Anyone upgrade from the iPad Air 2?

[Apple2580]

First impressions? Was it worth it for you?

 

[zhenya]

I did.

This is my 5th iPad. Honestly my Air 2 had gotten to the point that it wasn't used that much anymore - losing out to my rMB - but I have been waiting for an iPad in this size and form factor with a great stylus from the day I bought my original iPad. This is finally the culmination of what I've been waiting for all these years. A compact digital notebook that is as good for writing as for reading.

Initial thoughts are that unless you want the stylus, this is probably not worth the money. There are better keyboards available for any iPad. The rest of the improvements are pretty incremental - although definitely noticeable. The speakers make a distinct difference. The screen is probably better but I haven't gotten enough time with it to really notice anything major. True tone just looks like night mode applied automatically based on ambient light rather than time of day. Not worth it on its own, but a nice improvement on what was already one of if not the best tablet displays on the market. Touchid is noticeably slow compared to my 6s. Not happy about the fitment of the new smart cover so not sure what I'm going to use there. I may just go without any protection at all and just keep it in a fabric sleeve when it's in my bag...

 

[ahostmadsen]

I did.

This is my 5th iPad. Honestly my Air 2 had gotten to the point that it wasn't used that much anymore - losing out to my rMB - but I have been waiting for an iPad in this size and form factor with a great stylus from the day I bought my original iPad. This is finally the culmination of what I've been waiting for all these years. A compact digital notebook that is as good for writing as for reading.

Initial thoughts are that unless you want the stylus, this is probably not worth the money. There are better keyboards available for any iPad. The rest of the improvements are pretty incremental - although definitely noticeable. The speakers make a distinct difference. The screen is probably better but I haven't gotten enough time with it to really notice anything major. True tone just looks like night mode applied automatically based on ambient light rather than time of day. Not worth it on its own, but a nice improvement on what was already one of if not the best tablet displays on the market. Touchid is noticeably slow compared to my 6s. Not happy about the fitment of the new smart cover so not sure what I'm going to use there. I may just go without any protection at all and just keep it in a fabric sleeve when it's in my bag...

Exactly. I'm planning to upgrade only for the pencil. Before I watched Steve Job's keynote introducing the iPad, I was wondering: "how did they solve the input problem." They did not. Now with the pencil and keyboard (I think this has some unique features you cannot get on an Air 2) they finally did. So, I'm upgrading although my Air 2 is still good. I use it a lot with a stylus, and the experience is mixed. The Apple pencil solves that.

 

[zhenya]

Exactly. I'm planning to upgrade only for the pencil. Before I watched Steve Job's keynote introducing the iPad, I was wondering: "how did they solve the input problem." They did not. Now with the pencil and keyboard (I think this has some unique features you cannot get on an Air 2) they finally did. So, I'm upgrading although my Air 2 is still good. I use it a lot with a stylus, and the experience is mixed. The Apple pencil solves that.

For me the pencil is 100% for writing and note taking. I have no problem interacting with the iPad by finger alone. Not sure yet if I will get the keyboard. I really, really, like my MacBook, but it would be great if I could consolidate to a single device again with the iPad. I'm not sure I can give up the MacBook's flexibility though...

 

[turbineseaplane]

@zhenya I feel completely the same way

I'm pretty seriously thinking about taking it back today and just returning to my Air 2 mainly because of the huge increase in price over what I already have.

I really enjoy the pencil but I have quickly determined that if I'm going to really enjoy using the pencil I am almost better off getting a 32 GB Wi-Fi 12.9 inch model that is specifically just for the artistic pursuits.

As a direct 9.7 inch replacement of the iPad Air 2 I don't find a 9.7 inch pro to be worth the extra money unless the stylus is absolutely critical to you. As you stated basically all of the improvements are so subtle that it just doesn't justify the huge jump in price for me I don't think.

I won't lie… One thing that is really heavily weighing on my mind with this now is how much resale value of iPads has gone in the tank in the last couple years. A completely wonderful 64 GB iPad Air 2 with LTE will be hard to net anything more than $400 out of and the most comparable iPad Pro 9.7 is the 128 with LTE that bumps right up to $900, and well beyond in some Tax situations.

We are definitely in the time where you need to get a good deal going in where as many moons ago with Apple stuff you could buy new, sell used and not lose nearly half the value.

 

[Apple2580]

Interesting. I'm not artistic at all, so the Apple Pencil doesn't hold much value for me.

I suppose I'll just go to the store and see if the screen/speakers make a noticeable difference.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Interesting. I'm not artistic at all, so the Apple Pencil doesn't hold much value for me.

I suppose I'll just go to the store and see if the screen/speakers make a noticeable difference.

