iPad Glad you didn't get an Air?

[seble]

I want to love my Air I really do. It's slim, light, amazing to hold, the screen ohhhhh myyyyyy it's so much better than the 2's as are the speakers, but at the same time, the restarting I often face, and the bugginess of things like Safari mean I'll never be fully glad it replaced my reliable iPad 2, which btw doesn't feel that much more sluggish over this device. This feels the same amount of speed in a nicer shell. Nothing compared to going from a 4 to a 5S!

 

[carjakester]

i have the iPad 4 and the air didn't seem worth the upgrade, also the new form factor could be perfected by the next generation as well hopefully more ram, which would be the reason i would upgrade.

 

[d123]

You missed the option of "I had the Air, but sold it and went back to an iPad 4"

 

[Count Blah]

I think iOS 7 has a ton of problems, and it was released prematurely. 1gb of ram on an iPad is more than enough - I never had ANY ram-related issues with my iPad 2 at all, and that had less than 1gb.

Apple has got to get on the whole iOS 7 thing - lots of problems. As soon as 7.1 is out, I'm sure these issues will be resolved.

The non-retina iPad 2 uses less RAM than the retina. So claiming the 1 gig of RAM is enough is your guess, and is not compatible with most people's experiences, soecificaly when having their tabs refresh constantly in safari.

Also, looking for 7.1 to fix ALL the issues is setting yourself up for disappointment.

iOS 7 is a real step down for stability and performance. Hopeful it gets better with 7.1, but there will still be issues that remain, specifically when it comes to the air/rMini running at 99% RAM utilization , due to Apple's stinginess/thirst for max $$$ at user experience expense.

 

[richardbb85]

The non-retina iPad 2 uses less RAM than the retina. So claiming the 1 gig of RAM is enough is your guess, and is not compatible with most people's experiences, soecificaly when having their tabs refresh constantly in safari.

Also, looking for 7.1 to fix ALL the issues is setting yourself up for disappointment.

iOS 7 is a real step down for stability and performance. Hopeful it gets better with 7.1, but there will still be issues that remain, specifically when it comes to the air/rMini running at 99% RAM utilization , due to Apple's stinginess/thirst for max $$$ at user experience expense.

couldnt have said it any better

 

[DaCurmudgen]

Not so sure Apple is sacrificing user experience for max $$$. In fact, those of us that want more RAM should probably consider a light-weight laptop.

I'm with you in that I would like 2 GB RAM, but not having it hasn't stopped me dead in my tracks. In fact, I've done some pretty complex/gratifying video and music productions with my iPad. There are moments when I feel like the responsiveness is akin to a Windows 3.1 computer with 128K RAM (computers used to run on that little RAM, ya know), but overall, it does the job ... and then some ... without feeling like I'm breaking out my computer rig. When I consider my app options and screen resolution with the iPad, I feel like the user experience is darn good.

To be fair, I am more geek than consumer. In fact, aren't most posters here uber-geeks? Assuming so, I don't think Apple made a tablet that we nerds will love and use for the next 4 years. For the average and remedial user (read 80% of the market), an iPad is the best tablet.

As for the Air -- I went with an rMini. Sounds like you should wait for the iPad Pro, if there will be one, or think about an MB Air. I have one of those too, and that is the real competitor to the Surface or other hybrid tablets. Let's see how much Steve envisioned with his core team and what Tim and crew will deliver next.

For now, either enjoy your purchase or wait it out. Whatever you decide, it will be the best decision for YOU.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

When air came out, I was going to sell my 3 and get one. I was all caught up in the hype.

Then, I had trouble selling it to people I knew, and as time went by, I forgot all about it. The ipad 3 is fine for now. I don't notice its weight at all. And the setup at the apple store is horrible - they attach the Air to those security things (which of course I understand), but it really gives you a false sense of the device's weight. (It feels heavy in the store because of it)

Another reason for waiting is to wait for more ram as 1 isn't cutting it these days. I am not unhappy with the 3 at all and I am glad I am waiting.

Are YOU glad you didn't get an air?

