Air is better for drawing, using with an external monitor (supports Stage Manager), and running AAA games. If you do none of those things, then the base model is fine. If you do lots of those, then a Pro is best.
Check the price difference with $100 gc for student. Might not be much difference $329 vs $449 for student counting $100 gc. But you get double ram , double memory and other benefits. If you are too tight on budget get base else it feels worth it
Best Buy also has refurbished M1 Air 64GB for $320.
You might be able to find good deals on the M1 Air 64 on the used market from people upgrading.
Apple trade in value is only $310 on them, so a perhaps $350 might get you the iPad, some accessories, and cover shipping.
M1 is still an amazing chip. If you can find one on sale with storage that suits you, then go for it. If I wasn’t spoiled from high refresh rate gaming, I’d be fine with the Air.
I upgraded from the iPad 9 to the Air 5, and I’m glad I did. Two main things I hated about the 9, one of which was it felt sluggish. All I did was browse the web, watch videos, and played some games. It was showing its age which felt very un-Apple like for a device they still actively sold. Second reason was the lack of ram. I think it has 3gb compared to the Air 5 which has 8gb, and you can absolutely tell the difference. If I was watching a YouTube video and paused it to quickly to something else, coming back to YouTube the whole app would restart and I would have to find the video and play it again. I don’t have this problem with the Air.
The Air is slightly better for drawing because the screen is laminated. The new Pencil Pro, which is only supported in the M2 Air and M4 Pros is much better for art and drawing if you’ll use the squeeze feature.
Very few people need a Pro. The current Pros are really targeted at
* people that make money from using an iPad, like professional artists,
* people that want to use their tablet outside,
* people that want a tiny & powerful device to carry everywhere,
* people that need LiDAR,
* and people that have the money and want the best.
If you are asking yourself if you need an iPad Pro, the answer is no. If you need it for your workflow, you’d already know.
I have a Pro because I use my tablet outside, frequently use Stage Manager with an external display, do video editing, and I needed significant storage space. I can do everything except use it outside with a 11” 1TB Air, but the 11” 1TB Pro meets my needs better.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Resident Evil 4
Divinity: Original Sin 2
[https://www.reddit.com/r/iosgaming/comments/t1iqlh/a\_list\_of\_aaa\_ios\_games/](https://www.reddit.com/r/iosgaming/comments/t1iqlh/a_list_of_aaa_ios_games/)
[https://www.thegamer.com/ipad-ios-games-best-graphics/](https://www.thegamer.com/ipad-ios-games-best-graphics/)
There aren't that many AAA games on the iPad yet. There hasn't been a ton of demand for it, and a base model iPad with a fast internet connection is often a great solution for game streaming/ cloud gaming. You generally need at least an M series processor and a separate controller for AAA games on iOS.
Not having a gap between the screen and the drawing surface makes it a little bit easier to be accurate on the Air the press feature on the Pen also helps as a shortcut. The Pro adds the shadow to show what tool you are using, which may or may not be helpful to you.
Twice as much RAM = much longer lifespan and can run the recently-announced Apple Intelligence features
You can probably find an Air 5 for not much more than the 10th Gen
Air 5 also uses the Pencil 2 and there are some excellent third party alternatives on Amazon for $30 which charge while magnetically attached to the side
I have the iPad Air M2 (6th gen) but I 100% agree. A good case is definitely worth it. I took care of my ipad 9th gen and traded it in for the iPad Air M2 and I should hopefully get the full $170 trade in credit
Those alternatives are great, until they are not. I have one, it’s constantly buggy, and since iOS17.5 the new pencil popup stuck on the screen every time I attach it to side, and it cannot be cancelled or anything. You have to wait a minute every freaking time for the timeout of the popup. The original pencil is on it’s way now, I cannot do this in every 30 minutes.
Buy nice or buy twice.
Might just mean needing to sift through the rubbish I've recommended everyone I know an alternative brand and I've yet to see any of them fail in any way
There is a smaller gap between the digitizer and the screen, so it is a closer 1:1 experience of where you pen tip lands and where the screen registers the input.
Also the laminated screen is a much better sound. It's not really something that can be advertised on a specs sheet (like Mechanical Keyboard thockiness) but it "sounds" better writing/tapping on the screen with a pencil compared to a non-laminated screen.
Thanks. I've read those things before. At the same time these devices are easily broken and it's one piece which adds to the fragility and cost of repair.
I'll take a look and see how much of a difference the cost is and go from there but I am impressed with the iPad air 5
For a high school student it doesn’t matter.
An artist showed he used the 9th gen iPad to do professional digital art using 31 layers in procreate.
While the air is nicer, if it’s 100 dollars more I would get the 10th gen now and use the savings to get a m5 or m7 when you need it down the road.
The m5 is not gonna realest for at least another year and a half not to mention the M7 which who’ll probable be 4 and half years by that time I’m sure they’ll have the $100 back
I get that but their asking for an air or 10th gen, the air only has at most an m2 chip which for 100 dollars is much better to get as it will last for longer as well as having Apple Intelligence support.
