Apple's latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models feature similar designs, Liquid Retina displays, M-series chips, 5G connectivity, and much more in common – so which should you buy?
The introduction of the previous, fourth-generation iPad Air in September 2020 brought the device much closer to the iPad Pro in terms of design, and with the most recent model, the iPad Air gained the same M1 chip as the previous iPad Pro, bringing them even closer together. The latest iPad Pro models introduced a relatively small number of new features, such as the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, but it means that the high-end iPad models are now differentiated a little more from the iPad Air model that Apple unveiled in March 2022.
Should you consider purchasing the iPad Air to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the iPad Pro? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.
Comparing the iPad Air and iPad Pro
The iPad Air and iPad Pro share a large number of key features, such as an all-screen design with flat sides, a 12MP rear Wide camera, a 12MP front-facing Ultra Wide camera, and a USB-C port:
Similarities
- Industrial design with flat edges
- Liquid Retina display with 264 ppi, full lamination, oleophobic and anti-reflective coating, P3 Wide Color, and True Tone
- M-series chip with next-generation Neural Engine
- 5G connectivity
- ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide rear camera, with digital zoom up to 5x for photos
- ƒ/2.4 12MP front-facing Ultra Wide camera with 2x optical zoom out and Center Stage
- 4K video recording at up to 60 fps, extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, 3x video zoom, slo-mo video support for 1080p at up to 240 fps, and time-lapse video with stabilization
- "All-day" 10 hour battery life
- USB‑C connector
- Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Apple's specification breakdown shows that the two iPads share many of their most important features. Even so, there are an even larger number of meaningful differences between the iPad Air and iPad Pro that are worth highlighting, including their displays, authentication technologies, and rear camera setups.
Differences
iPad Air
- Touch ID built into the top button
- 10.9-inch display
- Liquid Retina LED display
- 500 nits max brightness (typical)
- M1 chip with 8-core, 3.2GHz CPU and 8-core GPU
- Neural Engine
- Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC
- Video encode and decode engine
- Image signal processor (ISP)
- 8GB of memory
- 68.25GB/s memory bandwidth
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Wi‑Fi 6
- Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity
- ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide rear camera
- Smart HDR 3
- Digital zoom up to 5x
- 3x video zoom
- ƒ/2.4 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with 2x optical zoom out and Center Stage
- Two speaker audio landscape mode
- USB‑C connector
- Up to 256GB storage
- Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue
- Price starting at $599
iPad Pro
- Face ID enabled by TrueDepth camera
- 11-inch or 12.9-inch display, with 120Hz ProMotion technology
- Liquid Retina LED display (11-inch) or Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display (12.9-inch)
- 600 nits max brightness (11-inch) or 1,000 nits max brightness and 1,600 nits peak brightness (12.9-inch)
- Apple Pencil hover
- M2 chip with 8-core, 3.49GHz CPU and 10-core GPU
- 40 percent faster Neural Engine
- Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Higher-bandwidth video decode engine
- Video encode and decode engine
- ProRes encode and decode engine
- "New" image signal processor (ISP)
- 8GB or 16GB of memory
- 100GB/s memory bandwidth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi‑Fi 6E
- Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G connectivity
- ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide and ƒ/2.4 10MP Ultra Wide rear cameras
- Smart HDR 4
- True Tone flash
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps
- Digital zoom up to 5x and 2x optical zoom out
- Video zoom up to 3x and 2x optical zoom out
- Audio zoom
- LiDAR scanner
- ƒ/2.4 12MP TrueDepth Ultra Wide front-facing camera with 2x optical zoom out, Center Stage, Portrait Mode, Portrait Lighting, Animoji, and Memoji
- Stereo recording
- Four-speaker audio
- USB‑C connector with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4
- Up to 2TB storage
- Available in Silver and Space Gray
- Price starting at $799
Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both iPads have to offer.
Design
Both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro use Apple's most recent all-screen product design language, also seen on the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 lineups, the iPad mini, and 10th-generation iPad, featuring industrial squared-off edges and flat sides.
The 10.9-inch iPad Air is almost exactly the same size as the 11-inch iPad Pro, despite having a smaller display, resulting in it having slightly thicker bezels around the screen.
