iPad – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:19:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 iPad – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 The iPad is being attacked from all sides. Can it survive? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-is-being-attacked-from-all-sides-can-it-survive/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-is-being-attacked-from-all-sides-can-it-survive/#respond Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:19:35 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-is-being-attacked-from-all-sides-can-it-survive/

Let’s look back at 2022, a year when Apple redesigned the standard iPad without a Home button, and the iPad Pro upgraded from the M1 chip to the M2. After those releases, it was over a year before Apple updated the iPad line again, which resulted in the iPad mini going three years between updates, and the iPad Air two years. It led to a sense that the iPad was done. After all, iPhones got getting bigger and bigger, and the MacBook Air has always been an ideal mobile laptop. What’s the point of the iPad?

That gap in time proved to be a hiccup. The tablet made its comeback in March 2024 with the iPad Pro (which was the first Apple device to be equipped with an M4 chip; the M4 MacBook Pro was released 6 months later), and the M3 iPad Air. Apple subsequently launched an iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip, which can run Apple Intelligence, and the 11th-generation iPad with an A16 chip, an affordable tablet but it lacks Apple Intelligence support.

Even the rumor mill is in full swing, with reports of an M5 iPad Pro coming later this year, and an M4 iPad Air in development, with a possible release in 2026.

But, why?

The iPad slump is over, and Apple’s tablet is sailing close to the wind. But why do we still need an iPad at all, when it is being cannibalized from two sides? On one side are large and powerful iPhones, and on the other is the powerful and portable MacBook Air.

Apple’s answer to this question is currently iPadOS 26, but it actually exacerbates the issue. I like iPadOS 26’s approach; the new window management and the revised Files app make the iPad more like a Mac than ever before. But macOS is the better system, so why not just buy a Mac?

To take full advantage of iPadOS 26 requires a decent keyboard with a trackpad, and only Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio or the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro and Air are suitable (for now). The 13-inch M4 iPad Pro with 256GB of storage and a Magic Keyboard costs $1,648/£1,648, $649/£649 more than the $999 MacBook Air!

What the iPad can do and the MacBook can’t

The iPad can be used without a keyboard, and Apple Pencil offers a form of input that is difficult to match on a Mac. Without a keyboard and case, the iPad Pro is also much lighter than the MacBook Air. Try using a MacBook in portrait mode or as a camera!

For use in education or as a mobile work tool, the iPad is certainly better suited than a MacBook Air, as a robust and lightweight device that can also be operated with a stylus.

There are arguments for using an iPad or a MacBook depending on the situation. But this is where the second cannibal comes into play: the iPhone. It takes even better pictures, is much easier to attach to a controller when playing games, and can even make phone calls.

Is the iPhone a better iPad?

I use the iPhone more and more often for the purposes for which I used to like using the iPad. Reading the news works almost as well, as does quickly replying to an email or message. When I’m typing longer texts, it almost doesn’t matter whether I pull out the iPad (and possibly have to search for the keyboard first) or open up the MacBook Air–like the iPad, it’s quickly unlocked and then ready to use straight away.

Apple has always taken the stance that it’s better to cannibalize itself than let others eat away at its marketshare. That’s a good strategy in itself. However, the iPad has to fend off two cannibals from its own company, and I don’t know if that will work for long.

Despite the remarkable innovations in iPadOS 26, Apple is not planning to combine the iPad with the Mac in a single device; rather, the iPad will have to fear a completely different competitor from its own company: a foldable iPhone, which reports indicate will be released next year.

iPad tests technologies

Apple has shown a willingness to experiment with the iPad. For example, Apple first built a lidar into an iPad Pro before it was used in the iPhone 12 Pro, and an OLED screen made its debut in the M4 iPad Pro before the MacBook. Tech that Apple could try in the iPad includes Face ID under the screen, especially if the iPad Pro M5 will indeed have two front cameras.

Apple is always good for a surprise, and the iPad has been declared dead before and continues to enjoy the best of health. Even other seemingly dead products didn’t end up on the sidelines because they were unrivalled in their niche, such as the MacBook Air and the Mac mini, which Apple brought back into the limelight from the sidelines at the end of 2018.

The iPad could therefore join forces with its two cannibals to form an infernal trio and nibble away at the competition.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-is-being-attacked-from-all-sides-can-it-survive/feed/ 0 54135 The iPad Pro’s bezels could be getting even thinner https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-pros-bezels-could-be-getting-even-thinner/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-pros-bezels-could-be-getting-even-thinner/#respond Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:14:54 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-pros-bezels-could-be-getting-even-thinner/

While the iPad Pro may have gotten slimmer over the years, one thing hasn’t changed much since its most recent redesign: the bezels. While they’re not exactly large, the bezels have basically stayed the same since Apple dumped the home button in 2018. But that could be changing—recent reports indicate that Apple is working on implementing iPad Pro display technology that could result in slimmer bezels and an even smaller footprint.

The Elec reports that Apple is considering LX Semicon’s display driver IC (DDI) that uses LG Innotek’s chip on film (CoF). The CoF attaches the DDI to display panels through heat compression on film, which delivers the DDI’s data to the display panel. This implementation allows for tighter hardware integration, which could then allow for smaller bezels and more usable screen real estate without having to make the iPad itself bigger.

The current iPad Pro uses Samsung System LSI’s DDI. The Elec notes that LX Semicon is seeing increased competition and Apple is working to diversify its supply chain, so LX Semicon may be very accommodating to make this deal work.

The report does not clarify when this new technology will be implemented in the iPad Pro. The current M4 iPad Pro was released in May 2024, and reports have stated that the next iPad Pro may be available at the end of this year or in early 2026. So if Apple wants to implement this new DDI for the upcoming cycle, it needs to make a decision on it soon, since production would start in the next few months, so this technology is likely to debut with the M6 or M7 in 2026.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-ipad-pros-bezels-could-be-getting-even-thinner/feed/ 0 43961 Best cheap VPNs for Mac: Cheapest VPN deals for Mac, iPhone or iPad https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-cheap-vpns-for-mac-cheapest-vpn-deals-for-mac-iphone-or-ipad/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-cheap-vpns-for-mac-cheapest-vpn-deals-for-mac-iphone-or-ipad/#respond Thu, 01 May 2025 21:01:56 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-cheap-vpns-for-mac-cheapest-vpn-deals-for-mac-iphone-or-ipad/

If you want to unblock regional content on streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, and Prime, or access websites that aren’t available in your region, a VPN is an essential tool. A good VPN will work with all your Apple devices, including a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even an Apple TV in some cases.

