Apple iPad 10.2" A2197 Space Gray 2019

The Apple iPad 7th gen is a killer value on the renewed market, offering a great screen and solid basic performance for a very low price. It's perfect as a kid-friendly tablet or a secondary device for reading and streaming. Just be ready for slow charging and limited storage.

The A10 Fusion chip with 3GB of RAM is a known quantity at this point. It's not going to blow anyone away, landing around the 59th percentile for both CPU and GPU performance in our database. That means it's solidly middle-of-the-pack for basic tasks. Scrolling through Apple News, bouncing between a few Safari tabs, and answering emails all feel smooth. You can even do some light photo editing or sketching in Procreate without much stutter.

But let's be real about gaming. This isn't a powerhouse. You can play Apple Arcade titles and simpler games just fine, but demanding 3D games will chug, and the 3GB of RAM means apps reload more often than we'd like. The 32GB of NVMe storage is fast for what it is, but it's a tiny amount of space, sitting in the 18th percentile. You'll be playing the storage management game constantly if you load it up with apps and media.

Stacked against something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, the iPad feels its age. The Tab S8 has a faster processor, a smoother 120Hz display, and comes with an S Pen in the box. It's a much better device for multitasking and high-end gaming, but it also costs significantly more. The iPad's main advantage is iPadOS and that massive app library, which is still more polished for tablet use than Android.

Then there's the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition, which is a full-on computer in a tablet's body. It runs Windows, has a much sharper screen, and way more power, but it's in a completely different price bracket. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a closer budget Android competitor, often offering more RAM and storage for the money, but it can't match the iPad's software ecosystem or long-term update support. If you just need a simple, reliable tablet that works seamlessly with other Apple stuff, the iPad 7th gen still makes a case for itself.

Pricing on this thing is all over the map, with a wild spread from $104 to $2783 across vendors. Obviously, you should ignore the high end of that range entirely. The sweet spot is a renewed model from a reputable seller on Amazon, where you can often snag one for a little over a hundred bucks. At that price, it's a steal for a kid's first tablet or a dedicated reading and streaming device. Just factor in the cost of a faster third-party charger, because the one in the box is a common source of frustration among owners.

The 2019 iPad, officially the 7th generation, is the one that finally brought the entry-level tablet in line with the rest of the lineup. It's the first budget iPad to get the Smart Connector and keyboard support, which makes it a surprisingly capable little machine for students or anyone who just needs a basic laptop stand-in. You're looking at a 10.2-inch Retina display, an Apple A10 Fusion chip, and support for the original Apple Pencil. It's not the newest kid on the block, but it's still a popular pick, especially on the renewed market where prices can dip well under $200.

If you're hunting for an affordable tablet for reading, streaming, or letting the kids play Procreate, this model keeps popping up in searches. The 2160x1620 screen is bright and clear enough for most indoor use, and at just over a pound, it's easy to hold for long reading sessions. Our database shows it scores a solid 62.6 out of 100 for reading, which is where it really shines. Just know that you're getting 32GB of base storage, and that fills up fast if you're downloading movies or games.

This is a Wi-Fi only model with a Lightning port, not USB-C, so your charging cable situation is a bit dated. Connectivity is a weak spot, landing in the 28th percentile, with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. It's fine for browsing and email, but don't expect blazing fast file transfers. For the price these go for renewed, though, it's hard to complain too loudly.

Skip this if you need a laptop replacement or a device for heavy multitasking. The 3GB of RAM and aging A10 chip will leave you staring at loading screens if you push it. Power users, gamers, and anyone who needs all-day battery life should look at a newer iPad Air or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 instead. If you hate managing storage, the 32GB model will drive you nuts, so consider a higher capacity or a different tablet with expandable storage.

Should you buy a 2019 iPad in 2024? If you find a clean, renewed model for around $120 to $150 and your expectations are in check, absolutely. It's a fantastic budget tablet for reading, light note-taking, and keeping kids entertained with games and drawing apps. The Smart Connector is a genuinely useful addition that makes it feel more capable than its price suggests.

But if you need a tablet for serious work, heavy gaming, or you're a stickler for battery life, look elsewhere. The slow charging and dated internals will frustrate you. This is a secondary device, not a primary computer. For a kitchen tablet, a kid's homework machine, or a dedicated e-reader that can also play YouTube, it's still a solid buy.