iPad (2020) Review: The Verdict
Apple's cheapest iPad never feels cheap, and is a great option for anyone looking for an entry-level tablet. You might just want to opt for more than 32GB of storage.
What we love
- Comparatively affordable
- Definitely an iPad
What could be improved
- Starts with just 32GB storage
- Incompatible with Apple's best accessories
80/100
I've said it before and I'll say it again: an iPad is an iPad is an iPad. While Apple's tablet range comes in a range of flavours and prices, they all share the same core functionality and run the same apps. Sure, some look prettier, some have a faster processor, and some are bigger, but at the end of the day, iPads tend to do the same thing.
When it comes to the 8th generation iPad, it's best defined by what it isn't, by what you miss out on. As the baseline model in the portfolio, the iPad is the simplest, cheapest option, missing some of the bells and whistles you'd find on the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. While those extras may certainly be appealing to some, not everyone needs the best iPad. Or even the second best iPad. It becomes a question of whether the entry-level iPad is enough of an iPad for you.
The 8th generation iPad uses the classic iPad design, iterating on the original model. There's still a good chunk of bezel, and there's a home button that sits under the screen. You don't get the same kind of "all-screen" aesthetic you'll find on the iPad or the iPad Pro.
This also means the iPad Pro and iPad Air have more screen real estate in roughly the same sized body as the 8th generation iPad. The iPad Pro has an 11-inch display, the iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display, while the standard iPad has a smaller 10.2-inch screen. The difference in screen size isn't massive, the device's physical footprint just being used quite as efficiently.
The 8th generation iPad is powered by a slightly older A12 processor - the same as you'd find in an iPhone XS - rather than the A14 and M1 chip featured in the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Side-by-side, opening apps and the like is just a fraction slower, but not in any meaningful way. If you're doing demanding work like editing video, a faster iPad will naturally be a bit zippier, but for the most, the 8th generation iPad is more than snappy enough.
Realistically, the biggest catch with the 8th generation iPad is that it's only compatible with Apple's entry-level iPad accessories. You're limited to the 1st generation Apple Pencil, which while still great for drawing and taking notes, has a rather awkward charging mechanism. Instead of charging magnetically like the 2nd generation model, you have to plug the original into your iPad's Lightning connector. Alternatively, there's a tiny dongle in the Apple Pencil box that lets you connect a Lighting cable to it instead. Just try not to lose it.
It's the same case with the keyboard: your only first-party pick is the Smart Keyboard. While it will do the job (and is on the cheaper side, at least comparatively) the keys are too squishy for my liking. It's not the best typing experience. On the other hand, Apple's new Magic Keyboard offers a much more tactile typing experience and also has a trackpad. You just can't use it with the 8th generation iPad.
While the 8th generation iPad starts at $499, that only gets you 32GB of storage. If your workflow is mostly cloud-based or you're predominantly using an iPad as a streaming and consumption device, that could be enough. Otherwise, you may want to opt for the $649 128GB model for a more comfortable buffer.
iPad (2020) - Final thoughts
The 8th generation iPad is a solid entry-level device that's a good starting point for anyone looking to get their first iPad or upgrade from a much older model. It does almost everything any other iPad does, but at a more affordable price point. While the iPad Air is our favourite iPad right now thanks to being just a touch more versatile, the 8th generation iPad is a better choice for anyone predominantly looking for an iPad as a consumption or companion device.
If you're mostly thinking about a new iPad for watching video, surfing the web, emails, games, and the like, the 8th generation iPad is going to do just as good a job as any other iPad. If you're looking to go beyond that, it's worth considering the iPad Air instead.
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