Apple has once again refreshed its popular iPad lineup, introducing a new iPad Air powered by the formidable M3 chip, alongside an updated entry-level iPad and a redesigned Magic Keyboard for the Air. These updates promise enhanced performance, greater versatility, and access to Apple's latest intelligent features, making the decision of which iPad to choose more compelling than ever. Let's dive into the details of the new iPad Air and what it brings to the table for creators, students, and everyday users alike.
The Powerhouse Within: Unpacking the iPad Air M3
The most significant upgrade to the iPad Air is the integration of Apple's M3 silicon. This powerful chip delivers substantial performance gains compared to previous iPad Air models. Apple states that the new iPad Air is nearly twice as fast as the M1-equipped model and up to 3.5 times faster than the iPad Air featuring the A14 Bionic chip. Specifically, the M3 offers up to 35% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster graphics performance when compared to the M1 iPad Air.
Beyond raw processing power, the M3 chip introduces an advanced graphics architecture to the iPad Air for the first time. This includes support for dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing. These advancements translate to a remarkable up to 4x faster performance for demanding graphics and rendering tasks compared to the M1 iPad Air. While everyday tasks like browsing, email, and video streaming will feel fluid on virtually any modern iPad, the M3 ensures that the new Air can handle more intensive applications such as graphic design, video editing, and 3D rendering with remarkable efficiency. For artists and illustrators, this future-proofs the device for demanding creative workflows.
It's worth noting that while the M3 represents a significant leap over the M1, the practical difference for users upgrading from the immediate predecessor, the M2 iPad Air, might be less pronounced in typical usage scenarios. The M2 was already a capable chip, and the M3 primarily offers future-proofing and enhanced performance for the most demanding tasks. Interestingly, direct comparisons between the M3 iPad Air and the M2 model were limited during initial assessments, with some noting the absence of an M2 unit for direct comparison.
During stress tests, the M3 did exhibit some performance throttling under sustained heavy loads due to the passive cooling system. While the initial performance was impressive, subsequent runs showed a drop, suggesting that for extremely long and intensive tasks, the sustained performance might be a factor to consider. However, for the vast majority of iPad Air users and typical workflows, the M3 will provide ample power and a noticeable upgrade for those coming from older devices.
Familiar Design, Enhanced Functionality
Externally, the new iPad Air retains the familiar and well-regarded design of its predecessor, including the sleek flat sides that originated with the iPad Pro. It's still thin and light, making it highly portable. The device is available in the same elegant colour options: space gray, blue, purple, and starlight. It also comes in the same 11-inch and 13-inch display sizes introduced previously.
The Liquid Retina display remains, offering a vibrant and sharp visual experience. While it's an excellent LCD panel, it's important to note that it still has a 60Hz refresh rate, unlike the 120Hz ProMotion display found on the iPad Pro. While many users will find the 60Hz display perfectly adequate for everyday use, some, particularly those accustomed to higher refresh rates, might notice the difference in smoothness, especially during fast scrolling or with the Apple Pencil.
Key features carried over include the Touch ID power button for secure authentication and support for both the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil (USB-C). The magnetic attachment and wireless charging for the Apple Pencil continue to offer a seamless user experience. Notably, Apple has maintained the clever design where the volume buttons dynamically adjust their function based on the iPad's orientation, a thoughtful touch not always found on competing tablets. The camera system appears to be largely unchanged, with the rear camera capable of taking good-quality 12-megapixel photos. The front-facing camera also performs well for video calls, though some users might find their expressions appear somewhat intense.
The Magic of the Keyboard, Refined
Perhaps the most significant update beyond the chip is the new Magic Keyboard designed specifically for the iPad Air. While it retains the floating design and magnetic attachment, it introduces several key improvements that bring it more in line with the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro.
The most notable addition is a new 14-key function row at the top. This provides convenient access to frequently used controls such as screen brightness, volume adjustment, and media playback. This eliminates the need to access these controls through software menus, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
Furthermore, the built-in trackpad is now larger, offering more space for precise cursor control and multi-touch gestures. This makes navigating iPadOS and working with applications that benefit from a cursor even more comfortable and efficient. The keyboard itself is remarkably thin yet provides a surprisingly tactile typing experience. While those with a heavier typing style might notice a slight hollowness when striking the keys forcefully, for most users, it offers a pleasant and responsive feel.
