David Hanak A few weeks ago you could read a review on the new iPad mini, which surprised me a lot and I consider it the ideal iPad from the family of "cheap" tablets from Apple. Logically, however, a review of the larger sibling in the form of the new iPad Air must also appear here. It is very similar to the iPad mini in many ways, but the biggest difference is also the biggest currency of this model and for many people the reason why they buy it.
In terms of physical appearance, the new iPad Air is almost identical to the iPad Pro from 2017. The chassis is practically the same, except for a different camera and the absence of quad speakers. A lot has already been written about the specifications, let's recall the most important ones - A12 Bionic processor, 3GB RAM, 10,5" laminated display with a resolution of 2224 x 1668 pixels, a fineness of 264 ppi and a brightness of 500 nits. There is support for the 1st generation Apple Pencil, a wide P3 gamut, and the True Tone function. In terms of hardware, it's the best you can buy on the market today, aside from the iPad Pro. In this respect, Apple is competing with itself to the maximum.
If you read the iPad mini review, the vast majority of the findings can be applied to the iPad Air as well. However, let's focus on what differentiates these two models, because these will be the factors that the potential user must take into account when choosing.
The main role is the display
The first clear difference is the display, which has the same technologies as the mini model, but is larger and not as fine (326 versus 264 ppi). A larger display is better (more practical) in practically everything, unless mobility is your priority. Almost any activity is done better on the iPad Air than on the mini model. Whether it is surfing the web, working in productive applications, watching movies or playing games, a larger display is an indisputable benefit.
Thanks to the larger diagonal, it is easier to work with applications in Split-view mode, painting on a larger surface is much more pleasant and practical than on the compact display of the iPad mini, and when watching a movie/playing games, the larger display will more easily draw you into the action.
Here the division of the two models is quite clear. If you plan to travel a lot and require a significant amount of mobility from your iPad, the iPad mini is just for you. If you plan to use the iPad more stationary, you will not travel with it in particular and it will be more for work, the iPad Air is a better choice. It is much easier to pull the iPad mini out of your backpack/pocket/handbag in a crowded tram/bus/metro and watch a video or read the news. The iPad Air is too large and unwieldy for this type of handling.
Emphasis on the practicality of the Air model is also supported by the presence of a connector for connecting a smart keyboard. You won't find this option on the iPad Air. So if you write a lot, there is not much to deal with. It is possible to connect the classic wireless Magic Keyboard to both iPads, but the Smart Keyboard is a more practical solution, especially when traveling.
Gallery of photos taken with iPad Air (original resolution):
Gallery
The second difference between the iPad Air and the iPad mini is the price, which in the case of the larger iPad is three thousand crowns higher. The combination of a larger display and a higher price is essentially at the heart of the whole discussion about whether to choose the Air or the mini. It's just 2,6 inches, which you get for three thousand more.
In short, the choice can be simplified to the words mobility versus productivity. You can take the iPad mini with you practically anywhere, it fits almost everywhere and it is pleasant to handle. The Air is no longer that practical, as it is simply too big for some tasks. However, if you appreciate the extra display area and impaired mobility doesn't bother you too much, it is a logical choice for you. In the end, in terms of functionality, it is somewhat more versatile than the mini with a smaller display.
"The emphasis on the practicality of the Air model is also supported by the presence of a connector for connecting a smart keyboard. You won't find this option on the iPad Air.”…………….
They won't fix it even after two weeks. Amateurism?
Almost unchanged after a year