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Model: Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip Built for Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, 12MP Front/Back Camera, Wi-Fi 6E, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Purple
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The M3 Air @ $499.99 or the iPad A16 @ $299.99. What's the "better buy" given the prices and $200 difference?
Depends on the use case. I returned the iPad a16 and bought the M2 around the holidays. Didn't make sense for my use case (media consumption). If/when AI features start showing up on the Air it may make a difference.
If you are just looking at specs, then the air is a good deal for $200 more.
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from ThriftyPenguin2578
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The M3 Air @ $499.99 or the iPad A16 @ $299.99. What's the "better buy" given the prices and $200 difference?
The Air has better screen (almost unperceivable difference) and has 8GB RAM vs. 6GB on the iPad11. The main practical difference is the Air has Stage Manager - aka using it mimics the work on a laptop (multiple windows, resize and moving windows on the screen etc.).
If you use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and connect it to a monitor, you can basically get a personal computer, not just a tablet.
I'm in the same dilemma for my mother. Also the main difference is the processor. M3 vs A16 where M processor will be able to handle Apple intelligence in the future.
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from ThriftyPenguin2578
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The M3 Air @ $499.99 or the iPad A16 @ $299.99. What's the "better buy" given the prices and $200 difference?
i just went through this choice.
I honestly could barely tell them apart in a best buy , for just normal browsing etc. the screens are only slightly different (air is laminated) and yeah the air CPU is way faster, but if you are using your tablet for browing / netflix etc, its not even noticeable.
Ended up buying 2 normal ipads, for slightly more than 1 air. Im guessing apple will support them both quite long, so unless you need the m3 cpu horsepower, i felt like it wasnt worth $200+tax more
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Apr 29, 2025 10:44 AM
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For most people, zero difference.$400 256gb A16 beats a $500 M3 128gb in real world use besides video editingM3/M4 iPad is iOS needed. Its better used on Macbook Air for thr horsepower.its like putting a iPhone chip in the Apple Watch Pro.
For people who don't need storage...?
Seems like the better the processor, the better longevity.
For people who don't need storage...?
Seems like the better the processor, the better longevity.
256gb is for netflix downloads for roadtrips and airport for 25 movies and games. You dont need an ultra poweful chip for video watching.
128gb holds 8 movies. still useable storage size.
I personally went with $300 iPad 11 A16 128GB with 5% cashback. A16 is similar to M1. A14 256gb was only worth it for under $300, at $350 is a warm deal.
M3/M4 is zero difference since iPad OS can't use the extra performance.
I'm debating between the a16 and M3 here to use as a midi controller for live music (I play keys). I feel like the RAM and processor might actually make a bigger difference there, but I kind of want 256gb for sound libraries. That's pretty pricy.
256gb is for netflix downloads for roadtrips and airport for 25 movies and games. You dont need an ultra poweful chip for video watching.128gb holds 8 movies. still useable storage size.I personally went with $300 iPad 11 A16 128GB with 5% cashback. A16 is similar to M1. A14 256gb was only worth it for under $300, at $350 is a warm deal.M3/M4 is zero difference since iPad OS can't use the extra performance.
Alright so I'm not trying to start an argument, but I have been backing up my physical media lately, and each movie is anywhere from 4 to 6 gb depending on the length of the movie. 128gb should be enough for at least 15 movies with space for OS and some apps.
But like I said, for people who don't need storage, is there a greater benefit in overall longevity of the device in having the more powerful chip?
Anecdote: I have an ipad air 4 and an old ipad 6th gen (7 years old!). I've actually been going back to using the ipad 6th gen for some things and it's perfectly usable for browsing, media consumption, and non-gaming apps.
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Alright so I'm not trying to start an argument, but I have been backing up my physical media lately, and each movie is anywhere from 4 to 6 gb depending on the length of the movie. 128gb should be enough for at least 15 movies with space for OS and some apps.
But like I said, for people who don't need storage, is there a greater benefit in overall longevity of the device in having the more powerful chip?
Anecdote: I have an ipad air 4 and an old ipad 6th gen (7 years old!). I've actually been going back to using the ipad 6th gen for some things and it's perfectly usable for browsing, media consumption, and non-gaming apps.
A 2018 iPad is fine for simple task.
These A14 and A16 have zero complaint on speed for next few years. the one pain is always storage if have apps, store 4k movie, a more games
128gb is perfectly fine for 1080p movies. small for 4k movie
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If you are just looking at specs, then the air is a good deal for $200 more.
We probably should trade up from our 4th-gen A-Series processor iPad Air, but I'm not sure my wife uses it enough for it to even matter.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Ananke
If you use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and connect it to a monitor, you can basically get a personal computer, not just a tablet.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank hans007
I honestly could barely tell them apart in a best buy , for just normal browsing etc. the screens are only slightly different (air is laminated) and yeah the air CPU is way faster, but if you are using your tablet for browing / netflix etc, its not even noticeable.
Ended up buying 2 normal ipads, for slightly more than 1 air. Im guessing apple will support them both quite long, so unless you need the m3 cpu horsepower, i felt like it wasnt worth $200+tax more
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I will say, I was disappointed the "magic" keyboard only came in White, so I returned it. The Logi keyboard is great though.
For most people, zero difference.
$400 256gb A16 beats a $500 M3 128gb in real world use besides video editing
M3/M4 iPad is iOS needed. Its better used on Macbook Air for thr horsepower.
its like putting a iPhone chip in the Apple Watch Pro.
Get it, you won't regret it.
For portable, everyday use surfing, emailing and general time-wasting the iPad Mini is a beast.
Seems like the better the processor, the better longevity.
Seems like the better the processor, the better longevity.
256gb is for netflix downloads for roadtrips and airport for 25 movies and games. You dont need an ultra poweful chip for video watching.
128gb holds 8 movies. still useable storage size.
I personally went with $300 iPad 11 A16 128GB with 5% cashback. A16 is similar to M1. A14 256gb was only worth it for under $300, at $350 is a warm deal.
M3/M4 is zero difference since iPad OS can't use the extra performance.
But like I said, for people who don't need storage, is there a greater benefit in overall longevity of the device in having the more powerful chip?
Anecdote: I have an ipad air 4 and an old ipad 6th gen (7 years old!). I've actually been going back to using the ipad 6th gen for some things and it's perfectly usable for browsing, media consumption, and non-gaming apps.
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But like I said, for people who don't need storage, is there a greater benefit in overall longevity of the device in having the more powerful chip?
Anecdote: I have an ipad air 4 and an old ipad 6th gen (7 years old!). I've actually been going back to using the ipad 6th gen for some things and it's perfectly usable for browsing, media consumption, and non-gaming apps.
These A14 and A16 have zero complaint on speed for next few years. the one pain is always storage if have apps, store 4k movie, a more games
128gb is perfectly fine for 1080p movies. small for 4k movie
Leave a Comment