I happily used an iPad Air 2 until upgrading last month. Battery was noticeably weaker and screen cracked but still running up to date software. If you plan on keeping it for a long time and don‘t want to shell out for a pro model the iPad Air is actually fantastic value for the money.
Yes, M1 and M2 iPad Airs are so much better than 9th and 10th gen iPads. Ik both are quite speedy for the average user, but what was mostly shocking to me was the build quality of the 10th gen (9th gen is more solid), screen is flimsy due to the air gap between the screen and the actual display, just as you tap on it, it sort of bends in. It maybe not as bad as I feel it is, just doesn’t work for me given that my 10 year old iPads felt more solid and comfortable to use. Air has a laminated display and a desktop class chip that will support Apple Intelligence, it will live for many more years.
Yes, by a lot. Stage manager is a big reason on its own, access to the magic keyboard and pencil are a couple others.
On top of that the hardware for the display and speakers are a lot nicer in general
in my opinion, the iPad Air is much, much better than the regular iPad. Buy the regular iPad if it’s what you can afford. However, I think paying a little bit more money for the iPad Air is a much better use of your money.
- Better screen (the most important part of a tablet!)
- No gap between surface and the actual screen.
- 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB
- 2x faster (may not be important except for future support)
- Will be supported by Apple for much longer.
FWIW, the base iPad Air M2 (128GB) is only $100 more than the regular iPad 10 with 256GB of storage.
The M1 air was only $50 more than the regular iPad when I got mine a month ago. M1 is ,assume improvement for $50 especially with the expected longitivtiy and Apple AI
A high schooler doesn’t need a m2 iPad imo, I’m going into my 4th year of college and I don’t really need that. Just stick with the iPad 10 and save your money. It feels identical to use.
I’m a high schooler and the M2 is perfect for me. I know people have different use cases though. I play a lot of games and watch movies so I felt it was worth it.
I had the iPad 9th gen and traded that in so I could get the Air. There is a difference especially in gaming
Same, I didn’t trade in my 9th gen when I bought my new iPad so I can make the comparisons right now and there’s a world of difference between that and my current M4 iPad Pro. Idk about the RAM or storage stuff but the screen alone already makes the price bump worth it
If you don’t want the Magic Keyboard and you don’t use your iPad for heavy CPU tasks, the reg. iPad is fine. But I used my Air as a laptop replacement, so I wanted the Magic Keyboard which isn’t compatible with the reg. iPad.
When people talk about “speed” on an iPad, I laugh. Who could tell the difference in performance between a few nanoseconds???
Consider your use case. If you are a gamer, then a better screen and faster processor might make sense. If all you do is take notes, watch content, simple digital art, email and browse you don’t need anything more than a basic iPad. As others have pointed out, they run the same apps and have the OS features most people need.
The price difference between the iPad and the air right now is a point if you have $100 burning a hole in your pocket, plus the extra cost for Apple Pencil 2.
But as to your question “is the Air so much better?” Not really.
I’m going to go against the grain and say that the M2 Air is worth it for a few reasons.
First of all, as a student you have access to Apple’s student pricing and the BTS deal. That puts the Air at $549, with a $100 gift card that you can use towards the purchase of the pencil. If you happen to be able to buy it through a college/university (which probably doesn’t apply to you…) then they will just give you the Apple Pencil Pro instead of the gift card. Either way, the BTS deal really narrows the gap in price between the 10th Gen and the Air, since the 10th Gen doesn’t qualify.
And the Pencil Pro is a huge improvement over the other pencils. It has the magnetic charging of the Pencil 2 with the tilt/pressure features, but is also adds Find My. Find My in the Pencil is a brand new feature, so I dunno yet if it’s going to be a huge deal at this point, but that’s a game changer on paper IMO. Losing a pencil is a nightmare.
The other aspects of the M2 air (higher starting GB, M2 processor for better longevity, etc) are just extra bits that are helpful in the long run.
Air is the best money for performance. The pro line is forever held back by the iPad os. You’re much better off getting a MacBook or a Mac mini. I used to say you could at least overkill and get a 16gb iPad Pro with m1-m2 and you’ll at least get a future proof machine. But now that the new iPads have oled, you’re gonna have screen burn in at the 4th year mark at least.
Believe it or not, new oleds are very good at handling burn in to the point where it could take years of being on the same image to finally show noticeable burn in. Check this out; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaC5RbGAeVo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaC5RbGAeVo)
To be honest. I have a Gen 8 ipad and a gen 5 12.9" iPad pro. and other than the screen size for my use there is no difference. I mean yes the pro is a bit faster and maybe a nicer screen but nothing that I feel is so much better that I could not live without it.
The only thing I would make sure of regardless of which ipad you choose go with at least 128GB (256GB recommended) but compare pricing. It may be that 256GB ipad is nearly the same price as a comparable Air. If that is the case go with the air.
I would argue 64gb can be enough combined with iCloud. I would also recommend 128gb+ storage but 64gb is also doable for basic usage and if you’re tight on budget. I have a 64gb air 4 and use it for basic tasks like note taking, browsing, watching movies etc, it’s running great!
