iPad Air M2 vs iPad Pro M4: Which One Should You Buy?
Are you considering upgrading your iPad or joining the Apple ecosystem with a brand new tablet? With Apple's recent unveiling of the revamped iPad Air and iPad Pro, choosing between the two might seem like a daunting task. Fear not, as we delve into the features and improvements of both to help you make an informed decision.
iPad Air M2: Bridging the Gap
Let's start with the iPad Air M2, which brings significant upgrades over its predecessor. Available in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, as with the iPad Pro lineup, the new iPad Air offers a larger canvas for your creativity and productivity needs. The added screen real estate enhances experiences like drawing and video calls, making it a versatile option for various tasks.
Under the hood, the M2 chip powers the device, delivering impressive performance gains. Apple claims a 50% boost compared to the previous model, and enhanced machine-learning capabilities. This means smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and improved graphics performance for gaming and creative tasks.
One standout feature of the iPad Air M2 is its landscape ultra-wide selfie camera, positioned similarly to the 10th-Generation iPad. This orientation enhances the user experience during video calls, ensuring that eye lines align with the center of the screen, resulting in a more natural and engaging interaction.
Moreover, the iPad Air M2 boasts a starting storage option of 128GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and documents. This increased storage capacity, coupled with the M2 chip's efficiency, ensures smooth multitasking and faster app launches.
Despite its affordability, the iPad Air M2 does not compromise on quality. The device features a vibrant Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology, offering a smooth and responsive viewing experience. Additionally, compatibility with accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard further enhances the iPad Air M2's versatility and productivity capabilities.
Starting at $499 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch variant, the iPad Air M2 strikes a balance between performance and affordability, making it an attractive option for users seeking a premium tablet experience without breaking the bank.
Related: Get on the Case: Get Ready for the New iPad Air 11/13-inch M2
with ZUGU's Cutting-Edge Cases.
iPad Pro M4: Pushing the Boundaries
On the other hand, if you crave the pinnacle of performance and innovation, the iPad Pro M4 pushes the boundaries of performance, innovation, and versatility. With a host of cutting-edge features and enhancements, the iPad Pro M4 is designed to meet the demands of professionals and power users seeking unparalleled performance and productivity.
The latest iPad Pro introduces a groundbreaking level of sleekness, marking it as the thinnest Apple product to date. Its design emphasizes unparalleled portability, with the 11-inch variant measuring only 5.3 mm in thickness, while its larger counterpart, the 13-inch model, achieves an even more striking thinness at just 5.1 mm. Despite these featherlight dimensions, both versions retain the robustness of their predecessors. Weighing less than a pound for the 11-inch and boasting a nearly quarter-pound reduction for the 13-inch compared to previous models, this upgrade allows Pro users to seamlessly expand their workflows, unrestricted by the confines of traditional work environments.
One of the most striking features of the iPad Pro M4 is its stunning OLED Ultra Retina XDR display. Utilizing "Tandem OLED" technology, the display offers unparalleled contrast ratios, vibrant colors, and true blacks, providing an immersive viewing experience for content creators and consumers alike. With support for up to 1,600 nits of brightness for HDR content, the iPad Pro M4 ensures exceptional clarity and detail, even in the most challenging lighting conditions.
In addition to its impressive display, the iPad Pro M4 boasts a range of advanced camera features, including a wide lens, LiDAR sensor, and improved dual-tone flash. These enhancements not only improve the quality of photos and videos but also enable new AR experiences and applications, making the iPad Pro M4 a powerful tool for creative professionals and developers.
At the heart of the iPad Pro M4 lies the all-new Apple M4 chip, a groundbreaking piece of silicon that sets a new standard for tablet performance.
Users can execute AI-driven tasks with unprecedented speed and efficiency. For instance, tasks like isolating subjects from their backgrounds in 4K video using the Scene Removal Mask feature in Final Cut Pro are accomplished with remarkable ease, thanks to the lightning-fast processing capabilities of the Neural Engine. In fact, the Neural Engine housed within the M4 chip outpaces any neural processing unit found in contemporary AI PCs, underscoring the iPad Pro's dominance in AI computing.
Capable of an astonishing 38 trillion operations per second, this powerhouse is a significant leap forward, surpassing the initial Neural Engine found in the A11 Bionic chip by a staggering 60 times. Paired with cutting-edge ML accelerators in the CPU, a high-performance GPU, expanded memory bandwidth, and a suite of intelligent features and robust developer frameworks within iPadOS, the Neural Engine transforms the new iPad Pro into a veritable AI juggernaut.
Complementing its powerful hardware, the iPad Pro M4 offers a range of software features and capabilities tailored to professional users. From advanced multitasking and productivity tools to creative applications and augmented reality experiences, iPadOS on the iPad Pro M4 provides a rich and immersive platform for work and play.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro receives a significant upgrade, featuring an aluminum base, a larger trackpad, and an improved keyboard layout. This transforms the iPad Pro into a productivity powerhouse, blurring the lines between tablet and laptop functionality.
Starting at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1299 for the 13-inch variant, the iPad Pro M4 represents a premium investment for users who demand the best in performance and versatility.
Related: Is the iPad Pro 12.9 Too Large for Everyday Use?
iPad Air M2 vs iPad Pro M4 At a Glance
Specs and Pricing
Accessories and Performance
Related: iPads and AI: What The Future Holds for iPadOS
Choose Your Weapon
Both the iPad Air M2 and iPad Pro M4 offer compelling features tailored to different user needs and preferences. If you prioritize affordability without compromising performance, the iPad Air M2 is an excellent choice. However, if you seek the utmost power, versatility, and innovation, the iPad Pro M4 is the pinnacle of Apple's tablet lineup.
Both the new iPad Air and new iPad Pro models are available for pre-order now and will be shipped from Apple on May 15, 2024.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your specific requirements and budget. Whether you're a casual user, creative professional, or business executive, Apple's latest iPad lineup has something for everyone. So, weigh your options carefully and choose the iPad that best suits your needs, unlocking a world of possibilities and productivity.
Choose Your Shield
Of course, every iPad needs a robust, protective, and stylish case to keep it safe from harm, and that’s no different when it comes to the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2. In fact, it may be even more critical when you’re splashing that much cash on a new tablet. If you are planning on getting an iPad Air 11 M2, our iPad Air 10.9 Case (4th/5th Gen) Case will fit perfectly. And it goes without saying that we will release all new cases to fit the other new models. So watch this space and pre-order your new iPad Pro 11 M4 Case, iPad Pro 13 M4 Case, or iPad Air 13 M2 Case from ZUGU.
Browse our range of iPad cases, screen protectors, and accessories in the ZUGU store.