It's a refresh to Apple's solid mid-range tablet, but it lacks the versatility, power, or price of Apple's other iPad options. The iPad Air 11 with M3 is fine for certain tasks, but it can’t be your cheaper MacBook with a touchscreen.

If you’ve picked up an iPad in the last five years or so, the new iPad Air will not surprise you. It is, in every way but one, identical to the iPad Air that Apple released last spring. The only difference is that the latest iPad Air has the M3 chip inside,

There are reasons to spend more on this Air than the entry-level $349 iPad, even if you're spending $250 more to get it. The two big ones are the M3 chip and Pencil Pro ($129, sold separately) compatibility.