All iPads Dilemma on iPad(s)

[wabisabizo]

So this will be my 2nd iPad purchase since 2018, handing over my iPad Pro 11' 2018 to my spouse. So the dilemma for me is, should I get the iPad Air M2 11' or iPad Pro M4 11'? The 13' of either iPads (Air & Pro) is not a consideration for me as wielding a huge glass slab isn't for me.

I just want input from the community members here to help me decide or maybe even change my mind, as to what I should get?

Just so you all know, my use case is just Media Consumption, Emails and Browsing. Also, my kid occupies the TV most of the time, which is why I am considering an iPad for my Media/New consumption.

What say y'all?

 

[bluegt]

I had the same debate when deciding on an iPad for my 18 month old…we needed to get her a device to watch Baby Shark.

I’d suggest the iPad Pro M4 over the Air M2
1. OLED is an amazing experience
2. M4 will give you better performance and battery life, especially with AI features down the road
3. M4-based devices MAY have a longer service life before Apple stops updating the OS
4. FaceID is much better than Touch ID

Alternatively, go for a refurb M1 iPad Pro 11” - I think most countries have the M1 listed on the refurb site. I would go for that over the M2 iPad Air in order to benefit from the Pro features at a similar price point to the M2 iPad Air.

 

[ericwn]

I want Face ID and the best screen I can afford. I think that narrows the selection down considerably.

 

[Apple_Robert]

M4 11” sounds like it would fit your use and will get updates much longer than the M2.

 

[rosalindavenue]

I just went through a similar decision. I had a 2018 11" pro which was in great shape; battery was slipping but still pretty good. I thought long and hard about getting a new 11" air so I could use the same magic keyboard. I ended up getting the 11" M4 Pro with a new keyboard. Traded the 2018 for $250 or something, and will pass the keyboard to a child with an M1 pro. I really wanted to keep face ID and even with my sorry eyes I can see the blacks on the screen are far superior. It was a few hundred bucks, which is nothing if it lasts 6 years like the 2018 did.

 

[okkibs]

The M4 has a considerably better display with better contrast and higher brightness. The iPad Air display on the other hand is basically identical to your older iPad Pro display where the backlight is either on or off and blacks are always grey. Maximum brightness is relatively low and with 500 nits basically unusable outside.

 

[MacAndMic]

M2 13” air guy here with very similar uses. Seems like you keep your devices a good length of time so I suggest the pro for longevity but I can’t help but mention, the air is no slouch and I do believe it’s longevity will at least match your current upgrade pattern.

But let’s talk about the screen size….. for your use, I highly suggest the 13”. At the very least, visit a store that has both on display and compare the size in person. Consuming, I was use to a Mac Air 13”, had I moved to an 11”, I would have hated the experience and my new iPad would be more of a purpose specific device whereas at 13”, it has become my only device. Just food for thought.

 

[Isengardtom]

M4 for promotion, FaceID, OLED and quad speakers + 256GB starting storage.

 

[richardpage]

Go M4. Longer support life. Better specs. Don't agonise over it and don't compromise as the last thing you want is every time you use it you think.."I wish I had bought the M4". Made that mistake with my MacBook Pro M2 NMax 96Gb. Opted for the 4Tb rather than 8Tb SSD. Now I have to every now and then back off files.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Buy the most computer iPad you can afford. I've never heard a complaint about a tablet being too fast or a screen being too good.

 

[Lyrics23]

A 2018 iPad Pro is pretty similar to the 2024 iPad Air.

So it depends, are you looking for an upgrade (OLED, M4, etc), or would you be content with a very similar experience to what you’re already used to?

Keep in mind that the Pro retains FaceID, but an Air would be a switch to TouchID. Also that the Air does not have a ProMotion display (60Hz vs 120Hz for smooth scrolling, etc).

 

[SGSfanboy]

M4 for future proofing

 

[Wando64]

I have been thinking about the same and concluded that a move to the Air would be a step backwards.
Yes faster processor (compared to the 2018), but also loss of two speakers, loss of ProMotion, loss of FaceID.
And, let's face it, how many times while using your 2018 pro have you thought "if only I had a faster processor..."

I have never thought that, and I use some seriously taxing music apps environments.
For this reason, in the end I decided to stick with my 2018 for a bit longer.

 

[klasma]

I had the same debate when deciding on an iPad for my 18 month old…we needed to get her a device to watch Baby Shark.

I’d suggest the iPad Pro M4 over the Air M2
1. OLED is an amazing experience
2. M4 will give you better performance and battery life, especially with AI features down the road
3. M4-based devices MAY have a longer service life before Apple stops updating the OS
4. FaceID is much better than Touch ID

Alternatively, go for a refurb M1 iPad Pro 11” - I think most countries have the M1 listed on the refurb site. I would go for that over the M2 iPad Air in order to benefit from the Pro features at a similar price point to the M2 iPad Air.

