When it comes to the iPad Air, it doesn’t really matter which generation you get. Apple updated it with a new chip earlier this year, as well as last year, but the difference is negligible. Apple silicon is so good that an iPad from several years ago performs just as well as a new one. That’s why we need to tell you about this deal: Amazon is selling an 11-inch iM2 Pad Air for just $699, a ridiculous $400 savings and the absolute best price we’ve seen for this configuration.
For comparison, Apple sells the 512GB model for the same price, so your getting a ton of storage for basically free.
Aside from the space for photos, videos, and apps, the M2 chip is the heart of why this one’s worth a look. Sure, it’s not as fast as the M4, but when you’re using this iPad as an actual tablet, the differences aren’t that drastic. The tablet will handle real multitasking without flinching, allowing you to run several apps side by side, editing photos, jumping between a browser and a document, or playing graphics-heavy games.
Even if you’re using it as a substitute for a MacBook with a Magic Keyboard, the chip speed differences aren’t enough to justify paying $400 more for the 1TB M4 model. Of course, it won’t be as fast as a newer M4, but we think the $400 savings is more than enough to justify the older processor.
The 11-inch Liquid Retina display looks gorgeous, too. The colors look vivid, while the contrast makes images look accurate. Plus, iPad screens look great in all lighting situations, so you’re going to be able to use it outdoors just fine. Pair that with all-day battery life, and you can work, stream, and scroll from morning to night without hunting for a charger.
The iPad Air continues to be one of the best tablets you can get, whether it has an M2, M3, or M4 chip. And it’s even better when you can get the 1TB model for $400 off.
