Get a 9th generation iPad for just $250, the lowest price yet – News Block

Apple has been selling the 10th-generation iPad for a while now, but the 9th-generation model is still being sold as a cheap alternative. Now, you can get the ninth-generation model for just $250, matching the previous all-time low price.

The 2021 iPad, also known as the 9th-generation iPad or 10.2-inch iPad, is Apple’s current entry-level tablet. It has 64 GB of internal storage, a 10.2-inch display, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), an 8 MP rear camera, a 12 MP front camera, and stereo speakers. It has a physical home button, which contains the Touch ID sensor for biometric authentication, just like the current iPhone SE and older iPhones and iPads; newer iPhones and iPads have Face ID and/or a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

The ninth-generation iPad is powered by an A13 Bionic chip, which was also used in the second-generation iPhone 11 and iPhone SE. That chipset is getting pretty old and makes the long-term support of this tablet an open question. This year’s iOS 17 update will support the sixth-generation iPad, which used an even older A10 chip, as well as all subsequent models, including the ninth-generation iPad. We don’t know what the software support situation will be with iOS 18 in 2024 or beyond.

The other main drawback of this model is the charging and data port. This model uses a Lightning connector for charging and data transfer, instead of the USB Type-C connector found on iPads, Macs, and many other newer devices. It might not be a big deal if you’re firmly in the iPhone ecosystem, since iPhones all have the same port, but it does make interop with other devices more of a pain.

On the plus side, since this is an iPad and has been around for about two years, there’s a wide range of accessories available from Apple and other companies. Apple’s Smart Keyboard is also on sale right now, though that’s not the best option for productivity, since it doesn’t have a built-in touchpad—you have to raise your arm to touch the screen. Logitech Rugged Combo 3 is an alternative. The 9th generation iPad also supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil (but not the 2nd!), which is useful for handwriting notes, drawing, or just having a more precise pointer.