Apple iPad Air 11" M4 Starlight

The iPad Air M4 gives you near-Pro performance without the Pro price—just accept that you're stuck at 60Hz. For everything but serious laptop work, this is the tablet to beat.

The iPad Air M4 is basically an iPad Pro with a student discount. You get Apple's latest M4 chip, the same one that powers the $1,000+ iPad Pro, inside a tablet that's thinner, lighter, and starts well under that mark. That means desktop-class speed for photo editing, gaming, and even light video work, all in a package that barely weighs a pound. The catch? That gorgeous 11-inch Liquid Retina display is still locked at 60Hz. If you've used a ProMotion screen, this feels like a downgrade. But for reading, sketching, note-taking, and streaming, it's hard to beat this combo of power and portability.

The M4 here is no slouch—it's the same 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU you get in the base Pro, paired with 12GB of RAM. In our testing, apps open instantly, multitasking with Slide Over and Stage Manager is buttery, and even 4K video exports fly. What surprised us most is the battery life. Apple rates it for all-day use, and our benchmarks back that up: the 96th percentile ranking means it outlasts almost every tablet we've tested, even under heavy load. The 29Wh cell combined with M4 efficiency is a real standout. We just wish the 60Hz screen didn't feel so last-gen when you're scrolling. The lack of a high refresh rate is the only thing holding this thing back from feeling truly Pro.

There's a wild $265 spread across retailers right now, from $559 up to $824. So definitely shop around—we've seen the best deals pop up at Amazon and the Apple Education Store. Even at the higher end, you're getting a tablet that rivals the Pro in real-world speed, so it's still a solid deal. But if you can snag it closer to that $559 mark, you'll feel like you're stealing it.

As an Android alternative, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra brings a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display and included S Pen at a similar price, though the M4 in the Air trounces it in raw performance and efficiency. If you need a true laptop replacement, the Microsoft Surface Pro runs full Windows and gives you a proper desktop experience, but it's heavier, pricier, and lacks the iPad's app ecosystem. For pure tablet use that blends creative work with entertainment, the Air walks the line better than either.

Business power users who need a real desktop OS and full multitasking should skip this entirely and grab a Surface Pro or MacBook Air. If you already rock an M1 or M2 iPad Pro, the speed bump isn't enough to justify the upgrade unless you're really into Apple Intelligence features. And if a 60Hz screen makes your eyes twitch, Samsung's Tab S11 Ultra with its buttery 120Hz AMOLED is a much better fit.

For artists, students, and anyone who wants a premium tablet that'll stay fast for years, the iPad Air M4 is the clear winner. The M4 chip and all-day battery life are a killer combo, and the Apple Pencil Pro support seals the deal for creatives. Just don't buy the base 128GB model if you plan to load it up with games and media—spend a little extra for 256GB. If you absolutely need a 120Hz screen or a full desktop OS, look elsewhere, but for everyone else, this is the tablet to buy.