Apple Highlights iPad Air M1 Chip, Colors and Other Features in New Ad

[Return Zero]

Nice ad. Somewhat unrelated... this flurry of low-cost M1 portables makes me wonder why the Mac Mini can't be $499 or even $599.

I sincerely hope they redesign the Mini to be smaller or otherwise more interesting with the M2. I've been itching to buy one, but M1 first-adopter fears and the old recycled design have caused me to hold off.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Not sure why all the hate about this update. This device checks all the boxes for what it is supposed to be.

Thank you. Finally a voice of reason.

 

[Smearbrick]

This is why Apple will destroy Microstink in the next five years...the youth of today are all using Apple products...

Yeah… MicroSOFT isn’t going anywhere. Why must we live in a world where one can’t exist without the other? Sure, they are competitors, but there are situations where one must use an MS product over an Apple, and vice-versa.

Competition is a good thing, and Microsoft builds some solid hardware (without a compromised OS experience, I might add), and is doing well in the area of services. Besides, what the youth of today is using is no barometer for what the adults of tomorrow will be using when their parents aren’t footing the bill any longer and the real world starts to influence their choices.

Microstink? Really?

 

[Smearbrick]

but what IS a computer?

in all seriousness, the Air is a compelling machine. it getting the M1 all but confirms that we should see an updated iPad Pro with the upcoming M2 chip.

not that it matters since iPadOS has been gimped from the start. my 2018 iPad Pro is more than speedy enough for everything that I throw at it. basic OS needs an overhaul to really necessitate even purchasing a newer iPad device to take advantage of its processing power.

A computer could be a calculator. I’ve hated that “what’s a computer” ad from the moment its nonsense darkened by television screen. The whole of Apple’s marketing department should’ve been strung up by their Achilles’ tendons and beaten with bamboo. It’s annoying and infuriating. Plus, that little girl is just so f….

I’m good… I’m good… NyQuil…. NyQuil…

 

[code-m]

Definitely, there is something bold with the marketing and MBA at Apple. Its like they are saying, we got them locked, lets push the envelope as much as we can on pricing. I live in a neighborhood of young people and its shocking how many carry iPhone 13's. Apple has worked out a formulae that looks like its here to stay. One of their shareholders said it, they are well managed company. So, they know what they are doing when it comes to making aspirational products people; especially kids desire to own.

The issue is that a Magic KB case cost about half the price of an iPad Air 5. To obtain fine control over some projects an ApplePencil is being demonstrated and to type a Magic KB case. At that point a MBA would best suited as a KB and trackpad is included with the same power but a full desktop OS.

I can see the argument for an iPhone 13 in your neighbourhood, technically if you divide the cost of a $800-1000 phone over it’s life span of 3-5 years for something you carry and use daily plus make emergency calls it comes out to under a dollar-a-day. It is also more portable and flexible. An iPad Air 5 regardless of the chip it contains will not be a replacement for an iPhone as at some point even students need a real computer to get work done. Technically everything demonstrated in this marketing can be done on an iPhone with a BT pocket KB and a stylus. One does not need the full benefit of an ApplePencil 2 to do the simple things shown in this ad.

Once again ridicules marketing and some of those devices don’t have a protective case, smh. Cause backpacks and high school students are very very careful with electronics ?

 

[code-m]

The LED Flash can also be used as a light. Likely they skipped changing the case design is the reason for the missing LED flash.

So laziness ?

 

[code-m]

Thank you. Finally a voice of reason.

What is an iPad Air supposed to be anyhow? Apple could have stuck the same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro and the product would still be and do “what’s it’s supposed to”?

Nonsense.

 

[Mr. Dee]

The issue is that a Magic KB case cost about half the price of an iPad Air 5. To obtain fine control over some projects an ApplePencil is being demonstrated and to type a Magic KB case. At that point a MBA would best suited as a KB and trackpad is included with the same power but a full desktop OS.

