Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Have Air 2 users gone to the new iPad?

gobikerider

gobikerider

Suspended
Original poster
Apr 15, 2016
2,022
1,478
United States
Im wondering if anyone has upgraded to the new iPad simply for the updated A9 chipset and improved battery life. I'm not sure if it really would be a worthwhile upgrade although even so a $300 total cost of accessories and the iPad are a lot more appealing than $600-$1000 for a iPad Pro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sparksd
Maybe if one was already buying a new iPad anyway (e.g. need more storage or give Air 2 to family member and keep the new iPad for themselves). Otherwise, I don't think it's worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider and profets
gobikerider said:
Im wondering if anyone has upgraded to the new iPad simply for the updated A9 chipset and improved battery life. I'm not sure if it really would be a worthwhile upgrade although even so a $300 total cost of accessories and the iPad are a lot more appealing than $600-$1000 for a iPad Pro.
Click to expand...

As an 128GB LTE Air 2 owner, I see zero value in an upgrade for myself (new model or Pro).
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrex, GlenK, arefbe and 2 others
rui no onna said:
Maybe if one was already buying a new iPad anyway (e.g. need more storage or give Air 2 to family member and keep the new iPad for themselves). Otherwise, I don't think it's worth it.
Click to expand...

"Worth it" is certainly subjective. The individuals I know who own both the Air 2 and 2017 iPad, have been pleasantly surprised with the new iPad battery life and apparently the lack of laminate display has not been that much of a factor as they initially thought it would be. The battery life on the 2017 iPad is receiving a lot of positive feedback as well. It's certainly not an upgrade, but for the price point, it has its value for what it is.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sracer
Relentless Power said:
"Worth it" is certainly subjective. The individuals I know who own both the Air 2 and 2017 iPad, have been pleasantly surprised with the new iPad battery life and apparently the lack of laminate display has not been that much of a factor as they initially thought it would be. The battery life on the 2017 iPad is receiving a lot of positive feedback as well. It's certainly not an upgrade, but for the price point, it has its value for what is.
Click to expand...
What is curious is I here the A9 tends to have issues when multitasking, to what extent idk but I mean it can't be as bad as the Air 2 is? As I'm typing this my keyboard became entirely unresponsive. I had to switch to my other app and then back to get the keyboard to "unfreeze". That's my main issue with the Air 2 is that it seems prone to something wether the app or part of iOS becomes momentarily unresponsive, it's rather frustrating and ruins my workflow. If the iPad would fix that then heck that's worth $300 to me, sadly I don't think it really does from what I've read.
 
gobikerider said:
What is curious is I here the A9 tends to have issues when multitasking, to what extent idk but I mean it can't be as bad as the Air 2 is? As I'm typing this my keyboard became entirely unresponsive. I had to switch to my other app and then back to get the keyboard to "unfreeze". That's my main issue with the Air 2 is that it seems prone to something wether the app or part of iOS becomes momentarily unresponsive, it's rather frustrating and ruins my workflow. If the iPad would fix that then heck that's worth $300 to me, sadly I don't think it really does from what I've read.
Click to expand...
Attributing that unresponsiveness to the CPU seems a bit extreme. What browser are you using? If you are using Safari, what (if any) ad blocker are you using? What other apps are running?

On my 12.9 iPad Pro using Safari, I find this site to be a bit problematic when posting. There's something squirrelly going on with the rich text box used for composing posts that doesn't happen on other sites.

My wife has my old Air 2 and uses that heavily every day. It is as smooth and responsive as the first day I bought it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arefbe and profets
As a huge fan of the iPad, I don't see any reason for someone to jump from the Air 2 to the newest iPad. That doesn't make sense to me.

That said, the new iPad was a perfect birthday gift to my dad last night as I upgraded him from the iPad 3. My friend's mother also got updated from an iPad 2 to the new iPad as well.

So in short, upgrading from the last gen, dumb. Upgrading from older EOL iPads, smart....almost as if that was the entire point of this new cheaper iPad offering ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: rui no onna and gobikerider
sracer said:
Attributing that unresponsiveness to the CPU seems a bit extreme. What browser are you using? If you are using Safari, what (if any) ad blocker are you using? What other apps are running?

On my 12.9 iPad Pro using Safari, I find this site to be a bit problematic when posting. There's something squirrelly going on with the rich text box used for composing posts that doesn't happen on other sites.

My wife has my old Air 2 and uses that heavily every day. It is as smooth and responsive as the first day I bought it.
Click to expand...
Hmmm yah just Safari with Purify Adblocker, although now that you mention it this is the site I seem to notice issues in, your definetly right about the text box being kinky. I may have also overstated, as I do agree other then the weird Safari sometimes overall the iPad itself remains smooth as butter although I think iOS 8 was smoother:p iOS 9 seemed to be slower but iOS 10 fixed that and the iPad is better than ever for 98% of the time.
[doublepost=1493833818][/doublepost]
NT1440 said:
As a huge fan of the iPad, I don't see any reason for someone to jump from the Air 2 to the newest iPad. That doesn't make sense to me.

That said, the new iPad was a perfect birthday gift to my dad last night as I upgraded him from the iPad 3. My friend's mother also got updated from an iPad 2 to the new iPad as well.

