iPad iPad 2018 to iPad Air 2019

[antisomnic]

hey guys. I am considering upgrading my 2018 iPad to the new iPad Air. I don’t see a lot of talk on here about the new air. I have never had an iPad with a laminated display but have seen them and they look awesome.

To give you an idea what I use my iPad for, I use it for basic browsing, social media and a lot of gaming. I’ll occasionally use my Apple Pencil to draw and write.

The things making me want to upgrade is the laminated display and having the A12 processor would be even better future proofing.

 

[Josieb1]

hey guys. I am considering upgrading my 2018 iPad to the new iPad Air. I don’t see a lot of talk on here about the new air. I have never had an iPad with a laminated display but have seen them and they look awesome.

To give you an idea what I use my iPad for, I use it for basic browsing, social media and a lot of gaming. I’ll occasionally use my Apple Pencil to draw and write.

The things making me want to upgrade is the laminated display and having the A12 processor would be even better future proofing.

I have the Air 3. It’s good. I bought the Ipad 2018 first. I returned it the next day. Coming from the Mini 4 I was used to a laminated screen. I couldn’t get past the lack of this on the 2018 iPad, it was like tapping plastic compared to a laminated screen. I think you would benefit from getting the Air.

 

[rmsanger]

Hmmmmm so you’re worried about “future proofing” when coming from a 1 year old product?

 

[haruhiko]

I have the Air 3. It’s good. I bought the Ipad 2018 first. I returned it the next day. Coming from the Mini 4 I was used to a laminated screen. I couldn’t get past the lack of this on the 2018 iPad, it was like tapping plastic compared to a laminated screen. I think you would benefit from getting the Air.

? Did the mini 4 have laminated screen?

 

[*~Kim~*]

The processor is as you say 2 generations newer, and there is an extra GB of RAM. The value of the iPad you have is only going to decrease so if you don’t mind the increased screen screen size (it means losing free access to MS Office also) it could be worth doing.

I see from your sig you have the base model, so by going to the Air you are also doubling your storage. Even more reason to upgrade if you are getting close.
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? Did the mini 4 have laminated screen?

Yes.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hmmmmm so you’re worried about “future proofing” when coming from a 1 year old product?

That’s significantly more powerful and a better buy overall?

For this guys use case, I’d definitely say it’s worth the upgrade.

 

[rui no onna]

hey guys. I am considering upgrading my 2018 iPad to the new iPad Air. I don’t see a lot of talk on here about the new air. I have never had an iPad with a laminated display but have seen them and they look awesome.

I reckon the main reason for the lack of love for the Air 3 is you can find plenty of deals on the Pro 10.5 (A10X, 4GB, ProMotion, quad-speakers) bringing it down to Air 3 pricing.

 

[antisomnic]

I ended up getting it. I’m loving it. Haven’t used it for too long now, but this thing makes the 2018 iPad look and feel like garbage.

 

[antisomnic]

That’s significantly more powerful and a better buy overall?

For this guys use case, I’d definitely say it’s worth the upgrade.

That’s what I was going to say. The A12 is leagues faster than A10 and its the current years processor. Whereas the A10 is 3 years old.

 

[antisomnic]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

 

[ericwn]

That’s significantly more powerful and a better buy overall?

For this guys use case, I’d definitely say it’s worth the upgrade.

The majority of tasks the OP mentioned are basic except for certain games. However most games run fine on even older iPads.

Then again, people should just buy what they like and be done with it. Life is too short to overthink purchases if the money is there.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Be honest, I have both iPad 2018 and the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 inch. For basic usage, i never really see any differences. I could multitasking on iPad 2018 just like iPad 12.9 does. I even export some 4K videos on iMovies without issue on iPad 2018.

For the money difference, i would go with iPad 2018 for the saving. You can really find some deals on 2018 iPad

 

[aloper]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

Just got my new iPad Air 3...upgraded from the standard 9.7” iPad. Love it so far...things are somewhat snappier overall. Especially writing notes in notability is smoother and more responsive. I’m gifting the standard iPad to my dad.

