That is kind of absurd. The difference between targeting the A7 over earlier CPUs is pretty big (64-bit instruction set) but for the lionshare of typical use apps, A7->A8(X) is pretty trivial. A few intense games or scientific apps may need to use the extra GPU heft, but even that is not all that likely; when viewed especially through the lens of mom&dad-lite use (per the OP), it probably will not matter. I would be more concerned about the 1 vs 2 Gb of RAM difference.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Will the iPad Air (1) slow down next year?
- Thread starter Windows&Apple
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
That is kind of absurd. The difference between targeting the A7 over earlier CPUs is pretty big (64-bit instruction set) but for the lionshare of typical use apps, A7->A8(X) is pretty trivial. A few intense games or scientific apps may need to use the extra GPU heft, but even that is not all that likely; when viewed especially through the lens of mom&dad-lite use (per the OP), it probably will not matter. I would be more concerned about the 1 vs 2 Gb of RAM difference.
You do realise you're almost arguing with yourself?
What you said is exactly the point I was making, there's nothing absurd about my comments.
I reiterate, the current install base of A6 & A7 devices is huge (2 & 1 year head start on A8/X respectively) and the entire line up of A7 devices are still on sale.
Until the A8 has a larger install base App developers won't begin to target that chip specifically, because the money is made in ensuring apps run well on the largest install base.
A8/X users will see slight graphical enhancements (although both A7 and A8 support Metal via iOS 8) and quicker loading times, but in terms of fully optimised, fully fledged A8 and A8X apps? We won't we those for a while yet, in fact we've yet to see anything that stretches the A7 to the maximum.
No one knows for sure if iOS 9 will slow down any device that's out there. My best advice is to allow others to download it and read the forum and see what has happened to other people with the iPad Air 1.
No need to be afraid that it might do it. Just don't take the plunge until you're sure that it doesn't.
No need to be afraid that it might do it. Just don't take the plunge until you're sure that it doesn't.
Last edited:
The measly 1 gig of ram will be an issue long before the A7 is. The iPad Air 2 should lSt at least two iOS generations past the air 1, due to RAM alone.
My Air is on 7.1.2 and I have no plans to change.
My iphone 5 is still on 6.1.4, runs nice like this.
My iphone 6 of course came with 8, but I doubt if I'll put 9 on it. Will get a 6s or wait for a 7 to go to ios9.
I have a feeling that with all the bad press Apple has received this year (and from the media, not just on forums) about iOS8 they may adopt a more cautious approach with iOS9 to ensure they don't get any slowdown on older devices (5S upwards and iPad Air/mini 2 upwards at least). The fact even the iphone 6 and Air 2 stutter on iOS8 tells a big story. I can understand why as it seems Apple don't have the manpower to update two OSes per year (hence all the rumours about people being pulled off OSX to help with iOS). iOS8 was a big 'under-the-hood' update to get all the extensions working with 3rd party apps so I'm guessing that less resources were spent on the spit and polish of tidying up all the loose animation. Hopefully that means that any further extensions will simply be more of the same rather than reengineering everything and they can spend time ironing out the bugs and optimising performance. I'm sure many people are hoping iOS9 will be more of a Snow-Leopard-type release (although Snow Leopard didn't become great for a few point updates). If Apple suffer two years in a row of media criticism of their software performance, the reviews may start to become less forgiving.
This is what I just did. I decided that I'd rather spend just a bit more on the Air 2 now to get a tablet that'll last at least the next four years.
The Air is still an absolute beast of a machine, your folks will be more than happy with the Air. Don't forget the Air 2 has only just come out. Even for serious productivity the Air is perfect!
Regarding software updates, don't worry not with an iPad Air, if you had the iPad 3rd Gen, then maybe get a little concerned if you wanted longevity. Also don't forget every year Apple make their software faster and faster, they are continuously ironing out little creases, to make the OS silky silky smooth.
Bottom line, you are definitely good to go!
Regarding software updates, don't worry not with an iPad Air, if you had the iPad 3rd Gen, then maybe get a little concerned if you wanted longevity. Also don't forget every year Apple make their software faster and faster, they are continuously ironing out little creases, to make the OS silky silky smooth.
Bottom line, you are definitely good to go!
Correct. It could be argued that developers haven't even fully tapped the power of the Air 1 yet. Mine has always been a great device with no trouble other than some iOS 8 early issues that are now sorted out. I'll get a long time out of my Air. A long time.
1GB RAM for iOS 9 won't be pretty
Especially since Apple optimizes iOS for the iPhone far batter then they do for the iPad
Especially since Apple optimizes iOS for the iPhone far batter then they do for the iPad
If you do genuinely hold onto your iPad Air 2 for 4 years then fair enough. Sadly there are too many on here who go on and on about future proofing and buying the latest device and then upgrade annually. So ... what was their whole point about future proofing again?
I can't talk though, I've upgraded annually since iPad 3 but come June I need to decide if I want an Air 2 or not. Right now, running iOS 7.1.2, my iPad Air is beautiful ... I can't find anything it can't run, anything it can't run at 100% speed (games, etc) and the UI is smooth and fluid.
I just got my Air 1 yesterday for Christmas and I have to say while I do notice some random UI lag here and there it isn't the end all be all that some people here are saying. I ordered my Air when Best Buy was doing their Black Friday sale so it was only $320 and that was a good enough deal for me to jump on. I don't use my Air as a laptop replacement either... That's what my 11" Air is for. It's purpose for me is limited to games, streaming video and music and some web browsing. For the hardcore stuff, my MacBook comes in.
I have very much enjoyed my Air for the past 24 hours. I've barely touched my MacBook in that timeframe.
I have very much enjoyed my Air for the past 24 hours. I've barely touched my MacBook in that timeframe.