Apple iPad Air Apple 11" iPad Air (M4, 128GB, Wi-Fi Only, Purple) Review
The iPad Air M4 has a pro chip in a mid-tier body. It's fast, but the 60Hz screen and 128GB base storage make it a hard sell against the iPad Pro and Windows rivals.
The 30-Second Version
The M4 iPad Air is all engine, no suspension. It's blisteringly fast but held back by a mediocre screen and limited storage. Get the iPad Pro or look at a Windows convertible instead.
Overview
The iPad Air with the M4 chip is a weirdly powerful tablet stuck in a weirdly limited body. The one thing you need to know is this: it's got a pro-level brain in a decidedly non-pro package. The M4 chip is an absolute monster, but the rest of the experience—from the basic screen to the lack of ProMotion—feels like Apple is holding it back on purpose. It's built for Apple Intelligence, sure, but it's also built to make you want the iPad Pro.
Performance
The performance is the only thing that isn't surprising, because it's exactly as fast as you'd expect from an M4 chip. Our database shows its CPU and GPU land in the 92nd and 90th percentiles, which is insane for a tablet at this price. It'll crush any app you throw at it. The real surprise is how that power feels wasted on a 60Hz screen and a chassis that doesn't fully unlock what the chip can do. It's like putting a race car engine in a commuter sedan.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The M4 chip is ridiculously fast for the price. 92th
- The design is light and portable at 463g. 90th
- Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support is a huge plus. 90th
- Apple Intelligence features are a genuine draw if you're in the ecosystem. 85th
Cons
- The 60Hz screen feels dated next to any modern competitor.
- The 128GB base storage is a joke for a 'prosumer' device.
- Our data shows its productivity score is a dismal 33.3/100.
- Connectivity and RAM percentiles are in the basement, hinting at future bottlenecks.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M4 |
| Cores | 10 |
| GPU | Apple (9-Core) |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Expandable | No |
Display
| Size | 11" |
| Resolution | 2360 |
| Panel | IPS |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Cellular | No |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At $559, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for that M4 chip, but you're getting mid-tier everything else. If raw processing power is your only metric, it's a value. If you care about the overall experience, it's not.
Price History
vs Competition
This sits in a frustrating middle ground. The 11-inch iPad Pro is the obvious upgrade if you want the full Apple tablet experience—120Hz ProMotion, better speakers, Thunderbolt. It's worth the extra cash. But the real competition is external: the Microsoft Surface Pro with Snapdragon X Elite is a full Windows PC that can actually replace your laptop, and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10+ offers a far better screen for media. The iPad Air is the fastest tablet that still feels like just a tablet.
| Spec | Apple iPad Air Apple 11" iPad Air (M4, 128GB, Wi-Fi Only, Purple) | Apple iPad Pro Apple - 11-inch iPad Pro M5 chip Wi-Fi 256GB with | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED Touchscreen - Snapdragon X Elite - 32GB Memory - 1TB SSD - Device Only (11th Ed) - Platinum | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung - Galaxy Tab S10+ - 12.4" 256GB - Wi-Fi - | Lenovo Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | GPD GPD Pocket 4: Mini Laptop with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 | Apple M5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Mediatek MT6989 | MediaTek Dimensity | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 32 | 12 | 8 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 11" 2360x1640 | 11" 2420x1668 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 8.8" 2560x1600 |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Common Questions
Q: Is the 128GB storage enough?
Not really. With system files and a few pro apps, you'll be managing storage constantly. Spring for more if you can.
Q: Should I get this or the iPad Pro?
If you care about a smooth 120Hz screen, better speakers, or using it for pro work, get the Pro. The Air is for budget-conscious power users.
Q: Does it work with the old Apple Pencil?
No, it only works with the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C Apple Pencil. It's a bit of a racket, honestly.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a true laptop replacement for serious work, skip this. Our data shows its productivity score is abysmal. Go get a Microsoft Surface Pro instead. Also, if you watch a lot of video or play fast-paced games, the 60Hz screen will feel like a downgrade. Look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+.
Verdict
We can't give a full-throated recommendation. Buy this only if you are deeply committed to the Apple ecosystem, you absolutely need M4 power for specific apps, and you refuse to spend more on the iPad Pro. For everyone else, the compromises—especially that screen—are too big to ignore. It's a spec sheet hero that stumbles in real-world use.