Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

0906742

Cancelled
Apr 11, 2018
2,313
612
Seems to vary by country. In Canada it's September 29: https://www.apple.com/ca/promo/pdf/CA-en_BTS_2020_Ts&Cs_0609_2020.pdf
It seems to be few weeks longer valid in EU. Any idea if Air 4 finds its way to this offer this year? Trying to figure out whether to return Air 3 I got from Promo and then buy Air 4 from the same promo but not sure it will be offered there during this promo?? Considering free airpods with Air 3 makes it nearly 200 cheaper than Air 4 in case Air 4 is not sold on the same promo, if it does then difference is neglible only.

How much RAM in Air 4? Did iPad 8 already get 4gb? If not then Air 4 is also likely with 3gb only. Just like it was the same in iPad 7 and Air 3.
 

slimejester

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2020
183
229
Only Apple could turn a drawback of the magic keyboard case into a feature. I thought it strange how the 2018 iPad Pro’s camera bump fit into the MKB with the exposed aluminum showing. But now, with the Air, it exposes a flash of color despite not fitting as well as the 2020 Pros. I’m very happy with my 2020 11” Pro, but it I didn’t get the education pricing with free AirPods, I’d be a little pissed off. I think the 11” Pro will be completely phased out now and the 5G 14X Mini-LED 2021 iPad Pro will only be the 12.9 model.
 

IngerMan

macrumors 68020
Feb 21, 2011
2,005
902
Michigan
I think the pricing is a bit steep on the new air. It's very close in price to the 2020 iPP 11" when you bump up to 256GB. less 2 speakers, no facial recognition, no 120hz, no AR, performance wise I bet they are going to be very close.

The 2021 11” iPP will either be bumped up in specs with bumped up price or discontinued. The 11” is a big seller so I expect a bump in specs and price. Glad I got my 2020 11” 256GB for $849 last month when I did. The New Air for me would only be $100 less.
 

joeblow7777

macrumors 604
Sep 7, 2010
7,042
8,733
How much RAM in Air 4? Did iPad 8 already get 4gb? If not then Air 4 is also likely with 3gb only. Just like it was the same in iPad 7 and Air 3.

I don't really agree with the logic that just because the iPad 7 and Air 3 had the same RAM, the iPad 8 and Air 4 have to, but it could turn out to be the case. I can live with 3 GB of RAM though.
 

TheIntruder

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2008
1,701
1,194
I'm not sure why some people think Apple would leave money on the table by discontinuing the 11" Pro, when it outsells the 12.9" version.

Most people aren't spec hounds, like we are here, and for those who are, Apple's products managers must delight in creating dilemmas such as the ones the Air 4 has created. But Apple wins either way, whether one buys the Air 4, or, even better, digs out some more scratch for the Pro.

I'm going to wait for empirical performance tests appear that will reveal the differences between the A12X/Z and A14 before deciding.

An even better scenario would be for 2020 Pros to appear in the refurb store, which would also drive down the price of the 2018 Pro refurbs. Then things will become even more interesting.
 

slimejester

macrumors regular
Apr 5, 2020
183
229
I'm not sure why some people think Apple would leave money on the table by discontinuing the 11" Pro, when it outsells the 12.9" version.

Most people aren't spec hounds, like we are here, and for those who are, Apple's products managers must delight in creating dilemmas such as the ones the Air 4 has created. But Apple wins either way, whether one buys the Air 4, or, even better, digs out some more scratch for the Pro.

I'm going to wait for empirical performance tests appear that will reveal the differences between the A12X/Z and A14 before deciding.

An even better scenario would be for 2020 Pros to appear in the refurb store, which would also drive down the price of the 2018 Pro refurbs. Then things will become even more interesting.
Yes, they thrive on manufacturing these dilemmas.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,414
12,422
An even better scenario would be for 2020 Pros to appear in the refurb store, which would also drive down the price of the 2018 Pro refurbs. Then things will become even more interesting.
I don't think they'll drop further until the 2021 iPad Pro is released. The refurb 2018 Pros are priced low enough that Apple can sell refurb 2020 Pros for $100+ off without changing the price points. The 2018 Pro refurbs are the best deal if you can find them in stock.

That green and blue Air 4, though... ?
 

Kal-037

macrumors 68020
I don't think that any "current" iOS device has just 2GB of RAM anymore, but I think that you might be right that the non-Pro iPads may stick to 3GB. And I might be a rare exception in this case, but that doesn't really bother me. I have a 3rd gen Air right now and RAM limitation has never been an issue for me. I use my ipad for a lot of things, but multitasking on iOS has never felt that natural or necessary to me, so I seldom even use 2 apps in split screen. Nor do I keep more than 3 or 4 tabs open in my browser at once. This isn't because of lack of RAM, I just don't like the clutter, so to speak.

