Apple iPad Air - Specifications. Specifications of iPad Air Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - pop-up camera, rotating camera, cutout or hole in the display, camera under the display

In 2013, the world was presented with a new creation from Apple - iPad Air. The tablet has won the recognition of millions of users around the world. And a year later, at the autumn presentation, the company presented the thinnest device in the world - iPad Air 2, which did not revolutionize the world mobile technologies, but became no less popular than its predecessor. Despite the release of the new product, many users were in no hurry to change first-generation devices, because they did not see much point in it. Of course, the iPad Air 2 received several important changes that made it the flagship among tablet computers.

Comparing the iPad Air and iPad Air 2 will allow you to determine exactly what the advantages of the newer gadget are. However, there is a category of users who, in any case, change their smartphones and tablets from Apple after the release of a new model. This is, rather, dictated not by the need to use advanced device functions, but by the desire to be one step ahead of the rest. If you value value for money, functionality, and also use a rational approach when buying gadgets, comparing two popular models will be useful and interesting for you.

Comparison and review of two tablet models: iPad Air and iPad Air 2

The differences between the two devices are in the appearance and size of the case. If the length and width of the gadgets remained the same - 240 mm and 169.5 mm, then iPad Air 2 became the thinnest device in the world at the time of its release. Its thickness was 6.1 mm, which is 1.4 mm less than that of its predecessor. Many experts have come to the conclusion that minor differences in the sizes of the iPad Air and iPad Air 2 are practically not felt when using gadgets, which cannot be said about their weight.

The new device has become much lighter - its weight was only 437 grams, which is 36% less than the first generation device. Thanks to its reduced weight, iPad Air 2 is very comfortable to work with. After long-term use Your arms and back will not get so tired. This was a significant transformation for users who prefer to hold the tablet in their hands rather than place it on a horizontal surface.

It should be noted that the first generation iPad Air only comes in two colors - space gray and silver. The second-generation gadget is presented in three colors - in addition to the usual silver and space gray, a golden one has been added. This gives users more options to choose from. Some people prefer to buy smartphones and tablets in the same color scheme. Now you can purchase a similar device to go with your gold iPhone.

The first generation tablet comes to the market with a version operating system iOS 7, and the second - iOS 8. Today, the characteristics of the device allow you to upgrade to iOS 9.2, which improves system performance and fixes some bugs.

Display Specifications

The screen resolution of the compared devices remains the same - 2048 by 1536 pixels. Has not changed - it is 9.7 inches, which ensures comfortable work. We believe that these sizes are optimal for tablet computer, designed for a wide audience of consumers.

At the same time, the second-generation gadget is equipped with a completely different level. During its development, the technology of full screen lamination was used. The developers managed to remove the air gap between the glass and the matrix. This made the device thinner and led to the fact that the image in the iPad Air 2 visually seemed to lie on the surface of the glass. The device released earlier does not have similar visual effects. Another advantage of the second generation iPad Air was its reliable anti-reflective coating, which ensured comfortable work with the gadget in bright light conditions.

Some users considered it a minus that in the new tablet the developers removed the button for blocking automatic image rotations when changing the position of the gadget in space. It was located on the sidebar and was often used by gamers who like to read while lying down and often change their position. Auto-lock allowed you to capture the image. On the iPad Air 2, a similar option must be activated using user settings.

Camera

It is immediately worth noting that in the second generation iPad Air, significant changes affected the camera. The first thing that catches your eye is that its resolution has increased to 8 megapixels. In the model released in 2013, it is 5 megapixels. At the same time, the iSight camera is equipped with a high-tech sensor and advanced optics, which improves the quality of pictures and videos. For many, the presence of new functions was a pleasant surprise. One of them is Slow Motion. It is designed to slow down video recording. Thanks to this function, you can shoot interesting videos, which can be conveniently emphasized using slow motion. In addition, the camera has other interesting and useful features.

When comparing photos taken on the two tablets, you will notice that the iPad Air 2 allows you to achieve best quality photographs. Images have improved color reproduction. At the same time, all colors look more natural. The noise level in the pictures has been reduced and the detail of objects has been improved. However, such improvements are only important for discerning users. The camera performance of the first generation device is quite satisfactory for a device of this level.

The changes did not affect - its resolution is still 1.2 megapixels. However, it is not equipped with autofocus.

Technical specifications

The 2013 tablet is equipped with an A7+M7 processor. Gadgets introduced in 2014 run on the A8X+M8 processor. iPad Air 2 has three cores, while its predecessor had two. The clock speed of the gadgets is 1.5 GHz and 1.4 GHz, respectively. According to the developers, such changes have increased productivity central processor by 40%. Power has been improved by 2.5 times.

The difference between iPad Air and iPad Air 2 lies in the amount of memory. If the first generation tablet has 1 GB of RAM, then the second generation device is equipped with 2 GB random access memory. At the same time, the 2013 model has built-in memory capacity of 16 and 32 GB. Various modifications of the later gadget allow you to purchase a tablet with 16, 64 or 128 GB of memory. This improvement is dictated by the development of a huge number of applications that require not only performance from a tablet computer, but also a sufficient amount of memory.

Battery life

The battery capacity of the device, released at the end of 2014, is 7184 mAh. Its predecessor has a larger battery capacity - it is 8827 mAh. The developer stated that in the information search mode in world wide web, watching videos and listening to audio, the battery of a newer device will last for 10 hours of continuous operation. At the same time, its predecessor works for about 12-13 hours without recharging. In maximum brightness mode, while watching HD video, the time is reduced by 2 hours - these are the results shown by test tests.

We can conclude that Apple had to sacrifice battery capacity in order to fit it into a thin iPad case Air 2. It should be noted that no matter how long the time battery life any device, it will always not suit certain categories of users. You always want your phone or tablet to last longer. In this regard Apple company I found an excellent compromise between the weight of the gadget, its size and operating time.

