Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The cheap feel screen is definitely one of the first things that I notice. Tapping on it will have louder hollow sound than tapping on ipad 3 or 4. But I do feel that this is the necessary adjustment needed to make it lighter. The rest of the part still feel as solid as ever.
 
Wow. I had an iPad2. It feels different but not cheaper. It isn't like the screen flexes.

upgraded from ipad2 as well. screen felt cheap and different and it felt small as well. Guess have to upgrade again next year when 11 inch or 13 inch shows up...
 
My mother came over last night and was checking out my iPad Air for the first time. First thing she said " Wow, this is just amazing! I can't believe they made it out of plastic". Keep in mind that she is not so tech savvy and owns an iPad 4 that my brother gave her 6 months ago.
 
I will take this screen any day. Hardly any issue at all with fingerprints and while off topic, my Air is running cool as a cucumber!
 
On Friday, I got a new iPad Air. We also have 3 other iPad's (2/3) in the household (2 for kids, 1 for wife).
The first thing I noticed when I unboxed my iPad Air how cheap and hollow the screen feels. Since I will be touching the other iPad's in the household (playing games with kids, updating, fixing etc), I do not think I will get used to the new screen on my Air anytime soon so I decided that I am going to return it and will get myself iPad 4 refurb which at this point is much better deal and also has rock solid feel to it.
 
Well those who complain about the feel on the screen. Let me give you a solution.

Go get those glass screen protector and apply on it. Then no more issue.
 
They skimped out on the glass.... Thankfully :)

From what I can tell, they did the exact same thing with the iMacs, and hopefully the next Cinema Display
(4k wouldn't hurt also :D, not that I've even seen a 4k display... Sounds cool though :) )
 
Last edited:
Well those who complain about the feel on the screen. Let me give you a solution.

Go get those glass screen protector and apply on it. Then no more issue.

+100. Really, it's a two birds with one stone solution. While the Gorilla Glass is scratch resistant, that doesn't mean it will NEVER scratch, only that it's very hard to scratch. So you get peace of mind plus a more solid feel to the screen.
 
The screen feels like an Etch a Sketch. I also noticed that the screen surface is not as "smooth" when rubbing my fingers across the screen as the prior generations. I find the surface of the Ipad Air a little more "stickier". Just returned my Ipad Air. Gonna see what kind of deals they have around Black Friday for the Ipad 4.
 
I noticed this right away, but after a few minutes of working with it, it doesn't bother me.
 
I noticed it initially coming from an iPad3, but I only notice it now if I go back and forth.

Of course the first thing I notice is that the 3 weighs 50% more.
 
+100. Really, it's a two birds with one stone solution. While the Gorilla Glass is scratch resistant, that doesn't mean it will NEVER scratch, only that it's very hard to scratch. So you get peace of mind plus a more solid feel to the screen.

I scratched my iPad 2 pretty badly without even thinking about it. I carried it to my car with keys on it. Apple exchanged it, but it wasn't like I tried to key it on purpose. Never again. Zagg HD on my replacement 2, 3, and now air.

Even with the screen protector it feels very cheap and it's noisy to type on. I love how fast and light it is, but the screen is annoying. iOS 7 is taking some getting used to. It looks like hell.
 
I actually went from a mini to a 4 for a brief period (having owned all but the first iPad at one time or another) and I found differently; the old style screen appeared too thick, like giant coke bottle glasses. I don't think it flattered the display at all.
 
Last edited:
You know. I would be inclined to agree. I'm very used to the previous generations screens. I also happened to hate ios7 initially. But both, the screen and iOS 7 aren't just passable to me at this point but something that I actually enjoy.
 
The cheap feel screen is definitely one of the first things that I notice. Tapping on it will have louder hollow sound than tapping on ipad 3 or 4. But I do feel that this is the necessary adjustment needed to make it lighter. The rest of the part still feel as solid as ever.

I agree 100%. The folks that are saying get over it and if you don't like it, return it, don't have valid points to me.

Part of what you buy with apple is not just the technology, it's the feel, the look, the "experience" of the product. Coming from an iPad 2, that was my first thought 'Wow, this feels like plastic, and sounds like it too'. It's a valid statement. Someone also said "It's not like it flexes". Acutally, it does. Catch a glare on the screen and press it with your finger, you can watch it dimple.

Now, I'm all for lighter, thinner, better, faster, stronger. :))) But it IMHO, it doesn't feel anything like the past ipads - at all. Put the Air and a past generation on a table, side by side and tap the screen. Anyone who says there's no difference is just in denial.

All that said, I like it and am keeping it, but it is what it is.
 
I would've preferred slightly thicker glass. A tiny bit more weight and thickness is ok to keep that solid feel that separates the iPad from other tablets. But, we must move on.
 
Another thread that had me going before I picked mine up

Along with not enough RAM and screen weirdness, I almost didn't bother :rolleyes:
 
You guys are funny. The glass is thinner yet same strength as before. That's a FEATURE,
not a drawback.

It's ability to flex means it's less likely to crack. That's a great thing!

I agree that you'll have to get used to it. Glass that is rigid breaks easily...

Gorilla glass is just going to keep getting thinner, so get used to it.
 
I agree 100%. The folks that are saying get over it and if you don't like it, return it, don't have valid points to me.

Part of what you buy with apple is not just the technology, it's the feel, the look, the "experience" of the product. Coming from an iPad 2, that was my first thought 'Wow, this feels like plastic, and sounds like it too'. It's a valid statement. Someone also said "It's not like it flexes". Acutally, it does. Catch a glare on the screen and press it with your finger, you can watch it dimple.

Now, I'm all for lighter, thinner, better, faster, stronger. :))) But it IMHO, it doesn't feel anything like the past ipads - at all. Put the Air and a past generation on a table, side by side and tap the screen. Anyone who says there's no difference is just in denial.

All that said, I like it and am keeping it, but it is what it is.

iPad Air: unapologetically plastic

----------

Feel is important. For example, an iMac mouse with 1/4 of it's current mass would feel terrible. There has to be mass. There has to be substance. There has to be balance.

You guys ever feel the new ceramic switches that are an option in some Mercedes Benzes?

You wouldn't care if the switches weighed 5 lbs each. They feel damn good. Weight, if done right, is desirable and premium.

Apple had intended to remove the substantial "feel", and leave you only with the remaining "air".


Instead, they have made a cheap toy feeling device.


Steve would never had allowed this.
 
I thought the iphone 5 felt cheap at first...I've come to appreciate the new lightness of it.
Give it a few weeks and you guys will too.
 
I have owned every iPad except the iPad 4 and many of the iPhone models. I can say without a doubt, as an iPad Air owner, it feels ever bit as solid as it's predecessors. It is in fact the best looking and feeling iPad that I've ever owned.
 
I have owned every iPad except the iPad 4 and many of the iPhone models. I can say without a doubt, as an iPad Air owner, it feels ever bit as solid as it's predecessors. It is in fact the best looking and feeling iPad that I've ever owned.

We all know that's you, Phil Schiller. :D

Your marketing speak won't work here. Give it up!
 
I had a good look and play with the iPad Air yesterday and I must say the build is excellent.:) My first quick look on Saturday I thought is the back of the iPad felt plastic like but no it's nice aluminium feel.:cool:

Still no need to update from my iPad 4.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.