I have had 2 iPad air 2 models since they were brand-new and I can honestly tell you after a full day with the pro 9.7 you simply won't notice enough different to justify the cost (taking out all Pencil considerations).

There are subtle differences, yes, but again it's just about how much they're worth. If you can make the upgrade with about a 15 to 20% Delta I could see it.

 

[ahostmadsen]

For me the pencil is 100% for writing and note taking. I have no problem interacting with the iPad by finger alone. Not sure yet if I will get the keyboard. I really, really, like my MacBook, but it would be great if I could consolidate to a single device again with the iPad. I'm not sure I can give up the MacBook's flexibility though...

These days I always bring two devices: my iPad for reading and note taking, and the rMB for other work.

I have had 2 iPad air 2 models since they were brand-new and I can honestly tell you after a full day with the pro 9.7 you simply won't notice enough different to justify the cost (taking out all Pencil considerations).

There are subtle differences, yes, but again it's just about how much they're worth. If you can make the upgrade with about a 15 to 20% Delta I could see it.

To me, it's all about the pencil. Otherwise, I would not update. One of my main uses of my iPad is to take notes mixed with sketches. The 12.9" is just too big to do that comfortably: holding in one hand while using the other to take notes. The 9.7" is perfect for that.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yeah I basically think that iPad air 2 to 9.7 pro upgrades should be strictly thought about in terms of "do I want the pencil or not"?

I keep seeing people talking about how "blazing fast" the 9.7 Pro is compared to the Air 2 and I'm just not seeing it.

I have both of them side-by-side on the exact same iOS version both with clean fresh installs and they feel functionally identical to me.

I'm sure it benchmarks higher but that doesn't really mean anything useful for normal use.

 

[ahostmadsen]

Yeah I basically think that iPad air 2 to 9.7 pro upgrades should be strictly thought about in terms of "do I want the pencil or not"?

I keep seeing people talking about how "blazing fast" the 9.7 Pro is compared to the Air 2 and I'm just not seeing it.

I have both of them side-by-side on the exact same iOS version both with clean fresh installs and they feel functionally identical to me.

I'm sure it benchmarks higher but that doesn't really mean anything useful for normal use.

Yes, I agree, the focus on speed for iOS devices overblown. Perhaps for games or video editing, but otherwise irrelevant. And future proofing.

 

[zhenya]

Again, I haven't used it that much yet, but I have no sense that the new one is faster than the old one. Maybe if you are a heavy game player or actually use these to do complex photo editing. Even with the iPhones I usually notice that each new model removes a tiny bit of lag that was present in the old one, but I don't feel that way about this model. Maybe I would if I went back to the Air 2 after a few weeks. Already sold though!

 

[mcdj]

True Tone would have been much more impressive if it wasn't merely a warmer/cooler one trick pony. If it actually offset green fluorescent lighting with magenta, or compensated for various other lighting; halogen, tungsten, etc.

 

[DNichter]

I did. Really happy with the Pro so far. The screen and speakers are much improved and everything feels faster. The camera is a great addition and I love the pencil support also. It's a much better product.

 

[iMas70]

This is exactly what I'm considering. I'm very happy with my Air 2. I'd say the only complaint is when my e-mail updates while I'm playing Real Racing 2. The screen will studded for a second. Other than that it's been great. I usually bring it with me when I go out. Have it mounted in the car. The Smart Case does a great job keeping it protected. I haven't totally researched this but it doesn't seem like Apple has them available for the Pro version. I don't use protection on my phone but definitely want it on the iPad. I figure I can get about $400.00 for the Air 2 with cover so I'll be looking at about $500.00 before I buy a case. A friend gave me an Apple Pencil. So that is making me think about the new version more but I don't think it will be night and day difference.

 

[Aluminum213]

I did.

This is my 5th iPad. Honestly my Air 2 had gotten to the point that it wasn't used that much anymore - losing out to my rMB - but I have been waiting for an iPad in this size and form factor with a great stylus from the day I bought my original iPad. This is finally the culmination of what I've been waiting for all these years. A compact digital notebook that is as good for writing as for reading.

Initial thoughts are that unless you want the stylus, this is probably not worth the money. There are better keyboards available for any iPad. The rest of the improvements are pretty incremental - although definitely noticeable. The speakers make a distinct difference. The screen is probably better but I haven't gotten enough time with it to really notice anything major. True tone just looks like night mode applied automatically based on ambient light rather than time of day. Not worth it on its own, but a nice improvement on what was already one of if not the best tablet displays on the market. Touchid is noticeably slow compared to my 6s. Not happy about the fitment of the new smart cover so not sure what I'm going to use there. I may just go without any protection at all and just keep it in a fabric sleeve when it's in my bag...

finally, an honest iPad Pro 9.7 review on this forum

 

[turbineseaplane]

Mine went back. If I can score a deal down the road I'll perhaps jump on it, but at full boat it just was too much money to outlay to cover the difference between Air 2 & iPP 9.7 for me.

