Thoughts on My New iPad Air 2

[BigMcGuire]

Posting to share experience: I have an iPhone 6s+ and had an iPad Mini 4 for a year+ (which wife now happily owns) (owned a Mini 2 before this for years). After a few months without an iPad I was really missing the screen space. I had originally thought I could get by using my 6s+ but I was wrong.

So, I went to the local best buy with the intent of getting an iPad Mini 4 but they were completely sold out. Next to it was an iPad Air 2 for the same price that intrigued me. Spent some time reading threads on Macrumors about how people with plus iPhone models and iPad Mini 4s wanted a larger screened iPad. I think this is why it was so easy for me to let go of the iPad Mini 4 because it wasn't much bigger than the phone 6s+.

Read how the Air 2 has virtually the same specs as the Mini 4 - of whose performance I was very happy with... therefore made the purchase at Best Buy and walked out.

After several days of ownership I'm floored. This is the device I've always wanted. It's not too heavy and the screen is absolutely amazing - readability (huge for me) is exactly what I wanted. Spent hours reading books/websites and it is perfect. Hooking it up to a external bluetooth keyboard and typing out pages of documents is far more pleasant than doing the same on my iPhone 6s+ or Mini 4.

Plugged it into coconutBattery on my Mac and it says the iPad was manufactured on 12-12-2016 (less than a month old).

Feels faster than the iPad Mini 4. It is big and not as easy to read laying down in bed but I REALLY like this. I spent some time with the iPad Pro models and they seemed heavy. Since my primary use will be reading and documenting - I think this is the best choice. I see years of happy usage ahead.

Only problem is, not as easy to wipe on shirt when screen gets dirty. May need to carry a glasses cleaning cloth with it from now on...

Thanks for reading.

 

[44267547]

I love my Air 2. I almost upgraded to the 9.7 Pro when comparing. But the results were very similar in speed, aside from the quad speakers, Pencil Supprt and Tru-Tone display. Glad you're happy with it. It's a powerhouse and mine hasn't slowed down since day one.

 

[acorntoy]

The Air 2 is still a fantastic device, it's amazing. I never felt like it was slow or I needed to upgrade because it was unusable. Only reason I sold mine was that I wanted a larger display. My mom got one for christmas and she absolutely loves it, it's a massive upgrade over her Air 1, she keeps talking about how good the screen looks compared to it. In my opinion the 9.7 pro right now just isn't better enough than the Air 2 to justify the massive price difference.

 

[Ratatapa]

I was in a semi same situation

Had an Ipad Mini2 for 3 years, and sold it to upgrade, didnt know which between Mini 4 and Air2, but decided to stay with the mini

No regrets

 

[Channan]

In my opinion the 9.7 pro right now just isn't better enough than the Air 2 to justify the massive price difference.

This is exactly why I'd still recommend most people get the iPad Air 2 over the 9.7" iPad Pro. Of course the Pro is going to be better overall, but it's not worth the extra cost unless you really need the Pencil.

 

[ayetta]

I have a MacBook Pro 2015, iPhone, Apple TV 4, and IPad Air 2. The IPad itself is up there as being one of the most lucrative and versatile purchases I've probably ever made. Rarely use my iPhone for anything. And use it just as much, if not more, than my MacBook. You did yourself a solid with the purchase.

 

[44267547]

This is exactly why I'd still recommend most people get the iPad Air 2 over the 9.7" iPad Pro. Of course the Pro is going to be better overall, but it's not worth the extra cost unless you really need the Pencil.

I think "Better" is subjective. It depends what one wants or needs in the Pro that can't be offered in the Air 2, aside from Tru-Tone, quad speaker and Pencil support. The Pro is marginally faster (19%) than the Air 2. Otherwise, they are nearly identical. Yes, the Pro is technologically advanced, but not necessarily better, being the user decides this.

 

[Septembersrain]

I had to move from my Mini 3 to an Air 2 then to the Pro 9'7.

The reason is that I think after doing call center work, I'm going deaf.

Those 4 speakers on the Pro help me out tremendously. Since I mainly use it for my video watching (Got a 7+ for everything else) I enjoy being able to hear it without full blast volume and vibrations.

 

[Channan]

I think "Better" is subjective. It depends what one wants or needs in the Pro that can't be offered in the Air 2, aside from Tru-Tone, quad speaker and Pencil support. The Pro is marginally faster (19%) than the Air 2. Otherwise, they are nearly identical. Yes, the Pro is technologically advanced, but not necessarily better, being the user decides this.

It's not subjective. It actually is better. But you're basically saying the same thing I said. It all comes down to whether it's better enough to pay an extra $200 and that's what's subjective.

 

[itsmilo]

Only problem is, not as easy to wipe on shirt when screen gets dirty. May need to carry a glasses cleaning cloth with it from now on...

its the anti reflection coating. its the first thing i noticed coming from an iPad 3 and annoys me to this day. its a pain to clean and instead of sun reflections you are left with a screen covered in finger prints. i would take the reflections, especially since i wont be seeing the sun til like april lol

 

[TMRJIJ]

I love my iPad Air 2 as well. Probably the best iOS device I ever owned. I don't think I'm going to upgrade anytime soon either. Apple may have a problem selling newer iPad Pro models in the future. The Air 2 is powerful enough for most tasks right now.

 

[Badrottie]

Many of you are staying with Air 2 and Tim Cook can see why 9.7 Pro is losing sale right now.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

This is exactly why I'd still recommend most people get the iPad Air 2 over the 9.7" iPad Pro. Of course the Pro is going to be better overall, but it's not worth the extra cost unless you really need the Pencil.

The other thing the pro offers is the Smart keyboard. I had a certain budget in mind when buying my iPad. I was disappointed the smart KB was only for iPadpro.

