Review: Three Weeks With the M2 iPad Air

[MacRumors]

It's been three weeks since Apple introduced the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and after revisiting the iPad Pro last week, we thought we'd take a deeper look at the iPad Air now that it's been out long enough for day-to-day usage testing.

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The iPad Air is the best iPad for people who want a powerful tablet that's also fairly affordable. The M2 chip is close to the same chip that Apple used in the prior-generation iPad Pro, and while it's a little older now, it's still more than powerful enough for anything you might want to do on a tablet.

It is worth noting that Apple recently admitted an error and clarified that the M2 chip in the iPad Air has a 9-core GPU instead of a 10-core GPU, but in comparing the M2 iPad Pro with 10-core GPU to the M2 iPad Air with 9-core GPU, there was basically no difference in performance for day-to-day tasks and even with more system intensive apps like those used for video editing.

As we said in our M4 iPad Pro review, there's nothing that can really tax the M4 chip, and that's also true of the M2. With iPadOS 18 and the AI capabilities that Apple is working on, chip performance might become much more important in the future, but as of now, the M2 iPad Air isn't going to really struggle with anything you throw at it.

The iPad Air doesn't have the OLED display technology of the iPad Pro, and it lacks features like ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates, but it otherwise offers a lot of the features you get with the iPad Pro at much more affordable prices. The iPad Pro starts at $999, while the iPad Air starts at $599.

Face ID is not available on the iPad Air, with Apple instead using a Touch ID power button. Touch ID isn't as reliable as Face ID because it can fail depending on finger placement, but it works fine for the most part. The iPad Pro has a Thunderbolt port, but the iPad Air is limited to USB-C, so you can't connect Thunderbolt devices.

You're mostly missing out on OLED and the M4 chip with the iPad Pro, but you also won't be able to use the redesigned Magic Keyboard that Apple made for the iPad Pro because it isn't compatible with the iPad Air. Apple is selling the older Magic Keyboard alongside the iPad Air, and it lacks the aluminum frame and palm rest, function keys, and the larger glass trackpad. You can still use the Apple Pencil Pro and all of its features with the iPad Air, though.

One of the nice features about the iPad Air compared to prior-generation models is the relocated front-facing camera, which is now on the landscape edge instead of the portrait edge. That means the camera is in an upright orientation when it's in landscape mode, such as when connected to a keyboard, so it no longer looks funny if you're FaceTiming while holding the iPad horizontally.

The M2 iPad Air is essentially an M2 iPad Pro without the higher-quality display, and it's a good middle tier option if you want solid performance for futureproofing but also don't want to spend $1,000+ on a tablet. For a lot of people who just want a tablet for browsing the web, sending emails, and other simple day-to-day tasks, the iPad Air may even be overkill.

Article Link: Review: Three Weeks With the M2 iPad Air

 

[Jmausmuc]

No brainer if it had 120hz but with 60hz no way.

 

[Johnny907]

No brainer if it had 120hz but with 60hz no way.

Why does that matter? In what real world way does that affect anything?

 

[Gator5000e]

Very happy with my new M2 Air. It replaced a 3rd gen Air and the upgrade is pretty noticeable. A Pro would have been overkill for my needs.

 

[jwhazel]

Why does that matter? In what real world way does that affect anything?

It affects everything?
Source: switched from owning an iPad Pro to an Air and it’s immediately noticeable.

 

[GMShadow]

Why does that matter? In what real world way does that affect anything?

Their eyes will literally explode if they see something below 120hz.

Never mind that Apple's ProMotion displays are adaptive refresh and they're seeing sub-120hz content all the time.

 

[subjonas]

I ordered a 13” Air that arrives tomorrow. I chose it over the new Pro only for Touch ID. It’s replacing my 2017 12.9” Pro which actually still works well—the only thing I wasn’t totally satisfied with was the Pencil and keyboard experience, but I wasn’t willing to give up Touch ID or screen size to upgrade those. Now thankfully I don’t have to. Although I would have liked some features from the Pro, especially storage, RAM, and maybe Thunderbolt. But I expect the M2 Air to handle everything I need from it for hopefully another good 6+ years.

 

[MacAndMic]

Loving mine as a MacBook Air replacement. It does everything a MacBook can do for me as an average consumer. For heavy lifting, I am a PC user so the iPad is a great compliment to my iPhone.

 

[subjonas]

It affects everything?
Source: switched from owning an iPad Pro to an Air and it’s immediately noticeable.

It’s weird how people are different. I have both Promotion and non-Promotion devices and I can only notice the difference when I use them side by side, which is never.
Retina though was a totally different story for me. I remember going to the Apple store to get a non-Retina MBP when I saw the Retina MBP on display. I looked at its crisp resolution, took one look back at the non-Retina and I knew I was ruined. I spent more money and happily got the Retina.
But yeah, 120hz—couldn’t care less. Actually I would prefer not to have 120hz as it would be a waste of battery for me, if 60hz also had variable refresh that is.

 

[subjonas]

Their eyes will literally explode if they see something below 120hz.

Never mind that Apple's ProMotion displays are adaptive refresh and they're seeing sub-120hz content all the time.