I can see the argument for an iPhone 13 in your neighbourhood, technically if you divide the cost of a $800-1000 phone over it’s life span of 3-5 years for something you carry and use daily plus make emergency calls it comes out to under a dollar-a-day. It is also more portable and flexible. An iPad Air 5 regardless of the chip it contains will not be a replacement for an iPhone as at some point even students need a real computer to get work done. Technically everything demonstrated in this marketing can be done on an iPhone with a BT pocket KB and a stylus. One does not need the full benefit of an ApplePencil 2 to do the simple things shown in this ad.

Once again ridicules marketing and some of those devices don’t have a protective case, smh. Cause backpacks and high school students are very very careful with electronics ?

The thing is, these kids are upgrading every year even though the feature changes are incremental. I remember seeing 11's then 12's, I know the 13's now, because it has a smaller notch and side way cameras.

 

[code-m]

The thing is, these kids are upgrading every year even though the feature changes are incremental. I remember seeing 11's then 12's, I know the 13's now, because it has a smaller notch and side way cameras.

Are they on the iUP or some carrier upgrade promotion. I remember seeing T-Mo heavily pushing the 13 heading into the Christmas holidays.

 

[Realityck]

So laziness ?

Bought too many iPad Air 4th gen cases maybe?

Old vs new

 

[miamialley]

All of that can be done with older iPads as well. Apple, give us a more advanced iPadOS to utilize that M1.

THIS. SO MUCH THIS.

 

[lyunmac]

I don't think Apple will give a more advanced OS. Apple is out to make to make money and if that means making a powerful tablet and limit its capability enough so that it makes you buy a MBA, MBP or any mac then they'll do it. It's why they'll never bundle the pencil, make iPadOS more desktop-like, won't make its own version of Samsung Dex, and keep some desktop apps on their mac instead of iPad compatible. They prefer you have iPad, a mac and a iPhone which makes perfect business sense. The iPad is great at what it does and its perfect for those that need specific apps like a browser, music player, video player, creative apps and nothing more. They don't need a computer for coding or gaming, they need an iPad. Those that want a device that can do more than a current iPad but is an iPad well too bad, it won't exist.

 

[Realityck]

THIS. SO MUCH THIS.

Some speculated the only reason the M1 is in the fifth gen Air is because of supply constraints with the A15 being used in iPhone 13 models and iPad mini 6. It also allows them to hype the M1 Air as powerful but then their marketing has purposeful defined limitations as lyunmac post suggests. Apple hasn't even bothered to incentivize running iPadOS games on M1 Macs yet after claiming that too.

 

[miamialley]

Some speculated the only reason the M1 is in the fifth gen Air is because of supply constraints with the A15 being used in iPhone 13 models and iPad mini 6. It also allows them to hype the M1 Air as powerful but then their marketing has purposeful defined limitations as lyunmac post suggests. Apple hasn't even bothered to incentivize running iPadOS games on M1 Macs yet after claiming that too.

Even if that's true the iPad and iPhone are so immensely overpowered beyond what the OS allows it's absurd. Meaning, it's been this way for years.

 

[Neepman]

SPARKS!!!!!

 

[Mr. Dee]

Are they on the iUP or some carrier upgrade promotion. I remember seeing T-Mo heavily pushing the 13 heading into the Christmas holidays.

I never asked, but they upgrade to the latest like crazy.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Got mine today. Obviously snappier response, transferring files and editing video quicker, center stage not gimmicky but useful. YMMV

Great update from Air 4 --> 5. With trade in, cost was ~$250. Works with my existing MK and pencil.

Not sure why all the hate about this update. This device checks all the boxes for what it is supposed to be.

PS: I for one don't mind incremental upgrades, since it reduces overall costs with having not to replace accessories, etc.

Sure, it might well be "what it is supposed to be", but Apple is trying to push it as a computer replacement, when they've only given it a toyOS. Thus, it isn't anywhere near at all what it could be.

