All iPads iPad 11 vs Air 5/6

[TheDoctor42]

I'm a bit lost in what I should buy here. My kids broke our iPad Air 3 so I need a replacement. I instantly thought the iPad 11 is a good deal with 128GB but had second thoughts an looked around in used and refurbed stores. From what I found the iPad 11, the iPad Air 5 256GB and Air 6 128GB are in a close price range (about 80€ max difference). Which would you chose and why?

My goal is to have it last at least 5 years, more is welcome. At the moment it would serve as the primary device for the (young) kids and for occasional photo and video editing, ordering photo books, streaming audiobooks, watching youtube and netflix, reading iBooks and so on. Pretty much an allrounder device with no super high end tasks. If possible it would then transfer to my oldest son in a couple of years for school use.

 

[Corso99]

Have you considered getting the base model instead? Its significantly cheaper that the air with the same screen size and storage. I own an Air 6 and the battery life awful. I only get around 4 and half hours of use from it.

 

[TheDoctor42]

Have you considered getting the base model instead? Its significantly cheaper that the air with the same screen size and storage. I own an Air 6 and the battery life awful. I only get around 4 and half hours of use from it.

Ok four and a half hours is not much. I already calculated with the base model. It would cost me around 330€ and the refurbed Air 6 would be 400€ but has the much better CPU and more RAM

 

[GMShadow]

If you can afford the Air 6/M2, I'd go for it. The 5/M1 units are a bit older at this point and I suspect the battery would be an issue by year 4-5 (unless you're getting an Apple refurb).

The iPad 11 isn't bad, but I'd only recommend it to someone who wanted it for very light use and only 3-4 years, or if cost is a concern (which is valid!).

One note: the 11 still uses the first gen Apple Pencil, the 6/M2 and up use the Pencil Pro, the 5/M1 uses the Pencil 2.

 

[TheDoctor42]

If you can afford the Air 6/M2, I'd go for it. The 5/M1 units are a bit older at this point and I suspect the battery would be an issue by year 4-5 (unless you're getting an Apple refurb).

The iPad 11 isn't bad, but I'd only recommend it to someone who wanted it for very light use and only 3-4 years, or if cost is a concern (which is valid!).

One note: the 11 still uses the first gen Apple Pencil, the 6/M2 and up use the Pencil Pro, the 5/M1 uses the Pencil 2.

Thx sounds reasonable. In the end it is just one year older but the CPU is much better. I guess this should be worth the ~80€ in the long run.

 

[vanilla_prison]

The M2 Air also fits the newer M3 keyboard with function row, if you decide to get it one day

 

[TheDoctor42]

The M2 Air also fits the newer M3 keyboard with function row, if you decide to get it one day

Interesting, I didn't realised that

 

[BotchQue]

While the Airs are beautifully thin, if your kids broke the last one I wouldn’t replace it with another Air.
But I’m not a parent, just my two-scents’ worth.

 

[TheDoctor42]

While the Airs are beautifully thin, if your kids broke the last one I wouldn’t replace it with another Air.
But I’m not a parent, just my two-scents’ worth.

Fair argument but my little one just started dancing and jumping around and hit it in the middle of the screen. I think it wouldn't have mattered which tablet it was. The screen gave in and cracked badly.
but what I'm thinking about is buying a case/cover and screen protector for the next one.

 

[JSDK]

I've had the iPad Air M1 and M2 - and now I just have an iPad 11. I can't tell the difference between them. My usage is very similar to yours, streaming, audiobooks, surfing, light games, and I thought the iPad 11 did just as well as my two previous Air models. I really can't tell the difference.

The ONLY place where I can feel it's a downgrade is on the screen. The iPad 11 is incredibly reflective. If I use my iPad, placed on our dinner table, I have to turn off the lamp above the table, as I can hardly see what's happening on the screen. I didn't experience this problem on the Air, thanks to the laminated anti-reflective screen.

The iPad 11 is a bit heavier, but I really just thought it seemed more robust than the Air. The battery life is equally bad on all devices - it doesn't matter if you choose the cheapest iPad 11, or the most expensive iPad Pro.

 

[1BadManVan]

the iPad 11 is more than capable but for future proofing the Air 6 will definitely last longer with the M2 and the 8gb of ram. The iPad 11 will definitely get the better battery life though.

And yes, I highly recommend a case for whatever one you choose. My kids still rock the iPad Air 3's but they've been in a case with screen protectors since day one and ive never had one break, but ive gone through a couple screen protectors lol.

 

[Happy_John]

I honestly think it comes down to whether you use the Pencil with an iPad or not.

If you use the Pencil a lot, and use an iPad to make things; IE write, Draw etc.., get the air.

If you don’t use the Pencil often, and use the iPad to consume; watch, read etc, save some money and get the base iPad.

If you’re using the device to more intensely produce stuff / productivity, and you’re not specifically drawing, get a MacBook Air.

 

[1BadManVan]

I honestly think it comes down to whether you use the Pencil with an iPad or not.

If you use the Pencil a lot, and use an iPad to make things; IE write, Draw etc.., get the air.

If you don’t use the Pencil often, and use the iPad to consume; watch, read etc, save some money and get the base iPad.

If you’re using the device to more intensely produce stuff / productivity, and you’re not specifically drawing, get a MacBook Air.

Going to a MacBook isn't a bad idea, especially for the older one if they are going to use it for school work. Though oddly enough, my kids school uses iPads for school work all the way to 7th grade. they transition to laptops for high school though

 

[FeliApple]

I have the Air 5 and the A16. For that difference I’d just get the Air 6, even though I’d definitely recommend the A16 to anyone.

The difference is too small not to, imo. Future-proofing is important, at least for me.

I don’t care about the laminated screen, and even though battery life is significantly better on the A16 (both original iOS versions, iPadOS 15 for the Air 5 and iPadOS 18 for the A16), the Air 5 is good enough, and the difference isn’t massive.

Also if you want it with the Apple Pencil, the Air is significantly better for that, too.