Apple iPad Air (M4, 2024): First Look & Hands-On Review
Apple’s latest iPad Air, now powered by the M4 chip, delivers a significant performance boost, particularly for creative workflows. Hands-on demonstrations at Apple’s Battersea event in London this week showcased the tablet’s enhanced capabilities in applications like Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator, alongside improvements to Apple Intelligence features. While the design remains largely unchanged, the internal upgrades promise a faster and more versatile experience for users, starting at the same $599 price point as the previous generation.
No Hardware Changes, But Significant Internal Upgrades
For those hoping for a redesign, the new iPad Air maintains the familiar form factor of its predecessor. According to Apple representatives at the event, this decision was made to ensure continued compatibility with existing accessories – a key consideration for many users. The tablet remains thin and lightweight, available in both 11-inch and 13-inch models, with a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The screen quality remains excellent, and the physical buttons offer a satisfying tactile response. While a move to Face ID instead of Touch ID, or an upgrade from USB-2 to USB-3 on the USB-C port, would be welcome improvements, the current hardware is still highly functional.
The M4 Chip: A Leap in Performance
The core of the upgrade lies in the transition from the M3 to the M4 chip. This new silicon brings a substantial performance increase, with Apple claiming up to 30% faster speeds compared to the M3 iPad Air and a 2.3x improvement over the M1 model. Apple’s press release details that the M4 also features a faster Neural Engine and increased unified memory bandwidth, enhancing its capabilities for tasks like video editing, gaming, and artificial intelligence processing. The M4 iPad Air now boasts 12GB of unified memory, a 50% increase over the previous generation.
Beyond the M4 chip, Apple has also integrated the C1X modem for 5G connectivity and the N1 chip, which combines Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 7 support. This represents a significant upgrade from the previous generation’s Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6e, promising faster wireless speeds and more reliable connections. Macworld notes these connectivity improvements contribute to a smoother and more responsive user experience.
Real-World Workflow Improvements
During the Battersea event, Apple demonstrated the M4 iPad Air’s capabilities with real-world tasks. Editing video and audio clips in Final Cut Pro was noticeably faster, and the tablet was able to generate music tracks to match video pacing with remarkable speed. Crucially, all processing occurred on-device, eliminating the need for cloud connectivity.
The M4 chip also shines in creative applications like Pixelmator. Demonstrations showed the tablet’s ability to use Apple Intelligence to transform a simple drawing into a more polished, illustrated image. This highlights the potential for AI-powered tools to enhance creative workflows on the iPad Air. The speed and efficiency of these tasks underscore the benefits of the M4’s increased processing power and memory bandwidth.
(Credit: Eric Zeman)
Pricing and Availability
Despite the significant internal upgrades, Apple has maintained the same starting price for the new iPad Air. The 11-inch model remains at $599, while the 13-inch version starts at $799. Educational pricing is also available, with the 11-inch model starting at $549 and the 13-inch at $749. Pre-orders begin on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with availability starting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as announced by Apple.
Who Benefits Most from the M4 iPad Air?
The M4 iPad Air is particularly well-suited for students and creative professionals. The combination of performance, portability, and affordability makes it an attractive option for those who need a powerful device for tasks like video editing, graphic design, and music production. The ability to perform these tasks on-device, without relying on cloud connectivity, is a significant advantage for users who work on the go. However, users already owning the M3 iPad Air may find the upgrade less compelling, as the performance gains may not justify the cost for all use cases. Those coming from older iPad Air models, or those new to the iPad ecosystem, will likely experience the most substantial benefits.
(Credit: Eric Zeman)
Looking ahead, a full review will be crucial to assess the real-world performance of the M4 iPad Air across a wider range of applications and workflows. The long-term impact of the M4 chip on battery life and thermal performance will also be important factors to consider. The continued development of iPadOS 26 will likely unlock even more potential from the M4’s capabilities, further enhancing the tablet’s versatility and appeal.