iPad How Important is Laminated Display for Reading?

[Vothic]

I have an older iPad (original iPad Air) that I have been using exclusive for reading for the past couple years....iBooks, news websites and that sort of thing. I am looking to upgrade but will continue to use mostly use the new one just for reading. I am considering either the new iPad or the iPad Air 3.

I see that the iPad Air 3 has a laminated display while the iPad does not. As I am going to be using the device only for reading, how big a deal is this? I.e. will I notice a difference in the two during daily use?

Thanks in advance!

 

[StellarVixen]

There is no gap between glass and display. So, it would look like screen and front glass are one and the same. More "like paper". Especially with True Tone turned on.

 

[Falhófnir]

If you're coming from an original Air and were happy with it I think you'd be perfectly happy with the iPad 7th gen. The laminated display (and anti-reflective coating) is most beneficial if you are using it outside, in bright conditions, want to use the pencil significantly (for digital art or the like) or you are already used to it. It doesn't really affect what you see on the screen, certainly not in terms of simply reading content.

 

[Aydy]

All my iPads have had laminated displays. My first iPad was air2 so I’ve not really known anything other than. My mum’s iPad is an original iPad 3rd generation from back in the day and I honestly couldn’t tell you the difference between laminated and non laminated. I know there is a difference but it’s something you don’t immediately pick up on across devices tbh. Like, when you realise, you will notice but it’s not something immediately apparent imo. Even using my 2018 iPP i see not much difference to my mum’s old iP3, other than the 9.7 vs 12.9

Edit. So, I obviously can tell the difference using iPad 3 vs iPad Pro 3. What I meant to say was the display and how content renders on the display is the same

 

[AutomaticApple]

I have an older iPad (original iPad Air) that I have been using exclusive for reading for the past couple years....iBooks, news websites and that sort of thing. I am looking to upgrade but will continue to use mostly use the new one just for reading. I am considering either the new iPad or the iPad Air 3.

I see that the iPad Air 3 has a laminated display while the iPad does not. As I am going to be using the device only for reading, how big a deal is this? I.e. will I notice a difference in the two during daily use?

Thanks in advance!

Do you plan on buying an iPad with black bezels? If so, you won't notice the gap.

 

[VineRider]

For me, the laminated display is very nice, but the anti reflective coating makes a huge difference as well.

 

[1BadManVan]

Really not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. The 7th gen would be a great upgrade overall for performance

 

[danmart]

The laminated display is most significant if you plan to read outside. The non-laminated displays have a tiny gap between the layers, and in-coming light will bounce around inside the screen causing glare.

When I got my first iPad with a laminated screen, I stopped using my Kindle.

 

[Digitalguy]

All my ipads have a matte screen protector. So even my mini 2 (the only non laminated one I still have) is fine. The additional advantages are no more fingerprints (which I hate) and protection from contact with physical keyboards (apple or logitech) or even smart covers

 

[omzig]

hello friends, don't wanna open a new thread so ill just ask it here.

i've never used unlaminated screen, so how big is the difference between laminated and unlaminated screens, both visually and by touch? does unlaminated screen produce any hollow sounds when tapping or doing other gestures? does it make content less visible at angles, for example when your taking notes in an exercise book with tablet laying flat on a desk a tad away from you?
any inputs are appreciated.

 

[Digitalguy]

hello friends, don't wanna open a new thread so ill just ask it here.

i've never used unlaminated screen, so how big is the difference between laminated and unlaminated screens, both visually and by touch? does unlaminated screen produce any hollow sounds when tapping or doing other gestures? does it make content less visible at angles, for example when your taking notes in an exercise book with tablet laying flat on a desk a tad away from you?
any inputs are appreciated.

No big difference, other that the tip of the pencil being closer to the line. Same viewing angle, and personally I don't care about the sound... As for reflections, as I said 2 years ago in the post above, get a matte screen protector, it will be much more effective than anything Apple does. And for me the only advantage of true tone is a warmer screen which can be achieved with a permanent night shift set to moderate levels...

 

[omzig]

thanks for the feedback.
you don't care about the sound means it is there in comparison to laminated screen and it just doesn't bother you? or you don't pick up any differencies between laminated vs non-laminated?

 

[Digitalguy]

thanks for the feedback.
you don't care about the sound means it is there in comparison to laminated screen and it just doesn't bother you? or you don't pick up any differencies between laminated vs non-laminated?

it means that the sound and feel is different, laminated surface feels more like glass, non-laminated feels more like hard plastic, does it bother me? No. If I didn't have 2 ipads side by side I wouldn't even think about it... because functionally it makes no difference. The only "functional" difference is the pen, it's like having a glass screen protector over the screen... (so there is a tiny gap) except that while those glass protectors make the screen less reactive, here there is absolutely no difference.