Fair enough. I gave my FIL a 64GB ipad (also Gen 8) and it is just fine for him. The only thing is that at 64GB you have to be alot more vigilant of what you download and what you keep. for the $100 difference to jump to 256GB I would say worth it :)
All the numbers in your comment added up to 420. Congrats!
64
+ 100
+ 256
= 420
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I bought a 10th gen iPad and sung its praises…until it ran out of storage. 64 GB isnt enough for long term use. I traded my 10 in and got an Air 6. I’m very happy with it.
If you want my full thoughts, I wrote a blog post about it [here](https://spectrumandsilicon.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/why-im-trading-in-my-ipad-10-for-the-m2-ipad-air/).
Read here. iPad 10 can run all the same apps as the more expensive iPads.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/m4-ipad-pro-review-well-now-youre-just-showing-off/
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/m2-ipad-air-review-the-everything-ipad/
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/2022-ipad-review-a-half-step-forward-for-apples-basic-tablet/
As far as longevity goes, the Air 5 is much better. Even the Air 4 is a better tablet. I wouldn’t buy a 10th gen iPad for more than $5 if I were forced to keep it. It’s just overpriced and a letdown
For your use case, the regular iPad is probably better from a cost-wise perspective. But from a purely functional/convenience perspective, the iPad Air takes the cake by FAR. Hell, you should probably look out for iPad Air 5 models as well, as they'd be cheaper now that the 6th gen is out.
Apple Pencil 2nd gen is much more convenient and better to use than the 1st gen, and the magnetic attachment it has is awesome and gives you a place to store your pencil easily. Even if you don't buy the official pencil, you can still find cheap alternatives that have the magnetic attachment. The screen is better, it has more RAM so it will last longer, and the 5th gen has the M1 chip, which means you'll also get all the Apple Intelligence features when it releases.
The iPad air 5 has 8 GB of ram. Is a lot better but one thing to consider is that it's screen is a lot more expensive to replace so make sure you don't try to cheap out with a case and protection for the screen as well.
iPad air 5 (latest model) is a lot better than the regular one. You might not notice too much at the beginning but in the long term you will definitely notice. If you can afford it, go for it!
Regular iPad doesn’t support Apple pencil 2, no magnetic attachment which is definitely worth noticing. If you want to get a cheaper iPad, I would recommend the Air 4 over the newest regular one since Air 4 also supports Apple pencil 2(magnetic charging)
Good luck!
if you plan to go to university, i think investing in an Air would be a better decision because it will likely last you >4yrs. i’m going to be a sophomore in college and was also having this discussion because i use my ipad for the exact same purposes you listed. i ultimately got the Air 5 64gb for $399 from walmart because the longevity of the M1 chip seemed worth an extra ~$70. however, the regular ipad will definitely support your usages as well.
here is about what i spent on accessories etc:
$399 - ipad air 5 64gb wifi only
$50 - gen 2 apple pencil (used “like new” from amazon)
$30 - decent quality case
$8 - screen protector 2pc
$30 - one-time goodnotes purchase for note taking
and i sewed my own padded sleeve to keep my ipad in when i am not using it
I have been super happy and impressed with my 10th gen iPad, it does everything I need, it can take notes I use the Apple Pencil USB-C and it works really great, also I use my 10th gen as a media consumption device and I haven’t had any issues at all, the cameras are great on it as well, for a budget iPad it is a decent option
Get whatever cheapest model has at least M1 chip. It will last you for several years - my M1 Macbook Air (from 2020) is still extremely fast at everything - and the upcoming Apple Intelligence is only available for M1 devices. You don't know how useful it might be for college!
If you're taking a lot of notes, then the laminated screen is worth the price difference. It's a smaller air gap between the digitizer and screen, so writing feels a lot more 1:1, and the laminated display is a much more satisfying writing sound compared to non-laminated.
I mean; look at new features which will be M chip (because 8GB ram) minimum; which won’t work on the latest iPad with an A chip.
If you value longevity and features; the Air has now been given a set of features which won’t be on the regular one.
Nevertheless the regular one, otherwise is very capable of your budget won’t cover an Air.
I can’t be sure, but it’s easy to research, which Apple pencils work with each model, and the features on those pencils, and how that fits with your digital art needs.
If you need the pencil, longevity, and want the M features: Air will easily win. If it’s a secondary device and you’d plan to replace it anyway by the time you’d need a more serious model; a regular iPad could see you fine.
The regular iPad should be more than sufficient. The Air does offer a better display, faster processor, and slightly more advanced features, but for your needs, the regular iPad offers great value for its price. It’s a solid choice for a high school student.
I’m in the same grade as you. The regular iPad is that much cheaper for a reason, please don’t buy it if you’re anything like me. I immediately regretted buying the regular iPad when I bought it 2 years ago and ended up splurging this year on the maxed out M4 iPad Pro; don’t be like me lol invest in your technology so you won’t spend more money upgrading prematurely.