Although the design of the two iPad models is similar, the iPad Air is available in a wider range of colors. The iPad Air is available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue, while the iPad Pro is only available in Silver and Space Gray.
Authentication
A key difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro is authentication technology. The iPad Air features Touch ID, while the iPad Pro features Face ID.
The iPad Air has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded in the iPad's top button. The iPad Pro's Face ID is facilitated by the TrueDepth camera array in the top bezel.
Unlocking is something that may be used dozens of times every day, so it is important to choose your preferred method of authentication if you feel particularly strongly about it. That being said, both Touch ID and Face ID are now refined technologies that work well, and most users will probably be happy with whichever they have.
Displays
Display Sizes
The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch display, while the iPad Pro has the option of either an 11-inch display or a 12.9-inch display.
The difference in screen size between the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro is virtually negligible. These models are around half a pound lighter than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and will be best for users focused on portability and easy handheld use.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro, on the other hand, is best for users who are intending to use their iPad more like a laptop, likely on a table or with a keyboard accessory such as the Magic Keyboard. In particular, multitasking is a much better experience on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's large display.
Display Technologies
Both the iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro feature Liquid Retina LED displays with 264 ppi, full lamination, oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings, P3 Wide Color, and True Tone. The 11-inch iPad Pro can get 100 nits brighter than the iPad Air and features ProMotion technology for up to 120Hz refresh rates.
The biggest advancement in display technology is available with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This model has all of the display features included with its smaller sibling, including 120Hz ProMotion, but uses a fundamentally different underlying display technology: mini-LED.
Apple calls the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's mini-LED screen a "Liquid Retina XDR display." Mini-LED allows the 12.9-inch iPad Pro to reach up to 1,000 nits full-screen brightness, 1,600 nits peak brightness, and a 1 million-to-1 contrast ratio. The display can reflect what can be seen in the real world by capturing the brightest highlights and subtle details in even the darkest images, allowing users to view and edit true-to-life HDR and Dolby Vision content, which is especially important to creative professionals, including photographers, videographers, and filmmakers.
The iPad Air's Liquid Retina display will be sufficient for the vast majority of users, but some may prefer the responsiveness of ProMotion on the iPad Pro for tasks such as gaming. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro's high-end Liquid Retina XDR display, on the other hand, is best for users who consume a lot of HDR content, creative professionals, and those who want the best possible display.
M1 vs. M2
Both the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer a high level of performance, but the iPad Pro features the M2 chip – Apple's latest custom silicon chip primarily designed for the Mac, enabling ProRes video recording and media acceleration for the first time on an iPad.
Apple says that the M2 chip takes the performance per watt of the M1 even further with an 18 percent faster CPU, a 35 percent more powerful GPU, and a 40 percent faster Neural Engine.
- M1 vs. M2 Chip Buyer's Guide: How Much Better Really Is M2?
Mac Otakara shared Geekbench 5 results for the new iPad Pro that confirm about a 15 to 16 percent increase in multi-core performance over the previous model (8,516 score for 12.9-inch model with M2 chip vs. 7,326 for the 12.9-inch model with M1 chip):
Regardless, both of the chips are Mac-class and offer a high level of performance that should be able to meet most users' needs, with more meaningful advancements being reserved for ProRes workflows.
Memory
The iPad Air has 8GB of RAM, while the iPad Pro has either 8GB or 16GB, depending on which storage configuration you choose. iPad Pro configurations with either 1TB or 2TB of storage contain 16GB of RAM, while all other storage configurations contain 8GB of RAM. 8GB in the iPad Air will be adequate for casual users, but 16GB will be better at handling multiple windows of the same application and a range of intense background tasks.
Ultimately, iPadOS is very good at memory management and it is questionable how far apps can take advantage of extra memory, so it is unlikely that the amount of RAM in your iPad will be important in most cases.
Storage
The iPad Air offers the option of either 64GB or 256GB storage, while the iPad Pro offers 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. The maximum 256GB of storage in the iPad Air will be enough for many users, but for those power users who intend to store a large amount of data on their iPad, the option is available with the iPad Pro.
