First things first, I’m admittedly an “Apple fanboy” but have never been one who fawns indiscriminately over everything they do. For example, I thought the iPhone was overblown junk until the 4S came out and, even then, I thought it had plenty of flaws. With that being said, I think this iPad is my third attempt at giving an iPad a try. Before this, I had one of the original minis and, more recently, I had a 7th gen regular iPad. I barely touched either of them, let alone used them for anything substantial. My phone was always a lot more convenient to use and so I invariably found myself wondering what the hype was about. Until I purchased this 13” iPad Air yesterday. Wow! This thing is impressive! And even though I’m sure I’ll never use it anywhere near as often as I do my phone, I foresee wasting significantly more time in it than any other iPad I’ve owned. First of all, somehow, I think it’s lighter than the 7th gen regular iPad! Or if it isn’t, it sure gives the impression that it is, despite being considerably larger. Second, TouchID is via the power button is as flawless as I was hoping it would be. Personally, I always found TouchID on the iPhone to be a heck of a lot more convenient than FaceID (I understand that I’m a minority in this respect) and its implementation here doesn’t disappoint. Third, although I never looked at the new iPad Pro with its OLED screen, the Air’s screen is no slouch and is plenty great to meet my needs. Lastly, build quality/design and processor speed are welcome upgrades over my old 7th gen iPad. Final impression? The 13” iPad Air is a delight to behold and use! In my mind, it often (usually?) takes Apple years to develop products that are truly worthy of its own hype but they finally succeeded with the new Apple Air. No buyer’s regret on this purchase.

After using it for a few weeks, I can say that it offers a great mix of performance, design, and value.

**Design & Display:**
The iPad Air has a clean, modern design. It feels light and easy to hold, making it a good option for those who want something portable. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display looks great—colors are sharp and vibrant, and it’s easy on the eyes for long sessions, whether you're reading or watching videos.

**Performance:**
Powered by the M1 chip, the iPad Air handles everything smoothly. From browsing and using apps to light photo editing, there’s no lag or slowdowns. It’s a noticeable step up from previous models, and it really makes a difference if you plan to use the tablet for more than just basic tasks.

**Camera & Audio:**
The rear camera is decent, good enough for casual photos or scanning documents. The front camera, which has the Center Stage feature, is great for video calls, keeping you centered even if you move around. The stereo speakers are clear, with good sound quality for watching shows or listening to music without headphones.

**Battery Life:**
The battery lasts pretty well. I can easily get through a day of browsing, streaming, and light work without needing to charge, which is nice for all-day use.

**Software & Ecosystem:**
iPadOS runs smoothly, and the iPad integrates well with other Apple devices. Features like multitasking and Apple Pencil support are nice if you need them, though it’s just as good for casual use, like streaming or browsing.

**Final Thoughts:**
The 2024 iPad Air is a solid, versatile tablet. It’s fast, lightweight, and has a great display, making it ideal for work, school, or everyday tasks. It’s not as powerful or feature-packed as the iPad Pro, but for the price, it offers a great balance.

**Pros:**
- Fast performance with the M1 chip
- Lightweight and portable
- Good display and cameras
- Solid battery life

**Cons:**
- No 120Hz refresh rate (only 60Hz)
- Limited storage options compared to Pro models

If you're looking for a well-rounded tablet that won’t break the bank, the iPad Air is definitely worth considering.

The new 13-inch iPad Air with the M2 chip sets a new standard for tablets, combining sleek design with powerhouse performance. Its M2 processor delivers laptop-level speed and efficiency, effortlessly handling multitasking, video editing, and graphics-intensive apps. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, offering vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it ideal for media consumption and creative work. Its slim, Space Gray design strikes the perfect balance between portability and elegance.

Apple Intelligence integration takes this iPad to the next level, enabling advanced on-device features and enhancing productivity. Battery life remains impressive, lasting a full day even with heavy use. Overall, the iPad Air M2 is a game-changer, perfect for students, professionals, and creatives who need power, versatility, and future-ready intelligence in one exceptional device.

First the bad news. If you are, like me, upgrading from a previous iPad and think your Apple Pencil will work, think again. You WILL need the Pro Pencil, you could get away with the USB C charging Pencil if on a budget. That said, the new iPad Air is fast, I'm comparing to my old iPad Pro, original, it's quite the jump. Better definition, faster screen movement, quicker access. The Pencil Pro is another jump and one I'm very happy with. Photos look great, games seem better and faster, messages and mail are quick. Attaching and editing photos with the apps is also a real boon. The ability to arrange apps is great and when switching from an existing Apple device, all you do is point the camera at the old device and that's it. You can of course set up manually if you want to, but why! The new Air is delightful, so pleased I made the jump. Unless you are using the iPad as a business tool the Air will work fine and fast, if you have the money, then, go Pro. Just remember, you'll need the Pro Pencil, you'll also want a screen protector, remember to buy the correct one, with the notch on the side! A case will be a must just to protect your new friend!