iPad Air iPad Air 5 is a joke

[djcraze]

This is a 1.5 year update, people.

My 8th gen budget iPad is fast enough. Hell, my mom’s 5th gen is plenty fast.

64GB base storage? Stupid. 256GB for $150 more? Complete money grab.

This thing offers nothing worthwhile. Center Stage? It’s a gimmick.

I watched the presentation. As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

Center Stage is far from a gimmick. I love it.

 

[GuruZac]

I expect majority of 2021 iPad Pro buyers already bought theirs last year. Later this year, we'll likely get a Mini-LED iPad Pro 11 (at $899) so that's another feature differentiating Air 5 and Pro 11.

Yeah true. And having owned and still own the 2015 12.9, 2017 10.5, 2018 12.9, and 2021 12.9 iPad Pros, the miniLED display is noticeably better, and ProMOTION is just as noticeably better than the 60Hz display of my 2015 12.9. This is a huge differentiator, but otherwise, there’s really not a lot, if anything that can be done on the maxed out 12.9 iPad Pro that can’t be done now just as fast on the iPad Air 5. Apple has to go to work on iPadOS now. In a big way.

 

[MNGR]

I mean, I’d kinda like to own an HP-15C or some other hardware RPN calculator, but I don’t NEED one, sure. I could also see using a calculator in social contexts where phone use is discouraged (standardized testing in school, for instance, or certain licensing exams), and buying and using that calculator ahead of time so you’re comfortable with its use.

Anyone remember the HP-41c? I think i still have it in a drawer somewhere. Now that was a real calculator!

 

[sparksd]

Anyone remember the HP-41c? I think i still have it in a drawer somewhere. Now that was a real calculator!

Still have mine and my wife uses it. I really got into synthetic programming on it back in the day ('79, a forever ago).

 

[MNGR]

Still have mine and my wife uses it. I really got into synthetic programming on it back in the day ('79, a forever ago).

RPN was so great. I used the HP to check payrolls in the 70’s

 

[masotime]

As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

I’m curious - what special thing might have made it less of a joke for you?

 

[yitwail]

RPN was so great. I used the HP to check payrolls in the 70’s

Casio used to make RPN calcs too, though I never tried one. Though I seldom use it, MacOS calculator app RPN mode isn't too bad, but I mainly use it to do hex/decimal conversion.

 

[ChromeCloud]

I don’t get the complaints.

A14 to M1 is a massive performance upgrade: it’s basically 2x faster and has twice the amount of RAM.

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t get the complaints.

A14 to M1 is a massive performance upgrade: it’s basically a 2x faster and has twice the amount of RAM.

Yeah. I was totally expecting a sidegrade to A15+4GB. The M1+8GB was a very welcome development.

 

[PandaPunch]

Meh, the iPad Air 5 is pretty cool to me. If I had the cash, I'd buy it and give my mom my 7th Gen iPad to her.

Like right now.

 

[ericwn]

I just don’t see a calculator as an essential daily app for me, and, if it were, I’d likely need an upgraded one anyway. PCalc, PocketCAS, or something like that. I don’t use the calculator on my phone (instead, I use PCalc), because it’s too basic for my needs.

Sure, it’s a computer, but I imagine very few people even realize their computer has a calculator (or that calculations are the derivation of the word “computer”). Would it be simpler and more convenient for Apple to include one? Well yeah, on some level, I suppose it would be. But, even as a programmer, I don’t need to use a calculator every day. I’d imagine most people using iPads for social media, reading, video, maybe even basic productivity don’t even miss having a calculator.

I dunno, it feels a little like complaining that the iPad doesn’t have an included BASIC interpreter. Yes, that was an essential piece of computer functionality as late as the late 80s (well, Macs dropped BASIC before that, but they still had HyperCard and AppleScript to support DIY consumer programming, with PCs retaining support for it up to the Windows era [well, to today, if you count VBA in Office]), but it is at best tangential to what most people use computers for today. Loading a new calculator app is just a one-time complexity, so it’s not that much more convenient or simpler to have one included. And while you could argue that crunching numbers is essential to how computers operate, so it’s silly the iPad doesn’t offer a calculator, I could easily turn that around and suggest that it’s silly the iPad (or the iPhone, for that matter) doesn’t have a way of running user written code out of the box (since that’s just as much a part of how computers operate as calculations are).

It just seems like unnecessary hyperbole to suggest that an iPad is incomplete without one, even as a matter of principle. Put another way, it strikes me as a silly hill to die on. Who knows, maybe holding this hill really truly is life or death for you, but I doubt many people would agree, and I’ve seen it get used as a bit of an anti-iPad meme on here.

At the very least I’d wish we’d have software parity compared to iPhones. That also includes a weather app, a watch app, health app and whatever else I’m missing. Having a weather widget but then no weather app while essentially running the same operating system is a bit weird.

 

[ericwn]

I'm using it, it doesn't feel the least underpowered, and I bought it for the screen size - which I think is the primary reason people buy the Mini.

Well said. I don’t get the logic how one would retroactively feel sad just because a newer device has more computing power. Buy what you need and replace it when the time comes.

 

[snipr125]

I don’t get the complaints.

A14 to M1 is a massive performance upgrade: it’s basically 2x faster and has twice the amount of RAM.

The complaints are from people who are not even going to buy the iPad Air 5, but those who are seeking validation for their purchasing decisions.

