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What version of iOS are you using at the moment?

iOS 10 is a bit of a struggle on iPad Air, and iOS 11 introduced many new iPad specific features that require more RAM and processing power - areas in which the iPad Air is severely constrained by today's standards.

So if you're on iOS 10 I'd probably stay there until you can afford to buy a new iPad - but there are some very serious security implications in doing so. There are now a long list of security vulnerabilities that will remain forever unpatched in iOS 10. If you're already on iOS 11, you should definitely upgrade.

Bottom line - start thinking about treating yourself to a new iPad. ;)
 
Mine worked for 24 hours after installing iOS11.4 and then this happened. The 1.5 hour online chat with Apple yielded nothing but an offer for a mail in $273 Diagnostic Test because the closest Apple Store is more than an hour away. I would wait on the upgrade.

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The 1.5 hour online chat with Apple yielded nothing but an offer for a mail in $273 Diagnostic Test

LOL - that sounds more like a lengthy, frustrating discussion than a chat - you can almost buy an new iPad for that amount!

I gave up on apple for service a long time ago - no more apple care, and I use "best buy" or even better a local mac repair shop for my mac and iPhone / iPad repairs
 
LOL - that sounds more like a lengthy, frustrating discussion than a chat - you can almost buy an new iPad for that amount!
If one is willing to go the refurb route, the 2017 iPad can be had for $239 + tax.
 
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Not sure if I should update our iPad Air.

I have an iPad air and it took a performance hit upgrading to iOS 10 so I have not upgraded the OS since.

That said, I have upgraded many of the apps and they are now 64 bit and have more features and code etc. so if you don't upgrade the OS you may experience slow performance from upgrading the apps as well.
 
LOL - that sounds more like a lengthy, frustrating discussion than a chat - you can almost buy an new iPad for that amount!

I gave up on apple for service a long time ago - no more apple care, and I use "best buy" or even better a local mac repair shop for my mac and iPhone / iPad repairs

The transcript they sent me would make for good reading, I felt like they were chasing their tails and weren't really comprehending what I was writing.
 
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I have the air 2 ,iOS 11 ran like a dog. On beta for iOS 12 now and it’s way way quicker. Not saying the first air will be, but iOS 11 sucked
 
I still use a launch day original iPad Air as my daily iPad, along side my iPhone X and mbp.

I’ve always kept it up to date and it’s running 11.4 now. No issues other than a little lag and some web pages slow to load. As expected.

But I’m happy and waiting for the next pro.
 
I just returned from my service appointment at the nearest Service Center. Within a minute the tech told me the iPad Air was showing early signs of hardware failure. How can an iPad which hasn't been abused have hardware failure by simply installing a software update? She also said the licensing agreement states that it may cause issues on older machines. When was the last time you read the entire disclaimer? When did Apple stop posting a list of older machines that could be bricked by an iOS? Anyone want to see a video or pictures of me destroying an iPad? Does anyone else feel a little angry about how iOS updates may effect their device in this way? How does a software update cause a hardware failure?
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It doesn't. What they said was a cop-out response, ie: meaning they don't know what caused it and used an excuse to make you leave the store. LOL...
 
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Early signs of hardware failure...without being more specific, ffs.
At the end of the day there are idiots everywhere, you clearly bumped into one at your service centre.

BUT, you don't know if your device has a fault or not, sure staying on iOS 11.3 might have not made you discover it or it could have.
Guess its one of those things that just hard do prove.
Such as when a relatives iPad air 2 only charges to 70% after I updated it to iOS11.
Sure, it can be a bad battery and it might have been iOS 10 not displaying the charging process properly, still quite annoying.

Although I know its frustrating, talk to Apple support again and see what they can offer.
The times I have had a humble approach to them they usually have helped me or made a good deal on a new product.´
Good luck.
 
I said to her, "that's a load of crap". The closest Apple Store is more than an hour away but I will make time to take it in and see what the "Genius" says about the issue.
 
I just returned from my service appointment at the nearest Service Center. Within a minute the tech told me the iPad Air was showing early signs of hardware failure. How can an iPad which hasn't been abused have hardware failure by simply installing a software update? She also said the licensing agreement states that it may cause issues on older machines. When was the last time you read the entire disclaimer? When did Apple stop posting a list of older machines that could be bricked by an iOS? Anyone want to see a video or pictures of me destroying an iPad? Does anyone else feel a little angry about how iOS updates may effect their device in this way? How does a software update cause a hardware failure?View attachment 765960

UPDATE: I finally had time to make a Genius Bar appointment in Atlanta and it was interesting. The genius told me the restore from their system is more intense than what we do. The software iOS11.4.1 downloaded, installed and the screen went back to normal. They offered a special price on a new iPad if this didn't work, so I think that I'm not the first to have this problem.
 
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