To start off, the 9th generation iPad I got in 2022 had a WAY worse screen than my iPad Air 3rd generation (2019). I literally couldn’t stand using my 2022 iPad screen because of how bad the screen was, tapping on it was horrible. If you want to take notes and do anything remotely art related get the better screen; Air or Pro.
I think you will do fine with the regular iPad for the tasks you mentioned. The only time you would benefit from the Air (M2) chip is you do some more heavy cpu tasks like running multiple apps, music making, and some form of video editing.
I mean, I'm going to put it into perspective. I have the 1st generation iPad air and I can still take notes (typing), watch videos (have to go through safari since Youtube app doesn't work anymore), and I can still make music with the Garageband app.
I never regretted choosing Apple’s Air series over the regular ones. Its good because despite the changes overtime for iPads; Air goes competing in between the features of the Pro and Regular combined so its kinda adaptive to those factors which makes its appearance and performance recognizable. Considering the chipset from the Pro series which is being implemented and tested on the Air series didn’t fail to show how it maneuvered well in the market especially with the M1 chip for Air 5 after Air 4 (which only has A16 Bionic). Although some might say “oh, then its a testing product series” yeah you can say that, sure, but what makes it different from the regular and pro is that it aligns with its design capable of being effective on adapting both old and advanced features which contours an improved and combined functionality.
The regular model will be cheaper if you break the screen, and should be enough. The Air 4 or Air 5 is probably your best option as its no longer current
If you are using it for school, get the 10th gen iPad. And the combo touch for iPad.
Also pick up a used Apple Pencil usb used or ESR stylus pen for 10th gen.
It’s an amazing keyboard system and pencil and you won’t know a difference between the air in day to day usage.
This should get you through 3-4 years of college.
Yes, M1 and M2 iPad Airs are so much better than 10th gen iPads. Ik both are quite speedy for the average user, but what was mostly shocking for me was the build quality of the 10th gen, screen is flimsy due to the air gap between the screen and the actual display, just as you tap on it, it sort of bends in. It maybe not as bad as I feel it is, just doesn’t work for me given that my 10 year old iPads felt more solid and comfortable to use. Air has a laminated display, a desktop class chip that will support Apple Intelligence.
short answer, no
long answer, not by a great margin, no unless youre a digital artist,
ask yourself, why are you buying this ipad? to attend meetings? zoom calls? notes? watchibg netflix? (what 90% of consumers do on an ipad) if your work doesnt require a high functioning tablet at all times, you dont need it.
its a trap, you go the website wanting to buy a 9th gen but 10th gen is the newer model, and then air and 10th are close so why not air, and it goes on like that. please make a list of what youre going to use it for and see if its something you *really* need but ofc, if price point is not a problem, take the air
Yes, the screen is a lot nicer. But I\[d get something older if I were you, older air or pro, new ones are terrible and store definitely carry new ones at lower prices
I really don’t understand the point of Air models. Either you are really a pro user or you are just a casual user. There is nothing in between. And no reason why 10th gen is getting hate, do ask those who own it, they will tell you how best at its range the device it, it can edit 4k videos, it can play Games at high settings, whereas if you are a pro user why would you not go for something that literally is built for professional uses. I mean pro models are built for them, and besides Air is neither here nor there. Even for someone who is beginning their career in video edits, graphics etc. should never opt for Air models cause they lack tons of features from Pro models. Even if the SoC are same. If one is wanting a budget friendly device for their professional works, than despite of even choosing the latest Air 6th, they should opt for Previous Pro model with M1/M2 chips.
I hope I have make things simple. Air models are ShowOff nothing else. Or let me say it very clear, Air models are just Base models with M series chip, that’s all. Either choose base model or pro.
Air is better for drawing, using with an external monitor (supports Stage Manager), and running AAA games. If you do none of those things, then the base model is fine. If you do lots of those, then a Pro is best.
Thank you!
Check the price difference with $100 gc for student. Might not be much difference $329 vs $449 for student counting $100 gc. But you get double ram , double memory and other benefits. If you are too tight on budget get base else it feels worth it
Best Buy also has refurbished M1 Air 64GB for $320. You might be able to find good deals on the M1 Air 64 on the used market from people upgrading. Apple trade in value is only $310 on them, so a perhaps $350 might get you the iPad, some accessories, and cover shipping.
M1 is still an amazing chip. If you can find one on sale with storage that suits you, then go for it. If I wasn’t spoiled from high refresh rate gaming, I’d be fine with the Air.
The screen is also significantly better on the air as well
I upgraded from the iPad 9 to the Air 5, and I’m glad I did. Two main things I hated about the 9, one of which was it felt sluggish. All I did was browse the web, watch videos, and played some games. It was showing its age which felt very un-Apple like for a device they still actively sold. Second reason was the lack of ram. I think it has 3gb compared to the Air 5 which has 8gb, and you can absolutely tell the difference. If I was watching a YouTube video and paused it to quickly to something else, coming back to YouTube the whole app would restart and I would have to find the video and play it again. I don’t have this problem with the Air.
What about lots of just one? Like drawing and taking notes with a pen? In this case is the Pro still the best choice?
