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iPad If buying a new iPad today get an iPad Air or iPad (2017) ?

M

MrMister111

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 28, 2009
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UK
I currently have an iPad Air 1, it's a 32Gb WiFi. I like taking on holiday for watching videos etc so need some more space.

So I'm thinking should I get an iPad Air 2 or an iPad (2017). The Air 2 128Gb I can get around £290, 2nd hand, whereas the iPad (2017) 128Gb, I can get, new, for £408.

I've looked at the differences, apparently better screen on the iPad Air 2, not much difference in speed even though it's A8X vs A9.

So I'm wondering which to get, and if anyone has tried both in the real world for a while. Spec and tests show raw, but what about real life?

Thanks
 
I think it comes down to sniping a bargain Air 2 if you can. I managed to get an 32 Air 2 for £214 so I'm happy. That screen on the Air 2 is really good but gets greasy fast and is quite hard to clean. Speed wise Air 2 and 2017 are the same.
 
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paulryp said:
I think it comes down to sniping a bargain Air 2 if you can. I managed to get an 32 Air 2 for £214 so I'm happy. That screen on the Air 2 is really good but gets greasy fast and is quite hard to clean. Speed wise Air 2 and 2017 are the same.
Click to expand...

I have a 32Gb Air 1 at moment so want more space though. Where was that from please? How much was a 64 or 128Gb?

Have you used both Air 2 and iPad (2017) to compare, looking around web your correct speed seem the same which is good. Is Air 2/iPad (2017) much faster than the Air 1 then?
 
MrMister111 said:
So I'm thinking should I get an iPad Air 2 or an iPad (2017). The Air 2 128Gb I can get around £290, 2nd hand, whereas the iPad (2017) 128Gb, I can get, new, for £408.

So I'm wondering which to get, and if anyone has tried both in the real world for a while. Spec and tests show raw, but what about real life?
Click to expand...
Assuming the Air 2 is in excellent condition for £290 and you don't care about warranty, it gets my vote.

Yes, both are noticeably faster than the Air.
 
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paulryp said:
I think it comes down to sniping a bargain Air 2 if you can. I managed to get an 32 Air 2 for £214 so I'm happy. That screen on the Air 2 is really good but gets greasy fast and is quite hard to clean. Speed wise Air 2 and 2017 are the same.
Click to expand...

There are some really nice sale prices on the Air 2 as of recent. It's still a plenty capable device for most needs.

In terms of speed, The iPad 2017 is faster with the A9 Processor clocked at 1.85 GHz over the A8X at 1.5 GHz. Although, the Air 2 has a triple core processor where the 2017 iPad is dual. Both iPads have 2 GB of Ram. Essentially, they are fairly equal in terms of what the user will experience.

https://9to5mac.com/2017/03/22/2017-ipad-vs-ipad-air-2/amp/
 
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MrMister111 said:
Prices I've monitored on eBay. Tempted for the upgrade. But Air 2 for £290 and sell Air 1 for....?
Click to expand...

100£ price difference is big...sell the Air if you can (assuming you don't have a use for it).

Yes, the new iPad is faster but not worth the greater cost. Better to pocket the savings and laugh at Apple.

I have an ipad2 still working ok and if a Bestbuy sale for $100 off happens, I may get one then. No way would I pay full price for it.

I really want a Pro2 12.9" 256gb, but I wont pay full price on that either. The days of paying full price on iPads is long past...sales here in the US happen during the year, just have to be patient.
 
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I have a 64GB Air 2 & am very happy with it. My husband has my old 32GB Air 1 that he uses for Netflix when I go to chemo & it serves him well.

Catch a sale on Air 2, it's still great
 
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Tbh I only use the Air 1 in house and its fine. However took it away and put a load of videos on and struggled for space as it's a 32Gb.

I'd heard that the Air 2 was a decent speed bump and the screen was much better to.

Then waited and the new iPad (2017) although good price, it just seems to be an Air 2, in some respects apparently worse, as in screen, and although a A9, the A8X is triple core compared to dual so the specs nigh on match.

So I thought as I need more space the better option was an Air 2. I don't upgrade iPads often but it's just for space. Hopefully it would last a long time.
 
MrMister111 said:
I currently have an iPad Air 1, it's a 32Gb WiFi. I like taking on holiday for watching videos etc so need some more space.

So I'm thinking should I get an iPad Air 2 or an iPad (2017). The Air 2 128Gb I can get around £290, 2nd hand, whereas the iPad (2017) 128Gb, I can get, new, for £408.

I've looked at the differences, apparently better screen on the iPad Air 2, not much difference in speed even though it's A8X vs A9.

So I'm wondering which to get, and if anyone has tried both in the real world for a while. Spec and tests show raw, but what about real life?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Get the Ipad Pro with an A9X processor
 
Snagged a Air 2 for £290, still unsure if better deal, worried a little on warranty but checked the battery cycle and seems low...
 
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