Ipad 2017 vs iPad Air 2

[Fufuflavor]

I know this subject has been chopped up numerous times, but I'm throwing a curve ball.

Ipad 2017 brand new $299 plus taxes
VS
IPad Air 2 used pristine condition no taxes $200.

My iPad mini 2 gave up on me

 

[ACG12]

Since you're coming from a mini 2, I'd say get the 2017 iPad. The A9 chip and the battery life is a nice upgrade over the Air 2's.

 

[sparksd]

I have an Air 2 and really like it but in your situation I would go for the 2017.

 

[Fufuflavor]

Since you're coming from a mini 2, I'd say get the 2017 iPad. The A9 chip and the battery life is a nice upgrade over the Air 2's.

Yes that's true, but the air 2's screen is better plus I'll save $130? Hmmm idk..
[doublepost=1499039853][/doublepost]

I have an Air 2 and really like it but in your situation I would go for the 2017.

Ok that's 2 for the 2017. Zero for the air 2.

I also found someone selling a Pro 9.7 with case pristine condition for $300. Is that a good deal?

 

[Beelzbub]

Go with the iPad 2017. Always go latest tech if you can, when it comes to iOS updates they'll go farther than buying something older.

 

[Shirtin]

Air 2 since you cant beat the price. If they were $50 or less difference in price then 2017 iPad

 

[Fufuflavor]

Go with the iPad 2017. Always go latest tech if you can, when it comes to iOS updates they'll go farther than buying something older.

Great point
[doublepost=1499051141][/doublepost]

Air 2 since you cant beat the price. If they were $50 or less difference in price then 2017 iPad

Basically how I'm looking at it also.

 

[Reno Raines]

I have both iPads. The 2017 iPad to me is better in that my air 2 was a little laggy on iOS 10 and the battery life is not as good as on the 2017 iPad. Though with your break on the price it would be tempting. That being said my opinion is go with the newer iPad.

 

[yep-sure]

Personally, I like to buy only new devices so I would get the 2017.

I think the devices are very similar so either would be a good purchase.

 

[44267547]

The only real advantage to the iPad Air 2 is the laminate display. Otherwise, the 2017 iPad offers more with the A9 processor and battery life is reportedly stronger.

Aside from that, iOS support is key here and I look at the future of both of these iPads. I would invest in an iPad that I know will have longer support and the real question is, how will the iPad Air 2 perform once iOS 11 debuts live in September if you choose that model. I think the 2017 iPad is the choice I would suggest.

 

[Tycho24]

Pro 9.7".... by a HUGE margin!
Not even a contest.
CPU/RAM:
iPad Air 2 - A8X (1.5ghz), LPDDR3 RAM (2gb)
iPad 2017 - A9 (1.85ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
iPad Pro 9.7" - A9X (2.16ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
Screens/GPU:
iPad Air 2 - nice screen, fused, thinner, good antiglare, but lacking TrueTone
Powered by 8-core PowerVR GXA6850
iPad 2017 - thicker screen, not fused, less antiglare
Powered by 6-core PowerVR GT7600
iPad Pro 9.7" - best screen by far, thin, fused, much lower reflectivity (glare), & the incredible TrueTone technology
Powered by 12-core PowerVR Series 7XT.

Also Pencil Support & the Smart Connector are Pro only features.

This is a no-brainer!!!

Please ignore anyone that continued to recommend the 2017 iPad after you mentioned that you could get the freakin' Pro for CHEAPER (I know... only by a buck- but hey, also no taxes!), in pristine condition, w/ a free case. For serious... that's the best deal; I assure you.

 

[Fufuflavor]

I have both iPads. The 2017 iPad to me is better in that my air 2 was a little laggy on iOS 10 and the battery life is not as good as on the 2017 iPad. Though with your break on the price it would be tempting. That being said my opinion is go with the newer iPad.

Thanks bro, the answer I was looking for!

 

[NightWingz]

Pro 9.7".... by a HUGE margin!
Not even a contest.
CPU/RAM:
iPad Air 2 - A8X (1.5ghz), LPDDR3 RAM (2gb)
iPad 2017 - A9 (1.85ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
iPad Pro 9.7" - A9X (2.16ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
Screens/GPU:
iPad Air 2 - nice screen, fused, thinner, good antiglare, but lacking TrueTone
Powered by 8-core PowerVR GXA6850
iPad 2017 - thicker screen, not fused, less antiglare
Powered by 6-core PowerVR GT7600
iPad Pro 9.7" - best screen by far, thin, fused, much lower reflectivity (glare), & the incredible TrueTone technology
Powered by 12-core PowerVR Series 7XT.

Also Pencil Support & the Smart Connector are Pro only features.

This is a no-brainer!!!

Please ignore anyone that continued to recommend the 2017 iPad after you mentioned that you could get the freakin' Pro for CHEAPER (I know... only by a buck- but hey, also no taxes!), in pristine condition, w/ a free case. For serious... that's the best deal; I assure you.

Agree with above poster.
Go 9.7" Pro.
The screen and speakers are worth it.

 

[Fufuflavor]

Pro 9.7".... by a HUGE margin!
Not even a contest.
CPU/RAM:
iPad Air 2 - A8X (1.5ghz), LPDDR3 RAM (2gb)
iPad 2017 - A9 (1.85ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
iPad Pro 9.7" - A9X (2.16ghz), LPDDR4 RAM (2gb)
Screens/GPU:
iPad Air 2 - nice screen, fused, thinner, good antiglare, but lacking TrueTone
Powered by 8-core PowerVR GXA6850
iPad 2017 - thicker screen, not fused, less antiglare
Powered by 6-core PowerVR GT7600
iPad Pro 9.7" - best screen by far, thin, fused, much lower reflectivity (glare), & the incredible TrueTone technology
Powered by 12-core PowerVR Series 7XT.