Anyone actually buying the Air 5 even at 64gb storage are getting an excellent tablet with a great screen, modern design, USB C connectivity etc with desktop grade performance for just £569. Regarding the 64gb base storage, it will be fine for many, and low and behold they can use iCloud or external storage if they need more space.

 

[Mocha314]

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

That’s BS. The iPad 6 I’m typing this on is tolerable right now, but in about 9 months it won’t be. All the features are great, especially the M1 chip. I love the way Center Stage works and I love the fact that it has Thunderbolt 4. We’re not getting screwed, we’re getting rewarded for waiting and being patient, unlike you.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This is a 1.5 year update, people.

My 8th gen budget iPad is fast enough. Hell, my mom’s 5th gen is plenty fast.

64GB base storage? Stupid. 256GB for $150 more? Complete money grab.

This thing offers nothing worthwhile. Center Stage? It’s a gimmick.

I watched the presentation. As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

If it meets the needs of those buying, said buyers aren't being taken advantage of, especially with Apple's return policy

You don't represent the whole nor can you speak for those you don't know. The joke is the logical fallacy of the opening post.

 

[quatermass]

This is a 1.5 year update, people.

My 8th gen budget iPad is fast enough. Hell, my mom’s 5th gen is plenty fast.

64GB base storage? Stupid. 256GB for $150 more? Complete money grab.

This thing offers nothing worthwhile. Center Stage? It’s a gimmick.

I watched the presentation. As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

Well, that's easily solved - don't buy it. You're welcome. People who can see benefit and utility in buying it aren't getting screwed if they're getting what they want and are OK with the price.

I'm afraid you're suffering from extremely low-resolution thinking.

Perhaps an upgrade would be in order?

 

[TiggrToo]

This is a 1.5 year update, people.

My 8th gen budget iPad is fast enough. Hell, my mom’s 5th gen is plenty fast.

64GB base storage? Stupid. 256GB for $150 more? Complete money grab.

This thing offers nothing worthwhile. Center Stage? It’s a gimmick.

I watched the presentation. As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

Did you shake your fist at the sky and tell the kids to get off your lawn before, or after, this post?

 

[rui no onna]

That’s BS. The iPad 6 I’m typing this on is tolerable right now, but in about 9 months it won’t be.

Lol, we have an iPad 6 in the household. After updating to iPadOS 15, it's gotten more sluggish so the user's been requesting a new iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

The complaints are from people who are not even going to buy the iPad Air 5, but those who are seeking validation for their purchasing decisions.

I think that's called sour grapes.

 

[Richard8655]

64gb is enough for me and the processor upgrade is relatively minor. So glad I didn't wait and went with the Air 4 at significant discount. But the pre-release rumors as a minor upgrade already confirmed much of this, and shouldn't have come as a surprise.

 

[iHorseHead]

Who gets mad at product releases? Go for a walk. While on that walk, assess your current mental health and why a company releasing products would cause such a silly response.

You haven't been on 9gag, have you?
I saw a post about the Magic Mouse. Everybody were bashing Apple and saying only stupid people buy it etc…
https://9gag.com/gag/aAGQnKR#comment
Now I'm starting to understand why some members hate other devices so much and protect Apple a lot.

 

[Makisupa Policeman]

It’ll be a fantastic device/upgrade for those that have older iPads. Most people don’t upgrade their iPad very often. Small updates add up over time. I would gladly upgrade to this from my Air 2 had I not upgraded to the 11” Pro last year.

Coming from someone who’s still putting up with the OG iPad Air, an M1 would be a dream. This thing is slow as molasses and can’t even accept most App updates anymore ?

 

[ackmondual]

This is a 1.5 year update, people.

My 8th gen budget iPad is fast enough. Hell, my mom’s 5th gen is plenty fast.

64GB base storage? Stupid. 256GB for $150 more? Complete money grab.

This thing offers nothing worthwhile. Center Stage? It’s a gimmick.

I watched the presentation. As each minute passed, I thought there was something special coming. Nope.

For those who are going to buy this, you’re getting screwed.

The jump from 64 GB to 256 GB, with no middle ground is annoying. 64 GB felt cramped, but I didn't want to spend +$150. 128 to 192 GB would've been a good range. Alas, when I got my 9th gen iPad, I sprung for the 64 GB. I use it as a glorified gaming device, so it's not like I should need that extra capacity. I've noticed after buying it that it comes with complimentary months of Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. Some of the games for the former can get start from 2 GB to up to 3.7 GB apiece (*cough* Wylde Flowers) ! That said, as time goes on, we'll know more, but for now, it seems we'll manage and we'll live

 

[rui no onna]

The jump from 64 GB to 256 GB, with no middle ground is annoying. 64 GB felt cramped, but I didn't want to spend +$150. 128 to 192 GB would've been a good range.

True. Would be nice if Apple offered 128GB for an extra $50 similar to iPhones.

Of course, that would probably (almost) kill demand for the much more expensive 256GB model, not to mention cannibalizing iPad Pro 11 sales some more.

 

[ackmondual]

True. Would be nice if Apple offered 128GB for an extra $50 similar to iPhones.

Of course, that would probably (almost) kill demand for the much more expensive 256GB model, not to mention cannibalizing iPad Pro 11 sales some more.

Yeah, "the Costco effect". One example was they knew if they introduced a 50ct of Advil, that would cannibalize sales of their 100ct one, so they deliberately left out the 50ct product.