iPad Is an iPad 3 to Air 2 upgrade a good present for non-techie?

[marcosscriven]

My partner chiefly uses his iPad 3 for reading magazines and a couple of games, particularly Clash of the Clans.

He's not what I'd call a techie though, and doesn't really like technology for its own sake. Wondering then if it's something your average user would feel is a worthwhile upgrade?

 

[medipad16]

Even for a non techie person, the upgrade from the iPad 3 to the air 2 is going to be noticeable. the weight reduction, zippy performance, and the anti reflective laminated display, are the three benefits that came to my mind

 

[masotime]

Everything that the iPad Air 2 brings to the table - better ergonomics, faster performance, better display, better multitasking (more RAM, split screen), secure and convenient unlocking (Touch ID) - is all about improving the user experience of the iPad. I would not consider any of that "technology for its own sake".

I'm actually not sure what you might find "not worthwhile" about the iPad Air 2 that is "technology for its own sake". Perhaps things like Samsung's "Smart Scroll" that tracks your eye movement and scrolls the page...?

 

[Akack]

Yes, they'll be going from the worst iPad iteration to one that will be on a 1.5-2 year cycle as the newest iPad. Not to mention the Air 2 is thinner, lighter, faster, has lighting connector, less tabs reloading bc of 2 GB RAM, TouchID, split view/slideover.

 

[bufffilm]

Even a non-techie will appreciate the jump to the Air2. Make sure though that you get the 64gb model and not the 16gb.

 

[marcosscriven]

Everything that the iPad Air 2 brings to the table - better ergonomics, faster performance, better display, better multitasking (more RAM, split screen), secure and convenient unlocking (Touch ID) - is all about improving the user experience of the iPad. I would not consider any of that "technology for its own sake".

I'm actually not sure what you might find "not worthwhile" about the iPad Air 2 that is "technology for its own sake". Perhaps things like Samsung's "Smart Scroll" that tracks your eye movement and scrolls the page...?

I just find it difficult to be objective about it - I like having the latest, I go looking for all the improvements. But worried about spending money on a gift that I'd like rather than my partner

 

[masotime]

I just find it difficult to be objective about it - I like having the latest, I go looking for all the improvements. But worried about spending money on a gift that I'd like rather than my partner

You don't have to worry about any tech bias in this instance. The iPad Air 2 really is a much much better device. Apart from some complaints that the battery life is less than the iPad Air 1, I've never heard anyone say that the iPad Air 2 was worse than its predecessors.

 

[Atomic Walrus]

The weight difference from the older models is significant. It's a ~1/3 decrease, which makes it significantly easier to hold in one hand.

 

[Max(IT)]

unfortunately the iPad 3 is the worst iPad ever made, so basically even an iPad Air (1st gen) would be a perfect upgrade for him.

 

[docharsha89]

You don't have to worry about any tech bias in this instance. The iPad Air 2 really is a much much better device. Apart from some complaints that the battery life is less than the iPad Air 1, I've never heard anyone say that the iPad Air 2 was worse than its predecessors.

Well, I'm not sure the battery life could be termed as less. I've been constantly getting 12+ hrs of usage time on my Air 2 doing all the "regular stuff". It's more than adequate, excellent actually. I'm sure in the end you'll trade in a few minutes less battery life for better of nearly everything compared to the original Air.

 

[docharsha89]

You don't have to worry about any tech bias in this instance. The iPad Air 2 really is a much much better device. Apart from some complaints that the battery life is less than the iPad Air 1, I've never heard anyone say that the iPad Air 2 was worse than its predecessors.

Well, I'm not sure the battery life could be termed as less. I've been constantly getting 12+ hrs of usage time on my Air 2 doing all the "regular stuff". It's more than adequate, excellent actually. I'm sure in the end you'll trade in a few minutes less battery life for better of nearly everything compared to the original Air.

 

[masotime]

Apart from some complaints that the battery life is less than the iPad Air 1, I've never heard anyone say that the iPad Air 2 was worse than its predecessors.

Well, I'm not sure the battery life could be termed as less. I've been constantly getting 12+ hrs of usage time on my Air 2 doing all the "regular stuff". It's more than adequate, excellent actually. I'm sure in the end you'll trade in a few minutes less battery life for better of nearly everything compared to the original Air.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8666/the-apple-ipad-air-2-review/5

I don't disagree that the difference is negligible, but people have been complaining. Just see the comments by @bufffilm in this thread. However, the point is moot. There is no way the iPad 3 is a better device than the iPad Air 2 in any way, unless you're talking about how cheap you can get one....

 

[George Knighton]

My partner chiefly uses his iPad 3 for reading magazines and a couple of games, particularly Clash of the Clans.

He's not what I'd call a techie though, and doesn't really like technology for its own sake. Wondering then if it's something your average user would feel is a worthwhile upgrade?

I did exactly the same upgrade and IMHO the Air 2 is really something...very worthwhile and speedy.

