iPad AnandTech review of the iPad Air

[keigo]

Android fanboys, please stop comparing iPad RAM to Android tablet RAM. The reason Android tablets have more RAM is because the Android OS plus all the stupid skins gobbles more RAM from the get-go (before any apps are loaded). It has more because it needs more.

actually a fair compare with Android, we should not just look at the amt of ram on Android like those samsung which is 3gb now.

Instead could someone highlight how much ram is available for Android once they loaded.

It make sense if after Android boot up with 3GB ram and left with just 700mb avail ram then it is no different from Apple with 1GB ram.

 

[jonnyb098]

The review was really well done.

But I feel the only REAL reason for upgrading from iPad 4 is the form factor. The extra speed is nice but honestly developers are still catching up to iPad 4 graphics power. It really wont be until next year that 64-bit apps start making any kind of noticeable difference. Plus only 1GB of RAM? Come on.

Now the only reason for this shift is that they are going to put an A7 or A8 in the next macbook air.

Otherwise, same app performance (mostly), same camera. Not very appealing to current iPad 4 owners. Now if on iPad 2 or 3? THEN GO GET ONE!!!!

 

[richardmu]

The review was really well done.

But I feel the only REAL reason for upgrading from iPad 4 is the form factor. The extra speed is nice but honestly developers are still catching up to iPad 4 graphics power. It really wont be until next year that 64-bit apps start making any kind of noticeable difference. Plus only 1GB of RAM? Come on.

Now the only reason for this shift is that they are going to put an A7 or A8 in the next macbook air.

Otherwise, same app performance (mostly), same camera. Not very appealing to current iPad 4 owners. Now if on iPad 2 or 3? THEN GO GET ONE!!!!

I'm on iPad 2 so I will. Friday is THE DAY I hope!

 

[leenak]

waiting a year to me is pointless. unless you already have a similar device(like going from a 5-5s).
You'll be completely fine with this new tech for a year. But next year might not be as big of an upgrade since speed increases won't be as noticeable like going from a iPhone 3g to 5. In real world performance anyway. You won't notice big changing in speed enhancements to worry about it.

Not really. If you don't have an iPad, then no big deal for waiting. If you have an older iPad, then you have something functional and again no big deal for waiting. Who knows if the next iPad with have 2GB ram? I am guessing that the next iPad will at least have the base model with 32GB storage (hopefully). For those looking to save $100, it might be worth it. They may even luck out with 2GB RAM and base model having 32GB storage.

I know some people like to sell their items yearly but that seems like a hassle to me. I will be buying the Air this Friday but it wouldn't be a big deal if I waited a year.

 

[AdonisSMU]

As long as the performance and size is superior, I don't care how many gigs of ram it has.

 

[gCloud]

Does everyone realize that apps are developed based on the hardware specs of the intended platform. Keep in mind that the PS3 and 360 run far more powerful applications with 500MBs of RAM.

The game consoles run one game(app) at a time

----------

I can leave a game and return to it where I left off on my iPhone 5 and iPad mini currently. I doubt the situation will be worse on the Air. Again iPad apps are designed to run on the iPad (normally 3 generations back). Also, I've had about 15 browser tabs open on my iPhone 5 without incident.

Run asphalt 8 for a bit then see what u have still open

Anyway i dont even want an ipad had the first 3 and am over tablets in a big way now.
I think people who want to get the air and are disapointed with the ram are justified.
I am disapointed the 5s has 1gig, it realy could have done with more.

 

[x-evil-x]

Not really. If you don't have an iPad, then no big deal for waiting. If you have an older iPad, then you have something functional and again no big deal for waiting. Who knows if the next iPad with have 2GB ram? I am guessing that the next iPad will at least have the base model with 32GB storage (hopefully). For those looking to save $100, it might be worth it. They may even luck out with 2GB RAM and base model having 32GB storage.

I know some people like to sell their items yearly but that seems like a hassle to me. I will be buying the Air this Friday but it wouldn't be a big deal if I waited a year.

i don't see 2 gb of ram being a big changing factor for anybody honestly. So you can have more tabs open or more things open? not a game changer. Wont hurt your day any. You already have something that wasn't here 10 years ago that is improving your day...
the 32 gig base seems good to me but apple is in the market of MAKING money. i would milk the people for as long as i could too.

 

[donnaw]

I use my iPad 2 every day and have done since it's release and do all the things
with it that you say you do. Never had a crash as far as I can remember. It just
works!

WTF do you do that is so different?

