The iPad Air is a tablet produced by Apple which combines high performance and low weight (along with the usual aesthetic quality that you’d expect from Apple’s design team). It’s part of the iPad range which started life in 2010, introducing touchscreen interfaces and virtual keyboards, features which brought tiny tablets closer to ordinary PCs than ever before.
Tablets aren’t a new phenomenon. In fact, Apple themselves launched a semi-successful primitive tablet called the Newton in the early 1990s, before the iPod, iPhone and iPad were glimmers in Steve Jobs’ eye.
However, modern tablets have really only appeared in the past 10 years, primarily due to the adoption of touchscreen technology. These days, all tablets feature screens that can be manipulate via your fingers or specialist stylus devices, and hardly any come with keyboards as part of the package.
Apple has pioneered modern tablet development, integrating their iOS software into some of the most advanced tablets available. They also found a way to create tablets that people would use. Early versions worked well enough but failed to attract mass customer bases. When the iPad arrived in 2010, this all changed. By 2012, over 100 million iPads had been sold, and tablets had become utterly mainstream.
However, Apple haven’t enjoyed a monopoly in the tablet market. Firms like Microsoft, Sony, Samsung and Amazon have released popular tablets of their own, and Android compatible devices have attracted a higher market share than iOS models. This competition has spurred Apple on to continually reinvent their iPad range, delivering different features and higher performance with each iteration.
For example, the Air arrived in 2013 as a new variant of the iPad. Sitting alongside the iPad Mini (launched in 2012) and the iPad Pro (which appeared in 2015), it forms part of a trio of devices for consumers to choose from, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
This buyer’s guide will explain the features and advantages (or disadvantages) of the iPad Air, as well as the different versions available, allowing you to make the perfect tablet purchase.
Devices like the iPad Air have a wide range of potential applications. For example, they are relied upon by millions of businesses around the world to provide point of sale systems and customer information. You’ll often see serving staff at high-end restaurants using iPads to assist customers or in pop-up businesses where a highly mobile POS system is a huge advantage.
They can be used in academic and professional situations as well, helping to deliver presentations or lectures or taking down notes and storing them for future use. The ability to search the web silently makes them a handy research tool for all kinds of learners, from primary school to postgraduate.
However, iPads are most commonly used in the home. They are a handy, slimline computer that can be tucked away and quickly brought out whenever needed, and have a huge range of capabilities, including:
Searching the web for TV schedules or trivia
Streaming TV shows, movies and sport
Playing games
Controlling smart devices in the home like speakers, lights, radios or cookers
Taking photos and capturing video
Checking social media profiles, posting content and sending e-mails
Running fitness apps to help with workouts and fitness routines
Carrying out video calls from anywhere in the world via FaceTime
Recording and editing music via apps like GarageBand
Navigating unfamiliar areas via mapping apps
Purchasing items online and processing payments
Reading eBooks
Hooking your iPad Air up with your TV to stream content
Maintaining a calendar and receiving notifications
As the list above suggests, iPads are very useful items to have around the house, with applications for kids, adults, travelling, cooking, education, socialising and, more than anything else, entertainment. However, let’s look at the iPad Air in particular. All of these functions are available for the Mini and iPad Pro too. What makes the iPad Air stand out from the crowd?
The first thing to note when thinking about the iPad Air is that there are two options for purchase, an iPad Air 2 (which has been out since 2014) or to wait for the iPad Air 3 (which should be released very soon). Let’s take a look at the specs of the iPad Air 2:
Dimensions: 24 x 17 x 0.6cm
Weight: 437g
Processor: 1.5GHz tri-core 64-bit ARMv8-A "Typhoon"
Graphics processor: PowerVR GXA6850
Screen type: 9.7 inches, multi-touch screen with scratch-resistant glass
Screen resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels
Memory: 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
Disk space options: Either 32 or 128GB flash memory
Operating system: iOS 8.0 or higher
Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-fi: (802.11a/b/g/n/ac); dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz); HT80 with MIMO
Features a 3.5mm headphone jack
Outputs: USB 2.0
Max. Video resolution: 1080p
The Air 2 comes in two models: One featuring just wi-fi, and the other with wi-fi and 3G mobile phone connectivity. The mobile version is slightly heavier, but there are no other important differences.
There are also various cosmetic options to choose from. For instance, the iPad Air comes in a range of colours: gold, rose gold, space grey and silver.
When it was released, the iPad Air 2 was a significant development from the original iPad Air. The weight had been reduced, the screen was larger, Touch ID was introduced to allow fingerprint identification, an anti-reflective coating was applied to the screen, and the sound volume was beefed up too.
