At Tenby Schools Penang our TISS students in Year 7 have found an iPad with a keyboard and a stylus to be a powerful digital learning tool that allows them to be creative (video-photo editing, front/back camera), annotate documents (Apple Pencil), whilst retaining the functionality of a keyboard (Logitech Combo Touch case). We also believe that the iPad Air (5thGen), Logitech Combo Touch keyboard and an Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) will be sufficient for the time your student is at secondary school and perhaps more.
Below are some options for your reference.