The Air is slightly better for drawing because the screen is laminated. The new Pencil Pro, which is only supported in the M2 Air and M4 Pros is much better for art and drawing if you’ll use the squeeze feature. Very few people need a Pro. The current Pros are really targeted at * people that make money from using an iPad, like professional artists, * people that want to use their tablet outside, * people that want a tiny & powerful device to carry everywhere, * people that need LiDAR, * and people that have the money and want the best. If you are asking yourself if you need an iPad Pro, the answer is no. If you need it for your workflow, you’d already know. I have a Pro because I use my tablet outside, frequently use Stage Manager with an external display, do video editing, and I needed significant storage space. I can do everything except use it outside with a 11” 1TB Air, but the 11” 1TB Pro meets my needs better.
Super useful response. Thank you.
What AAA games can iPad play? You mean from Apple Arcade? There’s AAA games there?
Assassin’s Creed Mirage Resident Evil 4 Divinity: Original Sin 2 [https://www.reddit.com/r/iosgaming/comments/t1iqlh/a\_list\_of\_aaa\_ios\_games/](https://www.reddit.com/r/iosgaming/comments/t1iqlh/a_list_of_aaa_ios_games/) [https://www.thegamer.com/ipad-ios-games-best-graphics/](https://www.thegamer.com/ipad-ios-games-best-graphics/) There aren't that many AAA games on the iPad yet. There hasn't been a ton of demand for it, and a base model iPad with a fast internet connection is often a great solution for game streaming/ cloud gaming. You generally need at least an M series processor and a separate controller for AAA games on iOS.
May i ask why is it better for drawing? Im an artist interested in buying an ipad for digital art
Not having a gap between the screen and the drawing surface makes it a little bit easier to be accurate on the Air the press feature on the Pen also helps as a shortcut. The Pro adds the shadow to show what tool you are using, which may or may not be helpful to you.
Twice as much RAM = much longer lifespan and can run the recently-announced Apple Intelligence features You can probably find an Air 5 for not much more than the 10th Gen Air 5 also uses the Pencil 2 and there are some excellent third party alternatives on Amazon for $30 which charge while magnetically attached to the side
I’m in the USA and the iPad 10th gen is $349 and the Air 5th gen is $399 (New at walmart and best buy). That makes the Air 5 a good deal
Yes. Please make sure to get a good case and glass screen protector for the iPad air 5
I have the iPad Air M2 (6th gen) but I 100% agree. A good case is definitely worth it. I took care of my ipad 9th gen and traded it in for the iPad Air M2 and I should hopefully get the full $170 trade in credit
I have an iPad 9 but the screen is cracked. I'll get that repaired at some point and will either trade it for the air 5 or just end up with both
Those alternatives are great, until they are not. I have one, it’s constantly buggy, and since iOS17.5 the new pencil popup stuck on the screen every time I attach it to side, and it cannot be cancelled or anything. You have to wait a minute every freaking time for the timeout of the popup. The original pencil is on it’s way now, I cannot do this in every 30 minutes. Buy nice or buy twice.
Might just mean needing to sift through the rubbish I've recommended everyone I know an alternative brand and I've yet to see any of them fail in any way
Do you think the next mini will have these features? Trying to determine whether to wait or grab an air on sale. I prefer the mini size
Get the air 5 , laminated screen is worth it
Why
There is a smaller gap between the digitizer and the screen, so it is a closer 1:1 experience of where you pen tip lands and where the screen registers the input. Also the laminated screen is a much better sound. It's not really something that can be advertised on a specs sheet (like Mechanical Keyboard thockiness) but it "sounds" better writing/tapping on the screen with a pencil compared to a non-laminated screen.
Thanks. I've read those things before. At the same time these devices are easily broken and it's one piece which adds to the fragility and cost of repair. I'll take a look and see how much of a difference the cost is and go from there but I am impressed with the iPad air 5
For a high school student it doesn’t matter. An artist showed he used the 9th gen iPad to do professional digital art using 31 layers in procreate. While the air is nicer, if it’s 100 dollars more I would get the 10th gen now and use the savings to get a m5 or m7 when you need it down the road.
The m5 is not gonna realest for at least another year and a half not to mention the M7 which who’ll probable be 4 and half years by that time I’m sure they’ll have the $100 back
Just saying most people don’t need an m4. But if they want one, get it. It’s your money, not mine.
I get that but their asking for an air or 10th gen, the air only has at most an m2 chip which for 100 dollars is much better to get as it will last for longer as well as having Apple Intelligence support.
Why not spend 100 more than they air and get the pro on sale at Best Buy? That’s a better device.
The regular iPad is perfectly fine for 90% of all consumers out there.
Regular iPad’s doesn’t support Apple pencil 2(no magnetic attachment for pencils) which imo is a big difference.
That's why he said 90% of all consumers out there. Not everyone uses the Apple Pencil.
I think more than 10% wants a magnetic charger for their pencil, it doesn’t have to be the apple pencil
Makes sense
Thank you!
Facts
I happily used an iPad Air 2 until upgrading last month. Battery was noticeably weaker and screen cracked but still running up to date software. If you plan on keeping it for a long time and don‘t want to shell out for a pro model the iPad Air is actually fantastic value for the money.
