Faisal Turabi · Follow
9 min read · Dec 20, 2023
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When shopping for a new iPad, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much storage capacity to get. The options typically range from measly 32GB on the low end to an enough 512GB on the high end. But many users land somewhere in the middle with the 64GB iPad.
The main thing that you want to solve is, is 64GB enough for iPad storage for your needs?
The answer depends greatly on how you plan to use your iPad. For light users who simply browse the web, read books, stream music and occasional video, and have just a handful of apps, 64GB should suffice. But intense media creators, gamers, and professionals may need more room for all their files.
Let me break down the key storage demands to consider with an iPad.
Apple iPad 10th Generation 64GB storage is selling 11% off on Amazon.
When determining iPad storage needs, it helps to know what types of files take up room.
Media Files
- Music, audiobooks, podcasts
- eBooks
- Photos
- Videos
- Movies/TV shows saved for offline viewing
Apps
- App install files and data
- Games tend to be storage hogs
Other Documents
- Office documents, PDFs
- Downloaded web content
Advanced users also require substantial space for below things.
- High resolution photo and video capture
- Projects using pro creative apps like Photoshop, Lightroom
- Gameplay recordings and livestreams
Two often overlooked storage sinks are the iPadOS software and iPad system files themselves. As you update your OS and apps over time, these system files grow. So storage that seemed plentiful originally gets consumed.
Let me look at three common usage factors that can quickly max out a 64GB iPad.
1. Capturing High Resolution Videos
Apple has positioned iPad Pros as productivity powerhouses capable of advanced creative editing and design. But working with 4K or even 8K video requires massive storage often more than a 64GB iPad can handle.
You’ll need sufficient unused space as temporary working files to edit complex projects smoothly without performance lag. And those finished projects will themselves eat up storage.
2. Using Advanced Creative Apps
Similar to video editing, working with pro photography, illustration, CGI and graphic design apps means handling large file sizes. The iPad version of Adobe Photoshop clocks in around 2GB. Complex multi-layered image files can easily exceed 1GB each. So your projects and app installs combine to fill storage fast.
3. Gaming
Casual games like Candy Crush won’t put much strain on storage. But savvy gamers like to record gameplay clips and livestream their sessions. These recordings consume far more storage than the games themselves. Plus many popular esports titles now exceed 10GB install sizes on consoles and PCs. So expect slimmed down but still sizable iPad versions soon.
With those storage demand factors and examples in mind, let me get down to answering the real question.
Will the 64GB iPad provide enough storage space for the way YOU plan to use it?
I’ll break down some specific usage scenarios to help decide.
Everyday Tasks
If you primarily use iPad for web browsing, email, social media, light gaming like puzzles and word games that don’t require internet connectivity, and some occasional streaming, 64GB should meet your needs.
This holds true if your media capture is focused on sharing casual photos and videos to social, not editing projects or archiving forever in the highest fidelity. Light app users who don’t go install crazy also fit here.
Intensive Media Creation & Gaming
However, if you got that new iPad itching to dive deep into content creation — editing 4K video in LumaFusion, designing intricate Procreate illustrations, recording gameplay clips and livestreams…you would quickly be better served by a 256GB model, or even higher capacity.
Working with professional apps means handling large temporary files behind the scenes. Don’t let your storage be a creativity bottleneck.
Look Ahead at Future Storage Needs
Finally, consider not just your needs today in deciding adequate storage. Also project how you might use iPad differently 2–3 years from now as capabilities advance further.
The direction points clearly toward 4K media capture and editing. We expect game streaming services to launch before long as well. So invest now in storage for this likely reality.
Also factor in that OS and app updates tend to claim more storage over time. So building enough margin into your buying decision helps future-proof.
For students using iPads for their coursework, 64GB offers adequate storage in most cases. Typical needs like e-textbooks, notes, presentations, lecture recordings, research papers and light creative projects for class can all be accommodated. Unless you’re editing intense video projects or working extensively with giant media files for your major, 64GB fits common student demands.
Kids primarily using iPad for entertainment and casual creativity like drawing apps or music creation can get by just fine with 64GB. Manage storage needs by offloading completed art projects, videos or photos to a family computer periodically to avoid filling up. For kids who may play more sophisticated games with heavy graphic demands down the road, consider 128GB or more instead.
Casual doodling and basic drawing apps will be perfectly comfortable within a 64GB iPad’s capacity. But budding artists ready to create elaborate digital masterpieces via Procreate, Affinity Designer and other sophisticated tools may need more elbow room. Work within device storage limits by regularly archiving finished pieces externally that you want to keep.
