iPad Current Ipad Air vrs 2021 11inch iPad Pro

[calliex]

I currently have a first gen iPad air. Time for a new iPad.
I think the current air would be fine except the base is only 64 gig and next one up is 256gig. All I would want is 128
The new 11 in iPad Pro base is 128 gig and is about the same price as the 256 gig Air.
To my choice is by the pro for about the same price or save money and buy the air and use a thumb drive to expand the storage,

Can you use a thumb drive with air to get additional storage? Can you run iTunes/apple music from a thumb drive on an iPad,
Most of my mac stuff is 6-9 years old and I plan to upgrade all of it this year.

Thanks in advance

 

[stabgotham]

Yes you can use external storage on the newest iPad Air. The Pro does have some benefits, though it really depends on your use cases. It has more RAM, better speakers, a 120hz ProMotion display, and Thunderbolt 3 support.

All that being said, if none of those are things that matter to you, then the Air is hands down a great buy. A lot of people will even say of the cheapest iPad (the non Pro or Air) is actually the biggest bang for the buck since it has pretty much everything that the Air has, minus the edge-to-edge display.

 

[calliex]

If I could get at least 128 gig of storage it would be a no brainer for me but 64 gig for as long as I will have the iPad is so small these days. To save a couple hundred bucks I would get the air but since I keep these things so long I will probably get the pro. Thanks for your come back

 

[stabgotham]

That's ultimately the decision I made as well. I just upgraded to the 2021 Pro from the iPad Air 2. Figured I wanted to get the beefiest tablet considering I'll be keeping it for 5-7 years before an upgrade. But I also really, really wanted FaceID, the better speakers, and the 120hz ProMotion display.

 

[calliex]

I am going to local apple store tomorrow to see if I can get a 11in Pro.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Yes you can use external storage on the newest iPad Air. The Pro does have some benefits, though it really depends on your use cases. It has more RAM, better speakers, a 120hz ProMotion display, and Thunderbolt 3 support.

All that being said, if none of those are things that matter to you, then the Air is hands down a great buy. A lot of people will even say of the cheapest iPad (the non Pro or Air) is actually the biggest bang for the buck since it has pretty much everything that the Air has, minus the edge-to-edge display.

It won't be thunderbolt though if you use external storage.

 

[svish]

Get the 128GB Pro 11". 128 11" Pro is only $50 more than the 256GB Air 4. 64 GB is less. For $50 you get 120Hz and more RAM. Definitely get the Pro if 128GB will do.

 

[calliex]

It won't be thunderbolt though if you use external storage.

What do you mean by won't be thunderbolt though if you use external storage. Do you need thunderbolt to use a thumb drive with pro.

 

[Phil77354]

I went through the same debate about 7 months ago and decided to get the 11" iPad Pro. No regrets. If I was making the decision today then it would be even more clear (to me) that the Pro is the better choice, given the improvements made for the newest model. And in fact I'm close to purchasing another 11" Pro so that my wife and myself both have the Pro models, in our case we've only had the base iPad models in the past and it is a huge jump to the Pro in terms of display quality, camera quality, and other features.

 

[snipr125]

What do you mean by won't be thunderbolt though if you use external storage. Do you need thunderbolt to use a thumb drive with pro.

They meant that thunderbolt external hard drives wont work with the Air 4 as it is USB C 3.1 where as the M1 Pro also use thunderbolt, but it doesn’t matter as the vast majority of external HD/SSD drives use USB A and C connectors anyway. There is only a small selection of Thunderbolt based accessories available at the moment due to low demand.

 

[calliex]

They meant that thunderbolt external hard drives wont work with the Air 4 as it is USB C 3.1 where as the M1 Pro also use thunderbolt, but it doesn’t matter as the vast majority of external HD/SSD drives use USB A and C connectors anyway. There is only a small selection of Thunderbolt based accessories available at the moment due to low demand.

Thank You

 

[QCassidy352]

2020 11” pro would also be a good option if you can find it at a good discount. If not, then 11” pro is the better buy given your particular storage needs.

 

[one more]

If you know for sure you need more storage, I would go with a 128 GB Pro. Using a thumb drive frequently attached to your iPad is quite cumbersome, IMO. It sticks out, moving data across is slower, potential data corruption issues, etc. Apart from more storage, you will also get some other “Pro perks”. iPad Air 4 makes financial sense only in its 64 GB configuration. As you need more storage - go Pro.

 

[acorntoy]

Pro has 8GB Ram vs 4GB in Air and a slightly better processor. Considering how long you hold onto your devices the extra headroom in the pros would benefit you as the age of 4gb devices is about to end, next years non pro devices will have at least 6gb. 4GB has been the standard since the iPhone X now and has aged.

The fact the pros come in the storage you want is simply a cherry on top.

 

[rui no onna]

If you know for sure you need more storage, I would go with a 128 GB Pro. Using a thumb drive frequently attached to your iPad is quite cumbersome, IMO. It sticks out, moving data across is slower, potential data corruption issues, etc. Apart from more storage, you will also get some other “Pro perks”. iPad Air 4 makes financial sense only in its 64 GB configuration. As you need more storage - go Pro.

Depends on current pricing. The 256GB Air 4 on sale for $660 is a pretty decent option particularly if one prefers TouchID.

With that said, if I didn't need TouchID right now, 8GB RAM would definitely have me leaning towards the Pro.

 

[MhaelK]

I’m in a similar situation. As the 64gb Air is likely not enough storage but 128gb is enough for my usecase - I personally Think the 11inch iPP is the better buy for the same Price as the 256GB Air.

However, I have decided to wait until September to see if the new rumored budget iPad refresh truely include a Air-Design, A13, and 4gb ram, as that would probably point me towards the budget iPad for less money. Until iPadOS is truely able to take advantage of the power of the M1 chip, a newly refreshed budget iPad is the best Bang for Buck IMO

 

[LFC2020]

iPad Air is on sale in Aus at JB if anyone is after one.

 

[one more]

However, I have decided to wait until September to see if the new rumored budget iPad refresh truely include a Air-Design, A13, and 4gb ram, as that would probably point me towards the budget iPad for less money.

I think that Apple is more likely to bring a Pro/Air 4 design to iPad Mini. Otherwise, redesigning the base entry-level iPad could effectively sabotage Air 4 sales, IMO. Unless, of course, Apple wants to increase their basic iPad prices. Let’s see. ?

 

[snipr125]

I think that Apple is more likely to bring a Pro/Air 4 design to iPad Mini. Otherwise, redesigning the base entry-level iPad could effectively sabotage Air 4 sales, IMO. Unless, of course, Apple wants to increase their basic iPad prices. Let’s see. ?

Oh definitely, can you imagine the entry level Ipad in the Air 4 / Pro flat edge design, with an A12/A13 and USB C, even with just 3GB RAM at £329. These will sell like absolute hotcakes and definitely cannibalise the Air and Pro models as they are right now. I would buy one myself on Day 1 release.

 

[LFC2020]

Oh definitely, can you imagine the entry level Ipad in the Air 4 / Pro flat edge design, with an A12/A13 and USB C, even with just 3GB RAM at £329. These will sell like absolute hotcakes and definitely cannibalise the Air and Pro models as they are right now. I would buy one myself on Day 1 release.

Give us a iPad mini with the same design as the pros, I’d buy 2 at launch 😂