The best part of Apple’s keynote yesterday, for me, was the introduction of iPadOS 26. Apple finally opened up the floodgates and gave iPad users everything they wanted. We have an actual multitasking window manager, new menu toolbars, better background tasks, and a revamped files app. All this has transformed how people will view iPads moving forward. But the fantastic thing is that this is not just reserved for the $1300+ iPad Pro; this now works on the $299 entry-level iPad. Apple just made the entry-level iPad the best value in computers. Let me explain.
The entry-level iPad has always been a solid pick for students, casuals, families, kids, and people who just want a working content consumption machine. It was updated in 2024 with some new internal specs to bring it up to modern standards. Below are some of the core specs you should be aware of:
A16 Bionic chip
10.9-inch Liquid Retina display
USB-C port
Front-facing landscape 12MP ultra-wide (great for video calls)
Starts at 128GB of storage
Apple Pencil USB-C support
Magic Keyboard Folio support
Price: $349 MSRP (often under $300 on Amazon)
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