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iPad iPad 3 to iPad Air 2; is there a really big difference?
- Thread starter marc55
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I had a first gen iPad Mini and was worried the Air 2 would be too big or not be worth the extra money. As soon as I opened the box my worry about regret was gone. The screen alone mesmerizes me overtime I use the thing. Not to mention clash of clans looks awesome
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Best advice so far. Your 3 has all the capabilities of an Air 2, just slower. Buy a used air 1 with the sale of your 3 and wait for something to truly change. I'd be nervous buying an Air 2 simply because the iPad has yet to evolve. My suspicion would be that when it does, older products will appear ancient.
I thought the air 2 was a better buy simply because it has the 2gig of ram. So it offers at least some future proofing. It should be able to comfortably run the next 3 versions of iOS where as the air 1 will start to struggle after iOS 9 (I have the iPad 3 and browsing is now just painful on iOS 8 - everything takes that bit longer. Obviously Apple do this because they want you to upgrade. In pretty sure the is versions could be optimised to run just as well on older models but apple don't want that).
But it's very tempting when the air 1 can be gotten for around £260 refurb when they're in stock. And I could probably sell my 3 for around £200 so £60 to upgrade to the original iPad Air.
With the Air 2, I think it has happened. An extra cpu core and an extra gig of RAM means that the Air 2 is ultra future-proof. Don't forget that the Air 2 is the only iOS device with 2 GB of RAM. Meaning iOS is pretty much designed around 1GB devices. This makes 2GB a huge boost for future performance.
I mean, I don't get this iPad "evolve" thing. It's a 10" screen with a computer behind it. It won't change until we have the sci-Fi flexible sheet of screen.
I suspect it also means future phones, starting with the 6s will be build around 2gb ram. Meaning is 6 owners who don't plan to upgrade until the 7 is out will be left with a god awful experience once the next iOS is released.
I think iPad 3 to 4 is a huge difference. If you have a more elaborate phrase for big difference, this would apply for going from iPad 3 to Air or Air 2.
Considering how I use my Mini, I don't see any point in upgrading. Sure I would like the iPad Air 2. I really would! Yes, it may have a 900 % faster processor, but what does it matter when all it does is open apps a few seconds quicker in my use-case?
I would love to see the iPad develop into a true productivity device, but it's really too much of a toy for me as it is.
There are probably some great apps out there which let you do amazing things with the iPad, guess I just haven't found them yet...
I would love to see the iPad develop into a true productivity device, but it's really too much of a toy for me as it is.
There are probably some great apps out there which let you do amazing things with the iPad, guess I just haven't found them yet...
Have to disagree there. I have the 3 my cousin has the 4. They're identical. They run the same. They look the same.
Her 4 is, in terms of real world use, identical to my 3.
We did side by side tests. Opening apps. Playing a video loading pages etc. The 4 was no faster at all.
I don't think it will be that drastic. At the earliest, iOS X would be where 1GB devices start to feel the burn. By iOS X most iPads and iPhones sold should have 2GB of RAM.(At least on the higher end side) We only have 1 iOS device with 2GB, so pretty much at least 90% of the user base will be using 1GB devices by the time iOS 9 comes out.
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And Apple would be very happy if those 90% upgraded to newer devices with 2gb of ram. They are at the end of the day a business. I'm sure if the powers that be think making 1gb devices dog rough to run will then encourage people to upgrade and further line their pockets they won't hesitate to do just that.
I've had my Air 2 for about a month now and I'm still amazed by just how great it is. Coming from an iPad 2 which should be close to what the 3 is like now, just no retina display... can you say fast, fast, fast enough times about the Air 2? Its like upgrading from a scooter into a Ferrari.
The Air 2 should have the longevity of the iPad 2 ie. probably a good 3+ years before it will need to be replaced.
I don't understand why the original Mini is still on sale, maybe Apple just wants to tap a bit of the low end sub-$199 Android tablet sales, but the experience has got to be subpar.