I'm very glad I never bought a 64Gb iPad Air. Wasn't too happy with the lack of RAM (as I wanted it to last) and the closing of tabs (even if it is a software problem, that should be fixed before releasing the product or at worst now). Plus I was hoping for the G6630 GPU. I was buying it for iMovie, web browsing... then ending up buying a high end 21.5''. Happy I did, I feel the iMac is much better value for money than the iPad for what I wanted to use it for. Plus, I can now do more (and am doing more) than what I would have been able to do on an iPad.

 

[iPodJedi]

I think that the iPad Air is definiatly a good upgrade from any previous iPad becuase of its new size. That is very uncommon to say about iPads becuase there normally isnt much of an upgrade going from one ipad to the next. I think this is a good time to buy an iPad and There souldnt really need to be a wait. There will always be a new processor inside and the next iPad probably wont be much of an upgrade-it will probably be the same as the air except with touchID and new internals.

 

[sixrom]

I'm very happy with both my iPad Air, and retina mini.

Each has its advantages and distinct differences. Apple knows what they're doing when they decide to apply themselves.

 

[war eagle]

I have an Air and iPad mini retina. I just got an Air from my job for free. I kind of wish I picked the Air over the mini. This extra real estate is a lot easier on the eyes.

 

[The Banana]

To all; the Air is awesome, and it will become twice as awesome when Apple makes the IOS better.. Or if they move to OSX

 

[iapplelove]

I love my air. Can't wait for this years iPad too

----------

I'm very glad I never bought a 64Gb iPad Air. Wasn't too happy with the lack of RAM (as I wanted it to last) and the closing of tabs (even if it is a software problem, that should be fixed before releasing the product or at worst now). Plus I was hoping for the G6630 GPU. I was buying it for iMovie, web browsing... then ending up buying a high end 21.5''. Happy I did, I feel the iMac is much better value for money than the iPad for what I wanted to use it for. Plus, I can now do more (and am doing more) than what I would have been able to do on an iPad.

Please tell me your not comparing an iPad to an iMac ?

 

[wordoflife]

Never planned on getting an Air, but ... my iPad 3 works quite well. I see no need to replace it right now or anytime soon.

 

[Jasonkrick]

Couldn't be happier with the Air over the 3.

Wouldn't go back.

But I now use the rMini more than the Air

It is the perfect size.

Bigger than a phablet but smaller than a full aze tablet.

I rarely use my iphone anymore except for tethering. I just realized something! I have a $1000 tethering device that I spend $60+ a month on to use my iPads. Rather hilarious I must say.

 

[master-ceo]

I rarely use my iphone anymore except for tethering. I just realized something! I have a $1000 tethering device that I spend $60+ a month on to use my iPads. Rather hilarious I must say.

Same here. I do like to use it to stream my music from BOX though , but other than that its tethered to my iPad 24hours a day

 

[nebrot]

Sold the 4 and got the Air - very happy with it and worth it. The (stability) problems I read about in the forum are related to iOS7 not to the iPad Air and it promises that iOS7.1 fixes them. But I am at this point quite happy and do enjoy the Air every day.

 

[johnmacward]

I bought the Air and sold my iPad 3 for a nice €400 - incredible resale value for a tech device. The iPad 3 became a slow hunk of [insert bad word here] even on iOS 6 and it worsened slightly on iOS 7 so I stopped using it. There was an iPad 4 in work and that was the iPad I always dreamt of having - its performance was mind-blowing.

Benchmarks prove the iPad 3 was in fact slightly slower than the iPad 2. the only real difference between a 2 and a 3 was the Retina display.

I'm overall happy with my Air although there ARE lag and performance problems which are certainly related to iOS 7.0.4. That was disappointing alright, especially when my iPhone 5 felt faster than my brand new Air, with it's 2 x CPU and GPU increases.

When iOS 7.1 appears I hear most of that is fixed and then FINALLY we'll have the Air that we deserve. Those on the beta's are already reporting major performance and UI improvements.

 

[johnmacward]

Not so sure Apple is sacrificing user experience for max $$$. In fact, those of us that want more RAM should probably consider a light-weight laptop.

