iPad Air & Magic Keyboard Review: Why It Outperforms a MacBook for Versatile Use
Apple’s New iPad Air & Magic Keyboard: A MacBook Alternative?
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Apple’s latest iPad Air has arrived with the powerful M3 chip and Apple Intelligence AI tools, promising a faster, smarter experience. Available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, it comes in sleek colors—blue, purple, starlight, and space gray—with storage up to 1TB. Paired with the new Magic Keyboard, this duo blurs the line between tablet and laptop.
The iPad Air shines in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.
Key Upgrades
While the design mirrors its predecessor, the M3 chip boosts performance for multitasking and graphics-heavy apps. The 13-inch model boasts a stunning Liquid Retina display, ideal for movies, gaming, or note-taking. However, creative pros might find the screen cramped for apps like Final Cut Pro compared to a MacBook.
Magic Keyboard: Game-Changer
The star of the show is the Magic Keyboard, transforming the iPad into a laptop-like powerhouse. It attaches magnetically, with a seamless trackpad and a 14-key function row for brightness, volume, and more. Typing feels natural, and the setup works flawlessly—no Bluetooth pairing needed. At £269–£299, it’s pricey but elevates productivity, especially for recipes, emails, or shopping lists.
The Magic Keyboard adds a laptop feel with a responsive trackpad.
Apple Intelligence: AI Magic
The iPad Air taps into Apple Intelligence, enhancing creativity and efficiency:
- Clean Up Tool: Erase photo distractions (similar to Google’s Magic Eraser).
- Image Wand: Turn sketches into polished art in Notes.
- Proofreading: Fix grammar/spelling errors in real-time.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Generate custom emojis or art from text prompts.
Price & Verdict
The iPad Air starts at £599 (11-inch) and scales to £1,299 (13-inch 1TB). With the Magic Keyboard, costs hit £868–£1,598—more than a MacBook Air (£999–£1,399). Yet, the iPad’s versatility shines: detach the keyboard for tablet mode or attach it for laptop-like work.
iPad + Keyboard vs. MacBook Air: Which suits your lifestyle?
Should You Buy It?
If you crave portability and Apple’s AI tools, the iPad Air + Magic Keyboard is a stellar combo. But if budget matters, the MacBook Air offers better value for traditional laptop users.
Testing Methodology: Devices were tested in real-world settings (office, home, travel), evaluating display, battery, design, and software.
Shivali Best, MailOnline’s Science & Tech Editor, has reviewed gadgets for nine years, ensuring thorough, unbiased insights.