Cameras
Rear Cameras
A major area of difference between the two iPad models is their camera setups. The iPad Air features a single ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide camera. The iPad Pro has the same ƒ/1.8 12MP Wide camera as the iPad Air, but also adds a ƒ/2.4 10MP Ultra Wide camera and a LiDAR scanner.
As well as being able to zoom in digitally five times, the iPad Pro can also optically zoom out up to two times, thanks to its Ultra Wide lens. The iPad Pro can record 4K ProRes video, and also features a True Tone flash.
LiDAR allows the iPad Pro to measure the distance to surrounding objects up to five meters away, operating at the photon level at nano-second speed. This makes the iPad Pro capable of a "new class" of improved AR experiences with better motion capture, understanding of the environment, and people occlusion.
Users who like to use their iPad as a large viewfinder for photography or heavy users of AR will appreciate the iPad Pro's more advanced camera setup, but for the majority of users who do not use the iPad's rear camera very often, the iPad Air's single Wide camera is more than good enough.
Front-Facing Cameras
Both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro have a ƒ/2.4 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with 2x optical zoom out. The iPad Pro's TrueDepth camera also enables Portrait mode, and Portrait Lighting, Animoji, and Memoji.
Both devices offer Center Stage for video calls with the front-facing camera. Center Stage uses the iPad's larger field of view and the machine learning capabilities of the M1 and M2 chip to recognize and keep users centered in the frame. As users move around, Center Stage automatically pans to keep them in the shot. When others join in, the camera detects them too, and smoothly zooms out to fit everyone into the view.
Other than Portrait mode, and Portrait Lighting, Animoji, and Memoji, the two front-facing camera setups are identical and there is no reason to get one over the other.
Speakers and Microphones
The iPad Air has two-speaker audio in landscape mode, while the iPad Pro has wider four-speaker audio. If you use your iPad for consuming lots of music and videos with the built-in speakers, the iPad Pro will deliver a slightly better experience.
The iPad Pro can record audio in stereo and features "studio-quality" mics, which may be important for some users who record music or lectures using their iPad. Even so, the iPad Air has a proficient speaker and microphone setup that will be sufficient for most users.
Wireless Connectivity
The iPad Pro betters the wireless connectivity specifications of the iPad Air with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and mmWave 5G in the United States. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, and sub-6GHz 5G on the iPad Air will realistically be sufficient for most users, but if you have distinct needs for better specifications in this area, such as a high-speed 5G cellular connection in the United States, the iPad Pro could be a more worthwhile choice.
Ports
The iPad Air features a standard USB-C port, while the iPad Pro features a Thunderbolt port. USB-C on the iPad Air can transfer at a speed of 10Gb/s, while Thunderbolt supports speeds of up to 40Gb/s. As well as being considerably faster, Thunderbolt opens up the potential for compatibility with a much broader range of Thunderbolt-only accessories such as external hard drives and monitors. Thunderbolt also is backward-compatible with USB-C, so the two ports look identical.
Even though Thunderbolt is much faster than the iPad Air's standard USB-C port, most users likely do not have Thunderbolt accessories that can take advantage of these speeds. For this reason, the iPad Air is again the best option for most people in terms of port options.
Accessories
Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro support accessories such as the Apple Pencil 2, as well as Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard. Since they both support the same accessories, there is no reason to buy one model over the other when it comes to the likes of keyboards or trackpads.
Apple Pencil hover is a new, iPad Pro-exclusive feature that allows for cursor-like interaction when the Apple Pencil is brought close to the screen. As such, this may be an important factor for keen illustrators, note-takers, and Apple Pencil enthusiasts.
It should also be considered that accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard have to be purchased separately from the iPad, so will push up the overall price. Therefore, if the iPad Pro, which starts at $799 for the 64GB 11-inch model, is already moving out of your price range and you want an accessory such as the $299 Magic Keyboard, you may need to opt for the iPad Air, which starts at $599, to bring down the overall cost.
Other iPad Options
If the iPad Air is too expensive at $599, you may want to consider the 10th-generation iPad, which starts at $449. This iPad has a 10.9-inch display, the A14 Bionic chip, 4GB of memory, Center Stage, and is compatible with accessories such as the Magic Keyboard Folio and the first-generation Apple Pencil. While it lacks features like a laminated display, the M1 chip, and 8GB of memory, the 10th-generation iPad is a great alternative to the mid to high-end iPads, offering a balanced mix of features.
