iPad 6th Gen to iPad Air 4?

[buckethead]

I am trying to figure out if it makes sense for me to replace my current 6th Gen with the iPad Air 4. While I would really like to - I am not sure I would notice a day to day difference or not. And I do not want to sped $$ to just spend $$. I am wondering if anyone has made the updgrade how noticeable it was? And also what others thoughts are on the possibility of upgrading. I know it is highly individualized - but any thoughts/opinions would be great!

While I currently use my 6th gen a lot for browsing and non intensive stuff. I am working on going computer free as the only computer I currently is a work laptop so I am trying to keep personal stuff off as much as I can. I do teach with it and display, share through Meets, grade, create content, etc... with it. I also record videos/screencasts and upload to YouTube without currently editing them, but that could change... As well as do some photo editing.

Would I notice a difference in performance? My 6th gen has not bogged down on me or anything, but I have had apps crash and close in background more than I would like. The tough thing is that I do not think 64GB is enough considering I would plan on keeping it for 3-4 years and afraid that I would run out of space. Though maybe it would be if I optimized photos and videos. And it makes it a harder decision to upgrade if I need to go 256GB at the extra $150...

Looking for some thoughts here - thanks!!

 

[ssledoux]

I think it’s a substantial upgrade. Even going from a 6th gen to an Air 3 was a pretty substantial upgrade IMO, and the Air 4 is even better.

 

[joeblow7777]

I'm a teacher who uses my iPad in almost exactly the same way that you do. You will notice a performance difference, even for just those tasks. I actually went from an Air 3 (A12 with 3GB of RAM) to the Air 4, and I have noticed a difference. You're talking about going from a 6th Gen (A10 and 2GB of RAM, plus a significantly smaller non-laminated display). I can't say whether it's worth the money for you personally, but there is a notable performance difference that you will feel in your work.

And I opted for 256GB storage, because you're right, 64 will probably not last you for years unless you store everything on the cloud.

 

[buckethead]

I'm a teacher who uses my iPad in almost exactly the same way that you do. You will notice a performance difference, even for just those tasks. I actually went from an Air 3 (A12 with 3GB of RAM) to the Air 4, and I have noticed a difference. You're talking about going from a 6th Gen (A10 and 2GB of RAM, plus a significantly smaller non-laminated display). I can't say whether it's worth the money for you personally, but there is a notable performance difference that you will feel in your work.

And I opted for 256GB storage, because you're right, 64 will probably not last you for years unless you store everything on the cloud.

Thanks for the response. I figured I would see a performance difference and with it sounding like my district will be distance learning for the foreseeable future my usage will only increase. Did you give any thought to doing the 11" Pro instead of the Air 4? I am leaning towards the Air, but with the Pro only $50 more it has me thinking.

It looks like I can get $170 for my 6th gen in a trade in - which is not all that bad considering how much I paid for it 18 months ago....

 

[joeblow7777]

Thanks for the response. I figured I would see a performance difference and with it sounding like my district will be distance learning for the foreseeable future my usage will only increase. Did you give any thought to doing the 11" Pro instead of the Air 4? I am leaning towards the Air, but with the Pro only $50 more it has me thinking.

It looks like I can get $170 for my 6th gen in a trade in - which is not all that bad considering how much I paid for it 18 months ago....

I'm right there with you. Been teaching online since March, and my iPad has become quite indispensable to me.

Had the Air 4 not been announced, I might have seriously considered the Pro. But compared to the Air 4, I just felt that the extra bells and whistles of the Pro aren't of much use to me. ProMotion display? Nice, but not really useful. Extra speakers? I hardly listen to audio through the device speakers. FaceID? Frankly, I've always preferred TouchID.

In terms of longevity, I think they're probably a draw. The Pro does have more RAM and more processing/graphics cores, but the Air actually has a processor that's 2 generations newer in terms of its architecture.

 

[ssledoux]

Thanks for the response. I figured I would see a performance difference and with it sounding like my district will be distance learning for the foreseeable future my usage will only increase. Did you give any thought to doing the 11" Pro instead of the Air 4? I am leaning towards the Air, but with the Pro only $50 more it has me thinking.

It looks like I can get $170 for my 6th gen in a trade in - which is not all that bad considering how much I paid for it 18 months ago....

If the pro is only $50 more with the same amount of storage, I think that’s a no brainer. It’s a fantastic device, and the additional features you would get are surely worth $50. I love my iPP. I haven’t had experience with the Air 4, but have purchased three Air 3s for three of my grandkids, and several others are still using 6th gens, so I know for sure you can’t go wrong making that jump. I think I’d go on to the pro though if I were that close in price.

 

[MistrSynistr]

I've made the exact upgrade from the 6th gen to the Air.

Worth every penny.

 

[bodonnell202]

I upgraded from a 6th gen to an Air 4 and I'm loving it. Bigger and better display in roughly the same footprint and laminated displays are so much better (the reflections on my 6th gen always bothered me a bit). Noticeably faster as well. I sold my 6th gen and it covered half the cost of the upgrade and it was worth it for me.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am trying to figure out if it makes sense for me to replace my current 6th Gen with the iPad Air 4. While I would really like to - I am not sure I would notice a day to day difference or not. And I do not want to sped $$ to just spend $$. I am wondering if anyone has made the updgrade how noticeable it was? And also what others thoughts are on the possibility of upgrading. I know it is highly individualized - but any thoughts/opinions would be great!

While I currently use my 6th gen a lot for browsing and non intensive stuff. I am working on going computer free as the only computer I currently is a work laptop so I am trying to keep personal stuff off as much as I can. I do teach with it and display, share through Meets, grade, create content, etc... with it. I also record videos/screencasts and upload to YouTube without currently editing them, but that could change... As well as do some photo editing.

Would I notice a difference in performance? My 6th gen has not bogged down on me or anything, but I have had apps crash and close in background more than I would like. The tough thing is that I do not think 64GB is enough considering I would plan on keeping it for 3-4 years and afraid that I would run out of space. Though maybe it would be if I optimized photos and videos. And it makes it a harder decision to upgrade if I need to go 256GB at the extra $150...

Looking for some thoughts here - thanks!!

That is definitely worth the upgrade! Go for it!

 

[satchmo]

Another 6th gen to iPad Air 4 buyer here. Haven’t had the chance to unbox the Air yet.

But Like others, I’m sure the difference with be noticeable. I tested an 8th Gen iPad against the Air at the store and it wasn’t even close.

My only issue is the cost of peripherals seem to be much more expensive as you go up the iPad line up. Saving up just to get a keyboard and Pencil.
Love the Magic Keyboard but wish there was a cheaper alternative.

 

[buckethead]

Well I ordered the Air 4 256gb last night. Few weeks till it’s in my hands and I can see differences myself.