Apple launches new iPad Air with powerful M3 chip

Apple has unveiled its latest iPad Air, featuring the powerful M3 chip alongside a newly designed Magic Keyboard, bringing significant performance and usability enhancements to the tablet lineup.

The introduction of the M3 chip marks a substantial upgrade to the iPad Air, with Apple highlighting improvements in performance efficiency and graphics capabilities. According to the company, the iPad Air with M3 is nearly twice as fast as its M1 predecessor and up to 3.5 times faster than the model with the A14 Bionic chip. "iPad Air is so popular because of its unmatched combination of powerful performance, portability, and support for advanced accessories, all at an affordable price," stated Bob Borchers, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing.

The M3 chip incorporates an 8-core CPU, enhancing multithreaded CPU workflows by up to 35% compared to the M1 chip. Additionally, it includes a 9-core GPU, which promises up to 40% faster graphics performance, facilitating demanding tasks such as graphics-intensive game playing and rendering. For users, this means a more fluid and visually immersive experience, supported by features like dynamic caching and ray tracing.

The iPad Air with M3 also features enhancements in AI capabilities, boasting a Neural Engine that is up to 60% faster for AI-based tasks compared to the M1. This is in line with Apple's focus on delivering more proactive personal assistance through its Apple Intelligence systems across its devices.

Expanding on its compatibility with advanced accessories, the new iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C Apple Pencil, offering users increased flexibility for creative tasks. The recently launched Magic Keyboard further augments the usability of the iPad Air with a larger trackpad and a function row for quick access to common features.

Apple Intelligence is a key area of development in the new iPad Air, described as a personal intelligence system that aids in better usability and enhanced features. This includes new tools like Image Wand, deployed for creating visually engaging notes, and more interactive Siri capabilities.

Privacy remains a priority for Apple, with Apple Intelligence employing on-device processing where possible. For tasks necessitating larger models, Apple's Private Cloud Compute ensures that data security is upheld during processing without storing or sharing information with Apple.

Additionally, the iPad Air's environmental impact has been carefully considered. Apple notes its commitment to sustainable practices, highlighting the extensive use of recycled materials in the product's construction, as part of the company's goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The updated iPad, benefiting from the A16 chip, has also been launched, promising improvements in performance with its increased storage capacity from the outset. This chip delivers up to a 50% increase in overall performance compared to older models, significantly enhancing the iPad's capabilities.

Offering competitive pricing, the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air is available starting at AUD $999 / NZD $1,199 and AUD $1,399 / NZD $1,549 respectively. The education sector sees pricing adjustments, with discounts available for students and educational staff. Both Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi plus Cellular models are offered, broadening accessibility to diverse user needs.

The new devices, available for pre-order as of today and hitting the stores on 12 March, are presented in aesthetic finishes such as blue, purple, starlight, and space grey. Customers can choose from different storage capacities ranging from 128GB to 1TB.