iPad Air Choices, Choices?

[iPad Bro]

I have an Air 4 about to be delivered from UPS that I got on sale at Best Buy for $534.99, but I am already considering refusing the package and sending it back. I kinda want to get another iPad Pro, be it the 11 or 12.9. BUT if I kept the Air 4, my main complaint with it in the past was the low sounding speakers and I could afford to get a pair of earbuds, a Magic Keyboard, AND an Apple Pencil 2 for the price of a Pro.

What would you do if you were me? I’m very picky. I kinda want the Air 4, but at the same time I want a Pro too. I just hate sending it back and waiting forever to get a refund. I am impatient. I guess that’s the Taurus in me. Lol. ?

 

[Aceroller]

I just got the same deal on the Air 4. I absolutely love it. With my use case I really don’t need the extra RAM, Pro Motion, or Face ID so other than that I don’t think there are any other real differences. It really depends on what you are going to use it for. It even uses all the same accessories as the Pros. Even with video editing the Air 4 has been a champ so far for me.

 

[ericwn]

There is no wrong or right at the end of the day - but I’m a strong believer in aiming for what you really want, if that makes sense.

I have a Pro and am happy with it.

 

[iPad Bro]

I guess I am spoiled when it comes to the Pro. Right after I posted this thread, the UPS man pulled up outside so I had to make a quick decision and I decided to have it sent back. I know in my heart I wouldn’t be happy with anything BUT an iPad Pro. So I guess I made up my own mind. Waiting sucks, but good things come to those who wait. ?

 

[Aceroller]

I guess I am spoiled when it comes to the Pro. Right after I posted this thread, the UPS man pulled up outside so I had to make a quick decision and I decided to have it sent back. I know in my heart I wouldn’t be happy with anything BUT an iPad Pro. So I guess I made up my own mind. Waiting sucks, but good things come to those who wait.

What did you decide you needed with the Pro that the Air didn’t have? Just curious.

 

[iPad Bro]

The louder speakers is the main thing. I’ve had Pros before, so I know the difference between the two very well. The extra 100 nits of brightness is also a selling point. ProMotion, slimmer bezels (not a big deal), and the XDR/larger display are things I want too. Extra RAM is good as well.

 

[SkiHound2]

I have an Air 4 about to be delivered from UPS that I got on sale at Best Buy for $534.99, but I am already considering refusing the package and sending it back. I kinda want to get another iPad Pro, be it the 11 or 12.9. BUT if I kept the Air 4, my main complaint with it in the past was the low sounding speakers and I could afford to get a pair of earbuds, a Magic Keyboard, AND an Apple Pencil 2 for the price of a Pro.

What would you do if you were me? I’m very picky. I kinda want the Air 4, but at the same time I want a Pro too. I just hate sending it back and waiting forever to get a refund. I am impatient. I guess that’s the Taurus in me. Lol. ?

Just to add another kink, Bestbuy is listing the 64gb version at $499 today.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I tried to do an Air 4 last year during a Best Buy sale - and I couldn't do it - having owned a Pro 11 for a long time. Mother in law sure loves it though and uses it to this day.

Me? iPad Pro 11 for life. lol.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Just to add another kink, Bestbuy is listing the 64gb version at $499 today.

IMO that's a great deal.

 

[JPack]

I bought my Air 4 from Apple Store for $390 last summer during BTS promo. Nothing wrong with it, but even at the same price, I wouldn't buy it today. We're just way too close to Air 5 launch.

 

[iPad Bro]

Just to add another kink, Bestbuy is listing the 64gb version at $499 today.

That’s what I bought. The $534.99 was the price including tax. It’s undeniably a great deal if you’re in the market for an Air 4, but ultimately I am a Pro guy. Once you go Pro you can’t go back. ?

 

[UltimateSyn]

The louder speakers is the main thing. I’ve had Pros before, so I know the difference between the two very well. The extra 100 nits of brightness is also a selling point. ProMotion, slimmer bezels (not a big deal), and the XDR/larger display are things I want too. Extra RAM is good as well.

Are you sure the speakers on the Pro actually reach a higher decibel volume vs. the Air? I know they're certainly fuller with more bass and better separation due to the quad speakers, but I'd be curious to see someone test the actual volume limits of the two devices.

Also, the 11" Pro doesn't have an XDR (aka mini-LED) display, yet. It's rumored that it will get one with an update this year, but currently only the 12.9" has the XDR display. Anyway, I still would go Pro today. ProMotion is a killer feature for me.

 

[Isamilis]

The louder speakers is the main thing. I’ve had Pros before, so I know the difference between the two very well. The extra 100 nits of brightness is also a selling point. ProMotion, slimmer bezels (not a big deal), and the XDR/larger display are things I want too. Extra RAM is good as well.

It looks like you really concern on good sound, which (IMO) couldn’t be replaced with ear buds. If you still want the Air 4 then buy a good speaker and you won’t be missing the speaker. On my M1/11 most of the time I use external speaker (Sonos), unless I use iPad outside my bedroom.
My main reason for iPad Pro is ProMotion display. I have sensitive eyes so that really helped to stay reading longer.

