As a member of the chosen people, I can tell you that we Jews are always looking for the best bang for our buck. So, when it comes to choosing between the 11” M2 iPad Pro and the iPad Air, which one should you go for? Let’s break down the similarities and differences between the two to help you make the right decision.
Performance
Let’s start with the most significant difference between the two: performance. The M2 iPad Pro is powered by the new M2 chip, which is a significant upgrade from the M1 chip in the iPad Air. The M2 chip delivers up to an 18% faster CPU and 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core) than the M1. It also provides a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s. The iPad Pro also has Thunderbolt support, 16GB RAM on the 1TB and 2TB models, and more storage options than the iPad Air.
But let’s be real. Unless you’re a professional who needs that extra power, the iPad Air with an M1 and 8GB RAM is more than enough for most users.
Display
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Both the M2 iPad Pro and the iPad Air feature a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color. The iPad Pro’s display is slightly larger at 11 inches, and it has ProMotion (up to 120Hz refresh rates) and Apple Pencil Hover. But for most people, these differences won’t matter much.
Connectivity and Accessories
The iPad Air works with all the same great Apple accessories as the iPad Pro, including the second-generation Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio. The iPad Air uses Touch ID instead of Face ID and doesn’t have Thunderbolt support, but those are minor differences.
Splash of Color
If you care about the color of your tablet, the iPad Air wins here. It comes in five different colors, including space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue. The iPad Pro only comes in space gray and silver.
Battery Life, Storage, and Price
Both the M2/M1 iPad Pro and the iPad Air have the same battery life, storage options, and pricing. But the iPad Air is around $200 cheaper than the iPad Pro, making it the better choice for most people.
Cameras
The iPad Air has a solid rear single camera that includes the same 12MP wide lens that is found on the iPad Pro. It shoots 4K video at the same fps as the Pro too. The iPad Pro has a 10MP ultra-wide lens plus the LiDAR Scanner and True Tone flash. The iPad Air comes with the same ultra-wide 12MP lens with Center Stage support as the iPad Pro. The main difference is the M2 iPad Pro’s ability to shoot ProRes 4K video at up to 30 fps.
Conclusion
The M2 iPad Pro is the better tablet if you need the extra power for professional work. But for most people, the iPad Air is the better choice due to its lower price point and similar features. As always, it comes down to your specific needs and budget.
So, there you have it, folks. As a member of the tribe, I can confidently say that the iPad Air is the better pick for most people. Now go forth and enjoy your new tablet!
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.