The iPads In My Life
One important note that I left out of my piece last week on improving the iPad hardware line is that I believe the device has never been in a better place than it is today. Despite some quirks that will likely be resolved within the next generation or so, the lineup is solid. There isn’t a bad iPad in the bunch.
I can say that with confidence because I personally use a wide variety of iPads on a regular basis, from entry-level to top-of-the-line, for all kinds of different tasks. Reflecting on this topic, I thought it might be interesting to share the different iPads I use on a day-to-day basis and what I use them for.
12.9” iPad Pro (M1): This is my main computer, and I mostly use it as a laptop in the Magic Keyboard case. I also connect it to an external monitor, keyboard, and trackpad when I’m in my office at work. I use the iPad Pro for all kinds of tasks from updating websites to designing graphics to writing this very blog post. I wouldn’t be able to do my job without it.
iPad mini (6th generation): As much as I love my iPad Pro, the iPad mini is the one that has my heart. I use it as much as I possibly can because it just feels like magic every time I pick it up. It’s ideal for reading, catching up on social media, playing games, and watching videos. It’s also the device I carry with me throughout the day for reference materials and taking notes in meetings.
iPad Air (4th generation): Every time I use my wife’s iPad Air, I’m reminded of how nice the 11” form factor is, and I’m tempted to ditch my big iPad/small iPad setup and go back to a single machine. (But never enough to actually go through with it!) It’s a great all-purpose tablet that Katherine uses as her only computer outside of work, and it gets lots of use in her job at the preschool, too.
two iPads (5th generation): These devices are from the first budget generation when the iPad rejoined the lineup at just $329. I use these as kiosks in our lobby at work for information and event signups. They’re also great for quick plug-and-play videos, slideshows, or music at events. They still run great five years in, and their batteries are rock-solid.
iPad (7th generation): This is the iPad that controls our PTZ camera for event livestreaming. It’s very single-purpose and never leaves its post, but it performs its function flawlessly and has been more than worth the $250 I paid for it on sale.
iPad (9th generation): I use this iPad to control the lights in the auditorium so I’m not stuck sitting behind the lightboard all the time. It can run slide presentations, too. I’m a fan of the taller screen size and the way the device feels in my hand. It might be the final iteration of the original, legendary iPad form factor; if so, it’s a fitting end. This feels like the best possible iteration of that design.
Those are the seven iPads I use on a regular basis. As you can see, they range from outdated base models to much more recent flagships, and I love them all. There’s no such thing as a bad iPad in my book.