iPad iPad Air 4 (256 gb) or iPad Pro M1 (128gb)?

[maclaw21]

There are a lot of comparisons/guides between the two, including one on this site. I won't say that I've read them all but I have read a bunch. I am still stuck.

About how I currently use my very old iPad (not even sure which model, but likely came out in 2015) and how I expect to use the upgrade:
-Lots of web
-Lots of streaming (viewing, not creating)
-Not much content creation beyond the written word (especially if I ever get a keyboard), although I may dabble in some light-to-moderate video or photo editing.
-Currently have a 64 gb iPad, but using a little less than 20 gb.

Why I am considering the iPad Air 4 (256 gb, $649*):

• Significant storage
• Price relative to pro
• Should be "good enough" for my use
• Works with pencil and keyboard

Why I am considering the pro (128 gb, $749*):

• Fastest chipset--will be viable for many years
  • This is the primary reason
• Enough storage, though the Air beats it by double for less money
• Great sound for streaming
• Display is promised to be amazing (not sure this is a huge factor)
• I like the design a tad more, including Face ID (again, not a huge factor)

*-I am a Costco member, so these prices are Costco prices. I realize that there can sometimes be sales on the Air at various sites, but they don't seem to deviate too far from $649. I suspect that I will not see a sale on the Pro for quite a while.

I want to be able to hang on to this thing for at least 4 years if at all possible. I am generally someone who does not upgrade often and would rather invest more at the beginning to get something that will last longer. Bells and whistles are nice, but they are not my primary driver.

I suspect some will say that the decision comes down to what I want to pay. I am probably less price sensitive than most (in large part because I can include the purchase as a business write-off for tax purposes), but do not want to overpay. I want to get the product that is right for me--nothing more, nothing less--and what it costs, it costs.

I know this a lot--just looking for any insight from the MR world, especially from anyone who has faced a similar decision.

Thank you.

 

[0128672]

I'd go with the iPad Air 4 and use the difference toward Applecare+. I decided between both devices in May and went with the Air, and feel confident it will last and be fast enough for years to come.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Air 4 probably meets most of your criteria, iPad Pro is probably a case of 'nice to have' rather than essential.

 

[mi7chy]

Shop around. I see street price of $800 for NIB 2021 iPad Pro M1 11 512GB or $750 each for two.

 

[rui no onna]

I want to be able to hang on to this thing for at least 4 years if at all possible. I am generally someone who does not upgrade often and would rather invest more at the beginning to get something that will last longer. Bells and whistles are nice, but they are not my primary driver.

Using it for 4 years, I think M1+8GB RAM would mean less issues and annoyances. The original 12.9 iPad Pro was released in 2015 and that already had 4GB RAM same as the Air 4.

I'm currently running iPadOS 15 Beta on an iPad 7th gen with 3GB RAM and it's reloads galore. Yes, part of that is because it's beta. However, we have an Air 2 and Pro 9.7 in the household and 2GB RAM on iPadOS 14 has gotten quite annoying.

On my 2017 iPP with 4GB RAM running iPadOS 14, restoring Safari from background sometimes takes a couple of minutes. The app is just frozen and it wouldn't respond to any input while reloading. Admittedly, I tend to have a lot of tabs open.

Don't get me wrong, the Air 4 is a good device and if you're not picky, it should work fine for the next 4 years. The 2021 Pro is more likely to provide smoother operation, though.

 

[maclaw21]

Shop around. I see street price of $800 for NIB 2021 iPad Pro M1 11 512GB or $750 each for two.

Where?

 

[mi7chy]

Where?

Off of Facebook Marketplace.

 

[akash.nu]

On my 2017 iPP with 4GB RAM running iPadOS 14, restoring Safari from background sometimes takes a couple of minutes. The app is just frozen and it wouldn't respond to any input while reloading. Admittedly, I tend to have a lot of tabs open.

The reason for a lot of reload is the number of tabs for you. I see this on my Mac as well which is top of the line Pro. So the more you have the more you’ll use it.

 

[collin_]

I would go with the Pro. This video has information on why. Also, you can easily work around not having a ton of on-device storage with cloud storage, external drives, etc.

 

[rui no onna]

The reason for a lot of reload is the number of tabs for you. I see this on my Mac as well which is top of the line Pro. So the more you have the more you’ll use it.

Actually, the 7th gen with 15 beta was reloading constantly even with less than 10 tabs.

As for my regular use iPad, yes, I'm aware hence I like having as much RAM as possible. I recently replaced my 2017 Pro 12.9 with a 2021 Pro 12.9 1TB/16GB. I need both the storage and RAM so win-win for me.

 

[maclaw21]

I would go with the Pro. This video has information on why. Also, you can easily work around not having a ton of on-device storage with cloud storage, external drives, etc.

Thanks for the recommendation and link. The video is good, but he's a little too much into the bells and whistles. I suppose that's standard for these types of comparisons. I am leaning Pro at the moment . . .

 

[maclaw21]

Off of Facebook Marketplace.

Not seeing that but I do have an offer on eBay for a NIB Pro M1 128 for $700. Very tempting, but it does seem a bit too good to be true . . .

