Maria Diaz/ZDNET
An iPad can help with success in many areas like school, professional work, content creation, and much more. Plus, with Prime Day just days away, there's no better time to scoop up savings on one of Apple's most popular devices.
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Now, you can get the 11th Gen iPad for $299 (save $50). The tablet normally retails for $350, so a great sale this soon in the launch schedule is good news for early adopters on a tight budget. Plus, this iPad is our pick for the best iPad of 2025 and is a great gift for the upcoming school year. Every color is on sale at Amazon.
This year, iPads were upgraded in several ways, helping them become more capable devices. For one, the tablet is equipped with an A16 chip for better processing and the ability to edit 4K videos or use live text in photos or videos. It also boosts battery life, preventing you from worrying about charging it too often. Keep in mind that this iPad does not support Apple Intelligence.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The screen is an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, so the graphics quality is top tier for streaming your favorite content like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or whatever your heart desires. It also comes equipped with True Tone, which helps adjust the screen's brightness to a comfortable level depending on the light temperature of your room.
Also: I skipped the pricey iPad Pro for the $299 base model and have no regrets. Here's why
ZDNET expert Maria Diaz tested out the iPad, and appreciated its hardware upgrades, but noted it may not be the best tablet for every audience.
"If you're looking for a tablet to do light work on the go, edit some short videos, stream content, or play games, the iPad base model won't disappoint. Suppose you're more of a power user and intend to use heavier apps like Final Cut Pro for iPad, for example, to edit longer videos. In that case, I'd recommend a higher-end model," she said.
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