The iPad Air is finally getting the M4 chip: How and when to preorder

A big upgrade is coming to our favorite iPad. The iPad Air, Apple's best blend of performance and price, now comes with the M4 chip. This announcement comes ahead of a "special Apple experience" scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 4. Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the experience on social media, and he also referred to a Monday, March 2 announcement.

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We now know the Monday announcement was the new iPad Air with M4 chip and iPhone 17e. Previously, the iPad came with the M3 chip, making it a well-rounded device with the potential to compete with any laptop. So, are you ready to preorder the new tablet? Well, despite Apple's announcement today, the tablet isn't available to preorder, but it will be soon.

When can you preorder the new iPad Air M4?

The iPad Air with M4 chip will be available for preorder on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:15 a.m. PT. Apple has already updated the iPad Air's listing in the Apple Store to reflect the new model.

When does the new iPad Air M4 tablet arrive?

While preorders for the new iPad Air begin on March 4, the device will be available beginning Wednesday, March 11. Luckily, that means you just have to wait one week between preorder and pickup.

What's the new price for the iPad Air with M4 chip?

With a new device, especially one receiving an upgrade like the iPad Air with M4 chip, you'd expect an increase in the starting price. However, Apple is continuing its trend of maintaining its devices' starting prices even with a new generation.

The iPad Air with M4 chip starts at $599, the same price as the current iPad Air with M3 chip.

iPad Air deal to shop now

If you're a shopper who sees a new product release as an opportunity to shop the previous generation at a discount, we see you and are happy to report that the previous generation of iPad Air with M3 chip is now on sale.

Right now, you can grab the iPad Air with M3 chip for $489.99 at Amazon. That's 18% off the $599 list price for $109.01 in savings. This isn't the lowest price ever on the iPad Air. During Black Friday, it reached an all-time low of $449, but this current deal price is just $40 more. Not bad savings considering we're not sure how much longer the M3 iPad Air with hang around once the M4 is released.