Interestingly, the new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air is available at a lower starting price than the previous generation's Magic Keyboard. It also features a USB-C port on its hinge for charging, supporting 60W power pass-through, allowing you to charge both the iPad and the keyboard simultaneously. The new Magic Keyboard is only available in white and is compatible with the previous M2 iPad Air as well, making it an attractive upgrade for existing owners.
Unleashing Intelligence: Apple Intelligence on iPad Air
The new iPad Air is built to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of personal intelligence features. While some highly anticipated features like an upgraded AI Siri with personal context have been delayed, several other intelligent capabilities are available. These include:
- Clean Up tool in Photos: Easily remove distracting elements from your images.
- Natural language search in Photos: Find specific photos and videos simply by describing what you're looking for.
- Image Wand in Notes: Transform rough sketches into polished images.
- Image Playground: Explore creative image generation with various styles and suggestions. While currently in beta and having some limitations regarding generating truly unique or complex images, it offers a fun way to experiment with visual expression.
- Genmoji: Create custom emojis tailored to your conversations.
- Writing Tools: Enhance your writing with features designed to improve clarity and style.
- ChatGPT integration: Access ChatGPT directly within Writing Tools and Siri for more advanced assistance.
A key aspect of Apple Intelligence is its focus on privacy, utilizing on-device processing for many tasks. For requests requiring larger models, Apple employs Private Cloud Compute to extend the security and privacy of your iPad into the cloud.
A Greener Approach: Environmental Considerations
Apple continues its commitment to environmental responsibility with the new iPad Air and updated base model iPad. Both devices feature at least 30 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. The batteries also incorporate 100 percent recycled cobalt and over 95 percent recycled lithium.
Which iPad Suits Your Needs?
With the introduction of the M3 iPad Air and the updated base model iPad, choosing the right iPad depends on your individual needs and budget.
- iPad Air with M3: This is an excellent choice if you seek a powerful yet portable device capable of handling demanding creative tasks, enjoy a larger display option, and want to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features. It sits in the sweet spot between the standard iPad and the more expensive iPad Pro, offering a high-quality experience at a competitive price. It's particularly well-suited for students, creative professionals, and users who want a versatile device for both work and play. If you're upgrading from an older iPad Air (pre-M1) or a base model iPad and desire a significant performance boost, the M3 iPad Air is a compelling option.
- Updated Base Model iPad: The updated base model iPad provides excellent value for students and casual users who need a budget-friendly device for everyday tasks like browsing, email, video streaming, and light productivity. With the inclusion of the A16 chip and double the starting storage (128GB), it offers a solid experience for essential functions. However, it lacks the more advanced features and performance of the iPad Air, such as Apple Intelligence support and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the new iPad Air with M3 and the updated base model iPad began on March 4th, with availability starting on Wednesday, March 12th.
- iPad Air with M3:
- 11-inch model: Starts at $599 USD
- 13-inch model: Starts at $799 USD
- New Magic Keyboard for iPad Air:
- 11-inch model: Starts at $269 USD
- 13-inch model: Starts at $319 USD
- Updated Base Model iPad: Starts at $349 USD for the Wi-Fi model.
Final Thoughts: A Solid Step Forward
The new iPad Air with the M3 chip represents a meaningful upgrade, offering enhanced performance and access to exciting new features like Apple Intelligence, all while maintaining the beloved design and competitive pricing of its predecessor. Paired with the improved Magic Keyboard, it becomes an even more versatile tool for productivity and creativity. While those with recent iPad Air models might not see an immediate need to upgrade, the M3 iPad Air is a fantastic option for users with older iPads or those new to the iPad ecosystem looking for a powerful and feature-rich tablet without breaking the bank. Apple continues to solidify the iPad Air's position as a compelling middle-ground option, delivering a premium experience that caters to a wide range of users.