Air iPad is a modern and very popular tablet from Apple among users. Air runs on OS version 9 and is presented in a thin aluminum case. The weight of the gadget is only less than 500 grams.

But it's not all winning iPad specifications Air. This device has powerful technical characteristics - an A7 processor, a large bright display, and an excellent camera. In many respects, it is superior to the iPad 3, A1474 and many others, if you compare the iPad Air with them. In addition, the buyer has the right to choose how much memory will be in his tablet - 16 or 32 GB. As for the colors of the tablet, there is little choice here. The manufacturer has released tablets in gray colors. One is a silver shade, the second is “space gray”.

Of course, the Air tablet supports wireless network, and the user can go online whenever he wants. After all, today Wi-Fi points are located almost everywhere.

For iPads of the Air model, it is possible to download and install almost any software. There are more than 800 thousand available games and applications for the device. No matter how many programs you want to have on your tablet, you can download as many. Of course, everything is within the memory capacity of your device.

But the first pleasant moment that catches the user’s eye after several days of using the new product is the long operation of the gadget without additional recharging. The battery capacity of the device is more than 32 W/hour, which allows you to work up to 10 hours in wireless networks.

These were the main parameters, and now - detailed review Apple iPad Air.

The box with the device contains the following:

• The tablet itself.
• USB cable.
• Charging.
• Documentation.
• Accessory for removing SIM cards.

But in principle, has anything changed with the arrival of the new model? Or just appearance? Absolutely yes. But the improved “filling” is also placed in a lighter and more stylish body. The gadget, now running on an A7 processor, has become faster. But first things first…

Design and build

So, let’s immediately note that the product was a great success. This is noted by the majority of users who have managed to test all lines of tablets from the Apple company. They note that the cardinal difference was only between the first and second generation of devices.

But the manufacturer can afford not to change anything much, because this is in its principles. And the consumer is accustomed to this state of affairs. But, for example, with Apple's competitors, every new gadget is always new design. Otherwise, they believe, the user simply will not understand what is new.

But in the situation with Air, the Apple company deviated a little from its rules, and new tablet really differs in appearance from its younger “brothers”. This was one of the main reasons why the device immediately aroused wide interest among the public.

For example, the mini model's screen was too small to view video clips. But many people use the tablet, for the most part, as a TV. This is convenient, because you can watch videos both in nature and in transport.

And although the difference between the new product and the small model in terms of screen size is not very large, it is more convenient to work with it. How to play, write SMS, and surf. And simply showing a presentation will have a greater effect if done on a large display.

What does the new Air tablet bring to its owners? Firstly, by design. He became more strict. Its dimensions in terms of thickness have decreased. And many note that the device is similar to the mini model. The gadget can easily fit in a large palm. It turned out to be very convenient to operate the device with one hand. Let’s say you can read this way on the bus, or just lying in bed before going to bed.

The dimensions of the new product have changed very significantly. If previous tablet models weighed more than 600 grams, then the Air weighed less than 500 grams. As for the length and width, the device has also become significantly smaller when compared with the second and third versions of the iPad.

Moreover, the difference between the new tablet and the previous ones is more felt visually than when simply talking about numbers. The bezels on both sides have been reduced. The Home button at the bottom remains the same. The controls are similar to those on previous devices. At the top of the display is the camera. On the right side there is a mute lever and sound control elements. At the top, at the end there is a power button.

Air tablet model display

Diagonal dimensions – 9.7 inches. There is LED backlighting. The resolution is 2048 x 1536 pixels. Based on these characteristics, we can already say that this is one of the most best screens. The picture is of excellent quality, no matter what angle you look at it from. Moreover, many users advise setting the brightness to 80 percent, and this is quite enough. According to numerous reviews, the gadget’s display is clear, bright and smooth.

But after the mini model with Retina resolution was released onto the market, many were faced with the question of what is better to buy. Here there can be only one recommendation - to look at both models with your own eyes, and only then accept final decision. Although, it should be noted that for most users the diagonal is of great importance. let it not be very convenient to carry the device with you. For example, it will not fit in a trouser pocket.

Memory

If you look deeply and remember everything iPad versions, for the first time a model with 128 GB of memory was announced with four. In general, if we classify tablets from the Apple company by memory capacity, in addition to this option there are 3 more - with 16, 36 and 64 GB on board. And so, there are even 8 versions, if you take into account the versions with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 4G.

And when you take into account the color gamut, you get all 16. As statistics show, in terms of memory, most users choose the “golden mean” and purchase a device with 64 GB.

But if you store a lot of information in your gadget, it’s better to immediately buy the 128 GB option. Previously, this version of the tablet seemed incredible to many. But today they won’t surprise anyone. Devices with minimum parameters of 16 GB, on the contrary, will soon fall into oblivion.

Accessories

Although many consider such additions to devices to be unimportant, it is still worth paying some attention to them. It is true that a number of them are absolutely useless. But others are very smart and even irreplaceable.

Among the original items, the EarPods headphones stand out. Thanks to them, you can conveniently communicate via FaceTime and listen to your favorite music tracks.

In addition, it is recommended to immediately purchase a SmartCover for the tablet - a regular cover that can activate the device when it is opened. Can also be used as a stand. Or an alternative to this accessory – SmartCase. This is a case with the usual functions. On online forums you can find reviews about the use of these accessories. There will likely be a wide variety of iPad cases available in the future from a variety of manufacturers.

But in principle, the Air case is not really needed. Only if it's a stand. In appearance, the device seems super reliable. This applies to both metal and glass elements.

Performance

The model operates on the basis of an operating system iOS versions 7.0.3. It makes no sense to characterize it in detail here, since the review will be too long. You can read extensive articles online about the pros and cons of this iOS.

In short, the tablet has A7 processes. The same one is in the iPhone 5S. It has a 64-bit architecture and also has an M7 coprocessor.

