The best iPad: a complete guide to choosing between iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro for studying, working, drawing, and leisure

Which iPad to choose: iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro for students, creatives, work, and everyday use

Choosing “the best iPad” isn’t about raw power, but about matching the screen, chip, Pencil support, and budget to real-world use: studying, drawing, video editing, or simply reading and watching shows. Apple’s official specs and guides from specialized media agree that the iPad Air is the sweet spot for most people, the iPad Pro is the creative and professional tool, the standard “iPad” is the entry-level option, and the iPad mini excels in portability.

The iPad lineup

Apple maintains four main lines with clear differences in display, performance, and price. From an educational standpoint, all of them run the same key apps (Office, Google Workspace, classroom apps, video calls), but not all handle heavy workloads equally or offer the same Apple Pencil experience.

iPad (A16): the most affordable model, 10.9" display, A16 chip, designed for general use and basic education.
iPad Air (M2/M3 depending on model): 11" and 13", Mac-class M-series chips, a strong balance of power, weight, and price.
iPad Pro (M4): 11" and 13" with high-refresh-rate OLED displays (ProMotion), maximum performance and the best cameras.
iPad mini (A17 Pro): 8.3", ultra-portable, ideal for reading and on-the-go use.

Best iPad for studying

The best balance for students is the 11" iPad Air, especially with a recent M-series chip. The basic iPad remains the most affordable entry point, but it gives up some longevity and features compared to the Air.

iPad Air 11" (M2/M3)

Ideal for high school, university, and postgraduate studies: enough power for multitasking, advanced productivity, handwritten notes, and some multimedia editing.
Compatible with the latest Apple Pencil and keyboards, with good battery life and manageable weight.

iPad (A16)

Recommended when price is critical (schools, families with multiple children).
Perfect for digital textbooks, PDFs, learning platforms, and video calls, without needing Mac-level power.

Rule of thumb: if the iPad will be your “main computer” during your studies, the Air makes more sense; if it will complement a laptop, the iPad (A16) is usually enough.

Best iPad for drawing and creativity

For illustration, design, music, or video editing, the display and chip make a big difference. Here, the iPad Pro becomes the reference, although the iPad Air performs very well for creative students.

iPad Pro 11"/13" (M4)

OLED displays with high refresh rate, accurate color, and low Apple Pencil latency: the de facto standard for advanced drawing, digital painting, and motion graphics.
M4 chip and more memory, capable of handling complex 4K video projects, multitrack audio apps, and demanding creative suites.

iPad Air 11"/13" (M2/M3)

A very good option for design or art students who don’t yet need the Pro’s maximum brightness and contrast.
Runs apps like Procreate, video editors, and lightweight 3D tools smoothly.

If your main use is “taking notes and making nice diagrams,” the Air is enough; if you make a living from your portfolio or work at a professional level, the Pro starts to justify itself.

Best iPad for general use, entertainment, and family

For reading, browsing, social media, casual gaming, and streaming, the mid-range and entry models offer the best value for money.

iPad (A16)

Recommended for most home users who want a “sofa iPad” with a good display and long software support.
Compatible with keyboards and Apple Pencil, enabling occasional educational or creative use.

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

Designed for those who prioritize portability: long reading sessions, quick notes, public transport use, or fieldwork.
Despite its size, it packs a very powerful chip, so it’s not a “cut-down” device in terms of performance.

For families, a common and effective setup is one basic iPad in the living room with separate accounts and parental controls, rather than multiple expensive models.

Best iPad as a laptop replacement

The biggest debate is whether an iPad can serve as a “main computer” for work and advanced studies. Reviews from leading media suggest that an iPad can replace many laptops—but only under certain conditions.

iPad Pro (M4) + keyboard and mouse/trackpad

Performance comparable to mid- to high-end Apple laptops in many tasks, with support for external monitors and professional apps.
Recommended for mobile professionals, teachers who travel frequently, journalists, and creators who prioritize weight and battery life over the flexibility of a traditional Mac.

iPad Air (M-series) as a “light laptop”

Easily covers a university degree based on productivity software, online platforms, light cloud-based programming, and note-taking.
The limits appear with complex professional workflows (very heavy video projects, advanced software development, niche desktop-only tools).

Which iPad fits best by use

Main use	Recommended model (base)	Why it fits best
Middle / high school student	iPad (A16)	Low price, enough for digital books, school apps, and video calls.
General university student	iPad Air 11" (M-series)	Best power-to-price balance, ideal as a single device with a keyboard.
Design / art student	iPad Air 11"/13" or iPad Pro (depending on level)	Excellent Pencil experience; Pro adds a better display and professional headroom.
Professional audiovisual creator	iPad Pro 11"/13" (M4)	Maximum performance and display quality for editing and color work.
Family and entertainment user	iPad (A16)	Strong multimedia performance and long software life at lower cost.
Reading and extreme mobility	iPad mini (A17 Pro)	Compact size with high performance in a very light form factor.

How to decide in 5 questions

Answering these helps pinpoint the “best iPad” for your specific case:

Will it be your main device or a secondary one?
Do your work or studies require heavy creative apps, or just productivity and web platforms?
How long do you expect to keep it before upgrading (expected lifespan)?
How much do you value the display (size, quality, brightness) versus price?
How much will you type and take handwritten notes (need for keyboard and Pencil)?

With those answers, the general guideline is: iPad for the lowest budget, iPad Air for most students and serious users, iPad Pro for creatives and professionals who depend on the device, and iPad mini for those who want an iPad that fits in any bag.