iPad Pro Anyone upgraded from iPad Air 4 to the 11in iPad Pro M1 2021?

[tonyz123456]

Hi, has anyone here upgraded from the iPad Air 4 to the iPad Pro 11in M1? If so, was it worth it and why'd you do it?

I recently tried the iPad Pro 12.9in but returned it - the screen was amazing but way too intensely big for my use cases and gave me a headache - 11in is the perfect size. However, after using it, the iPad Air's screen feels a bit mediocre so tempted to buy the 11in pro even though it doesn't have the mini-led screen.

I'm debating whether to wait a year and get the iPad Air 11in with the mini-led screen or just make the swap now. Main use cases for me are reading, light emails, and watching TV and movies. I tried using the 12.9in as a MacBook replacement but does not make sense so looking at this as a companion device.

 

[kdoug]

Based on my experience and I've not owned an Air but I also owned and returned a 12.9 because of the heft after owning a 2020 11" IPP. I then purchased a Mini 6 which I believe has a similar screen to the Air and it certainly was not up to par with the IPP. The 12.9 and 11 IPP screens didn't seem to be much different during general use but 4k movies on the Mini LED really look amazing!

 

[K1ri]

I actually have both 11” iPad Pro M1 (128gb) and iPad Air 4 (256gb)

My use cases are very similar to you and since I have them side by side, I can immediately tell you that the 120hz screen on the iPad Pro is noticeably smoother when playing games or scrolling in browser and the home screen. The MSRP price difference between the 2 are actually very minimal if opting for the 256gb air 4 (Difference of only $50). If paying MSRP, i would say the $50 are worth it just for the screen and extra RAM.

However, the one thing I do prefer over the Air 4 is actually Touch ID. It’s just more convenient if you’re on the couch/bed a lot so you don’t need to readjust every few times by staring right at the camera.

 

[darngooddesign]

I'm debating whether to wait a year and get the iPad Air 11in with the mini-led screen or just make the swap now. Main use cases for me are reading, light emails, and watching TV and movies. I tried using the 12.9in as a MacBook replacement but does not make sense so looking at this as a companion device.

The Air wont get Mini-LED next year, the 11” Pro will get it first. But if the Air does get Mini-LED in a couple of years, its price will increase like the 13” Pro’s did.

 

[1BadManVan]

I guess it depends on budget. For your use case, both are overkill for power, so it depends if you want to fork out extra for the pro perks, double the ram, quad speakers, brighter and more vivid pro motion display etc.

I love my 11” M1 pro, it’s overkill for my use but once in awhile it’s nice to splurge lol

 

[tonyz123456]

The Air wont get Mini-LED next year, the 11” Pro will get it first. But if the Air does get Mini-LED in a couple of years, its price will increase like the 13” Pro’s did.

Oops - I meant iPad Pro!

I actually have both 11” iPad Pro M1 (128gb) and iPad Air 4 (256gb)

My use cases are very similar to you and since I have them side by side, I can immediately tell you that the 120hz screen on the iPad Pro is noticeably smoother when playing games or scrolling in browser and the home screen. The MSRP price difference between the 2 are actually very minimal if opting for the 256gb air 4 (Difference of only $50). If paying MSRP, i would say the $50 are worth it just for the screen and extra RAM.

However, the one thing I do prefer over the Air 4 is actually Touch ID. It’s just more convenient if you’re on the couch/bed a lot so you don’t need to readjust every few times by staring right at the camera.

Surprised you have both - are you selling one?

So right now I can get the iPad Pro 11in for $750 + tax and the trade-in value of my iPad Air (I purchased last year before the M1 Pros came out) is around $360. If I try to sell it on craigslist or ebay, I don't think it'll be much more than that net. Worth the ~$400 delta? I have the 64gb model so didn't expect it to be a long-term solution.

 

[K1ri]

Oops - I meant iPad Pro!



Surprised you have both - are you selling one?

So right now I can get the iPad Pro 11in for $750 + tax and the trade-in value of my iPad Air (I purchased last year before the M1 Pros came out) is around $360. If I try to sell it on craigslist or ebay, I don't think it'll be much more than that net. Worth the ~$400 delta? I have the 64gb model so didn't expect it to be a long-term solution.

I actually got the iPad Air 4 for my daughter to use while i use the iPad Pro lol.

I definitely don’t think it’s worth $400 more. Yes the added ram + screen + speakers are nice but you won’t notice you’re missing anything re: the screen unless you have them side by side. The iPad Air 4 still performs well and also benefits from the same good accessories (magic keyboard etc).

BUT if you’re already thinking the iPad Air 4 screen is mediocre then you’re going to have FOMO for a whole year until the 11” iPad Pro refresh (same reason I got the iPad Pro myself, i personally just wanted the best). If money isn’t tight then go ahead and get the 11” iPad Pro, then do the trade again next year. My mantra is you should just get whatever makes you happy now if you can afford it.

At the end of the day, these devices are luxuries and you might as well get something you won’t regret.

 

[darngooddesign]

FYI, the 11” Pro displays more on its screen, noticeable with something like Lightroom, than the 11” Air.

 

[tonyz123456]

I actually got the iPad Air 4 for my daughter to use while i use the iPad Pro lol.

I definitely don’t think it’s worth $400 more. Yes the added ram + screen + speakers are nice but you won’t notice you’re missing anything re: the screen unless you have them side by side. The iPad Air 4 still performs well and also benefits from the same good accessories (magic keyboard etc).

BUT if you’re already thinking the iPad Air 4 screen is mediocre then you’re going to have FOMO for a whole year until the 11” iPad Pro refresh (same reason I got the iPad Pro myself, i personally just wanted the best). If money isn’t tight then go ahead and get the 11” iPad Pro, then do the trade again next year. My mantra is you should just get whatever makes you happy now if you can afford it.

At the end of the day, these devices are luxuries and you might as well get something you won’t regret.

Thanks - I think you talked me down the ledge for now. Can afford it but hate lighting money on fire so I will wait till next year and realistically will light money on fire on a MacBook Pro first (sold my personal Mac as soon as I heard the x86 migration was happening but skipped the first gen M1 laptops since I have a Mac from work that isn't too restricted nor am I doin anything sensitive on).