At the time of its release, commentators noted plenty of strengths. They were wowed by the new laminated Retina display, the ultra-high resolution 8MP camera, range of disk space options and the handy addition of Touch-ID. Many also talked about how well balanced the iPad Air 2 felt in their hands and its ability to handle split-screen apps.
It’s hard to find a negative opinion about Apple’s iPad Air 2, but nobody’s perfect. For one thing, the sound playback volume was still a little thinner than other tablets and the price level was relatively high as well, placing the original iPad Air 2 firmly in the top-end bracket of the tablet scene. As with all Apple devices, it relies on iOS, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (and is much less easy to customise than Android).
For most buyers, these are minor gripes. When it was released, the iPad Air 2 was state of the art. It’s aged a couple of years since, but it remains one of the most accomplished tablets around.
When you search for Apple bargains on the web, you may well encounter older iPad Air models and other Apple models with similar names. To help you find exactly the right one, here’s a quick breakdown of the major varieties on offer:
The iPad Air - The first iPad Air emerged in September 2013, sporting iOS 7, access to the Apple App Store, plenty of installed apps like Siri and Safari, seamless synching with Macs and other Apple devices, the ability to make Skype calls and a revamped interface and screen. Basically, this streamlined tablet looked the part and delivered the kind of features everyday users needed (and still does).
The iPad Air 2 - The iPad Air 2 represented a big step forward over the iPad Air, with a lighter design, larger screen and the innovative Touch ID touchpad that allows you to store your fingerprint and make secure online payments without entering your card details every time. It comes in a single size (9.7 inches), but you’ll find two different disk storage options (32MB and 128MB) as well as Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and 3G versions.
When you check the iPad Air listings on hotukdeals, you’ll notice that a range of storage sizes is available (32 and 128GB at the moment). Does this make a major difference to the performance of the pad, and is it worth spending up to £100 extra for more space?
Don’t assume that more storage space automatically equals vastly improved performance. In the past, that may have been the case, with bloated software quickly filling up disk space. These days Apple closely watches the efficiency of iOS and its major apps, trying to keep everything as lean as possible; so huge disks aren’t essential.
You can also store software, photos, videos and documents on cloud-based services, instead of keeping them on your local disk, reducing the need for extra space. Apple’s iCloud is hooked up automatically to every iPad Air and allows you to store anything purchased via iTunes. You’ll receive a free allowance (usually around 5GB) and then pay a small amount for extra storage. Given the price difference between 32GB and 128GB iPad Airs, this could well be the cheapest option.
Then again, it can be handy to have large amounts of disk space at your disposal. For example, if you intend to shoot large amounts of 4K video, you won’t be able to store it straight away in the iCloud. In that case, you’ll need a big disk on which to store your footage as you capture and edit it. The same applies to music producers and artists.
Larger disk storage sizes are also useful for fans of high definition movies and TV. If you want to store films on your iPad, HD versions occupy far more space than low-definition equivalents. Again, you can’t really store large video libraries on the Cloud, so a larger disk makes sense.
These are specialist requirements and don’t really apply to everyday users. If all you want to do is play iTunes tracks, store photos and stream Netflix, the 32GB models will do just fine and cost far less to purchase.
When you make an iPad Air purchase, the accessories you buy along with your tablet could make a huge difference to how you use the device (and how long it lasts). Here are some of the most common accessories available:
External Keyboards - All iPads have a ‘virtual keyboard’ installed as part of the furniture, but if you don’t like using touchscreens and want something more user-friendly, you can also purchase external keyboards to hook up to your tablet. Products like the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard are designed to slot underneath the iPad, which stands upright, just like a normal laptop. That way, you can use software like Office for iPad and instantly detach the keyboard for storage or other uses as the need arises.
Pencils and Styluses - If you intend to use your iPad for freehand drawing, writing thoughts or for diagrams and presentations, it may be a good idea to find a stylus you are comfortable with. Unfortunately, the Apple Pencil doesn’t work with iPad Airs (just the iPad Pro), but it’s not the only choice on the market. Products like the Adonit Jot provide precise drawing, while the chunkier Cosmonaut from Studio Neat is ideal for kids.
Cases - Whenever you buy a product for hundreds of pounds, it makes sense to protect it from damage and general wear and tear. In the case of the iPad Air, specialist cases are an essential purchase. Apple’s own Smart Case is the leader of the pack, featuring a microfibre lining that protects against smudges and also folding into a handy stand to prop up your tablet. There’s also the Smart Cover, a cheaper option that attaches to the iPad Air via a magnetised sheet. But Apple’s cases and covers aren’t the end of the story. Models from firms like Logitech, Belkin and RC all offer sturdy protection (often with keyboards integrated into the case, which can be a handy double-up if you need a solid typing option).
