Apple Launches New 10.5-Inch iPad Air With A12 Bionic Chip and Apple Pencil Support, Starts at $499

[clauzzz203]

So that would be a yes to whether you were just being hyperbolic when you said that as an IT consultant of 10+ years you “absolutely cannot figure out their product lines”. OK, fine; I had obviously already guessed that was the case. Now for your challenge

If I had a client asking about which iPad to buy, I’d first ask what they thought they might use it for, in order to determine whether the smaller mini or the jumbo-sized iPad Pro might be the best recommendation. Assuming a 10-ish inch iPad would be the best size, you could say something like this:

“The older $329 iPad is a pretty basic model, the $499 iPad is faster and has a much better display, but the $799 iPad Pro is probably the one for you because I think the extra $300 is worth it.”

Some of my clients would probe re: the differences in features at those three price points, but many would just say, “sounds good, let’s do it.” I’d follow up after the first week or so of usage, and possibly re-visit the idea of the 7.9” and 12.9” options.

I’m not working for 10 years and I’m not working with hardware or apple. I’ve bought apple stuff for myself for that long

 

[AppleHaterLover]

So that would be a yes to whether you were just being hyperbolic when you said that as an IT consultant of 10+ years you “absolutely cannot figure out their product lines”. OK, fine; I had obviously already guessed that was the case. Now for your challenge

If I had a client asking about which iPad to buy, I’d first ask what they thought they might use it for, in order to determine whether the smaller mini or the jumbo-sized iPad Pro might be the best recommendation. Assuming a 10-ish inch iPad would be the best size, you could say something like this:

“The older $329 iPad is a pretty basic model, the $499 iPad is faster and has a much better display, but the $799 iPad Pro is probably the one for you because I think the extra $300 is worth it.”

Some of my clients would probe re: the differences in features at those three price points, but many would just say, “sounds good, let’s do it.” I’d follow up after the first week or so of usage, and possibly re-visit the idea of the 7.9” and 12.9” options.

That’s the type of decision making you’d have to make when shopping for a Compaq Presario. Remember how that used to suck?

Apple has normally been about “consumer, pro” and that’s it.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I’m not working for 10 years and I’m not working with hardware or apple. I’ve bought apple stuff for myself for that long

OK, my mistake, I mis-interpreted your post. But you did move the goalposts from absolutely not being able to understand, to being able to explain it in one sentence

 

[clauzzz203]

OK, my mistake, I mis-interpreted your post. But you did change the goalposts from absolutely not being able to understand, to being able to explain it in one sentence

I have an ipad air 2; for me it is absolutely baffling to choose a new ipad released in the last four years to replace it.

Why is the air 2 laminated and most new ones not? Which ones are? Why are multiple pencils? Why the new ipads dont support them? Why are older cameras on newer ipads? Why some are thicker? What does Air mean?

Where is this all clear?

I was a huge apple fan until cook took over, it’s sad for me to see a reference setter to fade away into pc industry crap

 

[PickUrPoison]

I have an ipad air 2; for me it is absolutely baffling to choose a new ipad released in the last four years to replace it.

I’m absolutely baffled that this is so absolutely baffling to you lol. You really have worked yourself up into quite a state, but I’ll be happy to try to help, though I’m unlikely to respond to further questions; I’m pretty sure that for every answer I give, it may trigger another five questions from someone with such an inquisitive mind!

To replace the Air 2, you’ve really only had two options iirc. The $329 entry level, which is definitely a step down due to the non-laminated screen (but which might be fine with you at that reduced price point) or the iPad Pro models. The Pros are at least $100 more expensive than was the Air 2, but that might be fine with you because of the upgrades over the Air 2, such as faster processors and support for the Apple Pencil.

Of course, now you can simply buy the third gen Air, and at the same $499 price as your Air 2.

Why is the air 2 laminated and most new ones not?