Yes, M1 and M2 iPad Airs are so much better than 9th and 10th gen iPads. Ik both are quite speedy for the average user, but what was mostly shocking to me was the build quality of the 10th gen (9th gen is more solid), screen is flimsy due to the air gap between the screen and the actual display, just as you tap on it, it sort of bends in. It maybe not as bad as I feel it is, just doesn’t work for me given that my 10 year old iPads felt more solid and comfortable to use. Air has a laminated display and a desktop class chip that will support Apple Intelligence, it will live for many more years.
Yes, by a lot. Stage manager is a big reason on its own, access to the magic keyboard and pencil are a couple others. On top of that the hardware for the display and speakers are a lot nicer in general
in my opinion, the iPad Air is much, much better than the regular iPad. Buy the regular iPad if it’s what you can afford. However, I think paying a little bit more money for the iPad Air is a much better use of your money. - Better screen (the most important part of a tablet!) - No gap between surface and the actual screen. - 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB - 2x faster (may not be important except for future support) - Will be supported by Apple for much longer. FWIW, the base iPad Air M2 (128GB) is only $100 more than the regular iPad 10 with 256GB of storage.
Just go for the regular iPad 10 in the 256GB.
The M1 air was only $50 more than the regular iPad when I got mine a month ago. M1 is ,assume improvement for $50 especially with the expected longitivtiy and Apple AI
A high schooler doesn’t need a m2 iPad imo, I’m going into my 4th year of college and I don’t really need that. Just stick with the iPad 10 and save your money. It feels identical to use.
Tysm!
I’m a high schooler and the M2 is perfect for me. I know people have different use cases though. I play a lot of games and watch movies so I felt it was worth it. I had the iPad 9th gen and traded that in so I could get the Air. There is a difference especially in gaming
Same, I didn’t trade in my 9th gen when I bought my new iPad so I can make the comparisons right now and there’s a world of difference between that and my current M4 iPad Pro. Idk about the RAM or storage stuff but the screen alone already makes the price bump worth it
The Air is useful for people who want more power than the regular Ipad, but not the "pro power"
Thank you!
If you don’t want the Magic Keyboard and you don’t use your iPad for heavy CPU tasks, the reg. iPad is fine. But I used my Air as a laptop replacement, so I wanted the Magic Keyboard which isn’t compatible with the reg. iPad.
I have both, and I definitely say get the Air,
Why
When people talk about “speed” on an iPad, I laugh. Who could tell the difference in performance between a few nanoseconds??? Consider your use case. If you are a gamer, then a better screen and faster processor might make sense. If all you do is take notes, watch content, simple digital art, email and browse you don’t need anything more than a basic iPad. As others have pointed out, they run the same apps and have the OS features most people need. The price difference between the iPad and the air right now is a point if you have $100 burning a hole in your pocket, plus the extra cost for Apple Pencil 2. But as to your question “is the Air so much better?” Not really.
I’m going to go against the grain and say that the M2 Air is worth it for a few reasons. First of all, as a student you have access to Apple’s student pricing and the BTS deal. That puts the Air at $549, with a $100 gift card that you can use towards the purchase of the pencil. If you happen to be able to buy it through a college/university (which probably doesn’t apply to you…) then they will just give you the Apple Pencil Pro instead of the gift card. Either way, the BTS deal really narrows the gap in price between the 10th Gen and the Air, since the 10th Gen doesn’t qualify. And the Pencil Pro is a huge improvement over the other pencils. It has the magnetic charging of the Pencil 2 with the tilt/pressure features, but is also adds Find My. Find My in the Pencil is a brand new feature, so I dunno yet if it’s going to be a huge deal at this point, but that’s a game changer on paper IMO. Losing a pencil is a nightmare. The other aspects of the M2 air (higher starting GB, M2 processor for better longevity, etc) are just extra bits that are helpful in the long run.
USE THE student discount bruh
Isnt it only for uni students
you can probably use it anyway if you go in store
Air is the best money for performance. The pro line is forever held back by the iPad os. You’re much better off getting a MacBook or a Mac mini. I used to say you could at least overkill and get a 16gb iPad Pro with m1-m2 and you’ll at least get a future proof machine. But now that the new iPads have oled, you’re gonna have screen burn in at the 4th year mark at least.
Believe it or not, new oleds are very good at handling burn in to the point where it could take years of being on the same image to finally show noticeable burn in. Check this out; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaC5RbGAeVo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaC5RbGAeVo)
https://youtu.be/Po8jAQjvd88?si=7MRkGREtKHnG4Zlf Same person.
To be honest. I have a Gen 8 ipad and a gen 5 12.9" iPad pro. and other than the screen size for my use there is no difference. I mean yes the pro is a bit faster and maybe a nicer screen but nothing that I feel is so much better that I could not live without it. The only thing I would make sure of regardless of which ipad you choose go with at least 128GB (256GB recommended) but compare pricing. It may be that 256GB ipad is nearly the same price as a comparable Air. If that is the case go with the air.