- iPad 10 vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Is the $150 Difference Worth It?
- iPad Air 5 vs. iPad Mini 6 Buyer's Guide
On the other hand, if you are looking for the smallest, most portable iPad, you should consider the iPad mini, which features a smaller 8.3-inch display and the A15 chip, for $499.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the iPad Air is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $200+ needed to buy the iPad Pro will not be justified to get the likes of Face ID, a more versatile rear camera system, four-speaker audio, a ProMotion display with refresh rates up to 120Hz, and Apple Pencil hover.
Some iPad Pro features, such as LiDAR, the Ultra Wide rear camera, larger storage options and up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity, will only be practically useful to a small niche of iPad users and most users will never use some of these high-end features. Many features such as the True Tone flash, mmWave 5G connectivity in the U.S., Audio zoom, and stereo audio recording may not be meaningfully utilized by many users.
Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, Thunderbolt connectivity, and mini-LED for HDR content will benefit from buying the iPad Pro. Prosumers will also enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the mini-LED display, and LiDAR for AR experiences, even if they are not necessary, and those who want a larger 12.9-inch display for content consumption or better multitasking will similarly need to go with the higher-end iPad Pro model.
Prosumers and professionals who want the iPad to replace their laptop or computer should likely choose the 12.9-inch iPad Pro if they are pairing it with the Magic Keyboard due to the added screen space for multiple applications. This larger iPad Pro is considerably different to the iPad Air, setting itself apart with mini-LED and a much larger display.
Beyond these individual circumstances, the iPad Air is the best option and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the iPad Air, users can get an all-screen design, the M1 chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories.
Article Link: M1 iPad Air vs. M2 iPad Pro Buyer's Guide
FAQs
Is it worth buying iPad Pro in 2022? ›
Overall, the 2022 iPad Pro is a very minor upgrade over the 2021 model, with the M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover being the only significant changes, meaning that it is difficult to recommend upgrading.
Which iPad should i buy in 2022? ›iPad Mini: 6th generation (2021) iPad Air: 5th generation (2022) iPad Pro 11-inch: 4th generation (2022) iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 6th generation (2022)
What is the difference between M1 and M2 iPad Pro? ›The main difference between the new and old iPad Pro is the upgrade from an M1 to M2 chip. That delivers up to an 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core), and a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s.
Is iPad Pro M2 worth it? ›The M2 iPad Pro Isn't Worth the Upgrade for Most People
Even though the M2 iPad Pro squeezes even more performance than ever into the iPad, it's not a worthwhile upgrade for most people. The M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air models still deliver incredible performance, battery life, and portability, all for less money.
That delivers up to an 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core), and a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s. But three other advantages the iPad Pro holds over the iPad Air – in this category – are Thunderbolt support, 16GB RAM on the 1TB and 2TB models, and more storage options.
What is the lifespan of Apple iPad pro? ›How Many Years Should an iPad Last? Apple usually supports a new iPad with iPadOS updates for at least five years and often several years longer. Most iPad models hold up well in performance, features, and storage over this timeframe which means that five years is a standard lifespan for any iPad.
Is it worth buying an iPad air in 2022? ›You should buy the iPad Air 5 (2022) if you're looking to upgrade to the Apple M1 chip, you want a better front camera and FaceTime experience, or you want to upgrade to a 5G iPad. You should get the iPad Air 4 (2020) if the price comes before anything else.
What time of year is best to buy an iPad? ›Looking to get a deal before the holidays? Try buying an iPad on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. “This is when retailers will offer doorbusters and extra discounts on tech gear and tablets.” But if you aren't totally sold on an iPad, you may want to consider an Android Tablet instead, because it can be less expensive.
Which Apple iPad is best? ›- Best for most: iPad Air. Best for most. Apple. Apple iPad Air (2022) ...
- Best budget: iPad (9th generation) Best budget. Apple. Apple iPad (9th gen) ...
- Best for one-handed use: iPad mini. Best for one-handed use. Apple. Apple iPad mini. ...
- Best for power users: iPad Pro 12.9-inch. Best for power users. Apple.
