iPad vs iPad Air 2024: Which Tablet to Buy?
iPad Air features a faster M2 chip and larger 11-13 inch display options, while the standard iPad uses an A14 chip and starts at 10.9 inches, making Air better for professionals and iPad better for budget-conscious buyers.
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
Affordable 10.9-inch tablet with A14 Bionic chip for everyday use
Students, casual users, families, and anyone seeking a reliable tablet for media consumption and basic productivity on a budget
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
Mid-premium 11 or 13-inch tablet with M2 chip for professional creative work
Creative professionals, content creators, video editors, designers, students in engineering/architecture, and power users who benefit from larger displays and superior processing power
Quick Answer
AI SummaryiPad Air features a faster M2 chip and larger 11-13 inch display options, while the standard iPad uses an A14 chip and starts at 10.9 inches, making Air better for professionals and iPad better for budget-conscious buyers.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose iPad if you prioritize affordability and basic tablet tasks like browsing, video streaming, and light productivity at a $329 entry point. Choose iPad Air if you need professional-grade performance for video editing, design work, gaming, and multitasking, or prefer larger 13-inch display options—the M2 chip and superior specs justify the $599+ cost for demanding users.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose iPad (10th generation, 2024) if
Students, casual users, families, and anyone seeking a reliable tablet for media consumption and basic productivity on a budget
Choose iPad Air (M2, 2024) if
Best pickCreative professionals, content creators, video editors, designers, students in engineering/architecture, and power users who benefit from larger displays and superior processing power
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Processor:✓ iPad Air (M2, 2024) wins(Apple M2 vs Apple A14 Bionic)
- Starting Price (USD):✓ iPad (10th generation, 2024) wins($329 vs $599)
- Display Size Options:✓ iPad Air (M2, 2024) wins(11 inches or 13 inches vs 10.9 inches only)
Key Facts & Figures
4 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | iPad (10th generation, 2024) | iPad Air (M2, 2024) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM(GB) | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | |
| Starting Price(USD) | $329 | $599 | |
| Weight (11-inch model)(grams) | 487g | 479g | |
| Thickness(millimeters) | 7.0 | 6.1 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- Apple A14 BionicProcessorApple M2(winner)
- $329(winner)Starting Price (USD)$599
- 10.9 inches onlyDisplay Size Options11 inches or 13 inches(winner)
- 8GB standardRAM Configuration8GB or 12GB options(winner)
- 2nd generationApple Pencil Support2nd generation with hover (11") / Pro with hover (13")(winner)
- 487gWeight (10.9-11 inch)479g (11-inch)(winner)
- 3,200 single-coreMulti-task Performance Score2,400 single-core (lower clock, but more cores for tasks)(winner)
- Processor
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
Apple A14 Bionic
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
Apple M2(winner)
- Starting Price (USD)
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
$329(winner)
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
$599
- Display Size Options
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
10.9 inches only
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
11 inches or 13 inches(winner)
- RAM Configuration
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
8GB standard
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
8GB or 12GB options(winner)
- Apple Pencil Support
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
2nd generation
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
2nd generation with hover (11") / Pro with hover (13")(winner)
- Weight (10.9-11 inch)
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
487g
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
479g (11-inch)(winner)
- Multi-task Performance Score
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
3,200 single-core
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
2,400 single-core (lower clock, but more cores for tasks)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPad (10th generation, 2024) | iPad Air (M2, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A14 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) | Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| RAM(GB) | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB(winner) |
| Starting Price(USD) | $329(winner) | $599 |
| Display Size Options(inches) | 10.9 only | 11 or 13(winner) |
| Display Resolution (11-inch)(pixels) | 2360 x 1640 (264 ppi) | 2560 x 1864 (266 ppi)(winner) |
| Weight (11-inch model)(grams) | 487g | 479g(winner) |
| Thickness(millimeters) | 7.0 | 6.1(winner) |
| Apple Pencil Hover Support | No hover support | Yes (2nd gen on 11", Pro on 13") |
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
iPad (10th generation, 2024)
Pros
- Starts at $329—most affordable iPad option
- A14 Bionic chip handles everyday tasks, streaming, and light gaming smoothly
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 color gamut
- Supports Apple Pencil 2nd gen for note-taking and sketching
- Compatible with Magic Keyboard Folio for productivity
Cons
- Significantly slower than iPad Air for video editing and 3D applications
- Only one size option limits choice for different use cases
- 8GB RAM fixed—no upgrade option for demanding workflows
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
Pros
- Apple M2 chip delivers 40% faster CPU performance than A14 for video editing and design apps
- Two size options: 11-inch ($599) and 13-inch ($799) for different workflows
- Up to 12GB RAM in base 256GB model supports heavy multitasking and large file handling
- Apple Pencil hover feature (2nd gen on 11", Pro on 13") enables precision interaction before touching screen
- Thinner and lighter at 479g (11-inch) despite larger display and superior performance
Cons
- iPad Air starts at $599—$270 more than standard iPad with less dramatic differences for casual users
- M2 is not as cutting-edge as iPad Pro's M4 chip released in 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, if you do creative work like video editing, 3D design, or advanced photo editing—the M2 chip is 40% faster and better RAM options matter. No, if you primarily browse, stream video, and use basic apps—iPad's A14 handles these tasks smoothly and the display difference is minimal.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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