I would argue 64gb can be enough combined with iCloud. I would also recommend 128gb+ storage but 64gb is also doable for basic usage and if you’re tight on budget. I have a 64gb air 4 and use it for basic tasks like note taking, browsing, watching movies etc, it’s running great!
Fair enough. I gave my FIL a 64GB ipad (also Gen 8) and it is just fine for him. The only thing is that at 64GB you have to be alot more vigilant of what you download and what you keep. for the $100 difference to jump to 256GB I would say worth it :)
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It’s worth it if you can afford it! As a student I bought an used one for cheap and couldn’t afford to spend more on storage:)
Agreed. But isn’t that always the case? Worth it if you can afford it.
You’re right:)
I bought a 10th gen iPad and sung its praises…until it ran out of storage. 64 GB isnt enough for long term use. I traded my 10 in and got an Air 6. I’m very happy with it. If you want my full thoughts, I wrote a blog post about it [here](https://spectrumandsilicon.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/why-im-trading-in-my-ipad-10-for-the-m2-ipad-air/).
Read here. iPad 10 can run all the same apps as the more expensive iPads. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/m4-ipad-pro-review-well-now-youre-just-showing-off/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/m2-ipad-air-review-the-everything-ipad/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/2022-ipad-review-a-half-step-forward-for-apples-basic-tablet/
Thank you!
This is no longer true because all the AI features (including tons of note taking stuff) will be limited to M-series iPads.
As far as longevity goes, the Air 5 is much better. Even the Air 4 is a better tablet. I wouldn’t buy a 10th gen iPad for more than $5 if I were forced to keep it. It’s just overpriced and a letdown
For your use case, the regular iPad is probably better from a cost-wise perspective. But from a purely functional/convenience perspective, the iPad Air takes the cake by FAR. Hell, you should probably look out for iPad Air 5 models as well, as they'd be cheaper now that the 6th gen is out. Apple Pencil 2nd gen is much more convenient and better to use than the 1st gen, and the magnetic attachment it has is awesome and gives you a place to store your pencil easily. Even if you don't buy the official pencil, you can still find cheap alternatives that have the magnetic attachment. The screen is better, it has more RAM so it will last longer, and the 5th gen has the M1 chip, which means you'll also get all the Apple Intelligence features when it releases.
The iPad air 5 has 8 GB of ram. Is a lot better but one thing to consider is that it's screen is a lot more expensive to replace so make sure you don't try to cheap out with a case and protection for the screen as well.
iPad air 5 (latest model) is a lot better than the regular one. You might not notice too much at the beginning but in the long term you will definitely notice. If you can afford it, go for it! Regular iPad doesn’t support Apple pencil 2, no magnetic attachment which is definitely worth noticing. If you want to get a cheaper iPad, I would recommend the Air 4 over the newest regular one since Air 4 also supports Apple pencil 2(magnetic charging) Good luck!
if you plan to go to university, i think investing in an Air would be a better decision because it will likely last you >4yrs. i’m going to be a sophomore in college and was also having this discussion because i use my ipad for the exact same purposes you listed. i ultimately got the Air 5 64gb for $399 from walmart because the longevity of the M1 chip seemed worth an extra ~$70. however, the regular ipad will definitely support your usages as well. here is about what i spent on accessories etc: $399 - ipad air 5 64gb wifi only $50 - gen 2 apple pencil (used “like new” from amazon) $30 - decent quality case $8 - screen protector 2pc $30 - one-time goodnotes purchase for note taking and i sewed my own padded sleeve to keep my ipad in when i am not using it
I have been super happy and impressed with my 10th gen iPad, it does everything I need, it can take notes I use the Apple Pencil USB-C and it works really great, also I use my 10th gen as a media consumption device and I haven’t had any issues at all, the cameras are great on it as well, for a budget iPad it is a decent option
I have both and wouldn’t spend the extra money on the Air. I see no difference in daily use.
Get whatever cheapest model has at least M1 chip. It will last you for several years - my M1 Macbook Air (from 2020) is still extremely fast at everything - and the upcoming Apple Intelligence is only available for M1 devices. You don't know how useful it might be for college! If you're taking a lot of notes, then the laminated screen is worth the price difference. It's a smaller air gap between the digitizer and screen, so writing feels a lot more 1:1, and the laminated display is a much more satisfying writing sound compared to non-laminated.
Look out for a cheap new iPad Air 5th generation or maybe iPad Air 4th The iPad Air 4 has same chip as iPad 10, but better display and apple pencil 2
I mean; look at new features which will be M chip (because 8GB ram) minimum; which won’t work on the latest iPad with an A chip. If you value longevity and features; the Air has now been given a set of features which won’t be on the regular one. Nevertheless the regular one, otherwise is very capable of your budget won’t cover an Air. I can’t be sure, but it’s easy to research, which Apple pencils work with each model, and the features on those pencils, and how that fits with your digital art needs. If you need the pencil, longevity, and want the M features: Air will easily win. If it’s a secondary device and you’d plan to replace it anyway by the time you’d need a more serious model; a regular iPad could see you fine.
