Since Apple isn’t rumored to be releasing a new iPad anytime soon, it’s a great time to buy one—especially when they’re this cheap: Amazon is selling the iPad Air with 64GB of storage for $500 (after an automatic discount at checkout on some colors), and the iPad mini with 64GB of storage for $400, a savings of $99 and within pennies of their all-time low prices.
Despite the size difference, the iPad mini and iPad Air are very similar tablets. The mini has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and an A15 processor while the Air has a 10-9-inch display and M1 processor, but otherwise, they have the same design, 12MP front and 12MP rear cameras, 64GB of storage, Apple Pencil 2 support, USB-C, and Touch ID-enabled power button.
It comes down to a matter of preference—do you want something small enough to toss into a bag or a little larger for watching movies? Either way, you’re getting a great tablet at a great price.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor, Macworld
Michael Simon has been covering Apple for more than 20 years. He started covering rumors with Spymac when the iPod was the iWalk, and has owned nearly every iPhone Apple has ever made. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and far too many gadgets.