So in short, upgrading from the last gen, dumb. Upgrading from older EOL iPads, smart....almost as if that was the entire point of this new cheaper iPad offering ;)
Click to expand...
I know it's dumb but I can't stomach spending the money on a Pro, I mean I could afford it but still it's money I'd rather avoid spending. Maybe a iPad (2018) is something I should hold out for :D
 
gobikerider said:
I know it's dumb but I can't stomach spending the money on a Pro, I mean I could afford it but still it's money I'd rather avoid spending. Maybe a iPad (2018) is something I should hold out for :D
Click to expand...
As an owner of a Pro personally, I'd hold off until after WWDC/fall if you can. It's a great device, but it's on the tail end of a cycle and if you're going to drop the money (frankly, the smart keyboard makes it worth the cost, best tablet keyboard I've ever used) you might as well pounce on the newest version if you plan on staying with it for several years.

I'm not looking to replace my Pro until at least 2019/2020.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roar7 and sracer
NT1440 said:
As an owner of a Pro personally, I'd hold off until after WWDC/fall if you can. It's a great device, but it's on the tail end of a cycle and if you're going to drop the money (frankly, the smart keyboard makes it worth the cost, best tablet keyboard I've ever used) you might as well pounce on the newest version if you plan on staying with it for several years.

I'm not looking to replace my Pro until at least 2019/2020.
Click to expand...
I know I used some gift cards and got a Smart Cover and Logitech keys to go keyboard. I'm very happy now and feel like the iPad Air 2 is much more productive this way. So we'll see but the iPad Pro is gonna have to really impress to get me to drop the cash on one.
 
I have an iPad Air 2. It has a not small crack in the front, which I have been quoted $100 to repair.

Then last week, my iPhone 6+ bricked. Complete failure of the IOS, I was told, and naturally since it was out of warranty, I had to replace it. It's the first time I've replaced an iPhone out of necessity rather than desire.

That said, AT&T was running a special at the time. With purchase of a new IPhone, I could get an new IPad for $99. So I did. I haven't had one with LTE qualities before. It's not a replacement per se, as I will use both. But it's an addition. I use my IPad constantly, both for teaching and grading.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider
Relentless Power said:
"Worth it" is certainly subjective. The individuals I know who own both the Air 2 and 2017 iPad, have been pleasantly surprised with the new iPad battery life and apparently the lack of laminate display has not been that much of a factor as they initially thought it would be. The battery life on the 2017 iPad is receiving a lot of positive feedback as well. It's certainly not an upgrade, but for the price point, it has its value for what it is.
Click to expand...
Oh, I'm not arguing about the 2017 iPad's value on its own. For anyone buying a new iPad or upgrading from Air 1 or older and is not concerned with having a fully laminated display, I wholeheartedly recommend the 2017 iPad (5th gen). As has been mentioned though, it's a bit of a sidegrade from the Air 2 so for most Air 2 owners, why spend $300+ when they don't have to?

Mind, I did buy a 2017 iPad to upgrade my dad's iPad 3. Wish this had been available last year. Instead, I got my mom a 9.7 iPad Pro 128GB LTE for $729 (with VZW promo discount). Didn't bother with the Air 2 since it cost nearly the same as the 9.7 iPP.

gobikerider said:
What is curious is I here the A9 tends to have issues when multitasking, to what extent idk but I mean it can't be as bad as the Air 2 is? As I'm typing this my keyboard became entirely unresponsive. I had to switch to my other app and then back to get the keyboard to "unfreeze". That's my main issue with the Air 2 is that it seems prone to something wether the app or part of iOS becomes momentarily unresponsive, it's rather frustrating and ruins my workflow. If the iPad would fix that then heck that's worth $300 to me, sadly I don't think it really does from what I've read.
Click to expand...
Faster hardware isn't gonna fix software glitches. :rolleyes:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sunny1990
gobikerider said:
Im wondering if anyone has upgraded to the new iPad simply for the updated A9 chipset and improved battery life. I'm not sure if it really would be a worthwhile upgrade although even so a $300 total cost of accessories and the iPad are a lot more appealing than $600-$1000 for a iPad Pro.
Click to expand...


I did. I personally find it to be a little less laggy and the battery life is noticeably better. I also like the base storage being 32gb instead of 16gb which is what my air 2 was. I gave the air 2 to my wife. I love my new iPad 2017.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rui no onna and gobikerider
gobikerider said:
Im wondering if anyone has upgraded to the new iPad simply for the updated A9 chipset and improved battery life. I'm not sure if it really would be a worthwhile upgrade although even so a $300 total cost of accessories and the iPad are a lot more appealing than $600-$1000 for a iPad Pro.
Click to expand...

I am betting the new iPad Pro will be worth the money and wait!

Each does have to make their own choices
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider
Reno Raines said:
I did. I personally find it to be a little less laggy and the battery life is noticeably better. I also like the base storage being 32gb instead of 16gb which is what my air 2 was. I gave the air 2 to my wife. I love my new iPad 2017.
Click to expand...

I definitely think for the value, you can't beat the price for the new iPad, especially when you factor it does have a larger battery. I think this was a really smart move by Apple to bring a lower cost iPad to appeal to those who wanted an iPad who were not interested in the Pro features.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sracer and gobikerider
gobikerider said:
How I yearn for the day when $1000 is pocket change :oops:
Click to expand...

You know you have reached that level when you are spending more time on your career and/or learning on how to make money with money than worrying about the next iPad release date :p ;)

(Not that worrying about that is wrong since being prudent with money and making informed choices are part of how to reach financial stability)
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back