Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2): Built for Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, 12MP Front/Back Camera, Wi-Fi 6E, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Space Gray

Good screen size. The brightness is just right. This tablet is durable and has lasted for more than a year now. The battery life is great. It looks amazing. Best value for money.

As a 3D designer, I’m thoroughly impressed with the iPad Air M2. This device is blazing fast, handling everything I throw at it—from 3D modeling to rendering previews—with ease. The M2 chip ensures smooth performance, even in demanding apps, and the overall efficiency makes for an amazing workflow. Paired with the Apple Pencil, precision work feels natural, and the lightweight design makes it perfect for on-the-go creativity. The battery life is solid, and the versatility of iPadOS enhances its functionality, whether I’m sculpting, sketching, or refining details. The only real drawback is the 60Hz refresh rate on the display. While it’s still a great screen, a 120Hz ProMotion display would have made interactions feel even smoother, especially for tasks that require fine detail and fluid motion. That said, if you can overlook the refresh rate, the iPad Air M2 is an incredibly capable device for 3D design. It delivers top-tier performance in a sleek, portable package—making it a great choice for creatives who need power without the bulk of a full workstation.

Very good iPad with a lot of space and functionality

Hubby uses almost daily to catch up on news, sports, etc. Instead of smaller phone. Nice size to take with when traveling too.

Absolutely no problems, I love the thing!!

I own a regular iPad and a 13” IPad Pro. The iPad Air is replacing my regular iPad. The reason for replacing my regular iPad is that my iPad is old, the battery does not hold a charge as long as I would like and the touch screen was getting inconsistent to my touch. The iPad was slowly dying and I chose to get a deal with Black Friday as opposed to waiting for the device to fail completely. You might ask why I didn’t just use my iPad Pro. The reason is simple: the iPad Pro is bigger and heavier and I added the Magic Keyboard, which while a nice keyboard is heavy. I found myself using my regular iPad because it was just lighter and more easily portable. I still use the iPad Pro, but I just don’t like walking around with it. For light use, the bigger screen just doesn’t matter that much to me. I went for the iPad Air primarily because the device was on sale for $100 off and the base Air has more storage than the regular iPad. Also, instead of getting a Magic Keyboard, I got a Logitech combo case and keyboard that is much lighter. This is an iPad I want to walk around with. In retrospect, I question the use case for the iPad Pro. At that size and weight (including the Magic Keyboard), I’d just get a Mac. Other than that, the Air is a regular iPad with more memory for most people. It seems to work just like my old iPad, just shiny, new and a bit faster. Biggest different is that the finger print scanner is on the side of the Air, which is nicer and the screen is nicer. But there are no “day and night” differences. It works the way it should. Seems to connect better than my old iPad. I also got a better case this time. The old one was more bulky and connected via Bluetooth and there were always delays in connecting with the iPad. The new case is designed for the Air, connects the same way as the Magic Keyboard and does not need to be separately charged. All the things that irritated me about my old iPad are now gone and I am now a “happy camper.” As for anyone who has a working iPad, I cannot tell you that you will see much difference from your old iPad. Aside from the issues with my old iPad, I would not have made this purchase. The improvements in the iPad are just too incremental to recommend upgrading for the sake of upgrading.

I’ve been using the 11-inch iPad Air with the M2 chip for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become my go-to device for both work and play. It offers a sleek design, snappy performance, and just enough features to feel premium without overwhelming your wallet. First off, the 11-inch Liquid Retina display is a stunner—sharp at 2360x1640 resolution (264 ppi), with vibrant colors thanks to P3 wide color support. It’s not OLED like the Pro, so blacks aren’t as deep, and the 60Hz refresh rate feels a tad dated compared to competitors’ 120Hz screens (e.g., Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9). Still, for streaming shows like Ted Lasso or sketching with the Apple Pencil Pro (sold separately), it’s more than adequate. The 500-nit brightness holds up indoors, but I had to crank it up outside to fight glare—not a dealbreaker, just worth noting. The M2 chip is the real star here. It’s the same processor from the last-gen iPad Pro, and it chews through tasks like multitasking with Split View, editing 4K video in iMovie, or playing Genshin Impact with zero lag. I exported a 5-minute 4K clip in under a minute, which is impressive for a tablet this size. Apple claims it’s 50% faster than the M1 Air, and while I don’t have benchmark numbers handy, the difference is noticeable in everyday zip. It’s overkill for casual browsing, but future-proofing is a plus, especially with Apple Intelligence features rolling out. Design-wise, it’s slim (0.24 inches) and light (1.02 pounds), making it comfy to hold for hours. The recycled aluminum chassis feels sturdy, and the Space Gray finish I got looks classy without attracting fingerprints. The repositioned 12MP front camera (now on the landscape edge) is a game-changer for video calls—Center Stage keeps me framed perfectly, and it’s a noticeable upgrade from older iPads. The rear 12MP camera is fine for quick snaps or scanning documents, but don’t expect iPhone-level photography. Battery life is solid—about 10 hours of mixed use (web, video, some gaming), matching Apple’s claim. The USB-C port (now USB 3.1 Gen 2) is speedy for transfers, though you’ll need your own fast-charging brick to hit 20W. Stereo speakers in landscape mode are loud and clear, with decent bass for a tablet this thin—great for music or movies without earbuds.