Updated on: September 20, 2022 / 11:26 AM / Essentials
CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
If you've been shopping for a new Apple iPad tablet for school, work or to gift during the holidays, now's a great time to shop. We found the Apple iPad 9 on sale at Amazon for just $280, the lowest price we've ever seen. And other Apple iPad models are on sale too, including the iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad mini.
Top products in this article:
Apple iPad 9 (64 GB), $280 (reduced from $329)
Apple iPad mini (64 GB), $459 (reduced from $499)
Apple iPad Air 5 (64 GB), $560 (reduced from $749)
Apple iPad Pro 5 (128 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular), $900 (reduced from $999)
An iPad is a great choice for all ages. Young kids can use an iPad to access learning apps and watch age-appropriate videos. College students can load their ebooks and class materials onto their iPad to avoid lugging around heavy books. (Apple iPads are popular note-taking devices, especially when paired with the Apple Pencil or an Apple Magic keyboard.) Of course, Apple iPads are great for adults, too.
The iPad is an excellent choice for reading, drawing digital art, editing photos, posting on social media, browsing the internet and streaming your favorite shows. You can even use it as an especially portable laptop. (The powerful iPad Pro, in particular, is well-suited for this when paired with the Apple Magic Keyboard.) Apple iPad tablets support most iPhone apps and features, including Apple TV+ and Apple Books.
If you're shopping, it's important to know that you can generally get much better deals on Apple products if you shop at Amazon or Walmart, as opposed to buying directly from the Apple Store. In some cases, you can save hundreds of dollars (as you'll see below).
Right now you can score big fall savings on a wide variety of iPads including the iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. Keep reading to discover the right Apple iPad for you.
Note: Apple iPad prices tend to vary by color, the amount of memory storage, and connectivity (i.e., you can buy a version that only connects via Wi-Fi, or one that connects via either Wi-Fi or cellular service). To make things easy on you, we've highlighted one sale price for each item.
The 10.2-inch iPad 9, released in 2021, is the most affordable of Apple's iPad offerings. It offers a 8 MP wide-angle back camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle front camera. It boasts stereo speakers, too. This iPad is powered by a A13 Bionic chip. It boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, and is compatible with the Apple Pencil ($70) for drawing or note-taking.
Apple iPad 9 (64 GB) (silver), $280 (reduced from $329)
Want to protect your new tablet investment? Get the 64 GB Apple iPad 9 bundled with a two-year subscription to Apple's protection plan, Apple Care+. That bundle's on sale on Amazon, too.
Apple iPad 9 (64 GB) (silver) bundled with Apple Care+, $349 (reduced from $398)
Introduced in 2022, the 10.9-inch Apple iPad Air 5 is the latest in the lightweight iPad Air line. The iPad Air 5 offers performance up to 60% faster than the prior model, thanks to Apple's turbo-charged M1 chip. The device boasts a 12 MP wide-angle back camera that supports 4K video. It also offers touch ID, and Apple's Liquid Retina display.
Available in five colors; prices vary.
Apple iPad Air 5 (64 GB), $559 (reduced from $599)
The 256 GB iPad Air 5 is also available in five colors; prices vary. The best deal we saw was for the purple model with Wi-Fi-only connectivity.
Apple iPad Air 5 (256 GB) (purple), $679 (reduced from $749)
The iPad Mini 6 is a compact tablet with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display screen. Released in 2021, the Apple tablet is powered by an A15 Bionic chip. It features a 12 MP wide-angle back camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle front camera. It boasts landscape stereo speakers. Available in four colors.
Note that the Apple iPad Mini is not compatible with the Apple's external Magic Keyboard ($80). It can, however, be used with other Bluetooth-enabled external keyboards.
Apple iPad Mini (64 GB), $459 (reduced from $499)
If you're worried about spotty or slow Wi-Fi or your student wants to be able to access the internet on the way to school, Amazon has a good deal on the Wi-Fi and cellular model with 64GB of storage. Choose from four colors.
Apple iPad Mini 6 with celluar connectivity (64 GB), $599 (reduced from $649)
Apple's high-end tablet, the iPad Pro, features an 11-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, a pro camera system and a Thunderbolt port for lightning-speed data transfers. Looking for a traditional laptop experience? It's compatible with Apple's Magic Keyboard.
Available in two colors; prices vary. Amazon and Walmart are both out of stock of the base level Apple iPad Pro 5, but the upgraded 256GB configuration is available on sale for $50 off at Amazon. You can also save $100 on an Apple iPad Pro 5 with Wi-Fi and 5G cellular connectivity at Amazon.