Many people try to measure the performance of a device using a benchmark, but this data is not very objective. The software launches quickly, but many programs have not yet been optimized. For example, they “slow down” when the display orientation changes. Because of this, processes in some games are launched first in a small window, and only after clicking the pause button does it expand. Naturally, these are not hardware defects, but unoptimized software.

For a number of users, after downloading some programs from the Apple store, their icons did not appear on the table. In this case, rebooting the gadget solved the problem. Sometimes Safari disappears.

During the process of changing the layout, the device sometimes slows down. That is, nothing happens when you click on the corresponding button. By the way, users note that this happened extremely rarely on previous iPad models.

But, of course, Apple will take into account all these problems in the newest versions of its devices and try to correct everything. Although, developers of Apple products do not always somehow react to user complaints, even if they were contacted by the support service.

As noted earlier, there are Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 4G versions of tablets. Many people purchase the American version and are very satisfied. After all, 3G will be enough for most, and if LTE is enabled, it’s easier to use, for example, the iPhone 5S as an access point for the iPad.

Of course, the Air also has Bluetooth (with a fourth profile). Using AirDrop, you can easily transfer a picture or anything else to another gadget. But only on an iOS device. It is still a mystery why AirDrop on a MacBook cannot detect Apple smartphones and tablets.

Duration of work

According to the manufacturer, the operating period without additional recharging is up to 10 hours. This is for the mode of watching video clips with Wi-Fi turned on. Or 1 hour less when using mobile networks.

The Lightning connector is used, which many users recognize as significantly better than the same micro USB. After all, now you don’t have to worry about mixing up the end of the plug. This is a serious advantage compared to the previous connector.

Camera

Let us immediately note that the module in Air has not been changed. It is 100% the same as in the third and fourth tablet models. At the top of the display is the FaceTime camera. It has a very good resolution of 12 megapixels. The main camera comes with 7 MP and autofocus. The user can also shoot HDR. The quality of the pictures is quite good. See below for an example of a photo taken by the Air camera.

However, with all these wonderful characteristics, we note that few people take photographs with a tablet. And from the outside it looks a little strange.

To summarize what has been said about the iPad Air...

To summarize, let’s touch on such an important issue as the price of this device. As usual, prices differ in Russia and abroad. In America, the cost of a tablet varies from 500 to 800 dollars. As you guessed, it depends on the amount of memory of the gadget. Of course, the 128 GB model is the most expensive. Prices for Wi-Fi + 4G models are 15-20% higher.

Before the start of sales of the model on the domestic market, it was filled with Chinese fakes. And prices here started from 35 thousand rubles. But at the same time, there was no special excitement, as usually happens with Phone. And the reason for this is quite clear. A tablet is, after all, not a phone. And users change it, of course, less often. Only in case of emergency (broken or very outdated).

Therefore, if you are the happy owner of the latest iPad line with the maximum amount of memory, what is the point of changing it to Air? Well, only if you really want to have a new product, and the funds allow it. In this regard, a tablet is akin to a camera, which is usually replaced when it breaks down. Or, as a last resort, when you weren’t alone new model after your device, but 2 or more generations.

So what kind of user would the Air be ideal for? It seems that for those users who are still working with the iPad 2 and were looking forward to the new product. And also for those who have not previously used tablets at all, schoolchildren, students. Also for a category that previously dealt only with Android and wants to try a more advanced gadget (we’re talking about hardware and operating systems).

To summarize, we note that many users really liked Air. Familiar functionality, but in a lighter package - what could be better? A fairly long period of operation without recharging is another significant advantage. There are only difficulties with unoptimized software - but only a small percentage of programs. And in terms of performance everything is perfect.

Probably, in two years the developer will further improve the tablets, making them as thick as a sheet of paper. And now the iPad Air is an excellent option for the most demanding user.

After direct acquaintance with Apple iPad Air We can say with full confidence that this model has become the most successful update to the Californian company’s line of 10-inch tablets in the entire history of its existence. The tablet fully deserves the eloquent “airy” prefix to its name; we have never seen such a radical reduction in the weight and volume of the body while maintaining all the functional features. Interesting? Then let's start getting acquainted.

Exploitation

For obvious reasons, the period of test operation Apple iPad Air was not too long, during which time it was possible to notice only the main nuances of real use. Therefore, after certain time we will definitely return to the story about this tablet in operating experience format.

During use, the tablet literally amazes with its weight; the Air prefix is ​​more appropriate here than ever, because compared to its predecessor, the new product has lost as much as 180 grams or 28% of its weight. The full-size 10-inch tablet in a metal casing now weighs only 470 grams, making it easy to hold with one hand. The ergonomics are also improved by a more compact body, which has become 1.5 cm narrower and almost 2 mm thinner, which in turn has saved 24% of the internal volume. We repeat, with a more “elongated” body Apple iPad Air looks more like a typical widescreen tablet with 16:10 aspect ratio, rather than Apple's 4:3 variation. Eventually, new Air It’s quite possible to choose it just because of its thin, light, metal body, regardless of all the other characteristics - you just need to pick it up and you simply won’t want to let go of the tablet.

The new Apple A7/M7 hardware platform has benefited the tablet; there is no need to talk about a mind-blowing increase in performance in real life, but everything (interface, applications, games) now works a little faster and smoother. We especially note the minimal heating of the tablet even after heated battles in modern 3D games - the metal back gets slightly warmer, but there is no trace of the heat that the iPad 3 produced.

Since the battery capacity is Apple iPad Air became smaller and Charger remains the same, the time required to charge the battery from 0 to 100% has noticeably decreased and is about 4 hours. The autonomy is quite consistent with what is stated; a full charge is usually more than enough for a full day of active use (browsing, video, games, reading, etc.). Well, if you use the tablet for a couple of hours before/after work, then its battery may well last almost the entire work week.