Because of cost—both original and repair. And it’s not that most new iPads don’t have a laminated screen, rather most do. Only the $329 entry level model is non-laminated. That’s (one of the ways) how you get to a $329 iPad. The budget iPad is partially targeted at education, where they receive some rough treatment. The non-laminated displays are easier and less expensive to repair, so the education market considers the non-laminated display to be a decided advantage.

Which ones are?

As mentioned above, all but the least expensive $329 model.

Why are multiple pencils?

The original Pencil was released in 2015. Some complained about the wonky charging method, others about not being able to turn it upside down to erase. As is typical for Apple, they upgraded the Pencil, addressing user complaints and improving it significantly. Unless you never wanted Apple to improve the Pencil, at some point there was bound to be an upgraded Pencil released. There are tens of millions of iPads only compatible with Pencil 1, so Apple will continue to sell it for the next 5-7 years at least. Pencil 2 is likely to stay an exclusive Pro feature (one of many) to encourage users to move up to the Pro devices and spend more money.

Why the new ipads dont support them?

Several reasons, but as mentioned above mostly to have a feature set that’s exclusive to the Pro models, so that customers will decide its “worth it” to spend significantly more money on a Pro. Other reasons are the mini especially would lose internal space for the wireless charging components, and also that without a large enough flat edge, it would be difficult to keep a Pencil 2 attached magnetically to the iPad body.

Why are older cameras on newer ipads?

The best cameras are reserved for Pro models. Less expensive models get less expensive parts.

Why some are thicker?

I assume your talking about the $329 iPad at 7.5mm. The budget model re-used the Air chassis. With the non-laminated screen, it can’t be made as thin as the Air 2 and 3rd gen Air, or the iPad Pros.

What does Air mean?

What did it mean in 2013? It’s comparatively light in weight, and quite thin. It’s a logical successor to the Air 2, but they’re not calling it Air 3, but rather 3rd generation. (Similarly, the 5th gen mini isn’t named mini 5.)

Where is this all clear?

The website has a lot of info including a model comparison:

https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

I was a huge apple fan until cook took over, it’s sad for me to see a reference setter to fade away into pc industry crap

I doubt I can help you with your issue(s) with Tim Cook, whatever they may be. I think, and I’m sure Cook would agree, that Apple offers the best combination of hardware, OS, software, usability, ecosystem, warranty, quality, privacy, reliability, security, etc. and I’m willing to pay for that, because those things are valuable to me. So I disagree with your characterization of Apple as a “reference setter to fade away into pc industry crap.”

But if you find a PC or a different tablet manufacturer is better suited to that which you value, then that’s what you should buy. Apple isn’t right for everyone; it’s great that we have so many other choices!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I’m absolutely baffled that this is so absolutely baffling to you lol. You really have worked yourself up into quite a state, but I’ll be happy to try to help, though I’m unlikely to respond to further questions; I’m pretty sure that for every answer I give, it may trigger another five questions from someone with such an inquisitive mind!

To replace the Air 2, you’ve really only had two options iirc. The $329 entry level, which is definitely a step down due to the non-laminated screen (but which might be fine with you at that reduced price point) or the iPad Pro models. The Pros are at least $100 more expensive than was the Air 2, but that might be fine with you because of the upgrades over the Air 2, such as faster processors and support for the Apple Pencil.

Of course, now you can simply buy the third gen Air, and at the same $499 price as your Air 2.



Because of cost—both original and repair. And it’s not that most new iPads don’t have a laminated screen, rather most do. Only the $329 entry level model is non-laminated. That’s (one of the ways) how you get to a $329 iPad. The budget iPad is partially targeted at education, where they receive some rough treatment. The non-laminated displays are easier and less expensive to repair, so the education market considers the non-laminated display to be a decided advantage.


As mentioned above, all but the least expensive $329 model.

