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iPad 2017 or iPad Air 2?
- Thread starter Mr. 123
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I spent the bucks for the 9.7 Pro for the superb sound quality and volume alone, and haven't regretted it a second. That alone was all it took, though I wanted a "backed" smart cover too. If it's too high, try a refurb?
(At this point for me it's almost a perfect machine. If only I could easily use a mouse!)
I was referring to Air 2 vs 2017, not Air 1 vs 2017.
OP mentioned leaning towards 2017 over Air 2, so I highlighted the 2 biggest differences I noticed...CPU & WiFi.
Then I noted how A9 will be much faster than A7, but A9 is still 2 years old. I'm just trying to explain why I don't think either the 2017 or the Air 2 would be worthwhile choices at the moment.
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iPad 2017 all the way. Nice hardware, good price and amazing battery. I am getting 14-15 hours usage time on a single charge. I read, play some casual games, browse the web and youtube.
For the given price point (~$300-330 for 32GB), I think they're both decent options unless one fancies spending considerably more on the Pro model. Besides, the current Pro models aren't leaps and bounds faster than the iPad 5th gen. The main advantages of the Pro 9.7 model are sound, display (fully laminated, anti-reflective coating, wide color gamut, TrueTone), Pencil and Smart Connector.
A9 is close to matching low power Intel Core performance while A8X is similar to Intel Atom. Personally, I found both to be noticeable performance upgrades over the Air 1. The 2017 iPad more so than the Air 2.
Going by recent update cycles, I'm guessing iPad upgrades will be pretty infrequent (1.5 to 2 years). If one is already unhappy with the Air's current performance, why subject one's self to 1.5 to 2 more years of that experience?
iPhone 6s (A9) vs iPad Air (A7)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1562?vs=1209
iPad Air 2 (A8X) vs iPad Air (A7)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1365?vs=1209
Kraken 1.1 Chrome/Safari/IE (Time in ms - Lower is Better)
iPhone 7 (A10):
1,119.0
iPad Pro 9.7 (A9X):
1,666.0
iPhone 6s (A9):
1,729.8
iPad Air 2 (A8X):
2,367.0
iPad Air (A7):
5,028.2
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I currently own the following:
If you're debating between the Air 2 and the 2017 model, go with the 2017
- 9.7 iPad Pro
- iPad Air 2 (two of them!)
- iPad (5th gen)
If you're debating between the Air 2 and the 2017 model, go with the 2017
Really? So when you said "You're getting a better CPU and wifi chip. That's it. For $300 to $400" you meant that the OP should replace with Air 1 with an Air 2 and then not spend another $300 to $400 for an iPad 2017? Because the Air 1 is what the OP appears to have. Or are you saying that the iPad 2017 is $300 - $400 more than the Air 2? Which it obviously isn't?
I guess I'm just not following your though process.
I agree, it would be absurd to go out and buy an Air 2 and then replace that with an iPad 2017. but apart from you, I don't think anyone is suggesting that. The most logical thing would be to replace the Air 1 with either an Air 2 or an iPad 2017. Of the two the iPad 2017 is cheaper, faster, newer, albeit with a non-laminated screen.
My understanding of that statement is the primary improvement from the iPad Air is the CPU and WiFi. You're essentially spending $300-400 to buy a new device (either iPad 5th gen or Air 2) to upgrade those two things. Worthwhile expenditure? Depends on how content one is with the iPad Air's performance.
Personally, by the time iOS 8 rolled around, the Air was starting to become unbearable. I was getting way too many Safari crash loops. Thank goodness iOS 9 fixed things a bit. However, if I had known the Pro 9.7 wouldn't be released until Spring 2016, I probably would've upgraded to the Air 2 back in Fall 2014 (and then just do another upgrade in Spring 2016). I use my iPad at least 8 hours a day. It's my most used electronic device and gets used more than my iPhone. Amortizing the $829 for 128GB LTE for 18 months, the Air 2 would have been so, so worth it.
Best Buy has the 32GB Pro for $400+ tax by using the student coupon and after returning Apple Care. So if buying now, that would be my choice.
I don't think it's going to be another 2 years before we see a Pro 2.
2017 over Air 2 ~ better CPU & wifi, that's it.
$300 - $400 ~ Price of 2017.
My wording in the first post WAS incredibly poor and it sounds like I'm suggesting all you get is better CPU and wifi for $300 2017 over an Air 1. It was probably bed time when I wrote that. But hey, it gave you an opportunity to lambaste that poor Air 1!
