499
• iPad (10th generation, 256GB): $599
• iPad Air (64GB): $599
• iPad mini (256GB): $649
• iPad Air (256GB): $749)
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 128GB): $799
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 256GB): $899
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 512GB): $1,099
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 128GB): $1,099
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 256GB): $1,199
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 512GB): $1,399
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 1TB): $1,499
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1TB): $1,799
• iPad Pro (11-inch, 2TB): $1,899
• iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2TB): $2,199

And those prices don’t even account for the cellular options, which add $200 to the iPad Pro, $150 to the 10th-gen iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, and $130 to the 9th-gen iPad. Nor does it account for the fact that 64GB of storage isn’t really enough for a device that’s supposed to be a “computer.”

Although there are many options, they can be overwhelming. You can purchase a new iPad with 32GB of storage or an iPad Air 64GB in storage. An iPad mini 64GB in storage. A 9th-generation iPad has 256GB and cellular connectivity. Each model has a different screen, different processors, and different colors.

Apple

That’s where it really gets confusing. Consider these facts about Apple’s iPad lineup:

• The 11-inch screen of three different iPads is the same size.
• The 10th-gen iPad doesn’t have the anti-reflective coating that was introduced in 2014.
• Each iPad Apple sells comes with a different processor.
• 64GB is not enough storage, and 256GB is too much storage for most users.
• Only the 10th-gen iPad comes with a landscape-orientated selfie camera.
• The iPad Pro uses a newer Bluetooth (5.3), than the iPad Air (5.2), and iPad mini (5.0).
• The iPad mini is the only model that doesn’t support any of Apple’s keyboard cases.
• The 10th-gen iPad still doesn’t support the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil.

There are nearly twenty-six options to choose from when choosing a tablet. But you have to also consider the differences between different lineups. Most buyers probably couldn’t tell the difference between the 10th-gen iPad’s unlaminated display and the iPad Air’s laminated display or feel the speed of an A15 versus an A13. How can consumers make smart buying decisions when they have to create a spreadsheet and explainer to understand the differences?

And who’s the iPad Air for now? It has an M1 processor and second-gen Apple Pencil support, but if you’re a user who needs those features, you should consider the 11-inch iPad Pro. And if you’re not, you should just get the 10th-gen iPad and save $150. The iPad mini is also available. Is it worthwhile to spend $50 on the iPad mini? Continue readingThe 10th-generation iPad has a smaller screen, but a slightly better processor. 

And then there’s the issue of updating. The 10th-gen iPad has only just been released, so we don’t know how often it will be updated, but we do know about the other lines:

iPad:Last update September 2021; Next update expected March 2023

iPad AirLast update: March 2022. Next update: September 2023.

iPad ProLast update October 2022; Next update expected March 2024

The iPad mini may be coming out soon, so if you’re thinking of buying an iPad in February, keep in mind that it might be updated. The iPad Air will be updated in the coming months if you are looking for one this summer.

The new iPad was supposed simplify the buying process, but it just made things worse. And it gives the impression that Apple still doesn’t quite understand what to do with its tablet lineup, so it continues to throw more and more at the wall to see what will stick. At some point consumers will stop trying to figure this out.