Apple has reportedly sold a colossal 170 million iPads, controlling 81% of the global tablet market. Undoubtedly this is due to the promise of innovative design, upholding a reputation of being the ‘next best thing you simply HAVE to have’, and the 475,000+ applications that are exclusive to the iPad and the Apple market.
The new ‘simply must have’ product released by Apple this month is the iPad Air. The latest edition epitomises Apple’s ideals of faster and smaller, a smart move considering these are two very important considerations for their customers.
But how significant are these developments? With my first impressions, you’re about to find out. These personal insights into the areas that may influence your purchasing decisions, and my opinion on whether or not the latest Apple device will truly inspire awe in those around you as you play with your new iPad Air.
What’s the Difference?
Many of us were underwhelmed with the iPhone 5C and 5S, noting some improvements and changes here and there, but otherwise seeing an identical smartphone to the previous model.
With this release, we don’t get a specific innovation change in terms of practicality or affordability, but what we do get is something that is smaller, yet more powerful. And does it work? Yes.
The key to a successful tablet is the harmony of comfort and functionality. An easy fit in your hand on the train, sits nicely on your lap on the couch, holds its own standing up on your desk; all the while doing what it’s supposed to– playing video, browsing the internet, typing a document, or playing a game.
Of course with the iPad Air being thinner and smaller in size, the comfort factor is totally satisfied. Additionally, the increase in power and functionality – although expected – is certainly an innovation for its size.
Below are some of the key improvements, making the iPad Air the sleekest and slimmest tablet available yet:
| 20% thinner | 10 hours battery life |
| Weighs just 469g (WiFi) or 478 (LTE) | Facetime HD Camera |
| New 64-bit Apple A7 Chip with M7 Motion | Retina Display |
| MIMO WiFi Technology |
How Much?
Now that we have seen the advantages of the iPad Air, the question is how much will it set you back? Apple is known for its benchmark price tags, but it is also known for its innovative and desirable products.
The iPad Air starts off at $598, for 16GB storage and Wi-Fi only.
It is also available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB for Wi-Fi only ($699, $799, $899 respectively), as well Wi-Fi + LTE in all 4 storage options ($749, $849, $949, $1049 respectively).
For a side note comparison, these are the prices equivalent to the starting prices of the iPad 2 back in 2011 (didn’t seem that long ago right?)
To Buy or Not to Buy, That is The Question
So, we’ve looked at what’s new, what’s different, what’s better and how much. Now the deciding factor, is it really worth it?
In the past, I’ve been less enthusiastic about purchasing the new tablet than I am about the newest phone available. While yes, there are some pretty cool features added and improvements that have, well– improved– ultimately I feel like it’s not necessary to consider buying this as soon as you can.
For me, I think not about what’s better and how the newest technology surpasses the previous one in my hands right now, but of what’s wrong, with the technology I’m currently using. Right now I’ve got the iPad 2 which I’ve had for almost 2 years now… and it’s still fantastic, it does what I need it to do, and I’m more than comfortable with it.
But still, I’ll definitely be considering a new tablet in the next year or so because that’s just the kind of enthusiast I am about these things.
And so, if I didn’t own a tablet but were in the market for one, I believe the iPad Air is certainly superior in many ways to the other options available in the market today. It’s slim, it’s fast and it’s guaranteed to do what you need it to do, and then some.