VPN services can also give you online privacy as well as letting you securely connect to open Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels, airports and other places. It’s something well worth packing when you go on vacation.

VPNs tend to have complex pricing structures, with long-term contract pricing and offers that seem to offer huge discounts, making identifying a good deal more complex than it is with other types of software. We have tested the Best Mac VPNs (and Best VPN for iPad and Best VPN for iPhone) and we use them daily, so we know which ones offer the best features and we know which ones offer the best value for money.

In this article we will help you find the cheapest VPN to suit your needs. Every month we assess the best VPN for Mac deals so we can keep an eye out for the best discounts on offer right now and let you know the latest prices and best deals so you can find the VPN that suites you at the best price.

Before we share the best VPN deals you may be hoping that you can get a VPN for free…

Best free VPN

There are a few free VPNs on offer but our advice is usually to be very cautious about them. Companies that give stuff away will be making money somehow, and you can’t be sure they aren’t selling your data.

One decent VPN that does offer a free tier is Proton VPN (read our review). You can use Proton VPN for nothing, as long as you’re happy with U.S., Japan, and Netherlands as your server locations. It’s also limiting in that you can only connect a single device, and speeds are slower than the paid plans, but the free version is available on all platforms and if you like it you can always subscribe to get the whole package which will unblock a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and improved speed of up to 10 Gbit, as well as an expanded 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out.

Best VPN deals and cheap VPNs

VPN providers tend to offer year-round discounts, however with most deals you will be locked into a monthly fee for a couple of years, so we recommend setting a reminder in your calendar to cancel and look for a new deal to replace the one you had at the end of the contract period. Deals change all the time.

The deals below save a significant amount compared to paying for each of these services on a rolling monthly subscription. We some great VPN deals for shoppers in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia below.

One deal to take a look at is FastestVPN’s Lifetime plan – which with 93% off is an absolute bargain as you pay once and have access to the VPN for life. It’s a one-off $40 (approx £33). The company says that the full price would be $600.

Read How to use a VPN on a Mac for more information, and if you still aren’t sure why you need a VPN read: Should I use a VPN on my Mac/iPhone?

1. NordVPN

NordVPN

Pros

  • Incredibly easy to use
  • Plenty of server options

Price When Reviewed:

Basic plan from $3.09 a month for two years. Usually $12.99.

NordVPN is a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors.

Prices change all the time. NordVPN’s Basic plan is currently $2.99/£2.59/CA$4.69/A$ a month for 2 years.

Read our full

NordVPN review

2. Surfshark

Surfshark

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • No device limits

Price When Reviewed:

Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month.

SurfShark is a great VPN option that’s as easy to use as the best of them, while maintaining security across an unlimited number of devices – something we don’t see often.

Right now Surfshark’s Starter plan is $1.99/£1.69 a month for 2 years + 3 free months.

Read our full

Surfshark review

3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

Pros

  • Lots of power features
  • Privacy-minded
  • Great value

Price When Reviewed:

From $2.19 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices.

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a robust feature set that makes it one of the more impressive VPNs out there.

Right now PIA Has a deal that means you pay $2.03/£1.69 a month for two years and get two months free.

Read our full

Private Internet Access review

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • Decent speeds
  • Plenty of servers

Price When Reviewed:

$2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $12.99 a month.

CyberGhost takes a lot of the complexity out of VPN usage, for better and for worse. On the one hand, some users may want more power-user features.

At the moment you can get 82% off at Cyberghost. This is $2.19/£1.92 a month for 2 years with 2 free months. It’s fully refundable for 45 days, according to the company.

Read our full

CyberGhost review

5. hide.me VPN

hide.me VPN

Pros

  • Dedicated streaming servers
  • Impressive free tier

Price When Reviewed:

From $2.69 a month

Hide.me is a solid VPN with a great free tier, but the UI isn’t particularly intuitive.

Hide.me’s deal means you pay $3.84/£3.84 a month for 26 months.

Read our full

hide.me VPN review

6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • Free plan
  • Great speed

Cons

  • Setup on macOS was a little fiddly
  • Only sells in $, € and Swiss Franks

Price When Reviewed:

From $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month.

Proton VPN’s free tier, ease of use, and impressive speeds put it right near the top of our VPN recommendations.

There is a free tier of Proton VPN, but if you want a bit more flexibility and a few more features prices start at $4.49/€4.49 a month for two years. Usually $9.99/€9.99 a month. The Swiss-based company doesn’t seem to like pounds, so it’s dollars or euros, unfortunately.

Read our full

ProtonVPN review

How to find the best VPN deal for Mac

VPN subscriptions typically work out cheaper if you commit for a year or longer, which saves a lot of money. Prices rarely exceed $6/£6 per month with multi-year subscriptions and are often closer to $2/£2… or even less.

Many major VPN providers offer discounts through the year, and sometimes even offer permanent discounts. These discounts can look impressive at first. It’s not uncommon to see a countdown timer telling you when the deal ends – but these are almost always to induce FOMO – the fear of missing out – in order to persuade you to sign up immediately.

Large discounts are par for the course with VPN services, especially when you’re subscribing for several years. This makes it all the more important to look into the various providers and what each has to offer, before jumping into a long-term commitment.

All VPNs we’ve tested offer cross-device coverage too, so you can use them on your Mac, iPhone, iPad and more.

For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac Top Security Software Compared.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-cheap-vpns-for-mac-cheapest-vpn-deals-for-mac-iphone-or-ipad/feed/ 0 33866 Protect iPad & turn it into a productivity & creativity tool with ESR accessories https://earlybirdsinvest.com/protect-ipad-turn-it-into-a-productivity-creativity-tool-with-esr-accessories/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/protect-ipad-turn-it-into-a-productivity-creativity-tool-with-esr-accessories/#respond Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:56:37 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/protect-ipad-turn-it-into-a-productivity-creativity-tool-with-esr-accessories/

Apple’s iPads are easily some of the best tablets out there and they can be amazing devices to use for fun, but they can also be great productivity and creativity tools with the right accessories. From the brand-new iPad (A16) to the affordable iPad 10th gen, the light iPad Air models or the speedy iPad Pro, all need a little bit of extra protection.