Headphones - If you intend to take your iPad Air on the road or need to listen privately to TV, music or movies, a good set of compatible headphones will be vital. If you can afford them, go for a pair of Bluetooth enabled wireless headphones to give you a much mobility as possible. Models from Jabra tend to have good battery life and solid performance. However, go for in earphones from Bose if you need complete sound cancellation (which could be especially handy for frequent fliers).
Charging devices - All iPad Airs need to be charged up and, although you’ll receive the standard Apple charger with your device, there are other charging products that could be worthwhile. For example, you might want to extend the range of your charger or hook it up to a laptop via a Lightning USB cable. Power banks are another option, providing a ready store of charge for when you really need it. Swivel chargers are also available, making it easier to charge multiple devices (handy for families).
The iPad Air isn’t the only model in the iPad family. In fact, when you search for iPad Air deals, you’ll almost certainly come across iPad Pros and iPad Minis for sale as well, so it makes sense to quickly talk about their own strengths and weaknesses.
The iPad Mini is, as its name suggests, a smaller version of the iPad Air. In its most recent incarnation (the iPad Mini 4), it weighs just 299g and is 0.6cm thick. Despite being so small, the Mini has a 64-bit processor, and advanced camera and the same Touch ID technology you’ll find on the iPad Air.
One of the great things about the Mini is its price tag. You’ll often find Minis retailing for less than an iPad Air, making them extremely economical. The graphics on the Mini also tend to be markedly sharper than other models but with the smaller display size, this won’t necessarily make a huge difference to TV and movie fans.
As for the Pro, it’s the most powerful iPad out there. The larger screen size makes it useful for artists and designers (and anyone who wants to work freehand with an Apple Pencil, which only the Pro supports). It also works with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, an ultra-light keyboard that doubles as a case.
Generally speaking, the Pro will appeal to professional users and those with a little extra money to spend. The Air is ideal for general home use, while the Mini is perfect for taking on holidays or coach journeys.
It’s also worth exploring the alternatives to iPads in general. Apple isn’t the only tablet maker in town, even if they do have a reputation as a market leader. Other companies also produce great products, often at lower prices.
High-quality alternatives include the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, which probably has a better screen than the iPad Air, is slimmer and easy to use, although it falls down on battery life a little. Google’s Pixel C is another popular competitor. In this case, the powerful system architecture and excellent screen, as well as the flexibility of Android probably make the Pixel the finest Android based tablet.
There’s also the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, which runs Windows 10, has an excellent keyboard and kickstand and a razor-sharp screen. Again, it’s a real competitor to the iPad Air, and it’s well worth thinking about before you make a purchase.
Whether you opt for an Apple, a Google or a Microsoft device, there are plenty of excellent tablets on offer at hotukdeals. With Apple, you pretty much know what you’ll get: a reliable, high-end tablet with excellent support and regular software updates. You may pay extra, which many people are happy to do. But if you want a tablet for less, look at other manufacturers.
There are plenty of places to pick up an iPad Air 2. Before you make a decision, be sure to check the hotukdeals iPad Air listings to see which companies are running discounts. And head to the Apple Store as well to compare the specs of the various iPad options. It’s worth double checking, just to make sure you need the iPad Air instead of the Mini or the Pro.
Now, search for current deals. Expect to find reductions from Apple themselves at their website at www.apple.com, along with retailers like Currys, John Lewis, Asda, Argos, Tesco and online sellers like Amazon and the BT Shop. When you’ve found a deal or voucher that looks good, just head to the vendor and take advantage of the offer.
It also helps to pick the right time to search. Apple hasn’t always been eager participants in Black Friday’s retail festival, but recently they have been known to offer generous discounts, so search in late November as the day approaches. Look out for great deals around the January Sales as well.
When the iPad Air 3 materialises, it could also be an opportune moment to search for iPad Air 2 deals. Sure, you may be purchasing an older tablet, but it’s still a market leader and prices should plummet when its successor arrives.
Apple’s iPad Air is a fantastic tablet. Suitable for home or professional use, it allows you to stream movies and TV, surf the web, navigate via mapping software, send e-mails, use design tools and much more. You’ll find all the best deals on one of the UK’s favourite tablets at the iPad Air hotukdeals pages.
