The iPad lineup is officially a mess, here’s how Apple can fix it

Some models need to go, some lines can be merged, simplicity is the name of the game

Four different iPad lines, six different models and over forty different configurations make for a rather confusing Apple tablet offering these days. Whether the company cares enough for consumers to simplify that lineup is up for discussion. (Image: Daniel Romero, Unsplash)

So… let’s see: during the last six weeks, the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models for 2024 have been revealed, the old vanilla iPad has been discontinued and what consumers can expect from iPadOS 18 has been confirmed. There’s still no word about a new iPad Mini, but Apple has bigger fish to fry in 2024 — so there’s either not going to be any announcement regarding that model this year or it will be a simple press release highlighting a handful of modest, unexciting internal upgrades. All in all, since there are new iPhone, new MacBook Pro and Mac Mini models in the pipeline for Q3 and Q4 of this year — maybe even a new Apple TV model — chances are that the iPad line is pretty much wrapped up for 2024.

Here’s the thing, though. From a consumer perspective, the iPad category as a whole is still a confusing mess. It’s not the first time this has been brought up by reporters or members of the tech community — far from it — but the whole situation seems to have come to a head now that Apple’s intentions about any iPad model, even the “Pro”, have become clear: they are all supposed to be used as typical tablets only, apparently. Want to actually use them for work? Tough luck…