iPad Air 32GB $600 vs iPad 4 refurb 32GB $450

[jaydee]

My iPad 3rd gen 16GB was stolen recently and I'm looking at replacing it. I actually like some of the Android tablets out there, but I'm already somewhat invested in the Apple ecosystem, and my almost 3-year old is already comfortable getting around to his games and such, so Apple it is.

I was perfectly happy with the 3rd gen, other than starting to run out of storage space, so I'm not sure I really want to spend an extra $150 (33%) for the Air over the 4th gen. Is there any really compelling reason to go up to the Air. I see that 64 GB Air is on-sale for $600 at Microcenter right now, I would probably bite on that, but I'm hours away from the closest MC and I don't see any other deals out there. Even checked Craigslist and don't really see anything at the moment.

Thoughts? Has anyone owned both?

 

[IeraseU]

As far as I'm concerned the main advantage of the iPad Air is the size. It feels noticeably more portable in the hand. Yes, it's also a faster, but in all honesty you don't really notice that unless you are using them side by side.

The iPad 4 is basically an iPad 3 with a faster processor and a lightning connector. It will probably feel pretty much like your old iPad.

I prefer the iPad Air, but if you like you can save the $150 and get the '4' and pretty much have the same thing in a slightly larger form factor.

 

[jaydee]

Thanks.

Also, I still have a 10W adapter, and I noticed the iPad 4 and the iPad Air both come with 12W adapters.

Do you know if I can still use the 10W (to use occasionally in a pinch), and it would just charge more slowly, or is that not recommended?

 

[cronos]

My general rule is that if you're the type of person who likes to 'own' your stuff for years, it's always an advantage to get the latest version, especially if it's an Apple product. Sure it's more expensive, but as an Apple product you're paying premium already. I think you should get the Air.

 

[Eug]

The 10 Watt adapter is fine.

The iPad Air feels way, way lighter in the hand than the iPad 4. The iPad 4 is a monster.

The iPad Air is significantly faster too, but for most stuff the iPad 4 should be fine performance wise.

I would get the Air, but it's up to you to decide: The iPad 4 is 38% heavier than the iPad Air, and has a slower CPU/GPU, but the Air costs 33% more.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I went from the iPad 4 to an iPad Air, and while I know the iPad Air has a much faster SoC, I really didn't notice any performance difference. The iPad 4 is still very smooth and fast feeling. Though a year or two down the line I'm sure the performance differences will start to show through.

For me, I've never been a big fan of the really tapered edges of the iPad 2, 3, and 4. So just the more rounded design of the Air is worth paying $150 more for if needed. And it's quite a bit lighter do. The Air is just soooooo much more comfortable to hold.

PS. I ended up returning my Air for and iPad Mini 2. It's $100 cheaper and I really love the smaller size more. And I've never felt it was too small for anything I used to do on my bigger iPads.

 

[jaydee]

I could probably go for the mini for my typical usage (web browsing, video via Plex), but my kids play with it as well (puzzles, Mr Potato Head, Cars app, Sound Touch, Video Touch, etc), and I think the extra size makes sense for them. I'm going to run to Best Buy to put my hands on each, but I'm much more inclined to get the 9.7" screen. I have thought about getting the iPad mini though.

 

[bearxor]

Coming from an iPad 3, the 4 or the Air will be a significant speed upgrade.

If it were me, I'd pick the Air, simply for the newer design, lighter weight and future capability. If cost is a factor, I'd split the difference and get the 32GB Retina Mini for $499.

Edit: maybe for the kids you can pick up an iPad 2...

 

[Insomniator]

150 more for a new Air seems like an obvious choice to me

 

[desura]

eh...I'm waiting for apple to adapt AMOLED.

AMOLED actually doesn't make much sense for phones IMO...but for tablets, they're really good.

 

[Ravynmagi]

eh...I'm waiting for apple to adapt AMOLED.

AMOLED actually doesn't make much sense for phones IMO...but for tablets, they're really good.

Why not on phones? I think the Moto X's use of AMOLED for active notifications is a perfect use for AMOLED.

 

[jaydee]

Pulled the trigger today. Found NIB iPad Air 32GB on craigslist for $550 (no tax), so I couldn't really pass it up. Haven't had much time to play with it yet, will let you know my thoughts in the next couple days. Even had this "starters bundle" with a case, BT keyboard, speaker, digitizers and car charger. Not sure how useful any of this stuff will be.

 

[gmaster456]

If you wait you'll always be waiting for the next thing. I would personally just go with the 64gb air if it's on sale. Otherwise I'd get the 4th gen.

 

[jpeyton]

Isn't $600 retail for a 32GB Air?