To turn them into proper productivity tools, however, you need more than a regular case—you need one with an integrated keyboard and a stylus. Apple makes amazing products, but there’s no denying that they can be rather pricey.

If you want the best results and the best prices, we know just what you need.

Protect your iPad

Listen, we know Apple products look best as they come out of the box, but we all have to admit they can be rather pricey, especially if you get the extra storage. If you’re like me and you’re likely to drop that tablet five seconds after getting it out of the box, then adding in a case and/or a screen protector will extend the tablet’s life.

ESR is a reputable company that has been making iPad accessories for years, helping countless people get that little bit of extra protection for their tablets.

Here are some cases you’ll love:

ESR Flip Magnetic Case

ESR

The case can be set at multiple angles for viewing or creating content, even if you prefer holding the tablet in portrait view. It even comes with a secure pencil slot with pencil holder.

ESR Shift Magnetic Case

ESR

The Shift Magnetic Case is the world’s first case to support six use modes with nine stable viewing angles – six designed for viewing and three for writing. The back of the case is also detachable, offering a two-in-one design.

Screen protectors are essential because they’ll protect the display from bumps, scratches, and cracks should you drop the tablet, while a proper stylus can unlock potential for greater productivity.

ESR UltraFit Classic Screen Protector

ESR

This screen protector bundle includes an UltraFit Tray that makes the two-step application a breeze. You get two tempered glass films with a 9H hardness level.

ESR Paper-Feel Magnetic Screen Protector

ESR

If you love creating art on your iPad, then this is the perfect screen protector for you, turning the glossy surface into a paper-like screen and giving you the traction you need to draw or write. It has a magnetic attachment for easy use, and can be applied and re-applied up to 10,000 times.

ESR Geo Digital Pencil

ESR

This ESR stylus isn’t just going to help you draw and write but will also work with the FindMy app, so you never lose it. It features palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, a shortcut button and a tiny battery display, and it can be charged via USB-C.

Unleash your iPad’s productivity

Turning your tablet into a productivity tool can be super-easy to do if you have the right tools, such as a keyboard case. Let’s see what ESR has to offer:

ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case 360

ESR

This model doesn’t just deliver an impressive keyboard to work on, but also comes with a case for your tablet.

ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case

ESR

This one’s super easy to set up and attaches to your tablet magnetically. The keyboard features a trackpad and backlit keys.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/protect-ipad-turn-it-into-a-productivity-creativity-tool-with-esr-accessories/feed/ 0 27586 Deals: Should you get the Apple iPad A16 or the 10th Generation? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/deals-should-you-get-the-apple-ipad-a16-or-the-10th-generation/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/deals-should-you-get-the-apple-ipad-a16-or-the-10th-generation/#respond Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:22:31 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/deals-should-you-get-the-apple-ipad-a16-or-the-10th-generation/
apple ipad home screen on table

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Both of these offers are available from Amazon. In the case of the A16 iPad, the $328.86 record-low price is only available for the Blue and Silver versions. The Pink and Yellow ones are a hair pricier at $329. The 10th Generation iPad is only $269 if you get the Blue and Silver models. The Pink one is $289, while the Yellow hue is $299.

Apple iPad A16 vs iPad 10th Generation

At first sight, you really won’t be able to tell these tablets apart. They are actually very similar, and they even look and feel the same. Both of these have a $349 retail price, but as you can see, the discounts are very different. Where are the differences, and which one should you get?

Apple iPad A16: If you need more performance and storage

The Apple iPad A16 is the latest in its line-up, which is what makes this deal so special. In fact, we saw its price drop to these levels even before it was officially released! This is a rare occurrence for such new products, as we usually have to wait months to see the first deals, especially on Apple products. It’s also why we think this is a good offer, even if it’s just for a bit over $20.

If you want to get the latest and greatest base iPad, you’ll enjoy a few nice upgrades. For starters, performance will be better, as it comes with an Apple A16 chip instead of the A14 Bionic in the older version. It still won’t get Apple Intelligence, though, which is a bit of a bummer.

If you care for storage space, this is also a nice upgrade, as the most affordable version now gets 128GB, as opposed to the minimum 64GB on the Apple iPad 10th Generation. The newer iPad also comes with an 11-inch display, which is technically larger than the previous model’s 10.9-inch one, but that will really make no difference. I mean, it’s only 0.1 inches in difference!

Apple iPad A16 colors

Besides those few improvements, the Apple iPad A16 is surprisingly similar to the Apple iPad 10th Generation. You literally won’t be able to tell them apart just by looking at them. Even the dimensions and weight are exactly the same at 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28in and 1.05lbs. This isn’t really a bad thing, though, as the previous iPad was already excellent. The aluminum back looks and feels great, and it has that modern Apple design language with the squared-off edges. Not to mention it comes in some really fun colorways.

While the display is slightly larger, it gets the same 2,360 x 1,640p resolution, which is pretty good, considering most other tablets top off at 1,080p or 1,440p on the high-end. And if you want to get creative, this one also supports the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple Pencil First Generation.

Other specs and features stay the same. You’ll get 4GB of RAM. And while that may not seem like much, the same RASM amount did great with the previous iPad, so we can only assume it will be as good with this one. It also has a 12MP camera and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Apple iPad A16: The best bang per buck

Apple iPad 10th Gen (64GB, Wi-Fi)

Apple iPad 10th Gen (64GB, Wi-Fi)

Apple iPad 10th Gen (64GB, Wi-Fi)

The new iPad for 2022 is a huge shift for the line.

The newest iPad abandons the old design and also abandons the Lightning port. It gets numerous internal upgrades and even some fun colors.

OK, so the three main differences with the Apple iPad A16 are performance, more storage, and, I guess, the slightly larger display size. How much do you care for those? Because if you can let go of those upgrades, you can get an Apple iPad 10th Generation for only $269!

