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

[snipr125]

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.

Yes i agree with your reasons. The 64 GB Air 4 is the better value proposition overall, but between the 256 GB version and the base 128 GB M1 Pro, the Pro is the better value. The M1, Centre-stage and 8 gb RAM are worthy upgrades over the 2020 Pros in my opinion.

 

[boak]

Yes i agree with your reasons. The 64 GB Air 4 is the better value proposition overall, but between the 256 GB version and the base 128 GB M1 Pro, the Pro is the better value. The M1, Centre-stage and 8 gb RAM are worthy upgrades over the 2020 Pros in my opinion.

And that is exactly how Apple upsells if you need more than the base 64 GB Air ?

 

[Phil77354]

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.

I went through the same decision process about 8 months ago and purchased the 11" Pro 256 GB, and haven't had a single regret.

Other differences beyond what you've listed include the camera which is considerably better, not to forget that the Pro has flash for the camera which none of the other iPad models include.

I plan to purchase another 11" Pro for my wife within the next couple of months, to replace a 5th generation iPad.

 

[azentropy]

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

The Air has 4 speaker grills, but only 2 speakers.

 

[0128672]

The Air has 4 speaker grills, but only 2 speakers.

Yes I know that, but how is quad 3x more sound output than stereo?

 

[azentropy]

Yes I know that, but how is quad 3x more sound output than stereo?

You did write "than the Air's four-speaker stereo".

I'm not sure where he got 3x more sound output, is that an official Apple statement? However, not only are there more speakers they are better speakers in the Pro with a wider range. So yeah if you factor in the number of speakers, the volume of each speaker and the range of each speaker I'd think 3x more output (which isn't just volume) sounds about right even if it is just marketing.

Here is a good comparison for those who want to listen for themselves (and this is the 2020 iPad Pro). I can certain tell the difference between my Air 4 and my 2018 iPad Pro 11.

 

[Phil77354]

You did write "than the Air's four-speaker stereo".

I'm not sure where he got 3x more sound output, is that an official Apple statement? However, not only are there more speakers they are better speakers in the Pro with a wider range. So yeah if you factor in the number of speakers, the volume of each speaker and the range of each speaker I'd think 3x more output (which isn't just volume) sounds about right even if it is just marketing.

Here is a good comparison for those who want to listen for themselves (and this is the 2020 iPad Pro). I can certain tell the difference between my Air 4 and my 2018 iPad Pro 11.

I can also confirm that sound from my 2020 Pro 11 is really terrific, although I don't have an Air for comparison.

Compared to a 'normal' base model iPad it is like night and day.