Owners of modern dual-band routers will certainly appreciate the increased data exchange speed using a dual-antenna 802.11n Wi-Fi module, capable of operating in two operating bands and providing a maximum speed of up to 300 Mbps. But for obvious reasons, it is not yet possible to obtain the maximum available speed in LTE networks in our country; at best, you will have to be content with a 3G connection. Finally, we note that the main camera Apple iPad Air produces good shots in good natural light, but in a darkened room the module without a flash noticeably loses its position.

Video review of the Apple iPad Air tablet

Results

Eventually, iPad Air- this is the best tablet ever released by Apple, which can only be competed with by the new iPad mini with Retina display. The younger brother has the same hardware platform, a screen with a higher pixel density, a more compact and lighter body, convenient for daily use on the go, and at the same time costs $100 less.

The only reason to refuse a purchase of this device there may be a rejection of the iOS operating system, while from the point of view of design, construction and hardware platform we have almost an ideal. However, the ideal Apple iPad Air There is only a year left until the announcement of the Air 2, which (possibly) will receive a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, 2 GB of RAM and an even faster processor. But you shouldn’t hope for a redesign of the second generation Air, Current version It's already too good to start improving it so quickly.

Liked
+ new thin and light metal case with minimal screen bezel
+ design in Apple style iPad mini
+ powerful hardware platform Apple A7 (64 bit) with M7 coprocessor
+ Same battery life from a smaller battery
+ appearance of the branded Smart Case cover
+ functional improvements regarding data exchange

Did not like
- still only 1 GB of RAM
- lack of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner
— there is no possibility of downgrading to iOS 6

The editors would like to thank the Notus online store (www.notus.ua) for providing the Apple iPad Air for testing.

	Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi 16GB Silver (MD788, MD784) Notify when on sale
Type	Tablet
Screen diagonal, inches	9,7
Matrix	IPS
Screen covering type	glossy
Screen resolution	2048×1536
Touchpad type	capacitive
Multi touch	+
CPU	Apple A7
Kernel type	Cyclone
Frequency, GHz	1,3
Number of Cores	2
Graphic arts	PowerVR G6430
Pre-installed OS	iOS 7
Built-in memory capacity, GB	16
External ports	USB (Lightning), 3.5 mm audio
Card reader	—
Front-camera	1.2 MP
Rear camera	5 MP, autofocus
Light sensor	+
Orientation sensor	+
Built-in speakers	+
Dock station	—
Stylus included	—
WiFi	802.11a/b/g/n; dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Bluetooth	4.0
3G/4G(LTE) module	—
GPS	—
NFC	—
Battery capacity, mAh	32.4 Wh
Battery life
Weight, g	469
Dimensions, mm	240×169.5×7.5
Case color	grey
Front panel color	white

In this article we will discuss one of the most important characteristics iPad – screen diagonals. This is the most impressive detail of the tablet that immediately catches your eye. During its existence, the Apple company has released many models of this device. And they all come with different display sizes. Let's see how gadgets have changed according to this criterion over the years. Let's start the review with the very first lines - iPad 1, 2 and so on.

A tablet is a type of device whose display diagonal size is of great importance. The first generation, released 7 years ago, already came in a standard version, which took root for many years. The parameter in question did not change for gadgets until the 4th generation, although something new was added in terms of other screen characteristics:

• iPad 1 had a diagonal of 9.7 inches (in iPad 2 the diagonal was left the same as in iPad 3 and iPad 4), with a resolution of 1024x768, 132 ppi.
• iPad 2 – the same parameters in inches, exactly the same resolution and pixel density.
• iPad 3 - 100% higher resolution than the first and second line of devices, the same with pixel density.
• iPad 4 is all the same as its predecessor.

But regardless of the model, the picture on the display of Apple tablets has always been excellent. But technology is developing continuously and gadgets of the 3 and 4 line received a Retina display .

The four also increased the screen resolution and pixel density parameter. This made it possible to make the image look like a picture from a glossy magazine. The pixels are not visible at all, which adds realism. The developer made the 100% right choice by introducing this technology. Among 10-inch tablets, this device is considered the best. The only drawback is the lack of anti-reflective coating. This disadvantage was noted by many users on the forums.

The IPS matrix element, included in models of lines 1 – 4, produces a color gamut of maximum naturalism and provides maximum viewing angles. Its quality is especially visible when compared with previous display options. The capacitive sensor has also been improved. In addition, a warmer color scheme and improved image detail have been added.

Display sizes of iPad Air, iPad Air 2

The further development of tablets was very interesting. The body has been radically improved, new shades have appeared. The frames were significantly reduced, but the display sizes remained the same (as in the fourth and other iPads).

The more compact dimensions of the iPad Air line of tablets have taken them to a higher level, making them stylish and modern.

Characteristics of displays of Air model devices:

• iPad Air – 9.7 inches, Retina, resolution 2048×1536, 264 ppi.
• iPad Air 2 has exactly the same parameters as the first “air” tablet.

As you can see, everything remains the same. Only Retina technology is of interest. Thanks to it, the response period to touching the display and energy consumption have been significantly reduced.

iPad mini, iPad mini 2-4 screen parameters

It's time to highlight tablets close to modern standards top devices. The developer paused a bit with the display sizes and this innovation is for the better.

The mini versions have become widespread and are loved by many users. After all, carrying such a gadget with you is very comfortable, and its functionality is not inferior to ordinary models:

• iPad mini - 7.9 inches, with a resolution of 1024x768, pixel density 163 ppi.
• iPad mini 2 - the same diagonal, but the resolution and pixel density have been increased by 100%.
• iPad mini 3 - exactly the same performance as the second mini variation.
• iPad mini 4 - exactly the same as versions 2 and 3.

As can be seen from the characteristics presented above, the diagonals of the mini devices are not at all the same as in the 4 iPad and other standard versions. They are much smaller. The resolution setting is similar, but the number of dots is 1 inch larger.

