The basic, standard iPad is the iPad most people I know buy, and the one I most frequently recommend. It’s family- and kid-friendly. However, in the past year, the model I typically pick up is the 11-inch M1 iPad Air for its great combo of high-end speed and a not-too-outrageous price.
Starting at $600, the 2024 iPad Air is a $250 uptick over the 10th-gen iPad (the current entry-level model) and looks almost the same from a distance. However, there’s a bit more bang for your extra buck: The base model has double the storage at 128GB; a more capable processor; and it works with Apple’s new Pencil Pro, an improved stylus with extra features of its own that will appeal to artists and creatives. The Air and the iPad (and iPad Pro, too) finally all have realigned front-facing cameras along the long landscape edge, which makes Zooms or FaceTimes feel more laptop-like and properly centered (thank goodness).
Watch this: iPad Pro and iPad Air (2024) – Review
The iPad Air is now available in a larger 13-inch (12.9-inch, actually) size, too, like what Apple has offered for the iPad Pro. The larger size starts at $800, and is a more affordable way to go big and “Pro” without getting an iPad Pro. Of course, previous-gen iPad Pros are often on sale and may hover near that price already, too.
Like
Fast M2 processor
Front camera is properly centered for video chat
Supports new Pencil Pro stylus
Larger screen size option now available
Don’t like
Not compatible with Pencil 2 stylus
Keyboard case options haven’t changed
Configurations can get expensive
I’ve been using the 13-inch iPad Air along with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Case and the Pencil Pro. I’ve also compared 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.
However, I’ll admit that this Air is the less exciting iPad option. It lacks the fancy new Pro features, but honestly, you probably won’t miss most of them. The Air, like the Pro, is Apple Intelligence-capable. It’s also futureproofed enough with an M2 processor to last a while and still feel more than powerful enough for everyday needs.
The new iPad Pro (left) vs iPad Air (right). The Pro has an OLED display; the Air doesn’t. But the Air still performs very well regardless.
iPad Airs can get expensive, too
The iPad Air configuration Apple sent me has 512GB of storage ($1,099), optional 5G cellular connectivity ($150), a Magic Keyboard case ($349) and a Pencil Pro ($129). That comes to $1,727 and is a heck of a lot for an iPad for most people. Then again, the 1TB 13-inch iPad Pro I’m also reviewing is $1,899 for just the Wi-Fi version of the tablet alone.
You can spend less, for sure, but it’s also a reminder that the Air is not a “budget” device. It splits the difference between the entry-level and the super-fancy and offers enough future-proofing via the M-series chip to maybe put it in a different category if and when Apple decides to push the iPad further — maybe to put a Mac-type computing OS on it, for example.
The iPad Air isn’t a chunky tablet. It just isn’t as thin as the iPad Pro, but the difference is a millimeter.
Air doesn’t mean thinnest
The first Apple “Air” device, the MacBook Air, was called Air because it was super thin. Don’t apply this logic to the iPad Air, because the iPad Pro is actually thinner. The iPad Air is far from chunky, though; it’s the same-looking tablet as previous iPad Pro or Air models. I’m just here to say maybe I agree that the term “Air” has lost its meaning (unless we’re talking about it just being lighter in features and performance). I’d suggest getting rid of the “Air” name and call it the iPad Pro, and then change the iPad Pro to the iPad Ultra.
All of the iPads are good sizes, regardless. It may make a little difference when putting a Magic Keyboard case on the large 13-inch model and putting it in your bag. The 13-inch iPad Air weighs 1.3 pounds. With the Magic Keyboard, it weighs 2.9 pounds — more than my M2 13-inch MacBook Air (2.6 pounds). The 13-inch Pro with Magic Keyboard shaves a bit off, at 2.6 pounds for that combo. Either way, you won’t want to carry this along with a laptop.
Camera is in the right place
The 10th-gen iPad and both the 2024 iPad Pro and Air lines have moved the front-facing camera to the long landscape edge, which is where it should have been all along. With a case on (which almost all are designed to prop up in landscape mode) or a keyboard case attached, it means video chats are properly centered like a laptop. The iPad cameras are generally better than the MacBook Air’s cameras, so it’s an excellent pick for Zooming.
The Pencil Pro has new features but looks and feels exactly the same as Pencil 2. Yet the Pencil 2 won’t attach to the new iPad Air or Pro.
Pencil Pro: An upgrade you’re forced into
I have more thoughts on the Pencil Pro’s new features in my iPad Pro review, but the Air, Pro and iPad Mini 2024 models support the new stylus. It looks and feels exactly the same to hold, but has new rotational capabilities and a haptic-enabled squeeze gesture for supported apps. The new Pencil Pro is the same price as a Pencil 2 ($129), which is great, except the new Air won’t work with your old Pencil 2 at all. So you have to buy a Pencil Pro, or use the lesser USB-C Pencil stylus which lacks pressure sensitivity. Boo to this — It’s wasteful and forces you to upgrade an accessory you might not have otherwise.
iPadOS keeps improving, but it isn’t MacOS.
Apple Intelligence-ready, but incremental gains so far
The iPad Air’s M2 chip can run Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of generative AI tools that promise to eventually transform what iPadOS could do. So can the previous iPad Air, though, so this isn’t a reason alone to upgrade. Also, at the moment, Apple Intelligence’s features are minimal. The upcoming version of iPadOS 18.1 has support for some email summaries, writing suggestions, Photos app search tools and Messages summaries, plus a revamped version of Siri.
More Apple Intelligence features are coming down the road, but it’s too early to tell how transformative any will be. The sum total of these tools feels incrementally useful, and none of it pushes the M2’s limits. You may want to consider future-proofing your purchase by making sure it’s Apple Intelligence capable for OS updates down the road, though. Other options include Apple’s M1-series iPad Air, M2 iPad Air and the A17 Pro-toting iPad Mini, plus the latest iPhones and recent Macs.
When will iPadOS evolve into MacOS?
My one remaining question for an iPad that costs so much is, when will it fully replace my Mac? I ask this seriously, because the higher-end iPads all have M-series processors, and the M2 on the updated Air is basically the same as the one in my MacBook Air. Apple could let iPads run MacOS if it chose to, especially if you have a keyboard and trackpad attached. iPadOS gets more capable every year, but it’s different from MacOS in many ways. I need my Mac for my workflow, but every year I wonder if the iPad will evolve into being the one computer I can use for everything, all the time.
Most people are still fine sticking with a regular 10th-gen iPad. But at the right price configuration, the Air offers enough upgrades to merit a bit of a splurge. It’s also my personal pick for a budget upgraded iPad right now, while kids and families on a budget can stay with the entry basic iPad. Just keep an eye on accidental overspending.