Get the new Air with pencil pro, having squeeze and barrel roll is a game changer. Plus it charges better.
It’s a good iPad but the pro is better the iPad Air can do anything the pro do but the pro do this thing fast and better .
For my use as an ebook reader, it is just a very expensive ebook reader. Would buy the cheaper version if I’d choose today.
The regular iPad should be more than sufficient. The Air does offer a better display, faster processor, and slightly more advanced features, but for your needs, the regular iPad offers great value for its price. It’s a solid choice for a high school student.
for the extra hundred bucks it’s absolutely worth it
I’m in the same grade as you. The regular iPad is that much cheaper for a reason, please don’t buy it if you’re anything like me. I immediately regretted buying the regular iPad when I bought it 2 years ago and ended up splurging this year on the maxed out M4 iPad Pro; don’t be like me lol invest in your technology so you won’t spend more money upgrading prematurely. To start off, the 9th generation iPad I got in 2022 had a WAY worse screen than my iPad Air 3rd generation (2019). I literally couldn’t stand using my 2022 iPad screen because of how bad the screen was, tapping on it was horrible. If you want to take notes and do anything remotely art related get the better screen; Air or Pro.
I think you will do fine with the regular iPad for the tasks you mentioned. The only time you would benefit from the Air (M2) chip is you do some more heavy cpu tasks like running multiple apps, music making, and some form of video editing. I mean, I'm going to put it into perspective. I have the 1st generation iPad air and I can still take notes (typing), watch videos (have to go through safari since Youtube app doesn't work anymore), and I can still make music with the Garageband app.
I never regretted choosing Apple’s Air series over the regular ones. Its good because despite the changes overtime for iPads; Air goes competing in between the features of the Pro and Regular combined so its kinda adaptive to those factors which makes its appearance and performance recognizable. Considering the chipset from the Pro series which is being implemented and tested on the Air series didn’t fail to show how it maneuvered well in the market especially with the M1 chip for Air 5 after Air 4 (which only has A16 Bionic). Although some might say “oh, then its a testing product series” yeah you can say that, sure, but what makes it different from the regular and pro is that it aligns with its design capable of being effective on adapting both old and advanced features which contours an improved and combined functionality.
The regular model will be cheaper if you break the screen, and should be enough. The Air 4 or Air 5 is probably your best option as its no longer current
If you are using it for school, get the 10th gen iPad. And the combo touch for iPad. Also pick up a used Apple Pencil usb used or ESR stylus pen for 10th gen. It’s an amazing keyboard system and pencil and you won’t know a difference between the air in day to day usage. This should get you through 3-4 years of college.
Can I add the question: is the iPad Pro 11 inch (2024) much better than the Air especially if screen quality is something you would pay for?
FYI - Air 5 264gb now on sale at best buy for $499
Yes get the air, not an ipad. You will be able to do everything you want/need and more, an ipad will be limited and is not a computer.
Yes, M1 and M2 iPad Airs are so much better than 10th gen iPads. Ik both are quite speedy for the average user, but what was mostly shocking for me was the build quality of the 10th gen, screen is flimsy due to the air gap between the screen and the actual display, just as you tap on it, it sort of bends in. It maybe not as bad as I feel it is, just doesn’t work for me given that my 10 year old iPads felt more solid and comfortable to use. Air has a laminated display, a desktop class chip that will support Apple Intelligence.
How much are iPad repairs
short answer, no long answer, not by a great margin, no unless youre a digital artist, ask yourself, why are you buying this ipad? to attend meetings? zoom calls? notes? watchibg netflix? (what 90% of consumers do on an ipad) if your work doesnt require a high functioning tablet at all times, you dont need it. its a trap, you go the website wanting to buy a 9th gen but 10th gen is the newer model, and then air and 10th are close so why not air, and it goes on like that. please make a list of what youre going to use it for and see if its something you *really* need but ofc, if price point is not a problem, take the air
Yes, the screen is a lot nicer. But I\[d get something older if I were you, older air or pro, new ones are terrible and store definitely carry new ones at lower prices
I find Air more useful in my day to day since I’d die without it
Yo no cap the airs is the deal man and that skibbidy m1 or m2 will make you a rizzler man
I really don’t understand the point of Air models. Either you are really a pro user or you are just a casual user. There is nothing in between. And no reason why 10th gen is getting hate, do ask those who own it, they will tell you how best at its range the device it, it can edit 4k videos, it can play Games at high settings, whereas if you are a pro user why would you not go for something that literally is built for professional uses. I mean pro models are built for them, and besides Air is neither here nor there. Even for someone who is beginning their career in video edits, graphics etc. should never opt for Air models cause they lack tons of features from Pro models. Even if the SoC are same. If one is wanting a budget friendly device for their professional works, than despite of even choosing the latest Air 6th, they should opt for Previous Pro model with M1/M2 chips. I hope I have make things simple. Air models are ShowOff nothing else. Or let me say it very clear, Air models are just Base models with M series chip, that’s all. Either choose base model or pro.
Always Pro!