Is getting the new model even worth it? That’s up to you to decide, but I can tell you I personally own the 10th-gen iPad, and it is still a great tablet. I was about to upgrade, but I quickly realized it was not enough of a difference to pay extra.

The Apple A16 will definitely offer better performance, but the A14 Bionic in this iPad still works great. I’ve never seen it slow down, and I commonly edit RAW photos on it, using Lightroom. It can also handle any game I have thrown at it.

apple ipad standing pool table

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The storage might be a more important subject to some of you. If you want to have more apps, photos, and files in there, it might justify the upgrade. That said, I happen to rely heavily on the cloud, so I rarely ever need much storage. I’ve never gotten even close to the 64GB available on mine. Additionally, I can definitely live without the extra 0.1-inches of screen real estate.

If you feel like me, the Apple iPad 10th Generation will be just as good as the newer Apple iPad A16. And you could get yourself an Apple Pencil or anything else with thee extra savings.

Take advantage of these deals while you can. The Apple iPad A16 is very new, so this is a bit of a special deal. On the other hand, the Apple iPad 10th Generation is being replaced, so we’re not sure how long these will even be available. Of course, we also have a list of the best Android tablets, if you want to check out some alternatives.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/deals-should-you-get-the-apple-ipad-a16-or-the-10th-generation/feed/ 0 26271 Best iPad (A16) and iPad (10th gen) deals March 2025 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-a16-and-ipad-10th-gen-deals-march-2025/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-a16-and-ipad-10th-gen-deals-march-2025/#respond Tue, 11 Mar 2025 21:49:22 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-a16-and-ipad-10th-gen-deals-march-2025/

Apple sells four kinds of iPad: the iPad Pro; the iPad Air; the iPad mini; and the standard, cheapest iPad. In this roundup, we’ve got all the best deals on Apple’s cheapest iPad, which is currently the iPad A16 model introduced in March 2025.

The 2025 A16 iPad is the 11th-generation model, replacing the 2022 iPad (10th generation) which ran on an A14 chip. The main selling point of the 2025 iPad is that it has double the storage at the entry level, so it’s a better deal than ever.

The processor has leapt from the A14 to A16, which might sound good, but this is also the main disadvantage of the 2025 iPad. The A16 is not compatible with Apple Intelligence, the new AI features Apple is making quite a fuss about.

It will be a while before you can get money off the A16 iPad, which goes on sale on March 12, but you can save money on an older iPad, which isn’t all that different to the new one. Just beware that the older model had half the storage for the same price, so the deal will have to take that into account to be worth it. For that reason we will be clear about what the newer model would cost when listing the deals on the older model below.

We’ve checked all the best places to pick up the iPad at the best price for you so that you can get a bargain.

If you’d like to see the best prices for the standard iPad’s more expensive siblings, including iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro, click those links for dedicated deals roundups. Also, have a look at our iPad buying buide if you’re not sure which model you want. You may also like to read our best iPad for kids, best iPad for students, and best iPad for seniors guides. You can also check out our roundup of the best Apple deals.

How to buy an iPad A16

If you want to pre-order the iPad from Apple you can do so now. However, if you wait until March 12, when the iPad Air becomes available from other resellers including Amazon, you may find that there are slight discounts. For example, if you are shopping from the U.K. KRCS usually knocks a few pounds off Apple’s price at launch.

Best standard iPad deals right now

The main difference between the 2025 iPad and the 2022 iPad is that you will get more storage for your money with the newer models. The entry-level 2022 iPad had 64GB storage, while the 2025 iPad has double that storage for the same price. So is is crucial to keep that in mind if you are concidering buying a 10th-gen iPad, or you risk spending more on an older iPad.

We will include any good deals on the older iPad models below.

U.S.

These U.S. deals are not recommended, we share them to demontrate what should be avoided.

  • Amazon, 10th gen iPad (64GB): $319 – The 2025 iPad (128GB) costs $349 so spend $30 more to get the new iPad.
  • Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (256GB): $429 – The 2025 iPad (256GB) costs $449 so spend $20 more to get the new iPad.

U.K.

  • Amazon, 10th-gen iPad (2022, 256GB): £379 (£100 off, RRP was £479–Clearance. Note that the 256GB version of the 2025 iPad costs £429 so it may be worth spending extra for the newer model.)
  • Argos, 9th-gen iPad (2021, 64GB): £289 (£80 off, RRP was £369–Clearance)

Check below to see other deals that are available, including the cellular models.

Best deals for the iPad (2025, A16)

Below you will find the the best prices at various resellers once the iPad goes on sale on March 12.

iPad (A16, 128GB, Wi-Fi): $349/£329

Apple


$349

Discontinued iPads

You may find older iPads on sale, just make sure you compare the price to that of the 2025 iPad.

The 10th-gen iPad, with its larger 10.9-inch display, launched in October 2022.

10th-gen iPad (A14, 64GB, Wi-Fi): $349/£329


Amazon


$269

Walmart Electronics


$269

B&H


$295

Walmart


$296

Best Buy


$349

Target


$349.99

iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi)


$265

iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi)


$299.99

10th-gen iPad (A14, 256GB, Wi-Fi): $499/£479


Walmart Electronics


$399

Amazon


$429

B&H


$429

Adorama


$479

Best Buy


$499

Target


$499.99

iPad 10.9 (2022) 256GB – Yellow – (Wi-Fi)


$394.57

iPad 10.9 (2022) 256GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi)


$399

iPad 10.9 (2022) 256GB – Blue – (Wi-Fi)


$429

9th-gen iPad (A13, 64GB, Wi-Fi): MSRP was $329/£369 (now discontinued)


Adorama


$258

Walmart


$269.99

Amazon


$289.99

B&H


$298.95

Best Buy


$329.99

Target


$329.99

iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi)


$179

iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi)


$204.84

9th-gen iPad (A13, 256GB, Wi-Fi): MSRP was $479/£549 (now discontinued)


Walmart Electronics


$299

Amazon


$399.99

Adorama


$449

Best Buy


$459.99

Walmart


$464

Target


$479.99

iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi + 4G)


$178

iPad 10.2 (2021) 64GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi + 4G)


$229

iPad 10.2 (2021) 256GB – Space Gray – (Wi-Fi)


$264

iPad 10.2 (2021) 256GB – Silver – (Wi-Fi)


$272.81

Apple - Certified Refurbished 10.2-Inch iPad - (9th Generation) (2021) Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB - Space Gray (Unlocked)


$319.99

Apple - Certified Refurbished 10.2-Inch iPad - (9th Generation) (2021) Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB - Silver (Unlocked)


$319.99

Where to buy the iPad

U.S. retailers

U.K. retailers

Apple has a number of Apple Premium Resellers who stock iPads in the U.K., and also offer other services, try the following:

Where to buy the iPad on contract

If you want to buy the iPad on contract you could try these networks:

U.S. network carriers

U.K. network carriers

Best refurbished iPad deals

The deals you will see above are generally from Apple resellers rather than Apple itself, which very rarely drops the prices. Apple does, however, sell reconditioned iPads in its refurbished store. So you might be able to grab a bargain.

