The new iPad Airs are a great bridge between the basic $349 iPad and the technically impressive but much more expensive M4 iPad Pros. Both of the Airs are (relatively speaking) inexpensive enough to be justifiable for people who buy iPads mainly to watch or read things but also powerful enough to run the handful of high-end pro apps that Apple, Adobe, and a handful of others make available for iPadOS. Unlike the M4 iPad Pro, they're also priced low enough that they're not competing directly with higher-end MacBook Airs or lower-end MacBook Pros, which makes unflattering comparisons between the capabilities of macOS and iPadOS slightly less relevant here.
Jumping back and forth between the iPad Air and Pro has emphasized how great of a value the Air is. I can't deny there are a number of niceties that all add up to make the iPad Pro experience better. Face ID is clearly superior to Touch ID, for example — I quickly got tired of reaching for the power button to unlock the Air. The iPad Pro's screen is the definition of luxury, and the improved keyboard case provides a slightly better experience. It's also lighter and easier to hold, with better speakers, too. And, of course, it has that new M4 chip. These things are all important and useful, but after getting used to the Air again, I don't miss them too much.
Ultimately, I think I can answer the Air vs. iPad debate in two questions. Do you want a big screen? Do you use the crap out of your Apple Pencil? If so, buy the Air. The 13-inch model is the cheapest big screen in Apple's lineup — a whopping $500 less than the comparable iPad Pro — and the 11-inch model is the least expensive way to get access to the Pencil Pro. Done and done. Otherwise, buy the plain ol' iPad, which is an already terrific tablet at a newly terrific price. There's even a better way to upgrade: I'd urge you to spend $150 upgrading the base iPad to the cellular model rather than $250 upgrading to the Air. Having an iPad that is just always connected, without having to think about it, is a game-changer for tablet life.
I've been using the 13-inch iPad Air over the last few days, along with Apple's Magic Keyboard Case and the Pencil Pro. I've been comparing it to the new 13-inch iPad Pro. While the iPad Pro has a nicer OLED display and an even faster processor, the Air is more than enough Pro for most. In fact, I'd recommend it over the Pro just for its price difference, but try to keep configuration creep in mind so you don't suddenly find yourself spending $1,500.
Gast