After owning both the Air 2 & a 2017 for a week, I simply wasn't satisfied with either. The Air 2's problem was speed. The 2017's problem was the display. I'm SURELY in the minority here, but the 2017 display gave me severe eye strain and headaches. But it's more than that. Side by side, reading black text on a light forum background with a dim backlight, the 2017 has a much tighter sweet spot or angle of view with which text is comfortable to read. A laminated display makes text easier to read for my admittedly light sensitive eyes. It seems like there's quite a few folks that don't seem to mind the display of the 2017, so best to check it out in person or buy from an easy return place like Target or Best Buy.
I have a Pro now (only because of oddball heavily discounted deal). Yes, the speakers are great, yes, it's faster. But the display is even easier on my eyes than the Air 2. Maybe it's True Tone, maybe it's something else. But after owning the Air 2, 2017, and Pro 9.7", I wouldn't consider the 1st two.
If upgrading right now, I think the Pro makes the most sense because of the BB deal with the student coupon essentially discounting it $200.
I hope this post makes more sense?
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If one does not qualify for college student deals, then that's really $500+tax versus $330+tax. It boils down to budget versus features/performance. I'm guessing for majority of consumers, budget wins out and the 2017 iPad is "good enough".
All you need is an email. No verification done. Takes 5 minutes to sign up and get the code.
https://slickdeals.net/coupons/best-buy/
Best Buy has the 32GB Pro for $400+ tax by using the student coupon and after returning Apple Care. So if buying now, that would be my choice.
I don't think it's going to be another 2 years before we see a Pro 2.
2017 over Air 2 ~ better CPU & wifi, that's it.
$300 - $400 ~ Price of 2017.
My wording in the first post WAS incredibly poor and it sounds like I'm suggesting all you get is better CPU and wifi for $300 2017 over an Air 1. It was probably bed time when I wrote that. But hey, it gave you an opportunity to lambaste that poor Air 1!
After owning both the Air 2 & a 2017 for a week, I simply wasn't satisfied with either. The Air 2's problem was speed. The 2017's problem was the display. I'm SURELY in the minority here, but the 2017 display gave me severe eye strain and headaches. But it's more than that. Side by side, reading black text on a light forum background with a dim backlight, the 2017 has a much tighter sweet spot or angle of view with which text is comfortable to read. A laminated display makes text easier to read for my admittedly light sensitive eyes. It seems like there's quite a few folks that don't seem to mind the display of the 2017, so best to check it out in person or buy from an easy return place like Target or Best Buy.
I have a Pro now (only because of oddball heavily discounted deal). Yes, the speakers are great, yes, it's faster. But the display is even easier on my eyes than the Air 2. Maybe it's True Tone, maybe it's something else. But after owning the Air 2, 2017, and Pro 9.7", I wouldn't consider the 1st two.
If upgrading right now, I think the Pro makes the most sense because of the BB deal with the student coupon essentially discounting it $200.
I hope this post makes more sense?
lol, makes much more sense.
The 10.5 PRO, or whatever it ends up as, looks pretty damn interesting to me personally. But I'm just not the target market for a pro device. I like them, but the money makes no sense for me. My iPad is primarily for surfing and GarageBand. I can't justify "Pro" money for that, no matter how good the specs are!
I came from the iPad3, the display is awesome in my book.
Been dealing with some insomnia issues lately. Round hour 30, brain functions start shutting down without me realizing it.
I didn't think I was the target market for a Pro either. But it's just soooo much easier on my eyes than any other display I've used. Everything else is a bonus. I shouldn't have much Pro 2 envy as I paid $263 for a new Pro 9.7" 32GB. :-0
Glad the new iPad is working out for you!
I was thinking the sawme,what saves the Air 2 is that even the latest 9.7 iPads rock 2GB RAM, so I believe the Air 2 may be a long way from losing update support, it's still very fast.
The Air 2 was also built as a flagship device in its time, so you get things like the laminate display.
It's wishful thinking to assume iOS support for the iPad Air 2 will match the iPad (2017).
Apple has used SoC generation to cut off support for future iOS updates.
Examples:
iPad 3 (A5X) and iPad 2 (A5) ended support with iOS 9
iPad 4 (A6X), iPhone 5 (A6), iPhone 5c (A6) ended support with iOS 10
The iPad Air with it's old A8X processor will likely end with iOS 12. The iPad (2017) with A9 will likely end with iOS 13.
I'm going to annoy every 'is the 2017 iPad any good' thread creators and posters from this point on.
In the house we have my 12.9" iPad Pro. For how long I dunno... we have my wife's 9.7" iPad Pro. Now I got today... yup the 2017 iPad. I like the 'it's an iPad not tied to version number' appeal. I wanted a 9.7 after a year with the 12.9.
Comparison. Your a fussy s*** if the air gap bothers you. It feels good to type on it's creating this post.