The iPads in Apple’s refurbished store may be ex-display stock, or they may have been returned to Apple due to a fault, but they are fully reconditioned now and come with a full year’s warranty. It’s not like buying secondhand.

The U.S. refurbished store has a selection that includes:

  • Standard iPad (8th and 9th generation)
  • iPad Air (4th generation)
  • 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation)
  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th and 5th generation)
  • iPad mini (5th and 6th generation)

Compared to the original price, you can save as much as $320 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

In the U.K. you’ll find a similar selection of iPads available from Apple’s refurbished store. You’ll find the following:

  • Standard iPad (9th generation)
  • iPad Air (4th generation)
  • 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd and 3rd generation)
  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation)
  • iPad mini (5th and 6th generation)

There are savings of £480 on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, compared to the original price.

Another place to look is BackMarket US and BackMarket UK, which sells refurbished Macs and other Apple products. Amazon also has a certified refurbished store for Apple products, but we would advise against buying any products that are older than five years. Most of the products we see on the Amazon refurbished store are unfortunately very old.

There is a large refurbished market for the iPad. We’d recommend taking a look at these refurbished resellers for iPad offers:

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-a16-and-ipad-10th-gen-deals-march-2025/feed/ 0 24585 Best iPad VPN 2025 | Macworld https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-vpn-2025-macworld/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-vpn-2025-macworld/#respond Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:16:56 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-vpn-2025-macworld/

A VPN is an essential tool for iPad users wanting to access streaming services in countries where they don’t exist (such as HBO Max in the U.K. or BBC iPlayer in the U.S.) or to watch content that isn’t available where you are on services like as Disney+, Netflix, or Amazon Prime. While this is likely to be against the terms and conditions of these services, if you are paying to watch the content it’s got to be better than piracy. If you’re traveling abroad and missing out on your favorite shows you can use a VPN to connect to a server in your own country and carry on watching as if you were at home.

Plus, when you’re browsing the web using your iPad, your online activity is visible to your internet service provider (ISP), your government, and potentially others. But because a VPN changes your real IP address for a different one and encrypts the data going to and from your iPad, it makes it practically impossible to spy on you. The new IP address can make it appear that you’re located somewhere else in the world. That could be in the same country, or it could be halfway across the globe.

Best iPad VPN 2025: Reviewed & Ranked

We’ve tested many VPN services on Macs and also iPhone VPNs, but these are our recommendations for iPad owners.

Below you will find the VPN services for iPad that we recommend based on our tests. Most of these cost less than $3/£3 per month if you sign up for a one- or two-year deal. However, once that deal period ends the price can jump, so it’s worth setting a reminder to shop around a month before your subscription runs out so you can search for a better deal, alternatively, you might be able to cancel and sign up with another email address. You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of the best VPN deals.

March 2025 Update: We’ve added Mullvad VPN and updated our Surfshark review.

NordVPN

NordVPN

Pros

  • Lots of servers around the world
  • Impressive speeds
  • Independently audited

Cons

  • Not the cheapest option
  • Connections aren’t unlimited

Price When Reviewed:

Basic plan from $3.39 a month for two years. Usually $12.99.

  • Up to 6 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Amazon Fire TV and tvOS.

NordVPN is easy to use and one of the fastest VPNs around and shouldn’t slow down your internet connection. It’s an excellent choice for iPad owners.

The map view is fun to use on a screen larger than your phone’s, and it connects you swiftly to one of Nord’s thousands of servers (there are 5,300 in total across 60 countries, which means you can always find a server in the location you need that isn’t overloaded).

It unblocks many services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.

It also ticks the privacy box, carrying out regular audits. It features a kill switch, which is important to keep your data and location hidden if the VPN connection stops unexpectedly. Based in Panama, it’s outside of the jurisdiction of the ’14-eyes’ (a group of countries that have agreed to collect, analyze and share information). 

You can connect up to six devices to NordVPN at once, and there are also apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and Amazon Fire TV.

You can get great discounts by signing up for a couple of years. See the deals on NordVPN’s website.

Read our full

NordVPN review

Surfshark

Surfshark

Pros

  • Unlimited devices and connections
  • Multi-Hop servers
  • Security features and audited no-logs policy

Cons

  • Kill switch can’t be customised
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

Starter plan from $2.19 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month.

  • Unlimited devices.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Apple TV, Windows, Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions.

Surfshark is an easy-to-use and intuitive VPN with a slick iPad app that has more features than you might expect given the low price.

The service has more than 3,200 servers across 100+ countries but, importantly, lets you watch Netflix shows, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services that aren’t normally available in your region. We were able to flick between streaming libraries with ease, do a bit of shopping for digital goods, and there were no real issues with connectivity.

The iOS version of Surfshark includes features like MultiHop, which routes your connection through two countries instead of just one, and Dedicated IP baked in. Many mobile apps are watered-down versions of their desktop VPN offerings, but there’s even an Alternative ID function here.

It supports multiple protocols and excellent encryption. With WireGuard, Surfshark the slickest VPN around and we saw very little speed lost from our connection.

You’ll find security features including a kill switch, which is like a like a safety net that will shut down your connection if your VPN connection falters. Surfshark is run from the Netherlands, which is privacy-friendly. It has a strict no-logs policy that’s regularly audited, uses two-factor authentication (2FA), and is one of the members of the VPN Trust Initiative.

