8 reasons you should buy Apple's most basic iPad instead of an iPad Pro (AAPL)

iPad 2018

Apple currently sells four iPad models: the iPad Mini 4, the iPad, and two versions of the iPad Pro.

Unless you're into the "mini" form factor, though, most people will probably choose between the normal 9.7-inch iPad with the two iPad Pro models.

Here are 8 reasons you should buy the most basic iPad instead of an iPad Pro:

1. Price is the most important consideration for many people — and the basic iPad looks highly appealing here

The most basic iPad starts at roughly half the price of the most basic iPad Pro.

Here's the full breakdown:

9.7-inch iPad (price range $329 - $559):

10.5-inch iPad Pro (price range $649 - $1,129):

12.9-inch iPad Pro (price range $799 - $1,279)

The higher-end iPad Pro models start getting into laptop territory, at least from a price perspective.

With that in mind, you'll need to consider whether or not the advantages of the iPad Pro make sense for you personally.

2. The iPad Pro has new display technology, but the standard iPad display is still incredibly high quality.

One of the biggest difference between the basic iPad and iPad Pro is the display.

The iPad Pro models have Apple's ProMotion technology, which is basically a 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything generally look smoother, from scrolling webpages to watching videos. When you're using the Apple Pencil, it also makes it feel like you're really writing on paper, thanks to that enhanced refresh rate.

That said, the new 9.7-inch iPad still has the same Apple Pencil support, and everything — from watching videos to browsing the web — looks great on that Retina display, too. You might notice a difference if you're holding the two different iPads side by side, but you're not missing much if your iPad doesn't have ProMotion.

3. The only accessory the 9.7-inch iPad can't connect with is Apple's Smart Keyboard, but you're not missing anything special there.

From an accessories standpoint, the most basic iPad can connect to almost everything the iPad Pro models can, thanks to the same Bluetooth and WiFi tech. It even supports Apple Pencil.

The only notable accessory that only works with the iPad Pro models, and not the basic iPad, is Apple's Smart Keyboard.

The iPad Pro's built-in Smart Connectors let the tablets pair to the Smart Keyboard automatically, which allows for seamless data and power transfer between the devices. Still, the Smart Keyboard costs a whopping $160 to start (it's $170 for the 12.9-inch iPad), and there are plenty of other more affordable keyboard covers for iPad that perform similarly. Personally, I highly recommend Logitech's Slim Folio for iPad.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider