iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Pro 2021 Buyer's Guide

Ash Pole said:
^ Yep that’s how I feel as well. They gouge on storage. $150 for 64GB more capacity is insulting. This isn’t 2008. Here’s a revolutionary idea…implement a custom order option like laptops have.
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Actually, that’s $150 for 192GB more or $50 per 64GB. Of course, one could buy 1TB NVMe SSDs for around $100 nowadays.

Best $/GB is on the 2TB models. Apple “only” charges $400 to go from 1TB -> 2TB whereas it’s $700 to go from 128GB -> 1TB. Granted, part of that probably pays for RAM but same deal there. I think you can buy 8GB RAM for less than $50.
 
julesme said:
"For most people, the additional $200+ needed to buy the iPad Pro will not be justified..."

This is wildly misleading. It's only an extra $50 for the same amount of storage. 128GB version is $749 vs $799. I would argue that the ProMotion screen is easily worth the extra $50.
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It’s 749 usd for 256 GB on the Air vs 899 usd for the same 256 on the 11” pro
 
The 64 GB base Air kills the “business case” for me. Buying Air makes sense if you can settle with 64GB which feels very low nowadays and not future proof despite the very much future proof M1 with 8GB of RAM. And if tou want more storage in the Air, suddenly the iPad Pro 11 base model makes more sense.
 
Can’t see a reason to buy the Air still. The basic iPad is a better deal If you don’t want the pro features.

Also once you’ve been spoiled with ProMotion and FaceId you don’t go back.
 
GuruZac said:
I actually hadn’t noticed the doubling down on branding. When the original iPad Air and MacBook Air came out, they were branded Air due to their physical design. The iPad Air 4 and 5 are just using the chassis from the 11” iPad Pro with larger bezels. There’s nothing about the design that makes it more ‘Air’ than the 11” Pro model.
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Interesting though, that even with the first iPad Air, Apple still used the generic “iPad” branding on the reverse, while this new fifth gen. iPad Air seems to be the first instance of an iPad model having a more specific product line name on the back.

I see your point about the physical dimensions being largely the same as iPad Pro (I think the latter may have even been/be ever so slightly thinner…), but I think that simplifies too far.

Over time ‘Air’ branding seems to have taken on – or been given, by Apple – new aspects beyond the physical proportions, of all-purpose, mid-range, fun, colourful, easy choice, etc. - a product for Apple to steer the majority of their customers towards.

I think this will become clearer with the rumoured new colourful, redesigned MacBook Air.
 
The screen on the pro is still superior to the air and not just because of promotion. The pro has better color, contrast, and brightness. The air 4 had problems with backlight bleed which is non existent on the pro. The screen alone is worth the price. As far as lcd displays go, the pro is the cream of the crop.
 
Tommyinnit said:
Gonna limit refresh rate to 60hz on my pro for two weeks to see if I can manage.

EDIT : 10 minutes later and I’m already regretting it…
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2 months ago I was standing in an Apple Store, pondered about which iPad to replace my aging 10.5" Pro. It took me a grand total of one swipe to scroll a webpage on an Air to convince me moving to the 11" on the next table. Then the miniLED on the 12.9" further convinced me over... ended up with the whole 12.9"+ Magic KB + Pencil package and a dent in the wallet.
 
I think enthusiasts will compare specs all day long, but it’ll be cost that decides what models consumers opt for. The Air is at the top end of a general consumers budget when compared to the rest of the range and anybody who needs Pro features will likely opt for that anyway. Neither iPads underperform but any stretch of the imagination.
 
From the point of view of connection to external monitors/projectors (use case: giving seminars/classes with slides and maybe video) does the difference in connection ports (ie Thunderbolt/USB4 support for the pro) make any significant difference? Thanks.
 
Pirate! said:
If only there were a 12.9” iPad Air. I have the gen 1 pro and it still works, but having the magic keyboard/Smart Keyboard folio would be a game changer for me personally. Really wish someone made something like that that still worked for the older models.
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I would buy a 12.9 base iPad for my parents for media consumption and FaceTime.
 
Mr. Dee said:
I keep telling people, the best way to play Apple's new drip-drop release game is to wait. Still on my 2017 iPad Pro 12.9. I won't be upgrading until the company actually stops supporting it with new iOS updates. And I am sure it will still be useful. Found an iPad 2 at work and surprisingly it still works.
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That works for some people, but I much prefer the experience of FaceID, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil 2. Those are and were enough reasons for me to upgrade from my 2017 10.5 iPad Pro (which I still have and use for gaming) to the 2018 12.9 iPad Pro. I had a weird technical failure of my 2018 so replaced with my 2021 12.9 iPad Pro and it’s a wonderful machine. The display is noticeably better than the 2018 and remains a flagship feature for now. It’s awesome the 2021 iPad Pro works with the 1st Gen Magic Keyboard (contrary to what Apple says-there is no discernible difference in fit compared to my 2018 12.9 in the case) and Apple Pencil 2. I’ll keep til 2024 at least.
 
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DeepIn2U said:
More critically absolutely NO appearance from Craig during the last 2 events ... has he been grounded or putting in the grind to really advance macOS and iOS/iPadOS? Hmmm.
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Good observation! And let’s hope you’re thinking is correct lol. We need some revising of iPadOS.
 
