A new iPad Air and iPad Pro have arrived with significant processing and design changes. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade, grab your credit card.
iPad Air
There are some nice upgrades to the iPad Air, but the big news here is the release of a new 13″ model.
iPad Air Features
- Size – 11-inch is 2,360 by 1,640 pixels. 13-inch is 2,732 by 2,048 pixels.
- M2 Chip – Increase in performance from the M1 – CPU 15% boost. GPU up 25%. 16-core Neural Engine 40% faster.
- LED Screen – No change in screen technology, but 11-inch now provides 500 nits of brightness and the 13-inch peaks at 600 nits.
- Front Camera – 12 megapixels. Ultra wide. Moved to landscape orientation.
- Rear Camera – 12 megapixels. 5x digital zoom. 4K capable. Video stabilization.
- Speakers – Greater bass. Repositioned for better sound quality.
- Wi-Fi – Now supports 6E.
- Apple Pencil Pro – Supports the new Apple Pencil Pro.
- Colors – 4 new colors – Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space grey.
iPad Pro
There are several standout features on the new iPad Pro line, but the most significant is the OLED screen. OLED allows control of every single pixel and can create super sharp pictures with perfect black levels. It’s most commonly found in high-end TV sets.
iPad Pro Features
The 11″ and 13″ iPad Pro receive significant upgrades:
- Size and Weight -Apple claim this is the thinnest product they have ever shipped. It’s thinner than the iPod Nano. Both iPad Pro models also see a small reduction in weight.
- Ultra Retina XDR OLED Screen – Amazing 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, more accurate colors, and brighter image with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Promotion from 60 to 120Hz for smooth scrolling.
- Screen Coating– Available in standard or nano texture for reduced glare.
- M4 Chip – In a surprise announcement, Apple skipped the M3 and went with the new M4 chip, making the iPad Pro the only Apple device with this processor. The CPU is 50% faster and the GPU is 4 times faster than the M2.
- Front Camera – 12 megapixels. Ultra Wide. Landscape orientation. Center Stage.
- Rear Camera – 12 megapixels. Lidar sensor. 4K and 4K ProRes video.
- Sound – 2 studio quality microphones. 4 speakers with Spatial Audio,
- Connectivity – Thunderbolt 4 Port for power and connecting to peripherals like hard drives and 6K monitors.
- Wi-Fi – Supports 6E.
- Accessories – Works with the new Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil Pro adds a host of new features:
- Squeeze – Lets you quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors.
- Barrel Roll – Rotate for precise control of shaped pen and brush tools.
- Haptic Feedback – New haptic engine provides feedback that you can feel.
- Hover – Preview exactly where your Apple Pencil will touch down on your display and see a virtual shadow of your tool for greater precision.
- Double Tap – Quickly switch between tools, like a pen and eraser, with a double tap on Apple Pencil.
- Find My – Locate a lost Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple Pencil is priced at $129
Magic Keyboard For iPad Pro
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is designed to provide a more laptop feel and offers the following new features:
- Components – Aluminum palm rest. Aluminum hinge that incorporates a USB‑C connector for pass-through charging.
- Trackpad – Larger trackpad with haptic feedback.
- Function Keys – 14-key function row for quick access to screen brightness, volume controls, and other features.
- Keyboard – Backlit keys and a scissor mechanism with 1 mm travel for quiet, responsive typing.
- Cover – Durable outer cover provides front and back protection.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is priced at $299 and $349.
iPad – Reduced Price
You can now get the standard iPad at the bargain basement price of $349.
iPad Air And iPad Pro Pricing And Availability
Unfortunately, prices on the Pro have increased due to the new screens. Here’s a sample of configurations:
iPad Air 11″ – 128GB – Wi-Fi – $599
iPad Air 11″ – 128GB – Wi-Fi and Cellular – $749
iPad Air 13″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi – $799
iPad Air 13″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi and Cellular – $949
iPad Pro 11″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi – $999
iPad Pro 11″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi and Cellular – $1,199
iPad Pro 13″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi – $1,299
iPad Pro 13″ – 256GB – Wi-Fi and Cellular – $1,499
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro will be available for pre-order on May 7th with a release date of May 15th.
Our Recommendation
The base model iPad is now only $349 and perfect if your a light user.
If you want a nice bump up, go for the 11″ iPad Air. Looking for a bigger screen at a bargain price get the 13″ model.
If you have the money, you can’t go wrong with the 11″ iPad Pro. It’s the perfect size…… and has the most advanced tablet screen on the market.
If you do go for a 13″ Air or Pro, I recommend going to the Apple Store or Best Buy to check it out in person. The screen size is awesome, but the weight means it’s impossible to hold with one hand… which outweighs (pun intended) the benefit of a big screen.
When you buy anything from Apple, I recommend using the Apple Card. Your payment is broken down over 12 months and it’s interest-free.
Trading in a 10.9″ Air for a $255 credit and using the Apple Card at 0% interest over 12 months, my monthly installment for an 11″ iPad Pro with 256GB of storage is only $62.