 

[yegon]

I did.

Mainly for the better speakers for better podcast listening. Listen to tonnes around the house and the Air 2 and predecessors was always drowned out by ambient noise, microwaves, washing machine, kettle etc. Not so the Pro.

Never had much need for a keyboard for my largely consumptive tablet usage but viewing the Smart Keyboard as a Smart Cover with extra functionality does feel like a big bonus. I know there's better keyboards available, but for weight and convenience this suits me. Needs a load more shortcuts added though, brightness, volume, play/pause.

Screen is a really nice bonus.

It's by no means an essential upgrade from an Air 2 but I'm really enjoying mine.

 

[Allograft]

For me the pencil is 100% for writing and note taking. I have no problem interacting with the iPad by finger alone. Not sure yet if I will get the keyboard. I really, really, like my MacBook, but it would be great if I could consolidate to a single device again with the iPad. I'm not sure I can give up the MacBook's flexibility though...

Do you have any handwriting recognition/OCR apps that you're using and pleased with?

 

[iMas70]

I did.

Mainly for the better speakers for better podcast listening. Listen to tonnes around the house and the Air 2 and predecessors was always drowned out by ambient noise, microwaves, washing machine, kettle etc. Not so the Pro.

Never had much need for a keyboard for my largely consumptive tablet usage but viewing the Smart Keyboard as a Smart Cover with extra functionality does feel like a big bonus. I know there's better keyboards available, but for weight and convenience this suits me. Needs a load more shortcuts added though, brightness, volume, play/pause.

Screen is a really nice bonus.

It's by no means an essential upgrade from an Air 2 but I'm really enjoying mine.

A bluetooth speaker can work very good for listening to music. I have a JBL speaker that I clip to my belt loop. I use that when I'm riding my bike or out for a walk. It also comes in handy for listening to music at home.

 

[ahostmadsen]

Do you have any handwriting recognition/OCR apps that you're using and pleased with?

NotesPlus can convert handwritten notes into text. It's very accurate. MyScript Stylus provides a hand writing keyboard for any app. It works fairly well. Actually I'm writing this reply with that keyboard, which to me is faster than using the on-screen keyboard. Neither have been updated for the Apple penicil, but should work with it.

 

[yegon]

A bluetooth speaker can work very good for listening to music. I have a JBL speaker that I clip to my belt loop. I use that when I'm riding my bike or out for a walk. It also comes in handy for listening to music at home.

True, and I do use a Jambox and UE Boom sometimes.

Thing is, I carry my iPad all around the house and use it intermittently. For that purpose I don't find bt speakers that useful and having speakers that can blast out audio anyway is a real boon.

 

[zhenya]

Do you have any handwriting recognition/OCR apps that you're using and pleased with?

I have long really liked Goodnotes. I think it does ocr but I don't use it. I also use OneNote heavily which does ocr on Windows. Doubt it does it on iOS, but the handwriting there is still lacking anyhow.

 

[David58117]

I did.

This is my 5th iPad. Honestly my Air 2 had gotten to the point that it wasn't used that much anymore - losing out to my rMB - but I have been waiting for an iPad in this size and form factor with a great stylus from the day I bought my original iPad. This is finally the culmination of what I've been waiting for all these years. A compact digital notebook that is as good for writing as for reading.

Initial thoughts are that unless you want the stylus, this is probably not worth the money. There are better keyboards available for any iPad. The rest of the improvements are pretty incremental - although definitely noticeable. The speakers make a distinct difference. The screen is probably better but I haven't gotten enough time with it to really notice anything major. True tone just looks like night mode applied automatically based on ambient light rather than time of day. Not worth it on its own, but a nice improvement on what was already one of if not the best tablet displays on the market. Touchid is noticeably slow compared to my 6s. Not happy about the fitment of the new smart cover so not sure what I'm going to use there. I may just go without any protection at all and just keep it in a fabric sleeve when it's in my bag...

This is my setup now (rMB/iPad Air 2).

I'm content with it (I actually really love the rMB), but the iPad Pro is tempting.

But reviews like yours make me feel like it isn't worth it.

The iPad Air 2 is perfectly capable.

 

[mackie8]

At first i got tempted because of the pencil...i ended up getting an ipad mini 4 ... Coz i always leave my air 2 at home due to its size... Dont get me wrong i still love my air 2 for home usage..