iPad The new iPad (2017) vs the iPad Air 2: A comprehensive review

[Channan]

If your not getting that then just save yourself the headache of buying a 2 year and 4 month old tablet and get the new iPad, I honestly don't know why this is even a debate. It's not like there's a big price difference

The age of the iPad doesn't matter at all. The new iPad may have just come out, but the processor inside debuted a year and a half ago. It's only one generation newer than the iPad Air 2, which debuted with the latest processor when it came out.

 

[Howard2k]

Considering I already said that provided you can get both for around the same price and performance will be similar between the two, battery life is the only real reason to get the new iPad, and you want to come in here with some stupid "it's faster and cheaper and has better battery life" comment that I JUST TALKED ABOUT, it's definitely either your attention span or [lack of] reading comprehension.

Nice try, though.

Your right. It's stupid that it's faster and cheaper. Stupid Apple!

 

[Donfor39]

I upgraded to the new iPad and gave my air 2 to my wife. I notice that it does run faster and does not have lag like my air 2 had sometimes. Also the battery to me is noticeably better.

Is the new iPad non laminated screen shiny like my iPad Air? This is my only consideration before purchase. I get lots of home use from my Air though no idea if I'll miss the 'laminated' screen.

 

[rui no onna]

Is the new iPad non laminated screen shiny like my iPad Air? This is my only consideration before purchase. I get lots of home use from my Air though no idea if I'll miss the 'laminated' screen.

If you're talking about the first iPad Air, then the 2017 iPad's screen looks and feels almost exactly the same. Granted, I haven't tried testing for maximum brightness. I usually have mine on the dimmest settings that ambient lighting will allow. Too bright and I get headaches.
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Well then that's where our opinions differ. To me, actually, it's the thinness, not the laminated display with the antireflective coating, that's the biggest advantage to the iPad Air 2. It's not that new iPad is too fat to hold or anything, but I passed on the original iPad Air because it felt hollow and cheap. The iPad Air 2 never felt like that, which is why I finally replaced my iPad 3 with an iPad Air 2.

If mine broke and I had to replace it, Pro aside, I'd pick the Air 2 again for that reason alone.

The lack of hollow, cheap feeling like the Air 1 and thinness of the Air 2 is entirely due to the laminated display.

The Air still had an air gap but since it used thinner glass compared to the iPad 4 and older, you got that hollow and plasticky feel. Personally, over the years I learned to compensate by using lighter taps so it hasn't bothered me in a long time.

 

[Channan]

Your right. It's stupid that it's faster and cheaper. Stupid Apple!

Yeah, definitely your reading comprehension. That wasn't even close to what I said. Haha

The lack of hollow, cheap feeling like the Air 1 and thinness of the Air 2 is entirely due to the laminated display.

The Air still had an air gap but since it used thinner glass compared to the iPad 4 and older, you got that hollow and plasticky feel. Personally, over the years I learned to compensate by using lighter taps so it hasn't bothered me in a long time.

I was going to say "but none of the previous iPads felt this way" but then you said the glass is thinner, too. Regardless of what actually causes that feeling, it was enough to make me pass on the iPad Air. And good thing, too, because the iPad Air didn't perform well for very long with only 1GB of RAM but the iPad Air 2 is still holding up really well.

I never thought it felt plasticky, though. It just felt like hollow metal and glass to me. I'd still take that over a plasticky feel.

 

[gobikerider]

The age of the iPad doesn't matter at all. The new iPad may have just come out, but the processor inside debuted a year and a half ago. It's only one generation newer than the iPad Air 2, which debuted with the latest processor when it came out.

Yes but the A9 was a huge leap from A8 series processors, tell me this, is there any example of doing anything on the new iPad that is slower than the Air 2. Of course not since it's a faster processor The 3 vs 2 cores doesn't matter since the A8X are like 3 turtle cores, alone they are slow but together they are okay, A9 is just two cheetah cores, alone or together they are simply quicker by a sizable amount

 

[Jodiuh]

...since the A8X are like 3 turtle cores...

Lol!

You're not wrong tho. The 2017 consistently felt faster and smoother than an Air 2. The wifi chip in the new model also felt much improved on 5 Ghz AC.

 

[mossme89]

So I ended up returning it. Can't decide whether to get the 128GB wifi model or 32GB cellular model on T-Mobile (I can get unlimited on the iPad for $30 a month).

Also I checked out the iPad Pro 9.7. The screen is NOT hugely different. I can't even tell the difference between that and the iPad Air 2. It's a little brighter, a little sharper with deeper colors, but there's really not a huge difference at all. Unless you are a graphic designer, the 2017 iPad screen is just good enough.

 

[Jodiuh]

For me, the Pros screen is usable for lengthy sessions without eye strain. The 2017 became so uncomfortable that I couldn't use it for more than 30 minutes before needing to lie down.

Notebookcheck claims no PWM in the 2017, but they have been wrong before. I think it's more than just the laminated screen, better anti reflective coating, and true tone.

Obviously, this won't be an issue for everyone, but for someone with such sensitive eyes, I cannot stress how pleasant the Pro 9.7" has been to view.

Just to add a bit more:

1. Pro feels noticeably smoother than 2017.
2. Safari also receives a welcome speed bump.
3. Having speakers on both sides helps more than I thought.

Having said all that, I only opted for the Pro as I received a hefty discount. If I were looking @ full MSRP, I'd have waited for the next version.