Apple’s iPad releases this yr have been, nicely, lackluster to say the least. That isn’t to say the brand new Tenth-gen iPad and the M2-equipped iPad Pro are unhealthy merchandise — removed from it. But they both aren’t considerably higher than their predecessors or have a clumsy worth proposition that places them in between extra compelling choices in Apple’s lineup.

If you’ve been planning to purchase an iPad this yr, that is excellent news as a result of you possibly can confidently buy final yr’s (and even older) fashions with out actually giving up a lot. And primarily based on the pricing we’ve seen on older iPads just lately, that may both prevent a ton of cash or get you a extra succesful mannequin for a similar value you may pay for the most recent base model.

Buying an older mannequin additionally opens up the world of secondhand choices, whether or not you’re shopping for a used one from a reseller, a reconditioned mannequin, or simply an open-box return from a retailer. You can save a ton of cash on completely succesful iPads this manner — and since most iPads stay nearly all of their lives at dwelling and aren’t used as often as a telephone, used fashions are typically in higher situation and can last more.

Here are my suggestions for what to search for as an alternative of the most recent iPads this yr.

The Tenth-gen iPad has a beginning value of $449, and because it simply got here out, it’s unlikely to fall removed from that within the close to future. But you’ll find older variations of the iPad Air, which have a nicer model of the identical measurement display, an equal or quicker processor, and higher accent choices than the Tenth-gen iPad, on sale on a regular basis. A 2020 or 2021 iPad Air is a greater iPad than the Tenth-gen mannequin in each manner, so that you don’t hand over something by choosing the marginally older mannequin.

We’ve seen brand-new models of the 2020 iPad Air (often known as the fourth-gen mannequin) just lately promoting for as little as $349, although you possibly can sometimes discover them for beneath $450. Amazon has renewed (aka refurbished) fashions for under $420 proper now, and I’m positive the fourth-gen Air can be a preferred doorbuster deal for retailers through the Black Friday buying season, as long as they nonetheless have inventory.

The newer 2022 iPad Air (the fifth-gen mannequin) comes with a extra succesful M1 chip and helps options like Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, which neither the older Air nor the Tenth-gen iPad has. Brand-new models have often been discounted to $520 by a wide range of retailers, placing it solely $70 away from the Tenth-gen mannequin (which, once more, has a worse display and weaker accent choices along with the much less succesful processor). Refurbished fashions are just a little tougher to search out as a result of the fifth-gen Air hasn’t been out as lengthy, however they typically go for $480, which is a no brainer selection over the $450 Tenth-gen iPad to me.

The variations between the 2022 and 2021 iPad Pro fashions might be summed up with two fingers: the 2022 mannequin has an M2 processor as an alternative of the M1; and it helps the brand new hover function with the Apple Pencil. Neither of these supplies a significant distinction in day-to-day use, and the 2021 iPad Pro is simply as able to something you want from it. It additionally helps the entire options in iPadOS 16 and sure will for fairly a couple of future variations down the road.

The 12.9-inch 2021 iPad Pro might be bought brand new for $900 right now, a reduction of $200 from the 2022 mannequin. Different configurations can prevent much more for those who go for extra storage or add mobile connectivity. Refurbished fashions might be had for even much less. Savings on 11-inch versions aren’t fairly as massive however are nonetheless vital sufficient to justify pocketing the dough quite than shopping for the most recent and biggest.

Older iPad Pro fashions, equivalent to these launched in 2018 and 2020, are nonetheless loads succesful as nicely, although you’re solely prone to discover these on the secondhand and refurbished markets. Both of them assist Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, however they gained’t have the ability to use it with exterior shows like the brand new iPad Pro fashions can. If you’re taking a look at a refurbished unit, look to see if the battery has been changed since, after three or 4 years of utilization, it doubtless gained’t final so long as it did when new.

I’ve a sense that the preferred iPad through the vacation season this yr would be the ninth-gen base mannequin iPad. Apple itself remains to be promoting it for $329, and it’s often accessible for $280 or $300 brand new from other retailers. It’s prone to see a whole lot of additional reductions and promotions all through the vacation season this yr, making it an much more compelling possibility.

Sure it has a house button, massive bezels, and a Lightning port, but it surely’s loads succesful for any job the Tenth-gen iPad can do. And it’s acquired a headphone jack, which makes it excellent for youths or anybody who simply doesn’t need to fuss with wi-fi headphones.

Regardless of which iPad mannequin you find yourself with, the factor that continues to be the identical is it’s an iPad. There is perhaps minor variations between them right here and there, however on the finish of the day, all of them carry out very equally and have entry to the identical huge library of apps. That means you should purchase an older mannequin now and never have to fret an excessive amount of about having a compromised expertise. It’s a win-win throughout.