Reflection. It's a bit more reflective but I set it up in a coffee shop near a window and did not cry. I forgot about it after I got to installing and setting up. It was a sunny day in Scotland.
Clearness of screen. No difference imo. It's the same resolution. Not sure what's going on with the poster with eye strain. By that logic all pre Air 2 must have hurt as air gap.
Battery. 80% out the box, 59% now. I have hardly left it alone. It's a good un.
Cheaper it may be but with all 3 here it's 100% iPad. The true 'upgrade' is 4 speakers. That's an ace feature. Keyboard is only something I use on occasion on my 12.9 and I could live without it. Pen? Forget about it for me.
Go forth and purchase. Makes me question my 12.9's price and I may sell as 9.7 is the Goldilocks of iPads. This too big, this too small, this... just right.
In the house we have my 12.9" iPad Pro. For how long I dunno... we have my wife's 9.7" iPad Pro. Now I got today... yup the 2017 iPad. I like the 'it's an iPad not tied to version number' appeal. I wanted a 9.7 after a year with the 12.9.
Comparison. Your a fussy s*** if the air gap bothers you. It feels good to type on it's creating this post.
Reflection. It's a bit more reflective but I set it up in a coffee shop near a window and did not cry. I forgot about it after I got to installing and setting up. It was a sunny day in Scotland.
Clearness of screen. No difference imo. It's the same resolution. Not sure what's going on with the poster with eye strain. By that logic all pre Air 2 must have hurt as air gap.
Battery. 80% out the box, 59% now. I have hardly left it alone. It's a good un.
Cheaper it may be but with all 3 here it's 100% iPad. The true 'upgrade' is 4 speakers. That's an ace feature. Keyboard is only something I use on occasion on my 12.9 and I could live without it. Pen? Forget about it for me.
Go forth and purchase. Makes me question my 12.9's price and I may sell as 9.7 is the Goldilocks of iPads. This too big, this too small, this... just right.
Fussy s*** checking in!
The gap makes text harder to read at an angle. The laminated displays are easier on my eyes and that makes for a more comfortable experience.
Had my eyes tested last week and they are spot on. Laid the Pro and 2017 at close proximity and really can't see a difference. Keep it looking straight at you. At extreme angles the Pro is better. As in beyond normal angles.
I would argue your eyes aren't spot on if you can't see a difference.
1. When there's a reflection around me I find myself moving the iPad to an angle where the 2017 would make text less readable.
2. Sometimes to give my hands a rest I let it lie on my legs and that too would make the 2017 less comfortable to read on.
3. I also find that I need less backlight intensity on the Pro vs the 2017 to read comfortably.
That's three real world scenarios where a laminated world is a better world.
1. When there's a reflection around me I find myself moving the iPad to an angle where the 2017 would make text less readable.
2. Sometimes to give my hands a rest I let it lie on my legs and that too would make the 2017 less comfortable to read on.
3. I also find that I need less backlight intensity on the Pro vs the 2017 to read comfortably.
That's three real world scenarios where a laminated world is a better world.
I'm really enjoying my new 2017 128gb. For those having issues with eye strain, have you tried setting it in night mode and experimenting with the warmth settings? I've found adding just a touch of warm and leaving it in night mode works great. The battery life is insane in this thing.
I loved the 2017 ipad but I returned it. I have an Air 2 at work so i'll just stick with that. I just couldn't get past the glare on the display, as bright and wonderful as the panel behind the glass was and the incredible battery life.
I use it alot during the day on a bus
I use it alot during the day on a bus
I would argue your eyes aren't spot on if you can't see a difference.
1. When there's a reflection around me I find myself moving the iPad to an angle where the 2017 would make text less readable.
2. Sometimes to give my hands a rest I let it lie on my legs and that too would make the 2017 less comfortable to read on.
3. I also find that I need less backlight intensity on the Pro vs the 2017 to read comfortably.
That's three real world scenarios where a laminated world is a better world.
Typed that out at work not having them side by side at the time. Got them both here now.
OK, i'll agree on the reflections, a bit on the angles and yeah laminate is better but not out there better. Also text is a tad clearer on my 12.9. Happy?
Edit, The 12.9 has a higher resolution. Wife is in bed so not a like for like in clearness. Not risking my life to check her 9.7 Pro atm.
Still say its an ace tablet and still may sell the 12.9. If you don't have them side by side it would be hard to memorise anything but reflections. As i demonstrated by me despite having my 12.9 a year.
The Pro is significantly more expensive. I'm still at a loss on the eye strain issues people have as pre Air 2 that was the deal. Could be the reflections? I did read Mac owners suffering this. Thankfully i have had no issues. Just tilting my MacBook Pro i'm typing on, no reflections or air gap. Interesting stuff.
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