The 2017 iPad was a strategic move to dominate classrooms and business kiosks

Cultures · Published 9 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2017, the fifth-generation iPad abandoned high-end features to secure a lower price point. By stripping away lamination and anti-reflective coatings, Apple created an entry-level workhorse designed to fend off Chromebooks in schools and serve as a reliable, cost-effective terminal for businesses, rather than a premium creative tool.

When Apple announced the fifth-generation iPad in March 2017, the device arrived with a confusing identity. While officially labeled the fifth-generation model in technical specifications, marketing materials simply called it the iPad. This naming friction stemmed from the fact that the iPad Air line had previously occupied the fifth- and sixth-generation slots. Positioned as an entry-level model, it was priced at $329 in the United States—a $70 reduction from the iPad Air 2. Analysts noted this aggressive pricing was a calculated effort to capture the education sector and appeal to businesses requiring affordable hardware for kiosks, checkout terminals, and hospitality screens.

To hit this price target, Apple made specific design compromises. Unlike the iPad Air 2, the 2017 model lacks a fully laminated display and an anti-reflective coating, resulting in a screen that some reviewers described as slightly more washed out. It also omitted support for the Apple Pencil and the Smart Connector, features that were later introduced to the entry-level lineup with the sixth-generation iPad in 2018. Internally, however, the device featured the A9 processor and M9 motion co-processor, which provided a significant performance boost over older models, even if it lacked the raw power of the contemporary iPad Pro.

Despite these limitations, the tablet was generally well-received for its value, battery life, and speed. Reviewers like Dieter Bohn and Sascha Segan noted that while it was not an exciting device for existing owners to upgrade to, it was a solid, reliable tablet for first-time buyers. The device shipped with iOS 10 and eventually supported up to iPadOS 16. By prioritizing utility over premium aesthetics, Apple successfully carved out a niche for the device as a practical, everyday tool, effectively challenging the encroachment of competing Android tablets and budget-focused laptops in the professional and educational markets.

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