Every iPad comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support.
Ipad for kids
If you are contemplating an iPad for a child, you might be best advised to consider the entry-level iPad9 – this model being widely used in educational environments.
How long do iPads last?
A newer iPad Pro, which has more storage and features, will likely last longer than an older or lower-end model. A newer iPad Pro, which has more storage and features, will likely last longer than an older or lower-end model. If you use your iPad every day and play video games or work with graphic design programs, it’ll wear out more quickly. If you use your iPad every day and play video games or work with graphic design programs, it’ll wear out more quickly.
If you update your iPad software regularly, clean it often, and keep its parts in working order, you’ll increase its lifespan. But if you use your iPad a lot or if you use it in extremely hot or cold temperatures, your battery may die more quickly.
Luckily, replacing an iPad battery that’s no longer working as it should is a simple and fast repair. But every time the company launches a new operating system, it stops supporting some of the older models.
Sometimes you can live with a tiny blemish on your screen, but cracks and scratches on your iPad will only continue to get worse.
They make your device more vulnerable to damage from liquid and dirt and, not to mention, can lead to cuts on your fingers. If you have an older iPad and none of the fixes in our guide worked, it’s possible your device may not support the latest operating system updates. When you can’t run the latest update, your older software will eventually stop working.
If you’ve previously replaced your iPad battery and it’s running out of juice, it’s probably time to upgrade your device. If storage is tight on your iPad, there are a few things you can try, like deleting apps you don’t use or moving files to the Cloud.
Kids and iPads: The Pros and Cons
Of course your toddler is drawn to a shiny, colorful screen that responds to her touch by lighting up, moving and making noise (read: coolest toy ever). And no doubt you’ve figured out that your iPad can magically captivate and occupy your tot during waits at the doctor’s office and long car rides.
It’s now commonplace to see kids as young as 1 and 2 years old adeptly navigating touch screens with their tiny fingers mere months after they’ve mastered the pincer grasp. In fact, a 2017 study from the nonprofit group Common Sense Media found that nearly 80 percent of children have access to an iPad or other type of tablet.
Research sponsored by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop found that certain apps may improve children’s vocabulary and math skills. The researchers discovered that while excessive TV watching slightly increased a child’s risk for conduct problems, age-appropriate digital games did not.
The best iPad to buy
I’ve spent years using various iPads for both entertainment and work and have tested all of the current and recent models to know what they are best suited for. Out of the box, any iPad provides an excellent portable video or movie-watching experience; access to a wide array of apps and games through the App Store; the ability to read ebooks, documents, and web articles on a bright comfortably sized screen; and communicate via email, messaging services, or video calls. Apple also has a strong track record of supporting the iPad for many years with software updates, so even older models can benefit from the majority of new features.
That means you can often find excellent options on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save a lot of money and still offer an up-to-date, performant experience.
The refurbished market changes too frequently for me to make specific recommendations in this guide, so everything here is based on the new, full retail cost. But I’ve personally bought multiple refurbished iPads over the years and have never regretted not having the latest and greatest model.
Released in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air offers a bright 10.9-inch high-resolution display, extremely fast performance thanks to its M1 processor, a modern design with even bezels around the screen, and excellent speakers. It’s compatible with the same keyboard and stylus accessories as the iPad Pro, so it can work well as a small laptop-like device or digital notepad / drawing tablet. The Air comes in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, purple, gold (which Apple calls “Starlight”), and a dark gray.
The iPad Air can be paired with Apple’s Magic Keyboard to turn it into a small laptop replacement for productivity work. It’s significantly larger than a phone and provides a better video-watching, reading, and multitasking experience, but it’s not nearly as large as a laptop display, so it’s easier to carry around or hold when lounging on the couch. The size makes it easy to transition from reading in portrait orientation to knocking out an email in landscape mode.
The jump to 256GB costs $150 (at Apple’s regular retail price), but it’s worthwhile if you plan to hang on to this iPad for multiple years. If you are a frequent traveler and plan to use an iPad outside of your home a lot, however, a built-in cellular connection is often faster, more reliable, and easier than using your phone’s hotspot. I’ve used an iPad Pro with built-in cellular during a long train commute for years, and it’s been worth the cost every time. The Air’s design is the same as that of the iPad Pro, with a squared-off aluminum back and sides and evenly proportioned bezels around its whole display.
