El iPad Air M4 It has become one of the most talked-about new additions to Apple's catalog, not so much for changes to its external appearance as for the leap it makes in performance and connectivity compared to the previous generation. It remains a lightweight and manageable tablet, but now it comes closer than ever to what many users expect from a mid-range laptop.
This model seeks to position itself as the a more reasonable middle ground within the iPad range: above the basic iPad in power and options, but without reaching the price and extreme specifications of the iPad ProIn Spain and the rest of Europe, it is emerging as a particularly interesting option for students, professionals who travel a lot, and users who want a durable device without paying the extra cost of the higher-end range.
Continuity of design and compatibility with accessories
Apple has chosen to keep the same design approach which we already knew, something that has its positive side: those coming from a recent iPad Air will find a familiar format and, above all, good accessory compatibility.
The iPad Air M4 is offered in two sizes, of approximately 11 and 13 inchesvirtually mirroring the physical dimensions of the models with the M3 chip. The thickness remains around 0,61 cmThis results in a very thin tablet, and the weights are around 460 grams in the small model and a little over 600 grams in the large one, figures that facilitate prolonged use in the hand or in a backpack without it being a brick.
Apple repeating measures has a practical consequence: many cases and covers of the previous generation They also work for the new model. For those who have already made that investment, it's not a minor detail, especially when we're talking about quality accessories or keyboards with trackpads.
Elements such as the system are also maintained Touch ID integrated into the power buttonThe Smart Connector for keyboard accessories and the 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage feature are also included. In other words, in terms of build quality and ergonomics, it's practically the same type of iPad we've seen before—somewhat conservative, but very polished.
M4 chip and leap in unified memory
Where there is a profound change is in the internal components. The iPad Air leaves behind the M3 chip to move to the Apple M4 chip, a processor from the same family that powers some recent Macs and that puts this tablet on par with - or above - many mid-range laptops in raw power.
This M4 not only promises more performance, but also better energy efficiencyIn tasks such as video editing, managing multi-layered projects, or running demanding creative apps, the difference compared to previous generations is most noticeable in the fluidity and lack of lag when working with several processes open simultaneously, something that brings the iPad closer to the mid-range notebooks in many scenarios.
Another relevant point is the increase in the unified memoryWhile the standard configurations for the iPad Air with M3 started at 8 GB, the new model can reach... 12 GB of memory, a key aspect in the current context in which artificial intelligence and local data processing are gaining prominence.
Apple is focusing a large part of its devices on what it calls Apple Intelligence, a set of AI features that prioritize the local processing For reasons of privacy and speed. To handle these kinds of loads without everything crashing, having more unified memory is especially useful; in advanced scenarios, the 8 GB of the previous generation can start to feel a bit insufficient over time.
Connectivity: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6 and N1 chip
The other major new feature of the iPad Air M4 is its connectivity. For the first time in this range, it includes... N1 chip, which Apple had already incorporated into other recent devices and which opens the door to more modern wireless standards.
Thanks to this component, the new iPad Air is compatible with 7 WiFiThis, in environments with compatible routers, translates into better download and upload speeds, lower latency, and superior connection stability, which is appreciated both when working remotely and when consuming streaming content or playing online games.
In the area of ​​short-range connections, the leap comes with Bluetooth 6.0This version improves performance with wireless accessories, such as keyboards, mice, headphones, or speakers, and contributes to a more stable experience when multiple devices are connected at the same time.
The combination of the N1 chip, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 6 places the iPad Air M4 among the best-equipped tablets in terms of connectivity on the European market, which makes particular sense in homes with high-speed fiber, offices with modern networks, or users who depend on reliable wireless connections for work.
Autonomy, daily use, and the role of software
Regarding the battery, Apple continues to promise around up to 10 hours of navigation or content consumption, a figure that remains in line with previous generations. The exact capacity isn't disclosed, but the balance between the new M4 chip and iPadOS's power management means that, in practice, the device can easily handle a day of study or moderate work.
The lack of fast charging remains one of the less appealing aspects of the iPad lineup: there are no major changes here, and those coming from other manufacturers with very fast charging systems will notice. Even so, the real autonomy It remains one of the team's strong points compared to many traditional laptops.
In terms of software, iPadOS maintains that dual nature: on the one hand, it offers a highly polished experience, with good window management, support for input devices, and professional apps like Final Cut Pro or advanced creative tools. On the other hand, some still see certain limitations when you try using the iPad as a complete computer replacementespecially in more specific workflows or those that depend on very specific software.
For most users in Spain and Europe—students, teachers, and professionals who work with documents, video calls, email, and some editing—the iPad Air M4 more than meets their needs. For those who already owned a relatively recent iPad, the overall experience doesn't change radically, although the M4's extra power might prove useful in the medium and long term.
Prices in Spain and Europe and the difference with the iPad Air M3
Price remains one of the determining factors when choosing. In the Spanish and European markets, the 4-inch iPad Air M11 It is officially located around the 649 Euros, while the equivalent model with the M3 chip is around 579 EurosWe're talking about an approximate difference of 70 Euros between generations for the smallest size.
If we look at the versions of 13 inchesOfficial figures place the iPad Air M3 close to 799 Euros and the new iPad Air M4 in a few 849 Euros, with a separation of about 50 EurosIn other words, in the largest segment, the economic gap between generations is even smaller.
In the European context, these amounts may vary slightly depending on the country and local taxes, but the trend is similar: the price difference between the two generations remains contained, making it easier to justify the jump to the new model if you value the extra power, the improvement in memory and the WiFi 7 connectivity.
Where we do need to pay attention is in the compatible accessoriesThe iPad Air M4 works with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C, while the second-generation Apple Pencil is not listed as officially compatible in this range, something to keep in mind if you are coming from a previous iPad and already had that pencil.
iPad Air M4 as a medium and long-term purchase
Beyond the specific specifications, much of the appeal of the iPad Air M4 lies in what it offers as multi-year investmentThe combination of the M4 chip, unified memory, next-generation connectivity, and Apple's update support makes it a device with enough headroom to remain in good condition for quite some time.
For those who don't currently own an iPad and are considering buying a higher-end tablet, this model presents itself as a particularly well-balanced option: it doesn't require taking on the cost of an iPad Pro, but offers a very close experience in many real-world uses, from content consumption to moderately demanding professional tasks.
On the other hand, if you already have an iPad that's three or four years old and still works well, the decision is less obvious. The improvements are there, especially in power and connectivity, but day-to-day use can feel "similar" in many cases, particularly if the main use is browsing, email, and undemanding apps. This is where the type of work or study each user does comes into play.
Taking everything into account, the iPad Air M4 positions itself as one of the most solid devices in Apple's range in terms of performance and price: Plenty of power, good design, modern connectivity and sufficient battery lifeWith the same strengths and weaknesses typical of iPadOS and Apple's strategy for differentiating its product lines, this model fits the bill quite well for those looking for a versatile tablet that can last for several years without becoming obsolete early on.
