Apple iPad Air M4

Even though this is another minor spec-based upgrade for Apple’s mid-range tablet, the iPad Air M4 is still impressive. It can do everything most will want in a tablet, has faster memory (and more of it) plus support for newer connectivity options.

The iPad is a polished, successful product, and Apple is slowly evolving it by degrees. I think the hardware's clearly there to turn keyboard-equipped iPads into Macs, and that may very well happen someday. For now, consider the iPad a surprisingly versatile device that's still its own thing, distinct from Macs. And for me, it's also a better travel device, art tool and casual home/media computer. And the iPad 11-inch with keyboard is the smallest travel Apple computer that exists.

The M4 iPad Air is the perfect little assistant to your main Mac, just don't go shelling out for all the extras.

The new iPad Air looks identical to the previous-gen version with the M3 chip, though it delivers faster performance thanks to an improved neural engine and Apple's N1 and C1X connectivity chips. Artists and note-takers will definitely appreciate this one.

Aside from chip updates, the iPad Air hasn’t changed much in the last few years. But it’s still a great tablet for those who want more than the basic iPad.

The iPad Air M4 retains all of what we loved about the M3 iPad Air, but now has a speedier processor and Wi-Fi 7 — all while maintaining its same price. Our same criticisms remain, but that doesn't prevent this from being the best tablet for most people.

The Apple iPad Air (2026) or the iPad Air (M4) is an excellent tablet for the right person – likely someone upgrading from an older iPad Air, such as the M1, or someone buying an iPad for the first time. The design and display haven’t changed from the iPad Air (M3), and some long-standing omissions remain, but that doesn’t stop this from being the most compelling iPad Air yet. If you want a tablet that will handle everything you throw at it today, while still feeling relevant a few years from now, this is it.

The iPad Air with M4 isn't a reinvention of the tablet, but it meaningfully improves what was already one of Apple’s best devices. With the powerful M4 chip, 12GB of RAM, and improved connectivity, the new Air again blurs the line between this model and the iPad Pro while maintaining a much more approachable price.