Also Pencil Support & the Smart Connector are Pro only features.

This is a no-brainer!!!

Please ignore anyone that continued to recommend the 2017 iPad after you mentioned that you could get the freakin' Pro for CHEAPER (I know... only by a buck- but hey, also no taxes!), in pristine condition, w/ a free case. For serious... that's the best deal; I assure you.

Alright that's a bet. If it truly is pro and not air 2 I will get it. If not I will get the 2017

 

[Mackinjosh]

The 2017 blows the Air 2 away in speed and battery life. It's also not a fingerprint and dust magnet like the Air 2 and Pro are.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I'd vote for the Air 2. The laminated screen with anti-reflective coating is just plain better, and the chassis is both thinner and slightly lighter than the 2017 model. While the A9 chip may be faster in benchmarks, in real world usage both chips can handle just about anything you do on an iPad. Plus you save money that could be put toward a case or cover.

One of the earlier posters said to always buy the latest technology. I generally agree with that statement. However, Apple deliberately took several steps back with the 2017 iPad in order to create a sharper contrast with the pro models. So, while the 2017 iPad may be newer, it is actually worse than the Air 2 in several key ways. Just my two cents!

 

[NightWingz]

I'd vote for the Air 2. The laminated screen with anti-reflective coating is just plain better, and the chassis is both thinner and slightly lighter than the 2017 model. While the A9 chip may be faster in benchmarks, in real world usage both chips can handle just about anything you do on an iPad. Plus you save money that could be put toward a case or cover.

One of the earlier posters said to always buy the latest technology. I generally agree with that statement. However, Apple deliberately took several steps back with the 2017 iPad in order to create a sharper contrast with the pro models. So, while the 2017 iPad may be newer, it is actually worse than the Air 2 in several key ways. Just my two cents!

Well said.

 

[Mackinjosh]

I'd vote for the Air 2. The laminated screen with anti-reflective coating is just plain better, and the chassis is both thinner and slightly lighter than the 2017 model. While the A9 chip may be faster in benchmarks, in real world usage both chips can handle just about anything you do on an iPad. Plus you save money that could be put toward a case or cover.

One of the earlier posters said to always buy the latest technology. I generally agree with that statement. However, Apple deliberately took several steps back with the 2017 iPad in order to create a sharper contrast with the pro models. So, while the 2017 iPad may be newer, it is actually worse than the Air 2 in several key ways. Just my two cents!

The Air 2 is a stupid purchase now considering it's already struggling on iOS 10. iOS 11 is going to make it ever worse. The new iPad runs circles around it. The only cutbacks Apple made were to lamination and anti-reflective coating. The lack of anti-reflective coating is actually a bonus for a lot of people since the thing is no longer a fingerprint and dust magnet. The new iPad is also much brighter than the Air 2, has a much better battery, and most importantly has a much better processor. But that all stands to reason given how old the Air 2 is.

 

[AFEPPL]

Do you need an iPad?
Replace with a 7Plus or laptop instead?

 

[QCassidy352]

The Air 2 is a stupid purchase now considering it's already struggling on iOS 10.

Source? Mine is fine on iOS 10.

Pro at $300 is the best bet for sure. As between the 2017 and air 2, it's hard to say because both are good devices, but $130 means a lot more to some people than others.

 

[Fufuflavor]

Do you need an iPad?
Replace with a 7Plus or laptop instead?

I have a 7 regular. I want an iPad for better gaming and to watch movies. My mini2 died on me
[doublepost=1499100881][/doublepost]

Source? Mine is fine on iOS 10.

Pro at $300 is the best bet for sure. As between the 2017 and air 2, it's hard to say because both are good devices, but $130 means a lot more to some people than others.

So you would still take the 2017 even if it's $100 more than the air 2?

 

[Freakonomics101]

Yes that's true, but the air 2's screen is better plus I'll save $130? Hmmm idk..
[doublepost=1499039853][/doublepost]
Ok that's 2 for the 2017. Zero for the air 2.

I also found someone selling a Pro 9.7 with case pristine condition for $300. Is that a good deal?

Wi-F only or plus cellular? 32 GB? Even with Wi-Fi only, that isn’t too bad.

 

[Fufuflavor]

The person with the Pro never messaged back. So it's between the air 2 and 2017 again...
[doublepost=1499101152][/doublepost]

Wi-F only or plus cellular? 32 GB? Even with Wi-Fi only, that isn’t too bad.

It's wifi only 32gb air 2 for 200 no taxes.

 

[Act3]

Go with the iPad 2017. Always go latest tech if you can, when it comes to iOS updates they'll go farther than buying something older.

however it is not latest tech, the screen is a step back in time


I'd take the Air 2 for that price, you look at screen all the time. I've been using a 6s(A9) and an air 2(A8X) for almost 2 years and performance difference is negligible.

 

[44267547]

One of the earlier posters said to always buy the latest technology. I generally agree with that statement. However, Apple deliberately took several steps back with the 2017 iPad in order to create a sharper contrast with the pro models. So, while the 2017 iPad may be newer, it is actually worse than the Air 2 in several key ways. Just my two cents!

The reason they created the 2017 iPad, was to manufacture an entry-level iPad that is affordable and it creates an avenue to a wider demographic that would help boost the iPad in a stagnant tablet market. It also continues to integrate those who purchase the 9.7 iPad into Apples ecosystem and other products. The Whole point of the 9.7 iPad is to make it as affordable as possible, and at $329, it doesn't need to separate itself from the iPad Pro, as much as it does to create an experience for somebody that wanted an iPad to begin with.