The M2 MacBook Pro is better suited to buyers who are upgrading from an older machine, rather than 2020's M1 model. Spearheaded by the M2 chip, the device's series of minor improvements offer a good overall package for these buyers, ensuring that they get a slightly more modern and capable machine.
Is M2 much better than M1? ›
In our testing, the M2 has an 18 percent faster CPU than the M1. The new chip doesn't just mean that the new Macs can accomplish more though, they use less power doing so: Apple promises an increased CPU performance of 18 percent with the same energy consumption thanks to various optimizations.
Should I use M1 or M2? ›If you can afford to spend $200 more, the MacBook Air M2 is the better pick. It has a separate charging port, a brighter screen, a better webcam and keyboard, significantly more battery life, and slightly more performance power. The MacBook Air M1 is the better choice for those looking to save a bit of money.
Is M2 chip worth the extra money? ›The new MacBook Air M2 is here. Like the recently released MacBook Pro M2, this new notebook is the latest to feature the Apple M2 chip — making it one of the most performant and overall best laptops you can buy. Despite its steep $1,199 starting price, it's arguably worth every penny due to the value it provides.
Will M2 beat M1 Pro? ›The 10-core M1 Pro chip has a massive advantage over the eight-core variant, thanks to the two extra CPU cores. Unsurprisingly, the M2 blows the M1 out of the water with about 20 percent higher multi-core performance. For reference, Apple claimed the M2's CPU is 18 percent faster, which turns out to be true.
Is it worth getting the new iPad pro? ›Though the iPad Pro 2022 may not be a revolutionary tablet, it could still be a worthwhile purchase for folks who want to take advantage of current and future M2-specific features. However, those who mainly use their current iPad to consume streaming content or play simple mobile games may not need the new tablet.
Why is the iPad Pro better than the iPad Air for drawing? ›When it comes to drawing, the 120Hz screen response rate makes the iPad Pro the precision instrument of choice undoubtedly – and nothing comes close to the high-resolution display on the 12.9-inch model. But the iPad Air is more than good enough if you won't use your tablet for your finest work.
Should students get iPad Air or pro? ›The only major feature it's missing is the 120Hz ProMotion screen refresh rate, but that's hardly something most people will even notice. We highly recommend the iPad Air for students who need premium performance and best iPad you can buy without the Pro name.
What's the main difference between iPad Pro and iPad Air? ›They both offer USB-C charging, while Pro also supports Thunderbolt/USB 4 charging. iPad Air comes with 6-cores CPU and 4-cores GPU, while Pro has an 8-core CPU and GPU. Needless to say, this makes iPad Pro faster than iPad Air. However, a Hexa-core CPU is good even for gamers.
Can iPads last for 10 years? ›Your iPad has a finite lifespan. After a few years, you'll likely notice deteriorated performance, illustrated by crashed apps, unresponsive buttons, low storage and poor battery life.
How often should you replace your iPad? ›We will support iPads that are still being supported by Apple and running iPadOS 14. iPads generally have a lifespan of about 5 years. Keep your software as up-to-date as possible. Plan to replace your tablet every 3 years.
Which iPads will no longer update? ›
Two iPads will no longer get Apple software updates: the iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2. To check your iPad's model number go to Settings > General > About > Model Name.
Is 64GB enough for iPad Air 2022? ›An iPad with 64GB storage or less is suitable if you want to browse the internet, check your email, Facetime, or watch series. It's enough storage capacity to download apps and play some games.
Is Apple discontinuing the iPad Air? ›Announced in March 2022, the iPad Air is now among the older iPads in Apple's lineup and it is likely midway through its product cycle. Apple does not seem to update the iPad Air regularly, leaving up to two and a half years between upgrades, and there are no immediate signs of a new model at the moment.
Do I really need an iPad Air? ›5th-Generation iPad Air (2022)
The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your iPad for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the iPad Air will be the better choice by far.
iPad Black Friday deals are a big hit every holiday season, but the best deals are on older-generation Apple iPad models. In 2022, we saw some incredible Black Friday deals on iPads, like up to 31% off regular prices.
