All iPads iPP 2020 vs Air 5?

[ssledoux]

For the same price (actually cheaper since the pro includes a MK), would you purchase a 2020 iPP 11”, or would you go for a new Air 5, and why?

This would be for my grandson who uses an iPad for some of his home school subjects, and games of course. He is currently using an Air 3, but I want to upgrade him and pass his Air 3 on to another grandchild to replace an iPad 6th gen.

 

[Paint.It.Black]

For the same price (actually cheaper since the pro includes a MK), would you purchase a 2020 iPP 11”, or would you go for a new Air 5, and why?

This would be for my grandson who uses an iPad for some of his home school subjects, and games of course. He is currently using an Air 3, but I want to upgrade him and pass his Air 3 on to another grandchild to replace an iPad 6th gen.

I expect that in the future we may see some M1 only features in iPadOS. Think for example about the possibility to run macOS apps when connected to a mouse and keyboard. This is pure speculation of course, but in general, to be future proof I would only choose one of the iPads with the M1 processor.

 

[rui no onna]

Normally, I'm a fan of the Air 5 but in this particular case, it sounds like the 2020 Pro 11 128GB with Magic Keyboard is a better fit for your grandson. The 128GB storage would give him more room for content and games, and the MK could be useful for typing homework.

I'm sure you'll probably buying a new iPad after 2-4 years anyway so an estimated 5-8 years longevity for the Air 5 is less of a factor. Besides, your grandson will probably be cursing that 64GB base storage if he had to use the Air 5 that long.

Ignoring storage limitations though, the Air 5 is going to be a nicer hand-me-down in 2-4 years (performance-wise) compared to the 2020 Pro.

 

[ssledoux]

Normally, I'm a fan of the Air 5 but in this particular case, it sounds like the 2020 Pro 11 128GB with Magic Keyboard is a better fit for your grandson. The 128GB storage would give him more room for content and games, and the MK could be useful for typing homework.

I'm sure you'll probably buying a new iPad after 2-4 years anyway so an estimated 5-8 years longevity for the Air 5 is less of a factor. Besides, your grandson will probably be cursing that 64GB base storage if he had to use the Air 5 that long.

Ignoring storage limitations though, the Air 5 is going to be a nicer hand-me-down in 2-4 years (performance-wise) compared to the 2020 Pro.

I’d likely get him a MK for the Air 5, but that will significantly increase the overall cost for sure. I do like the idea of ordering new though, and being able to add Applecare+ is a factor I need to consider.

 

[Isengardtom]

Coming from an Air 3 he's not going to be spoiled by things like promotion and quad speakers so the Air 5 will be a great choice with some fun colour options that pro doesn't have

Is that pro coming from the refurbished store ?

 

[rui no onna]

Coming from an Air 3 he's not going to be spoiled by things like promotion and quad speakers so the Air 5 will is a great choice with some fun colour options that pro doesn't have

Is that pro coming from the refurbished store ?

I think it's used since OP mentioned same price as the Air 5 for the 2020 Pro 11 with Magic Keyboard.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

If I was choosing I would go Air 5 as M1 and 8GB RAM would be longer supported with OS updates (and be faster).

 

[JPack]

I'd lean towards the Air 5. It comes down to ProMotion vs. M1. For a kid who hasn't used ProMotion before, he won't miss it. The M1/8GB will be longer lasting.

 

[Isamilis]

For the same price (actually cheaper since the pro includes a MK), would you purchase a 2020 iPP 11”, or would you go for a new Air 5, and why?

This would be for my grandson who uses an iPad for some of his home school subjects, and games of course. He is currently using an Air 3, but I want to upgrade him and pass his Air 3 on to another grandchild to replace an iPad 6th gen.

I would go with Pro + MK. Better speaker, better screen and bigger storage (I assume compared to Air 5 base model), plus MK. Don’t worry about M1 only features in iPadOS for now, it’s still uncertain and may need few years to be matured.

 

[ssledoux]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think y’all have convinced me to go with the Air 5. I like that if I order new from Apple, I can get it engraved as well.