Yep, definitely get the M4 for Baby Shark, it’s just not the same on LCD.

 

[JamesMay82]

I have a M1 Pro myself and 9 year old daughter just got M2 Air and I think I’d be more than happy with that.

Although if I was doing it again I’d just get a MacBook Air, more so for the ability to organise family photos and things more.. I only say this cos you mentioned you have a kid.

 

[wabisabizo]

A 2018 iPad Pro is pretty similar to the 2024 iPad Air.

So it depends, are you looking for an upgrade (OLED, M4, etc), or would you be content with a very similar experience to what you’re already used to?

Keep in mind that the Pro retains FaceID, but an Air would be a switch to TouchID. Also that the Air does not have a ProMotion display (60Hz vs 120Hz for smooth scrolling, etc).

Yeah, got me thinking, if I could give up 120Hz and FaceID from my previous Pro, I can't 🤷🏻‍♂️. However, the OLED is tempting.

 

[wabisabizo]

I have a M1 Pro myself and 9 year old daughter just got M2 Air and I think I’d be more than happy with that.

Although if I was doing it again I’d just get a MacBook Air, more so for the ability to organise family photos and things more.. I only say this cos you mentioned you have a kid.

Uhuh, I have a MB Pro M1 Pro 14' so that does what you say. I need an iPad for quick use cases and mainly media consumption.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

It's crazy to think about how many similarities there are between iPhones 15 and 15/Pro Max. Or, at least you get decently modern displays, with good brightness and Face ID without having to go Pro.

But for iPads, the high-end Pro option is just endlessly more value/$ than the mid-tier Air.

I'd definitely go for M4 Pro as iPads Air have next to none of the features that the Pros have had for years.

Especially if you plan on using this iPad outside or while traveling, where there's lots of settings where you can't control lightning.

Well. If you don't care about the horizontal camera and Pencil Pro support, then you could also just opt for an M1 or M2 iPad Pro. Those are still better M2 Airs on nearly every spec and might sell for the same or less.

 

[JamesMay82]

Uhuh, I have a MB Pro M1 Pro 14' so that does what you say. I need an iPad for quick use cases and mainly media consumption.

Yeah with a sensible head on I’d go for 11 inch air but the allure of the m4 will be hard to resist.

 

[wabisabizo]

It's crazy to think about how many similarities there are between iPhones 15 and 15/Pro Max. Or, at least you get decently modern displays, with good brightness and Face ID without having to go Pro.

But for iPads, the high-end Pro option is just endlessly more value/$ than the mid-tier Air.

I'd definitely go for M4 Pro as iPads Air have next to none of the features that the Pros have had for years.

Especially if you plan on using this iPad outside or while traveling, where there's lots of settings where you can't control lightning.

True, true, longevity is important for me. Although the use case is mostly around the house.

 

[wabisabizo]

Yeah with a sensible head on I’d go for 11 inch air but the allure of the m4 will be hard to resist.

Where I live, the price gap from Air to Pro is around USD 533 (approx.). But yeah, the allure of the Pro is tempting, very!

 

[GMShadow]

I've got the 11" M2 Air to go with my 13" M2 Pro and like it fine - yes it's not as advanced as the M4 Pro, but if you're fine without 120hz and Face ID it's a perfectly quick tablet and you'll see a nice perf boost over your current one. The price gap these days is also pretty steep so it's harder to justify a Pro just for movies and browsing, IMO.

 

[wabisabizo]

I've got the 11" M2 Air to go with my 13" M2 Pro and like it fine - yes it's not as advanced as the M4 Pro, but if you're fine without 120hz and Face ID it's a perfectly quick tablet and you'll see a nice perf boost over your current one. The price gap these days is also pretty steep so it's harder to justify a Pro just for movies and browsing, IMO.

I agree, the price gap do not justify. The OLED (higher brightness and pure blacks) along with ProMotion and the convenience of FaceID pulls me to the Pros. But the M2 Air Price tag would be a wise decision seeing my use case is limited. Need to ponder on it for a while.

 

[cnnyy20p]

If you have much money left to spend just go with iPad Pro. Those premium features aren’t important but they’re nice to have. It’s the best media consumption device right now.

If you’re just for the essentials the latest iPad Air is the goat iPad.

 

[shadowboi]

M4 if you plan to actively use it until 2034 at least, M2 if until 2032. I bet for your tasks it should serve even longer. I have used my iPad Air 2 for more than 8 years, and it still works. I don’t use it anymore since I got MBA M1 (loving the passive cooling! Better than any laptop with a comfort of tablet).

With M2 you can save a little bit of money on your purchase and buy something else that you will probably need. Also I would recommend to stay away from OLED if you had experience with any sort of eye strain in digital devices, but if you have any of the newer iPhones and ok with it then you should be good