iPads are the dominant tablet on the market for a reason-they’re simply better than anything else on the market. This particular model is the iPad Air, which is thinner and a bit smaller in size than a full 12.9” iPad Pro, but it’s still a huge upgrade from the basic iPad, as it has Apple’s M2 chip-the same one from their laptops and computers-versus the A14 chip in the regular iPad-which is the chip from the iPhone. So this is essentially a computer in tablet form similar to the iPad Pro, though it’s not quite as fast/powerful. But for the majority of people, this is more than sufficient. I personally wanted one just for basic use, nothing much more than the same things I use my phone for, except I wanted a larger screen and the iPad multitasking features as well as Apple Pencil compatibility (this model is compatible with the newest Pencil, and has the magnetic dock/charger on the side of the iPad itself) but upon use, I was blown away at the things this is capable of. It’s so much more than an iPhone with a larger screen, there’s many iPad specific features. I’ve now used this to replace my laptop for 90% of the things I used it for, and it’s much easier and better and far better for travel and on the go use. The battery actually lasts quite a while, unlike many laptops, and there’s a special case available from Apple that has an integrated keyboard and trackpad to turn this into a full on laptop. I’m honestly surprised at just how thin this Air model is as well, and I love the colors available. I highly recommend the keyboard folio and pencil from Apple if you plan to use this as a laptop/computer in any way. And new iPads will finally be debuting soon, so these are hugely reduced in price at the moment (I bought mine about 3 months ago for about 75% of the full price) and Apple products are never reduced in price until the next newer model is available, but these are currently still the best iPads you can buy and are much reduced. If you do only want an iPad for simple things like watching videos, playing games, using apps, the internet, etc. then I’d suggest getting the regular iPad model and not an Air model, as the regular is cheaper and more than powerful enough for those things; you only need the additional power of higher models if you’re going to be putting stress on it by multitasking or using it as a computer. And if it’s just for your kids to play with and watch videos on, definitely get a regular model instead of a mini. It’ll have longer battery life due to less power consumption from a less powerful chipset compared to Air or Pro models. Also, the camera on non pro models are kinda subpar tbh. They’re by no means bad cameras, but they’re just not as sophisticated or good as what’s on current iPhone pro models, as these have single lens cameras from iPhone 10 models. But most people aren’t using iPads for photography anyway, so the camera on these are more than enough. Def suggest buying one of these while they’re cheap!

Let me tell you about my experience with the latest iPad Air - and yes, that purple color is absolutely gorgeous in person! After using this tablet for a while, I'm genuinely impressed by how much punch Apple packed into this sleek device. The M1 chip that powers it is no joke - I can jump between Procreate, Netflix, and heavy web browsing without a hint of slowdown.
The 10.9-inch screen is a real sweet spot for both work and play. It's perfect for curling up with some Netflix shows or propping up with the Magic Keyboard for getting some work done. Speaking of typing, if you're planning to use this as a laptop replacement, just know that the Magic Keyboard isn't included - it's a pretty penny extra, but worth it if you type a lot.
Here's my one real gripe - 64GB storage feels pretty stingy in 2024. If you're planning to download lots of apps or keep photos and videos on your iPad, you might want to spring for the 256GB version.
The battery life is a champ though! I regularly get through a full day of mixed use without hunting for a charger. And that Center Stage feature on the front camera? It's actually super handy for FaceTime calls - it makes you look like you have your own personal camera operator.
For most people, this iPad hits the sweet spot between the basic iPad and the Pro models. Just be realistic about your storage needs before you buy. And seriously, get it in purple - it's stunning!

I recently purchased the iPad Air from Best Buy, and it has exceeded all my expectations. The sleek design and lightweight feel make it incredibly portable and easy to use on the go. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, with vibrant colors and sharp details, perfect for streaming, reading, and editing photos.

Performance-wise, the iPad Air is a powerhouse. The A14 Bionic chip ensures everything runs smoothly, whether I'm multitasking between apps, playing graphics-intensive games, or using productivity tools for work. The battery life is impressive, lasting me a full day of heavy use without needing to recharge.

I also appreciate the compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, which have transformed my iPad Air into a versatile tool for both creativity and productivity. The seamless integration with other Apple devices makes it easy to stay connected and share content effortlessly.

The camera quality is great for video calls and capturing moments on the fly, and the sound quality is surprisingly good for such a slim device. Overall, I highly recommend the iPad Air for anyone looking for a powerful, versatile, and portable tablet. Best Buy’s purchasing and customer service experience was also top-notch, making the whole process smooth and enjoyable.

The iPad Air 5 is a genuine powerhouse. The M1 chipset blows anything and everything out of the water.

It's just too bad that it fails immeasurably as a portable device.

iPads used to be known for their excellent battery life, able to go days without a charge for many users. Whether it's the M1, something about iPadOS or Apple being stingy with battery capacity, something has gone horribly wrong in the longevity department.

I struggled to get more than 5 hours out of this tablet while doing basic tasks like Internet browsing and watching videos off the local storage. My iPhone 12 Pro manages better, and its battery is absolutely cooked.

I've done plenty of troubleshooting and reinstalled iPadOS to try and fix things. But it's no good. The battery life just sucks.

If I wanted to be tethered to an outlet, I would have bought a small laptop.

If the M1 is the culprit, then it's a problem that I absolutely NEED and M-series SoC to access Stage Manager.

A $400 nugget from Lenovo has access to PC mode, which offers multitasking on par with Stage Manager. All running on a mid-tier MediaTek processor with 6 gigabytes of RAM. Whether Stage Manager truly needs that much horsepower, or Apple is just pushing people to buy their more expensive iPads, is beyond the scope of a review, but it's something to think about.

Otherwise this is a pretty standard experience. The speakers are good, if hard to avoid covering while holding the device in landscape.

It's light and comfortable.

The screen is.... Acceptable. Paying this much and not getting an OLED panel isn't ideal but I knew what I was getting going in. Although perhaps the lower power consumption of an OLED screen would have helped the battery life. At the very least the thinner panel would have made room for a larger battery.

If you really want/need iPadOS but don't require Stage Manager, save your pennies and get a standard iPad.