Apple iPad Air
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“Let's be honest - the majority of iPad owners are itching to upgrade to the latest iPad, not an Android tablet or a keyboardless Windows laptop. Even more so, if they skipped number 4 in the line. The truth is that the iPad mini 2 is the real threat to the iPad Air - it's just as powerful, with a screen that's even better (though smaller) and is more compact. Pundits can see the Retina-flaunting mini outselling the Air 2:1, but it may as well be a bold prediction to make. The full-sized iPad Air will make it sweat for sure. Whatever the result, Apple looks ready to bag another win.”
“The iPad Air throws the older Retina iPads' compromises into harsh relief. The third- and fourth-generation iPads sacrificed quite a bit in service of their high-resolution screens: They weighed more than the iPad 2. They took so long to charge that Apple had to increase the standard iPad charger's size from 10 W to 12 W just to take the edge off. Apple had to design and manufacture separate chips to make them run acceptably, even though the company normally goes out of its way to reuse components as a cost-cutting measure. Where the fourth-generation iPad was happy to improve performance and keep everything else the same, the iPad Air is a true successor to the third-generation iPad. Apple might not be able to sway those who have been wooed away by smaller tablets, but in the iPad Air the company has made a 10-inch tablet that's a whole lot nicer to use.”
“Apple has done it again: the iPad Air is a tablet better than the last iPad. Simply put the iPad Air is the best iPad the company has ever made. It's light, it's thin, it's fast, it's amazing.For die-hard Apple fans we can see how you would be disappointed in terms of wow factor, there is no standout feature here that you will want to show your friends the moment they walk through the door in the same way you can with the iPhone 5S and Touch ID, however this is Apple creating the ultimate experience rather than focusing on specs for specs' sake.”
“Is the Apple iPad Air a major innovation in tablets? No. Heck, it doesn’t even have the cool, or oddball, Mayday 24/7 video-chat customer service found in the new Amazon Kindle Fire HDX devices. Time will tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. For me, though, the question is not which tablet offers the most whiz-bang features the question is not which tablet offers the most whiz-bang features. It’s which one serves as the ultimate consumer device.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
As the fifth release in the iPad lineup, many reviewers are noting that this is the best tablet to date. Nate Lanxon to Wired UK thinks that it “feels like a milestone” and Jay Yarow of Business Insider said the iPad Air is “the best iPad Apple has ever made.” By reducing size and weight while increasing power, it seems that Apple might have once again taken the lead in the tablet market.
Reviews state that the device is between 25 and 30% lighter than the previous model. This brings the Air in at right around 1 pound depending on your specific model. This allows all the portability of the Mini with all the productivity and enjoyment of the larger 9.7-inch Retina display. Neil Hughes and Mikey Campbell of Apple Insider state that its “a joy to hold. It’s light, thin and the construction just feels fantastic.”
The new device features the same 64-bit A7 processor and M7 motion processor as the iPhone 5S and the performance and battery life shows in most reviews. Wired UK notes that even though both are 1.4GHz chips, the A7 is “almost twice as fast at the previous model. On the iPad Air you can see the difference immediately.” Reviews from Jonathon Bray of PC Pro noted similar increases, with a single core of the new model outperforming both cores of the original mini or the iPad 4.
With a reduction in size and notable increase in performance, you might suspect the battery life of the new tablet. Wired UK used the tablet throughout a weekend conference and notes that “Apple rates the Air as having ten hours of life for continued usage under general conditions. We can certainly believe this, and perhaps claim Apple’s number is on the modest side.” This brings it in line with previous models and should provide most users with plenty of power to make it through the day.
If there was an area to criticize the device, it would be the camera. While it uses the same chip and lens from the iPhone 5S, it lacks many of the new features and refinements. Many reviews note that while the pictures are not awful, there is noticeable room for improvement. Apple Insider stated “cameras have never been the iPad’s strong suit, and that trend continues with the Air.” Then again, taking snapshots with a 10-inch tablet isn’t the most ideal situation anyhow.
In all, the Air has received rave reviews across the board. Both Apple Insider and Business Insider say its the best iPad to date with Apple Insider saying anyone in the market for a tablet “can buy an iPad Air with confidence. This is the new standard.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Apple iPad Air released?
The Apple iPad Air was released on November 1, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Apple iPad Air?
The Apple iPad Air has a 32 mAh battery.
Does the Apple iPad Air have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Apple iPad Air has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Apple iPad Air have NFC?
No, the Apple iPad Air does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I get support for the Apple iPad Air?
Visit Apple's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Apple iPad Air manual?
You can view and download the Apple iPad Air manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Hi Faye. You can find Apple iPad Air manual on its page here in The Informr.