The only thing that bugs me is what you said he was using the iPad for. I think that *most* of us would notice the difference, and perhaps the difference in power would get him using the iPad for more things.

An extra advantage is that the Air 2 has been around long enough that there are some deals in the Apple Refurb Store!

 

[masotime]

The only thing that bugs me is what you said he was using the iPad for. I think that *most* of us would notice the difference

The iPad Air 2 weighs 33% less than the iPad 3. Unless you never carry it around or hold it, it is impossible not to notice that.

 

[bufffilm]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8666/the-apple-ipad-air-2-review/5

I don't disagree that the difference is negligible, but people have been complaining. Just see the comments by @bufffilm in this thread. However, the point is moot. There is no way the iPad 3 is a better device than the iPad Air 2 in any way, unless you're talking about how cheap you can get one....

What I said in that thread was that the battery life on the air2 was less than the air1 which is true.

With the air1 you could get over 13 hrs...the air2 tops out at 11-11.5 hrs.

Battery capacity took a hit when the air2 was released.

 

[lexvo]

I upgraded from to iPad 3 to the iPad Air2 last week and it sure is a very nice and noticeable upgrade for everyone (techie or not):
- less weight
- much better performance, very noticeable in Safari and when switching between apps
- I like the touch id for unlocking
- I think battery life is better than the iPad 3 (but maybe that is because the iPad 3 was older)
- the iPad Air2 supports of course all the new features of iOS: split screen, ad blocking, ...

 

[docharsha89]

You don't have to worry about any tech bias in this instance. The iPad Air 2 really is a much much better device. Apart from some complaints that the battery life is less than the iPad Air 1, I've never heard anyone say that the iPad Air 2 was worse than its predecessors.

Well, I'm not sure the battery life could be termed as less. I've been constantly getting 12+ hrs of usage time on my Air 2 doing all the "regular stuff". It's more than adequate, excellent actually. I'm sure in the end you'll trade in a few minutes less battery life for better of nearly everything compared to the original Air.

What I said in that thread was that the battery life on the air2 was less than the air1 which is true.

With the air1 you could get over 13 hrs...the air2 tops out at 11-11.5 hrs.

Battery capacity took a hit when the air2 was released.

Sacrificing 30-45 min of battery life for better performance is a worthy trade off for me. Maybe Air 1 had slightly better battery life, but Air 2 is the more rounded package . Cheers!!!

 

[bufffilm]

Well, I'm not sure the battery life could be termed as less. I've been constantly getting 12+ hrs of usage time on my Air 2 doing all the "regular stuff". It's more than adequate, excellent actually. I'm sure in the end you'll trade in a few minutes less battery life for better of nearly everything compared to the original Air.

Sacrificing 30-45 min of battery life for better performance is a worthy trade off for me. Maybe Air 1 had slightly better battery life, but Air 2 is the more rounded package . Cheers!!!

The air2 also has two gigs of memory which was a huge upgrade so definitely I would take the air2 over the air1.

But I don't think the OP was asking whether to pick the air1 or air2. As I said earlier in the thread, getting the Air2 to replace an ipad3 is a pretty big upgrade.

 

[lockerc18]

I have an iPad3. I was looking at getting an Air 3 to replace that, but there is no Air 3. So, I looked at the Air 2. More RAM, faster processor, faster WiFi (which I think makes more difference than people realize), much lighter overall. Really, a great hardware platform. But my problem with it was that it runs IOS. Of course. After the negative experiences I had with IOS8 and IOS9 on my iPad3, I swore off IOS forever, and got a Yoga 900 as both an iPad replacement and a replacement for an older Windows Vista system I have. It's been a pleasant surprise, especially the tablet part. I really like having it in portrait mode, because I get a very extended length web page. Nice.

But if you don't have an issue with IOS in general, then the Air 2 is a really super device. Very impressive, and a worthwhile upgrade from an iPad3.

 

[jamesrick80]

iPad Air 2 is a great upgrade from an iPad 3...and you do not have to be a techie. For techies, I would recommend iPad pro of course; but no one has to be one to use any iPad.

 

[AddisonIII]

I just find it difficult to be objective about it - I like having the latest, I go looking for all the improvements. But worried about spending money on a gift that I'd like rather than my partner

Does this persons current iPad do what he wants? If so maybe hold off and see what Apple brings out this coming spring. It sounds to me that reading news and playing a few simple games now and then don't warrant the expense at least not now.

 

[Badrottie]

If your partner is not techie savvy then you can't go wrong with cheap iPad Air 1. Save your money! It will run iOS 9 too I'm sure he doesn't care about Split View. He will love PIP while playing boring old Clash of Clans game!

 

[Night Spring]

If your partner is not techie savvy then you can't go wrong with cheap iPad Air 1. Save your money! It will run iOS 9 too I'm sure he doesn't care about Split View. He will love PIP while playing boring old Clash of Clans game!

Bad idea. Keep in mind that non-tech savvy users tend to keep their devices longer. Air2 will be supported at least a year longer than Air1. Any initial cost savings is offset by the longer support.