Apple iPad Pro 5 (256 GB) (space gray), $849 (reduced from $899)
Apple iPad Pro 5 (128 GB) Wi-Fi + Cellular, $900 (reduced from $999)
Once you've found the perfect iPad, be sure to protect it with a top-rated cover (especially if you're buying the tablet for a younger student!). It's also a good idea to get an Apple Pencil for note-taking. Here are top-rated accessories for the Apple iPad, including the Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Smart Folio cover.
The Apple Magic Keyboard is the ultimate accessory for the Apple iPad Pro. It attaches magnetically to turn your Apple tablet into a laptop with a trackpad, USB-C port for charging and backlit keys. It's designed for use on 12.9-inch iPads (third, fourth and fifth generation models).
Apple Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, $349
The Apple Pencil is designed for drawing or writing on the Apple iPad. The second-generation device is the latest Apple Pencil. It is compatible with all the latest models of the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini.
The older, first-generation Apple Pencil is also available at Amazon.
If you want to add a more affordable keyboard to your iPad, consider Apple's Magic Keyboard without the trackpad. It connects to the iPad through Bluetooth.
Apple Magic Keyboard, $80 (reduced from $99)
The Apple Smart Folio protects the front and back of your iPad. When you open the Smart Folio, your iPad will automatically wake. Smart Folio covers are available for all sizes and models of the Apple iPad. Prices may vary by color. The prices listed below are for the purple cover.
Apple Smart Folio for iPad Pro (12.9"), $99
Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air (10.9"), $76 and up
Apple Smart Folio for iPad mini (8.3"), $55 and up
Shop more on-sale Apple products including popular MacBooks for students.
Apple Watch Series 8, the latest addition to the Apple Watch lineup, features the new S8 chip for improved performance. It also includes an always-on display and new watch face options. The Apple Watch 8 will has a larger battery than previous models: Battery life can be extended to 36 hours when in low-power mode. The Apple Watch 8 features a durable design and is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant.
The Apple Watch 8 has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is presented as a women's health tool to more accurately track ovulation times and other changes in a woman's monthly cycle.
The Apple Watch 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizing options. Shoppers can choose between stainless steel or aluminum casing and several different colors. The GPS model starts at $399, while the cellular model with new international roaming capabilities starts at $499.
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (41mm), $499
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (45mm), $529
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, the most affordable Apple Watch option, includes core Apple Watch features such as car crash detection, heart rate monitoring, fall detection and activity tracking. The updated watch can be paired with a parent's iPhone, but still operate independently for calling and texting. It's a smart choice for families that want to stay connected.
The new Apple Watch SE is 20% faster than the last generation. The display is 30% larger than the prior model as well. The back case design now features 100% recycled aluminum.
The Apple Watch SE starts at $249 for GPS and $299 for cellular (additional fees from your wireless carrier will apply).
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation (40mm), $249
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation (44mm), $279
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, GPS + Cellular (40mm), $299
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, GPS + Cellular (44mm), $329
The Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + Cellular) is designed to be a more rugged and durable option for athletes and adventurers. It provides up to 36 hours of life on a single charge with standard use, or 60 hours of battery life with the soon-to-be-released battery optimization setting. It is made with a stronger titanium alloy material for improved impact resistance. It also offers a brighter display and a second speaker for better sound and display visibility during outdoor use. Apple says it's also optimized for diving and water sports.
What else is new with the Apple Watch Ultra? The new wearable is the only Apple Watch to feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
The Apple Watch Ultra provides enhanced GPS functionality to trace your steps and improve navigation for outdoor expeditions. There is also an action button that can be used to more accurately track your workouts by marking segments of your workout.
The Apple Watch Ultra will feature a large 49mm display screen. You can preorder the new smartwatch at Amazon now. It's scheduled for release on Sept. 23.
Apple Watch Ultra, GPS + Cellular (49mm), $799
The latest Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds offer 30 hours of listening time with the included charging case. They have an upgraded wireless chip for improved audio functionality, a new low distortion driver for clearer audio and improved active noise cancellation. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 provide truly custom sound: You can use your iPhone's camera to analyze your unique ear anatomy and find the perfect audio settings for you.
The design of the AirPods Pro 2 is fairly similar to the previous generation, but Apple has introduced touch control to the AirPods 2 to help users more seamlessly control their AirPods. Users will also get a new extra-small tip with their AirPods. The case did get a notable design upgrade with a new lanyard loop and a built-in speaker to help you find your lost AirPods.
The new Apple AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249 and are slated for release on Sept. 23. You can preorder the Apple AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon now.
Looking for an Apple Watch 7? We found the best deals and best availability at Walmart.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm), $329 and up
Amazon gets new stock of Apple Watches in frequently (and typically sells them for much lower than Apple's $399 MSRP), so use the button below to check stock.
Apple Watch Series 7 (41 mm), $349 and up
At last look, Amazon had only the red color of the 45mm Apple Watch 7 in stock. But if that color is right for you, you can save a whopping $109 on Apple's list price.
