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Apple Introduces iPad Air with Powerful M3 Chip and New Magic Keyboard

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Apple today introduced the faster, more powerful iPad Air with the M3 chip and built for Apple Intelligence. iPad Air with M3 brings Apple's advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time—taking its incredible combination of power-efficient performance and portability to a new level. iPad Air with M3 is nearly 2x faster compared to iPad Air with M1, and up to 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic. Users will feel the speed of M3 in everything they do, from creating engaging content faster than ever to playing demanding, graphics-intensive games. Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable while on the go, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for more room to be creative and productive. Designed for iPad Air, the new Magic Keyboard enhances its versatility and delivers more capabilities at a lower price. With iPadOS 18, support for Apple Intelligence, advanced cameras, fast wireless 5G connectivity, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), the new iPad Air offers an unrivaled experience.

With the same starting price of just $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model, the new iPad Air is a fantastic value. And for education, the 11-inch iPad Air starts at just $549, and the 13-inch model starts at just $749. Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air with M3 and Magic Keyboard for iPad Air starting today, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 12.




"iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price," said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "For everyone from college students taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro, to travelers and content creators who need powerful productivity on the go, iPad Air with M3, Apple Intelligence, and the new Magic Keyboard take versatility and value to the next level."

Supercharged Performance with M3
iPad Air with M3 empowers users to be productive and creative wherever they are, from aspiring creatives using demanding apps and working with large files, to travelers editing content on the go. The powerful M3 chip offers a number of improvements over M1 and previous-generation models. Featuring a more powerful 8-core CPU, M3 is up to 35 percent faster for multithreaded CPU workflows than iPad Air with M1. M3 features a 9-core GPU with up to 40 percent faster graphics performance over M1. M3 also brings Apple's advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time with support for dynamic caching, along with hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. For graphics-intensive rendering workflows, iPad Air with M3 offers up to 4x faster performance than iPad Air with M1, enabling more accurate lighting, reflections, shadows, and extremely realistic gaming experiences.

The faster Neural Engine in M3 means iPad Air users can enjoy even more AI capabilities in iPadOS. Compared to M1, the Neural Engine in M3 is up to 60 percent faster for AI-based workloads. Other improvements over iPad models with A-series chips include support for Apple Intelligence, the choice of 11- and 13-inch sizes, and support for advanced accessories, including the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.

iPad Air: Built for Apple Intelligence
iPad Air is built for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that delivers helpful and relevant intelligence. In Photos, the Clean Up tool makes it easy to remove distracting elements in images, and natural language search allows users to search for just about any photo or video by simply describing what they are looking for. With Image Wand in the Notes app, users can make notes more visually engaging by turning rough sketches into delightful images, just by drawing a circle around the sketch with their Apple Pencil. Users can even circle empty space within a note, and Image Wand will gather context from the surrounding area to create a relevant image that complements the note and makes it more visual.

Apple Intelligence helps users explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, create the perfect emoji with Genmoji, and make their writing even more dynamic with Writing Tools. Users can now type to Siri, and Siri is more conversational with the ability to follow along if users stumble over their words. Siri can also maintain context from one request to the next, and with extensive product knowledge, Siri can answer thousands of questions about the features and settings of Apple products, so users can learn how to do things like take a screen recording.

With ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can tap into ChatGPT's expertise without jumping between applications, so they can get things done faster and easier than ever before. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in—their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won't store requests. Users can choose whether to enable ChatGPT integration, and are in full control of when to use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT.

Designed to protect users' privacy at every step, Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power it run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of iPad into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users' data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request.

All-New Magic Keyboard for iPad Air
The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air expands what users can do at an even lower price. The larger built-in trackpad brings greater precision for detail-oriented tasks, and a new 14-key function row allows easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminium hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Now starting at just $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air features the magical floating design customers love and comes in white.

iPad Updated with Double the Starting Storage and the A16 Chip
Apple today also updated iPad with double the starting storage and the A16 chip, bringing even more value to customers. The A16 chip provides a jump in performance for everyday tasks and experiences in iPadOS, while still providing all-day battery life. Compared to the previous generation, the updated iPad with A16 is nearly 30 percent faster. In fact, compared to iPad with A13 Bionic, users will see up to a 50 percent improvement in overall performance, and A16 makes the updated iPad up to 6x faster than the best-selling Android tablet.

