Today, thanks to iPadOS above all, iPads are devices increasingly focused on professional tasks than simple tools for watching videos or playing games. In fact, in many cases they can replace a computer. We have two models in the high range, very different in specifications and also in their orientation to the public. We compare the iPad Pro 2020 with the iPad Air 2019.
Specifications duel
In this comparison we do not really want to do a battle in which the specifications are decisive, since it is evident that the iPad Pro has better features. For many, that tablet could even be above the needs it has, so the iPad Air also comes into play. In any case, we believe that it is important to know the specifications that both have and therefore we will see them and analyze some details later.
| characteristics | iPad Pro 2020 | iPad Air 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | -Silver. -Space gray. |
-Silver. -Space gray. -Gold. |
| Dimensions | -11 inches: 24.76 cm x 17.85 cm x 0.59 cm. -12.9 inch: 28.06 cm x 21.49 cm x 0.59 cm. |
25.06 cm x 17.41 cm x 0.61 cm |
| Weight | -11 inches WiFi: 471 grams. -11 inch WiFi + Cellular: 473 grams. -12.9 inches WiFi: 641 grams. -12.9 inch WiFi + Cellular: 643 grams. |
-WIFI version: 456 grams. -WIFI + Cellular version: 464 grams. |
| screen | -Liquid Retina 11 inches with a resolution of 2,388 x 1,668 pixels. -Liquid Retina 12.9 inches with a resolution of 2,732 x 2,048 pixels. |
10.5-inch retina with 2,224 x 1,668 pixels resolution. |
| Speakers | Four stereo speakers. | Two stereo speakers. |
| Processor | A12Z Bionic. | A12 Bionic. |
| Capacity | -128 GB -256 GB -512 GB -1 TB |
-64 GB. -256 GB. |
| Frontal camera | 7 Mpx f / 2.2 TrueDepht camera, with video recording in 1080p HD at 30 or 60 f / s. | 7 Mpx f / 2.2 camera, with video recording in 1080p HD at 30 f / s. |
| Rear camera | -Wide angle of 12 Mpx and f / 1.8 -Ultra wide angle of 10 Mpx, f / 2.4 and angle of 125º. -LiDAR sensor -4K video recording at 24, 30 or 60 f / s. |
8 Mpx f / 2.4 wide angle with 1080p HD video recording. |
| Connectors | USB-C. | Lightning. |
| Biometric systems | Face ID. | Touch ID. |
| SIM card | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM. | In WiFi + Cellular version: Nano SIM and eSIM. |
There are some aspects like RAM that are not listed in the table. Apple itself does not provide this data on computers that have their own processors, as is also the case with iPhones. This is due to the fact that the management of these computer chips and their operating system is very different from that of others, so that in a way they can allow themselves to have capacities that a priori are lower. In any case, the iPad Pro has 6 GB, while the ‘Air’ has 3 GB .
Compatible accessories
Fortunately or unfortunately, every iPad worth its salt today needs accessories to be able to squeeze it to the fullest. The most prominent and one that always comes to mind first is the Apple Pencil. The iPad Pro 2020 is compatible with the second generation of this, which has a very comfortable way of charging in which just by placing the stylus on the side of the equipment it magnetizes and begins to charge. Its flat design on the one hand also helps that it does not slide on a surface and the grip is more comfortable while using it.
The iPad Air for its part has compatibility with the first generation of Apple Pencil. In this case we see a more robust design, round in all its parts and with a hood that hides a Lightning connector that must be connected to the equipment to be able to charge. It is not the most comfortable way, no doubt, but in terms of precision they are both very even and can be tremendously useful for certain design applications or handwriting.
Another prominent accessory is the keyboard , which is always much more comfortable than using the virtual keyboard, which also reduces useful viewing space on the screen. Both are compatible with the Smart Keyboard , the official Apple keyboard that connects through the Smart Connector and makes synchronization instantaneous and typing is very comfortable despite not having backlit keys. Both are also compatible with other bluetooth keyboards on the market.
