In the past few years, I have been city-hopping across China, the Land of Dragons and best believe, it is time to consolidate my memories instead of a photo album. From bustling streets in Guangzhou to the serene landscapes of Jiu Zhai Gou National Park, I have been to most of the Tier-1 cities in China. Now, with the help of the newest iPad Air M3, I was able to craft a travel journal and a short video documenting key highlights of my experiences.
Travel Journaling: A Smooth and Intuitive Experience
One of the first things I noticed was how fluid and responsive the iPad Air was when using apps. When journaling, I used Notes to draft the early ideas and Canva to execute these journaling ideas.
Whether I was sketching traditional temples or jotting down thoughts, the M3 chip handled everything effortlessly. When ideating using Notes, the Smart Script feature in iPadOS 18 made my handwriting look neater without losing its personal touch. For those who like to draw, there is also the new Image Wand tool which was a game-changer—turning my rough doodles into polished visuals with a simple circle gesture.
For organizing my journal, the large 11-inch display provided a spacious, immersive canvas, while the redesigned Magic Keyboard made typing a breeze. For photos which had many distracting elements in the background, I used Clean Up in Photos to remove distracting elements from my pictures before pasting them into my journal.
Hopefully, as I travel to more locations or spot some missing photos, I can use the iPad Air M3 to update it on the go.
Video Editing on the Go: No Laptop Needed
Editing my China travel video using a TikTok style in CapCut was surprisingly smooth. The M3’s 8-core GPU and hardware-accelerated ray tracing meant that even 4K footage or large and long footage ran seamlessly, with no annoying lags or stutters. For those who are considering, it is a 40% improvement in graphics performance and a 4 times increase in speed for graphics-intensive rendering workflows. Transitions and effects were all buttery smooth, making it feel like I was working on a pro-level device—except it was ultra-portable.
The larger trackpad on the new Magic Keyboard helped with precision edits, the wide 11-inch touch screen and 5G connectivity made uploading, editing clips and syncing music effortless.
Now even when I edit casual get-ready with me or travel videos, I can wholeheartedly rely on the iPad Air M3.
Convenience & Portability: The Perfect Café Companion
One of the best things about the iPad Air M3 is how light and compact it is. I carried the 11-inch model in my handbag with the Magic Keyboard, making it super easy to pull out for quick edits at cafes. Unlike carrying a laptop, which can feel bulky, the iPad Air felt effortless to bring around.
Whether I was sipping on matcha lattes in a café or waiting for my next train, I could quickly work on my journal or edit a video without feeling weighed down. The all-day battery life also meant I didn’t need to hunt for power outlets constantly.
Anyway, if you do face any power issues, both the iPad Air and the Magic Keyboard have USB-C outlets for easy charging. As for storage, the iPad Air is updated with double the storage capacity.
Final Verdict: A Must-Have for Travel Creatives?
Absolutely. The iPad Air M3 strikes the perfect balance between power and portability, making it ideal for digital creatives on the move.
Whether you’re sketching, journaling, or editing high-quality travel videos, this device delivers pro-level performance without the bulk of a laptop. With its gorgeous display, Magic Keyboard support, and AI-powered features, the iPad Air M3 isn’t just a tablet, it’s a creative powerhouse.
The 11-inch iPad Air starts at S$899 for the Wi-Fi model, and S$1,129 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Air starts at S$1,199 for the Wi-Fi model, and S$1,429 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
Both will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey (Mine is in Purple).
The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for S$399, and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for S$449.
Click here to find out more.