😆
By the way, I don’t know why Apple doesn’t put variable refresh in all their displays, even the 60hz displays, since it would save battery/electricity. I guess it must be cost.

 

[anakinfan8]

I wonder if the M2 iPad Pro will become compatible with the Pencil Pro. Really seems like that's something they can update over software.

 

[familychoice]

Ordering the 13” next week for a bit more music-making oomph and screen than my Air 4, though keeping that for general use, particularly if I need to use my Pencil 2.

Would love to have the 13” Pro, but it’s another 60+ percent more, and can’t really justify spending that much cash.

 

[jwhazel]

It’s weird how people are different. I have both Promotion and non-Promotion devices and I can only notice the difference when I use them side by side, which is never.

I suppose some people are just wired differently. I have promotion (mb pro) vs non (iMac 5k) and I can immediately notice a difference even when not side by side. Same with iPad, same with iPhone (my 13 pro vs family members SE).

My eyes certainly don’t explode due to lack of high refresh rate, and there is absolutely a point of diminishing returns depending on cost.

 

[PlayUltimate]

Would love to have the 13” Pro, but it’s another 60+ percent more, and can’t really justify spending that much cash.

Have a gen 4 iPP 12.9" (12Z chip) . I probably only need an Air and would like to save the $$. But the screen difference and Touch ID are making me hesitate.

 

[GMShadow]

I wonder if the M2 iPad Pro will become compatible with the Pencil Pro. Really seems like that's something they can update over software.

The magnets are completely different, they don't snap onto each other.

 

[Isengardtom]

Great device but for me the pro’s features are worth the upgrade.

 

[citysnaps]

Why does that matter? In what real world way does that affect anything?

The difference is mice nuts... comparing my iPad Pro with my lesser iPads.

 

[now i see it]

People are wired differently. Some people can not see flickering no matter how hard they try to see it, while others find slow screen refresh flickering intolerable.
Yes — you may not be able to see it, but others most certainly can.

 

[Premium1]

"It is worth noting that Apple recently admitted an error and clarified that the M2 chip in the iPad Air has a 9-core GPU instead of a 10-core GPU,"

They only "admitted" after getting called out about it. Typical apple PR spin...

 

[Premium1]

😆
By the way, I don’t know why Apple doesn’t put variable refresh in all their displays, even the 60hz displays, since it would save battery/electricity. I guess it must be cost.

It's a way to "upsell" to the pro line. Same reason they hold back features between the pro and regular iPhones.

 

[1284814]

"It is worth noting that Apple recently admitted an error and clarified that the M2 chip in the iPad Air has a 9-core GPU instead of a 10-core GPU,"

They only "admitted" after getting called out about it. Typical apple PR spin...

Yeah this is pissing me off a little bit

 

[citysnaps]

"It is worth noting that Apple recently admitted an error and clarified that the M2 chip in the iPad Air has a 9-core GPU instead of a 10-core GPU,"

They only "admitted" after getting called out about it. Typical apple PR spin...

Specifically, who or what company called out Apple? A link would be great.

 

[JoshOS]

I think iPads with the M series will continue to be overkill unless they add basic Mac/PC features to move the iPadOS further from iOS. As noted in a different thread, for iPads with pro chips (M series) Apple should replace Stage Manager with:

• allowing users to open as many windows/apps like on Macs/PCs
• enabling resizing of those windows from any side and corner, like on Macs/PCs
• allowing for closing, expanding, minimizing those windows, like on Macs/PCs

Allowing users to manipulate their opened application windows is a feature I wouldn’t need on a smaller-display iPhone but would need on a larger, more capable touch display.

Let’s add to the list:

• Enabling customized hot corners, especially when connected to a keyboard/mouse

Was I the only one initially thrilled about Stage Manager only to find out that it is very limited and doesn’t behave in a way for me to be the most productive?

 

[PaperMag]

No brainer if it had 120hz but with 60hz no way.

The 120Hz was never working fully on Apple's LED displays.

For 120Hz to work properly, the pixels need to refresh at 8.3 ms or faster. For the M2 iPad Pro, Notebookcheck clocks the pixel refresh at 37.53 ms which is 4.5x too slow. And the M1 was 45ms which is 5.5x too slow. And the 2018 iPad Pro was 54ms which is 6.5x too slow.

If you want actual 120Hz worth your money, you need to buy OLED because it's refresh is under 3ms.

(Did Apple reviewers bring this up? Most don't because they don't sufficiently involve themselves in technical details to catch hardware deficiencies)

 

[EBone12355]

I got the new M2 iPad Air in 13 inch, replacing my iPad Air 4. Love the extra screen real estate. I haven't needed to touch my M2 Mac Mini in the two weeks since I've had the new iPad.

I use it mostly for reading iBooks and Apple News, streaming video, photos, and email. Going to grab the new Assassin's Creed as it's only $24.99 for the next two weeks.

It's the same case size as the 3rd-5th gen 12.9 inch iPad Pros, so I picked up a new Apple Smart Folio case on eBay for a third gen Pro for $15 and it fits perfectly. I'm thinking of doing the same with a Magic Keyboard, but I've yet to confirm the contacts in the back are in the same position as the Pro.