Is An iPad Useful? 11 Reasons To Get One (And 2 Why Not)

The iPad is a widely used device due to its versatility and portability in today’s tech-savvy era. Despite its popularity, many potential buyers often wonder — Is an iPad useful? Well, its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and expansive app library make it ideal for a variety of needs. Nonetheless, it is crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before deciding to invest in this technology. We are here to help you gauge whether buying an iPad is worth it or not.

This guide will help you in determining if an iPad is a useful device for your needs. We will analyze the pros and cons of owning an iPad and give a summary of its capabilities. Additionally, we will detail 11 reasons why purchasing an iPad might be beneficial for you, which includes its ability to function with the Apple ecosystem, quick performance, Apple Pencil support, multitasking capacity, extended battery life, excellent cameras, an extensive range of accessories, and constant software updates from Apple.

In addition, we will discuss 2 main reasons why an Apple iPad may not be the best option for everyone. These factors include the device’s high price, limited opportunities for personalization and potential for increasing its capabilities when compared to other alternatives, and possible restrictions for certain professional tasks.

What is an iPad

The iPad is a type of tablet that uses the iPadOS operating system, which is similar to the one used by iPhones. It is a flat device with a touch-sensitive screen that looks similar to a larger version of an iPhone or laptop screen without a keyboard. Besides the standard iPad, there are also other options like the sleek and lightweight iPad Air, the powerful iPad Pro, or the compact iPad mini. These devices are a part of the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to access your iCloud files and many iPhone apps. They are more suitable for media consumption and work due to their bigger screens, while still being more portable than a laptop or MacBooks.

11 Reasons Why You Should Get an iPad

We have compiled a list of 11 reasons why an iPad is worth it and you should consider buying it over other tablets on the market.

1. Versatility and Portability

The iPad is a great investment due to its versatility and portability. Being compact in size and lightweight, you can easily carry it wherever you go, whether you’re moving around your house or on the go. As a result, you can enjoy a powerful computing experience wherever you are, such as during your daily commute, while traveling, or simply relaxing at home.

The iPad is very versatile because it can be used for different purposes. For example, you can use it for work such as checking email, editing documents, and managing projects. It can also be used for fun things like watching movies, playing games, and reading e-books. If you’re into creative stuff, the iPad is great for digital drawing, photo editing, and music production. You can find lots of apps on the App Store that are designed for different interests and needs.

2. Display Quality

The iPad has a display with high pixel density, which means images look sharp and don’t appear pixelated even when viewed up close. This is especially helpful when reading small text or checking out detailed graphics on the screen.

Moreover, most iPads come with True Tone display technology that uses advanced sensors to automatically adjust the color and intensity based on the surrounding light, making images look more natural. If you disable the True Tone feature, the display will maintain a consistent color and intensity regardless of the changes in ambient light.

3. Extensive App Ecosystem

The App Store has millions of apps available for the iPad, offering a wide variety of options for productivity, creativity, education, and entertainment. You can find apps tailored to your needs easily. iPad productivity apps offer powerful features for word processing, spreadsheet management, note-taking, and project management, and many of them are optimized for touch input, which makes them easy to use on the iPad touchscreen interface.

The iPad has numerous apps for artistic people to draw, paint, edit photos, compose music, and edit videos. These apps make use of the iPad’s touch and stylus features, which allow for an immersive and natural creative experience.

Additionally, the iPad also has educational apps that cover a vast range of subjects, including language learning, math tutorials, science simulations, and coding lessons. These apps provide interactive and engaging ways to learn, suitable for various age groups and learning styles. The iPad also offers a wide range of entertainment options, including streaming services, games, e-books, music, and videos. This gives you diverse entertainment possibilities to choose from. To summarize, there’s an iPad app for every task.

4. Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem

Having other Apple devices like iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch, makes purchasing an iPad a great addition to your user experience. Being an Apple product, the iPad easily blends with the Apple ecosystem, enabling you to easily synchronize and share content across multiple devices. With features like Handoff, you can begin a task on one device and pick up right where you left off on another. For instance, start composing an email on your iPhone and continue on your iPad without any interruptions. No matter which Apple device you use, you can expect a smooth and uninterrupted workflow thanks to this high level of integration.

AirDrop is a feature that lets you share files, photos, videos, and links wirelessly between your iPad and other Apple devices without cables or extra steps. You just need to choose what you want to share and which device to send it to, and AirDrop will handle the transfer. This allows for easy and fast file sharing.

iCloud is another important feature of the Apple ecosystem that makes the iPad more functional. With iCloud, you can easily synchronize your photos, documents, notes, contacts, and other data across all your Apple devices. This ensures that your information is always current and accessible from anywhere. So, if you take a photo on your iPad, it will automatically appear on your iPhone and Mac without manually transferring it.