 

[one more]

and the XDR/larger display are things I want too.

Then why was Air even considered with its 10.9” LCD screen? ??‍♂️

 

[Pezimak]

Are you sure the speakers on the Pro actually reach a higher decibel volume vs. the Air? I know they're certainly fuller with more bass and better separation due to the quad speakers, but I'd be curious to see someone test the actual volume limits of the two devices.

Also, the 11" Pro doesn't have an XDR (aka mini-LED) display, yet. It's rumored that it will get one with an update this year, but currently only the 12.9" has the XDR display. Anyway, I still would go Pro today. ProMotion is a killer feature for me.

All the iPad Pro models have 4 speakers, the regular iPads have 2. So their is most definitely a difference between them. In fact the quad speakers is a major drawer to get an iPad Pro for media consumption.

Personally I’ll be buying a new iPad week after next, I’ll be putting my birthday money towards it. And I’m really stuck between the new iPad Mini and iPad Pro 11”. I’ll go and have a play with them both before deciding. My current 9.7” Pro is used every day. But I want to have a go at drawing and animation if I can on the iPad. I love the idea of doing that on a small iPad, but then think will I miss the bigger screen like I have now? I do use split window multi tasking so not sure if I’ll find the Mini too small for that?

 

[UltimateSyn]

All the iPad Pro models have 4 speakers, the regular iPads have 2. So their is most definitely a difference between them. In fact the quad speakers is a major drawer to get an iPad Pro for media consumption.

Personally I’ll be buying a new iPad week after next, I’ll be putting my birthday money towards it. And I’m really silly between the new iPad Mini and iPad Pro 11”. I’ll go and have a play with them both before deciding. My current 9.7” Pro is used every day. But I want to have a go at drawing and animation if I can on the iPad. I love the idea of doing that on a small iPad, but then think will I miss the bigger screen like I have now? I do use split window multi tasking so not sure if I’ll find the Mini too small for that?

Right... But decibels are not linearly additive. So if those four speakers on the iPad Pro each independently operate at the same volume level as the two on the iPad Air you're only adding 3dB to total volume. I didn't say there wasn't a difference (I acknowledged the difference in clarity and separation with four vs. two speakers) but did challenge that I'm not sure there's a difference in overall volume. The four speakers on the 11" Pro may even be independently quieter than the two on the Air so that the max volume is the same.

That being said, I'm sure the 12.9" has the loudest speakers of all the iPads because those speakers have larger chambers to resonate in.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Are you going for a 12.9 2021 model? If not, then XDR is going to be out of the question - at least until Apple refreshes the 11” Pro with a new model.

If you have the money, then by all means go grab the 11”/12.9” Pro, Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

For those who are price-conscious, the Air 4/MK/Pencil combination is a compelling one.

Personally I went for the 12.9 Pro, MK and Pencil in June 2021.

 

[iPad Bro]

Yeah, I have a 12.9 2021 model that’ll be here Friday, but I’m hoping it comes a day early. I am going to invest in a Magic Keyboard too next month, but I’ll be broke at that point and I’ll have to put off the purchase of the Apple Pencil 2 for just a bit even though I really need it for my graphic design.

But that’s what I’m planning on doing. I was going to buy the $149.99 Doqo Magic Keyboard alternative from Amazon, but I do want the Apple product more even though it’s double the price.

Hopefully I have my 12.9 2021 iPad Pro / Magic Keyboard / Apple Pencil set up soon too. I can’t wait to get things started this Thursday or Friday with the iPad Pro.

Buuutttt… That Dojo does look tempting to me and I could get the Pencil with it for less than the cost of the Magic Keyboard. Again with the choices! ?

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Yeah, I have a 12.9 2021 model that’ll be here Friday, but I’m hoping it comes a day early. I am going to invest in a Magic Keyboard too next month, but I’ll be broke at that point and I’ll have to put off the purchase of the Apple Pencil 2 for just a bit even though I really need it for my graphic design.

But that’s what I’m planning on doing. I was going to buy the $149.99 Doqo Magic Keyboard alternative from Amazon, but I do want the Apple product more even though it’s double the price.

Hopefully I have my 12.9 2021 iPad Pro / Magic Keyboard / Apple Pencil set up soon too. I can’t wait to get things started this Thursday or Friday with the iPad Pro.

Buuutttt… That Dojo does look tempting to me and I could get the Pencil with it for less than the cost of the Magic Keyboard. Again with the choices! ?

I hope you are happy with your purchase!

 

[Pezimak]

Trouble with waiting for a new 11" Pro is it will almost certainly get a price increase with a Mini LED screen, like the 12.9" model got. It's expensive enough as it is when compared to the baseline MacBook Air if you add a smart folio case and Apple Pencil, although for some people the iPad Pro can replace a laptop.