But when you’re holding the iPad Air in landscape orientation, the camera feels like it’s in the wrong spot, and Apple’s software tricks to correct it are not always the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this problem with its lower-tier 10th-gen iPad by moving the camera to the longer edge, but it has not yet done so for the rest of the lineup.)
The Air’s stereo speakers (one on the left and right side, when held in landscape orientation) are loud and clear and work great for movie or video watching. The Air also supports Apple’s latest Pencil ($129 retail, sometimes on sale for less) for writing and drawing, and it can magnetically snap to the side of the tablet for charging and storage. You, as a parent, will still want it to be updated to current software and security patches, so it’s important to avoid something that isn’t supported anymore.
The ninth-gen model has the traditional iPad look, with larger bezels around the screen and a home button (with Touch ID biometric authentication).
It’s clear that even Apple realizes the 10th-gen iPad isn’t quite a direct replacement for the ninth-gen model due to its significantly higher price and different features. So as long as Apple continues to sell the ninth-gen model, that is our recommendation for budget shoppers and an iPad for kids.
It works fine as a stylus for writing and drawing on the screen, but there’s nowhere to store it when you’re not using it unless you buy a third-party case, and charging it requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port, which is awkward and clumsy. In my testing, it never lagged or slowed down when I was using it, the screen is sharp and colorful, and it’s comfortable to hold for long stretches of time.
The 12.9-inch Pro rewards you with a more expansive display for juggling multiple apps, especially if you use the new Stage Manager windowing feature. It also has the best screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED technology, providing searing brightness, deep blacks, and rich colors.
As a result, many iPad Pro 12.9 owners find they don’t end up taking it out of the Magic Keyboard case very often. A new feature introduced with the 2022 model allows you to preview line strokes or selections with the Apple Pencil before you put them onto the screen. Most people do not need all of the features of the latest iPad Pro, which makes buying an older version a compelling option. At full prices, the iPad Air is a better option than the 11-inch Pro, but if you’re able to find a prior-year model refurbished or on sale, then it might be the one to go with.
The Mini provides access to many more reading sources than a Kindle, though it can’t match the battery life of Amazon’s e-reader. This is the only iPad that Apple doesn’t make a keyboard accessory for, and it’s obvious why: it’s just too small to really be comfortable to type anything of length on.
Best iPad for kids 2023-2024
Whether it’s educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend. Choosing the right one is a challenge at the moment though, as there are plenty of models in the current catalog, all with their unique charms.
Fear not, we’re here to help make things clearer with a quick guide on the best kinds of iPads for younger users. That said, just sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isn’t great: Disney+ shouldn’t really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, but if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough.
In all honesty, we wouldn’t recommend the iPad Pros for children, as you’d just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just won’t need. The non-Pro range already offers plenty of scope and power for younger users, so our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros for now.
When it comes to students though, it’s a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the iPad Pro in the meantime. If you want the kids to be able to watch downloaded movies, listen to music and access other content when you are in the car, for example, then you will want plenty of space for that.
The Best Tablet for Kids
But we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing tablets; if you need to buy one, we recommend Apple’s 9th-generation iPad , which has the best combination of ease of use, performance, kid-appropriate app selection, and price. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is slower than an iPad, with a worse screen and a much more-limited app selection, but it’s inexpensive, includes a childproof case and an accidental-damage warranty, and it has good parental controls.
