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Compared: 2022 iPad Air vs 2021 iPad vs 11-inch iPad Pro

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March 2022

charlesn said:

muthuk_vanalingam said:

Thank you AI for making this comparison article. So the iPad Air 2022 seems like a much better value for money when compared to the 11 inch iPad Pro. For $200 extra, we get 120Hz refresh rate in display (vs 60Hz), 128 GB base storage (vs 64 GB base storage), extra camera and LIDAR in the 11 inch iPad Pro when compared to iPad Air 2022. Not sure how much important those features are for majority of the iPad target audience though (128 GB base storage seems to be the most convincing among them). Apple need to update the 11 inch iPad Pro soon, with newer features to distinguish it from the iPad Air 2022.

So here's what's tricky about the "value" of the Air 2022: the 64GB base storage is tight for a lot of people, especially if you're thinking about future-proofing, with 128GB being a nice sweet spot. But Apple doesn't offer a RAM bump to 128GB on the Air. Instead, you have to go to 256GB, probably more than you need, which adds a whopping 25% to the base price and brings it to $749, which is just $50 shy of the iPad Pro with the better display, extra camera and Lidar. But wait! Because the iPad Pro 11" has been out for a while, that base model is regularly available at a discounted price of $749--and sometimes even less--while the new Air is unlikely to see that level of discounting for a while. Bottom line: if the 64GB base storage on the Air isn't enough for you, then the base iPad Pro 11" with 128GB of storage will likely cost you no more than the Air 256GB, and may even cost less, while that nicer Pro display is something you'll appreciate every time you use it.

Exactly. I need more than 64gb, especially if I’m spending that kind of money, which puts me within $50 of the Pro. I was buying a gift recently, and didn’t necessarily need a Pro, but decided that 64gb was insufficient, there was a promotional price for the Pro, and the better speakers seemed like a meaningful upgrade, since the iPad would be used for a lot of streaming, Zoom, etc. The Air seems like an odd niche product once you start comparing it to the alternatives. If you’re sensitive to price, the entry-level iPad is a much better value that meets the core needs of most users, and if you’re a power user and/or less sensitive to price, the Pro is the best option.

Safari Translation uncovers March 8 event hints on international Apple sites

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March 2022

An Apple Car that can jam police radar. You read it here first.

Leaked plan shows Intel will try to be more efficient than M1 Max by late 2023

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February 2022

redgeminipa said:

So, in other words, Intel is admitting they're an easy 2 years behind Apple in chip development. Because, you know, Apple's 2023 M-series chips will be... more powerful and efficient than the current crop...

Where was Intel's motivation when Apple was a dedicated customer all of those years? How long ago did the rumors of Apple's plans to make computer SOCs start flying? Why didn't Intel attempt to get into gear then? They had plenty of time to attempt to retain Apple as a customer, but kept dragging their feet. This is starting to sound a little like the Blackberry story, or was it called the Blueberry? Those are such a distant memory anymore.

Haha. I remember being in a meeting with some investment bankers around 2005, and as an example of his dedication to his work, one proclaimed, “I sleep with my blueberry.”

Apple looking to the past, working on how to put a Mac in a keyboard

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February 2022

mark fearing said:

Depending on what exactly you do, or innovate, it could be patentable. And you often file patents that are questionable just to have a stake. It seems like a worthwhile place to investigate future form factors. Using TV’s or any monitor seems handy. I think it’s silly to not explore ideas fully, look at engineering changes and the state of current tech to see what’s possible. I’d be weary of dismissing ideas just because someone tried it before, perhaps not doing it well, or tech has changed to allow a new aspect to radically change what’s possible.

Agreed. It doesn’t seem that hard to seal the top off to avoid liquid damage from above, for example, or at least to limit that damage to the keyboard component. Given what they’ve been able to do with the M1 MacBook Air and iPad Pro, I’d say they could probably even seal up the sides and bottom and still have a very capable machine.

What I wonder is if there are enough use cases in which this approach is strongly preferable to that of a MacBook Air, an iPad that can be paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, or a Mac Mini. I’d consider buying one, but a Mac Mini would do the same job just about as well.