What to look for when choosing an iPad for music

“iPads might look pretty similar, but there are some crucial differences”

To the casual observer, all of Apple’s iPads might look pretty similar, but there are some crucial differences. The most obvious physical one is its size: the new iPad Mini is the smallest, with an 8.3-inch display, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro gives you the largest display. The other models in the range all fall somewhere between these two extremes.

Then there’s the issue of power: it probably won’t surprise you that much to learn that each iPad has a different chipset. The standard ninthgeneration iPad and iPad Air (fourth generation) have the least powerful processors (the A13 and A14 respectively), the new iPad mini has the latest A15 (as found in the new iPhone 13), while both of the iPad Pros boast the same M1 chips that can be found in Apple’s latest desktop and laptop machines.

Music-making apps can be pretty demanding, particularly if you’re running two or more at the same time, and a faster processor will give you better performance.

You’ll also need to think about onboard storage. iPads don’t accept memory cards, so what you buy is what you’ll find yourself stuck with. Some of the best music-making apps – like Moog Model D for iOS, Korg Gadget and Nanostudio – take up multiple gigabytes of space, so we’d advise you not to scrimp in this area, where possible.

The final and possibly most important consideration, though, is price. Buying the biggest, most powerful, most capacious iPad will cost you serious money, so for most of us, it’s all about finding the best balance between features and affordability.