Apple comes with a renewed iPad Air, a renewed entry -level model of the iPad and a new Magic keyboard. Read here about all versions, specifications, Apple Intelligence, prices and advice which model you can best purchase.
Bert van Dijk Volunteer Apple.hcc.nl
Apple has announced a renewed iPad Air, while the Basic IPad has also been improved. Below you can read what those innovations mean, so that you can make a good choice if you are looking for a new iPad. The new Magic Keyboard, Apple Intelligence and the prices are also discussed.
iPad Air prices, screen size and storage space
The iPad Air is for sale in four colors (blue, purple, star light and spacegrijs) and in addition to the handy 11inch version you can also opt for a larger 13inch model. In the cheapest version with 128GB storage space, the iPad Air costs 719 euros, the larger version is for sale from 969 euros. With this iPad Air you can use the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil. For an additional cost of 170 euros you can purchase a 5G version with E-SIM at Apple. For 256 GB, 512 GB or 1TB, prices continue to rise by 130, 280 and 630 euros. If you need a lot of extra storage space, then sometimes offers from an older iPad Pro can be very interesting. You then also benefit from a better screen.
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Better M3 processor
The iPad Air now has a less stream consuming M3 processor instead of the M2 processor. With the Neural Engine in the M3 processor, the new iPad Air up to 60% is faster with the new possibilities of Apple Intelligence. The CPU is approximately 20 % faster than the M2 processor. Thanks to 2 extra GPU cores, Ray Tracing and hardware acceleration, the graphic rendering is even up to 4x as fast as the M1 iPad Air. Exposure, reflections and shadows are therefore even more realistic in games. Furthermore, there are no important innovations. It is a pity that the iPad Air has not received a M4 processor that is present in the iPad Pro from 2024. The cheaper Apple Mac Mini is equipped with that very fast processor.
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New Magic Keyboard
The new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air, just like the version for the iPad Pro, now clicks magnetically to the iPad and has 14 function keys. Thanks to the Smart Connector you always have a stable connection without Bluetooth and the keyboard is never without power. With the larger trackpad you can work even more precisely. A USB-C connector is also useful in the aluminum hinge to charge your device during use. For the Magic Keyboard you pay with 329 euros for the 11inch version and 349 euros for the 13inch version a very strong additional cost. I would rather purchase an iPad Pro with better screen and M4 Processor in combination with a much cheaper keyboard.
Apple Intelligence offers new possibilities
In the photos app you can easily remove disturbing elements with Apple Intelligence with the spacious feature and you will find recordings in no time with a search in your own words. In the notes app you can turn a rough sketch into a beautiful image. And if you circling an empty place in a note, the image brush makes a relevant image that fits the surrounding information. Also nice is SmartScript where your handwritten text is automatically converted into a more readable text that still looks like your own handwriting. The new audio recording and transcription are also useful. This allows you to record a lecture or conversation and automatically make a typed text of it that runs synchronously with the audio recording, so that you can quickly look up the correct fragment.
With Genmoji you generate small emoji images from a description. A little later you can also improve your Dutch texts and you can better have personal conversations with Siri. Then Siri can also help you with all kinds of tasks on your iPad. Furthermore, you can also use the advanced options of Chatgpt for free and without account (= more privacy). Your privacy is also protected because many applications with Apple Intelligence are performed locally on the iPad.
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iPad 2025 not suitable for Apple Intelligence
Apple has also renewed the entry-level model with twice as much storage space and a slightly faster A16 chip, making this basic version not suitable for Apple Intelligence. If you are looking for a cheap iPad that is suitable for Apple Intelligence, you could look at an iPad Air with M1 processor.
The new basic IPad is 30% faster than the iPad from 2022 and is now for sale with 128GB storage space from 409 euros. The starting price has even become 30 euros lower. Here too you pay for a version with 5G 170 euros extra and you can no longer use a physical SIM card. For 256 GB or 512 GB, prices continue to rise by 130 and 280 euros. The latter additional price is almost as much as a second basic IPad! That clearly shows that more storage space at Apple is still very expensive in proportion. In such a case, in certain cases you are better off with an iPad Air to which you connect an SSD. You can also choose from the colors blue, pink, yellow and silver at the Basic-Impad 2025. With the iPad you can use the USB-C version and the first version of the Apple Pencil.
Apple also charges a solid price for the Magic Folio Keyboard with 299 euros in relation to the iPad. At Logitech you will find various cheaper alternatives for both iPads. If you mainly type at home, for example, the Logitech Pop Icon Combo with a suggested retail price of 79.99 euros is an attractively priced combination of keyboard and mouse.
Tip: students, their parents and teachers from a university or college and other education employees including those who give home education are eligible for a educational discount on both iPads via https://www.apple.com/nl-edu/shop/