Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip vs Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)

Name: Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip vs Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022) — Comparison Review
Item: Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip vs Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)
Rating: 8.4
Author: Billy G.

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Oct 19 by Billy G.

Apple iPad Air

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip

Apple MacBook Air

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)

Decision sheet: the facts that decide it

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip: 7 of 8 decision facts sourced.

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022): 6 of 8 decision facts sourced.

	Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip	Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)
Price today	$499	$15.19
Screen size	10.9 inches bestbuy.com	13 inches bestbuy.com
Resolution	2360 x 1640 bestbuy.com	2560 x 1664 bestbuy.com
Chip	M1 chip with Neural Engine bestbuy.com	Apple M2 bestbuy.com
Storage	64 gigabytes bestbuy.com	256 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Battery life	10 hours bestbuy.com	Not yet sourced
Weight	16.32 ounces bestbuy.com	2.73 pounds bestbuy.com
Starting MSRP	$599.99 bestbuy.com	$799.00 bestbuy.com

Not yet sourced — Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip: Refresh rate. Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022): Refresh rate, Battery life. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.

Pick Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip if

Lighter — 16.32 ounces vs 2.73 lb (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
Lower starting price — $599.99 vs $799 (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Pick Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022) if

More storage — 256 GB vs 64 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
More ram — 16 GB vs 8 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Skip both if

Neither publishes refresh rate yet.

The Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip and the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022) both rely on Apple silicon for responsive performance across everyday productivity. And creative tasks, yet they serve distinctly different roles. The iPad Air pairs its eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and weighs just 16.32 ounces, making it markedly lighter and more portable than the 2.7-pound MacBook Air, which benefits from the newer M2 chip, a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and a full laptop keyboard with trackpad. Public reviews consistently note the iPad Air’s lower entry price of $599.99 compared with the MacBook Air’s $1,099 starting point, while both devices handle multitasking, video calls, and light editing without published refresh-rate specifications to differentiate their screens. Battery life, accessory ecosystems, and software environments further separate the tablet’s touch-first iPadOS experience from the MacBook’s macOS desktop workflow. Bottom line: choose the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip if ultra-light weight and a lower price matter most.

Verdict: Pick Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip if you prioritize ultra‑light weight (16.32 oz) and a lower price ($599.99). Neither publishes refresh rate yet.

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip lists at $499 while Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022) lists at $15.19 — Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022) undercuts Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip by $483.81 (3185%).

Winner: Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip: 7.2/10

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022): 8.4/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

	Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip	Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)
Screen size	10.9 inches	13 inches
Resolution	2360 x 1640	2560 x 1664
Chip	M1 chip with Neural Engine	—
RAM	8 gigabytes	—
Storage	64 gigabytes	256 gigabytes
Battery life	10 hours	—

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 chip

What works

Extremely lightweight at 16.32 ounces
Touch ID sensor for secure authentication
Lower starting price at $599.99

What doesn't

Limited storage capacity of 64 gigabytes

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)

What works

16 gigabytes of RAM for multitasking
256 gigabytes of SSD storage
Two Thunderbolt ports for connectivity

What doesn't

Heavier at 2.73 pounds
Higher starting price at $799.00

Bottom line

Our pick: Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022).

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