The original Pencil was released in 2015. Some complained about the wonky charging method, others about not being able to turn it upside down to erase. As is typical for Apple, they upgraded the Pencil, addressing user complaints and improving it significantly. Unless you never wanted Apple to improve the Pencil, at some point there was bound to be an upgraded Pencil released. There are tens of millions of iPads only compatible with Pencil 1, so Apple will continue to sell it for the next 5-7 years at least. Pencil 2 is likely to stay an exclusive Pro feature (one of many) to encourage users to move up to the Pro devices and spend more money.

Several reasons, but as mentioned above mostly to have a feature set that’s exclusive to the Pro models, so that customers will decide its “worth it” to spend significantly more money on a Pro. Other reasons are the mini especially would lose internal space for the wireless charging components, and also that without a large enough flat edge, it would be difficult to keep a Pencil 2 attached magnetically to the iPad body.

The best cameras are reserved for Pro models. Less expensive models get less expensive parts.

I assume your talking about the $329 iPad at 7.5mm. The budget model re-used the Air chassis. With the non-laminated screen, it can’t be made as thin as the Air 2 and 3rd gen Air, or the iPad Pros.

What did it mean in 2013? It’s comparatively light in weight, and quite thin. It’s a logical successor to the Air 2, but they’re not calling it Air 3, but rather 3rd generation. (Similarly, the 5th gen mini isn’t named mini 5.)

The website has a lot of info including a model comparison:

https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/


I doubt I can help you with your issue(s) with Tim Cook, whatever they may be. I think, and I’m sure Cook would agree, that Apple offers the best combination of hardware, OS, software, usability, ecosystem, warranty, quality, privacy, reliability, security, etc. and I’m willing to pay for that, because those things are valuable to me. So I disagree with your characterization of Apple as a “reference setter to fade away into pc industry crap.”

But if you find a PC or a different tablet manufacturer is better suited to that which you value, then that’s what you should buy. Apple isn’t right for everyone; it’s great that we have so many other choices!

The fact you had to go into a lenghty response and explanation shows the previous poster has a point. The iPhone lineup has also gotten out of hand and confusing to the novice consumer with so many different models sold and trying to explain the differences. I don’t own an iPhone btw, just a casual observer of the iPhone lineup.

Back to the iPad, why not call the iPad Air, the iPad Air 3 instead of the “New” iPad Air? Will they call next years model the New, new iPad Air or will it become the iPad Air 4 or the iPad Air 4th Generation? The same applies to the new iPad mini.

 

[44267547]

The budget iPad is partially targeted at education, where they receive some rough treatment. The non-laminated displays are easier and less expensive to repair, so the education market considers the non-laminated display to be a decided advantage.

Just a few nitpick points:

1.) There’s nothing really ‘budget’ about the $329 iPad, I would say it’s more Apples entry level iPad. The difference being that it just doesn’t offer certain features/capabilities that the higher Pro models do. I gather that’s a bit technical to necessarily point this out, but I think it’s necessary.

2.) From my experience and understanding, it might be cheaper to repair the $329 entry level iPad, but it’s just as ‘easy’ to replace a non-laminated as the other iPads that are laminated. And I say that, because I can attest firsthand that those displays don’t take anymore time and/or experience to replace a non-laminated display versus an iPad with a laminated verses one without. Literally, The difficulty level replacing both displays [laminated/unlaminated] are exactly the same.

 

[Basic75]

iPad/iPad Air/iPad Pro
Good/Better/Best
9.7”/10.5/11.0
$329/499/799

Lightest=MacBook
Cheapest=MacBook Air
Fastest=MacBook Pro

Why do you want fewer choices? Three is too many, you only want two models? Two makes sense but three is way too complicated ? Or do you just think customers aren’t smart enough to decide between three models?

