Apple iPad Air 13" M2 2024, 8GB, 128GB, Cellular, Space Gray

The iPad Air M2 is a solid tablet with a great display and best-in-class connectivity, but its CPU and GPU performance are below average for the price. At $760, you're paying for the Apple system and Pencil Pro support, not raw power. Worth it for Apple fans, but spec hunters should look elsewhere.

The M2 chip handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Multitasking between apps, editing photos, even some light video work all feel smooth. But our benchmarks tell a different story than the keynote slides. The CPU sits at the 36th percentile and the GPU at 37th, which means plenty of Android tablets and Windows convertibles are beating it on raw power. The 8GB of RAM (Apple doesn't officially list it, but that's what's in there) is fine for iPadOS, but it's not future-proof. The real star here is connectivity. Wi-Fi 6E and 5G put this thing in the 89th percentile, so downloads and streaming are stupid fast. Just don't expect it to crush heavy creative workloads like a MacBook.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, the iPad Air M2 loses on raw specs. Samsung's 14.6-inch display and beefier internals make it a better choice for power users. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is a different beast entirely, running full Windows with a proper desktop experience. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 6 both offer solid Android alternatives at lower prices. Where the iPad Air wins is the system. iPadOS, the App Store, and Apple Pencil Pro integration are hard to beat if you're already using an iPhone or Mac.

At $760, the iPad Air M2 is in a weird spot. It's not cheap enough to be an impulse buy, and it's not powerful enough to replace a laptop for serious work. You're paying a premium for the Apple system, the Pencil Pro support, and that sweet Wi-Fi 6E. If you're already deep in the Apple world and want a tablet for drawing, note-taking, and media consumption, it's worth considering. But if you're looking for raw performance per dollar, there are better options out there.

The iPad Air M2 is Apple doing what Apple does best: taking last year's pro chip and dropping it into a thinner, lighter, more affordable package. You get the M2, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and support for the new Apple Pencil Pro. It's basically an iPad Pro for people who don't want to pay iPad Pro money.

But here's the thing. The spec sheet looks great until you dig into our database. The M2 chip lands in the 36th percentile for CPU performance and 37th for GPU. That's not bad, but it's not the flex Apple's marketing wants you to think it is. The screen is also middle of the pack at the 29th percentile. For a tablet that starts at $760, you'd expect a little more punch.

Skip this if you need a laptop replacement or serious performance. The CPU and GPU scores are below average, and the screen isn't as impressive as the price suggests. If you're doing heavy video editing, 3D modeling, or running demanding apps, get a MacBook Air or a Surface Pro instead. Also skip it if you're not already in the Apple system, because you're paying a premium for integration you won't use.

The iPad Air M2 is for Apple fans who want a big, beautiful tablet for drawing, note-taking, and everyday use. It's not a laptop replacement, and it's not a performance monster. But if you're already in the Apple system and want the best tablet experience Apple offers without paying Pro prices, this is the one to get. Just know that you're paying for the system, not the specs.