Apple iPad Air (M2)

The best all-rounder — powerful, future-proof M2 performance, the best-optimised tablet apps of any platform, Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support, all-day battery, and seamless Apple-ecosystem integration. Accessories cost extra, but it scales from media tablet to creative and laptop-replacement device.

The Apple iPad Air with M2 hits the sweet spot of near-pro performance, the best tablet apps, and a price below the Pro. The M2 is far more than most people need but enough for serious photo/video editing, demanding games, and years of future use. Crucially, iPadOS has the best-optimised tablet apps of any platform — developers build proper large-screen versions for the iPad, so apps are real tablet experiences, not stretched phone apps (Android's chronic weakness). It supports the Apple Pencil Pro for notes and drawing and the Magic Keyboard for laptop-style work, scaling from couch media tablet to creative and productivity device, with an excellent screen, all-day battery, and seamless Apple-ecosystem integration. The accessories cost extra and iPadOS isn't a full desktop OS, but for performance, app quality, and longevity, it's the default.

▶ Video review

M2 iPad Air (2024) HONEST Review! Buy It Or Skip it!?