It's not just the choices, it's also how the designations change over time that adds to the confusion. The iPad mini has been all over the place, sometimes up to date and sometimes outdated internals. The MacBook Air used to be the "lightest" model, that's where the name came from, and now the MacBook has that role. In the iPad lineup, "Air" is better than "plain", in the MacBook lineup the "Air" is the cheap option. I don't think having 5 different iPad screen sizes is overly confusing, though 9.7, 10.5 and 11 are awfully close to each other. Just like the MacBook, the MacBook Air, and the entry level 13" MacBook Pro are rather close to each other, at least in the eyes of a casual buyer. I mean, many people expected the MacBook Air to be discontinued given how the retina MacBook filled that slot...
[doublepost=1553072542][/doublepost]

"The iPad line is confusing"

iPad Mini (7.9")
iPad (9.7")
iPad Air (10.5")
iPad Pro (11" & 12.9")

How is that confusing? Do you people struggle ordering a Subway sandwich?

It'd be less confusing if say the iPad mini and the iPad had the same internals. Until yesterday the iPad had an A10 while the mini had an A8, now the mini leapfrogged to an A12. Also the iPad Air is more expensive and more advanced than the iPad, while the MacBook Air has the role of cheapest laptop. It's just not very consistent.

 

[Seanm87]

The fact you had to go into a lenghty response and explanation shows the previous poster has a point. The iPhone lineup has also gotten out of hand and confusing to the novice consumer with so many different models sold and trying to explain the differences. I don’t own an iPhone btw, just a casual observer of the iPhone lineup.

Back to the iPad, why not call the iPad Air, the iPad Air 3 instead of the “New” iPad Air? Will they call next years model the New, new iPad Air or will it become the iPad Air 4 or the iPad Air 4th Generation? The same applies to the new iPad mini.

Simplification. Just sounds cleaner which works better from a marketing stand point. iPad Air sounds better than iPad Air 3.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Just a few nitpick points:
et’ about the $329 iPad, I would say it’s more Apples entry level iPad. The difference being that it just doesn’t offer certain features/capabilities that the higher Pro models do. I gather that’s a bit technical to necessarily point this out, but I think it’s necessary.

2.) From my experience and understanding, it might be cheaper to repair the $329 entry level iPad, but it’s just as ‘easy’ to replace a non-laminated as the other iPads that are laminated. And I say that, because I can attest firsthand that those displays don’t take anymore time and/or experience to replace a non-laminated display versus an iPad with a laminated verses one without. Literally, The difficulty level replacing both displays [laminated/unlaminated] are exactly the same.

1) Disagree, and maybe I can convince you Of course, “budget” is a subjective designation, so we can agree on all the facts but still not agree on whether it’s rightly called the budget model. But here goes.

Yes, it’s certainly the entry-level model, and definitely de-featured compared to the $799 Pro (and the new $499 3rd gen iPad Air as well), but that’s doesn’t mean it can’t also be the “budget” model. It can simultaneously be less fully featured, entry level and budget—at least that’s my contention lol.

But what is true is it’s not budget merely because it’s the entry level (cheapest) model. I wouldn’t call the $1,299 MacBook Pro the budget model just because it’s the cheapest MBP. I probably wouldn’t even call the old $999 MacBook Air a “budget” Mac. A budget Mac is probably a used model that’s several years old. At least that’s what I’d be looking for if I wanted a “budget Mac”.

Similarly, I’d never call the $749 iPhone XR the budget model. Sure, it’s slightly less expensive, and thus a little more affordable than the XS, but that’s a long way from making it a budget model. Maybe I’d call the the $449 iPhone 7 the budget model, I’d have to think about that. (Eh... probably not.) But if the $349 iPhone SE were available right now, I would definitely call it the budget model. Half the cost of the decidedly non-budget XR? Yup, the SE would be the budget model, to me; I’m on-board. (Of course it isn’t a budget smartphone, but I’d call it the budget-model iPhone.)

So yeah, “budget” kind of depends on just how much cheaper it is than Apple’s other models. I mean, if the $329 iPad were $249, would you call it budget? That would be half the price of the 2019 Air... Yes? No? If not, what about $199? There must be some price where you would call the 2018 iPad “budget”.