The Air 2 should have the longevity of the iPad 2 ie. probably a good 3+ years before it will need to be replaced.
I don't understand why the original Mini is still on sale, maybe Apple just wants to tap a bit of the low end sub-$199 Android tablet sales, but the experience has got to be subpar.
Strange.. ran the same tests with my friends 3 and it was miles slower. Gestures are laughable. App loading takes a few seconds more. Sorry, don't see how they look or run the same.
Well we're going off topic! To the original question: Is there a really big difference? No, you can do the same things on a 3 that you can do on an Air 2. Both run iOS 8, but share the same apps. The Air 2 is faster.
To get an Air 2, you'd have to sell your iPad 3 and then add $100.00 or more.
To get an Air 1, you'd have to sell your iPad 3 and then add $5.00 if you can find a deal like the original person I quoted.
To me, that was the best advice.
Not sure What you're looking at. Are you sure you've not mistook the 4 for the air 1 which looks different.
The 3 and 4 have exactly the same dimensions and weight.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4621&idPhone2=5072
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I'm in the UK. I'd get roughly £200 for my three and would have to add at least £60/£80 to get the air 1 and £200 for the air 2. Even Apple refurb air 1's here are £269.
I have to agree with you. I don't see how a iPad 4 could perform as bad as my iPad 3. Plus, the iPad 4 gets the translucency effect while the 3 just gets ugly transparency.
Well perhaps they do have the same dimensions and weight (I never said they didn't) but they do have different internals. When configured exactly the same, the 3 is noticeably slower than the 4 which is noticeably slower than the Air. While some people may not care for the speed boost, there is a difference between all the devices.
I'm going from a iPad 3 to an Air 2 and I can't wait!
Just sold my treasured iPad 3 for £180 and ordered the Air 2 WiFi 64GB from Amazon for £414 I was trying to hold out for Black Friday but I highly doubt I'd find any better deals than that...
Despite the depleting battery life, horrible lag and reloading safari tabs after the ios 7 update my iPad 3 (bought on launch) has been worth every penny. IMO the weight issue was only felt when you've held something considerably lighter and the heat never bothered me.
Just sold my treasured iPad 3 for £180 and ordered the Air 2 WiFi 64GB from Amazon for £414
I was trying to hold out for Black Friday but I highly doubt I'd find any better deals than that...Despite the depleting battery life, horrible lag and reloading safari tabs after the ios 7 update my iPad 3 (bought on launch) has been worth every penny. IMO the weight issue was only felt when you've held something considerably lighter and the heat never bothered me.
I am going to sell my iPad 3 for iPad Air 2. Its not bad, but the browsing experience isn't pleasant. It kind of has hiccups and lags when loading webpages.
iPad Air 2 might not show its benefits now but I am sure it will be very future proof with that 2Gb RAM. iPad 3 most likely will last another year (people usually change their computers in 4 years, let alone tablets).
I also think its the best time to sell your ipad 3 now, because in another year I think the price will drop too low. With iPad Air 3 out, no one will think much of iPad 3. Also very amazing you still can get $300 for iPad 3. If you make the calculations, it means we paid $100-150 per year to use the iPad. Not bad, not bad at all!
iPad Air 2 might not show its benefits now but I am sure it will be very future proof with that 2Gb RAM. iPad 3 most likely will last another year (people usually change their computers in 4 years, let alone tablets).
I also think its the best time to sell your ipad 3 now, because in another year I think the price will drop too low. With iPad Air 3 out, no one will think much of iPad 3. Also very amazing you still can get $300 for iPad 3. If you make the calculations, it means we paid $100-150 per year to use the iPad. Not bad, not bad at all!
Sure, but if your primary uses don't push the limits then that's nothing but bragging rights. I use my iPad promairly for streaming video (Netflix, HBO) and reading ebooks. Sometimes email, messages, web, etc. you can make the thing as fast as a Mac pro and it wouldn't make me read any faster.