The iPad Air is compatible with both the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil. (Amazon)(Amazon)
Wait, wait, wait — you're not traveling with a laptop just so you can watch movies, are you? Time to switch to a tablet, which is a zillion times better for on-the-go entertainment (and much easier to tote, too). And we've got just the one: As part of the massive wave of Cyber Monday tech deals, Apple's iPad Air is down to $499 right now. That's $100 off the base model in the Space Grey or Starlight hues. But don't wait; two of the four available colors are sold out, and the remaining two are likely to go fast.
You might be wondering about the differences between a smartphone, desktop computer and iPad, and what exactly you might need from an Apple tablet. We have you covered there too: Check out our guide to the best iPad of 2024.
Wanna go Pro? This pair has two times more Active Noise Cancellation than its predecessors, and you'll save nearly 60 bucks.
Tired of contending with a menagerie of remotes every time you want to watch TV? Stop the insanity with this Fire TV Stick — it can replace 'em all! You'll be able to effortlessly switch between the news, sports, live TV and your favorite streaming platforms for easy access to millions of shows and movies, plus watch over 300,000 titles for free via the included apps. Want to use voice control to navigate? Yup, it's got Alexa built in, too. This is the lowest price we've seen!
"I've converted my entire family to Fire Sticks," wrote a fan. "They're so user-friendly that even my elderly mother can handle it. It takes away the stress of multiple remotes and puts everything in one easy-to-use location."
If traditional iPads are a bit too cumbersome for your daily routine, the smaller, more approachable Mini may be right up your alley. It's only 8.3 inches wide and is small enough to hold with just one hand. During Prime Day, it's sitting at a new all-time low price — $25 cheaper than we've ever seen it.
"I never realized how much I needed an iPad until I got this. The Mini is so cute and it fits in my medium size purse. There's nothing it can't do that the newer or bigger ones can't. Easy to travel with. Easy to use and high performance," wrote one fan.
Want a powerful tablet without paying the mind-boggling $1,000-plus smackeroos for an iPad Pro? The Air is a good bet, experts say.
Need (a lot) more storage? This 1TB version should do the trick, and right now, it's $100 off.
With four colors and four levels of storage (128GB all the way up to 1TB) to choose from, not to mention Wi-Fi and cellular options, there's an iPad Air for everyone.
Apple tech rarely goes on sale, so when the prices drop it's worth taking a look, especially when, as is the case with the iPad Air, you can save $100. It's the lowest price ever!
You might be thinking, "I've got a phone. I've got a laptop. Why do I need a tablet too?" This iPad is a sweet spot between the two, especially for anyone who wants a little more computing power and screen size than the regular iPad and iPad mini offer. Need a little more than the touchscreen and onscreen keyboard? It's compatible with both the wireless Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (the first version), so writing and drawing are a breeze. Reading and watching videos on the iPad is much more enjoyable than on your phone as well.
"You know how a Corvette will get you where you're going, fast and in style, the same way a Lamborghini will? That's my take on the iPad Air, " says Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida. "Ultimately, the Air makes a good choice for anyone seeking a pro-level iPad without the Pro's price." (The Pro, if you're wondering, starts at $999 — ouch.)
Over 880 reviewers have given this sleek, powerful tablet a five-star rating.
"I really like this iPad Air!" raved a happy customer. "It's beautiful, lightweight and has plenty of storage and features! Since my M1 only had 64 GB, it was easy to fill up. But, with this new beauty, I can add as many apps as I wish!"
Other than storage, the ability to use the Apple Pencil is a big selling point, especially for digital artists. "I love to draw, so I mainly use it for Procreate. The battery life is great. I can draw [for] almost a whole day or two on one charge," said a five-star reviewer. "The weight is incredible. It feels like nothing."
Another reviewer said that while the iPad Air is often overlooked, it should be the go-to for most people. "Let's face it, unless you are a video editor or use your iPad as your computer replacement, an M2 chip is way more powerful than what your average user uses their iPad for," they said. "I mainly use it to consume entertainment, fire off iMessages with my friends, watch YouTube, surf the web or play a few games, and the iPad Air M2 does all of this seamlessly. And the 11-inch form factor is perfect when you are lying in bed or traveling."
While the iPad Air is more powerful than the regular iPad and the iPad mini, it still pales in comparison to the iPad Pro. "I have a 2019 iPad Pro 11 first-gen, so the specs are not impressive with the new iPad Air. First thing you notice: No Face ID support. No 120Hz display. Not as bright," cautioned a four-star reviewer. "That's a lot to cut from [a] five-year-newer unit. That being said, it is as snappy as it gets."
Speaking of critiques, here's what Broida had to say: "As for performance, the Air will more than satisfy the vast majority of users. Only if you're capturing and editing a lot of video should you consider going Pro." But he added, "If you already own an Apple Pencil 2, it won't work here. For shame, Apple." (The first-gen Apple Pencil is compatible, however.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