For university and college students using iPads, the considerations are similar to other students. Unless your coursework involves media-intensive majors like film, photography, graphic design and the like, 64GB offers ample iPad storage for typical student demands like e-textbooks, notes, documents and presentations. Supplement via external or cloud storage when working on major projects with large files associated.
There are lots of options in front of you, but I try my best to provide any possible help to my audience that is beneficial for them.
1. Apple iPad Pro 2021, 5th Generation, 128GB
The 5th generation Apple iPad Pro is powered by the M1 chip and has a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. It comes with multiple storage options but available only in 128GB storage on Amazon, a 12MP front and 12MP back camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, Touch ID. The color option is silver and space gray.
Check Price on Amazon.
2. Apple iPad 9th Generation, 64GB
The 9th generation iPad from Apple has a 10.2-inch Retina display and is powered by the fast A13 Bionic chip. It comes with 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, a 12MP front-facing camera, an 8MP back camera, Touch ID, and all-day battery life. The color is space gray.
Check Price on Amazon.
3. Apple iPad 10th Generation, 64GB
The 10th generation iPad from Apple features an A14 Bionic chip and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It has 64GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, a 12MP front and back camera, Touch ID, and all-day battery life. It comes in a pink color option. This model offers improved performance and display, along with an updated all-screen design.
Check Price on Amazon.
4. Apple iPad Air 5th Generation, 64GB
The 5th generation iPad Air from Apple is powered by the M1 chip and has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It comes with 64GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, a 12MP front and 12MP back camera, Touch ID, and all-day battery life. The color option is starlight. This iPad Air model brings exceptional performance and capability in a thin and light design.
Check Price on Amazon.
As you weigh your personal storage needs, keep these questions in mind:
- How much media do you capture and preserve/archive?
- Do you edit video or work with large graphic files?
- Do you play intense 3D games or capture gaming footage?
- How many apps, especially pro creative tools, do you use simultaneously?
If you answer yes to several of these questions, lean strongly toward 256GB or higher iPad storage. You’ll preserve smooth performance and avoid constant storage juggling down the road.
Weighing your usage both now and where it’s likely headed simplifies deciding suitable iPad storage. Typical media consumption alone permits getting by on 64GB. But intensive gaming, professional media editing, large file handling, and desire to future-proof will demand stepping up to 256GB or beyond.
Position your iPad storage decision around your goals and probable needs 12–24 months out. And pad generously rather than risk frustrating lags once you max capacity. Follow these guidelines tailored to your use case and getting sufficient iPad storage is straightforward. Then you can focus enjoyment of all your new device’s capabilities. So, If you want to choose one according to your needs definitely consider to search on Amazon or elsewhere.
Q#1. How can I free up storage space on my iPad if I start running out with the 64GB capacity?
A: You have a few options to free up storage space if you find your 64GB iPad is filling up over time. Offload unused apps, delete downloads you’ve watched/listened to already, or offload photos and videos periodically to a laptop or cloud storage. Also be diligent about deleting text messages, emails, and browser cache that accumulate.
Q#2. What type of iPad user is 64GB best suited for?
A: The 64GB iPad storage capacity best fits casual users who primarily stream media, have a modest number of apps installed, capture some photos/video, and use their iPad for general productivity tasks or light creative work. Power users involved in intensive gaming, video editing, design work, or other storage-intensive tasks should choose higher capacities.
Q#3. How many apps can I install on a 64GB iPad?
A: While app file sizes vary greatly, a rough guideline is you can install around 100 average-sized apps on a 64GB iPad while reserving storage room to actually use the apps and capture some media. Larger apps like many games or pro tools will reduce your total number of installs accordingly.
Q#4. Can I use external or cloud storage to supplement the 64GB capacity?
A: Yes, using external SSD drives connected via USB-C or cloud storage subscriptions can help mitigate limited onboard storage. However, apps must remain installed on the iPad itself, and managing storage across multiple locations complicates workflow. So external storage works best for files rather than core app functionality.
Q#5. Is it easy to switch to a 256GB-capable iPad if I outgrow 64GB?
A: If you do accelerate into power-user status and find even diligent efforts to manage 64GB inadequate, upgrading to a 256GB or higher iPad is straightforward. Apple provides generous trade-in value for recent model iPads when purchasing a device with greater capabilities…just be sure to encrypt your existing iPad and turn off Find My beforehand.
Disclosure: Some external links in the post are affiliate links.
