Apple on Tuesday followed up on itspromise to unloose Modern products this weekby unveiling thenew iPad Airless than 10 months after last yr ’s model . It has a new M3 chip and , well , that ’s it .
Seriously , that ’s it . The colors are the same , the screen is the same , the Wi - Fi and Bluetooth are the same , the cameras are the same , even the wallpaper is the same . You get a very slightly faster chip for the same price as the M2 : $ 599 for the 11 - column inch model and $ 799 for the 13 - inch model . The only other difference in the specification sheet has to do with the eSIM , which now “ support modern eSIM technology for more restroom and security . ” Otherwise , they ’re identical .
Apple says the unexampled M3 chip shot will save a 20 percent performance boost over the M2 , which is near out of the question to value in day - to - day tasks . So if you buy an M2 model , you ’re not missing out on anything .
The upgrade to an M3 in itself is interesting because Apple hasdocumented issueswith the production of the micro chip . The Mac miniskirt skipped it tout ensemble and Apple never made an Ultra version for the Mac Studio and Mac Pro . It ’s notable , however , that this version has a 9 - core GPU , which could be a stockpile of “ binned ” microchip that did n’t have the full 10 - effect GPU . The humble fashion model of the M3 MacBook Air has an 8 - core GPU while all other versions have a 10 - core GPU .
There ’s also a new Magic Keyboard ( 11 - inch , $ 269/13 - inch , $ 319 ) built specifically for the iPad Air with all of the features from the Pro model : a larger trackpad , 14 - keystone function course , “ machine aluminum hinge ” and USB - C pass - through for commove . It ’s the first time a Magic Keyboard was made specifically for the iPad Air ; previous models were made for the iPad Pro but still check the iPad Air .
Prices for the new iPad Air set forth at $ 599 for the 11 - column inch model and $ 799 for the 13 - inch mannikin with 128 GB of storage . You canpreorder the new tabletsnow for delivery March 12 .
