All iPads Upgrading my iPad 4 to iPad Air 2: worth it?

[AppleStart2013]

I am using an iPad 4 retina 16 gig with a keyboard case currently to take notes in class (I use it half the time with the other half I use my lenovo) and for YouTube/web browsing. The storage is small but I put everything on OneDrive.

However I do most of my heavy work on my lenovo.

The iPad Air 2 is now a bit cheaper and I am on the fence about upgrading. I think part of the reason is that it's already 2 years old and the iPad pro is out of my price range.

Is the upgrade worth it in your opinion? Or should I wait an extra year until after iOS 10?

 

[Tsepz]

I upgraded from a iPad 4 16GB LTE to a Air 2 64GB LTE, and so glad I did.

The Air 2 is a lot more powerful and the extra gig of RAM makes a world of difference for multitasking.
Let's not forget the iPad 4 is quite a heavy thing, if I'm not mistaken it is the heaviest iPad around, the Air 2 is super light making it easier to carry around.

With the the iPad Pro 9.7 coming weeks to the same amount of RAM as the Air 2, I'd say we are pretty future proof for at least the next 24months, the people who should worry are Air 1 users.

Treat yourself to Air 2 64GB I say

I'm in the process of selling my iPad 4, I simply cannot use it anymore having being spoilt by the far more refined iPad Air 2.

 

[M. Gustave]

I am using an iPad 4 retina 16 gig with a keyboard case currently to take notes in class (I use it half the time with the other half I use my lenovo) and for YouTube/web browsing. The storage is small but I put everything on OneDrive.

However I do most of my heavy work on my lenovo.

The iPad Air 2 is now a bit cheaper and I am on the fence about upgrading. I think part of the reason is that it's already 2 years old and the iPad pro is out of my price range.

Is the upgrade worth it in your opinion? Or should I wait an extra year until after iOS 10?

I don't read anything in your post about the iPad 4 not working for you. What task(s) are you not able to do, or what aspect of it can't you live with anymore?

I would evaluate the "heavy work" you're doing on the laptop, and see if any or all of it could be done on an iPad Pro, along with note taking using the Pencil.

 

[Night Spring]

At this point, jumping from ipad 4 to Air2 seems a bit silly. I'd say wait until the iPP comes down to your price range.

 

[Math889]

Upgrade.

 

[Channan]

Go for it if you can get one on sale. The iPad Air 2 is great and iOS 10 is only going to make it better. The animations on the latest iOS 10 public beta are insanely fast. My iPad Air 2 actually feels faster on the latest beta than it ever has on any other firmware.

 

[nightlong]

I have both ... My iPad 4 is an amazing beast in that it still functions really well on the latest operating system, has had a lot of use and still works flawlessly. The iPad air2 is significantly lighter, and has some other benefits but unless you really need them would be better to wait for a price drop on the iPad Pro and have the option to use the pencil for notes, it is great, the best stylus of all I have tried.

 

[Tazoawake2016]

If you're in the U.S., the iPad Air 2 is in sale this week for $299.99 (16GB model) and $399.99 (64GB model) at Target. Most retailers will match this price if you show them the ad.

 

[pika2000]

It boils down if the iPad 4 still works for your needs or not. You can always wait and there will always be newer iPads.
If you need to replace the iPad 4 now, and if the Air 2 fits your needs and budget (it is basically a lighter faster iPad), then it's arguably a good time to do so, especially with the price drop and sales aplenty (and don't forget refurbished ones).

On the other side of the coin, it won't offer you anything "new" compared to your iPad4, other than being lighter and faster, and being able to do side-by-side. Just keep that in mind and within expectation. Its innards will already be 2 generation behind once Apple releases the A10 (if that is a concern for you).

 

[44267547]

Either way, the Air 2 is still a really strong device. Plenty of power and should be around for while. There are also a lot of great deals on the Air 2 ,being the iPad Pro line up is out.

 

[iOSpecialist]

The extra gig of RAM will make a big difference in everyday use, and the fact that the air 2 is so much thinner and lighter will definitely be a nice upgrade. If you do upgrade, I'm sure you'll love it. It'll definitely last you a few years before it needs upgrading. iOS 10 will run flawlessly on it too, which is something I can't say about the iPad 4.

That being said, if you can wait until the next version of the iPad Pro comes out, the 1st gen will be at a lower price, and you can enjoy the better camera, display, speakers, and the Apple Pencil if you want to. It'll be even more future proof than the air 2. I'm sure you'll be happy with either choice, it just depends on your personal needs and uses for the device.

 

[Badrottie]

Upgrade now if you are okay wit iOS 10 might be bit lagging on Air 2?

 

[iOSpecialist]

Upgrade now if you are okay wit iOS 10 might be bit lagging on Air 2?

I don't think iOS 10 will lag on the Air 2, it's works perfectly fine on my iPad mini 4. It even feels faster than iOS 9 because of the animations getting a speed boost.

 

[Tritto]

I'm running 10 on my iPad Air2 and it's great. If anything, it feels faster than 9.
I upgraded from a 4 to the Air 2 fairly recently and it's noticeably faster so you will certainly see a benefit. I didn't really need the upgrade but a near new one popped up cheap and I figured the 4 was getting long in the tooth. One downside for the Air2, the speakers are poor compared to the 4 and the screen vibrates when you're playing games and the volume is up above 2-3 bars. If you don't play games it watch videos on it then this won't bother you.