On Tuesday, Apple unveiled two new iPads: the iPad Air featuring the M3 chip and a revised entry-level iPad equipped with the A16 chip. Many hoped that the more economical model would introduce Apple Intelligence features, but unfortunately, this was not the case. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly iPad that incorporates AI capabilities, I highly recommend the M1 iPad Air.
Introducing the New iPad 11
There’s not much additional detail regarding the new iPad 11 beyond the fact that it now houses the A16 chip, a significant upgrade from its predecessor’s A13 chip. Apple claims that the upgraded model offers a 50% performance improvement. While the chip is indeed faster and equipped with 6GB of RAM opposed to 4GB, it still lacks the capability for Apple Intelligence features.
This was a disappointment to consumers who had anticipated upgrading their iPads without having to invest in a new iPad Air or iPad Pro to access Apple’s latest AI functionalities. Priced at $349, the new iPad 11 stands in contrast to the newly launched iPad Air with the M3 chip starting at $599, with the iPad mini 7 priced at $499 for the base model.
So what’s the most cost-effective option for purchasing a new iPad with Apple Intelligence? My recommendation is the M1 iPad Air.
Why the M1 iPad Air is a Smarter Choice
The 5th generation M1 iPad Air was launched in 2022. While Apple no longer officially sells it, you can still find it at significantly reduced prices in various stores, especially if you’re open to purchasing a refurbished version. In many aspects—perhaps all—the M1 iPad Air surpasses the newly released iPad 11, and here’s why.
Both models feature an 11-inch LCD display, but the M1 iPad Air’s panel is notably superior, boasting a wide P3 color gamut and an anti-reflective coating, while the iPad 11’s screen is limited to sRGB colors and uses non-laminated glass, making it more prone to glare.
The 5th generation iPad Air is also slimmer and lighter than the iPad 11, measuring 6.1 mm in thickness and weighing 461 grams compared to the 7 mm thickness and 477 grams of the iPad 11.
The aspect that truly sets the M1 iPad Air apart is the M1 chip itself. This was the initial Apple Silicon chip crafted specifically for the Mac before being integrated into iPads. Featuring an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, it outperforms the A16 chip in the iPad 11, which comprises a 5-core CPU and a 4-core GPU. The implications? The M1 iPad Air is superior in speed compared to the new iPad 11.
Benchmark tests indicate that the M1 chip is approximately 30% faster than the A16 Bionic chip (noting that the comparison is based on the iPhone 15 chip, which has additional CPU and GPU cores compared to the chip inside the iPad 11). Furthermore, the M1 boasts 8GB of RAM, enhancing multitasking and AI functionality.
This is pivotal, as the M1 iPad Air encompasses all Apple Intelligence features, along with capabilities like Stage Manager for managing multiple app windows simultaneously and connecting to an external monitor. The iPad 11 lacks support for any of these functionalities.
The 5th generation iPad Air is also equipped with a USB-C 3.1 port allowing speeds of up to 10 Gbps, whereas the USB-C 2.0 port on the iPad 11 is restricted to 480 Mbps. This disparity means that transferring files between the iPad and an external device (like a camera) is considerably slower on the iPad 11. Additionally, the Air is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2, which offers enhanced features compared to the USB-C Apple Pencil available for the iPad 11.
In summary, here are the key advantages of the 5th generation iPad Air over the iPad 11:
- Lighter and thinner design
- Superior display
- Faster processing chip with enhanced graphics
- Increased RAM
- Stage Manager support
- Support for Apple Intelligence features
- Compatibility with Apple Pencil 2
- USB-C 3.1 capabilities
Conversely, the only advantage the iPad 11 holds over the M1 Air, which was released in 2022, is that it begins with 128GB of storage, while the M1 Air starts with 64GB.
Which iPad Should You Choose?
If your primary purpose for an iPad is to watch videos and read content, then you might want to save some money and opt for the new entry-level model at just $349. Plus, students can purchase it for an even lower price through Apple’s educational store, which is worth considering.
However, if you’re interested in accessing the most recent iPadOS features and desire a device that can substitute for a laptop, the M1 iPad Air is certainly the superior choice. Even today, the M1 chip efficiently manages the most demanding tasks and games while running all the same software capabilities as the latest iPads.
Apple offers the refurbished M1 iPad Air for $379 for the 64GB variant. Products that are Apple Certified Refurbished are pre-owned items that have undergone rigorous refurbishment before being sold. They are packaged in a special box with original accessories and come with a one-year warranty from Apple.
What are your thoughts? Which iPad would you opt for? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
