Apple iPad Air 13" M2 (2024)

The iPad Air 13" (with M2 chip), released in May 2024, marked a historic milestone in Apple's tablet lineup: For the first time, users had the opportunity to utilize the massive 13-inch format without having to pay the astronomical prices of the Pro series. Even in April 2026, this tablet is still an absolute performance beast, as the installed M2 chip keeps the software (iPadOS) miles ahead. Those looking for a massive digital canvas for drawing, note-taking, or a mobile office, and who can live with a classic 60Hz display, will find the absolute "sweet spot" in Apple's portfolio.

Positioning and Target Audience

The iPad Air 13" is aimed at students, hobby creatives, and multitaskers who need a lot of screen real estate but can forgo absolute high-end features like an OLED display or Face ID. In the current market (as of 2026), it perfectly fills the gap between the regular base iPad and the outrageously expensive iPad Pro (M4), making it the most sensible choice for anyone looking to use the tablet as a laptop replacement.

Display and Design

There is plenty of brightness here, but also the biggest, often criticized compromise:

• The 13-inch screen: The Liquid Retina Display (IPS-LCD) is excellently calibrated, gets sufficiently bright (600 nits), and offers massive space for split-screen apps.
• The 60Hz compromise: Unlike the Pro models (with 120Hz ProMotion), the Air remains at 60Hz. Those coming from a Pro device or a current premium smartphone will notice a slight lag when scrolling quickly. However, those who have never experienced 120Hz will not be bothered by it.
• Design & Camera: The casing is extremely flat and of high quality. The best design decision by far: The front camera has finally moved to the long side (landscape). During video calls in landscape mode (e.g., with a keyboard), you now look directly at your counterpart instead of from a strange side angle. Unlocking is still reliably done via Touch ID in the power button (no Face ID).

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood lies desktop performance:

• M2 chip: The jump from the M1 to the M2 chip may seem small on paper, but the performance reserves are gigantic. Video editing in Final Cut Pro, complex 3D design, or gaming at console level runs absolutely smoothly. The device is practically bored with everyday tasks.
• Storage: Apple has thankfully raised the base storage to 128 GB starting in 2024, which is more than sufficient for most everyday users (especially with iCloud usage).

Accessories & Apple Pencil Pro

The 13-inch Air is fully integrated into the modern ecosystem:

• Apple Pencil Pro: It supports the new Apple Pencil Pro (as well as the cheaper Pencil with USB-C). The Pro stylus brings brilliant features like haptic feedback, "Squeeze" (squeezing for tool palettes), and "Barrel Roll" (rolling the stylus for precise brush strokes) – a dream for digital artists. However, older Pencils (2nd Gen) no longer work here!
• Magic Keyboard: It is compatible with the classic Magic Keyboard, which turns the iPad into a full-fledged laptop replacement.

Battery and Software

The battery life delivers the standard values advertised by Apple:

• Endurance: When surfing, watching videos, or typing, you can reliably get through a full workday (about 10 hours). With demanding games or high brightness, the battery of the large display naturally drains a bit faster.
• Software: Thanks to the M2 chip, the Air fully supports the "Stage Manager" for true window multitasking, even on an external monitor. Additionally, all "Apple Intelligence" features (Apple's AI) run smoothly and locally on the device thanks to the powerful NPU.

Conclusion and Price-Performance Ratio

With a rather hefty MSRP of €949, the 13-inch model launched in May 2024. Two years later, in spring 2026, the street price (or the price for professionally refurbished "Refurbished" devices) has often dropped to a very attractive €650 to €750. At this price, the iPad Air 13" M2 is an absolute recommendation. For those who do not necessarily need the 120Hz screen of the Pro series, this offers a huge, powerful, and future-proof tablet that will not have performance issues even in the next four to five years.