Less than a year after updating it with the M2 chip and introducing a larger-screen option, Apple gave the iPad Air another hardware refresh with a power bump. To boost its already formidable productivity chops, Apple also treated the iPad Air to a new, more affordably priced Magic Keyboard with a dedicated function row.

Apple has just unveiled the first two entries in its 2025 iPad lineup, but choosing the right one feels tougher than ever in today's landscape.

The iPad Air 11 with M3 is fine for certain tasks, but it can’t be your cheaper MacBook with a touchscreen. It’s better than last year’s model, but good enough may not be enough to justify the upgrade for lingering M1 iPad Air users.