I just ordered a refurbished iPad Pro 11 2nd generation with 128 GB. The iPad Air lacks the 128 GB option. I don't need 256 GB ever, so why should I pay for it? The 64 GB version is just not enough future proof.
 
What Wired is saying about the new Air, and potential future. Apple seems to be going farther towards the MacBook becoming an iPad with keyboard. Makes sense I suppose, but it won't likely play well with all users. Would Apple kill the actual MacBook Pro? Perhaps unlikely, but who knows...

Just posting out of interest in what they are planning, long term. Who knows, but I do find myself using my IPP w/kbd quite a lot at times. (And took it traveling recently, spurning my MBP) Light(er), quick, bright, responsive, easier to charge, etc. BUT not so 'expandable', and missing those MacBook Pro features. *Could* an iPad w/kbd fully replace a MacBook Pro, for you? Hmm...

Don't get me wrong, I would never give up my IPP, but am I ready to give up my MBP? Too soon, thankfully.

Wired: Apple continues its slow march toward the MacPad future
 
Ericplan said:
I just ordered a refurbished iPad Pro 11 2nd generation with 128 GB. The iPad Air lacks the 128 GB option. I don't need 256 GB ever, so why should I pay for it? The 64 GB version is just not enough future proof.
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I bit hard, and got the 512, sure I would never need it, and... I'm quite a bit over 256, and can't think of anything that I'd really want to dump that would make that much difference in the total. I'm surprised how easy it is (for me) to sprawl on the larger capacity machines. Over 256g of 'stuff'? *shrug* Yeah... :cool: #DigitalHording
 
PinkyMacGodess said:
I bit hard, and got the 512, sure I would never need it, and... I'm quite a bit over 256, and can't think of anything that I'd really want to dump that would make that much difference in the total. I'm surprised how easy it is (for me) to sprawl on the larger capacity machines. Over 256g of 'stuff'? *shrug* Yeah... :cool: #DigitalHording
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Lol, I was constantly running into "can't update apps because you have 0GB free" messages on the 64GB iPad 3.

My file server back then was 12TB and had around 2TB worth of manga. 128GB allowed me to store all my favorite manga on the iPad (90% full, no photos, videos or music). 256GB gave me some breathing room and allowed me to Download and Keep Originals of my iCloud Photo Library but still wasn't enough for movies/TV. 512GB is when things started getting comfortable.
 
progx said:
There are some features you will lose on the new Air versus Pro model. You should check out the similarities and differences between the two of them.

While I'm getting the new Air, I don't have a need for the Pro model since I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Mac mini i7 for light photography and video editing. The Air will fit in nicely for work away from my Mac and as a companion to my Pro Max. Believe me, I've thought about the Pro, but it doesn't make sense for me to spend $749 when I rarely use Pixelmator, iMovie and Notes. My iPad 6 is just getting throttled from its age and my workload.

For you... you're losing screen real estate, screen fidelity, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and RAM options the new Pro has that the Air does not. The iPad Air has one screen size, 8GB of RAM, USB-C only, two internal size options and wide lens camera. Weigh your options carefully before you buy, $1300 on the new iPad Pro will get you a beast compared to the Air. Especially for your workload, a 12.9 inch XDR iPad Pro screen will still pounce on the Air.
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You nailed it. Thanks for saving me to make the wrong decision.
 
progx said:
There are some features you will lose on the new Air versus Pro model. You should check out the similarities and differences between the two of them.

While I'm getting the new Air, I don't have a need for the Pro model since I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Mac mini i7 for light photography and video editing. The Air will fit in nicely for work away from my Mac and as a companion to my Pro Max. Believe me, I've thought about the Pro, but it doesn't make sense for me to spend $749 when I rarely use Pixelmator, iMovie and Notes. My iPad 6 is just getting throttled from its age and my workload.

For you... you're losing screen real estate, screen fidelity, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and RAM options the new Pro has that the Air does not. The iPad Air has one screen size, 8GB of RAM, USB-C only, two internal size options and wide lens camera. Weigh your options carefully before you buy, $1300 on the new iPad Pro will get you a beast compared to the Air. Especially for your workload, a 12.9 inch XDR iPad Pro screen will still pounce on the Air.
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I’m totally waiting for the iPad Pro update later on this year, I’m still rocking the 2020 version, currently, I’m not missing out on much sooo I’ll just wait anyways.
 
telo123 said:
It is. I’ve had the budget iPad with Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. The level of smoothness I felt when I wrote on the iPad Pro for the first time had me never look back and never regretted the purchase. Scrolling and everything is just cool. Even now, if I went back to the budget iPad (I gave to family), it feels … not smooth.

On another note, I still believe the iPad Pro is the better device. The 120 Hz, the speakers (still amazes me btw when it gets to max volume and it still remains clear and bright), and x2 the storage when strictly comparing the base model for each are all good reasons for the $200 difference.
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I use my iPad for illustration and design only. Never play a song on it and always use an external SSD for all my files. Also, I need to point out that you can sketch flawlessly on an iPad 8 (I tried my daughter's iPad) the only thing it won't let me work files more than 300dpi for editing, layers and all of that.
 
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