 

[Acronyc]

I ended up getting it. I’m loving it. Haven’t used it for too long now, but this thing makes the 2018 iPad look and feel like garbage.

Well, I wouldn't say garbage. The 2018 iPad still has a great screen and is built just as well as the iPad Air 3.

I really don't get this whole thing about the laminated display. I have a mini 4 with a laminated display and a 2017 iPad (5th gen) which doesn't have the laminated display. While the mini 4's screen looks nicer, to me it is not so immensely better that the iPad looks and feels like garbage.

The mini 4's screen feels more like you are touching the screen directly, but beyond that I see no difference. People talk about this hollow tapping but how hard are you really tapping? I tap my mini 4 and iPad 5th gen exactly the same and I notice no difference. Maybe it is because I also don't bang my keyboard. I don't know.

Anyway, that all said, enjoy your new iPad! It looks to be a great machine.

 

[Macman845]

Yes, you should upgrade from one year older iPad to the newer 2019 version because there are a lot of major differences such as Face Unlock, less bezels etc.

 

[Donar]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

Got my iPad Air3 on 4th April as an upgrade from iPad 2018. I also got a Logitech SmartKeyboard. I really like the Air3 so far.

 

[antisomnic]

Got my iPad Air3 on 4th April as an upgrade from iPad 2018. I also got a Logitech SmartKeyboard. I really like the Air3 so far.

I got an urban armor gear case that has an Apple Pencil holder and I got a Logitech keys to go keyboard that is very portable. I’m loving it all! I would not buy the apple Smart Keyboard as its way overpriced.


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Well, I wouldn't say garbage. The 2018 iPad still has a great screen and is built just as well as the iPad Air 3.

I really don't get this whole thing about the laminated display. I have a mini 4 with a laminated display and a 2017 iPad (5th gen) which doesn't have the laminated display. While the mini 4's screen looks nicer, to me it is not so immensely better that the iPad looks and feels like garbage.

The mini 4's screen feels more like you are touching the screen directly, but beyond that I see no difference. People talk about this hollow tapping but how hard are you really tapping? I tap my mini 4 and iPad 5th gen exactly the same and I notice no difference. Maybe it is because I also don't bang my keyboard. I don't know.

Anyway, that all said, enjoy your new iPad! It looks to be a great machine.

I never noticed a hollow tapping sound but the fact that I feel like I’m actually touching the screen and not glass is so nice. And images and such seem to pop

 

[geekiemac]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

Me. Upgraded from an Air 2. I’m very happy with the beautiful and reactive screen, top performance and great battery life. Together with a Pencil and a Logitech Keys to Go keyboard, it’s a powerful device for work and leisure that so far matches all my expectations.

 

[JDnLex]

Well, I wouldn't say garbage. The 2018 iPad still has a great screen and is built just as well as the iPad Air 3.

I really don't get this whole thing about the laminated display. I have a mini 4 with a laminated display and a 2017 iPad (5th gen) which doesn't have the laminated display. While the mini 4's screen looks nicer, to me it is not so immensely better that the iPad looks and feels like garbage.

The mini 4's screen feels more like you are touching the screen directly, but beyond that I see no difference. People talk about this hollow tapping but how hard are you really tapping? I tap my mini 4 and iPad 5th gen exactly the same and I notice no difference. Maybe it is because I also don't bang my keyboard. I don't know.

Anyway, that all said, enjoy your new iPad! It looks to be a great machine.

I agree. I read all the horror stories about the non-laminated display on the regular iPad last year when my Air 2 battery died. My options were replace battery for 100 plus tax or trade in for a base 2018 iPad for about the same out of pocket. I could not justify the 300 jump to a pro model given my use of case of reading, browsing, email, light gaming.

The 2018 iPad is an incredible machine even at full MSRP. I’ve had it for a year now, and it’s been great. The display is fine. I see very little difference between this and my mother’s Air 2. Its very well built and about as sturdy as a thin 10” slab of glass can be. A nice bonus of going with the base model is I worry less about scratches and dings and just enjoy using the device.

