The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.TL;DR You can't go wrong with any of Apple's iPads, but the new 9.7-inch iPad is the best deal for most people with its sharp screen, fast processor, and low $330 price tag.Apple is the uncontested king of tablets. The word iPad is synonymous with the word tablet. Chances are if you own a tablet at all, you have an iPad.Apple's tablet lineup is more varied than ever before, and a brand-new iPad just joined the crew. At $330, the new 9.7-inch iPad is one of the cheapest iPads Apple has ever sold, but it's very high end.The rest of the iPads are equally stylish and powerful (if not more so). We've tested nearly every iPad that has been released over the past three years, and these are the absolute best iPads you can buy.Whether you want a giant screen for drawing, something small and portable, a cheaper option, or a quasi-laptop, we've got you covered. You can also check out the best iPad cases for every type of personand read why we love the Apple Pencil.The new 9.7-inch iPad may be our top pick, but for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the iPad Mini 4.SEE ALSO:The 8 iPhone and iPad accessories I use every dayDON'T MISS:The best iPad cases for every type of personThe best iPad overallWhy you'll love it: The new 9.7-inch iPad is an absolute steal at $330 with a gorgeous sharp screen and high-end metal design.Apple's iPads have always been the best tablets you can buy, but the high price tags made it tough to find an iPad on a budget. All that has changed with the new 9.7-inch iPad. It costs a mere $330, and it offers nearly all of the same high-end specs and features as the top-of-the-line iPad Pros.Early reviews are out, and big-name tech publications like Digital Trends, The Verge, andCNET are giving it top marks. If you own an aging iPad or iPad Mini, the new 9.7-inch iPad is an excellent upgrade. Obviously, if you have an iPad Air 2 or an iPad Pro, you don't need to get the new one. The new iPad is for anyone who has always wanted an iPad, but couldn't afford the $500+ price tag. It's an absolute steal at $329.99.The 9.7-inch screen is sharp and clear with its2,048 x 1,536-pixel resolution, the A9 processor is still very capable, the battery life should be great, and you can even buy things on it with Apple Pay, thanks to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.You simply can't beat those specs at that price point. Comparable Androidtablets cost hundreds of dollars more, and the iPad still has a better app library and accessory support.The aluminum build looks and feels premium, and the 9.7-inch screen size makes it a very portable device that's easy to stow away in your bag. It's quite light, too, so you can happily binge-watch Netflix in bed on your new iPad.Pros:Incredible price for an iPad, powerful A9 processor, slick aluminum design, Touch ID for security and Apple Pay, gorgeous screen, and iOS 10Cons:No Apple Pencil support and it's not the latest A10 processorBuy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (32GB storage, Wi-Fi, gold) from BestBuy for $329.99Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (128GB storage, Wi-Fi, gold) from BestBuy for $429.99Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (32GB storage, Wi-Fi + Verizon) from BestBuy for $459.99Buy the 9.7-inch AppleiPad (32GB storage, Wi-Fi + AT&T) from BestBuy for $459.99Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (32GB storage, Wi-Fi + Sprint) from BestBuy for $459.99The best iPad ProWhy you'll love it: The9.7-inch iPad Prois a step above the regular iPad in performance, it's perfectly portable, and works with the Apple Pencil.If you're feeling flush, you really want an iPad that can double as a laptop in times of trouble, or you just want to draw with the Apple Pencil; the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the tablet for you.It's a step above the new 9.7-inch iPad in terms of processing power, thanks to the A9X processor, which has been proven to deliver laptop-like performance. The screen also has special tech in it that adapts to your lighting conditions and offers support for the Apple Pencil. Anyone who wants to make digital drawings, but doesn't like the giant 12.9-inch iPad Pro should go with the 9.7-inch iPadPro.Those of you who watch a lot of Netflix on your iPad will love the four speakers on the iPad Prothey pump out a whole lot of sound for a tablet. The bright, high-resolution screen helps you get truly immersed in what's happening on your screen.Of course, the iPad Pro line isn't just about having fun, it's also about getting things done. We recommend the Logitech Create keyboard case for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro over Apple's own offering. It's sturdy, the keys are responsive, and it doubles as a protective case when you're traveling.You could easily use the iPad Pro and this keyboard as a laptop stand-in, but remember the limitations of the medium. It's still a tablet, so it runs iOS, a mobile operating system that isn't adapted for laptop-like workflows.Because it's so portable, light, and user-friendly, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is the best iPad Pro you can buy. However, if you like to draw or you don't think you want to carry your tablet around with you, read on to hear why you ought to consider the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.Pros:Gorgeous adaptive screen, zippy processor can handle laptop-like tasks, Apple Pencil support, Touch ID for security and Apple Pay, sturdy aluminum design, and portable sizeCons:PriceyBuy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad Pro (32GB storage, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) on Amazon for $535.00Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (128GB storage, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) on Amazon for $639.00Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad (256GB storage, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) on Amazon for $734.97Buy the Apple Pencil on Amazon for $93.99Buy the Logitech Create Keyboard Case for the 9.7-inch Apple iPadPro on Amazon for $129.99The best iPad for drawingWhy you'll love it: The 12.9-inch iPad Pro gives you a giant drawing slate, Apple Pencil support, laptop-like performance, and a big screen for Netflix.Apple's first iPad Pro was an absolute behemoth with its 12.9-inch screen. The giant tablet may not be as portable as most tablets, but it offers a lot more screen real estate for getting work done, watching Netflix, and drawing with the Apple Pencil.I used the iPad Pro for two years as my main tablet, and I absolutely loved it. As someone who enjoys creating digital art and drawing, the big screen was just perfect for sketching. The Apple Pencil was literally made for the iPad Pro's screen, so there's no lag and every stroke feels natural.The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also great for Netflix, thanks to its giant high-resolution screen and four speakers. Another huge advantage of having more screen is that it makes it easier to work on the larger iPad Pro.The A9X processor is speedy enough to do many laptop-like tasks, and once you get a keyboard case like this great one from Logitech, you can work on your tablet. Just keep in mind that it's still a tablet, so it runs iOS, a mobile operating system that isn't adapted for laptop-like workflows.Sometimes bigger is better, but it depends on what you want your tablet to do. If you tend to keep your tablet at home and portability isn't important to you, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro may be just right for you. It's a bit unwieldy as a reading tablet unless you have it propped up on a table, but if you're drawing or watching movies, its size is ideal.Pros:Giant screen is greatfor drawing and Netflix, laptop-like performance, Apple Pencil support, and Touch ID for security and Apple PayCons:Pricey and too big to carry around with youBuy the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (32GB storage, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) on Amazon for $760.00Buy the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (128GB storage, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) on Amazon for $860.00Buy the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro (256GB storage, Wi-Fi, gold) from BestBuy for $999.99Buy the Apple Pencil on Amazon for $93.99Buy the Logitech Create Keyboard Case for the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro on Amazon for $138.63See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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