So while I of course wouldn't say no to more RAM, not having it is far from a deal breaker for me right now.
✌? 2GB is still used in Apple TV or HomePod as well. You are right that Apple is moving away from 2GB, but if Apple chooses 2GB RAM. They have excellent lifespan... it is the processors like A8 and below that are not like the A10-12 where a good 5-7 years is not possible but will. still have good RAM management
Exactly.


In my opinion that is most likely.

Maybe If they still use the same chassis in Air 4 as in current Air 3, we could get slight bump in specs along with bigger display. Anyway, my point is that we are no going to get all the goodies in one year and definitely nothing like Pro 2018 renamed as Air like it is in the wildest rumors I've seen.
agreed there, people don’t realize that any amount of RAM above 1GB is great. Lol but Apple and most apps designed handle the RAM management so well that the iPad Pro’s 4GB is basically like an 8GB RAM MacBook and the 6GB is like 10GB so I’m not too worried about the 3GB RAM in my Mini 5.
‘My issue with Apple is how crappy the iPad Pro 4 was/is as an “update” when you compare the air 4. Seriously they really did a crappy “update” to their supposed flagship iPad. Before this... the iPad Pros 3-4 were the most powerful mobile iDevices... now the iPad AIR is faster and more powerful. ??‍♂️
Why didn’t they just put in the A14X in the iPad Pro 4, (then throw it in to the air 4... now.) ?‍♂️ What a great iPad 10-year anniversary update... the Air got all the goods not the actual iPad or Apple’s pricier ipad. lol?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️
 

subjonas

macrumors 603
Feb 10, 2014
5,539
5,866
I think the pricing is a bit steep on the new air. It's very close in price to the 2020 iPP 11" when you bump up to 256GB. less 2 speakers, no facial recognition, no 120hz, no AR, performance wise I bet they are going to be very close.
It just depends on how much one values those things. I’m sure there are a lot of people who would rather pay $150-$200 less and have the newer chip, and be ok with 2 stereo speakers, no promotion or LIDAR, and Touch ID instead of Face ID (some even prefer Touch ID).
 

one more

macrumors 601
Aug 6, 2015
4,504
5,657
Earth
The Apple website says two speakers so I think that clears it up.

If we look at the Air 4 schematics here, there seem to be 4 speakers?


C8E1C273-6839-413A-BBA5-D52C0D9A5EA4.png
 

TheIntruder

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2008
1,701
1,194
If we look at the Air 4 schematics here, there seem to be 4 speakers?


View attachment 953728

There are two speakers, but openings on both sides, to allow stereo while in landscape orientation.

This is illustrated in the video, and noted in the specs.

The spec diagram for the Pro shows four distinctly labelled speakers. The Air 4, only two.
 

Mac2019

macrumors 6502a
Feb 12, 2016
621
228
Not that steep when you break it down to extra cost/month over the planned 5 years of ownership.
True but still a hefty outlay. I think I am shocked by the price because at the time of buying the air 2 it was THE tablet to buy and was, I think, £479 for the 3rd storage option of 64gb (think it went 16, 32, 64).
I think I will see if I can make 64gb work as £579 seems do-able. 128gb must be the sweet spot for so many people and apple know this hence the jump from 64 to 256 and the massive margin bump.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,414
12,422
True but still a hefty outlay. I think I am shocked by the price because at the time of buying the air 2 it was THE tablet to buy and was, I think, £479 for the 3rd storage option of 64gb (think it went 16, 32, 64).
Storage options for the Air 2 on release were 16, 64 and 128. I think it's probably £479 for 16GB though. I remember complaints that Apple does almost £1:$1 with US pricing.
 

Mac2019

macrumors 6502a
Feb 12, 2016
621
228
Storage options for the Air 2 on release were 16, 64 and 128. I think it's probably £479 for 16GB though. I remember complaints that Apple does almost £1:$1 with US pricing.
Ah ok, I thought it was 16, 32, 64.

I checked the receipt and it was definitely £479 for the 64gb.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,414
12,422
Ah ok, I thought it was 16, 32, 64.

I checked the receipt and it was definitely £479 for the 64gb.
Checked the exchange rates back then. Apparently, £479 was ~$800 at the time so yeah, sounds about right (US $600 + 20% VAT = $720). Now, £479 converts to just ~$622.
 

Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,821
4,635
Johannesburg, South Africa
I think the pricing is a bit steep on the new air. It's very close in price to the 2020 iPP 11" when you bump up to 256GB. less 2 speakers, no facial recognition, no 120hz, no AR, performance wise I bet they are going to be very close.

The 2021 11” iPP will either be bumped up in specs with bumped up price or discontinued. The 11” is a big seller so I expect a bump in specs and price. Glad I got my 2020 11” 256GB for $849 last month when I did. The New Air for me would only be $100 less.

The RAM is also a big one, if they give the Air only 4GB RAM, you really begin to see more value in the 2020 iPP.
The A14 seems to be the only killer feature of the Air along with the Pro design it got, Apple needed something to draw people to it no I think the A14 was perfect as it will be very efficient for those who are not planning on doing too much graphically on their iPad.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.