Pro line tablets

In terms of appearance, the two variations of the gadget in this line are almost identical. Therefore, users here choose based on functionality, because not everyone needs a TV to carry with them all the time:

• Pro variation 1 - 9.7 inches, Retina, resolution 2732x2048, 264 ppi.
• Pro variation 2 – 12.9 inches, other parameters are exactly the same.

Today, these two models are the best, both in terms of picture quality and performance. The latest anti-reflective coating makes working in the sun comfortable.

Above was a historical background regarding the development of tablets from the Apple company in terms of display size. It's interesting how iPads will evolve in the future, but that's anyone's guess. But judging by the performance. For at least another 2-3 years, Pro will be at its best and will satisfy the needs of the most demanding users.

And since the subject of our conversation today is the second line of iPads, let’s take a closer look at the other characteristics of this line of tablets.

iPad 2 design

There has been no revolution since the release of the second generation of devices. Consumers were presented with the same product in a minimalist style, very neat, made of glass and aluminum materials. You may not like Apple devices, but you cannot deny that they are of decent quality. In terms of design, they are several steps ahead of similar gadgets from competitors. Let’s say you can’t put them on the same level as plastic products from Samsung Tab or Motorola XOOM, which consist of individual elements assembled together. If you have any doubts about this, just turn the Apple tablet in your hands and immediately feel the difference.

The rear part remained the same “indestructible”. It is made of scratch-resistant metal. The panel has now become almost flat - it narrows only towards the end part. The first line of tablets did not have this.

The Deuce is significantly thinner than its predecessor (and even the iPhone 4). Visually it seems that you can even scratch it, like a piece of paper. This effect is created thanks to the same narrowing towards the ends. In it, the developer used the same design idea as in MacBook Air, in which the minimum thickness parameters are only 3 millimeters.

The tablet also lost a little weight. True, only 6 grams compared to its predecessors, but still this is a positive result. However, at that time, according to this criterion, the iPad 2 was ahead of its competitor from the Korean company - Galaxy, which weighed 7 grams less. At the same time, its body was made of plastic, which does not add to its price.

iPad 2 equipment

Everything here is standard and predictable, nothing new. In the box with the second tablet, in addition to the device itself, the user found:

• charging element;
• USB cord;
• documentation;
• brochures and stickers with Apple logos.

The Apple company, as always, has not betrayed the principles of minimalism. The rather large box did not contain anything notable accessories. By the way, the adapter is for an American outlet. So, whether you like it or not, you will have to purchase an adapter.

Battery for the second tablet

The period of operation without additional recharging of devices of the second line is the same 10-12 hours. The same was true for the starter product of this type. And all this with active use using wireless elements, when watching movies and listening to music tracks.

All this is impressive, considering that we are talking about a device with a nine-cell battery. According to these criteria, Apple's tablet has no competitors to this day. Similar gadgets from other companies operating on Android work for about 6 hours without recharging. It is especially pleasing that a long period of autonomous operation was preserved with a significant reduction in the thickness of the case.

And a little more about the display...

This element was already the pride of the company in the very first tablet. At that time it was of the best quality - competitors had nothing like it. In the second generation tablet everything remains the same. Many fans of Apple products expected to see Retina technology in it, that is, a resolution increased by 400%. But for such parameters, the device did not have enough processor power and graphics element. In other words, a miracle did not happen. And if it happened, the starting price of the gadget would soar by at least 50%.

But this display has also become one of the best in terms of brightness, resolution and responsiveness to touch. It is not for nothing that any devices with a touch mechanism are usually compared with iPhones and iPads, because the latter have no equal.

However, more significant distinctive points, compared with previous version and competitors are also present. For example, thanks to the oleophobic layer, the display is not easily soiled. It is very difficult to stain it with touches. And if any dirt suddenly appears, it is easy to remove. Users have to clean the devices of the first line and tablets of competitors constantly.

Efficiency has increased in many areas - when surfing the Internet, when working with graphic elements. Separately, it is worth mentioning the increase in memory on board the second tablet to 512 megabytes. Of course, today such an indicator will seem ridiculous, but at that time it caused delight.

The operating system in this line of tablets, compared to the previous one, was also more advanced. She was an order of magnitude taller. Accordingly, the functionality has expanded, and the work has become faster.

The tablet performs all commands perfectly. This applies to the interface, a fast browser, no freezing or slowdown of programs, and lively playing video.

Now that Apple is at the peak of its fame, almost every one of its devices, long before its official announcement, becomes a kind of construction kit from rumors and leaks, according to which you can independently put all the pieces into a single whole and get an almost complete image of the final product. Moreover, both in appearance and in the hardware components used, although without specific details. Therefore, each presentation of devices, in fact, is primarily a confirmation or refutation of all previously appeared rumors. So, for example, it was c new iPhones, and the same thing happened with new iPad, which, however, still managed to present several pleasant surprises. One of them is the new name of the device - .

Specifications

Delivery and configuration

The tablet comes in a relatively small box made of thick cardboard and is characterized by a traditionally attractive design with a minimal amount of visual information. The front side allows you to get acquainted with the “portrait” of the device, and the back side - with very brief technical characteristics. The sidewalls bear the model name and several silver manufacturer logos.

The delivery set is beautifully arranged in compartments, but it cannot boast of anything special. During the unpacking process you will find: a compact power supply with a removable plug, a Lightning ↔ USB adapter cable for connecting to a power supply and synchronizing with a Mac/PC, a special clip for removing the SIM card slide, several small information brochures and two logo stickers manufacturer.

Appearance, design

The visual design of the California manufacturer's tablet line, unlike smartphones and media players, has remained virtually unchanged since 2011, when Apple officially introduced its highly successful second iPad generation. Since then, the tablet has been updated twice, but its appearance has hardly changed. The situation changed only with the appearance of a “younger brother” in the form of Apple models iPad mini, which not only brought fresh design ideas, but also determined the further development of the full-length version of the tablet.

