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Danilo - Italy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 22, 2014
254
152
Maybe I'm stupid, but in my opinion all the problems that we see in the new IPad Air 2 (no backlit uniformity, excessive sound vibrations and pressure screen issues) came from only one thing: is too much thin.
And more: with a little less thin we can have more battery life.
 
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Thinness is not really welcome. Lighter is.

Air 1 feels more solid now with thicker chassis. I dont see issue with screen distortion spot at all with Air 1. The vibration is still there though but lesser.
 
I somewhat agree but the issues are overblown IMO. No way does the slight sound vibration make me not enjoy it, the upgraded ram alone makes this thing beast it flys. The display is beautiful looks a lot better than my Air.
 
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Yes. I would have preferred the upgraded screen, Ram and performance upgrades in the Air 1 chassis and improved battery life. Even the official smart case for Air 2 is the exact same thickness as the Air 1 case which makes a mockery of the whole needless slimming down of the Air 2.
 
1). Back light uniformity has been an issue with every iPad. Has nothing to do with the thinness. My new Air 2 screen is perfect. It is even more uniform than my Air 1.

2). Pressure distortion doesn't happen on every iPad Air 2. I know because I have one. I can force it to happen if I press really hard on the back on the spot shown in the video. But it's an excessive amount of pressure that I would never use in day-to-day life.

3). Sound vibration is resonance. Probably because of too much bass and might be because of the thiness. I'm not a sound expert nor are the majority (if any) of the posters. On this issue too I think some vibrate more tan others. I tried it on my Air 1 and Air 2 side by side and there wasn't much difference. I can certainly see where it might be a cause of discomfort while using it for long periods with a game where you have to hold the device. But playing music? how many people hold their device for long periods playing music - not many people. For most, the use of external speakers or headphones will be the preferred usage.

4). Battery life vs thiness. Since I travel a lot with mine I prefer lighter/thinner. I carry a battery for really long haul flights where I don't think I'll be near power for more than 14 hours. Face it, even on 12 hour flights you do not use your device the whole time. Other times, well most people plug their iPad in overnight so I don't see the issue. If this were a phone that needed power to get through a long day then the point is well made. But for a tablet that certainly does give 10-11 hours of constant use.

I'm no fanboy. And in past years I've stayed out of all these debates. But this year I happen to think the gripes are a bit overblown. Screen issues are most important. But anyone getting a bad one can join the yearly lottery and get a good one. The others are a matter of use and preferences.
 
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I prefer the thinness of the iPad Air 2. I hope Apple maintains this size, and can innovate with better battery, maybe a bit more rigidity. But it's the best iPad yet.
 
I prefer the thinness of my iPad Air 2. In fact, I was very close to buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab S because of its thinness over the iPad Air 1.

In my device, the issues too many people are talking about are minor.

I'm very happy with the iPad Air 2.
 
The iPad 3 was the perfect tablet. The size was perfect and so was the weight. And I agree with the op.
 
I'm coming from an iPad 2 and, honestly, I couldn't care less about the difference in thickness (the Air 2 is 2.7mm thinner). Both of them are very portable. However, the lower weight (almost 200g less than the iPad 2) does make a difference, since I often carry it around in a bag or backpack all day.

I can reproduce the screen distortion when pressing a certain area on the back, but it doesn't bother me because it doesn't happen in normal use. Otherwise the display is perfect. The "vibrations" don't bother me at all.
 
After holding the Air 2, I think Air 1 is the perfect tablet in regards of feel and build quality. Although the unlaminated display with hollow feeling may give off some cheap feeling.
 
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1). Back light uniformity has been an issue with every iPad. Has nothing to do with the thinness. My new Air 2 screen is perfect. It is even more uniform than my Air 1.

2). Pressure distortion doesn't happen on every iPad Air 2. I know because I have one. I can force it to happen if I press really hard on the back on the spot shown in the video. But it's an excessive amount of pressure that I would never use in day-to-day life.

