Apple - 10.9-Inch iPad Air (5th Generation) M1 chip Wi-Fi - 256GB - Space Gray

It was crucial to me to find an iPad that was compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which I highly liked over all other pencils. This iPad is compatible with that specific pencil. I thought it was neat that the pencil could charge from the iPad instead of needing to be connected to a charger because it could attach to the iPad magnetically. My primary uses for this iPad are book writing, digital art, and note-taking. I use it for three to six hours every day, leave it on constantly, and only need to charge it once every three to four days. Even though it's not tiny, it's still smaller than a laptop and can fit in the big purse or tote that I use on a daily basis, so I carry it everywhere I go. It's excellent for digital artists, graphic designers, and/or students who need to take notes, study, work on projects, write papers, and much more (buy a typing keyboard case). When I use a pencil to sketch or create digital art, it moves across the computer as effortlessly as an ink pen does on paper. There is no lag, no weird effects, and everything appears exactly how I drew it on the screen.Furthermore, this is far superior to purchasing a graphic tablet and connecting it to a PC or laptop. Thus far, I haven't encountered any slowness when using the iPad for any purpose. I adore it so much; everything loads and syncs up really rapidly. But I probably won’t though since my phone has a hotspot and majority of the time I just connect it to that if I’m not at home to use wifi, still works like a charm. I am very pleased with my purchase and this was 100% worth the money. I haven’t nearly run out of storage or anything, I’m just afraid that I will create so many files or download so many apps that one day I MIGHT actually run out but that day is probably a long way away.

For this review I am comparing the iPad Air 5 to my Samsung TabS7 that I have used for about 1 year. I am also new to the Apple eco system (I will never give up my Pixel). I have been using the iPad Air 5 with 256GB for a little over one week. I had to purchase the Apple Pencil with it (a must for my needs) and a simple leather folio case from Torro to protect it. The case has a nice flap that keeps the Pencil secure in my work bag so I don't have to worry about losing it. Inside the box there is the iPad Air, a USB C cable, and a power brick. There is no micro sd slot and one USB C connection. The iPad Air is a beautiful device. The build quality is very nice. The aluminum body is cool to the touch and feels good in my hands. Amazingly it is both lighter and larger than the S7, and the squared sides are smoother, more refined to the touch. I also like that the power button is on the Top/Left side of the tablet. I don't have to worry about pressing the power button instead of the volume rocker. The case that I purchased does interfere slightly with the fingerprint sensor, but I have got used to it in a couple of days. I have recently heard that people are complaining about the build quality. They say Apple made the aluminum case thinner and the tablet creaks and flexes when people use it. I have not experienced this while taking notes, drawing on the tablet, or when holding it and watching content. I have not attempted to bend or flex it (why would anyone) and I have to wonder what people are doing with this tablet to get it to do that. The M1 chip handles every task and nothing slows this tablet down. The screen is beautiful. Colors are warm and rich. Text is easy to read and content watching is great. The bezels are there but minimal. There is a slight glare like on most tablets and you will want to keep a microfiber cloth handy to remove fingerprints. There are four speaker grills in the body of the iPad Air, but it only has two speakers. The sound quality is slightly tinny and not as rich or full when I compare it to the S7. Because it is shown as a device to be used for content creation and consumption I would have expected a better experience from the iPad. The sound isn't bad, but at this price point it should be much better. The camera is another area where the iPad is lacking. Both front and rear cameras are much better on the Tab S7 than the iPad. While the iPad does produce a picture that is better than it initially looks on the screen, it is just ok. It tends to produce pictures that are warmer (more yellow). The camera placement also takes some getting used to. The selfie camera is best in portrait mode and really takes some getting used to when used in landscape. Also, when taking a selfie, the image flips so that the picture is not a true representation. Again, for a tablet that is shown being used to create content I expected more. Using the iPad Air to take notes or draw on is an enjoyable experience. I use Sketchbook and Adobe and the apps seem to work and perform better on the iPad. I like the Apple Pencil more as an input device. It definitely feels more like a pencil or pen because of its' size, but is heavier than what I am used to using. I wish that Apple had made the texture more like the rubberized feeling S pen, but for size and screen contact, the iPad wins. The Pencil also has stronger magnets that hold it to the tablet more securely. I also like that the Pencil attaches to the top of the top/right side of the tablet. The double tap feature is another thing that I really like about the Pencil. The Pencil is not included with the iPad Air, so I had to spend an extra $130.00. As someone who needs the functionality the Pencil provide this was not an option. While there are less expensive pencil options, the mixed reviews caused me to pass on them. Battery life is also good. In the limited time I have been using the iPad Air I have not been able to deplete the battery. I can listen to music or podcasts while taking notes or drawing and still end up with a 40% charge at the end of the day. Something else I really like is the size of the widgets. The space required for each of the ones I use allows for better placement on the screen. I never thought I would have said that Apple allows for better customization, but it does on this tablet. I really like the iPad Air. It syncs flawlessly with my Mac Mini and MacBook Air. I can use it as an extra screen via Sidecar. It also functions as a drawing tablet while I work in Photoshop or Lightroom. These are benefits I cannot have with a non Apple tablet so I have to take that into consideration when reviewing this device. The initial cost plus the added cost needed to allow it to function for my needs made me want look at the iPad Air more critically. And to an extent I have. The added functionality though make it a great value for me. One final thing. If I did not need the integration I would have happily stayed with the Tab S7.

The color is vibrant. I bought the Apple Pencil separately and that works perfectly with it. The battery life isn’t the best when playing games (which is a primary use) but it does quickly charge back up.