iPad vs. iPad Air: The Dilemma
iPad or iPad Air. On paper, a simple dilemma. The standard iPad for those who just want a tablet. The iPad Air for the demanding user. Done.
But wait a minute. The price difference of a few hundred euros doesn't tell the whole story. The Air has an M1 chip that's more powerful than many laptops. While the regular iPad, with its A13 processor, easily lasts for years of daily use.
The inconvenient fact? Most Air buyers only utilize a fraction of that processing power. They're paying for speed they never use . Unless you have specific plans for your tablet. Then the whole picture changes. Because the differences aren't where you expect them to be.
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The real differences between the two models
At first glance, the standard iPad and iPad Air seem remarkably similar. Yet, the differences lie in crucial details that define your daily experience. It goes beyond just price or processor.
The Air's screen measures 10.9 inches, compared to the base model's 10.2 inches. A small difference? Not if you work for hours at a time. That extra space gives you a bit more breathing room when multitasking. The Air also has a Liquid Retina display with better color reproduction. Handy for photo editing or presentations.
The casing also tells a story. The standard model sticks to the familiar design with a home button. The Air opts for a modern, buttonless design, with Touch ID integrated into the power button. Weight difference? The Air is about 40 grams lighter. It may not seem like much, but you'll notice it when you hold the tablet for a long time.
Computing power under the hood
The A13 Bionic chip in the standard iPad effortlessly handles apps, videos, and games. More than enough for most users. However, the M1 chip in the Air is a different story. This processor, originally developed for MacBooks, offers about 50% more processing power.
When do you notice that difference? With heavy tasks like:
- Editing videos in LumaFusion
- Editing large RAW photo files
- Running multiple heavy apps simultaneously
- Playing graphically intensive games
- Using AR applications
Watching Netflix, emailing, and surfing the web? You'll barely notice a difference between the two chips. The standard iPad will continue to run smoothly for daily tasks for years.
Connections make the difference
The Lightning port on the standard iPad works fine, but it limits your options. USB-C on the Air opens new possibilities. You can connect external displays up to 4K resolution. Hard drives, cameras, and audio interfaces work instantly. Charging is faster with USB-C chargers you probably already have for other devices.
The accessory ecosystem also differs. The first-generation Apple Pencil for the base model charges via the Lightning port—inconveniently protruding from your tablet. The second-generation Pencil for the Air magnetically attaches to the side and charges wirelessly. A small detail, but a big difference in ease of use.
Storage and memory
Both models start at 64GB of storage. For those who primarily stream and work in the cloud, that's sufficient. If you download a lot of apps, games, or offline content, 256GB will quickly become essential. The Air has 8GB of RAM compared to the standard model's 3GB. This is noticeable during intensive multitasking—apps stay active in the background for longer.
Cameras for different purposes
The Air's 12MP rear camera takes sharper photos than the base model's 8MP camera. More important is the front camera. Both have a 12MP ultra-wide lens with Center Stage—the feature that automatically keeps you in frame during video calls. The Air's landscape camera positioning makes more sense for video calls.
Battery life and daily use
Apple promises approximately 10 hours of use for both models. In practice, both comfortably meet that promise. The more efficient M1 chip in the Air uses slightly less power during light tasks. Under heavy loads, the more powerful processor actually works harder and uses more power. The difference? Negligible for most users.
Who chooses which model?
The standard iPad is a perfect fit for:
- Students taking notes and doing research
- Families looking for a shared tablet
- Seniors who want to maintain digital contact
- Children for educational apps and entertainment
- Anyone looking for a second screen for basic tasks
The iPad Air excels for:
- Creative people who draw, design or create content
- Professionals who want to be productive on the go
- Students with demanding study programs (architecture, design, engineering)
- Small business owners who want one device for everything
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate the latest features
Future perspective
Software updates will remain available for the Air for longer thanks to its more powerful chip. New, processing-intensive iPadOS features, such as Stage Manager for advanced multitasking, may only run on the M1. The standard model will continue to receive updates for years to come, but may miss out on new features.
The Air's USB-C port remains relevant. Lightning is slowly disappearing from the Apple ecosystem. In a few years, you might not even find any Lightning accessories anymore. USB-C is the standard for the coming years.
Financial picture
The price difference is about €250 for comparable storage capacity. Add accessories to that. A Magic Keyboard for the Air costs more than a Smart Keyboard for the base model. The second-generation Apple Pencil is more expensive than the first. The total difference can reach €400 or more.
Buying refurbished saves you a lot of money without sacrificing quality. A used Air from last year often costs the same as a new standard iPad. That makes it a more attractive choice for budget-conscious users.
Practical considerations
Consider where you'll be using your tablet. At home on the couch? Then the basic model will suffice. Traveling a lot? The lighter Air feels more comfortable in a bag or backpack. Do you work with specific apps? See if they'll utilize the M1's extra power.
Try both models in a store. Feel the weight difference. Experience the difference between Touch ID in the home button and the power button. Small ergonomic differences determine your daily satisfaction more than rough specifications.
Making the right choice
The choice between a refurbished iPad and iPad Air comes down to one simple question: what are you going to do with it?
For everyday use—streaming, browsing, video calling—the standard iPad is more than sufficient. The Air's M1 chip only really pays off when it comes to video editing, graphic design, or heavy multitasking.
So, first consider what you need, then look at the price tag. Because the best iPad isn't the most powerful, but the one that suits your needs .