3). Sound vibration is resonance. Probably because of too much bass and might be because of the thiness. I'm not a sound expert nor are the majority (if any) of the posters. On this issue too I think some vibrate more tan others. I tried it on my Air 1 and Air 2 side by side and there wasn't much difference. I can certainly see where it might be a cause of discomfort while using it for long periods with a game where you have to hold the device. But playing music? how many people hold their device for long periods playing music - not many people. For most, the use of external speakers or headphones will be the preferred usage.

4). Battery life vs thiness. Since I travel a lot with mine I prefer lighter/thinner. I carry a battery for really long haul flights where I don't think I'll be near power for more than 14 hours. Face it, even on 12 hour flights you do not use your device the whole time. Other times, well most people plug their iPad in overnight so I don't see the issue. If this were a phone that needed power to get through a long day then the point is well made. But for a tablet that certainly does give 10-11 hours of constant use.

I'm no fanboy. And in past years I've stayed out of all these debates. But this year I happen to think the gripes are a bit overblown. Screen issues are most important. But anyone getting a bad one can join the yearly lottery and get a good one. The others are a matter of use and preferences.

Couldn't agree more. Well said.

I love my Air but I am getting to love my new Air 2. Same with my iPad 2 when I first got the Air. Always very difficult to change from an iPad you've used for some time when a new one comes along. The few niggles with the Air 2 will be forgotten very soon.

The screen looks good, and the sound resonates a bit more but that's about it. Nothing wrong with the Air but I like new toys!!
 
I have had the iPad 1: screen was perfect, no audio vibration or other strange problems.
After I buyed the iPad 4 (and I have this now): screen is perfect, no audio vibrations, no problems.

So if now we have all this problems there are only two cases:
- Apple went to far with the thin
or
- Apple quality control is now not like it was in the past.
 
the weight of the ipad 3 was terrible..
I didn't think it was that bad, but I will admit that the weight and thin profile of the Air 2 really does feel "magical." I'm on day three with it and I'm still turning it to the side every few hours and marveling at how slim it is. It just feels so... futuristic.
 
I have had the iPad 1: screen was perfect, no audio vibration or other strange problems.
After I buyed the iPad 4 (and I have this now): screen is perfect, no audio vibrations, no problems.

So if now we have all this problems there are only two cases:
- Apple went to far with the thin
or
- Apple quality control is now not like it was in the past.
Ehhh!!! Danilo! Paisan! Come stai!
 
I have had the iPad 1: screen was perfect, no audio vibration or other strange problems.
After I buyed the iPad 4 (and I have this now): screen is perfect, no audio vibrations, no problems.

So if now we have all this problems there are only two cases:
- Apple went to far with the thin
or
- Apple quality control is now not like it was in the past.

So you don't even own an iPad Air 2? You are basing your thoughts on reading internet complaints...great job.
 
So you don't even own an iPad Air 2? You are basing your thoughts on reading internet complaints...great job.

Yes, it was a great job spent two hours (one hour the first day, and one hour the second) in an Apple store to test not less of 10 (ten) IPad 2 Air to found out:
- only three of ten had an good uniform lit screen, 2 son and so, and five no.
- ten of ten had the same ammount of very strong audio vibrations (about three time more of my iPad 4).

I went to the Apple Store with the money in my wallet because I really wanted to buy a new IPad but all this changed my mind.
 
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The only issues that might be attributed to the 'thinness' is the sound vibrations and the battery life.

Personally, my battery life has been pretty much on par with my Air 1 and at least now I can actually hear the sound without cupping my hand around the speakers so I'm prett happy.

Any other issues such as screen deformities/discoloration have been present in every iPad iteration I can remember. The 'puddling effect' shown in a couple of videos might be because of the thinness but it's not present in all new Airs so the thinness can't be completely blamed there either.
 
The only real problem is the screen distortion thing but I think that depends on your device. Mine will only do it in one spot and you have to press harder than usual. Since I never hold it that way it's a non issue.

As for the vibrations, I think that a matter of having two loud speakers in one thin device. I'm not sure how you could fix that.
 
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