What are the "pros and cons" of the iPad 4th Gen? Does it make sense for me?

Please note that the iPad 4th Gen models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

Only you can decide whether or not an iPad 4th Gen model -- the iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi Only), iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS), intended for use on AT&T's network in the US, or the iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS), intended for use on Verizon or Sprint's networks in the US, is the right tablet for you.

However, you certainly can evaluate the pros and cons to whether or not your needs are met. This "run down" may be helpful to make a decision:

Pros:

• Very thin, beautiful, sleek, and extremely portable design.
• Bright, incredibly high resolution and sharp 2048x1536 (264 ppi) display.
• System-wide mirroring support.
• Solid performance and battery life, too (although newer models are much faster).
• Built-in support for proper, effectively global 4G LTE and GPS on the iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) and iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) configurations, as well as dual stream 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 on all models.
• Dual cameras (front and rear) make video conferencing and 1080p video capture fairly easy. 720p front camera is a significant improvement compared to earlier iPad models.
• Usable onscreen keyboard and support for an external keyboard.
• Support for thousands of iPad applications from a wide variety of developers.
• Inexpensive compared to notebook computers.
• Originally sold unlocked and without a contract in the US, and most other countries, with multiple wireless carrier options.

Cons:

• Glossy display casts a glare in direct light.
• Lightning connector is not compatible with older accessories and adapters are costly.
• The battery is not intended to be replaced and self-replacement is quite difficult.
• Storage capacity cannot be upgraded and can be inadequate given increasingly large file sizes to display images and other content optimized for the high-resolution display.
• No SD card slot for easy photo transfer.
• Shooting photos and video with such a physically large device is awkward.
• Google Maps no longer integrated with the operating system.
• Can run warm, particularly during gaming that taxes the graphics processor.
• No support for Flash.
• No bundled headphones (a particularly miserly omission given the price of the device).
• iWork applications are improving, but still somewhat hobbled by document translation issues, file transfer complexity, and officially limited printer support.
• Expensive compared to other tablet computers as well as some netbooks and the iPod touch.
• Limited support for iOS 10 and no support for iOS 11 or subsequent versions of the iOS.

Ultimately, if your top priorities for a tablet computer are screen quality and price, the iPad 4th Gen was a great choice at the time it was released. These days, because it no longer supports a modern version of the iOS, it only remains usable for someone with minimal needs. Most users would be better off with a newer iPad.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

Also see:

• What are all the differences between the iPad 4th Gen models? Which should I buy?
• What are all the differences between the iPad 4th Gen (Late 2012) and the iPad 3rd Gen (Early 2012) that it replaced?
• What are all the differences between the iPad 4th Gen, the iPad 2, and the iPad mini? Which is best for me?