Not all tablets are good for gaming. In fact, most of them are bad. Here’s the ultimate guide that contains the best gaming tablets right now.
For years, tablets have been wedged between the world of smartphones and laptops, and while they’re by no means a perfect substitute for both, they still have a few distinct merits – namely, larger screens than phones and better. battery life than most laptops. .
So while they may not be as powerful as laptops or as discreet as phones, tablets are still great devices when it comes to web browsing and mobile gaming.
In this buying guide, we will list the best Apple iPads of 2021, including Amazon’s iOS, Android, and FireOS tablets.
Best iPads for gaming
When it was first introduced in 2010, the original iPad-made tablets go mainstream, and Apple continues to dominate the market to this day. There are several reasons why they currently outperform the competition, but the main ones are their excellent performance, longevity, and good overall value.
iPad (2019)
Size: 10.2in
Points in favor of the product:
- Beautiful display
- Smooth performance
- The cheapest iPad with support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard
- Good overall value
Points against the product:
- Dated hardware
- Mediocre cameras
- No 64GB storage version
- Non-laminated screen
The first iPad on the list is the latest 10.2-inch iPad released in 2019, and it’s the successor to the 2018 iPad. That said, it’s a budget model and it introduces a couple of notable improvements.
First up, there’s the 10.2-inch screen, which is a slight step up from the 9.7-inch of the previous generation. Besides that, it also comes with a smart connector that allows you to work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard. And like the 2018 model, it has support for Apple Pencil ( 1st generation model only ).
Specs:
Model | iPad (2019) |
OS | iOS 13 |
Screen size | 10.2 inch |
Display technology | IPS LCD |
Screen resolution | 1620 × 2160 |
CPU | Apple A10 Fusion (4 cores) |
GPU | PowerVR 7XT Plus Series (6 Core) |
RAM | 3 GB |
Storage capacity | 32/128 GB |
Memory card | N / A |
Main chamber | 8 MP |
Frontal camera | 1.2 MP |
Battery capacity | 8827 mAh |
Dimensions | 250.6 × 174.1 × 7.5 mm (9.87 × 6.85 × 0.30 in.) |
Weight | 483 g (1.06 lb) |
Overall, the 2019 iPad is a small but potentially significant update over the 2018 model for some users. As you can see, it uses Apple’s 16nm A10 Fusion CPU, which is now unable to compete with the newer models, although iOS still works extremely well on this device.
It has an additional gigabyte of RAM, which helps, especially with multitasking. But at the end of the day, the 2019 model is pretty much identical when it comes to the internals.
Like its predecessor, this iPad comes with either 32GB or 128GB of internal storage, which is a shame, as many (including ourselves) would have preferred to see a basic 64GB model.
There’s no denying that the 32GB can fill up very quickly these days, and without microSD support, you’ll have to spend more on a 128GB version or just satisfy with the normal 32GB.
But we don’t want the iPad 2019 to appear to be a bad tablet; far from that, it still has all the merits that its predecessor had, and more.
This includes a beautiful high-resolution Retina display, good performance despite seemingly disappointing hardware, and offers good value for money, especially considering it’s the cheapest iPad that has Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support.
However, like its predecessor, the cameras are disappointing and the screen is not laminated, in addition to the aforementioned mediocre storage capacity on the base model. At the end of the day, it’s a solid budget iPad and a good gaming tablet, but it could have been even better with a few more tweaks.
iPad Air (2019)
Size: 10.5in
Points in favor of the product:
- Excellent laminated screen
- Fast A12 CPU
- Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support
Points against the product:
- The cameras are not impressive yet
- No 128GB version
The iPad Air 2019 , also known as the iPad Air 3, is Apple’s most powerful mid-range offering. Naturally, it offers a number of updates over its predecessor, the 2014 iPad Air 2, and is also better than the regular iPad 2019 described above, although they may appear identical at first glance.
Specs:
Model | iPad Air (2019) |
OS | iOS 13 |
Screen size | 10.5 inch |
Display technology | IPS LCD |
Screen resolution | 1668 × 2224 |
CPU | Apple A12 Bionic (6 cores) |
GPU | Apple GPU (4 cores) |
RAM | 3 GB |
Storage capacity | 64/256 GB |
Memory card | N / A |
Main chamber | 8 MP |
Frontal camera | 7 MP |
Battery capacity | 8134 mAh |
Dimensions | 250.6 × 174.1 × 6.1 mm (9.87 × 6.85 × 0.24 inches) |
Weight | 456 g (1.01 lb) |
As you can see from the table above, the new iPad Air is only slightly larger than the regular iPad 2019, but it also features a higher resolution laminated display and a newer, more powerful 7nm CPU, which is a big step. ahead of A10 Fusion with current date. This helps the iPad Air handle heavier workloads and AR much better.
RAM remains at a modest 3GB, but storage options increase to 64 and 256GB. While the memory capacity of the entry-level model is satisfactory, a 128GB version is missing, which is a shame if 64GB is too little and 256GB is too much for your preferences.
Regardless, the iPad Air is a good option if you’re looking for something a bit more serious with a bit more longevity, as Air’s sturdier CPU will definitely age better than the outdated A10 found in its more affordable counterpart.
iPad Mini 5
Size: 7.9 inch
Points in favor of the product:
- The screen is still just as good
- Compact frame
- Lightweight and portable
Points against the product:
- A little expensive
- Not compatible with Smart Keyboard
Moving on, we have something a little different: a “sequel” to the old iPad Mini 4. The new iPad mini 5 is essentially the same as the iPad Air, albeit in a more compact package that is sure to appeal to many. users.
Specs:
Model | iPad mini 5 |
OS | iOS 13 |
Screen size | 7.9 inch |
Display technology | IPS LCD |
Screen resolution | 1536 x 2048 |
CPU | Apple A12 Bionic (6 cores) |
GPU | Apple GPU (4 cores) |
RAM | 3 GB |
Storage capacity | 64/256 GB |
Memory card | N / A |
Main chamber | 8 MP |
Frontal camera | 7 MP |
Battery capacity | 5124 mAh |
Dimensions | 203.2 × 134.8 × 6.1 mm (8.0 × 5.31 × 0.24 inches) |
Weight | 300.5 g (10.8 oz) |
Inside, the iPad mini 5 is practically identical to the iPad Air 2019: it is powered by an A12 Bionic chip, has 3GB of RAM, comes in 64GB and 256GB storage variants, and features a laminated display. .
That said, there isn’t a huge difference in performance, although the battery doesn’t last that long. On top of that, while it does have Apple Pencil support, it doesn’t support Smart Keyboard, so if you want to type with a physical keyboard, you’ll have to settle for a third-party wireless one. At the end of the day, the iPad mini 5 is a great option for users who prefer smaller tablets that are lighter and more comfortable to use, but it’s nothing groundbreaking, unfortunately. Nonetheless, it is still an attractive option if you don’t intend to use a smart keyboard and if a 10-inch iPad is too bulky.