We also found a deal on the Starlight Aluminum color at Walmart -- you'll save $45.
Save up to $100 off on Amazon right now on select colors of the larger, somewhat weightier 45 mm Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch Series 7 GPS (45 mm) (red), $329 (regularly $429)
We found even better pricing on the Apple Watch Series 7 (45 mm) at Walmart.
Apple Watch Series 7 GPS (45 mm) (green), $300 (regularly $429)
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack magnetically attaches to your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro, providing a portable, wireless phone charge. If need be, your MagSafe Battery Pack and iPhone can be charged at the same time. Listed at $99 at Apple, it's more than 10% off on Amazon.
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack, $84 (regularly $99)
Just about anyone will love these budget-minded Apple AirPods. They're not the latest model, but they're still one of the most sought-after earbud models on the market. These AirPods boast more than 24 hours total listening time (with the wireless charging case), a foolproof, one-tap setup for Apple device owners and a low-latency wireless connection (for full immersion when consuming movies and music).
Retailing for $129 at Apple, you can get them right now on Amazon for $119.
Apple AirPods (2nd generation), $119 (regularly $129)
Upgrade your old AirPods to the Apple AirPods Pro. Compared to older models, these AirPods fit active noise cancelation technology, water resistance and hearing health tracking in a more compact, better-fitting design. They're also lauded for their great sound quality. But all this quality comes at a steep price -- specifically $250. That's why the deal we found at Amazon is a big one.
Now on sale for $180 on Amazon, the Apple AirPods Pro are a great deal for those with some flexibility in their budget.
Apple AirPods Pro, $180 (reduced from $249)
Apple AirPods Max use active noise-cancellation technology to block out unwanted noise and feature a transparency mode so you can hear what you need to. These Siri-compatible headphones feature 20 hours of listening.
Choose from five colors on Amazon; sale prices vary.
Apple AirPods Max (pink), $429 (regularly $549)
A step up from the MacBook Air, the slightly weightier (3 pound) 13-inch MacBook Pro boasts a powerful active cooling system, which helps keep the 8-core CPU running fast. It delivers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, and features a Retina display that's brighter than the MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro also features a customizable Apple Touch Bar.
We found both the 256GB and 512GB models of the MacBook Pro on sale at Amazon. Curiously, you'll get the best price (and the best deal) on the 512GB configuration.
13" Apple MacBook Pro (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) (silver), $1,028 (regularly $1,279)
13" Apple MacBook Pro (8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, open box), $978 (regularly $1,477)
Is the 14-inch MacBook Pro not powerful, or big enough for you? Then try its sibling, the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Right now on Amazon, save 10% on the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a 10-core CPU, as well as 16 GB of unified memory, and 512 GB of storage. All of that is more than enough for you to be able to edit 8K videos on the machine. You also get four Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port and a SDXC card slot.
With its size and more powerful guts, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is aimed at users who need a seriously powerful laptop for graphics-intensive applications, such as video-rendering and design. College students that need to complete high-level design projects or run advanced software programs may benefit from using this MacBook.
16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (Apple M1 Pro, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD), $2,100 (regularly $2,499)
First published on September 20, 2022 / 11:25 AM
Committee aides reportedly traveled to Denmark to review documentary footage related to Stone.
Jensen was at the front of the mob chasing the U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman up the stairs of the Capitol.
At the end of the show, Mr. Biden surprised John with the National Humanities Medal, for his songbook and his long legacy of advocacy.
The judge lifted a decades-old injunction that has long blocked enforcement of the law, on the books since before Arizona became a state, that bans nearly all abortions.
"It was overwhelming. Adnan started to cry. I started to cry. I was thankful for having that minute as the courtroom cleared to try to get myself together, defense attorney Erica Suter said.
Fed Chief Jerome Powell says curbing inflation will cause pain. Critics say putting millions out of work is unnecessary.
Historically Black college accuses Florida officials of discriminating against the school based on race.
Brick-and-mortar banks are paying rates that are far below the Federal funds rate. Here's why — and how to find a better rate.
Zoono Microbe Shield was marketed as protecting against COVID-19 but is only effective against bacteria, fungi and mold, EPA said.
Global shipping company has closed offices and frozen hiring to offset the impact of soaring inflation.
Committee aides reportedly traveled to Denmark to review documentary footage related to Stone.
Jensen was at the front of the mob chasing the U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman up the stairs of the Capitol.
The judge lifted a decades-old injunction that has long blocked enforcement of the law, on the books since before Arizona became a state, that bans nearly all abortions.
Short, who was the former vice president's chief of staff, also commented on Pence's potential presidential ambitions.
Fed Chief Jerome Powell says curbing inflation will cause pain. Critics say putting millions out of work is unnecessary.
The judge lifted a decades-old injunction that has long blocked enforcement of the law, on the books since before Arizona became a state, that bans nearly all abortions.
