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iPad Having trouble deciding between an iPad Air and iPad Air 2.

beyondthesmile said:
Regarding future-proofing; I realize going with a newer device = greater future proofing. But how long do you folks anticipate an iPad Air 1 lasting if purchased now? Do you anticipate it being that much less "future-proofed" when more basic apps are used? (I realize even those at some point will be optimized for the most current technology.)
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One of the things going for the A7 in the Air 1 is that it's a 64-bit processor, using the modern ARM instruction set.

Just as the switch to a 64-bit clean architecture in the Santa Rosa and later Core 2 Duo Macs allow them to still run 64-bit versions of OS X like Yosemite (as long as Apple wants to support them), something denied even to the Mac Pros of that era.

Apple has already set a deadline for apps to be compiled in 64-bit, so that will probably form the demarcation line and set the stage for non-64 devices to be cut off.

The Air 1 will probably still run slowly with iOS 10 or whatever, but it should still be capable of running it.
 
TheIntruder said:
One of the things going for the A7 in the Air 1 is that it's a 64-bit processor, using the modern ARM instruction set.

Just as the switch to a 64-bit clean architecture in the Santa Rosa and later Core 2 Duo Macs allow them to still run 64-bit versions of OS X like Yosemite (as long as Apple wants to support them), something denied even to the Mac Pros of that era.

Apple has already set a deadline for apps to be compiled in 64-bit, so that will probably form the demarcation line and set the stage for non-64 devices to be cut off.

The Air 1 will probably still run slowly with iOS 10 or whatever, but it should still be capable of running it.
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If you go by the ipad 2 and how it's still very much in use then the Air should easily last as many generations if not more. It's got better hardware than the 2 and the updates you mentioned as well. No reason to feel the Air won't be a round for a while.
 
I was in the same dilemma and went with the Air 2. ZERO regrets. The 2g ram and this thing is so fast it's unreal.. Have not for a second regretted this purchase.

I have none of the screen issues and the vibration is a non-issue for me. I never listen to music without headphones and am rarely holding it watching movies or streaming live sports. YouTubes vibrate a little at higher volumes when holding it but hardly noticeable at lower volumes.

As someone else suggested just try them both yourself and think about your user practices. If you can afford it and feel your user patterns are a good fit, get the Air2. You won't be sorry. But even if you are you can always return it.
 
RebornProphet said:
Another word of advice if you pick up an Air 1.

If it's on iOS 7.1.2 keep it there.
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iOS 8 is fine with iPad air 1. I own both iPad Air 1 and iPhone 6 plus and iPad Air 2. My wife has iPhone 5S.

They all run great. Of course the Air 2 is fastest
 
aneftp said:
iOS 8 is fine with iPad air 1. I own both iPad Air 1 and iPhone 6 plus and iPad Air 2. My wife has iPhone 5S.

They all run great. Of course the Air 2 is fastest
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"Fine" isn't good enough. Not going into this in depth in yet another thread. It has UI stutter in places where there's no need for it in comparison to iOS 7 and it detracts from the user experience which, after one year, is unacceptable. If you don't see it, brilliant, enjoy your Air 1 if that's your device.

I see the stutter, it drove me nuts, I had it replaced. I'm on 7.1.2 again and now I'm happy. And my WiFi works again, which on iOS 8 it didn't while my wife's iOS 7.1.2 iPad 4 flew along online. No, I'm sticking on iOS 7.

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sanke1 said:
In fact I urge everyone on iPad Air 1 to sell their tablet quickly and go for Air 2 which is future proof beyond any doubt.
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And you'll be on here this time next year telling Air 2 to do the exact same thing because the Air 3 is so amazing. Seriously, if not you then it'll be someone else.

There is no perceivable app performance difference between both tablets right now. That will change as developers begin to target the newer chipset but while A7 devices have a larger install and are still sold we won't see a giant gap between both in terms of third party app performance, especially with iOS 8 and Metal when it comes to games.

Come June when I upgrade I'll see what all the fuss is about because there might actually be some apps out there that push the Air 2, but I doubt it. The Air 1 hasn't been pushed to its limits yet never mind attempting the Air 2.
 
cababah said:
Never spend money on old tech...
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While it's true that if you can afford the latest at the time then go for it, Apple devices are replaced so often and so quickly that they're never fully utilised before being superseded by a new model.

For some people though that £80 might be of more value to them alongside a new iPad Air than getting a newer, more expensive iPad Air 2. It's all about personal preferences and usage needs.

As I said in my own reply earlier, I too would also buy the latest model but the Air 1 is by no means a slouch. Yet.
 
cababah said:
I normally would agree with you but iOS 8 has definitely made my Air 1 start struggling at times. Tab/App reloads are a pain too...but those have been there since day 1 so I can't really complain.
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Really? I feel that iOS 8.1.2 has stabilized things and I'm pretty happy with the performance at this point. Guess everyone's experience really is different with these things.
 
cababah said:
I normally would agree with you but iOS 8 has definitely made my Air 1 start struggling at times. Tab/App reloads are a pain too...but those have been there since day 1 so I can't really complain.
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iOS 8 is definitely down to poor coding/lack of optimisation. Even people with iPhone 6 Plus comment that iOS 8 is sluggish in places. There is no major distinguishable difference between iOS 7 and 8 visually, other than the full screen blur on Notification Center and the new favourites "box" on Safari.

For me, and call me a conspiracy theorist, I see it as Apple deliberately making the Air 1 that little bit slower so that side by side consumer experience in the store. Third party apps run near identical bar slightly quicker loading times, although recently Oceanhorn has even updated with x4 visuals just for the A8X chip so some developers are looking at A8X optimisations and these will filter out more over time.