How long should you have an iPad before getting a new one? ›As a rule of thumb, if your iPad is more than five years old, you'll probably notice slower performance. On the other hand, you could be happily using an iPad from six or seven years ago with no major problems. To get an idea of how long your iPad should last, start by identifying your iPad model.
How to get an iPad Pro for free? ›Free tablets are available for low-income Americans through Lifeline and ACP, government grants, or non-profit organizations. Lifeline and ACP are for low-income households. You'll have to contribute around $10 towards the total tablet or iPad cost, but ACP will cover another $100.
Which iPad lasts the longest? ›- ✚ Capacious battery.
- ✚ Sufficient storage.
- ✚ Keyboard connectivity.
- ✚ Decent camera.
- — iOS restrictions.
- — Expensive.
...
The following iPads fall into this category and may lose full support soon:
- iPad 4.
- iPad Air: 1 and 2.
- iPad Mini: 2.
- iPad Pro: 9.7-inch (1st generation) and 12.9-inch (1st generation).
Cellular data on iPad gives you the flexibility to stay connected whenever you're away from Wi-Fi.
How much unified memory do I need M2? ›
Most people will be absolutely fine with 8GB of unified memory on their M2 MacBook. Those who know they need more – or who plan on undertaking increasingly intensive, creative workflows or complex software development – will do well to upgrade. It's that simple.
Is 256 GB of storage enough? ›The reality is that 256GB of internal storage is probably going to be plenty enough for most people who don't already have (or anticipate having) a ton of locally stored photos, video, video games, or music that can't either be easily offloaded into the cloud, or to a backup drive.
Is 8GB unified memory enough? ›For everyday activities — browsing the web, managing emails, or working with an office suite — 8GB is perfectly adequate. But once you need more, or you're working with several apps running simultaneously, for example, on multiple displays, it's better to pay extra simply.
Do I need an M2 chip? ›Simply put, Apple hardware with an M2 processor will have better performance than devices running on older silicon. So if you want one of the best Apple devices on the market, you should buy one with an M2 processor. However, this increase in performance goes hand in hand with an increase in hardware price.
Is there a big difference between M1 and M2 chip? ›The M2 chipset can be upgraded to up to 10 GPU cores, while the M1 chip maxed out at 8 GPU cores. Apple says that the graphic performance of the M2 chipset is much improved over the last generation, providing up to 25% better performance than the M1's GPU at the same watts and up to 35% better performance at max power.
Should I get M1 Max or wait for M2? ›The most obvious reason to wait for the new MacBook Pro laptops is for the rumored M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. If these processors offer the same kind of upgrade seen from the original Apple M1 chip to the Apple M1 Pro and Apple M1 Max chips, they should provide a noticeable boost over the current M2 processor.
Are M1 and M2 really money? ›Money is measured with several definitions: M1 includes currency and money in checking accounts (demand deposits). Traveler's checks are also a component of M1, but are declining in use. M2 includes all of M1, plus savings deposits, time deposits like certificates of deposit, and money market funds.
Is it worth to wait M2? ›There are a couple of reasons it's worth the wait, if you can. First off, we still don't know exactly how the M2 Pro and Max will play out. They could be a significant bump in performance, and that might be something actually worth waiting for.
Does the M2 chip overheat? ›According to recent reports, both devices equipped with Apple M2 chip — MacBook Air M2 and Pro M2 — face severe overheating issues. Reviewers and enthusiastic customers have shown their disappointment at how quickly and frequently their MacBook Air and Pro devices heat up.
Can M2 chip run Windows? ›Answer. Due to the change to Apple Silicon Chips, any machine running an M1 or M2 Processor are able to run a Windows 11 Virtual Machine with VMware Pro 13.
What is the M2 chip equivalent? ›
Apple has compared the M2's performance to “the latest ten-core notebook processor”, which essentially means the Intel Core i7–1255U found in Samsung's Galaxy Book2 360. Both builds were also said to come with 16GB of RAM. The M2 is then said to be 1.9× faster than the aforementioned Intel processor.
Is 16gb unified memory enough? ›Depends on what you want to do with it. If you're just browsing the web, or a software developer, or writing in Word or something, it's probably plenty. If you're into 8K video editing, no, it's not enough.