It really is just a subjective designation, and for me, being 33+% cheaper than the $499 Air, earns it that label. Especially when I don’t see a comparable tablet that’s any cheaper from anyone else. But in any case, you may very well disagree, and if it’s not “budget” to you at $299/329, I can easily accept that.

2) Thanks for the firsthand information—I stand corrected. Appreciate it! I hate spreading incorrect info. I suppose I thought with the non-laminated you just had to replace the cover glass and apparently I decided that must be easier than changing a laminated display. Shows what I know

 

[Tiger8]

iPad Air 2 is 5 years old. What confusion could there be? This lineup is extremely simple now.

Recycled names. Apple seems to be so short on inspiration when it comes to naming their products.

Coming soon: iPad galaxy Tab, iPhone Xss Note

 

[PickUrPoison]

And when they do change the design, the new design is reserved only for their latest and most expensive flagship products. Other products retain the old design for another few years, like the 5th and 6th gen iPads, which retained the iPad Air 1 design, the iPhone SE which retained the iPhone 5s design or the new iPad Air, retaining the old iPad Pro 10.5" design.

Absolutely. A new (presumably) better design doesn’t take anything away from the previous design.

In fact all the examples you mention are designs from more expensive products that were migrated to downmarket models. Utilizing existing tooling for less expensive products is one of the main reasons they can be sold for less.

 

[bbeagle]

Because hopefully customers are smart enough to know a tablet of approaching two years of age, the 2017 10.5", has a superior screen and sound (120hz and quad speakers) at the expense of 18% performance dip that will be negligible, can be had regularly on sale for the same asking price as this stripped down thing that just hit the market. Maybe they'll then be so turned off by the fact that the better option is one from the past, they'll hold onto their money a little while longer, etc.

You think much too highly of consumers.

Someone's tablet just broke, or they want to get a new one for their kid.... they want an iPad. They blindly go out and get the latest model regardless of specs.

Because those minor specs don't matter to them, and they're not about to go into details. Newer=better is what consumers are 'programmed' to understand.

That's what 90% of consumers do.

 

[subjonas]

iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini.

Not hard to follow...

It’s more like:
iPad mini
iPad
iPad Air
iPad Pro 11
iPad Pro 12.9
(Also the iPad is bigger than the mini but cheaper.)

It doesn’t take a genius to follow but it probably takes 3x longer to make a common customer understand, as opposed to say if it was simply a regular line and pro line with two sizes each.

 

[thadoggfather]

You think much too highly of consumers.

Someone's tablet just broke, or they want to get a new one for their kid.... they want an iPad. They blindly go out and get the latest model regardless of specs.

Because those minor specs don't matter to them, and they're not about to go into details. Newer=better is what consumers are 'programmed' to understand.

That's what 90% of consumers do.

So apple is exploiting the ignorance of consumers? Why is that a good thing again or justifiable?

 

[bbeagle]

So apple is exploiting the ignorance of consumers? Why is that a good thing again or justifiable?

Every good company studies how consumers buy things so they can sell more of their products.

If you want to spin this as 'exploiting the ignorance', way to be. I guess car drivers 'exploit the ignorance' of someone driving 45 in a 55 by passing them. Way to be.

 

[thadoggfather]

Every good company studies how consumers buy things so they can sell more of their products.

If you want to spin this as 'exploiting the ignorance', way to be. I guess car drivers 'exploit the ignorance' of someone driving 45 in a 55 by passing them. Way to be.

im not 'spinning' anything, I'm simply asking a question.

it just seems pretty dishonest to me

 

[clauzzz203]

I’m absolutely baffled that this is so absolutely baffling to you lol. You really have worked yourself up into quite a state, but I’ll be happy to try to help, though I’m unlikely to respond to further questions; I’m pretty sure that for every answer I give, it may trigger another five questions from someone with such an inquisitive mind!

