It feels like iPads have been around forever, but it has only been about four years since the original iPad’s release. Mobile technology is progressing at such a pace that tablets have already hit a maturity point for this segment of the market. That’s why the iPad Air 2 feels so underwhelming as compared to the prior model.
Yes, it’s thinner than the original iPad Air but just a little bit thinner. It’s faster, but not all that much faster than the prior version. And the retina display has a few minor tweaks but nothing that makes it stand out over prior iPad retina displays.
About the only compelling reason to jump from an iPad Air to the iPad Air 2 is the inclusion of the Touch ID fingerprint security system. This enables a longer, more secure password to be used with the device while adding the convenience of unlocking with a fingerprint read after its initial boot.
The iPad Air 2 has the next iteration of Apple’s mobile processor called the A8X. It’s definitely the fastest iOS processor to date, but the previous model’s A7 is only first being fully utilized by app developers.
The bottom line? This is a nice incremental improvement. Owners of the iPad 1, 2, 3, or 4 looking for an upgrade should consider the iPad Air 2 not for what it can do now, but what it will be able to do a year or two from now.
iPad Air owners will not see much of a noticeable improvement, unless the fingerprint sensor is a must-have new feature. The original iPad Air is still plenty fast and more than adequate for nearly all available iOS apps.
Lon Seidman is the host and producer of “Lon.TV,” a consumer technology video show that is on a number of platforms including YouTube and Amazon. He creates in-depth, consumer-friendly product reviews and commentary. His YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers and more than 100 million views.
In addition to being a full-time content creator, Lon is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hartford (his alma mater) where he teaches a course in entrepreneurial content creation.
Prior to becoming a full-time creator, Lon was a partner at The Safety Zone, his family’s business that manufactures gloves and safety equipment. The company has locations around the globe and employs over 200 people worldwide. The Safety Zone was acquired by the Genuine Parts Corporation in 2016.
Lon is also active in public service, serving as the Chairman of the Essex Board of Education, a member of the Region 4 Board of Education, and as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. He was endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans for his re-election in 2021.
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