Is the iPad Pro M2 worth it? ›The M2 iPad Pro Isn't Worth the Upgrade for Most People
Even though the M2 iPad Pro squeezes even more performance than ever into the iPad, it's not a worthwhile upgrade for most people. The M1 iPad Pro and iPad Air models still deliver incredible performance, battery life, and portability, all for less money.
There's no question that the new iPad Pro is better than its predecessor. It's the same price and comes with a more powerful chip as well as a few additional features. That said, I think it's not as sure a bet as the last iPad Pro was when it came out in early 2021.
Is it worth buying an iPad Pro now? ›Should you buy it? Pick the 2022 iPad Pro if you want the extra power and better screen over other iPads. It's very fast, the screen display and speakers are excellent for kicking back and watching movies, and it's a great tablet for creatives who need added power for video or photo editing.
How much will the 2022 iPad Pro be? ›The iPad Pro 2022 has a starting retail price of $799/£899 for the 11-inch model and $1,099/£1,249 for the 12.9-inch model. These prices are for the WiFi only tablets with the lowest 128GB of storage space - prices will vary dependant on cellular compatibility and larger storage sizes.
Will there be a new iPad Pro in 2023? ›Apple is no longer planning to launch a 14.1-inch iPad Pro with a mini-LED display in early 2023, a shift from plans earlier in the year.
What will the iPad Pro 2022 look like? ›2022 iPad Pro Design
This time round there are no significant design changes and the dimensions and weight is exactly the same as before. The color options are still just Space Gray or Silver. For more colors you need to look to the 2022 iPad, the iPad Air or iPad mini.
The M1 iPad Pro is still a dominant device, even after completing its first anniversary. In general, Apple products tend to be at the higher end of their respective segments, so the technology remains at par with the market average, even after years in circulation.
Is iPad Air 2022 worth buying? ›You should buy the iPad Air 5 (2022) if...
Trickling down from MacBooks and iMacs, Apple's M1 chip is expected to be up to 60% faster and more powerful than its A-series counterpart -- like the A14 found in the iPad Air 4.
Is 256GB enough for an iPad? ›
A 256GB storage capacity is always a solid choice. You can download all your favorite apps and the latest games without worrying about storage. You can easily save your holiday photos and videos on an iPad with 256GB.
Is 128GB enough for iPad Pro? ›It, of course, depends on what you want to store on it. 128gb would be enough for most people, but if you are going to keep a to. Of music or photos or big format games on the hard drive of your iPad, it may not be enough. These days, however, you can keep your music and photos on the cloud mostly, so 128 should work.
Is Apple coming out with a new iPad Pro 2022? ›Apple upgraded both of its iPad Pro models for 2022, with the 11-inch iPad Pro starting at $799 and the 12.9-inch version starting at $1,099 (this review focuses on the latter). Both have the same story—same design as their predecessors, updated chip inside.
Is there a new iPad Air coming out in 2023? ›...
iPad Air 6 release date.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad Air 6th Gen | September, 2023 | September-October, 2023 |
Although the 2020 and 2021 iPad Pro models have now been discontinued by Apple, it is not unusual to find them available at discounted prices with third-party retailers. Some other users who already have the 2020 iPad Pro may also be considering if it is worth the upgrade to the 2021 model.
How much is the iPad Pro 2023 be? ›As for price, Apple may keep pricing similar to current models, if the screen sizes remain the same. That would mean a starting price of around $799 / £899 / AU$1,399 for the 11-inch version and $1,099 / £1,249 / AU$1,899 for the 12.9-inch model, though that's just speculation for now.
Does iPad Pro 2022 have Face ID? ›The following version support Face ID right now: Apple iPad Pro 11 inches (2022/2021/2020/2018) Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inches (2022/2021/2020/2018)
How many GB do I need for iPad? ›If you don't have a ton of apps or games on your iPad, 64GB will work just fine. If you have a fair number of apps and games, consider 128GB or 256GB. If you plan to do any graphics-heavy design work, get a 512GB or even more capacious model.
Can iPad Pro replace laptop? ›iPad Pro 2022 as a laptop: Screen size and display quality
Since the latter two are rumors, it's safer to expect 11- and 12.9-inch tablets as we've seen before. That screen real estate, especially the 12.9-inch version, is perfect for a device you'd want as a laptop replacement.