Unfortunately, to make it would it could be, would require giving it a user accessible file system, and a bunch of other things that would open it up like macOS, and thus make side loading possible. And that isn't going to happen without governments forcing it, as that lack of side loading earns Apple a truck ton of rents via the 15/30% developer Apple Tax. If they do end up being forced to allow sideloading, then I wouldn't at all be surprised to see iPad and macOS merge into a touch screen enabled macOS. Only then could Apple market the iPad a replacement computer and not generate a bunch of hate from the super-fans on MacRumors.

 

[code-m]

I never asked, but they upgrade to the latest like crazy.

With inflation at an all time high those luxury phones are going at a discount. ?

 

[Robbie B]

“Your next computer is not a computer".

Yeah, it's a Mac.

 

[Abazigal]

but what IS a computer?

in all seriousness, the Air is a compelling machine. it getting the M1 all but confirms that we should see an updated iPad Pro with the upcoming M2 chip.

not that it matters since iPadOS has been gimped from the start. my 2018 iPad Pro is more than speedy enough for everything that I throw at it. basic OS needs an overhaul to really necessitate even purchasing a newer iPad device to take advantage of its processing power.

I will say at this point, spend less time fretting over what truly constitutes a computer, and focus more on selecting the right device for the job.

For example, I have been teaching with my iPad in the classroom for close to 10 years now (starting with the iPad 3). Whether it counts as a computer or not in the eyes of the iPad haters here doesn't change the fact that I have been getting a ton of utility out of it. Moreso than my work-issued laptop, or even my other Macs at times.

Admittedly, I am pretty happy with my current 2018 iPad Pro, so I am not sure what added utility the next iPad Pro refresh could bring. An M1 or M2 chip isn't going to make notability open any faster, though I suppose more ram is always welcome.

 

[macfacts]

From iPad “What is a computer?”

To iPad “Your next computer is not a computer” ?

It takes courage to admit the iPad isn't a computer.

 

[Scott Baret]

Great ad, and while I appreciate an iPad for what it does, based on personal experience for creating content, I do have to wonder if Sonia actually used a Mac instead of an iPad...

 

[d4cloo]

A powerful machine with an operating system that doesn’t support professional productivity.

In a way I wished the iPad aimed for *less* so it wasn’t being compared to desktop and laptop machines running macOS. But it doesn’t. It wasn’t to be a creative powerhouse. And it isn’t; no decent external monitor support, limited window management, lack of professional apps.

This is why I see the cheapest iPad series to be the best product overall because the cost of the machine is in balance with the specs and what it enables users to do.
I rather have the fingerprint sensor, a more simple screen and lower spec CPU/GPU because it’s good enough and the Pro and Air have diminishing returns.

Also 64gb as starting point is an abomination. That is just hiding an actual higher usable price point. 64gb is throwing away your money. Always.

 

[svish]

iPad Air will definitely be enough for most. It is a great iPad. If looking at more than 64GB, then definitely consider 11" iPad Pro 128 GB.

 

[dandy1117]

A powerful machine with an operating system that doesn’t support professional productivity.

In a way I wished the iPad aimed for *less* so it wasn’t being compared to desktop and laptop machines running macOS. But it doesn’t. It wasn’t to be a creative powerhouse. And it isn’t; no decent external monitor support, limited window management, lack of professional apps.

This is why I see the cheapest iPad series to be the best product overall because the cost of the machine is in balance with the specs and what it enables users to do.
I rather have the fingerprint sensor, a more simple screen and lower spec CPU/GPU because it’s good enough and the Pro and Air have diminishing returns.

Also 64gb as starting point is an abomination. That is just hiding an actual higher usable price point. 64gb is throwing away your money. Always.

I am still surprised by comments like this about "professional productivity." My firm develops several custom B2B iPad apps for businesses in real estate, medical offices, and corporate production companies. Our clients consider the iPads and iPadOS to be a far more capable "computer" environment for their needs with its portable form factor, easier connectivity options, battery efficiency, rear camera, and pencil support. Obviously, our apps benefit from faster processing, so I don't begrudge Apple from continuing to put better chips in their devices.

Commenters on rumor forums may not be using the iPad for productivity, but there are several business sectors that have become more efficient (with significantly less costly maintenance support) after deploying iPads to their staff.