To replace the Air 2, you’ve really only had two options iirc. The $329 entry level, which is definitely a step down due to the non-laminated screen (but which might be fine with you at that reduced price point) or the iPad Pro models. The Pros are at least $100 more expensive than was the Air 2, but that might be fine with you because of the upgrades over the Air 2, such as faster processors and support for the Apple Pencil.

Of course, now you can simply buy the third gen Air, and at the same $499 price as your Air 2.



Because of cost—both original and repair. And it’s not that most new iPads don’t have a laminated screen, rather most do. Only the $329 entry level model is non-laminated. That’s (one of the ways) how you get to a $329 iPad. The budget iPad is partially targeted at education, where they receive some rough treatment. The non-laminated displays are easier and less expensive to repair, so the education market considers the non-laminated display to be a decided advantage.


As mentioned above, all but the least expensive $329 model.

The original Pencil was released in 2015. Some complained about the wonky charging method, others about not being able to turn it upside down to erase. As is typical for Apple, they upgraded the Pencil, addressing user complaints and improving it significantly. Unless you never wanted Apple to improve the Pencil, at some point there was bound to be an upgraded Pencil released. There are tens of millions of iPads only compatible with Pencil 1, so Apple will continue to sell it for the next 5-7 years at least. Pencil 2 is likely to stay an exclusive Pro feature (one of many) to encourage users to move up to the Pro devices and spend more money.

Several reasons, but as mentioned above mostly to have a feature set that’s exclusive to the Pro models, so that customers will decide its “worth it” to spend significantly more money on a Pro. Other reasons are the mini especially would lose internal space for the wireless charging components, and also that without a large enough flat edge, it would be difficult to keep a Pencil 2 attached magnetically to the iPad body.

The best cameras are reserved for Pro models. Less expensive models get less expensive parts.

I assume your talking about the $329 iPad at 7.5mm. The budget model re-used the Air chassis. With the non-laminated screen, it can’t be made as thin as the Air 2 and 3rd gen Air, or the iPad Pros.

What did it mean in 2013? It’s comparatively light in weight, and quite thin. It’s a logical successor to the Air 2, but they’re not calling it Air 3, but rather 3rd generation. (Similarly, the 5th gen mini isn’t named mini 5.)

The website has a lot of info including a model comparison:

https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/


I doubt I can help you with your issue(s) with Tim Cook, whatever they may be. I think, and I’m sure Cook would agree, that Apple offers the best combination of hardware, OS, software, usability, ecosystem, warranty, quality, privacy, reliability, security, etc. and I’m willing to pay for that, because those things are valuable to me. So I disagree with your characterization of Apple as a “reference setter to fade away into pc industry crap.”

But if you find a PC or a different tablet manufacturer is better suited to that which you value, then that’s what you should buy. Apple isn’t right for everyone; it’s great that we have so many other choices!

You’re just attacking me personally while proving my points. My opinion remains what it is

 

[titlecade]

Trash pad. No good camera without flash? Come on now. Can’t be that hard to include. I guess I’m the only person who uses it regularly for work and school to scan documents and complete markups. This iPad doesn’t compare with the older 10.5 pro or the upgraded mini.

 

[Abazigal]

Trash pad. No good camera without flash? Come on now. Can’t be that hard to include. I guess I’m the only person who uses it regularly for work and school to scan documents and complete markups. This iPad doesn’t compare with the older 10.5 pro or the upgraded mini.

I don’t use the flash when scanning documents. Is that a thing? I might have used the flash on my iPad Pro maybe once as a torchlight, but that was pretty much it.

 

[titlecade]

I don’t use the flash when scanning documents. Is that a thing? I might have used the flash on my iPad Pro maybe once as a torchlight, but that was pretty much it.

When scanning, it definitely helps to rid the document of potential shadows. I scan document regularly, so depending the paper material and lighting situation, it helps a lot. My most people I would assume just use waste money on the more expensive ipads just to consume media.

