Apple iPad (11th Gen) vs Apple iPad Air (M4)

The iPad Air (M4) is the better tablet for anyone who does real work or creative apps: the M4 chip, 8 GB-class memory, Apple Intelligence support, Wi-Fi 7 and Apple Pencil Pro compatibility put it well ahead of the 11th-gen iPad on performance and longevity. The 11th-gen iPad is the simpler choice for streaming, browsing, email, video calls and light note-taking, and its A16 chip and 6 GB of RAM handle those tasks fine. Both are 11-inch Liquid Retina tablets with a 12 MP Center Stage front camera and 10-hour battery ratings, so the split comes down to chip, accessories and connectivity rather than screen or build. Owners of the base iPad praise the value and ease of use; Air owners cite the faster chip and Pencil Pro support as the reasons they stepped up.

• Choose the iPad (11th Gen) if you want a straightforward 11-inch tablet for streaming, browsing, video calls and light writing, and you don't need Apple Intelligence or pro accessories.
• Choose the iPad Air (M4) if you'll run demanding apps, want Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro or a Magic Keyboard, or plan to keep the tablet for many years.