I'm in no rush for my June upgrade to come round, I'm perfectly happy with my Air but will be intrigued to see what the Air 2 is doing in six months time.
 
Between the two iPad Air 2 is more future proof while the original Air is already obsolete with all the issues with having only 1GB DRAM.
 
I agree with the general consensus that the newer model is a better choice unless money is very limited. Keep in mind that in the long run it'll hold more value, so the price difference is even smaller than it appears.

As a side note - to the people having so many problems with Air 1s, you should really reset them. I have an Air 2 and an iPad 4, both running 8.1.2, and side by side their general performance (not in games) is nearly identical. Unless the Air 1 is weaker than the 4, it should run 8.1.2 perfectly.
 
mi7chy said:
Between the two iPad Air 2 is more future proof while the original Air is already obsolete with all the issues with having only 1GB DRAM.
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It's not "obsolete" and when running any and all graphically intense apps available right now, there are no "issues" caused by having 1GB of RAM.

You DO realise that the latest flagship iPhones "only" have 1GB of RAM in their A8 chipset? They're loaded with "issues" and obsolete too then eh? :rolleyes:

Yeah, exactly.
 
I have the iPad 2 (just bought the air 1) and it worked flawlessly even on 512MB RAM. Until the WiFi issues started, that is..
 
I would say get the Air 2. As already said in this thread it's more future proof. So if you use it longer then you would an iPad Air then I think the extra money up front could turn out to be worth it :)
 
RebornProphet said:
It's not "obsolete" and when running any and all graphically intense apps available right now, there are no "issues" caused by having 1GB of RAM.

You DO realise that the latest flagship iPhones "only" have 1GB of RAM in their A8 chipset? They're loaded with "issues" and obsolete too then eh? :rolleyes:

Yeah, exactly.
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IPhone 6 es were not even DOA, they were DBA that is Dead Before Arrival just because of 1 GB RAM capacity news leak. I am holding on to my 16GB 5c till Apple releases 2 GB iPhones.

Many of my friends who purchased it often complain Safari crashes and UI glitches in spite of being on 8.1.2. Safari crashes and App refreshes are clearly due to limited RAM on 64 bit operating system.
 
RebornProphet said:
It's not "obsolete" and when running any and all graphically intense apps available right now, there are no "issues" caused by having 1GB of RAM.

You DO realise that the latest flagship iPhones "only" have 1GB of RAM in their A8 chipset? They're loaded with "issues" and obsolete too then eh? :rolleyes:

Yeah, exactly.
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Just another one of those Air 2 apologists. Ask them how the vibrating and screen distortions are going? :D

The Air 1 is a fine device and mine is fast, fluid, and runs everything I throw at it. I win! :cool:
 
s2mikey said:
Just another one of those Air 2 apologists. Ask them how the vibrating and screen distortions are going? :D

The Air 1 is a fine device and mine is fast, fluid, and runs everything I throw at it. I win! :cool:
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That makes you Air 1 apologist :p
 
well if you were to get the 64gb wifi edition air 2 its a good time as its on sale haha. honestly i was in the same predicament, i went with the air 2 mainly because it merits an upgrade from the air 1. reasons as have been mentioned already; thinner, lighter, better screen (especially the anti glare coating man its amazing, makes a huge difference), the battery life in my usage i have been able to get around 9-10 hours of solid use with only 70% drain in battery from 100% (i hate to drain the batteries of my products below 30 - 15%) also the better internal specs for future proofing your tablet experience.
from your post it looks like you can afford the air 2 and i say go for it man
 
sanke1 said:
IPhone 6 es were not even DOA, they were DBA that is Dead Before Arrival just because of 1 GB RAM capacity news leak. I am holding on to my 16GB 5c till Apple releases 2 GB iPhones.

Many of my friends who purchased it often complain Safari crashes and UI glitches in spite of being on 8.1.2. Safari crashes and App refreshes are clearly due to limited RAM on 64 bit operating system.
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The issue is iOS 8, NOT the 1GB of RAM. There is next to nothing between the UI or iOS 7 and iOS 8, so the UI glitches are down to nothing but laziness on Apple's part.

The extra RAM will come into its own soon enough but iOS 8 is not an example of the extra RAM being required. Apple simply have their fingers in too many pies and the annual updates to more and more hardware AND software is taking its toll on the quality produced by what is a relatively small team given the size of the company.

For people to believe that that extra gig for RAM has made such a huge difference in such a short space of time is ridiculous. It will come, eventually. Even some Air 2 owners have said that Safari tabs reload sometimes albeit not at the rate the Air 1 does.

iOS 8 is an abysmal release, I doubt it'll be bug free and UI glitch free by the time iOS 9 is unveiled at WWDC. The annual iOS releases need to stop, extend the window to extra 18 months, give that extra six months of time to have a fully fledged product on the market.

The way things are now iOS 8 will perhaps get bug and glitch free only for iOS 9 to launch and we begin the whole bug and glitch cycle all over again. It's mental.
 
but the sound is awful on Ipad2 air

it is TOO slim and Ipad vribrate when sound is half way!

Ipad air 1 was very good.
 
Having trouble deciding between an iPad Air and iPad Air 2.

Yeah we all know that 1gb ram is enougj and the problem is in ios and not optimized etc etc etc etc and apple will fix it soon etc etc...


I dont care what is the problem with Air, but i dont see same issues with air2. And im pretty sure getting "low memory warnings" was related to 1gb ram. Not getting that anymore with Air2...
 
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