The new iPad Air has a Mac-like chip, but is stingy on storage.

• The new $599 iPad Air from Apple will be available on Friday, and after testing it for several days, I believe it's the ideal iPad for most individuals.
• The iPad offers a powerful front-facing camera, 5G support, and a better price point than the regular $329 iPad, making it the ideal choice for those who need more than the basic iPad but don't want to pay the higher price of the $799 iPad Pro.

The new $599 iPad Air is launching on Friday and I believe it's the best iPad for most people. It's more powerful and offers better features than the regular $329 iPad in almost every way. It's the perfect mix of features and price for those who want to play the latest games and do some video and image editing. However, power users may be disappointed by the limited 64GB of storage in the base model and may find the $799 entry-level iPad Pro to be a better deal.

During the holiday quarter, Apple's iPad sales decreased by 14% year-over-year, generating $7.25 billion in revenue, while Mac sales increased by 25% to $10.85 billion. Despite some supply constraints, Apple's new M1-powered Macs helped drive sales in that segment.

The M1 chip, which is found in Apple's more expensive iPad Pro, is now available in the iPad Air, making it as powerful as some Macs and higher-end iPads.

Here’s what you need to know about it.

What’s good

The iPad Air has three notable features: a new front-facing camera for Center Stage video chat, the option for faster 5G cellular networks, and a new faster M1 processor.

The new blue color is also quite impressive. It's a darker shade than what Apple used in 2020 and offers a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from most gray and black tablets. I hope that Apple continues to introduce new colors in its MacBook laptops in the future.

The M1 chip in the iPad Pro allows you to do more than the regular iPad, including faster photo and video editing in apps like Adobe Photoshop and LumaFusion, as well as playing the latest games, including those that don't run on the regular iPad, such as "Divinity: Original Sin 2." Although I own the regular iPad Pro and didn't notice any performance difference when using the more affordable iPad Air, I view the M1 chip as future-proofing since it has enough power to run the latest apps for years.

The Center Stage feature, first introduced on the iPad Pro last year and now available on the regular iPad, is one of my favorite new features in Apple's tablets. It keeps you in the frame during video calls, allowing you to move around the room while chatting on FaceTime and the camera follows you. I particularly enjoy using it for video chats with my toddler and his grandparents as it helps keep him in the frame as he bounces around the room.

Having 5G is convenient when using your iPad outside of Wi-Fi, such as on a bus or train. However, 5G does not provide much benefit over the older 4G LTE networks, except for faster downloads, which may be useful for quickly downloading movies before a flight. Keep in mind that the cellular version costs around $150 more.

The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air is a $299 accessory that I adore. Although it's pricey, it transforms the iPad Air into a more laptop-like device. I enjoy using it to browse the web, text with friends, and work on stories while sitting on the couch at night. While I still rely on my Mac for work that requires multiple windows, the iPad Air is an excellent secondary computer.

The $129 Apple Pencil is a useful tool for signing documents on the go, but it may not be as useful for others who prefer to finely tune photos and videos, draw or take notes.

What’s bad

The entry-level iPad Air has only 64GB of storage, which may not be sufficient for those who frequently install apps and games or prefer to download movies. However, the 256GB model is available for $749. Although it is $50 more expensive than the entry-level iPad Pro, which has a better screen, twice the storage, and more camera options, the iPad Air still offers a good value for money. Apple could have included 128GB in the entry-level model to make it more competitive with the iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro has a high refresh rate, but the screen on the standard iPad lacks it. While Apple may want to keep this feature exclusive to its more expensive products, such as the iPhone 13 Pro and new MacBook Pro, all consumers could benefit from smoother scrolling, photo album viewing, and game play.

The iPad Pro does not have Face ID like the iPad Pro. Instead, it uses a fingerprint reader hidden in the power button. While it works fine, I prefer the iPad Pro's instant unlock feature when I start using it.

Should you buy it?

The 2020 iPad is a great choice for most people, and while you may not need to upgrade, it's a significant improvement from earlier models. The new iPad offers more power, a better screen, improved speakers and cameras, and support for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. If you require more than 64GB of storage, the $799 iPad Pro may be a better option, with its enhanced features including Face ID, better cameras, and superior speakers.