Powerful and Intelligent Features with iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 offers powerful features that enhance the iPad experience, making it more versatile and intelligent than ever:
  • Designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, Calculator delivers an entirely new way to use Apple Pencil to solve expressions. With Math Notes, users are now able to write out mathematical expressions or type to see them instantly solved in handwriting like their own. They can also create and use variables, and add an equation to insert a graph. Users can access their Math Notes in the Notes app and use all of the math functionality in any of their other notes.
  • In Notes, handwritten notes become more fluid and flexible. Smart Script unleashes powerful new capabilities for users editing handwritten text, allowing them to easily add space or even paste typed text in their own handwriting. And as users write with Apple Pencil, their handwriting will be automatically refined in real time to be smoother, straighter, and more legible.
  • With new Audio Recording and Transcription, iPad can capture a lecture or conversation, and transcripts are synced with the audio, so users can search for an exact moment in the recording.
  • Users now have even more options to express themselves through the Home Screen. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that's perfect for them. A redesigned Control Center provides easier access to many of the things users do every day, including the option to organize new controls from third-party apps.

Better for the Environment
The new iPad Air and updated iPad are designed with the environment in mind. As part of Apple 2030, the company's ambitious goal to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade, Apple is transitioning to renewable electricity for manufacturing, and investing in wind and solar projects around the world to address the electricity used to charge all Apple products, including the new iPad Air and iPad. Today, all Apple facilities run on 100 percent renewable electricity—including the data centers that power Apple Intelligence.

To achieve Apple 2030, the company is designing products with more recycled and renewable materials, which further drives down the carbon footprint. The new iPad Air and iPad each feature at least 30 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminium in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. The batteries contain 100 percent recycled cobalt and—in a first for iPad—over 95 percent recycled lithium. The new iPad Air and iPad meet Apple's high standards for energy efficiency, and are free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is also entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal of removing plastic from its packaging by the end of this year.

Pricing and Availability
  • Customers can pre-order the new iPad Air with M3 starting today, March 4, on apple.com/store, and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting March 12.
  • The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air with M3 will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB configurations.
  • The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $749 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $949 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
  • For education, the new 11-inch iPad Air starts at $549 (U.S.), and the 13-inch model starts at $749 (U.S.). Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels. For more information, visit apple.com/us-hed/shop.
  • The new Magic Keyboard, available in white, is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $269 (U.S.), and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $319 (U.S.). For education, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $249 (U.S.), and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $299 (U.S.).
  • Customers can pre-order the new iPad with A16 starting today, March 4, on apple.com/store, and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting March 12.
  • The new iPad starts with 128 GB of storage, and is also available in 256 GB and a new 512 GB configuration. Available in blue, pink, yellow, and silver, Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of $349 (U.S.), and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $499 (U.S.). For education, Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of $329 (U.S.), and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $479 (U.S.).
  • Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad is available for $249 (U.S.) and comes in white. For education, the Magic Keyboard Folio is available for $229 (U.S.).
  • Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) are compatible with the new iPad Air. Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation) are compatible with the new iPad. Apple Pencil Pro is available for $129 (U.S.), and $119 (U.S.) for education. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available for $79 (U.S.), and $69 (U.S.) for education.

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Apple continues to skimp from everything. I expected not full M3 (-1 GPU core), but disabling 1 CPU and 1 GPU core from A16 Bionic is absolute crime.
 
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Interesting there is USB C port on that keyboard. Previous gen keyboards didnt come with USB-C port. If its capable of data transfer then it can be quite useful for on field backups from memory cards.
 
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Has Apple done anything innovative since, like 2021? The iPad Air is obviously just a ploy to get rid of defective M3s (of which there were a lot because N3B was a broken node), and the iPad 11's A16 binned to an extent previously only seen on the A15 Apple TV. These are such lazy launches they seemingly didn't even update the marketing material, which they would do for spec bumps in the past. Absolute clown show as I've come to expect from Apple lately. Shame as I was so excited for the M1 generation.
 