The new Air is a very nice machine, and had it been available last year I likely would have chosen it. It doesn’t fix the one thing hat has annoyed me on every non-pro iPad since day one, which is the one sided speaker experience in landscape mode.

 

[EugW]

I got an urban armor gear case that has an Apple Pencil holder and I got a Logitech keys to go keyboard that is very portable. I’m loving it all! I would not buy the apple Smart Keyboard as its way overpriced.

Could you provide a link to that Urban Armor case? How heavy & bulky is it?

I have a nice MoKo back case:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-10-5-cases-thread.2049281/page-51#post-27280881

However, it does not have a spot for Apple Pencil. Would the Urban Armor case accommodate the Pencil if there was a silicone sleeve on the Pencil?

 

[BigMcGuire]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

I went from the 2018 (traded it in) to an iPad Pro 10.5 2017. Couldn't be happier with the speed increase, Apple Pencil smoothness, True Tone, and larger screen. The Air 3 is considered very similar to the 2017 10.5 Pro. I chose to go with the Pro because Best Buy had an amazing deal on it (new). Even better if you could get it used or refurbished.

I'll have to be honest, the 2018 was a great device, worked very well, had no slowness/flaws, and worked with the Apple Pencil beautifully. But the 4GB of Ram in the 10.5 Pro along with 120Hz and True Tone had me sold. Also works better with the Apple Pencil significantly. I do think my 2017 Pro will last longer (future proofing).

 

[EugW]

I went from the 2018 (traded it in) to an iPad Pro 10.5 2017. Couldn't be happier with the speed increase, Apple Pencil smoothness, True Tone, and larger screen. The Air 3 is considered very similar to the 2017 10.5 Pro. I chose to go with the Pro because Best Buy had an amazing deal on it (new). Even better if you could get it used or refurbished.

I'll have to be honest, the 2018 was a great device, worked very well, had no slowness/flaws, and worked with the Apple Pencil beautifully. But the 4GB of Ram in the 10.5 Pro along with 120Hz and True Tone had me sold. I do think my 2017 Pro will last longer.

While the 2018 iPad is a fine machine, the other thing for me is that the 10.5" has totally changed my usage pattern. The big upgrade was the addition of the Smart Keyboard, in a size that actually works. I am not enamoured with keyboards that fit the 9.7" models, including the Smart Keyboard for the 9.7" Pro. The one for the 10.5" is much more ergonomic in terms of key spacing (18 mm).

The iPad 10.5" has is now 90% replaced my MacBook for day-to-day usage, but for specific work related stuff I still need my MacBook.

 

[antisomnic]

I got an urban armor gear case that has an Apple Pencil holder and I got a Logitech keys to go keyboard that is very portable. I’m loving it all! I would not buy the apple Smart Keyboard as its way overpriced.


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I never noticed a hollow tapping sound but the fact that I feel like I’m actually touching the screen and not glass is so nice. And images and such seem to pop

https://www.urbanarmorgear.com/products/ipad-pro-10-5-inch-cases that’s it. I ordered this off of Amazon and am thinking about returning this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQD813P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_mh4SCb7KQ31GD
Reason being, and to answer your question, if you have a silicone sleeve on your pencil it won’t snap in and it’s also too bulky. For a fraction of the price I got the ESR case and it adds no weight and barely any thickness while still providing basic protection.

Keep in mind my only two choices at the time were that or the apple Smart Cover, which I’d never waste my money on.

I’ve used ESR brand cases on my iPad 2017, 2018, iPhone XS Max and now the air 3 and love them. Cheap but of quality and doesn’t add bulk.

 

[nickwgbr]

Yes, you should upgrade from one year older iPad to the newer 2019 version because there are a lot of major differences such as Face Unlock, less bezels etc.

He's talking about the iPad Air 2019, it doesn't have face ID.. that's the Pro.

 

[Perswee]

Anyone else upgrade from a budget iPad or older to the air 3 and love it?

I’m currently own a mini 4 and still holding up the urge to get the Air 3. Convince me to splurge.