Apple Announces New iPad Air With M3 Chip, Updated Magic Keyboard

[Unregistered 4U]

Very disappointed they’ve gone with the M3 chip. That leaves it 2 years behind the Pro.

But, for those that want the Pro, Apple actually sells a product specifically for them. The iPad Pro.

For those that want the Pro, but want it to be named “Air”, yeah, nothing for that crowd.

 

[joeblow7777]

I know that but it is still a weird decision nonetheless.

Is it though? Presumably they have M3 chips to get rid of as opposed to M4 chips which are being used to many devices still in production. So if it saves them money, is still (technically) an upgrade, and is in fact still overkill for most users, why not use the M3? Especially if it makes the Pro look like a bigger step up.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

M1 user: I'll wait for the price drop
M2 user: No thanks

Person that has never bought an iPad before (vastly outnumbers people that HAVE bought an iPad before):
I was thinking of buying one and now I can buy one that was just released! Cool!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The thing that makes me wonder: At the moment, many hardware-manufacturers are in a phase of rather strange experimentation, adding foldable screens, touchscreens, wild AI stuff and whatnot to their devices and machines. Not all of that is good, but it sorely underscores how conservative Apple has become. Apart from the fact that they really need a clean-up in their device diversification (they should opt for two lines and all of the sizes, so three iPads and three iPad Pros etc.,I think) Apple should have products that are more crazy again, like the AVP is, which at least is weird and strange and you either love or hate it. Kind of like what the iPhone it self was, was iPX delivered and so on. Some out-of-line early adopter stuff that sifts into the regular products down the line. Apple could be so much more at the moment but seems as frozen as Adobe and many other big tech brands are.

This comment literally directly contradicts itself.
You want them to both clean up their product lineups… and release a bunch of barely finished experimental stuff as well?
That sounds like the perfect way to Complicate the lineups again.

 

[turbineseaplane]

So basically .. they have tons of extra M3s

 

[raythompsontn]

I forgot about the iPad Air. We’ve been fooled!

As was Gurman. Not to worry though. A half dozen more predictions from Gurman and Gurman will get it right. 18th time is a charm.

 

[thefrost]

Is it though? Presumably they have M3 chips to get rid of as opposed to M4 chips which are being used to many devices still in production. So if it saves them money, is still (technically) an upgrade, and is in fact still overkill for most users, why not use the M3? Especially if it makes the Pro look like a bigger step up.

Well it doesn't really matter does it? But they still could have chosen to go for the M4 chip.

 

[krspkbl]

we really aren't getting an M4 MacBook Air??

not that i was gonna buy it because I have an M3 but i like the thought of there not being a "better" version available.

 

[DocMultimedia]

This isn't the MBA. I'm still waiting for an actual product today.

 

[0049190]

Personally I think it’s a lot less complicated than it has been in years.
It follows the same “good, better, best” layout that most of apple‘s products since the late 90s have had
Good: iPad 11
Better: iPad Air
Best: iPad Pro

The Mini is kind of its own category, it doesn’t appeal to the same customers as the regular iPads but it still has a big market, especially in aviation and in retail.

The good, better, best referred to one product with 3 spec options not 3 different products.

I preferred that pricing strategy as it made it much easier to decide which model to buy.

 

[QCassidy352]

For everyone like me who has the iPad Air m2... like don't upgrade it's useless.

Well sure, there’s almost never a reason to upgrade one generation to the next.

 

[Astuces iOS]

I have the M2 and I don’t feel a need to upgrade but it’s only $130 with trade in credit. That’s really not that much to have the newest and best thing.

Even for 130$ I would not buy it… dude you might not even notice the difference…

 

[krspkbl]

Do we think the MacBook Air M gets announced later this week?

has apple ever had multiple product announcements in the same week?

it made sense that they update it today with the iPad Air in the "Air" announcement. what do they have to gain by waiting a couple days to do a separate announcement for what is likely just another refresh with a new M chip?

 

[Astuces iOS]

I can guarantee you there are more iPad users with non M-series iPads than with them.

For people who aren’t on M series chip then yes it’s a good iPad otherwise no.

 

[joeblow7777]

Well it doesn't really matter does it? But they still could have chosen to go for the M4 chip.

Yeah, but why? What would Apple have gained in doing so? Even consumers wouldn’t have gained much beyond the psychological satisfaction of knowing it has a better chip on paper, even though most would never notice a difference in performance.

 

[Otwer22]

🤮 not what most people wanted. Including me. Why oh why, what is the difference between the m2 and m3 that would make this a compelling choice with the limitations of iPadOS.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The good, better, best referred to one product with 3 spec options not 3 different products.

I preferred that pricing strategy as it made it much easier to decide which model to buy.

Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t
For example, the late 1999 iMac had three different names for its different additions.
Good: iMac
Better: iMac DV
Best: iMac DV Special Edition

Yes, Steve Jobs did indeed release a product branded as the “iMac DV Special Edition”.
Not that different from iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

 

[thefrost]

Yeah, but why? What would Apple have gained in doing so? Even consumers wouldn’t have gained much beyond the psychological satisfaction of knowing it has a better chip on paper, even though most would never notice a difference in performance.

Alright. Let's end it here. I've said my part. You've said your part.

 

[apple contributor]

Ok, so Tim Cook used the iconic slogan to tease an iPad with literally a well over a year old chip. Is it fast? Yep. Is it new? Nope.
Nothing new in the air.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yeah, but why? What would Apple have gained in doing so? Even consumers wouldn’t have gained much beyond the psychological satisfaction of knowing it has a better chip on paper, even though most would never notice a difference in performance.

You're leaning so hard into "does it even matter!??" that one might as well argue for "no update whatsoever"

 

[0049190]

A lot of comments and concerns about it having an M3 rather than an M4, but let’s be real for a moment… how many ipad users are even coming close to using the full potential of any of the M-series chips? Apple keeps updating them because it gives them new products to sell, but I find it hard to believe that anyone’s M1 iPad Air is struggling to handle whatever they’re doing on iPadOS. If it is, that’s what the Pro is for.

It’s not about the power, it’s about future proofing your purchase. Buying a chip that’s already 2 years old means a shorter lifespan for your purchase.

 

[Devyn89]

I’m just pleasantly surprised the prices in Canada have stayed the same, especially given how much the 16e went up compared to even the iPhone 14.

 

[cihag]

Well, my 2018 11“ iPad Pro may not support the next iOS update, so I am considering an update.

I‘m inclined to save some money and go for Air this time, but 60Hz and no FaceID may be difficult to adjust to…

I guess I‘ll be looking for a deal on the Pro or even look for a refurbished M2 Pro…

Nevermind. Apparently, rumors suggest that all models that support iPadOS 18 will also support iPadOS 19 (except the iPad 7).

I guess I‘ll be fine for another year…

 

[JSRinUK]

Just compared this with my M1 iPad Pro refurb. Not tempted at all.

Oh well, I didn’t think I would be disappointed in this teased-announcement. Turns out Apple knew how to do just that. 🤣

 

[Astuces iOS]

Needs FaceID

I think this will remain a pro feature unfortunately.