As expected, external Apple view The iPad Air almost completely follows the outline of the mini version, only with reference to slightly larger dimensions, which, by the way, fully justify the new “Air” prefix, borrowed from the line of laptops. It has changed significantly compared to the previous generation, becoming thinner, more compact and lighter, and its shape has become more elongated and generally more neat and modern due to a significant reduction in the side frames (especially on the long side). The Apple iPad Air no longer evokes strong associations with a simple square photo frame.

The body of the device has acquired a more strict design: the corners are less rounded, the edges have lost their “sharpness” and become almost even, and the transition from the back to the sides has taken on quite sharp outlines. The now familiar chrome chamfer along the contour of the front panel has also appeared. Color scheme The tablet began to comply with the latest solutions from Apple. It includes two options: Silver and Space Gray, which now differ not only in the color of the front side.

On the design side, the Apple iPad Air has not undergone any changes. The tablet is made of durable anodized aluminum, providing a high level of rigidity, and is complemented by tempered Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which covers the entire front side. In the 4G version of the device, in the upper part of the case you can also find a small plastic insert, under which the antennas of the communication modules are hidden.

The materials used leave a very pleasant tactile sensation, but their condition must be constantly monitored. Every now and then the tablet becomes covered with multiple fingerprints, and the aluminum “back” tends to leave a couple of scratches as a souvenir if handled carelessly. However, all these shortcomings pale in comparison with the main advantage of the 5th generation of Apple tablets, namely weight. The Apple iPad Air has dropped a lot in this regard - only 478 grams versus 662 grams for the 4th generation Apple iPad. Even the main competing model represented by Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) is larger - 544 grams, and this despite the fact that the “galaxy” body is made of plastic.

The build quality is traditionally at the highest level: there are no backlashes, no gaps, no creaks when twisting and pressure is within reasonable limits - everything fits together very well. However, the glass, which has become thinner to reduce the weight of the device, still presses a little, and when tapped it creates a kind of dull sound, as if the tablet inside is completely empty.

The location of all elements on the body remains in the same places, only the sizes of the control buttons have changed - now they are metal and have a slightly smaller thickness. In the upper part of the front side, almost entirely dedicated to the 9.7-inch screen, there is a front camera with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels and an ambient light sensor. At the bottom is the traditional Home button, which, unlike Apple iPhone 5s did not receive a Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

Most of the top edge is occupied by a black plastic insert, in the center of which there are holes for a paired microphone (the second microphone goes out to the back of the tablet, as does, to a small extent, the insert itself). In addition, on the top there is a power/lock button and a 3.5 mm audio jack. On the bottom edge there is a proprietary Lightning port and two perforated grilles that hide the stereo speakers.

The left side of the tablet remains empty, while on the right there are volume buttons, a small lever that, by default, blocks changing the screen orientation, as well as a slot for a Nano-SIM format SIM card.

Exactly in the center of the back of the Apple iPad Air you can see a relatively large mirrored manufacturer’s logo, and in the upper part of it you can see the main camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels and a fragment of a plastic insert. At the bottom there is a laser print of the device name (without the “Air” prefix) and a very short Technical information, including the exact model name, country of manufacture, certification marks and several identification and serial numbers.

The Apple iPad Air, like the two previous generations of tablets, is equipped with a proprietary 9.7-inch Retina screen, which is based on an IPS matrix with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. The pixel density is 264 ppi. This is quite enough for of this type devices. To protect the display, tempered glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is used, which has an effective anti-glare filter and high-quality oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating. In this case, there is an air gap between the glass and the surface of the matrix.

At first glance, all the characteristics remained unchanged, but the technology of its production, namely parts of the active liquid crystal layer, has changed significantly. Now used relatively new technology IGZO (derived from the main components - indium, gallium and zinc oxide), developed by the Japanese JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency). Unlike traditional a-Si technology based on amorphous silicon, it allows not only to create transparent thin-film transistors that are much smaller in size, but also to significantly increase the pixel density. It also helps reduce power consumption by eliminating the need to constantly update transistor states when displaying a static image.

Overall, the display is very good and leaves an extremely pleasant impression. Viewing angles are maximum both vertically and horizontally, and the color distortion characteristic of IPS matrices in extreme diagonal positions is practically absent. The color rendering quality of the screen can please you with bright colors with a natural level of saturation, despite the extremely slight shift in color temperature to “cool” shades. The contrast level, although not record-breaking, is quite high and provides an acceptable display of the black field.

The display backlight has a very wide range and is adjustable both manually and automatically. True, there are also some peculiarities: the automation only works to increase and does not regulate the degree of illumination when manual installation maximum brightness level. Therefore, the most optimal solution is to set the brightness control at 30-50%. When choosing the maximum brightness value, reaching about 360 cd/m2, you can work outdoors without any problems, even under very bright sun. At the minimum value, which is about 10 cd/m2, you can safely read your favorite books without fear of excessive eye strain. The backlight uniformity is good: in some places there are very slight highlights only at the very edge of the display.

The capacitive touch substrate has very good sensitivity and can easily process a number of gestures familiar to the operating system. It is worth noting the very smooth sliding of the finger along the protective glass. But there is no way to work with gloves, even thin ones.

Among the display settings, there are only a couple of functions: adjusting the brightness and changing the background image for the desktop and lock mode.

With the advent of the Apple iPad Air, the full-length version of the tablet finally acquired two stereo speakers capable of providing quite noticeable surround sound. True, you can only hear it in portrait orientation of the device, since both speakers are located on the bottom edge of the case. The sound itself is loud and clear even at the maximum level. Low frequencies practically none, but there is a hint of them. The mids and highs are well balanced and have decent detail, thanks to which you can watch a movie or listen to music without the need to connect headphones or external speakers.

