Apple iPad Apple 2018 iPad (9.7-inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB) - Gold Review

So you're looking at a refurbished 2018 iPad, and wondering if it's still worth picking up in 2024. Let's be real, it's an older model. It's got a 9.7-inch Retina display, 32GB of storage, and runs on iPadOS 11. For someone who just wants a basic tablet for reading, watching videos, or light web browsing, this could be a solid budget pick, especially at around $110. But if you're planning to do anything more demanding, you'll hit its limits pretty fast.

Performance-wise, it's showing its age. The CPU lands in the 34th percentile, which means it's slower than most modern tablets. For everyday stuff like scrolling through social media or reading an ebook, it's fine. But try to open a bunch of tabs or run newer apps, and you'll notice some lag. The GPU is even lower at the 36th percentile, so gaming is pretty much off the table beyond simple puzzle games. The 8GB of RAM is decent (63rd percentile), which helps it juggle a few basic apps, but the 32GB storage is a major bottleneck, sitting in the 7th percentile. You'll be managing your space constantly.

At about $110, the value proposition is simple. It's one of the cheapest ways to get into the Apple ecosystem for very light use. But you're trading a lot for that low price. That 32GB storage is a deal-breaker for many. If your budget is tight and you just need a reader or a kitchen tablet for recipes, it works. For anything more, you're better off spending a bit more on a newer base model iPad or looking at Android alternatives.

Let's name some names. The iPad Pro models, like the 13-inch with the M5 chip, are in a different universe performance-wise, but they cost ten times as much. A more direct modern competitor is something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, which offers a better screen, more storage, and much newer software for a few hundred dollars more. Even the base model 10th gen iPad, while more expensive, is a massive leap forward in speed, storage, and support. Compared to a Lenovo Legion Go for gaming or a Surface Pro for productivity, this 2018 iPad isn't even in the same conversation. It's strictly for the most basic tasks.

Should you buy this? Only in a very specific scenario. If your needs are incredibly simple—think reading ebooks, watching the occasional YouTube video, and checking email—and your budget is absolutely maxed at $110, this refurbished iPad can work. But for almost everyone else, the answer is no. The outdated software, painfully small storage, and slow performance make it a frustrating device for anything beyond the basics. Spend a little more for a newer model, or consider a different brand, and you'll be much happier in the long run.