 

[maclaw21]

Using it for 4 years, I think M1+8GB RAM would mean less issues and annoyances. The original 12.9 iPad Pro was released in 2015 and that already had 4GB RAM same as the Air 4.

I'm currently running iPadOS 15 Beta on an iPad 7th gen with 3GB RAM and it's reloads galore. Yes, part of that is because it's beta. However, we have an Air 2 and Pro 9.7 in the household and 2GB RAM on iPadOS 14 has gotten quite annoying.

On my 2017 iPP with 4GB RAM running iPadOS 14, restoring Safari from background sometimes takes a couple of minutes. The app is just frozen and it wouldn't respond to any input while reloading. Admittedly, I tend to have a lot of tabs open.

Don't get me wrong, the Air 4 is a good device and if you're not picky, it should work fine for the next 4 years. The 2021 Pro is more likely to provide smoother operation, though.

Thanks for this detailed response.

 

[svish]

Go for the Pro. With more RAM, you can avoid tab reloads

 

[GuruZac]

The $100 price difference makes the iPad Pro worth it. The Air is nice, but you're getting 120Hz display, FaceID which is amazing on a tablet since it works in any orientation and tablets tend to be farther from your face which makes using it for passwords etc so convenient. You also get a faster processor, significant RAM boost for longevity, much better speakers, Center Stage. I just think that combination of features is easily worth the $100 increase, even though you get less base storage. The RAM and FaceID alone are worth it, then throw in the 120Hz ProMotion and better speakers and it seems like a serious bargain over the Air.

 

[boak]

You're price-insensitive. Go with the Pro. The $100 difference is nothing to you.

 

[1BadManVan]

Pro makes more sense when it’s that small of a price difference. And for future proofing, having double the Ram will be a huge bonus for how useable it will still be. The M1 is still a noticeable jump over the A14 as well.

Overall you’re getting a lot of extra features for the $100. Better front and rear cameras, better screen, better speakers, more Ram etc. The faster storage as well that many people either forget or don’t realize, but the storage speed on the M1 pros is significantly quicker

 

[azentropy]

Which ever you chose they are both great! If those are your two choices go with the Pro. It doesn't appear that the storage space is a factor, and you stated you prefer FaceID to TouchID (some don't). Every other thing about the Pro is better and also newer and I think is well worth the $100 extra in this case. I might have a different opinion if you were comparing the base Air to the base Pro as their is a bigger price difference ($190 - $250 with Amazon having the base Air for $499 currently).

Just another note that you probably already know - if you are going through Costco they of course have a fantastic return policy (90 days) so you could get both and return the one you like least. Or choose one and if you have have buyers remorse you have plenty of time to return it and get the other.

 

[awintersdaybyth]

I recently had the exact same dilemma and opted for the iPad air 4 coming from a 10.5 iPad pro - for me it was the right decision. `i dont really notice the Promotion not being on the air or the 120 hz. Same with the speakers, streaming videos I can't seem a huge decline in sound quality, if any, over the 4 speakers of the pro. For me the pro was overkill for my usage so was happy to go with the increased storage as that outweighed the benefit of the bells and whistles of the pro for my use case. I got a really good trade in deal on the ipad pro which along with the educational discount enable me to get the 256gb for the price of the 64gb though,

 

[KDPlazed]

Not seeing that but I do have an offer on eBay for a NIB Pro M1 128 for $700. Very tempting, but it does seem a bit too good to be true . . .

You could also go to reddit.com/r/applewap. They usually offer good prices for many Apple devices but only if you are trustworthy of random people on the subreddit. You might be able to purchase an M1 Ipad pro at a cheaper option.

Otherwise, you could use the apple student discount to get the ipad pro and the airpods. And then sell the airpods on an online market place to compensate for the 80 - 100 dollar increase in price for the better ipad.

 

[freakomac]

Better display, chip and more RAM make the pro worth it for the price difference. Also face id is super convenient over Touch ID for iPad, no fiddling around looking for button.

 

[nStyle]

Why 256GB? Get the 64GB Air and save $250 over the Pro.

 

[HarryWild]

iPad Pro! Has quad speakers (3X more sound output) and 120hz refresh screen! Better cameras and lidar for VR?

 

[0128672]

iPad Pro! Has quad speakers (3X more sound output) and 120hz refresh screen! Better cameras and lidar for VR?

How are the iPad Pro's quad speakers "3x more sound output" than the Air's four-speaker stereo?

 

[Crow_Servo]

With the significant RAM difference plus the superior display and speakers, it does make the Pro seem like a better purchase for long-term use. Not everyone appreciates ProMotion, I don’t really care about it much, but the quad speakers are definitely a step above the Air’s landscape stereo speakers.

It’s a tough decision, but I also really am impressed by the Center Stage feature. I’d probably recommend the Pro over the Air. My dad chose the Pro over the Air because it’s more future-proof and he likes Center Stage.

I chose the Air over last year’s Pro because the RAM gap wasn’t as significant and the only feature that was definitely better about the Pro for me was the quad speaker system. I had to find out how good the landscape stereo was on the Air, and it’s actually quite decent. This year’s Pro is more impressive IMO.

I’d go Pro.