Retailers have been throwing DEEP discounts on the Air for the last month. Target and other retailers were giving you a $100 gift card with any Air purchase.

 

[Ravynmagi]

It looks like those deals ended after Christmas.

 

[MrSquished]

Why not on phones? I think the Moto X's use of AMOLED for active notifications is a perfect use for AMOLED.

most likely because you are using a tablet more often indoors where the downside of amoled in direct sunlight is sub-par, but just fine indoors - but with a phone it is far more likely to be used outdoors where AMOLED fails.

i wanted the motox but because it has AMOLED i am leaning towards the nexus 5. my gs4 is great but when i want to use it outside, it sucks. and considering during nicer weather i like to do outside activiites, such as biking and use my phone as a gps, it's impossible to see the gs4 screen.

 

[desura]

Because tablets make for good personal movie viewing.

PHones are more for business stuff.

 

[boomhower]

I'd get the Air. Better form factor and my faster. Speed wise isn't much of a difference now but a couple years down the road when the 4 starts struggling with the latest OS updates the Air will be fairing better. But the biggest difference is the weight to me, the 4 is just to heavy and the reason I own a Mini.

 

[jaydee]

So far the experience isn't much different. Speed-wise it feels the same as my 3rd gen did, but I don't do anything too taxing, mostly web browsing, a few light games.

It's hard to feel the weight difference inside the case (which I'm so far, not a fan of, but I'll give it another week).

If I were paying retail, I'd say the $450 4th gen refurb ($486 w/tax) would have been the better choice for me vs $600 ($648 w/tax), but given that I paid $550 (no tax), I don't really regret it. If nothing else, it should hold resale better, and continue to get iOS updates longer than the 4th gen. And the faster charging time should prove to be useful over the long-haul. $60 premium for a new Air over a refurb 4th gen is worth it, but a $170 premium would not have been IMO.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Speed wise isn't much of a difference now but a couple years down the road when the 4 starts struggling with the latest OS updates the Air will be fairing better.

Debatable when you consider RAM and GPU are the biggest performance bottlenecks for iOS devices, and that the iPad Air gets less out of its 1GB of RAM than the iPad 4 does.

I so wish the iPad Non-Retina Mini was upgraded with an A6 in it for this reason- I would have bought one. I just feel like A7 tech will be refresh city once a 2GB RAM iDevice hits and developers start targeting that.

 

[gmaster456]

Debatable when you consider RAM and GPU are the biggest performance bottlenecks for iOS devices, and that the iPad Air gets less out of its 1GB of RAM than the iPad 4 does.

I so wish the iPad Non-Retina Mini was upgraded with an A6 in it for this reason- I would have bought one. I just feel like A7 tech will be refresh city once a 2GB RAM iDevice hits and developers start targeting that.

You make a good point. The 1gb of ram will cripple iOS devices long before the CPU will be able to be fully tapped into.

 

[poofyhairguy]

You make a good point. The 1gb of ram will cripple iOS devices long before the CPU will be able to be fully tapped into.

I am a big proponent of buying iOS devices when:

1. They are not lacking in any obvious areas (like the iPad 1 and a lack of cameras)
2. They are not inferior to previous generations in any way (iPad 3 GPU, 1GB ram A7 devices, etc.)
3. They are not obviously inferior in some important way to the competition (the iPhone 1 and 3G, the 4GS and LTE)

By this strict standard, there have been four acceptable iOS devices- the 3GS, the iPad 2, the iPhone 5, and the iPad 4.

And guess what, they have been the by far biggest value iOS devices in hindsight so far. Me or my wife have owned three of these for a reason, and I will probably buy her an iPad 4 eventually.

If you don't stick to those three rules, you are basically paying the good ole Apple Tax in a modern form.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Sure are a lot of rules.

My rules are... Buy every generation and just sell the old one (they hold their resell value pretty good).

I pretty much get a new iPad every year for just $100.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sure are a lot of rules.

My rules are... Buy every generation and just sell the old one (they hold their resell value pretty good).

I pretty much get a new iPad every year for just $100.

Sure if you are a device flipper that is fine. Apple stuff is actually much easier to do that with than Android (where the game is to get the best deal possible while the hardware still matters).

I mean I basically said I can only buy idevices an average of every two years. That is unacceptable for some people, and God Bless Them as they are subsidizing the high value idevices I do end up buying.

Personally I end up gifting almost every Apple device I buy, so I can't just take them back and flip them when a new model comes along. Even worse I end up having to support these devices I give long-term, so it really matters to me to not get a lemon like the iPad 3 or the original Retina Macbook in my "portfolio." So I have rules, and I stick to them.