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Has Apple done anything innovative since, like 2021? The iPad Air is obviously just a ploy to get rid of defective M3s (of which there were a lot because N3B was a broken node), and the iPad 11's A16 binned to an extent previously only seen on the A15 Apple TV. These are such lazy launches they seemingly didn't even update the marketing material, which they would do for spec bumps in the past. Absolute clown show as I've come to expect from Apple lately. Shame as I was so excited for the M1 generation.
There's really no need to innovate for the sake of innovating. Especially for what are mid-range and entry level product. Some the tech used in the iPad pro is bound is trickle down after a few years, that's about the best that you can expect.

As a whole the tablet just like the phone has become a fairly mature device, the only improvement are on speed and screen quality. I'm seeing so few foldable device out in the wild that I'm not sure that this is a valuable "innovation". They have been around for 5 years now, and still haven't become the new form factor, but stay coined to a niche luxury functionality.
 
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So they're breaking keyboard compatibility again!? Is this keyboard compatible with the previous ipad air? Or with the older pre-oled ipad pro's?

Previous gen keyboards didnt come with USB-C port.

It did, it charges slow and i'm not sure if it supports data but it was already there since the first version of the magic keyboard
 
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I've had a2018 iPad Pro 12.9' since its launch and I see little to no reason to upgrade.
 
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Has Apple done anything innovative since, like 2021? The iPad Air is obviously just a ploy to get rid of defective M3s (of which there were a lot because N3B was a broken node), and the iPad 11's A16 binned to an extent previously only seen on the A15 Apple TV. These are such lazy launches they seemingly didn't even update the marketing material, which they would do for spec bumps in the past. Absolute clown show as I've come to expect from Apple lately. Shame as I was so excited for the M1 generation.

The M series wasn’t even innovation from them. It basically crammed more of the same P cores and GPU cores from their A series into a package with a higher power envelope. They honestly just ported MacOS to ARM. With that in mind, I can’t think of a single real innovation from them in over a decade…
 
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The M series wasn’t even innovation from them. It basically crammed more of the same P cores and GPU cores from their A series into a package with a higher power envelope. They honestly just ported MacOS to ARM. With that in mind, I can’t think of a single real innovation from them in over a decade…
How about Rosetta 2? Also, porting macOS to ARM was no mean feat. And they were the first to bring ARM to the desktop (technically that would be Qualcomm but 2020-era desktop Snapdragon was absolute trash).
 
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How about Rosetta 2? Also, porting macOS to ARM was no mean feat. And they were the first to bring ARM to the desktop

Not particularly hard when they have control of the entire software, but credit where it's due they did much better than microsoft - they launched a devkit, set clear requirements and a timeline, microsoft wasn't even able keep a devkit on the market for more than a month, and it launched about 2 months after the first laptops.

Bus as this is a post about the ipad, where's rosetta on the ipad!? They're using this desktop class chips and selling keyboards that would make this into a perfectly fine laptop, but where's the software support? Some people love ipados - i don't know what mental illness that's a symptom of but whatever, where's a "macos" app that others could launch to use with a keyboard?

That's the innovation ipad users have been begging for, but they just refuse to do it. It's a glorified content watching machine and nothing more.
 
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How about Rosetta 2? Also, porting macOS to ARM was no mean feat. And they were the first to bring ARM to the desktop (technically that would be Qualcomm but 2020-era desktop Snapdragon was absolute trash).

Rosetta 2 was forced since they didn’t want to lose a lot of x86 dependent customers

Windows on Arm (WinRT) was a thing back during with Win 8. It just didn’t gain any traction back then.


Not particularly hard when they have control of the entire software, but credit where it's due they did much better than microsoft - they launched a devkit, set clear requirements and a timeline, microsoft wasn't even able keep a devkit on the market for more than a month, and it launched about 2 months after the first laptops.

This
 
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Rosetta 2 was forced since they didn’t want to lose a lot of x86 dependent customers
The point is, even though it's nearing 5 years old it's still better then the bullshit Microsoft has. That's impressive no matter how you slice it.
 
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