With digital learning becoming more common, many students and parents are considering tablets like the iPad for schoolwork.
One major question often arises: is 64GB iPad enough for students? The answer depends on how the device is used. Let’s explore whether 64GB is suitable for student life — or if you should consider more storage.
Understanding What 64GB Really Means
Out of the box, a 64GB iPad doesn’t offer the full 64GB for personal use. After accounting for the iPadOS system and pre-installed apps, you’re realistically left with around 45–48GB of usable storage.
Since iPads don’t offer expandable storage (like SD cards), you’re limited to that amount for the entire lifetime of the device — unless you rely on the cloud.
So when you see a 64GB iPad, it doesn’t necessarily mean the storage is exactly 64GB because pre-installed apps have already taken some space inside the 64GB.
This applies to all smartphones and computers with pre-installed apps.
Is 64gb ipad enough for students?
A 64GB iPad is quite enough for students, though it depends on the field of study.
Talking about students and iPads simply means you want to use your iPad for note-taking or lectures.
64GB of storage is quite enough, but some lectures requiring extensive note-taking with many images and media might require an iPad with at least 128GB of storage, especially if you do not want to use cloud saving.
For example, medical students, arts students, and engineering students.
If you do not plan to use cloud saving for your notes and files, I honestly do not recommend a 64GB iPad especially in 2025.
The days when a single application was 2 MB in size are gone. Right now, a single application is 12 MB when installed, and its size increases to 400 MB while in use due to cached files and saved data.
Take, for example, Facebook, X, Instagram, and other social media apps; their sizes increase tremendously with use.
And this isn’t just about social apps; it also applies to note-taking apps, as you will save every note you take in the app.
Saving notes will increase the app’s size, and as the app grows larger, it will take up more space in your iPad’s storage.
You will be surprised that you will run out of storage with just five apps installed on your tablet.
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How Storage Gets Used Up Quickly
That said, storage can fill up faster than you expect. Some key things to watch out for:
- Large app sizes: Games, video editing tools, and pro apps (like Procreate or LumaFusion) can eat up gigabytes.
- Offline media: Downloading videos, podcasts, or textbooks for offline use takes a lot of space.
- Photos and videos: High-res images and HD video projects for assignments can pile up.
- iOS updates: System updates require free space temporarily — usually 4–6GB at a time.
Common Student Use Cases
- Note-taking and reading (e.g., GoodNotes, Notability, PDFs).
- Multimedia consumption (e.g., streaming, lectures).
- App usage for school (e.g., Microsoft Office, educational apps).
- Light content creation (photos, videos, documents).
Notability is a very popular note-taking app among students, and it is about 319 MB in size.
When you begin using the Notability app, its size increases due to the number of notes saved.
If you are the type who loves to have multiple note-taking apps, then surely it means you will run out of space.
Aside from note-taking apps, as a student, you may want to use your iPad for media consumption; however, I recommend streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, etc., compared to downloading movies onto your iPad.
Once you start downloading movies and videos on your iPad, rest assured that 64 GB of storage will not be enough.
For gaming, I will discuss that later.
Cloud Storage as a Lifesaver
Using cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox can make a 64GB iPad feel more spacious. Here’s how:
- iCloud Photos can store full-resolution images and videos in the cloud, keeping smaller versions on your device.
- Files can be stored in the cloud and downloaded only when needed.
- Streaming services reduce the need to download videos and music.
As an iPad user, you have iCloud at your disposal, but it doesn’t come free, especially if the free 5GB of storage is full. Apple will encourage you to upgrade from the free plan, which might cost $50 per month depending on the plan chosen.
However, there are other cloud saving platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, etc., which might be cheaper than iCloud.
As a student, you should prioritize the cheaper and efficient cloud saving platforms for your notes and files. I won’t lie, iCloud may seem pricey for you as a student unless you have the funds.
When 64GB is Enough
- You’re a K–12 student using mostly cloud apps and streaming content.
- Your iPad is a secondary device, with a laptop or desktop doing the heavy lifting.
- You’re disciplined about keeping your files organized and deleting what you don’t need.
- You use the iPad mainly for reading, note-taking, and light browsing.
When talking about is 64gb ipad enough for students, first, you need to ask what you need the iPad for; what exactly are you going to do with it? Will it be for light tasks or heavy tasks?
It doesn’t end there, as you will ask yourself whether you need the iPad just as a student, or will continue using it after you graduate.
As iPad and other apple devices tends to last longer, I will recommend that you buy something that you will use within the next four years especially iPads.
I have an M1 Apple Pro, released in 2021, and in 2025 I am still using the iPad; it is working perfectly fine without any issues.
So far, I don’t see a huge difference with the M4 iPad Pro when it comes to my daily iPad activities, and I don’t see any reason to upgrade. Mind you, I bought the 512GB version.
What I am trying to explain is that iPads tend to be similar, differing mainly in the chipset or processor. So, it is better to buy something you will use for three to four years without needing to upgrade every year or two.
I’m saying this based on the question of the day is 64gb ipad enough for students.
Instead of buying a 64GB iPad as a student, why not buy one with at least 128GB of storage? Even after graduating, you will still use the iPad and won’t need to upgrade.
When You Might Need More
- You download a lot of files, videos, or apps for offline use.
- You work on media-heavy projects (video editing, animation, art).
- You want the iPad to be your primary device for everything.
- You’re planning to keep the device for 3+ years and want future-proofing.
Pros of 64GB for Students
- Lower cost.
- Sufficient for lightweight, cloud-based workflows.
- Encourages regular clean-up and organization.
Cons of 64GB for Students
- Limited headroom for heavy use.
- May require constant file management.
- Not ideal for media-heavy students (e.g., film, design).
When you’re into gaming
You’re a student and loves mobile games especially the AAA type of games which a good number of them are available on Appstore.
With 64 GB of storage, I’m sorry to tell you that it will not be enough.
Right now, a good number of high-quality mobile games are 350 MB to 22 GB in size. Genshin Impact, for example, is about 22 GB after installation, and Diablo Immortal is about 5 GB, especially with the latest updates.
The same goes for Call of Duty Mobile or Warzone, and the latest Delta Force mobile and Once human mobile.
All these games have huge file sizes; downloading about six will fill up your iPad’s storage.
If you’re into gaming though, I will recommend at least 128GB or 256GB iPad.
It helps a lot especially if you want to install some couple of games to play later.
Don’t buy what you’ll regret
As iPads don’t have expandable storage like some Android tablets, you should think twice before choosing a 64GB iPad.
Don’t buy and regret later.
That’s why I said you need to take your time to consider what you need the iPad for and what you’re going to do with it.
If it requires heavy tasks, then go for a higher storage capacity. But if it’s just browsing, reading books, media consumption like streaming, and note-taking, then 64 GB of storage is okay.
Conclusion
A 64GB iPad is okay for students, but only if they are light users and prioritize cloud saving over internal storage.
However, in 2025, I will recommend at least 256 GB, though I mostly recommend a minimum of 512 GB, as iPads don’t have expandable storage.
