Andrew O'Hara
Apple's education-focused 2019 got only a few — but significant — changes year-over-year. AppleInsider picked up one of the refreshed models to see how meaningful those changes are.
Feature-wise, the 2019 seventh-generation iPad remains largely the same. It still packs many of the great features that made the 2018 model a great entry-level iPad.
Apple stuck with the A10 processor for a second iteration. Additionally, the seventh generation iPad still supports the first generation Apple Pencil, and of course, there is the TRRS headphone jack.
What is different with this incarnation, is the display. It has been updated to 10.2 inches, up from the 9.7-inches of its predecessor. It isn't just a bigger display — Apple has kept the same pixel density in the display, increasing the resolution.
While we were testing out the iPad, we noticed a difference in usability, induced by that added screen real estate. On the 9.7-inch sixth generation iPad, multitasking and multiple windows can feel constrained, but the extra area that the 10.2-inch iPad provides reduces that quite a bit.
Obviously, the seventh generation iPad isn't as large as the 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro line. But, it certainly is an improvement for a fraction of the price retained year-over-year.
As a side effect of the larger design, the seventh-generation iPad can now utilize a full-sized keyboard. The sixth-generation had to use a compressed keyboard, but the updated model now has proper spacing in between the keys.
If you're using this iPad day-in and day-out for taking notes or writing emails, the keyboard is quite important. On the surface, it sounds like a relatively minor change to have a slightly larger display and a bigger keyboard in the seventh generation 10.2-inch iPad. In actual use, that half-inch can be profound.
The new 2019 seventh-generation iPad is available now to order for $329 — or $299 for educational institutions.
Stay tuned for a full review of the updated entry-level iPad in the coming days.
Deals on Apple's new 10.2-inch iPad
Instant discounts on Apple's new 2019 iPad are already available, with Amazon leading the pack at press time with a $30 markdown on 128GB Wi-Fi models. For the latest deals and product availability, be sure to check out the AppleInsider 10.2-inch iPad Price Guide.
| iPad (Fifth) | iPad (Sixth) | iPad (Seventh) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 9.7 | 9.7 | 10.2 |
| Screen resolution (pixels) | 2048x1536 at 264dpi | 2048x1536 at 264dpi | 2160x1620 at 264dpi |
| Screen brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Processor | A9 | A10 Fusion | A10 Fusion |
| Apple Pencil | No | First Generation | First Generation |
| Smart Connector | No | No | Yes |
| Dimensions (inches) | 9.4x6.6x0.29 | 9.4x6.6x0.29 | 9.8x6.8x0.29 |
| Weight (lbs) | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.07 |
| Battery (hours) | Up to 10 | Up to 10 | Up to 10 |
| Rear Camera (megapixels) | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Front Camera (megapixels) | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Biometric | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID |
William Gallagher
Andrew Orr
Christine McKee
Sponsored Content
Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Amber Neely
17 Comments
Under the battery row in the comparison, AI might consider adding quick charge capability. According to the Apple website for the 30w charger, this new 7th gen iPad is capable while the others, of course, are not.
So here is an idea thats been percolating in my mind since June, what if the ARM macbooks that are coming wont be mac books at all but "iPad Books". Picture - iPad Book & iPad Book Pro, running on the world's most advance & capable mobile operating systeam iPad OS.
This naming scheme perfectly frames in the mind of the customer what such a device can and cannot do, "its powerfull, but not as powerful as a mac" its capable yet light and agile, sleak ellegent and very portable, an Apple chrome book for when an Air is too big and an iPad Pro is too un-ergonomic.
The only stubling block i see would be that cursed cursor I'm not sure that circle thing Apple is doing is optimum, what do you guys think ?
Another iPad I won't buy