Apple iPad Apple 2021 iPad 10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB, Silver Review

The renewed 2021 iPad is the budget king for basic tablet tasks. Its standout feature is the premium Apple feel at a rock-bottom price. The 3GB of RAM is a major weak spot for anything beyond simple use. For around $192, it's a fantastic value for streaming and reading, but not for work.

Let's talk about the 2021 iPad, specifically the 10.2-inch model you can find renewed for around $192. This isn't the flashiest tablet on the market, but it's a rock-solid entry point into the Apple ecosystem. For someone who just wants a reliable screen for watching shows, reading, or light browsing, it's a compelling option. The thing that makes it interesting is its position: it's the most affordable way to get a proper iPad, and the renewed market makes that price even more attractive. It's not trying to be a laptop replacement, it's trying to be a really good tablet.

Performance here is about expectations. The A13 chip inside is from 2019, and in our database, its CPU and GPU scores land in the middle of the pack for tablets. That means it's not going to blaze through complex games or heavy multitasking, but for its intended use—streaming, web browsing, and basic apps—it's perfectly smooth. You won't feel it lagging. The 3GB of RAM, however, is a different story. It ranks in the bottom 10% of all tablets we track. This is the main reason its 'productivity' score is so low. Apps can reload more often if you switch between several, and it's not built for keeping a dozen things open at once.

At around $192 for a renewed model, the value proposition is clear. You're getting a well-built Apple tablet with a great screen for less than half the price of a current-gen iPad Air. Compared to brand-new Android tablets at this price, you're trading raw specs (like more RAM) for Apple's polish, ecosystem, and that premium feel. It's a trade-off, but for many, the Apple experience at this cost is the winning factor.

If you're looking at alternatives, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series offers more RAM and often better screens for a similar price, but you lose the iPadOS simplicity. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus is a media powerhouse with a killer speaker and bigger screen, but it's a different Android experience. And then there's the elephant in the room: newer iPads. The current base iPad has a better chip and design, but costs significantly more new. The 2021 model's niche is being the budget-friendly gateway. You're choosing between paying more for modern specs or paying less for a still-capable, older design.

You should skip this iPad if you're looking for a primary device for work or school. The 3GB of RAM, which is among the worst we've seen, means it can't comfortably run several productivity apps at once. If you need to multitask with documents, research tabs, and communication apps, you'll feel the limitations quickly. Also, skip it if you're a power user wanting the latest specs and design. Instead, look at a newer iPad Air or even a base model iPad from 2022 or later. If you're not tied to Apple, Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE offer more RAM and better multitasking at a similar price point.

Buy this renewed 2021 iPad if your needs are simple: watching videos, reading books, browsing the web, and using light apps. It's perfect for kids, seniors, or as a secondary screen in your home. It's also a great first iPad if you're curious about the ecosystem but don't want to spend a lot. Skip it entirely if you need to do real work on it. The low RAM will frustrate you if you're trying to use it for note-taking with many apps, light photo editing, or as a laptop substitute. In that case, look at a newer iPad or an Android tablet with more memory.