Which iPad Air is better, 11in or 13in?

I've been thinking about getting the new iPad Air but still debating which one to get. I already have an iMac, Macbook at home, and this will be my first iPad. The reason why I wanted an iPad because I wanna take notes on it, play games, watch movies and take it with me when I travel or just on the go sometimes. The 13in is biiiiig when I saw it in person, but it'd be really nice to take notes or read books or watch movies on it. The 11in is also good, but it feels small when trying to read books, and I don't think I can have side by side window with it. I only have a few classes left to take, but I will have other exams that I need to study for you, and having an iPad to study with will be helpful, but I just don't know which one to get, any help would be appreciated :)

Posted on Aug 3, 2024 5:37 PM

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Posted on Aug 4, 2024 3:30 AM

Yours is a subjective decision that only you can determine based upon your needs. The 2024 iPad Air M2 is technically identical between the equivalent 11" and 13" screen models - differing only in screen size. Both have full iPadOS multitasking capabilities.


However, if your intention is to heavily use Split Screen and/or Stage Manager, there is no substitute for larger screen size - and as such the 13" screen may be a better choice.



Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.


Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device. 



Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping. 


Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 4, 2024 3:30 AM in response to funniepinkie

Yours is a subjective decision that only you can determine based upon your needs. The 2024 iPad Air M2 is technically identical between the equivalent 11" and 13" screen models - differing only in screen size. Both have full iPadOS multitasking capabilities.


However, if your intention is to heavily use Split Screen and/or Stage Manager, there is no substitute for larger screen size - and as such the 13" screen may be a better choice.



Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.


Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device. 



Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping. 


Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.



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Which iPad Air is better, 11in or 13in?

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