Which iPad?

Back in 2015, when Apple released the first 13-inch iPad Pro, I dropped a small fortune on one because I really wanted that bigger screen.

I rationalized it to myself, post-purchase, thinking I’d make good use of its pro features like the Lidar scanner. But after playing around with it for 10 minutes, I haven’t touched it since.

And that goes for the rest of the pro features, too. I haven’t made use of them at all in the 10 years hence.

On the other hand, I still use it to this day — to surf the web, buy junk on Amazon, occasionally watch a TV show, and do The New York Times word puzzles.

Was it overkill? Of course it was! I would have been just as happy with a mid- or even entry-level iPad.

In fact, the new entry-level iPad is awesome. I picked one up a couple of years ago, and was super-impressed by its modern features. But it does have some drawbacks that I didn’t think about when I bought it.

The iPad landscape is even more crowded now than it was 10 years ago, with Apple peddling six models, making the buying decision even more fraught.

Luckily, our resident iPad expert, Ed “Mr. iPad Pro” Hardy, has worked out an iPad buying guide where he walks you through all the options, streamlining the decision process.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• I’ve seen a lot of love for Meta’s smart glasses, and perhaps Tim Cook has noticed, too — which is why Apple’s starting to lay the groundwork for its own AR specs. Cupertino’s also working on some awesome-sounding server chips.

• A VPN is absolutely essential these days, and everyone I know uses one, even my 84-year-old mom. This Surfshark VPN deal is very good: You get a top-tier VPN that works on unlimited devices (great for sharing with family, friends and even strangers!), at an excellent price.

• I always wanted one of these Sonos-powered speaker lamps from Ikea, even thought they couldn’t be uglier, but alas, the partnership is over. The good news is, perhaps they’ll show up cheap in the as-is section now.

• After nearly six decades on this planet, I’m finally starting to take my diet seriously (rising blood pressure!), but I just can’t with counting calories. This AI-powered smart calorie tracker looks just the ticket.

• Ever wanted your own private Apple store? Lego may be making one. See the X post below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

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