digestVidSign in
summary

Marques Brownlee - The New iPad is Weird!

Thumbnail of the video “Marques Brownlee - The New iPad is Weird!”
Community upload. AI output has not been independently verified.
Author: Marques Brownlee
Categories: Technology
Tags: technology
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-16 08:09 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: For most people who just want a basic iPad, the $329 ninth-generation iPad is the better buy, while the new 10th-generation iPad at $450 is hard to justify unless you specifically want its updated design, USB-C port, and webcam placement. The reviewer calls the lineup confusing, pointing to a mix of modernized hardware, a compromised Apple Pencil setup, and a pricey keyboard accessory.

Key Points

  • The new 10th-generation iPad adopts a flatter, home-button-free design, adds Touch ID on top, thinner bezels, an 11-inch screen, landscape stereo speakers, a 12-megapixel rear camera, and an A14 Bionic chip.
  • The switch to USB-C is a real upgrade, allowing USB-C flash drives, fast charging, and external display output up to 4K at 30 Hz or 1080p at 60 Hz.
  • The new iPad keeps support for the first-generation Apple Pencil, which now requires a separate USB-C-to-Lightning adapter (sold separately for $9) to charge, since the Pencil itself uses Lightning; the newer second-generation Pencil is not compatible.
  • The front webcam moved to the long side of the device, so video calls look more like eye contact—a change he says might be the best part of this hardware, though he notes it came at the cost of second-gen Pencil support.
  • The new two-piece Magic Keyboard Folio is modular and useful, but it is less lappable and costs $250; oddly, this redesigned folio is not offered for the new iPad Pro, which he finds confusing.
  • Pricing is the biggest oddity: the new iPad starts at $450, a steep jump from the $329 ninth-generation model, which remains in Apple's lineup.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: For a basic iPad for schools, kids, or casual use, buy the $329 ninth-generation iPad. If you want more, consider the new 10th-generation model for USB-C and the webcam change. If you plan to use the first-generation Apple Pencil with it, budget $9 for the separate USB-C-to-Lightning adapter needed to charge the Pencil. If you want the keyboard folio, weigh that it costs $250 and works best on a desk or stable surface rather than on your lap. Avoid buying the 64 GB base model if you want to use it as a computer, because the reviewer says it is not enough storage for that purpose in 2022; the reviewer's example is that adding real computer storage plus the keyboard brings the total to $850, a price that could buy an iPad Air, iPad Pro, or a computer.
  • The new iPad's second-generation Apple Pencil is not supported, so people with newer pencils should note that the setup is not seamless.
  • Stage Manager is not included on the new iPad, which limits multitasking when connected to an external monitor.
  • The reviewer notes the new colors (yellow, pink, blue, plus silver) look less saturated in person than on Apple's website.

Bottom Line

The new 10th-generation iPad is a competent tablet with sensible upgrades, but its high price, Pencil compromises, and accessory costs make it a niche choice compared with the cheaper ninth-generation model.