All iPads iPad 11 vs Air 5/6

[TheDoctor42]

I'm a bit lost in what I should buy here. My kids broke our iPad Air 3 so I need a replacement. I instantly thought the iPad 11 is a good deal with 128GB but had second thoughts an looked around in used and refurbed stores. From what I found the iPad 11, the iPad Air 5 256GB and Air 6 128GB are in a close price range (about 80€ max difference). Which would you chose and why?

My goal is to have it last at least 5 years, more is welcome. At the moment it would serve as the primary device for the (young) kids and for occasional photo and video editing, ordering photo books, streaming audiobooks, watching youtube and netflix, reading iBooks and so on. Pretty much an allrounder device with no super high end tasks. If possible it would then transfer to my oldest son in a couple of years for school use.

 

[Corso99]

Have you considered getting the base model instead? Its significantly cheaper that the air with the same screen size and storage. I own an Air 6 and the battery life awful. I only get around 4 and half hours of use from it.

 

[TheDoctor42]

Have you considered getting the base model instead? Its significantly cheaper that the air with the same screen size and storage. I own an Air 6 and the battery life awful. I only get around 4 and half hours of use from it.

Ok four and a half hours is not much. I already calculated with the base model. It would cost me around 330€ and the refurbed Air 6 would be 400€ but has the much better CPU and more RAM

 

[GMShadow]

If you can afford the Air 6/M2, I'd go for it. The 5/M1 units are a bit older at this point and I suspect the battery would be an issue by year 4-5 (unless you're getting an Apple refurb).

The iPad 11 isn't bad, but I'd only recommend it to someone who wanted it for very light use and only 3-4 years, or if cost is a concern (which is valid!).

One note: the 11 still uses the first gen Apple Pencil, the 6/M2 and up use the Pencil Pro, the 5/M1 uses the Pencil 2.

 

[TheDoctor42]

If you can afford the Air 6/M2, I'd go for it. The 5/M1 units are a bit older at this point and I suspect the battery would be an issue by year 4-5 (unless you're getting an Apple refurb).

The iPad 11 isn't bad, but I'd only recommend it to someone who wanted it for very light use and only 3-4 years, or if cost is a concern (which is valid!).

One note: the 11 still uses the first gen Apple Pencil, the 6/M2 and up use the Pencil Pro, the 5/M1 uses the Pencil 2.

Thx sounds reasonable. In the end it is just one year older but the CPU is much better. I guess this should be worth the ~80€ in the long run.

 

[vanilla_prison]

The M2 Air also fits the newer M3 keyboard with function row, if you decide to get it one day

 

[TheDoctor42]

The M2 Air also fits the newer M3 keyboard with function row, if you decide to get it one day

Interesting, I didn't realised that

 

[BotchQue]

While the Airs are beautifully thin, if your kids broke the last one I wouldn’t replace it with another Air.
But I’m not a parent, just my two-scents’ worth.

 

[TheDoctor42]

While the Airs are beautifully thin, if your kids broke the last one I wouldn’t replace it with another Air.
But I’m not a parent, just my two-scents’ worth.

Fair argument but my little one just started dancing and jumping around and hit it in the middle of the screen. I think it wouldn't have mattered which tablet it was. The screen gave in and cracked badly.
but what I'm thinking about is buying a case/cover and screen protector for the next one.