The tablet's sound settings are not rich. They are limited to the choice of sounds for various types notifications and adjusting the volume level, and only for calls and reminders (the overall level is adjusted using the volume control buttons or using the panel quick settings). In addition, you can enable playback of the device locking sound and keyboard clicks. Extra options(such as an equalizer, sound check function, or volume limiter) can be found in the music player settings.

The Apple iPad Air is equipped with two quite familiar cameras, which have already been found in previous generations of the tablet. The rear iSight camera is based on a 5-megapixel module with a back-illuminated sensor and is complemented by a five-lens optical system with an f/2.4 aperture. There is also support for fairly fast autofocus and electronic image stabilization (only during video recording). The maximum photo resolution is 3264 x 2448 (5 MP) with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Video recording is carried out in MPEG-4 format with a resolution of up to 1080p.

The front FaceTime HD camera is also based on a module with a back-illuminated sensor, but with a more modest resolution (only 1.2 megapixels) and a fixed focal length. The camera's viewing angle is not very wide, but quite sufficient for comfortable video communication. The maximum photo resolution is 1280 x 960, and the video is 720p.

The camera application has a very simple and intuitive interface, however, it does not provide a rich set of different functions and settings (for this you need to use third party applications). It is only possible to activate the HDR mode and change the shooting mode using a vertical swipe - one for shooting video and two for photos (in a ratio of 4x3 and 1x1). From the camera application, you can go to view the footage, and through the system settings of the operating system, enable the display of the grid when shooting.

Examples of photography

Video examples

Daytime shooting in motion, 1080p 30 fps.

Daytime shooting, 1080p 30 fps.

Evening shooting, 1080p 30 fps.

The quality of the resulting material is pleasantly pleasing, despite the low resolution of the module used. Photos under favorable shooting conditions turn out to be quite detailed and have a pleasant color rendition. As the ambient light level decreases, noise becomes more pronounced and detail drops significantly. A similar situation is observed with video, although quality work The electronic stabilization system is still worth noting - minor shaking is almost completely neutralized.

User interface

The Apple iPad Air tablet runs the iOS 7 operating system, which has radically changed compared to the “six”, both from the visual side and from the technical side. The skeuomorphism with a relatively dark color scheme, beloved by many, has given way to bright, one might say, “rainbow” fills and gradients. The main system font has also changed - instead of the usual Helvetica, the more modern and subtle Helvetica Neue Ultralight is used, which makes a significant contribution to the concept of the new design.

By the way, at the time of writing this review, Apple began distributing an operating system update to version 7.0.6, which fixed a security problem that arose when checking an SSL connection.

The lock screen in iOS 7, having lost the dark stripes at the top and bottom, began to look neater and more consistent. However, his functionality not changed. The following are displayed here: current time and date, battery charge status, signal quality cellular network, as well as various notifications. To unlock the device, you need to swipe from left to right in any part of the screen, and to launch the camera application, pull the corresponding icon from bottom to top.

In addition, from the lock screen, as well as from the main screen, by swiping from the top edge you can open the traditional notification panel, and by swiping from the bottom you can finally open a full-fledged quick settings panel. With its help you can control the audio player, turn on/off modules wireless transmission data, put the device into do not disturb mode, block display orientation changes, launch stopwatch and camera applications, and control the overall volume level, display backlight level, and AirPlay function.

The main screen, which the user lands on after unlocking the device, has undergone virtually no functional changes in new version OS, but has changed a lot visually. So, a new, smoother and, unfortunately, longer animation has appeared, shortcuts system applications got completely redrawn icons, the display of folders became full-screen (there are no more “gaps”), and for the background wallpaper you can apply the so-called parallax effect, in which main screen becomes pseudo-voluminous. In addition, the Spotlight global search has changed its location and to access it you just need to swipe down on the main screen or any additional screen.

The appearance and functionality of the multitasking mode have significantly changed. It has acquired a full-screen interface in which running applications are displayed in the form of unique cards with intuitive controls. The mode is called up using the usual action (a four-finger gesture or double-clicking the Home button), but to close the application, you can now simply swipe the corresponding card up.

The operating system settings menu has completely retained its structure and has acquired several additional items.

Finally, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with additional “screenshots” of the OS.

Hardware platform and performance

The hardware platform of the Apple iPad Air tablet is represented by the proprietary Apple A7 processor, the main feature of which is the use of 64-bit ARMv8 desktop architecture and the presence of a special energy-efficient Apple M7 motion coprocessor for directly processing data from the gyroscope, accelerometer and digital compass. The main processor is manufactured in accordance with the standards of the 28-nm HKMG (High-k/metal gate) technological process and is equipped with two cores with a clock speed of up to 1.4 GHz. The L2 cache size is 1 MB. The coprocessor is manufactured on 90nm technological process and includes only one Cortex-M3 core (ARMv7-M) with a frequency of up to 150 MHz.

One of the latest solutions from Imagination Technologies - IT PowerVR G6430, codenamed “Rogue”, is used as a graphics accelerator integrated into the main processor. The accelerator has 4 cores (clusters) operating at a clock frequency of up to 650 MHz, and supports a number of important APIs: OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenGL 3.2 and DirectX 10.0.

Despite the use of an improved processor microarchitecture, the amount of RAM standard LPDDR3-1600 remains the same and is only 1 GB, while some Android devices already have 3 GB installed. The capacity of the built-in storage starts at 16 GB (with only 12.5 GB available to the user). There is traditionally no support for memory cards, so if funds allow, you should immediately pay attention to versions with more capacious storage: 32 GB, 64 GB or even 128 GB.

The performance of the latest Apple A7 hardware platform is really very high. Using only two cores with a frequency of up to 1.4 GHz, it is able to compete with flagship Android solutions based on 4-core or even 8-core processors with clock frequencies from 1.5 GHz. Of course, this advantage can be attributed to the more productive 64-bit architecture, but we should not forget about the highest degree of optimization of iOS - after all, it is created for the capabilities of only a few devices with a strictly defined hardware component.

