Some of our favorite Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day sales are still holding strong. This includes the latest Apple M3 iPad Air, which has returned to $489. That is a $110 discount off the usual $599 price at Amazon.
The deal applies to the 11-inch iPad Air base model with Wi-Fi connectivity and a modest 128 GB of storage. You can choose from the Blue or Starlight colorways. If you require more storage, the Space Grey model with 256 GB is currently available for $589, which also represents a $110 saving.
Who Should Buy the Apple M3 iPad Air?
Apple’s M3 iPad Air is a refresh of the M2 version. Consequently, those currently using the M2 or M1 models likely do not need to upgrade. However, if you are moving from an older iPad or want a more capable model without breaking the bank, the new iPad Air is one of our top recommendations.
It features the same thin and light chassis as the previous generation, measuring only 0.24 inches at its thinnest point and weighing approximately one pound. The 11-inch Liquid Retina display offers a perfect balance between portability and screen real estate. It features a high resolution of 1640 x 2360 pixels and a peak brightness of 500 nits. A major upgrade for this generation is the added compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro, which enhances the creative experience for those who use a stylus for drawing and note-taking.
The internals are powered by the new Apple M3 silicon. It features an 8-core processor that is benchmarked to be up to 20% faster than before and a 10-core graphics engine that supports dynamic caching for smoother gameplay. The tablet is incredibly snappy for both everyday and demanding tasks, such as using Stage Manager for advanced multitasking. Additionally, it offers more stability and performance when handling AI workloads.
Despite the faster chipset and unchanged battery capacity, the iPad Air is rated for 10 hours of use. This translates to all-day battery life with moderate usage. With lighter tasks, you can even get through a few days before needing to reach for a charger.
It is an excellent machine for both casual and power users on a budget. For students, it serves as a great laptop alternative when paired with a keyboard. Are you planning on purchasing one soon? Let us know in the comments.
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