I toyed with getting the pro and a KB but held my ground as I didn't urgently need an iPad anyway, just wanted to play around with swift playgrounds.

Also have a rose gold phone and macbook so was a bit disappointed that I couldn't complete the matching set and had to get a gold iPad instead. lol

Felt rather proud of myself to walk out of the store with in budget.

 

[Channan]

The other thing the pro offers is the Smart keyboard. I had a certain budget in mind when buying my iPad. I was disappointed the smart KB was only for iPadpro.

I toyed with getting the pro and a KB but held my ground as I didn't urgently need an iPad anyway, just wanted to play around with swift playgrounds.

Also have a rose gold phone and macbook so was a bit disappointed that I couldn't complete the matching set and had to get a gold iPad instead. lol

Felt rather proud of myself to walk out of the store with in budget.

But also keep in mind that any Bluetooth keyboard will work with older iPads. They aren't quite as convenient, but I wouldn't spend anywhere near $150+ on an iPad keyboard.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

But also keep in mind that any Bluetooth keyboard will work with older iPads. They aren't quite as convenient, but I wouldn't spend anywhere near $150+ on an iPad keyboard.

Not too bothered about it. What is funny is Apple's strategy to get me to spend more by making me buy a pro didn't pan out. Instead of buying an ipad and a keyboard and spending more they lost the sale of a keyboard.

I also bought the lowest storage option for the first time in my life. Figured all my music is on my phone which is always with my anyway. So 32GB is enough to load up some movies for a trip.

I will probably go with a BT from logitech down the road should I still want one. I just couldn't justify an extra $365 for the pro and a KB. Normally Apple gets me to justify such things somehow.

My prices will vary because it is purchased in Thailand not the USA.

Just adding my thoughts on the smart KB. Yes it is expensive but it is also a case and that takes some of the pain out of buying one.

 

[Channan]

Not too bothered about it. What is funny is Apple's strategy to get me to spend more by making me buy a pro didn't pan out. Instead of buying an ipad and a keyboard and spending more they lost the sale of a keyboard.

I also bought the lowest storage option for the first time in my life. Figured all my music is on my phone which is always with my anyway. So 32GB is enough to load up some movies for a trip.

I will probably go with a BT from logitech down the road should I still want one. I just couldn't justify an extra $365 for the pro and a KB. Normally Apple gets me to justify such things somehow.

My prices will vary because it is purchased in Thailand not the USA.

Just adding my thoughts on the smart KB. Yes it is expensive but it is also a case and that takes some of the pain out of buying one.

Wait, so which iPad did you get?

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Wait, so which iPad did you get?

Ipad Air 2 32GB wifi only.

 

[Zaft]

Had my air 2 since early 2015 and still happy with it.

the Pro should have had at-least 3gb of ram for it to be worthy of an upgrade.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Ipad Air 2 32GB wifi only.

This is the same one I got . As it sits with all my apps installed (and used for several days), I have 21GB free. lol.

I use several older bluetooth keyboards with it regularly with no problems. I use an Anker tablet stand on a lap desk with the keyboard in front - works pretty well.

I was seriously considering 128GB for $100 more but ... my iPhone is 128GB and I am only using 20GB on it (handful of music albums, 7 months of usage, etc...).

 

[ryanwarsaw]

This is the same one I got . As it sits with all my apps installed (and used for several days), I have 21GB free. lol.

I use several older bluetooth keyboards with it regularly with no problems. I use an Anker tablet stand on a lap desk with the keyboard in front - works pretty well.

I was seriously considering 128GB for $100 more but ... my iPhone is 128GB and I am only using 20GB on it (handful of music albums, 7 months of usage, etc...).

Oddly enough having AirPods helped with my consideration of not getting an iPad with larger storage. I can't see any reason I would need my music on my iPad now that I can access my music even if it is on my phone in the other room. I was astounded that I walked out of the shop with the absolute minimum purchase and felt good about it. I could truly have my cake and eat it too for once.

 

[Channan]

Oddly enough having AirPods helped with my consideration of not getting an iPad with larger storage. I can't see any reason I would need my music on my iPad now that I can access my music even if it is on my phone in the other room. I was astounded that I walked out of the shop with the absolute minimum purchase and felt good about it. I could truly have my cake and eat it too for once.

Now that the base iPad Air 2 also has 32GB, it's really easy for most people to get by with the minimum. That's all I'd need. I only got 128GB on my iPhone because I wanted jet black. I get by with 16GB on both of my iPads, though admittedly it is a slight struggle, but 32GB would be perfect.

 

[cynics]

I've been very happy with my iPad Air 2 as well.

For me since I have no real use for a laptop (as much as I want one) the combination of an iPhone, iMac and iPad is perfect.

I'm glad you are happy with yours. Although I know its human nature its refreshing to see a positive review amongst a sea of complaining. Its a really good product and although it has its faults overall deserves praise.

 

[Zaft]

Mine is 16gb and it's fine since it's my consumption device. I don't really keep much on it.

 

[joeblow7777]

Had my air 2 since early 2015 and still happy with it.

the Pro should have had at-least 3gb of ram for it to be worthy of an upgrade.

Would an extra GB of RAM have really affected how you use the device? I feel like a lot of people wish for more RAM on iOS devices just for the sake of knowing that it's there. Maybe that's not you. Maybe you do a lot of multitasking and keep tons of browser tabs open. But I feel that for most people wouldn't notice much difference anyway.

 

[Zaft]

Would an extra GB of RAM have really affected how you use the device? I feel like a lot of people wish for more RAM on iOS devices just for the sake of knowing that it's there. Maybe that's not you. Maybe you do a lot of multitasking and keep tons of browser tabs open. But I feel that for most people wouldn't notice much difference anyway.

More ram is always good. 2gb Is getting small now as well.