There’s also an Antivirus Scan that will run scheduled background scans if you leave the app open.

Just beware that the price increases substantially on renewal–a gotcha with quite a few VPN services and one that’s easily missed when signing up. Our advice is to cancel before it renews and sign up for a new deal.

It really is one of the best VPNs around, and also one of the fastest thanks to the use of the WireGuard protocol.

See the current deals on Surfshark’s website and read our Surfshark review for more details.

Read our full

Surfshark review

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Pros

  • Simple to use on all platforms
  • Big focus on privacy and transparency
  • 105 countries

Price When Reviewed:

From $4.99 a month for 2 years + 6 free months

  • Up to 8 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Chrome, XBox, Playstation, Switch and more.

Also among our favourite VPNs for the iPad is ExpressVPN, which has 105 country options and a network of more than three thousand servers.

ExpressVPN unblocks more video services than rivals. It claims to reliably unblock over 200 streaming service and also gives you a backup option – the MediaStreamer proxy service – if you find that the VPN isn’t unblocking at the exact moment you want to watch.

It bills itself as the premium option, and justifies this partly with the long list of video services it works with. There is also 24/7 live chat support and Threat Manager blocks traffic from websites known to be malicious. There’s also an ad blocker and an adult site blocker.

You can expect fast speeds thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol and privacy is good thanks to the TrustedServer setup (where the software runs entirely in RAM and doesn’t save any data to the hard drive). The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands, a self-governing territory that isn’t subject to British laws. It operates a no-logs policy.

As well as using it on your iPad, there are also apps for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Fire TV and more. There’s a limit of eight devices at once (up from 5 previously).

While not the cheapest, ExpressVPN does run discounts, with the best deal being the one-year subscription, which is almost half-price.

Read our full

ExpressVPN review

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • Free plan
  • Great speed

Cons

  • Set up is a little fiddly

Price When Reviewed:

From $4.49 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month.

  • Up to 8 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, tvOS, Mac, Android, Windows, and more.

ProtonVPN’s free tier of membership sets Proton VPN apart from some of its rivals. It’s limited, with US, Japan, and Netherlands as the server locations and some speed drop – but it’s usable.

If you subscribe, you get a sleek interface, impressive connection speeds and more than enough features, without throwing too many complex concepts at new users. 

Proton VPN Plus features include an ad and tracker blocker and speed of up to 10 Gbps, as well as a 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, and a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out.

The company offers a “no-logs” policy – meaning it doesn’t track sites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it track location-based information. Proton is Swiss-based, so only Swiss court orders can request data from the company, but since it doesn’t log data there’s very little it can reveal.

Secure Core, routes traffic through one of the company’s ‘Secure’ servers, minimizing the potential of a data leak. There secure servers owned by Proton in more than 90 countries.

Proton VPN does increase latency, but only by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. It was only about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when uploading – one of the slicker VPNs we’ve tested.

Of the included VPN protocols, Smart will be enough for most users, automatically setting the right protocol for your current usage, but WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are also offered.

Proton VPN is an easy recommendation both for new and experienced users.

You can sign up for Proton VPN here.

Read our full

ProtonVPN review

FastestVPN

FastestVPN

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

Lifetime special deal: $40, usually $600

  • 10 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, and more.

FastestVPN does a great job and for a lot less than others, with the option of a one time payment of $40 (sometimes reduced to $30). It’s also seen a bunch of improvements since we took a look in 2021.

The app is sleek and easy to use and offers 10 simultaneous connections. FastestVPN will help you get around geoblocks. It actually highlights certain streaming-focused servers.

It boosts a number power user features like multi-hop connections, an Internet Kill Switch to shut down all traffic if your VPN drops for any reason, and you can use Smart Tunneling to ensure certain apps go via a VPN while others don’t.

FastestVPN is headquartered in the Cayman islands and has undergone a third-party audit from Altius to confirm its no-logs policy.

You’ll find a variety of VPN protocols to choose from, with Wireguard, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP options) and IKEv2 available, and Servers have recently been updated to 10 Gbps options, but despite the name, it’s not the fastest around.

FastestVPN has more than 800 servers, which is a lot – but in context, that’s dramatically less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Rivals do offer a larger server count, but the ease of use, and low barrier of entry, make FastestVPN one of our best VPN picks in 2025.

FastestVPN is available on Mac as well as Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more.

You can sign up for Private Internet Access here.

Read our full

FastestVPN review

Mullvad

Mullvad

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

$5.26 a month (€5)

  • Unlimited devices.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, and more.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is designed for savvy users, with power user tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, and split-tunneling. Despite this, it comes in at a lower cost than many competitors.

The app offers servers in 91 countries. In testing, the auto setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy.

The main window provides information on performance, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for things like Port Forwarding and LAN connections. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. 

While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA’s main focus is privacy, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania.

Private Internet Access can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably – by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. 

Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users.

You can sign up for Private Internet Access here.

Read our full

Mullvad review

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

From $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices.

  • Unlimited devices.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, and more.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is designed for savvy users, with power user tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, and split-tunneling. Despite this, it comes in at a lower cost than many competitors.

The app offers servers in 91 countries. In testing, the auto setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy.

The main window provides information on performance, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for things like Port Forwarding and LAN connections. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. 

While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA’s main focus is privacy, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania.

Private Internet Access can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably – by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. 

Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users.

You can sign up for Private Internet Access here.

Read our full

Private Internet Access review

ClearVPN

ClearVPN

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

Three day trial. Currently $44.99 a year, usually $119.88 a year ($9.99 a month).

  • Up to 6 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows.

MacPaw’s ClearVPN lacks some of the advanced features offered by other services, but it’s one of the easiest VPNs to use. It’s thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers: you need only hit a button to connect. It’s all pretty basic stuff, but we think those new to VPNs will appreciate the simplicity.

There are options to block ads and a Kill Switch to automatically cut traffic from your device if the connection to the VPN is broken.

ClearVPN can grant access to more than 50 servers, which sounds like a lot, but thats a fraction of what’s offered by rivals. But you only really need a server in the country you want to be surfing, so it may not matter.