Apple Two (2) Year Limited Warranty
Apple warrants the Apple-branded hardware product and Apple-branded accessories contained in the original packaging (“Apple Product”) against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally in accordance with Apple’s published guidelines for a period of TWO (2) YEARS from the date of original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser (“Warranty Period”). Apple’s published guidelines include but are not limited to information contained in technical specifications, user manuals and service communications. Manufacturers, suppliers, or publishers, other than Apple, may provide their own warranties to you – please contact them for further information. Please refer to the licensing agreement accompanying the software for details of your rights with respect to its use. This Warranty does not apply: (a) to consumable parts, such as batteries or protective coatings that are designed to diminish over time, unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (c) to damage caused by use with a third party component or product that does not meet the Apple Product’s specifications (Apple Product specifications are available at www.apple.com under the technical specifications for each product and also available in stores); (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, fire, earthquake or other external cause; (e) to damage caused by operating the Apple Product outside Apple’s published guidelines; (f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”); (g) to an Apple Product that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; (h) to damage caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the Apple Product, (i) if any serial number has been removed or defaced from the Apple Product, or (j) if Apple receives information from relevant public authorities that the product has been stolen or if you are unable to deactivate passcode-enabled or other security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to the Apple Product, and you cannot prove in any way that you are the authorized user of the product (e.g., by presenting proof of purchase). Before receiving warranty service, Apple or its agents may require that you furnish proof of purchase details, respond to questions designed to assist with diagnosing potential issues and follow Apple’s procedures for obtaining warranty service.
Before submitting your Apple Product for warranty service you should maintain a separate backup copy of the contents of its storage media, remove all personal information that you want to protect and disable all security passwords. Recovery and reinstallation of other software programs, data and information are not covered under this Warranty. Opening the Apple Product or removing protective caps may cause damage that is not covered by this Warranty. A replacement part or Apple Product, including a user-installable part that has been installed in accordance with instructions provided by Apple, assumes the remaining term of the Warranty or ninety (90) days from the date of replacement or repair, whichever provides longer coverage for you.
Please access and review the online help resources described below before seeking warranty service. When contacting Apple via telephone, other charges may apply depending on your location.
For product originally purchased in Europe (other than Russian Federation, Turkey, and Ukraine), Africa, and the Middle East (other than Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE), “Apple” is Apple Distribution International Ltd., Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Republic of Ireland. Once service is complete, the ARS or AASP location will return the Apple Product to you.
If DIY parts service is available in the circumstances, the following process will apply.
(c) Apple is not responsible for any labor costs you incur relating to DIY parts service. Should you require further assistance, contact Apple at the telephone number listed below. Service options, parts availability and response times may vary according to country.
You may be responsible for shipping and handling charges if the Apple Product cannot be serviced in the country it is in. No Apple reseller, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this Warranty.
This Warranty is governed by and construed under the laws of the country in which the Apple Product purchase took place.
Best tablet for kids 2023: 6 top options we’ve tested and reviewed
The case is a little chunky, and likely means most older kids wouldn’t be caught dead walking around their school with it – as confirmed by former Editor-in-Chief Alastair Stevenson’s god-daughter, who told him she’d “rather not have a tablet” if that was what she’d get when offered one. In addition, Amazon offers this tablet with a guarantee and kid-specific extras that make it a perfect option for younger kids. The most significant is its returns policy, which will see the company replace any broken Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2021) free of charge, no questions asked, for two years after purchase.
For young kids, who we’d really rather didn’t have access to a completely unrestricted app store or media library, the locked-down nature of FireOS is actually a blessing.
Using the bundled one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, our test subject toddler was able to find numerous age appropriate videos, books and games to keep them entertained for at least half an hour. This means you’ll need to invest in a battery pack if you want the tablet to make it through longer car or train journeys, without risking a tantrum when it dies mid-way through an episode of Paw Patrol.
Kids and iPads: The Pros and Cons
Of course your toddler is drawn to a shiny, colorful screen that responds to her touch by lighting up, moving and making noise (read: coolest toy ever). And no doubt you’ve figured out that your iPad can magically captivate and occupy your tot during waits at the doctor’s office and long car rides. It’s now commonplace to see kids as young as 1 and 2 years old adeptly navigating touch screens with their tiny fingers mere months after they’ve mastered the pincer grasp. In fact, a 2017 study from the nonprofit group Common Sense Media found that nearly 80 percent of children have access to an iPad or other type of tablet.
Research sponsored by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop found that certain apps may improve children’s vocabulary and math skills. The researchers discovered that while excessive TV watching slightly increased a child’s risk for conduct problems, age-appropriate digital games did not.
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