New iPad Air, powered by M4

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Positioning, “Value,” and Product Line Confusion

  • Many see “value” messaging as the week’s marketing theme, with iPad Air and cheaper iPhones setting up contrast to high‑end Macs.
  • Several find the Air’s role unclear: it feels like a mid‑tier between base iPad and Pro with modest upgrades (M‑series chip, better screen, Pencil support), but not compelling for everyone.
  • Others argue the Air is the cheapest way to get M‑series performance, laminated/P3 display, 13" size, and better Pencil, so it fills a real middle slot.

Hardware: M4, RAM, Weight, and Display

  • M4 and 12 GB RAM are viewed as massive overkill for typical tablet workloads (web, video, casual apps), but some welcome it for:
    • 3D modeling, photo/video editing, music production, local AI image/LLM tools, heavy games.
    • Better perf‑per‑watt and “future‑proofing” as web/apps bloat.
  • Multiple comments note that Air is heavier than Pro and stuck at 60 Hz, while Pro keeps 120 Hz ProMotion and better speakers.
  • Camera bump causing wobble when writing on a table annoys some.
  • Thicker bezels are largely defended on ergonomic grounds (place to grip).

iPadOS Limitations vs Hardware

  • Persistent theme: Apple’s hardware team is far ahead of iPadOS.
  • Complaints:
    • No macOS, no proper VMs, restricted terminals, limited background processing, sandboxing.
    • “Gimped” pro apps (Logic, Final Cut, Resolve) compared to desktop.
    • Windowing/Stage Manager feels awkward, especially on small iPad Minis.
  • Some counter that iPadOS is already sufficient for many: students, field workers, artists, pilots, musicians, and remote‑desktop users.

Longevity, Performance Degradation, and Obsolescence

  • Many report iPads lasting 7–10+ years for media and light tasks; older Pro/A‑series models still fine for local apps but struggle on modern web.
  • Complaints about OS “bloat” and app developers dropping support; debate over how much is Apple vs third‑party decisions.
  • Frustration that Apple doesn’t unlock bootloaders for unsupported devices; some see this as environmental hypocrisy.

Multi‑User Profiles and Household Use

  • Strong demand for user profiles, especially for shared family/house devices and Vision Pro; lack of this keeps iPads as single‑person “toys.”
  • Several note that multi‑user exists on iPad via education/business MDM (“Shared iPad”), so its absence for consumers is viewed as a deliberate business choice.

Use Cases and “What Are iPads For?”

  • Common real‑world uses: “portable TV,” comics/PDFs, Procreate, sheet music, gym and kitchen screens, dashboards, kids’ YouTube, and mobile gaming.
  • Some conclude that for their needs a phone + laptop is superior; others say an iPad has become their main or only computer.