One common power user feature offered by VPNs is split tunneling, which lets some traffic go through the VPN while some goes around it. That’s not supported by ClearVPN. 

MacPaw’s VPN speeds aren’t as good as the competition. We saw speed drops across multiple servers – even ones close to us. We saw drops of around 20 to 30 percent in download speed, and around 50 percent for upload speed. It’s still fast enough to use Netflix though.

Most VPN companies use external auditors to verify that they’re not recording user or session data. ClearVPN hasn’t undergone one at the time of writing. This shouldn’t mean anything untoward as the company is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outside of various surveillance alliances, so it can’t be asked to share your data.

ClearVPN is priced affordably, but prices and the deals on offer change all the time with VPNs so look out for low monthly prices that don’t lock you in for too long. There’s a six-device limit that can include Macs, iPhone and iPads. 

If you’re new to using a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first choice., and stress-free access to Netflix around the globe, it’s a great starter option. Still, the speed drop and lack of common features like split-tunneling likely mean power users should look elsewhere.

You can sign up for ClearVPN here.

Read our full

ClearVPN review

PureVPN

PureVPN

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

Standard plan from $2.14 a month for two years + 3 free months, $58.05 a year (usually $349.65).

  • Up to 6 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows.

If you’re want a VPN service that will get around geoblocking and is easy to use, PureVPN is a good option.

The basic plan only includes the VPN service, but the Plus plan adds a Password Manager and File Encryption tools. The Max plan adds a Digital Privacy Manager that recommends ways to maximize your privacy.

Whichever plan you opt for you’ll be able to connect 10 devices at once. PureVPN will run on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is easy to use on each to let you connect to over six thousand servers.

As far as getting around geo-blocks, we found PureVPN to be as easy as any other service to use. Select a location, load your streaming service or app of choice, and you’re off.

PureVPN now registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is more privacy-friendly than Hong Kong where it was previously. PureVPN offers one of the more impressive no-logging policies, with an ongoing audit process that means auditors can request confirmation of the no-logs policy at any time.

PureVPN has been winding down its virtual servers, of which it has less control. There are still 23 such servers, but PureVPN is transparent about which servers are virtual and which are physical – you can see a small ‘v’ next to each virtual server on the PureVPN website.

You can sign up for PureVPN here.

Read our full

PureVPN review

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

$39.99 a year for one device

  • Pay per device (up to 20 devices).
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows.

Malwarebytes is, of course, known for it’s antivirus software, and it’s one of the options we’ve looked at in our round up of the Best Antivirus for Mac, reviewed here Malwarebytes Premium for Mac review. Malwarebytes Premium also has a VPN element to it that can also be purchased separately if you just want a VPN.

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is easy to use and offers speeds that are better than many of its rivals for both downloads and uploads. It also has split-tunnelling via its ‘Connection rules’, and a Kill Switch to cut all traffic if the VPN drops out.

There are some caveats — namely that it features fewer server locations than its rivals, and getting around geoblocks for different versions of streaming services can be a tad inconsistent.

There’s no multi-hop server jumping, but the company does have a verified no-logs policy in place which means information isn’t held about a user’s activity.

However, it offers a pretty compelling package of features and Malwarebytes VPN is available just about anywhere, Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, with Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and plenty more apps.

You can sign up for Malwarebytes Privacy VPN here.

Read our full

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review

CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

$2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month.

  • Up to 7 devices at once.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows and more.

CyberGhost is really easy to use and one of the least-expensive services when you sign up for a couple of years. 

CyberGhost has more than 7,000 servers across 90 countries, so you’re bound to find a connection that suits your needs. CyberGhost allows seven simultaneous connections.

Of potentially more interest to most people is the fact it’s pretty reliable for unblocking streaming services. It unblocks Netflix, Disney+, HBOMax, Amazon Prime and others. CyberGhost even provides a streaming list so you can choose the best server to unblock specific streaming services on specific devices.

CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is good for privacy. Deloitte has audited CyberGhost’s privacy claims and found no issues.

With support for WireGuard, CyberGhost offers speedy connections and one subscription allows you to use the service on up to seven devices at once.

You can sign up for CyberGhost here.

Read our full

CyberGhost review

Norton Ultra VPN

Norton Ultra VPN

Pros

  • Impressive WireGuard speeds
  • Dedicated downloading and streaming servers
  • Independent audit

Cons

  • No split tunneling
  • Price doubles on renewal

Price When Reviewed:

First year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99.

  • Norton VPN Standard: 1 device. VPN Plus: 5 devices. VPN Ultimate: 10 devices.
  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android, Windows and more.

Norton is best known as an antivirus solution (see our review of Norton 360), but it also offers a VPN solution which can be tied to the antivirus or purchased separately.

Norton’s VPN includes plenty of accoutrements that other VPNs either don’t have or charge extra for. If you’re looking for real-time protection it remains a good security-focused option, but with geoblocking being inconsistent in our testing, you might want to look elsewhere for your international Netflix fix.

Norton has servers in 32 countries – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it does offer four protocols to choose from. VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds and we found Nord’s VPN did lag behind some rivals.

Norton’s Browser Protection scans sites as you browse, so you do get the benefit of real-time detection alerts if a site might be unsafe.

Norton does a good job with privacy, with a 2024 VerSprite audit confirming Norton’s VPN “no logs” policy.

You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background.

You can sign up for Norton Ultra VPN here.

Read our full

Norton Ultra VPN review

For more advice about accessories and software for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks.

Do iPads need a VPN?

You might be wondering if iPad users even need a VPN. Since Apple introduced iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey in 2021 the company has offered iCloud Private Relay to iCloud subscribers, which is a little like a VPN. iCloud Private Relay encrypts your Safari-based browsing and sends it through a relay to hide your location, IP, and any information about what you were browsing. iCloud Private Relay means that companies cannot build a clear picture of you on the web, thereby protecting your privacy. You do need to be a subscriber to iCloud, and only use Safari, but iCloud Private Relay will provide you with some anonymity when you are surfing the web.

However, iCloud Private Relay only works when you are using Safari, requires a subscription to iCloud, and it won’t allow you to surf via a server in another country in order to access content that is locked to a particular region. iCloud Private Relay does not allow you to choose an IP address or a region, and you won’t be able to make it look like you’re coming from another location. So you can’t watch geographically locked Netflix content, for example.

