If youre looking for an iPad thats more affordable than cutting-edge, Amazon has the 2021 base model for only $199. Although thats a generation behind the current version, this ninth-generation edition could be great for kids, seniors or those wanting a HomeKit-based smart home hub. The three-year-old model is still a capable tablet for anyone content with forgoing the latest and greatest hardware. The ninth-gen iPad has a 10.2-inch Retina display and Apples old home button-based Touch ID sensor. It runs on the A13 Bionic chip, which has a six-core processor, quad-core GPU and octal-core Neural Engine. This isnt the model to get if you want screaming-fast speeds, the most eye-popping display or the upcoming Apple Intelligence, but its hard to nitpick too much about any of that when you look at the price. Engadgets 2021 review found this model to be a modest update over the previous version. Nathan Ingraham described it as a fast, lightweight tablet with a nice display and tons of apps, without having to spend too much. In our battery test, we found that it outperformed Apples 10-hour estimate, lasting about 14 hours of video streaming. This model runs iPadOS 17 and will support iPadOS 18 when it launches this fall. It isnt known how many annual updates it will be eligible for after that, but the upcoming 2024 software will still run on two hardware generations behind this model, hinting that it may not be approaching the end of the line just yet. Its also well-suited for video chat, and its 12MP ultrawide front-facing camera supports Center Stage. Apples machine learning-based feature tracks your and anyone elses faces in the shot, adjusting the calls framing accordingly through automatic pans and zooms. If you want to add accessories for a more laptop-like experience, the ninth-gen iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Smart Keyboard. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Its worth keeping in mind that this model uses a Lightning connector rather than the USB-C that Apple has shifted its product lineup toward. It includes a charger in the box, but you may want to consider that if youve already chucked all your old Lightning cables. On the other hand, some may consider it a bonus that it still includes Apples now-defunct headphone jack.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/apples-ninth-generation-ipad-hits-an-all-time-low-of-199-191018362.html?src=rss