Apple iPad Air (5th Generation): with M1 chip, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Blue

This iPad Air is an absolute powerhouse and is able to accomplish so many of the things that you would typically do in your day to day that the Pro model almost doesn't seem worth it. To start, this iPad is thin, light, and takes up virtually no space in most work bags and backpacks. It is easy to take on the go, and the battery life is incredible. This iPad is also compatible with the Apple Pencil, which makes sketching and taking notes a simple task. For me, however, the best part about this iPad is the power under the hood. The M1 chip is capable of running virtually any iOS app flawlessly, and honestly makes the MacBook feel like an accessory. I've used this to play multiple mobile games with high frame rates, edit videos on the go, and for watching videos when sitting in waiting rooms. I haven't had any issues with apps slowing down or freezing, and it is capable of doing anything I need. When using it with an add-on keyboard, it really does make the MacBook and other computing devices feel obsolete as it has so much processing power even in 2024. The iPad also has a built-in front and rear camera for taking photos, recording videos or to FaceTime your coworkers or family. The quality of these cameras are not the greatest, but are still nice to have. The speakers also get very loud and sound good overall but there is a bit of thinness to some details in various movie scenes and songs. The only real complaint I have is the limited storage space, but as long as you aren't taking too many photos or working on too many projects at a time, the storage is more than enough. Overall, this iPad still holds its own in 2024, as when it is on sale, it is an absolute steal. I would highly recommend getting this for those uncertain on what to choose, and I must say I have been very happy with it!

Performance is phenomenal. Thanks to the M1 chip, this tablet handles everything from heavy photo editing to intensive gaming with ease, offering Pro-level power in a lighter body. It’s incredibly fast and completely future-proof. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is vibrant and sharp, perfect for media and creativity. It fully supports the Apple Pencil 2 and accessories like the Magic Keyboard, transforming it into a versatile work or study tool. An upgraded 12MP front camera with Center Stage makes video calls excellent. If you want a powerful, modern, and high-quality tablet without paying the price for an iPad Pro, the iPad Air 5 is the clear choice. It’s simply the best value iPad available.

The iPad 2 was my first iPad, I moved on to the original iPad Air and then the iPad mini. I'm not crazy to upgrade to the latest iPad so I have to base my experience off some older devices. Other iOS devices include the Apple Pencil 2, iPhone XR and I also own a 2019 Mac Book Pro. It seems every time I open a new Apple device I always find myself smiling simply by unboxing the item. Definitely held true with this device. Before making this purchase I balanced the features and functions of this iPad Air Gen5 with the iPad Pro and the latest iPad mini offered in May 2022. Balancing the performance and features, I found the iPad Air to be the best compromise. I liked that it has the same processor as the iPad pro and I wanted a larger display than my previous iPad Mini. I opted for the 256 GB version which when comparing price, the 128 GB pro isn't much more but I was trying to stay in a budget as this was going to be used as a study tool and if I decided I didn't like my experience, I'd pass the device along to a family member. What I do with my iPad device: * Read * Take notes * Web browse * YouTube Everything on this device is very snappy, as things always are with new iOS devices. The screen is quite vibrant and extremely responsive. Reading: I have not made this my daily driver for reading, but I am an Amazon Comixology subscriber and I find this experience is really nice. I generally read on my iPhone XR, as it is very easy to hold and always on me. I've read on the new iPad a few times, but still find myself reading books on my phone still as I don't worry about falling asleep in bed with it and dropping it on the floor. Taking notes: Wow, this is my first time using the Apple Pencil, but what a great experience. I used the built-in notes app for a couple days but then downloaded GoodNotes 5. What a great combination for taking notes. My only possible gripe is a noticeable shadow appears around the tip of the Apple Pencil when moving it around, not sure if that's a feature or an artifact of the LCD, but it annoys me on a rare occasion. Web browsing: Great experience as it is on other iPad devices. A really great feature I've found is taking a screenshot of a web page in reader view and capturing the full website and then importing into GoodNotes5 for markup. YouTube: I can have YouTube open to the side and take notes while watching an instructional video, very handy. Overall, it's a great device. I didn't need a better camera (iPad Pro), as I don't take many pictures with any of my devices. The iPad Pro offers a better screen resolution and a higher frame rate, I don't think I need it for my use though. The Mini would be a little more portable, but I'd still have to put it in a bag to carry it around so I think for the price the iPad Air 5th gen is the overall best choice for me.