In their first-ever keynote “field trip” in Chicago, Illinois, Apple unveiled the 6th generation iPad. Much like the 2017 model, the latest iOS tablet is budget-friendly and performance-heavy. This time around, though, it comes with Apple Pencil support. The new feature aims to go against the Chromebook as one of the primary tools used in classrooms today.

With the release of the 6th generation iPad, Apple targets the academic industry. But the inclusion of Apple Pencil support has also created a great deal of commercial interest in the tablet. It’s undoubtedly better than the widely-used iPad 2, but is it a worthy replacement for the iPad Pro?

Better Features

The 6th generation iPad costs $329. It’s one of the cheapest iPads available, but features advanced chips, making it faster than the 2017 model. Comparatively, the 9.7-inch tablet is also a powerful gadget, thanks to several advanced features that include:

• 8-megapixel camera
• A10 Fusion processor
• Retina display
• 10-12 hours of battery life
• LTE support
• Compass support
• GPS

As the tablet is primarily promoted for educational purposes, schools will only pay $299 for each device.

Beyond the new hardware, Apple will also roll out three updated iWork apps for free. These are new editions of the Keynotes, Pages, and Numbers apps.

Apple Pencil Support

The Apple Pencil support for the 2018 iPad is a big deal because this is the first non-Pro unit to have it. For tech experts and stores that sell tablets and gadgets, that’s enough reason to get an upgrade. Apple Pencil support is an excellent feature. iPad Pro users, particularly designers and artists, love it.

The responsiveness on the 6th generation iPad is basically identical to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This means it’s far more superior than any Android equivalent with the same feature.

Swift and Speedy

Apart from Apple Pencil support, speed is the other noteworthy feature improved on the 2018 iPad. The tablet is powered by the A10 Fusion chip, an upgrade from the 2017 model that has the A9 processor. The update generates a distinctive change that even non-techie users can recognize.

As such, 6th generation iPad users get to enjoy a fast, buffer-free experience. This improvement positively affects apps, especially those used for editing videos and photos. With that in mind, it’s also important to note that the 2018 iPad only has 2GB of RAM whereas iPad Pro tablets have 4GB of RAM.

So, Should You Upgrade?

If you own the 2017 model, you may skip the upgrade—unless you really need Apple Pencil support. It’s worth mentioning, though, that the Apple Pencil is an added accessory, and buyers will need to shell out $99 on top of the $329.

It’s fair to say that anything older than the iPad Air 2 requires an upgrade, and the 2018 iPad will be a major one. Having a 6th generation iPad provides users with Touch ID in addition to the various multitasking features of iOS unavailable on tablets older than the iPad Air 2. Truly, the latest Apple flagship tablet is a worthy investment.