iPad Air Vs iPad Air 2

Which problems?

 

Both are very solid. I have had an Air 1 since it was introduced (couldn't get rid of my iPad 3 fast enough) with zero issues, including no issues with iOS 8 (it's running 8.2). The only "problem" that comes to mind with the Air 2 is that if you turn the volume up very loud it will vibrate. The Air 2 is the only current iPad that will support full multi-tasking with iOS 9.

 

Yes, the Air 2 vibrates pretty severely, I remember when I used one in an Apple Store, having Siri only at half volume or two thirds of the way turned up would make the whole bottom half of the iPad almost feel as if there was haptic feedback corresponding with the "Siri sound" when it's innitiated. However, I would take the vibrations and alleged screen distortions (I've never observed this, but I also have never used an air 2 for more than 5 minutes at a time) over the severe tab reloading and severe UI lag associated with iOS 8 on the Air. Plus, you get Touch ID which is awesome, and Split View with iOS 9! On top of that, you have a much better camera sensor if you, for whatever reason, need to snap a picture with your tablet :roll eyes:, you have an improved, laminated, display with the anti-glare coating, and again, everything is smooth and consistent, no UI stuttering like what is seen with the Air.

Air 2 wins. Hands down. I don't care what you people say about the Air 1, it stutters like hell with default settings. Simply turning the screen with a keyboard, using control center on the lock screen among other things cause tons of dropped frames. Usually what looks like ~25FPS or less. Really sad.

 

As others have mentioned, the vibrations make the Air 2 rather annoying. I am not a headphone user so I use the speakers a lot and the screen also vibrates if you dare turn the volume up past like one bar. Sure, the extra RAM is welcome but only in certain use cases like copious numbers of safari tabs being opened and maybe a specific app here or there.

The Air 1 does not stutter or have any performance problems despite what some might say. Every user will have a different total setup and use case scenarios but overall the day to day performance between the two is pretty trivial. Face it, the Air 2 didn't have many REAL upgrades other than the RAM. Thinner simply made it vibrate a lot. Touch ID? So what. Some screen coating that apparently makes the screen better? Whatever.

I'll just "slum" it with my Air until Apple figures out how to make it stop shaking around like a crackhead in detox.

 

Agreed. I've never had any problems with my air. As mentioned above, remember that everyone's uses are different and for almost everyone the air will perform perfectly.

 

I have both. The only downside with Air 1 for me is the plastic feel of the screen. No major performance difference. But then I don't have zillions of apps or tabs in safari open at once.

No screen distortion on Air 2 unless you press the back really hard, in my experience, and the vibration doesn't bother me, I use headphones or external speakers for music or movies, and don't have volume up full when using internal speakers. And, very rarely holding iPads, they are on various stands or hoverbars, or propped up with smart covers or keyboard cases.

1GB RAM in the Air 1 will no doubt limit it as things develop, beginning with not getting split screen.

 

No distortion on my Air 2, no stuttering on my Air 1. I think you're right about the RAM limitation. Your comment about the Air 1 screen is funny but true. It felt funny when I first got it, and it still feels funny today. No other iPad I've had felt/feels that way.

 

Air 2, for the split screen.

 

Best as in best problems?

 

There ARE certain UI aspects where the Air has hints of animation stutter.

The three main ones being when entering and leaving Spotlight, when activating and deactivating Siri and, when in landscape mode, tapping the URL in the address bar (as the address of the site you're on highlights and slides left, it's sluggish and not as smooth as on the Air 2). Oddly enough this stutter doesn't happen when using Safari in portrait mode.

 

Your experiences notwithstanding, it seems clear based on several responses that this isn't a universally recognized problem. "Like hell" is a relative term anyway; my Air may stutter every once in a while, but that doesn't mean "like hell" to me. It's still a perfectly functional, pleasant to use tablet.

 

Maybe your Air 1 dissed you? But my Air 1 is perfectly FINE, no stutter at all. I'm pleased with it My only disappointment is no split view feature for Air 1 so it is time for me to upgrade to Air 3. *sigh*

 

depends on what is your main purpose. is it just a consumption device (browsing, movies, games) or would you like to do some work (sketch, take notes... and in the future read articles while writing about them - a splitscreen functionality)?

i would definitely buy air2, if i need to make choice between these two items. but air2 has some huge problems if you consider to use a stylus (due to the new battery saving technology). currently im only happy with p53, but it is not a fine point stylus.

 

I've had both. I actually prefer the build quality of the original air. It felt more solid in the hand. However the screen on the air 2 is stunning. The air 2 is faster but you'd only notice if they are side by side. The Air 2 also has Touch ID and will support split view. Ultimately both are good devices and I don't think in real world usage there is much difference between the 2.

 

I returned my Air 1 shortly after release because at the time it suffered from a lot of Safari crashing issues that were mostly fixed with iOS updates. Browser and app reloads were still a thing so I read.

I've been happy with my Air 2. It might be because it's in a case but I don't get any vibration issues that people mention. I'd take it out of the case to test it but there is a sticky thing on the TouchID that I don't want to screw up.

 

I've actually gotten used to the vibration issue and it doesn't really bother me much at all anymore. Everything else about the Air 2 is nearly perfect: triple-core processor, 2GB RAM, laminated display, super light, solid battery life. It's a great tablet. Can't wait for the iOS 9 public beta so I can try out the new multi-tasking!

 

yeah, in a some point you get used to the vibration, but it still bothers me even when i keep the volume down to three bars. but it doesnt bother me as much as a lack of fine point styluses.

im waiting multitasking feature too. using it alot on my Note, and it is a must have feature when doing notes from articles for example.. it is way too difficult to jump between screens to make notes... or when writing code/html, it is nice to have atleast two windows open side by side. On my Note im writing the code on the other windows and testing on the other like "wysiwyg". air2 would be much better than air1 if only they woudnt change the screen technology or atleast told about it to stylus manufacturers.

 

Yes, I forgot to mention the stylus issue with Air2. I use my Adonit pen on Air 1, and only a Wacom Bamboo on the Air 2. Annoying. I do a lot of work, as well as play, on iPads, using two when working which gives me multitasking.