The 2018 entry-level iPad doesn't add much, but it makes an already excellent tablet a better buy than ever.

The 2018 entry-level iPad supports the Apple Pencil for art work and annotation, and adds a faster A10 processor. iOS continues to offer the best overall selection of free and paid apps on affordable tablets.

Lacks the bigger, better screen, quad speakers and Smart Connector found on pricier iPad Pros. The Pencil, case and keyboard add-ons will bring the price up to laptop level.

Once again, Apple has squeezed a bunch of components from past iOS devices -- the processor from the iPhone 7, the Pencil-friendly touch sensor from the first iPad Pro -- into a familiar body.

Pull it off the shelf at the Apple Store, and you'd be hard-pressed by sight alone to distinguish the new sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad from last year's model . And under the hood, it's not much different, where there's simply a speedier A10 processor. The new iPad is, well, an iPad.

Apple Pencil adds versatility; A10 chip brings better performance; iPad Pro 'feel' for low price

No Smart Connector

The best tablet is the iPad. Period.

Pencil is fast to react; Speedy performance; Affordable; Good display; Long battery life

Dull design; Speakers are a little weak

The 2018 iPad (sixth-generation) is the small update the spec sheet promises. It is faster, but a still outdated SoC and Apple Pencil support are the most important new features. Both the battery runtime and the power consumption suffered due to these updates but are still good in general.

Pencil support; lower price for schools and students; excellent build quality and choice of materials; good display

non-laminated display with significant gap to the glass (but easier to repair in return; camera not improved for years; no current SoC

Apple Pencil adds versatility; A10 chip brings better performance; iPad Pro 'feel' for low price

No Smart Connector

Apple is aiming at the educational market with the new 2018 sixth generation iPad, but the addition of Apple Pencil support has generated a lot of commercial interest in the device. It is obviously superior to the popular iPad 2, but will it replace your iPad Pro

The new iPad 2018 is the cheapest tablet in Apple's range, and it looks just like any other iPad from the past five years. It should be boring. But it isn't. It packs the powerful A10 Fusion processor, costs just £319/$329 (for the entry-level 32GB Wi-Fi model) and it supports the Apple Pencil.

Great value; Slim and light; yet powerful; Apple Pencil compatible; iOS is the best tablet operating system

Reflective screen; Average rear camera

This will be my third iPad I have purchased and although I had advice from a partner this is the worst product I have had The main complaint I have is with getting a good internet connection, my wife's I pad in our house will get connected but I can't, so I presume it is a fault with iPad Very...

Fast, responsive, easy on the eyes, packed with features and, thanks to iOS's small number of devices, compatible with almost all apps. A pleasure to use (for all tasks from media to word processing (with the right case - I recommend the Logitech keyboard case)) and a device that has replaced my...