As for the mice or mice , they have full compatibility if they have iPadOS 13.4 or a later version installed. The on-screen pointer has been optimized to the maximum for everyday use and is an excellent tool with which to obtain other different experiences than using your finger or Apple Pencil to navigate with the device. The vast majority of mice and bluetooth trackpads are compatible, in addition to being able to find others with receivers that can be connected to the iPad.
In the case of the iPad Pro we find compatibility with the spectacular Magic Keyboard with an identical mechanism to that of the latest MacBook and iMac. The great feature it incorporates is a small trackpad that will also work instantly and will allow you to transform your computer into something very similar to a laptop.
In addition to these functional accessories, you can find others such as covers or supports, either within the Apple store or in other third-party stores.
What use will you give to the iPad?
As we have already said and you will have been able to verify for yourself, the iPad Pro 2020 is superior to the ‘Air’. Does this mean that it is the most suitable for you? Well, obviously you will have the best there is in this area and therefore you will not see its functions limited. However, you may not need to pay more for a device that you are not going to get the most out of.
The iPad Pro 2020 has certain peculiarities that would make it indispensable for many users. One of them is the screen , which also has 120 Hz refresh rate that can be very useful for certain professional uses. The same goes for the LiDAR sensor designed for Augmented Reality technologies. The same is true if you want to perform tasks that require a lot of gross power, such as video editing .
Another factor to take into account and that can be decisive for the ‘Pro’ is its USB-C connector, which will allow you to more easily connect some accessories such as external hard drives , which do not work on the ‘Air’. If this or any of the previous aspects is decisive for you, you will have to opt for this iPad.
You should also take into account the screen size . The iPad Air has 10.5 inches that may be enough, but if you need a larger size, the ‘Pro’ are available in versions of 11 inches and 12.9. With these sizes, which are the largest seen on an iPad, you can experience other types of visual experiences, although it should also be borne in mind that this also reduces their portability if you are going to use the device on the move.
However, you can also be left over with the iPad Air even using it for professional tasks . The A12 Bionic chip has important differences from the A12Z, but it is still very powerful to support editing tasks on a smaller scale. Even this will guarantee you many years of software updates with which to enjoy the new features of iPadOS. If in addition your use will be more office, with word processing or handwriting programs. If you are also a student , this could serve you more than enough, except in cases where you require powerful programs and that would probably require you to have even a MacBook.
It is also advisable that you set your sights on the long term . It is possible that today you are looking for an iPad for sporadic works and consumption of multimedia content, but if tomorrow you plan to start a different project in which you require more power, you will end up buying an iPad Pro. In this case it would be an investment questionable, since in the end you would end up paying two devices.
Price of iPad Pro 2020 and iPad Air 2019
This is one of the points that is always usually most controversial, since in the end it depends on many factors the fact that someone may or may not be willing to pay a certain price. If in your case you are still in doubt which device fits you the most or you think that both could fit, perhaps the prices could be decisive.
There are portals like Amazon where offers for these devices can appear sporadically, but the official price that both have at Apple and most of the distributors is this:
- iPad Air 2019:
- 64 GB WiFi version: 549 euros.
- 64 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 689 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi version: 719 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 859 euros.
- 11-inch iPad Pro 2020:
- 128 GB WiFi version: 879 euros.
- 128 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,049 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi version: 989 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,159 euros.
- 512 GB WiFi version: 1,209 euros.
- 512 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,379 euros.
- WiFi version of 1 TB: 1,429 euros.
- WiFi + Cellular version of 1 TB: 1,599 euros.
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2020:
- 128 GB WiFi version: 1,099 euros.
- 128 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,269 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi version: 1,209 euros.
- 256 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,379 euros.
- 512 GB WiFi version: 1,429 euros.
- 512 GB WiFi + Cellular version: 1,599 euros.
- WiFi version of 1 TB: 1,649 euros.
- WiFi + Cellular version of 1 TB: 1,819 euros.
Something curious is that the most expensive version of the iPad Air 2019 is cheaper than the most basic version of the iPad Pro. In any case, at this price you should add the accessories you need. It will depend on what they are, but in any case they are relevant prices that you must add together to get an idea of what you will have to invest to get the most out of the iPad.