Masking is now urged only in communities seeing "high" transmission of the virus.
It's "absolutely" OK to talk with your child about suicide, a family therapist said.
The number of teenage girls who have been suicidal has increased 50% since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A family therapist says it's "absolutely" OK for parents to talk with their children about suicide and shares some warning signs. Meg Oliver has more.
Zoono Microbe Shield was marketed as protecting against COVID-19 but is only effective against bacteria, fungi and mold, EPA said.
Roger Federer has ended his superlative professional tennis career at age 41 with a loss in doubles alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup.
The incident came hours before Roger Federer was scheduled to play for the final time before retiring.
Some fear a massive crackdown will soon follow.
"We are dealing with one of our largest ever rescue operations," an official at Syria's transport ministry said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the recent influx is due to "failing communist regimes."
At the end of the show, Mr. Biden surprised John with the National Humanities Medal, for his songbook and his long legacy of advocacy.
It replaces Pepsi, which sponsored the mega-TV attraction for the past ten years.
Wilde said whether actor Shia LaBeouf was fired from or quit the movie was a "question of semantics" and also addressed the "spitgate" incident.
"Sometimes it's just too much to deal with. I'm doing the best I can," the actor said.
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King presented Styles with a special banner onstage Wednesday night.
TikTok, which already bans political advertising, will now also ban campaign fundraising.
Engineers are reviewing test data to determine if NASA can press ahead toward a September 27 launch target.
ZDNet Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner explains best practices for setup and success of smart home security systems.
Recent data breaches at American Airlines and Uber have raised concerns that consumer data is increasingly vulnerable to hacking attempts. Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow for emerging technologies at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, discussed what customers should be concerned about if their data was compromised.
Uber said the group of hackers who targeted other tech companies earlier this year is behind a recent cyberattack. This comes after a teen claimed responsibility for the move. Lily Hay Newman, a senior reporter for Wired, joined "CBS News Mornings" to break down what allowed the Uber hack to happen and what this attack and other similar ones mean for consumers.
The watery blast from the volcano was huge and unusual — and scientists are still trying to understand its impacts.
The ALMA radio telescope in Chile's Andes mountains picked up something "really puzzling" in the Sagittarius A* data, scientists said.
The Conservative Party, which is still in power under new leadership, had vowed never to re-allow the controversial gas extraction practice unless it was proven safe.
One researcher says the findings suggest "repeated exposure to flavors before birth could help to establish food preferences post-birth" and help shape healthy eating.
The James Webb Space Telescope captured an image of Neptune and its thin rings in the sharpest view of the planet in decades.
Attorney Tom Pickert, 39, was shot and killed in front of his home after walking his children to school.
The manner of death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, was still listed as undetermined.
A 20-year-old woman is expected to survive after the parked police patrol vehicle she was detained in was struck by a freight train in Colorado.
The incident prompted officials in Oak Forest, Illinois, to urge people to shelter in place.
The 2020 shooting killed 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette and wounded his girlfriend, Tafara Williams.
NASA aims for Tuesday launch of oft-delayed Space Launch System rocket, but forecasters are 80% no-go.
Monday will be a monumental day for the "history of humankind" as a high-speed spacecraft smashes into an asteroid at nearly 15,000 mph.
The ALMA radio telescope in Chile's Andes mountains picked up something "really puzzling" in the Sagittarius A* data, scientists said.
Engineers are reviewing test data to determine if NASA can press ahead toward a September 27 launch target.
Frank Rubio's Soyuz launch is NASA's first under an agreement that also calls for cosmonaut launches on SpaceX ferry ships.
In September 2022, at age 73, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne.
Royals, heads of state and mourners gather to honor Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
The royal family owns a lot more than you might think — and it's not just castles and property, either.
An inside look into the case of Lauren Kanarek who was shot by her horse trainer, the former Olympian Michael Barisone.
Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush – how do the presidents of our era compare with those who came before?
Marc Short, an aide to former Vice President Mike Pence, spoke to CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge on Friday about the FBI search at Mar-a-Lago and Pence's potential presidential ambitions.
Texas Representative Chip Roy joins Major Garrett for a special edition of "The Takeout," live from the Texas Tribune Festival, to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and what he'd like to see done on Capitol Hill.
It was another disappointing week for the stock market with all major indices in the red. CBS News' Catherine Herridge speaks with Yahoo Finance reporter Alexandra Semenova about what we might expect in the coming weeks.
CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan joined CBS News' Catherine Herridge to discuss this week's edition of "Face the Nation." They break down the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike and preview an upcoming exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The United Nations is warning of a health disaster in portions of Pakistan that were hit by deadly floods. Joe English, an emergency communication specialist at UNICEF, joined CBS News' Catherine Herridge to discuss the dire situation.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.