This iPad costs significantly less than the Pro model and, for many users, it offers significantly better value - although the price can quickly ramp up with accessories. The Air is powerful, desirable, fun and functional - it's an iPad for all seasons.

Excellent performance, USB-C forward-looking, Touch ID button works well, Trackpad support means true laptop replacement, Variety of colours

Lack of Face ID can annoy, No 128GB option, Accessories expensive, No rear camera flash

If you’re looking to get an iPad right now and can afford it, the new $599 iPad Air is the best tablet for most people. Apple has taken the design from the more expensive iPad Pro and brought it down to a more reasonable price point.

Excellent screen, Compatible with iPad Pro accessories, Very fast processor

Price increase, Only step-up storage option is a big jump, $749 for 256GB, Touch ID on the power button takes some getting used to

Pointing to iPad’s future rather than its past, this is a meaningful, impressive iPad Air update

Vastly improved design, Almost unreasonably powerful, USB-C for charging and accessories

Speaker set-up weird in portrait, No ProMotion, Limited storage options

The iPad Air is essentially an 11in iPad Pro but with a few high-end features removed for a £190 price cut. That means it has Apple’s attractive, modern tablet design, slim bezels, top performance, long and reliable battery life and a robust software ecosystem that will be kept updated for five-plus...

Pros: modern design, great performance, good battery life, great screen, USB-C, iPadOS, plenty of apps, great speakers, great mics, great video-call camera, long support, recycled aluminium.

Cons: no Fortnite or cloud game streaming, no multiuser support, relatively small storage on the starting model with no way to add more, comparatively expensive.

The Apple iPad Air looks a lot like the 11-inch iPad Pro, and that is a great thing. Mind you, there are some under the hood differences though. It’s a different processor line, for starters.

The fourth-generation iPad Air gives you the power of an iPad Pro for less money, making it the best Apple tablet to buy in 2020.

Super-fast processor and internet speeds, Excellent cameras, Fantastic build quality

Unimpressive battery life, iPadOS still doesn't multitask as well as Mac/Windows

The 2020 Apple iPad Air is the most compelling tablet option on the market right now....

Modern design, Excellent performance, Cheaper than the Pro

Nothing of note

Yes, if you are looking for a versatile, powerful portable computing device. In fact, if you are bored of the laptop and not really tied to that form factor then maybe you should consider that iPad Air which is most probably more powerful than most laptops out there now.

“The iPad Air 4 is the iPad Pro for the masses. It's perfectly situated to offer an exceptional tablet experience, without pushing into the territory of high-end laptop pricing.”

Apple iPad Air 4th generation (2020): The new iPad Air is a powerful, portable and practical alternative to a traditional laptop

Nearly as fast as the iPad Pro, Thin and light, Decent camera

Accessories are expensive