I'm with you in that I would like 2 GB RAM, but not having it hasn't stopped me dead in my tracks. In fact, I've done some pretty complex/gratifying video and music productions with my iPad. There are moments when I feel like the responsiveness is akin to a Windows 3.1 computer with 128K RAM (computers used to run on that little RAM, ya know), but overall, it does the job ... and then some ... without feeling like I'm breaking out my computer rig. When I consider my app options and screen resolution with the iPad, I feel like the user experience is darn good.

To be fair, I am more geek than consumer. In fact, aren't most posters here uber-geeks? Assuming so, I don't think Apple made a tablet that we nerds will love and use for the next 4 years. For the average and remedial user (read 80% of the market), an iPad is the best tablet.

As for the Air -- I went with an rMini. Sounds like you should wait for the iPad Pro, if there will be one, or think about an MB Air. I have one of those too, and that is the real competitor to the Surface or other hybrid tablets. Let's see how much Steve envisioned with his core team and what Tim and crew will deliver next.

For now, either enjoy your purchase or wait it out. Whatever you decide, it will be the best decision for YOU.

I don't agree, upping the RAM is incredibly cheap these days - especially for the amounts that are in these devices anyway. Even without conspiratorial intent I assume this is done to create a little obsolescence. The profit margins have been worked out for these devices and increasing the RAM would not cause any appreciable decrease in what they make.

I've used Apple mobile devices for the last 4 or 5 years, from early iPod Touch up to my iPhone 5 and Air today. Give it about a year or a year and a half of updating to the latest iOS's and the device you own will just NOT feel the same on the new iOS as it did before.

My iPhone 4 by the end became so frustrating in doing things that I bit the bullet and went for an iPhone 5 - Apple wins again. Its funny, they have full control of the OS and hardware and can't modify to keep the OS running well on all devices even if that means aggressively switching off new features.

Remember the iPhone 3G debacle. My sister had one and upgraded to whatever the last update it would get (maybe iOS 4). There were times where she couldn't answer calls it was so unresponsive or typing on the keyboard produced lag as long as 8 seconds. Essentially it was a working bricked device! For a company so obsessed by perfection, how they missed on quality testing here is beyond belief. In my opinion they didn't miss on this testing, they knew how bad it was because they HAD to check before release but knew that it would also encourage new device purchases.

This is why they don't up the RAM in my opinion, if you get 3 years out of a device, rather the 1 and a half, that's lost revenue.

 

[Davejprince]

I don't get why people always to look to upgrade when they got the device.
My iPad 2 from 2011 is going strong and I'm not even thinking about "upgrading" it's just wasting money on **** you don't need.

 

[kevink2]

My next iOS device, if I buy one in the next year, is possibly a larger screen iPhone. If it becomes available, and I think it is still usable in size. I would probably have to change how I carry it, since even the 5 is a little tall for my pocket.

I bought the top end iPad 3 when it came out so I wouldn't be worrying about storage. Speed is still sufficient for me. It supports LTE, and even though it doesn't support all the current bands, for ATT it works fine.

 

[erasr]

Got the Air. Is it just me or does it not actually feel that light?! Next one for me will be mini, 100%. Full size iPads now just feel clunky to me after trying a mini.

 

[AppleRobert]

Got the Air. Is it just me or does it not actually feel that light?! Next one for me will be mini, 100%. Full size iPads now just feel clunky to me after trying a mini.

No Mini for me. I would prefer an Apple phablet. I love the Note 3 and I hope Apple releases a phablet.

Try picking up the Kindle Fire 8.9 HDX for size and weight versus the Air. Perfect, especially for folks with aging eyes.

 

[troubleonline]

Am glad I did!

I upgraded from iPad 2 to the air yesterday and am delighted with it! Love the lighter weight, the retina display and the speed. I upgrade my iPhone every model but as my iPad is through work that has not been so easy but am really glad I asked if I could get a new one

 

[FatPuppy]

I regret nothing, I've sold my 3, played a few minutes with the air and bought the r mini and I am lovin' it.

 

[irnchriz]

Jees, the iPad 4 was a major speed hike over the 3 let alone going to an iPad Air. No luck if you are stuck with a 3 and can't afford an Air, must be horrible. Maybe a change of career is in order or just knock in a bit of overtime?