I cannot figure out what is different about my use. I play very few games, surf mostly news sites, not even sites with a lot of 'stuff'. I've been in IT for close to 30 years and have plenty of experience tracking glitches down. I simply cannot figure it out and it's been going on for close to 2 years

But I'm not alone. There is a bunch of people with the same issues I have. There's a long thread over at Apple discussions about it. I have done everything I could find that is supposed to help, completely disable Spotlight, close apps from the multitask bar when I'm done. Never have more than one tab open at a time, etc. but Sarafi crashes about every third time I try to open it and about every 4th or 5th time I'm just browsing. I've checked the diagnostics and can see the low memory crashes. It didn't do this initially. Took about 3 months for it to start happening. I was constantly rebooting to free memory. Even bought an app to monitor it. I gave that 2 to my grandson and upgraded to a 3 when it came out. Sure enough it started again on that one but not nearly as bad. I could handle it. Apple says there's nothing wrong with it and in fact my husband uses that iPad now and it still crashes but not too often. And he's always on car sites and running YouTube.

So as I said, I'll probably try an Air. But it will be an expensive trial. If it's ok I'll keep it. If it starts crashing after my return period I'll gift it and get a Surface. 2gb of RAM would have set my mind at ease.

Sigh... I do love the form factor of iPads. I've had every version made (except the 4), I have a lot of money invested in the ecosystem, everyone in my family are using iPads (usually my old ones). Sometimes I just think Apple doesn't like me. But I'm an optimist and am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for the Air.

 

[Chundles]

Faster?

Image

Well if we're going to chose one test, then yes, it is MUCH faster.

 

[iPad Air]

I always get a kick out of Android fanboys who get mad when iOS devices get rave reviews.

Now that is funny.

 

[Icaras]

The review was really well done.

But I feel the only REAL reason for upgrading from iPad 4 is the form factor. The extra speed is nice but honestly developers are still catching up to iPad 4 graphics power. It really wont be until next year that 64-bit apps start making any kind of noticeable difference. Plus only 1GB of RAM? Come on.

Now the only reason for this shift is that they are going to put an A7 or A8 in the next macbook air.

Otherwise, same app performance (mostly), same camera. Not very appealing to current iPad 4 owners. Now if on iPad 2 or 3? THEN GO GET ONE!!!!

This exactly. I'm not so caught up in the specs, even though I appreciate the 64-bit A7. But the breakthrough here for me is in how thin and light it is. I really can't wait to get my hands on it this Friday.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I cannot figure out what is different about my use. I play very few games, surf mostly news sites, not even sites with a lot of 'stuff'. I've been in IT for close to 30 years and have plenty of experience tracking glitches down. I simply cannot figure it out and it's been going on for close to 2 years

But I'm not alone. There is a bunch of people with the same issues I have. There's a long thread over at Apple discussions about it. I have done everything I could find that is supposed to help, completely disable Spotlight, close apps from the multitask bar when I'm done. Never have more than one tab open at a time, etc. but Sarafi crashes about every third time I try to open it and about every 4th or 5th time I'm just browsing. I've checked the diagnostics and can see the low memory crashes. It didn't do this initially. Took about 3 months for it to start happening. I was constantly rebooting to free memory. Even bought an app to monitor it. I gave that 2 to my grandson and upgraded to a 3 when it came out. Sure enough it started again on that one but not nearly as bad. I could handle it. Apple says there's nothing wrong with it and in fact my husband uses that iPad now and it still crashes but not too often. And he's always on car sites and running YouTube.

So as I said, I'll probably try an Air. But it will be an expensive trial. If it's ok I'll keep it. If it starts crashing after my return period I'll gift it and get a Surface. 2gb of RAM would have set my mind at ease.

Sigh... I do love the form factor of iPads. I've had every version made (except the 4), I have a lot of money invested in the ecosystem, everyone in my family are using iPads (usually my old ones). Sometimes I just think Apple doesn't like me. But I'm an optimist and am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for the Air.

Go get a Surface. Don't let Apple hate on you anymore. You deserve a machine with worse performance that has the hardware you want. Why not spend a grand on exactly what you want? How do you know ram was the problem? Who has ever heard of someone going to get a Windows machine to "avoid crashes"?

 

[Macalway]

I've got a hunch the speed will be very noticeable in everyday use, in spite of what the reviewers say.

After all, a review time frame does not fall under 'everyday use'

 

[ABC5S]

Used a previous IPad with more ram and it had issues. Air will have a 20-30% greater footprint in ram

More ram ? Confused. Previous versions had 1 GB or less for the original iPad, so how did your previous iPad have more ram than the current model ?

 

[Cool Pup]

Performance aside, the best feature as compared to the last model is the weight. It's so enticing, and I'm a Mini user myself.

 

[Oasismad]

actually a fair compare with Android, we should not just look at the amt of ram on Android like those samsung which is 3gb now.

Instead could someone highlight how much ram is available for Android once they loaded.

It make sense if after Android boot up with 3GB ram and left with just 700mb avail ram then it is no different from Apple with 1GB ram.

My nexus 7 2013

 

[TroyBoy30]

my nexus 7 2013



dont really see why it matters. unused ram is wasted ram

 

[jclardy]

thats BS. the ipad air is destined to be outdated way fast with only 1gb ram. people are going to be itching to upgrade in just 6 months

Yep, developers will be designing apps that only run on devices with 2GB of RAM six months from now when the top of the line iOS device is...the iPad Air.

