Ipad Air

[Gman]

Anyone else considering one of these?  I ran an ipod Touch for a while in 2011/2012, and I still HATE itunes and the file transfer/sync system, or whatever they call it.  That's why I went to a Blackberry tablet, but it didn't cut the mustard compared to all the new android stuff after about a year.  For the last year I've been using the Samsung Tablet, and I've got no complaints with it at all.

Seeing the iPad Air today though, I'm starting to think about trying Apple out again.  I use desktops for gaming only really, other than one home theater PC, and I have a really good Asus gaming laptop as well for serious work, so the tablet functions mainly as an e-reader and a convenience item when out of the house, on the plane, waiting in offices for appointments, that sort of thing.  The ipad Air is very light.  I didn't think it would make a difference, but holding all of the other tablets beside it, they just felt old and clunky by comparison.  The retina display is what I'm really after, and if I don't get this Air, or the new Ipad Mini, which is out in 3 weeks with the same CPU and retina display at last, I'm going to get the Nexus 10.2, which has an even higher resolution screen.  It's just not light, at all, in fact I think it's as heavy as my old Samsung.  Now I know, the weight thing shouldn't be a big deal, but after handling the Air, I could see how reading with it for a long time would be far more comfortable.  I'm not worried about durability, if it breaks Apple sends you a new one for 89$, and since I rarely keep things like this longer than a year, I'm not too concerned about that.

Has anyone bought the new iPad air yet?  If so, any reports on how it's been working for you for the few days it's been out?  

[SirNuke]

I still HATE itunes and the file transfer/sync system, or whatever they call it.

why consider it then?

[Gman]

Despite itunes sucking, there is nothing else out right now that's either as light or as high res so far as the display goes.  You don't have to use itunes either, there are many aftermarket apps that are free that let you upload files in a much better fashion than itunes - or didn't you know that.  I'm sure the custom apps have gotten even better since the couple of years it's been since I used them to sidestep iTunes with my Ipod touch.

You asking that question is much the same as me asking why you're bothering to post if you don't have one, which is what I asked for - reviews.

[Perrine]

and I still HATE itunes and the file transfer/sync system, or whatever they call it.  

it's still a minor inconvenience for what you get.

one thing's for sure, iPad (now in its 5th iteration) is still the Gold Standard of tablet computing.


BUT

lookout for amazon
its 3rd generation kindle is finally fast catching up (or even exceeding) iPad's specs and services

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BHJRYYS/ref=amb_link_385789442_2/181-3955419-9667455?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1B69JJCME06BRHH0EHM1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1639768522&pf_rd_i=507846

- 20% lighter
- 950,000 more pixels
- $120 less than iPad air

[Spikes]

Had an iPad 3...sold it because I had no use for it. And running itunes on a non-mac computer has always been crappy for me. Freezes all the time, buggy etc.

[colmbo]

I really like my iPad Mini.  Like you I just use it for away from home needs.  It's light and easy to use.  I've gotten use to the iTunes method....

[bozon]

Ipad air?
I've never heard of this country or its national airline. 

[eagl]

My comparison is between ipad 2 and my kindle fire HD 8.9".  The ipad, even the ipad 2, is far more usable in most areas.  More apps, and with few exception the apps are better.  The ipad does NOT interface with amazon prime or amazon's music services, and the kindle freetime app for kids is excellent.  But just as a tablet considering only general usability and feel of the interface, the ipad wins hands down in my opinion.

If you can get around the goofy iTunes and sync issues, then I'd say you would very likely love the ipad air.  Every serious review of the ipad air says that it is the ipad that apple intended to originally launch.  Faster, thinner, lighter, longer battery life.  Better in every way than previous ipads.  Supposedly even the magnetic latches for the ipad covers is improved enough to warrant mention in the reviews I read.

ipad air or mini...  That's the real question.  They both have the same resolution and same cpu, although the mini is probably going to come in a bit slower just from cpu thermal throttling alone.  Still, they're essentially the same thing, just one smaller than the other.  I guess it depends on if your definition of portability is stretched with the full size ipad, or if you want the bigger screen to better distinguish it from the phone you also carry around.

[Vulcan]

Sony Xperia Z tablet. It's just as light, thin, and waterproof.

[flight17]

Just ordered a 32gb Air to replace my lost 32gb iPad 2. Should get it around Thanksgiving. Will let you know what I think about it.

[Bizman]

Despite itunes sucking, there is nothing else out right now that's either as light or as high res so far as the display goes.

Not too much of a difference, only 2 mm thicker: http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Tablets/8-9_Android_Tablet_PC/9.7_Inch_Quad_Core_Android_4.2_Retina_Screen_Tablet_Ceros_Revolution_-_2GB_RAM_1.6GHz_CPU_2048X1536_8000mAh_Battery_White/#specs

[Hoarach]

Sony Xperia Z tablet. It's just as light, thin, and waterproof.

Been eyeing that thing for so long now.  I currently have the original tablet s.  I was really hoping Sony would give me one after the screen malfunctioned and needed to be repaired outside of warranty.  All 2 hours of being on the phone got me was a free $375 repair outside of warranty even though for that price they might has well given me the Z.

Would never consider an Apple product over the Android tablets.  Not the way they are becoming more functional.  The surface, however, if willing to spend the money seems to be a very nice tablet.

[Gman]

I've had it six days now, and I'm still pretty impressed, even with the iTunes crap, which I use another program to bypass.  I can upload eBooks, movies, tv shows, songs, etc from all of the desktops/laptops on my network to it instead of having to plug it in.  It's light, and the Retina screen is pretty good.  Netflix picks up everything in HD at max resolution pretty much on it.  Power consumption wise, it's easily the best of any small device I've had, from Blackberry, Samsung, other Apple, and other eReaders.  I've used it a lot, and I mean a lot, and still haven't charged it just to see how much it'll drop, and it's still over 50 percent - I had read about "week long" power this and that, and always just dismiss that as BS, as I've never had a device actually stack up in that department, but so far this one is.

Dislike - well, having to convert any movie/tv program that you have into MP4 or some other Apple approved format is a giant PITA.  Again, having to depend on an iTunes workaround in order to "sync", a fancy Apple word for upload, anything and everything.  Cost as well, it's the most expensive small gadget I've bought.  It also never came with any kind of case, and none of the stores had received their Apple magnet screen covers, which are 50$ or 100$ depending which of the two you get.  A cheap aftermarket neoprene case is still 30$.  Every other tablet/reader I've ever bought came with one, I don't know why Apple cheaps out on this.

Overall I would still buy it again, the clarity of the screen and power efficiency are what I like best, as most of what it's for is reading.  Also, the apps just can't be beat IMO, although android is pretty much the same now IMO, and my 2nd and 3rd choices would be just as decent I'm sure.