iPad Is the "iPad" a decent updated to the 1st gen Air?

[martin2345uk]

I've got the iPad Air and while perfectly useable it is a little slow and sluggish these days.

But I was wondering how much of an update would the cheapest current iPad be..?

 

[Fuzzball84]

It is a massive upgrade... A9 plus 2 GB RAM leads to multitasking support, fast app loads and much much longer future iOS support

Id say the current iPad is a great deal and for most people a way better deal than the iPad Pro (except if you can get a good price on the older 9.7 inch Pro somewhere)

The current iPad lineup is a bit odd in that there is one device (new iPad) that has a great price and everything else is a bit overpriced (iPad mini is great but they only offer 128 GB version for whatever reason) the new Pros have increased in price and for most only the 10.5 inch is sensible option (the larger version is just too big and useres would be bettter off buying a Macbook). But for the pros once you add on cost of keyboard, possibly the pencil and then throw in applecare to protect the purchse you end up somewhere near three times the cost of the regular new iPad.

All in all I'd say go for the new iPad

 

[44267547]

It would be a significant update over your Air 1. You would have have the A9 Processor and 2 GB of Ram, additional storage . It does lack the laminate display and basically retains the same physical form factor. It also has twice the CPU and three times the GPU. You also have Touch ID and a better camera.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

The A9 is a really powerful chip and a huge jump over the A7. Someone here compared the A9 to Intel's Core 2 Duo, in the sense that Apple reached the point where you really don't need more power for daily tasks. The A9 itself packs a lot more power than the C2D. I expect the A9 to remain relevant for many years.

Performance comparison between A7 and A9: https://browser.primatelabs.com/v4/cpu/compare/3143263?baseline=3144311

My wife just bought the 32GB version and I'm truly impressed by it considering what she paid for it. It looks very similar to the Air 1 but that's not a bad thing, IMO. It's a high quality, proven design. I was dead set on getting an iPad Pro, but the regular iPad's price/performance ratio really got me thinking.. My only gripe is that it doesn't come in 256GB.

 

[martin2345uk]

I've never filled the 16gb of my Air, so hopefully the 32gb of the new iPad should more than suffice

 

[Newtons Apple]

The upgrade would be like throwing rocks at a target compared to shooting it with a laser.

 

[gobikerider]

I've got the iPad Air and while perfectly useable it is a little slow and sluggish these days.

But I was wondering how much of an update would the cheapest current iPad be..?

Your also going to get awesome battery life on the new iPad in 12-14 hour range.

 

[ssledoux]

I agree with others that it can't be beat, especially for the price. I was looking to get my grandson a newer mini to replace his mini 2, and wound up with that instead, mainly because it was cheaper than getting a mini 4 (and also a newer product), but also because he was super excited at the idea of having a "big" iPad compared to his little sister and brother.

It's a great device.

 

[martin2345uk]

Thanks guys... I'm just doing the initial software update on my new iPad as I type. Got it from John Lewis as they do a full 3 year warranty

 

[KUguardgrl13]

I went with the new 5th gen iPad too. My husband and I got $1000 in Apple Store gift cards for a wedding gift and had registered for a 9.7" Pro and a Mini 4, but it made sense to just get two of the 5th gen iPads and save some money for other things. They will be a huge upgrade over the current Mini 1's that we have.

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks guys... I'm just doing the initial software update on my new iPad as I type. Got it from John Lewis as they do a full 3 year warranty

I went with the new 5th gen iPad too. My husband and I got $1000 in Apple Store gift cards for a wedding gift and had registered for a 9.7" Pro and a Mini 4, but it made sense to just get two of the 5th gen iPads and save some money for other things. They will be a huge upgrade over the current Mini 1's that we have.

Congrats on the purchase!

I got one for my dad to replace his iPad 3 and it's really good value for the money. Very speedy for the normal tasks (web browsing, email, Facebook, etc).

 

[sbailey4]

So anyone know why the refurb iPad Air 2 (128gb) WIFI only ($419) in the refurb store would only be $10 less than the new iPad. That guy is 3 yrs old now and has A8x chip. Not following why that is. Certainly the current model would be worth an extra $10 for the A9 and 3 years newer and 2 yr warranty, yes? What am I missing?

 

[chrfr]

So anyone know why the refurb iPad Air 2 (128gb) WIFI only ($419) in the refurb store would only be $10 less than the new iPad. That guy is 3 yrs old now and has A8x chip. Not following why that is. Certainly the current model would be worth an extra $10 for the A9 and 3 years newer and 2 yr warranty, yes? What am I missing?

New iPads in the US include a 1 year warranty, same as for refurbished ones. the Air 2 has a somewhat better display than the 2017 iPad, and the speed difference isn't real significant.

 

[sbailey4]

New iPads in the US include a 1 year warranty, same as for refurbished ones. the Air 2 has a somewhat better display than the 2017 iPad, and the speed difference isn't real significant.

OK thanks. Seems both have the retina display so not following how the 3 yr older one would be that much better. For some reason had 2 yr warranty on my mind but I remember that always been 1 yr. Also seems the battery on the new iPad is a tad larger than the Air 2. (32.4 watt vs 27.3 watt). Anyway thanks for the feedback. Still hard to justify why there is only $10 difference for the older refurb.

 

[chrfr]

OK thanks. Seems both have the retina display so not following how the 3 yr older one would be that much better. For some reason had 2 yr warranty on my mind but I remember that always been 1 yr. Also seems the battery on the new iPad is a tad larger than the Air 2. (32.4 watt vs 27.3 watt). Anyway thanks for the feedback. Still hard to justify why there is only $10 difference for the older refurb.

The screen in the 2017 iPad is essentially just like the screen in the original Air- there is a gap between the LCD and the cover glass, while on the Air 2 it's a single laminated unit. The end result is that the Air 2 is a bit thinner and has a bit less glare.

 

[rui no onna]

So anyone know why the refurb iPad Air 2 (128gb) WIFI only ($419) in the refurb store would only be $10 less than the new iPad. That guy is 3 yrs old now and has A8x chip. Not following why that is. Certainly the current model would be worth an extra $10 for the A9 and 3 years newer and 2 yr warranty, yes? What am I missing?

Laminated display is more expensive. It also has lower reflectivity so better for use in bright light conditions.

Note the out of warranty replacement costs. The 2017 iPad 5th gen is cheaper to replace than the iPad mini 3 and mini 4. Reckon that's the reason why Apple only has the 128GB model at $399.

iPad mini, iPad mini 2
$ 199

iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4
$ 299

iPad, iPad 2, iPad Air, iPad 5th generation
$ 249

iPad Air 2, iPad 3rd generation, iPad 4th generation
$ 299

iPad Pro 9.7-inch
$ 379

iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
$ 449

iPad Pro 12.9-inch, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation)
$ 599

 

[Broadus]

The screen in the 2017 iPad is essentially just like the screen in the original Air- there is a gap between the LCD and the cover glass, while on the Air 2 it's a single laminated unit. The end result is that the Air 2 is a bit thinner and has a bit less glare.

I have the Air 1 and never considered anything negative about the display till I read about it on forums.