 

[AppleRobert]

Performance aside, the best feature as compared to the last model is the weight. It's so enticing, and I'm a Mini user myself.

I posted elsewhere that I keep holding and handling the Sony Xperia Z tablet at a Best Buy. It is closest to the Air that BB has when it comes to thickness and weight. I do not see me having a problem with the Air though I am so use to the Mini. Time will tell though.

 

[darngooddesign]

...Now the only reason for this shift is that they are going to put an A7 or A8 in the next macbook air.

Unless they have Adobe, for example, porting all their software over to the new chipset that makes no sense. You'll end up with a computer with hardly any computer software to run on it.

 

[Ries]

Yep, developers will be designing apps that only run on devices with 2GB of RAM six months from now when the top of the line iOS device is...the iPad Air.

64-bit apps consume 20-30% more ram than their 32-bit counter parts, it has less ram than the iPad 4 to maneuver on. Swipe from infinity blade 3 to mail, swipe to chrome to lookup something, swipe back to mail to answer... swipe back to the game... what, the game has to reload?!?!?

This is from infinity blade FAQ:
In the rare case that the game hangs up or freezes, exit Infinity Blade III, then double-tap the Home button on your device and hold the Infinity Blade III icon until the red X appears. Tap the X to shut the App all the way down, then restart the app by touching the Infinity Blade III Icon. If you still experience performance or shut down issues, it may be time to power down your device and restart it to clear out your memory of applications running in the background. It’s recommended that you don’t run anything else in the background when playing Infinity Blade III. It’s also HIGHLY recommended that you update your iOS to the latest version available.

 

[isephmusic]

64-bit apps consume 20-30% more ram than their 32-bit counter parts, it has less ram than the iPad 4 to maneuver on. Swipe from infinity blade 3 to mail, swipe to chrome to lookup something, swipe back to mail to answer... swipe back to the game... what, the game has to reload?!?!?

This is from infinity blade FAQ:
In the rare case that the game hangs up or freezes, exit Infinity Blade III, then double-tap the Home button on your device and hold the Infinity Blade III icon until the red X appears. Tap the X to shut the App all the way down, then restart the app by touching the Infinity Blade III Icon. If you still experience performance or shut down issues, it may be time to power down your device and restart it to clear out your memory of applications running in the background. It’s recommended that you don’t run anything else in the background when playing Infinity Blade III. It’s also HIGHLY recommended that you update your iOS to the latest version available.

thats the kind of thing i was talking about. the 64 bit os takes up more space than before so multi tasking is being limited. you guys need to see how the note 3 multi tasks by drawing a box on your screen and filling it with whatever app you want. iPad can't do that and how many times have you had safari open and want to open the calculator app on top of it. yet people keep saying oh no its okay debs will only work with 1gb ram not more ext ect

its not about iOS needing less ram than android is about apple being fully ABLE to but not doing so , so that next model can get it and charge your or the "upgrade"

please defend the 2010 inclusion of 1gb ram tablet in late 2013 more people. PLEASE

 

[Donka]

thats the kind of thing i was talking about. the 64 bit os takes up more space than before so multi tasking is being limited. you guys need to see how the note 3 multi tasks by drawing a box on your screen and filling it with whatever app you want. iPad can't do that and how many times have you had safari open and want to open the calculator app on top of it. yet people keep saying oh no its okay debs will only work with 1gb ram not more ext ect

its not about iOS needing less ram than android is about apple being fully ABLE to but not doing so , so that next model can get it and charge your or the "upgrade"

please defend the 2010 inclusion of 1gb ram tablet in late 2013 more people. PLEASE

I would argue most consumers don't know or even care about the RAM specification. It works well for them so they are happy with their device. If you are aware of how much RAM it has and feel that would impact your reason to buy it then quite simply don't buy it. For my needs, I still haven't used another tablet device that gives me the experience I get from the iPad; granted I am quite ingrained in IOS. I have worked in IT for a long enough time to understand the potential impact but in my real world usage it doesn't have an impact. If it did, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[redman042]

My nexus 7 2013

Interesting. Well that tells me two things:

• Android with a typical number of background services has a much bigger memory footprint than iOS (around 700 MB vs. 350MB for iOS). So it definitely needs more than 1 GB RAM whereas the iPad can get away with 1GB. Would be curious to see what a Samsung tablet consumes, since they also have skins. I bet it's even more.
• But, this tablet still has over 1 GB free for apps. The iPad air would only have around 600-700MB free. Now we don't know if an equivalent app on iOS runs leaner than the same one on Android. But yes, the Nexus has more space to play with.

 

[IllIllIll]

success or not is question yet to be asked.

Stockholders wouldn't be so happy once Ipad air can't sell because customer are getting sick of apple stingy specs.

Most stockholders and iPad buyers don't know what RAM does on a tablet, nor do they care.