Apple iPad Air with M4 review

iPad Air with M4 is the cheaper way into the iPad drawing apps that many illustrators use. Apple's store lists it from $749, $450 below iPad Pro, and Apple's comparison shows the same Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) support. It comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes with a Liquid Retina display, P3 wide color, True Tone and an antireflective coating, and the M4 chip is one generation behind iPad Pro. The main difference for artists is the screen: Apple's comparison lists no ProMotion, so pen strokes refresh at a lower rate than the 120Hz on iPad Pro, and the panel is an LCD rather than Tandem OLED. For students and hobbyists, that is a fair trade for the savings. Like iPad Pro, it works without a computer and runs iPadOS apps only, and the Apple Pencil is an extra purchase.

Who it is for

students and hobbyists who want iPad drawing apps for less

Price

From $749 on Apple's US store; Apple Pencil sold separately.

Serious performance in a thin and light design. From $749
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• 11-inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina display
• Apple M4 chip
• Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
• P3 wide color, True Tone and antireflective coating
• Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $450 less than iPad Pro at the starting price
• Strength: Same Apple Pencil Pro support as iPad Pro
• Strength: Available in a 13-inch size for a larger canvas
• Weakness: No ProMotion, so the screen does not run at 120Hz
• Weakness: Liquid Retina LCD rather than Tandem OLED
• Weakness: Apple Pencil adds to the $749 starting price

Key facts

• Price: From $749
• Sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch
• Chip: Apple M4
• ProMotion: No
• Pen: Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C)

Where it ranks

Apple iPad Air with M4 is No. 6 in our Best Drawing Tablets verdict.