iPad Air vs. iPad Pro: Which Tablet is Better for Creativity?

When it comes to choosing the ideal tablet for creativity, Apple has two solid options – the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Both devices have great features and unique advantages, but which one is right for you? Let’s break down the key differences and capabilities so you can decide which iPad to buy in 2024.

The Perfect Display for Creativity

The iPad Pro M4 is equipped with an Ultra Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology, supporting a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. This specification determines image formation speed and frame rate. The higher the rate, the smoother objects move on the screen. This is especially noticeable in dynamic scenes, games, drawing, modeling, and even regular content scrolling.

The latest iPad Pro model reaches an impressive brightness of 1000 nits, and up to 1600 nits in HDR mode. There are versions with nano-textured glass, which diffuses light rays, eliminating even the slightest glare. You can work comfortably even under bright sunlight without needing to find shade. This display is ideal for content creation if high contrast and vibrant colors are a priority, regardless of the environment.

The lightweight iPad Air has a Liquid Retina display with a 60 Hz refresh rate – sufficient for standard tasks, though it may struggle with intense graphics.

The 11-inch iPad Air 2024 model has a brightness of 500 nits, while the 13-inch model reaches 600 nits. These are optimal levels for comfortable use under typical office or home lighting conditions. The iPad Air display also has an anti-glare coating, though without nanostructuring.

iPad Air M2	iPad Pro M4
Liquid Retina display	More advanced OLED Ultra Retina XDR display
60 Hz refresh rate	Higher refresh rate – up to 120 Hz
Brightness of 500-600 nits	Brighter screen: peak brightness – up to 1600 nits
Standard anti-glare coating	Configurations available with nano-textured display

Performance: iPad Pro M4 VS iPad Air M2

Power is a critical factor for creativity on a tablet, especially if you plan to use the iPad for graphic design, video editing, or drawing.

Both the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2 are designed with Apple Intelligence capabilities. They last around 10 hours on a single charge, allowing you to create anywhere throughout the day without worrying about the tablet running out of power and losing unsaved work.

The new iPad Pro operates on the advanced M4 chip. The number of graphics processor cores varies by version:

·       256 GB and 512 GB: 9-core CPU and 10-core GPU

·       1 TB and 2 TB: both CPU and GPU have 10 cores

In both versions, the Neural Engine has 16 cores. The GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, delivering realistic lighting, shadows, reflections, and enhanced creative potential. This enables more complex, high-quality visual projects and immersive gaming experiences if you’re looking to unwind.

Additionally, there is a LiDAR scanner that uses a laser to measure distances to objects – a crucial feature for augmented reality, 3D design, and construction projects. These capabilities make the iPad Pro the perfect choice for working on video editing in Final Cut Pro, audio in Logic Pro, as well as 3D design and complex graphics.

The latest iPad Air model features the M2 chip. The tablet is equipped with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. The neural processor includes 16 cores. This combination enables fast processing of multiple apps simultaneously, even for resource-intensive tasks:

·       video rendering,

·       uploading large files,

·       working with graphic applications, and other processes.

The iPad Air also excels in graphics performance: its 9-core GPU provides excellent rendering capabilities, which is especially important for applications related to 3D modeling and gaming graphics.

iPad Air M2	iPad Pro M4
M2 chip	More advanced M4 chip
8-core CPU, 9-core GPU	9 or 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores
No LiDAR scanner	Equipped with LiDAR scanner
No support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing	More realistic images. Supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing

Essential Accessories

If you plan to use the tablet professionally for retouching and drawing, you’ll need a stylus. The Apple Pencil lets you quickly switch between brushes and other tools, speeding up the creation of mockups, logos, and illustrations. It also detects pressure and tilt angle, allowing you to vary line thickness and intensity – convenient when working with gradients and textures.

The Magic Keyboard turns the tablet into a full-fledged computer, featuring a trackpad, additional function keys, and a palm rest. Creating masterpieces becomes even more enjoyable with it.

Both the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2 work seamlessly with the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple Pencil Pro. They also connect with the Magic Keyboard. However, unlike the iPad Pro, the iPad Air does not support Thunderbolt – a port that enables the tablet to connect to additional devices like monitors, cameras, and other equipment.

Which Storage Option Should You Choose?

If you work professionally with content, opt for the maximum storage capacity—high-quality images, videos, and graphics take up a lot of space.

Here’s where the latest iPad Pro model shines: configurations range from 256 GB to 2 TB, while the iPad Air offers 128 GB to 1 TB. The choice depends entirely on your needs.

iPad Air M2	iPad Pro M4
No Thunderbolt support.	Thunderbolt support: Connect external monitors and other devices.
Storage options: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB.	More storage options: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB.

Comparing iPad Air and iPad Pro by Size

An iPad is a mobile device suitable for use at an office desk or even held in hand at a tattoo studio. Both the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2 are available in two sizes:

·       11 inches

·       13 inches

However, their weight differs. The Air lives up to its name: it weighs 462 grams (11-inch) or 617 grams (13-inch). The device is thinner than a pencil—just 6.1 mm thick.

The 11-inch iPad Pro weighs 444 grams, and the 13-inch version weighs 579 grams. This model is the thinnest in Apple’s history: its thickness is 5.1 mm (11-inch) or 5.3 mm (13-inch).

Which Size Should You Choose?

The 11-inch screen is considered universal. It fits easily in a carry-on and doesn’t take up much space on a café table.

However, the 13-inch display is more convenient for working with detailed elements—like editing designs in Figma. But for active freelancers, this advantage can turn into a drawback: a larger tablet is less portable. For comparison, a 12.9-inch display is nearly the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

iPad Air M2	iPad Pro M4
Weight: 462 g (11-inch) or 617 g (13-inch)	Weight: 444 g (11-inch) or 579 g (13-inch)
Thickness: 6.1 mm	The thinnest iPad ever: 5.1–5.3 mm

Creative Apps to Download

·       Apple Notes: Ideal for simple sketches. Grab an Apple Pencil and start creating. You can easily combine text, drawings, and photos in this app.

·       Procreate Pocket: A favorite among artists. It offers endless drawing possibilities and an intuitive interface. With Apple Pencil, every stroke becomes a masterpiece.

·       Adobe Fresco: A virtual drawing board designed for painters and illustrators. Easily blend colors and experiment with textures.

·       SketchBook: Offers a wide range of brushes and tools, making it easy to create quick sketches or detailed artwork. The interface is user-friendly, even for beginners.

You can also work with industry-standard apps like Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer, DaVinci Resolve, and more—all of which run seamlessly on an iPad.

So, Which Is Better: iPad Air or iPad Pro?

If you’re just starting in digital art, need a device for everyday tasks, and don’t want to overpay for features you won’t use, the iPad Air is an excellent choice. It has a powerful chip and great energy efficiency.

However, if you’re a professional earning or planning to earn money using your tablet, the iPad Pro is the better option. It will pay for itself quickly and last a long time.

Still unsure which iPad to choose? Visit iSpace to test both devices—they’re available for hands-on demos. Our consultants will walk you through the features of each model. You can also purchase the iPad Pro M4 and iPad Air M2 online in our catalog.

We’d be happy to see you at iSpace! Don’t forget about our trade-in program, convenient payment options, and fast delivery nationwide.