The Apple iPad doesn't get the credit it deserves for essentially creating the modern tablet market. Sure, other companies had experimented with the form, but it took the design geniuses in Cupertino to turn a niche product into a device that appeals to just about every user.
The dog days of summer are a fine time to relax with a tablet and stream some Netflix in front of the air conditioning, so if you're looking to upgrade to a newer iPad, now's the time. We've got deals from Amazon and Best Buy on the whole line, so snag one while they last.
Apple 9th Generation iPad (Credit: Amazon)Apple 9th Generation iPad
Amazon's Prime Day has come and gone, but you can still find some discounts that are holding on for dear life: We're not sure how long Amazon is going to offer 18% off the 9th-generation iPad, which earned an "Excellent" rating in our review. This model features a potent processor to keep up with modern apps, as well as impressive battery life and upgraded cameras. Chances are that you won't see Prime Day pricing like this again until the Labor Day sale season starts, so jump on it now. This configuration comes with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage.
- Apple iPad 10.2" 64GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (2021 Release) for $249.99 (List Price $329)
Apple 5th Generation iPad Air
If you're looking to upgrade your tablet game, we can't think of a better way to do it than with the 5th generation iPad Air, to which we gave an Editors' Choice award in our review, saying it is "a do-it-all tablet with top-notch accessories." The Air is powered by Apple's proprietary M1 processor, which gives it the oomph to run high-end creative applications and games. Everything looks great on the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and battery life is solid. This configuration comes with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage.
- Apple iPad Air 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2022 Release) for $499.99 (List Price $599)
Apple iPad Pro
If you're looking for the pinnacle of performance in iPads, the best deal right now is at Best Buy, where you can get $40 off of the latest-model iPad Pro. This beefy tablet is on a par with a MacBook in terms of power, with an 8-core M2 chip delivering blistering speeds. The new functionality in iOS 13 adds some fun tricks, including Hover Mode with a compatible Apple Pencil. This device is pricey, but if you need a tablet that does almost everything a laptop can, the Pro is your choice. For the larger, more expensive 6th-generation, 12.9-inch model, Amazon has it for $50 off. Both configurations come with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage.
Apple iPad Pro 11" for $759.99 (list price $799.00)
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 128GB M2 Wi-Fi Tablet (6th Generation) for $1,049.00 (List Price $1,099)
Apple Pencil
Sure, it's perfectly legal to interface with your tablet's screen using your dirty fingers—but once you experience the difference a high-quality stylus makes, you'll never go back. The only annoying thing about the Apple Pencil is that it's not backward-compatible, so each model works only with specific devices. We're pointing you to deals on both, because the base model supports the first gen, and the others above want the second gen. Whichever you pick, you'll be tapping and scrolling with style and comfort.
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) for $79.00 (List Price $99)
- Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) for $89.00 (List Price $129)
These are solid deals we don't usually see before Labor Day, so beat the rush and take home a new iPad.