You can also learn how to use a VPN on iPad once you’ve chosen a service.

For more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for iPad? If you’ve still got some questions and want to find out more, read what is a VPN and are VPNs legal?

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-ipad-vpn-2025-macworld/feed/ 0 24326 11th-gen iPad (2025): Release date, specs, price and rumors https://earlybirdsinvest.com/11th-gen-ipad-2025-release-date-specs-price-and-rumors/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/11th-gen-ipad-2025-release-date-specs-price-and-rumors/#respond Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:42:21 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/11th-gen-ipad-2025-release-date-specs-price-and-rumors/

Apple went big on iPads in 2024, announcing new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini tablets. But one model missed out: the standard, basic iPad. Other than getting even cheaper (it got an aggressive price cut to $349/£329 last year) Apple’s cheapest tablet is still exactly the same 10th-gen model that came out way back in 2022, and it’s looking overdue for an update.

Fortunately we won’t have to wait much longer before that happens. From likely release date to new features, design changes and tech specs, here’s what we know so far about the 11th-gen iPad for 2025. 

UPDATE: February 19 2025: Apple didn’t launch a new iPad alongside the iPhone 16E on Wednesday February 19, but we could still see a new iPad really soon.

When will the 11th-gen iPad be released?

  • Spring launch, March or April (expected)

It’s been a long time coming, how much longer will we have to wait for Apple to update the standard iPad?

There has been an expectation that Apple will unveil the new iPad at a spring event in March or April 2025. However, with Apple launching the iPhone 16E via a press release on February 19, it is unlikely that Apple will deem the 11th gen iPad and also-rumored iPad Air refresh worthy of an event. More likely Apple will announce the news via a press release.

When will the new iPad arrive? It’s possible we will see this new iPad in February. A DigiTimes report back in December 2024 suggested that the supply chain was preparing for the launch, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicated that the iPad and other new products would be “coming soon”. However, it is possible that Apple will hold the iPad back for a later spring launch. Apple’s second financial quarter of 2025 ends on March 28, so the company may wish to get the news out before that date.

Apple used to have a steady release schedule for its cheapest iPad, launching a new one each year alongside the latest iPhones at a September event. In 2022, the 10th-gen revamp saw a slight adjustment to October… but since then the yearly pattern has been abandoned completely.

Here’s when the past five iPad models have launched:

Apple is keen to launch an affordable tablet that supports its Apple Intelligence AI platform as soon as possible, and in any case two and a half years is a long time to wait since the last update. We can’t see the company holding back the 11th-gen iPad until the summer or fall of 2025.

How much will the 11th-gen iPad cost?

  • The new 11th-gen iPad is likely to start at $449/£449, depending on whether Apple chooses to address currency fluctuations.

This is Apple’s cheapest tablet, so pricing is important. For a long time Apple kept its entry-level iPad in the $300-$350 ballpark, but that all changed in 2022: following the 10th-gen redesign, Apple upped the price from $329 to $449 (and from £319 to £449 in the U.K.). At the time we complained about this putting it out of the reach of budget buyers, and it affected our review quite significantly.

But that wasn’t the end of the story. In May 2024, Apple dropped the price of the 10th-gen iPad to $349/£349. It then dropped the price again in the U.K. to £329. And we were happy, once again, to recommend the device to potential customers.

Which is a roundabout way of saying that we’re less confident than we usually would be in predicting the pricing of the 11th-gen iPad. Has Apple learned its lesson about pushing the price too high, and will it go back to the budget prices of the past? Sadly this seems unlikely. Between the company’s recent drive towards higher margins and the major increase in processing power we expect for this generation (discussed in the next section) the 11th-gen iPad is very unlikely to cost less than $400. Our guess would be $449 at launch, with a price cut to follow at a later date. And the 10th-gen model will remain in the lineup as a true budget option for those who don’t need Apple Intelligence.

What tech specs and new features will we see in the 11th-gen iPad? 

  • The new 11th-gen iPad will get an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, plus support for Apple Intelligence.

The 10th-gen iPad delivered a major redesign, so we don’t expect too much to change externally. However, there will be some notable upgrades on the inside of the 11th-gen iPad:

Processor and RAM

The most obvious update to the 11th-gen iPad will be the chipset. The current model runs on an A14 chipset, which debuted in 2020 with the 4th-gen iPad Air and iPhone 12, but we expect that to jump to an A17 Pro with 8GB of RAM so it can run Apple Intelligence. That’s a serious increase in processing muscle (and likely rules out a sub-$400 price tag), but the 10th-gen iPad is the only currently available Apple tablet that doesn’t support Apple Intelligence and it’s crucial to get as many users as possible on the platform.

Display

As the display was increased from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches as part of the 10th-gen revamp, we don’t expect any changes to the screen size this time around. The only possible change in this area is the use of a laminated display, which would make the device slightly thinner and offer better clarity. It would also make the tablet feel nicer in use, as unlaminated screens (as used on the 10th-gen iPad, among many other budget Apple tablets) have a tendency to yield downwards very slightly when you press on them.

Apple

Cameras

Since the 10th-gen iPad was Apple’s first tablet to change the placement of the front camera from portrait to landscape mode and already has Center Stage, we don’t expect Apple to change the front camera. It’s possible Apple will upgrade the rear camera slightly, but since the M2 iPad Air released in 2024 has the same 12MP wide camera, it’s likely any improvements will come in the form of software updates.

Storage

If there’s one obvious area where a simple upgrade could make life easier for people, it’s storage. The cheapest configuration of the 10th-gen iPad still comes with just 64GB of storage, which isn’t going to be enough for a lot of customers; whereas the rest of the range starts with at least 128GB. As with the iPhone SE, we expect Apple to bump the base storage of its entry-level tablet up to 128GB when the 11th-gen iPad arrives, while simultaneously increasing the top offering to 512GB. 

  • iPad (10th gen): 64GB, 256GB
  • iPad (11th gen, expected): 128GB, 512GB

We’ll keep updating this article as more information becomes available. Until then, you should check out our best 10th-gen iPad deals and best iPad deals roundups to see if you can bag yourself a bargain on the current range.

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