Moreover, features such as Universal Clipboard enable you to duplicate text or images on one device and paste them on another device. This smooth integration simplifies your workflow and avoids the requirement for complicated file transfers or sending content through email to yourself. 

5. Powerful Performance

The iPad has powerful processors and graphics capabilities that enable it to perform various tasks smoothly and efficiently. Whether you’re editing videos, playing graphics-heavy games, or running apps that require a lot of resources, the iPad’s performance is impressive and comparable to that of many laptops.

The chipset used for iPads are created to prioritize both performance and energy efficiency. As a result, they can handle heavy-duty tasks such as video editing without sacrificing the device’s battery life. This allows you to effortlessly multitask, switch between apps, and run complicated software smoothly.

The iPad has impressive graphics capabilities that provide immersive gaming experiences. With detailed graphics, realistic rendering, and smooth frame rates, the iPad is suitable for both casual gamers and graphics enthusiasts. You can enjoy gaming without any lag due to the iPad’s performance.

The iPad has a specially designed operating system called iPadOS that utilizes its hardware capabilities to give you a quick and smooth experience when interacting with the device and accessing content. This means that you can easily complete a variety of tasks, such as productivity, creative, gaming, and multimedia consumption, due to the iPad’s powerful performance. You can expect a decent performance even on a basic iPad.

6. Apple Pencil Support

The compatibility between the iPad and the Apple Pencil is a big plus, especially for creatives or those who prefer using a stylus for precise input. The Apple Pencil is a digital stylus that offers excellent responsiveness, pressure sensitivity, and precision.

Artists and designers get a natural sketching and drawing experience with the Apple Pencil because of its accurate tip and low latency. This allows every stroke to be captured correctly and in real-time, mimicking traditional drawing tools. The feature of pressure sensitivity enables artists to create varying line thickness and shading in their artwork, resulting in a more expressive and multidimensional piece.

The Apple Pencil is useful for note taking and making annotations on the iPad’s screen, which is beneficial for students and professionals. It allows you to write, highlight, and annotate documents, PDFs, and presentations directly on the screen, making it easier for those who attend lectures, participate in meetings, or regularly review and edit documents.

7. Enhanced Multitasking Capabilities

The iPad now has improved multitasking capabilities with the introduction of iPadOS. You can now work with multiple apps at the same time, which helps to efficiently manage and switch between different tasks and applications. One of the new features is Split View, which allows you to have two apps open side by side on the iPad’s screen. This is a helpful feature when you want to use information from one application while using another. For instance, you can have a word-processing app and a web browser open at the same time, which makes it simpler to research and write simultaneously.

The feature called Slide Over lets you open a second app without fully leaving your main app. You can see the second app as a floating window that you can easily bring up or close. It’s useful for tasks that require you to switch between apps often or need to access certain tools or information quickly.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) is a feature that lets you watch videos or make FaceTime calls while using other apps. You can change the size and position of the video and multitask effectively without missing out on anything. This feature, along with the iPad’s large display, allows you to be more productive and handle multiple tasks, reference information, take notes, and communicate while still working on other activities within a single device.

8. Promising Battery Life

The iPad has a promising battery life, making it ideal for people on the go or those without ready access to power outlets. The hardware and software are designed to use power efficiently, so you can use your iPad for an extended period without needing to recharge it frequently.

Battery life for iPads ranges from 8 to 10 hours or more, depending on the model and usage. This means you can use your iPad for work, entertainment, or anything else throughout the day without having to worry about the battery dying.

The iPad has a long battery life that comes in handy in various situations such as long flights, full-day meetings or conferences, and spending a day away from home. With the iPad’s extended battery life, you won’t have to worry about carrying chargers or searching for power outlets. This allows for convenient usage throughout the day.

9. High-Quality Cameras

Although it’s not a dedicated camera device, the iPad’s high-quality cameras allow you to capture amazing photos and videos. These cameras can be used for recording special memories, documenting events, or for video calls. Overall, the iPad can be a valuable tool for photography and video purposes.

The iPad has a high-quality rear-facing camera with advanced features like autofocus, optical image stabilization, and high-resolution sensors. This allows you to take sharp, detailed, and vibrant photos of landscapes, portraits, and close-ups. Overall, the iPad’s camera produces impressive results.

The FaceTime camera is located on the front of your device and is used for video calls and taking selfies. It has high-quality features such as Retina Flash, which uses the screen’s brightness to improve the lighting of your pictures, even when the environment is dimly lit. This guarantees that your video calls are sharp and your selfies are bright and detailed.

The iPad’s cameras aren’t just for taking pictures and videos – they’re also important for creating augmented reality (AR) experiences. The high-quality cameras, along with sensors and software, allow the iPad to place digital objects and information over the real world. This leads to many different interactive AR applications, like games, educational tools, and design simulations.

10. Wide Range of Accessories

There are many accessories available for the iPad, such as Magic Keyboard, that can improve its functionality and match individual preferences. These accessories are produced by both Apple and third-party manufacturers and can expand the iPad’s capabilities.

