I have both of these and use both regularly.

I use the Air as a daily driver to take notes and do basic stuff (email, chat etc) at work. It’s just good enough but a bit sluggish.

The iPad is noticeably faster - unsurprising given it’s 2 years younger - but much heavier, hence I prefer the Air to take with me. As you’re mounting it on the square stand I’d go with that as you’ll get longer out of it.

This might be a dialect thing, but I’m intrigued at what one tong is? I’m in Australia and we only have pairs of tongs - like we only have pairs of pants - and I’ve never heard them referred to in the singular.