It is an odd feeling. In my hands, I have a thin slab of glass and aluminum that is just as powerful as my laptop computer, the one that I use to do all my daily work.
The new iPad Air and my 13-inch MacBook Pro both have the same M1 chip. It is a marvel of a chip, it can handle demanding tasks without using a lot of energy or getting hot. Even though Apple has followed it up with the M1 Pro, Max, and Ultra, the original M1 is still plenty powerful, so I feel no need to buy a new laptop anytime soon.
Apple's iPad Pro devices are meant to cross the line from casual to professional use. We know how well those work. The story of the new iPad Air, which is now the most affordable device of any kind, that is, to come with the M1 chip, is boiled down to this: Has Apple watered it down too much, or made compromises?
The answer is no.
The 11-inch iPad Pro has all the features of the new iPad Air. The features that are missing aren't completely trivial, but the vast majority of users won't find them necessary
The design of the iPad Air is similar to the iPad Pro. The difference in display size is insignificant. The Pro is thinner and a little heavier than you would think. Both devices are made of aluminum and have a laminated display. The iPad Pro has a dual rear camera, while the iPad Air only has a single camera on the back.
The new blue is a bit more blue than the old blue. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The last generation of iPad Air had the same design. The Air has more color options than the Pro. The new iPad Air is available in five different colors, including space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue, which is a bit darker than the sky blue seen on the previous generation iPad Pro. The blue unit Apple sent me for testing was a refreshing change from my other Apple gadgets which are all shades of gray.
If you have never used an iPad before, you should think about how you will use it. I still think the iPad mini is more portable. The iPad Air can get heavy if you hold it with one hand, even if you hold it with two hands, because it is harder to hold with one hand. The larger display is really nice when you are watching a video or playing a game.
Don't worry about the lack of Face ID, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, built into the power button on top, works really well. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
Apple's iPads differ quite a bit on this matter. The entry-level iPad has a Touch ID sensor built into the Home button, while the iPad mini and the iPad Air have Touch ID built into the power button. I have no issues with this solution. It works without errors, it is fast, and even more practical than the Face ID, which will often miss me when I am yawning, and requires you to touch the bottom of the display.
The new iPad Air has an M1 chip. This makes it so much better for my usage. I can't think of a task that would make this iPad feel like it's getting hotter. I played a lot of games on the highest settings. I fooled around in the game. When I had a Meet video meeting next to the windows of a search engine, I opened a third floating window on top of a chat room and everything was very fast.
The single camera on the back is the only thing that separates the iPad Air from the iPad Pro, which has a dual rear camera. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The iPad Air scored 1,715 in the single core score and 7,320 in the multi-core score, which is the same as my M1 MacBook Pro, which scored 1,729 and 7,336, respectively. The M1 chip is too powerful for the iPad Air, as I can't think of a task that would tax it.
The battery life on my iPad mini was not as good as it was on my iPad Pro, but it was still better.
The cameras on the iPad are very good. The one on the rear is just as good as the one on the front, and it is more than enough given that you should never take photos with your iPad. Center Stage, a feature that makes sure your face is in the middle of the frame, has been added to the front camera. Center Stage is useful on the iPad, since it is more likely that you will move or flip it around during a call, which is why I don't care much for it on the MacBook. The quality is better than what you get on a MacBook Pro, so no complaints there.
The selfie camera has been upgraded from 7 to 12 megapixels, and it's a pretty big difference. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
You can get 5G support if you get the cellular version of the iPad Air. If 5G is something you need, the option is there, even though I wouldn't spend the extra $150 to go cellular.
If you are going to use the Air for work, you will want to look at the accessories that are supported. I have never believed in the idea of turning the iPad into a hybrid device. The combo is more expensive and less convenient than a simple MacBook Air.
I was mostly confined to bed during this test, and the iPad Air turned out to be the perfect companion. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The larger display of the Air is better than my iPad mini, which is an accessory to a laptop. Universal Control is a new feature that lets you control multiple Apple devices with one keyboard and trackpad. I used the Air as an additional display next to my MacBook Pro, and it was a significant productivity boost as I was able to delegate a spec sheet or a slack window to the Air while I was writing something on the Mac.
The power of the iPad Air makes you wonder if there is any point in even considering the pricier iPad Pro. Unless you need lots of storage, you don't need the Pro.
The Pro over the Air is something that is up to you. The Pro has four speakers instead of two. The difference between the display on the iPad and on a phone is more noticeable. There is a camera on the back. It can be configured with a lot of RAM. It has a Face ID instead of a Touch ID. None of these differences are very significant, but add them all together and it becomes clear that Pro is not a waste of money.
The cover is a must for protection, but when reading in bed, lose it; it adds quite a bit of unnecessary weight. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The only complaint I have about the iPad Air is the lack of starting storage. If you are not into games, you should upgrade to a larger amount of storage, which will cost you an additional $150. The starting price for the 11-inch iPad Pro is $799 and this is where things get complicated for the prospective buyer. Think long and hard about how you plan to use your iPad; if storage is important, the Pro is the better option, especially given the fact that it can go up to 2 terabytes.
It is an Apple thing; the company will never allow you to get too much of a good thing without paying for it. I would tell you to buy the iPad Air if the starting storage was less than 128GB. It is still an amazing product, but you should be aware that starting storage may not be enough.
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