The star of the Apple March 2022 announcement were the previously mentioned MAC Studios but for fans of the M1 chip and iPads, they had some great news as well, as the fifth generation of the 10.9-inch iPad Air is getting the M1 processor now!
iPad Air (M1 chip) Pre-Orders NOT available
Pre-orders are not available yet (as of the time of writing) but you can plan ahead by perusing the detailed listing at B&H Photo. There are five color options this time, a sign that Apple is expecting a lot of sales and upgrades.
Prices start at $599 with (a rather miserable for the price) 64GB of storage. An extra +$150 takes you to 256GB of storage, but there is no 128GB option in-between. If you want 5G as well, that’s a +$150 as well. In other words, the top iPad Air is $899.
Compare to M1 iPad PROs of 2021
If you cannot wait for the Airs, or you are not mesmerized by their features/specs, let’s take a look at the existing iPad PROs that came out in 2021 with the M1 chip.
The 11-inch iPad PRO models start at $749 but with 128GB of on-board storage. 5G is a +$200. Storage options go up to 2TB, with the 256GB and 512GB steps being +$150 each.
The 12.9-inch iPad PRO models start at $999 with 128GB storage. 5G is +$200. Somehow storage is more expensive (!) on this model, with the 256GB being +$200 and the 512GB being +$300. Apple tax on top of the Apple tax 🙂
BUT that’s not all. Optionally you can add Apple Care for +$129/$149, and the Magical Mystical Supernatural Super Serious Sweet Delirious Magic Keyboard for +$299/$340. Higher prices for the 12.9″ models…
LATEST COMMENTS