Apple Upgrades iPad Air to M4 Chip, Keeps Original Price
Apple has officially upgraded the iPad Air line, introducing the M4 chip while maintaining the original pricing structure. The base model, measuring 11 inches, continues to retail at $599. The larger 13-inch version is priced at $799, offering notable enhancements without additional cost.
Performance Boost with M4 Chip
The new M4 chip delivers a significant performance improvement, boasting a 30% faster CPU compared to the previous M3 model. Despite this upgrade, both the CPU and GPU core counts remain unchanged, featuring eight CPU cores and nine GPU cores.
Enhanced Memory and Bandwidth
- Unified memory has increased by 50%, now totaling 12GB.
- Memory bandwidth has been boosted to 120GB/s, enhancing the device’s ability to run advanced AI models efficiently.
Advanced Connectivity Options
The iPad Air with M4 chip includes Apple’s latest connectivity technologies, the N1 and C1X. These improvements promise to enhance overall performance in various usage scenarios.
- The N1 chip improves reliability and speed on 5GHz networks, enhancing features like Wi-Fi hotspots and AirDrop.
- The C1X chip offers up to 50% faster cellular data performance, with 30% less energy usage compared to the previous M3 models.
Availability
Preorders for the upgraded iPad Air begin on March 4, with shipping set for March 11. Customers can choose from a range of colors including blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.