 

[Abazigal]

When scanning, it definitely helps to rid the document of potential shadows. I scan document regularly, so depending the paper material and lighting situation, it helps a lot. My most people I would assume just use waste money on the more expensive ipads just to consume media.

Can’t believe it never occurred to me to do that. Will definitely try this out the next time. How do I turn on the flash again when scanning?

 

[PickUrPoison]

The fact you had to go into a lenghty response and explanation shows the previous poster has a point. The iPhone lineup has also gotten out of hand and confusing to the novice consumer with so many different models sold and trying to explain the differences. I don’t own an iPhone btw, just a casual observer of the iPhone lineup.

Back to the iPad, why not call the iPad Air, the iPad Air 3 instead of the “New” iPad Air? Will they call next years model the New, new iPad Air or will it become the iPad Air 4 or the iPad Air 4th Generation? The same applies to the new iPad mini.

The thing is, OP didn’t need to know all the answers to those questions. If you want a small iPad, the mini is your only choice. And few buy the $799 or $999 Pros; those that do know they want it. No one is saying, hmmm, do I want the $300 iPad or the $800 iPad.

It’s pretty simple: if price isn’t a concern, you spend the $800+ for the best and get a Pro. Otherwise, your options are the $329 basic iPad, or the $499 iPad Air. The Air is thinner, lighter, faster, has a better front camera and has a much better display. Buy it if you can afford the extra $170, otherwise you are left with only the $329 entry level model.

iPhone is pretty simple too. Three current models, but if they’re too costly, Apple also sells one and two year old models that are still great phones.

btw They're not calling this model “the New iPad Air”, so no need to worry that next year might be new, new iPad Air. Apple mostly just calls it iPad Air; when they’re being more technical (such as in support docs) they’re using iPad Air (third generation), or I’ve also seen 10.5” iPad Air. The new mini is iPad mini (fifth generation). But they’re not using iPad Air 3 or iPad mini 5. (The Pro models have always been designated only by their generation, not iPad Pro 1, Pro 2, etc.)

 

[titlecade]

Can’t believe it never occurred to me to do that. Will definitely try this out the next time. How do I turn on the flash again when scanning?

All depends on the app you use. Pro scanner has the function.

 

[manu chao]

I have an ipad air 2; for me it is absolutely baffling to choose a new ipad released in the last four years to replace it.

Why is the air 2 laminated and most new ones not? Which ones are? Why are multiple pencils? Why the new ipads dont support them? Why are older cameras on newer ipads? Why some are thicker? What does Air mean?

1) There is only a single iPad model without a laminated screen: the entry-level $329 9.7" iPad. iPad Mini, 10.5" iPad Air, both iPad Pro models all have laminated displays.
2) The new pencil (including its inductive charging) only works with the (new) iPad Pro models as one of the feature differences that differentiate the Pro models from the rest. The new design is another one of those aspects that differentiate the iPad Pro (and enables the inductive charging). The non-pro iPads keep the older designs to (a) save money on a redesign, (b) ensure that all previous accessories still work, and (c) keep them different and less 'exciting-because-it-is-new' then the Pros and this makes them unable to work with the new pencil (well, the might work but have no way to charge the new pencil).
3) The 'old' industrial design (with no camera bump) also necessitates lesser cameras on the new Air and Mini than the Pro models have. The iPad Mini 5 and 10.5" iPad Air thus have the same camera as the iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Air 2. But this is naturally also a differentiating factor of the Pro models.
4) The new iPad Air is not thicker than either its namesake predecessor the iPad Air 2 or its technical base, the 10.5" iPad Pro, 6.1 mm all-around. Ditto for the iPad Mini 5. Only the cheapest, entry-level $329 iPad is thicker. Only the Pros are a tad thinner with 5.9 mm.
5) Air means a category below Pro (also following the shape of previous models with the Air name).

Hope this answers your questions.