If you frequently use your iPad for work, you might want to consider getting a Magic Keyboard or a Smart Keyboard folio. These cases have keyboards built into them which can make typing much easier and give you a similar experience to using a laptop. Additionally, they can help keep your iPad safe from damage while also making it more convenient to type for extended periods of time.

You can find stands and mounts for your iPad that will hold it steadily and allow you to adjust its position. These accessories are useful for various purposes such as propping up your iPad for video calls, watching movies without holding it, or using it as a second screen for work. They come with ergonomic viewing angles and added convenience. 

Additionally, there are stylus holders and protective cases available to safeguard your Apple Pencil and keep it accessible. These holders will prevent loss or damage to the stylus while keeping it within your reach whenever you need it for tasks such as drawing, note-taking, or precise input.

You can find additional accessories for your iPad such as screen protectors, speakers, headphones, adapters, or dongles to enhance its functionalities. These accessories help you personalize your iPad based on your needs and preferences, making it a more versatile device for you to use.

11. Longevity and Software Support

When you buy an iPad, you can expect to get software updates for several years, just like Apple does for all its devices. These updates include new features, bug fixes, performance improvements, and security enhancements.

Updating your iPad with the latest software ensures compatibility with new apps and services in the future and improves the overall user experience with ongoing optimization of the operating system.

Apple provides software updates for older iPad models which allow you to benefit from new features and security improvements without having to buy a newer device. This helps to prolong the life of your iPad and keep it useful for a longer time.

Additionally, the iPad’s build quality and durability contribute to its longevity. Apple designs iPads with high-quality materials and rigorous manufacturing standards, resulting in devices that can withstand everyday use and last for many years with proper care.

Top 2 Reasons Why Should Not Get an iPad

Here are two main reasons why we believe buying an iPad may not be the best choice for you.

1. Cost and Limited Customization

Some people might be discouraged by the cost of an iPad. iPads are generally more expensive than other tablets and devices available on the market, particularly the latest models with advanced features and more storage space. This increased expense could make it difficult for individuals with limited budgets or those who prioritize cost-saving purchases to afford an iPad.

If you want the latest technology and advanced features, you’ll need to think about the higher cost of the iPad. Although older models or lower-spec options may be cheaper, they might not provide the same level of performance or features as the latest models.

The iPad is designed by Apple with a closed ecosystem approach. This approach limits customization options and expandability compared to other devices. The iPad’s operating system, iPadOS, provides a consistent and secure user experience but restricts some customization options that some users may want.

iPads do not offer as much customization or allow the installation of third-party apps without jailbreaking, unlike some Android-based tablets. This may not be preferred by users who desire more flexibility in personalizing their devices.

The iPad has limited options for hardware upgrades when it comes to expandability. Unlike many Android tablets, upgrading the storage capacity, or other internal components of an iPad is not easy. You need to stick with the specifications you selected at the time you bought the device. While cloud storage and external accessories can ease this limitation to some extent, they might not be as flexible or convenient as internal hardware upgrades.

2. Not Suitable for Certain Professional Workflows

Although the iPad provides great performance and a diverse assortment of apps for different tasks, it may not be adequate for some professional workflows that need specialized software or advanced features. Professionals in fields such as software development may discover that the iPad is not entirely optimized for their specific software tools or workflows.

Although the iPad boasts powerful hardware and a growing selection of professional apps, it may not offer the same level of functionality, compatibility, or performance as specialized professional devices or a laptop. Certain software applications used in niche industries may lack full-featured iPad versions or offer a more limited range of features compared to their desktop equivalents.

Also, some professional tasks need a bigger screen, multiple displays, efficient file management, and special peripheral connectivity. The iPad’s smaller size and limited connectivity may not be appropriate for certain industries. It’s crucial to evaluate your professional needs and workflows before deciding whether the iPad can fulfill your work requirements.

Conclusion 

To summarize, the iPad is a highly versatile and portable device that comes with various useful features. It seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices, has a powerful performance, supports the Apple Pencil, allows multitasking, has a long battery life, has high-quality cameras, has numerous available accessories, and receives long-term software support.

Before you decide to become an iPad user, it is important to take into account its limitations. Some people may find the cost to be too high, and the fact that the device has a closed ecosystem means that there are limitations to customization and expansion. Additionally, certain professional workflows that require advanced features or specialized software may be better served by using dedicated professional-grade devices or desktop computers.

In order to decide whether or not to invest in an iPad, you should assess your personal needs, preferences, and budget. Reviewing the advantages and disadvantages discussed in this article can help you make a well-informed choice that suits your requirements and guarantees that the iPad truly improves your digital experience.

We hope that this article has given you valuable insights to help you make an informed decision for your next tech companion, whether it is the iPad or another device that better suits your needs.