In general, the Apple iPad Air works very quickly and, importantly, very smoothly. Drawing the interface and launching applications does not cause any complaints. As for demanding games, in some cases the tablet’s capabilities are insufficient. For example, this happens in Dead Trigger 2, when a large number of dangerous zombies gather on certain maps.

Under active and prolonged load, the tested model begins to heat up slightly (mainly along the long edge), but its temperature remains within very comfortable limits. There is no need to worry about the device becoming damaged during active use.

Communications

The version of Apple iPad Air (A1475) can please you with support for a full range of mobile networks, including 2G and 3G networks that are fully operational in Ukraine. Unfortunately, fourth generation (4G) networks are not yet available to residents of our country due to the lack of appropriate coverage. Third generation networks continue to develop and gradually provide all higher speed data transmission.

Yes, the fastest mobile access Internet access in Ukraine is provided by Intertelecom, which this moment implemented the widest 3G coverage area with support for EV-DO Rev.B access technology, providing maximum data transfer speeds of up to 14.7 Mbit/s (or up to 1.75 MB/s).

However, achieving such high speed results is quite difficult even in the open air in the city center. Maximum speed receiving data indoors was 4.5 Mbit/s, and sending up to 2.6 Mbit/s. Outdoors - up to 8 Mbit/s for reception and about 2.5 Mbit/s for sending.

To better demonstrate the speed of the 3G connection, we downloaded a 142 MB archive from the Dropbox service, as well as uploaded 10 photos taken on the Apple iPad Air to social network Facebook. In the first case it took 3 minutes 12 seconds, in the second - less than 5 seconds. Be that as it may, even this speed is pleasantly pleasing, especially in cases where there is not a single Wi-Fi point nearby.

As for local communication capabilities tablet, then they are quite standard: Bluetooth V4.0 with support for the A2DP profile and dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) Wi-Fi with support for 802.11 a/b/g/n protocols, Wi-Fi Hotspot function and spatial signal encoding method MIMO. Naturally, there is a proprietary AirPlay protocol for wireless media streaming between devices. There is also support for DLNA and Miracast standards, but they require the appropriate applications to work. But there is neither an NFC module nor a built-in IR transmitter for controlling various household appliances in the Apple iPad Air.

Wi-Fi data transfer speed ( wired connection 100 Mbit/s router supporting the 802.11n standard) shows very impressive results: up to 80 Mbit/s for receiving and up to 24 Mbit/s for sending. Searching for points and connecting to them is very fast, and established connection has good stability and does not try to “fall off” when strong interference appears.

The presence of a hardware GPS module with support for A-GPS and GLONASS is only available in the tablet version with built-in cellular modem, i.e. the so-called Wi-Fi + Cellular, and this should not be forgotten when choosing a device. The performance of the module is excellent, and the user’s location is determined almost instantly and quite accurately. The electronic compass also works great, determining the cardinal directions as accurately as possible.

Autonomous operation

Fifth generation of full-length Apple tablets, despite the noticeably reduced capacity of the battery used (8827 mAh (32.9 Wh) versus 11560 mAh (43 Wh) for the Apple iPad 4), it easily maintains battery life at the same level. This is a direct result of the more energy-efficient Apple A7 hardware platform and IGZO display technology. According to the manufacturer, the Apple iPad Air is capable of providing up to 10 hours of Internet browsing. Wi-Fi mode or when playing movies and music. But when accessing the Internet via a cellular network, this figure drops to 9 hours.

In real conditions, the battery life almost completely corresponds to the declared one - 9.5 hours of HD video viewing with Wi-Fi on and 50% display backlight brightness. IN game mode, for example, with Dead Trigger 2 running, the tablet can work for almost 4.5 hours at 100% screen brightness. This is a very good result, although the estimated operating time according to the GFXBench benchmark is 377 minutes, i.e. just over 6 hours. The time to fully charge the battery is traditionally slow and is about 4 hours.

If we talk about real everyday operating conditions when performing various tasks, the Apple iPad Air can survive for two to three days without any problems. If you use it only for sofa Internet surfing for several hours a day, then you can quite count on its operation for a week on a single battery charge.

Results

AppleiPadAir can rightfully be called one of best tablets on the market, both from the visual component, which has finally received the expected updated design, almost completely copied from the Apple iPad mini, and from the hardware platform, almost entirely inherited from the Apple iPhone 5S.

The tablet has become much more ergonomic, more compact, thinner and lighter. True, for this, the manufacturer had to sacrifice a small amount of battery capacity and use thinner protective glass, which begins to bend noticeably under pressure, and when lightly tapped, creates a slightly unpleasant dull sound. This is somewhat discouraging, because otherwise the device is almost perfect. It contains: a wonderful 9.7-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is based on energy-efficient IGZO technology and provides very high quality display; one of the most productive mobile platforms, which features a 64-bit dual-core Apple A7 processor with an Apple M7 motion coprocessor, as well as capacious battery, providing about 9-10 hours of battery life. In addition, the tested model with index A1475 can please you with full support mobile communications 3G and 4G (only the third generation is available in Ukraine) with a fairly good data transfer speed, as we were convinced of by testing the service from the Intertelecom operator.

There are no significant shortcomings in the Apple iPad Air, and those that exist are largely subjective. For example, the traditional lack of support for memory cards or the lack of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. A much more important issue in the process of choosing a tablet can be either its cost, which in our country is very significant (on average from 7000 UAH / $730 for the 4G version (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with 16 GB of internal memory), or personal dislike To Apple products and to the closed nature of the iOS 7 operating system, which encourages the purchase of legal content (music, movies, magazines and applications).

Advantages:

• updated appearance: lighter, thinner, more compact;
• excellent build quality, high body rigidity;
• excellent display with reduced side bezels;
• productive hardware platform - Apple A7 with Apple M7 coprocessor;
• full support for 3G and 4G mobile communications;
• high-quality stereo speakers;

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