iPad Air vs. older 9.7-inch iPads: Worth the upgrade?

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/","20131029204446","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1383079486"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>iPad Air vs. older 9.7-inch iPads: Worth the upgrade?</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/> <meta name="description" content="With the new iPad Air set to launch next week, you might be wondering whether it's worth the upgrade. 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margin-right: 9px;">MOBILE TECHNOLOGY</a> </div>  <h1 id="ar_title">iPad Air vs. older 9.7-inch iPads: Worth the upgrade?</h1> <div class="summary_details_left"> <p>By <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/author/will-shanklin/" rel="author">Will Shanklin</a></p> <p><em>October 24, 2013</em></p> </div> <div class="summary_details_right"> <div class="has_comments"><a href="ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2#comments">2 Comments</a></div> <div class="has_pictures"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures">20 Pictures</a></div> </div> </div> <div id="article_share_rail"> <div class="as_button"><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/" data-send="false" data-layout="box_count" data-show-faces="false"></div><script type="text/javascript">_ga.trackFacebook();</script></div> <div class="as_button"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="gizmag">Tweet</a></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="g-plusone" data-size="tall" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/"></div></div> <div class="as_button"><iframe style="overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; " src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446if_/http://badge.stumbleupon.com/badge/embed/5/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gizmag.com%2Fipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2%2F29532%2F" width="50" height="60" id="iframe-stmblpn-widget-1"></iframe></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="pin-it-button" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/" data-image="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2.jpg" data-description="With the new iPad Air set to launch next week, you might be wondering whether it's worth the upgrade. Or maybe you're eyeing a used model, and wondering if that's a good idea. Let Gizmag lend a hand, as we compare the new iPad Air to the 4th-generation iPad, 3rd-generation iPad, and the iPad 2."></div></div> <div class="as_button"><script type="IN/Share" data-counter="top"></script></div> <div class="as_button" id="reddit_button_rail"><script type="text/javascript">reddit_newwindow='1'</script></div> <div class="as_button" id="email_a_friend_rail"><span class="email_a_friend">Email</span></div> </div> <div id="hero_box" style="width: 530px;"> <a id="hero_link" href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2.jpg" title="Gizmag compares the features and specs of the iPad Air to the previous three full-sized iP..." width="530" height="298" alt="Gizmag compares the features and specs of the iPad Air to the previous three full-sized iP..."/></a> <div class="pic_caption"> <p>Gizmag compares the features and specs of the iPad Air to the previous three full-sized iPads</p> <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures" id="gallery_link">Image Gallery</a> (20 images) </div> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div> <div class="article_body"> <div id="top_unit"></div> <p>With the new <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/apple-ipad-air-announcement/29492/" target="_blank">iPad Air</a> set to launch next week, you might be wondering whether it's worth the upgrade. Or maybe you're eyeing a discounted or used older model, and wondering if that's worth saving a few bucks on. Let Gizmag lend a hand, as we compare the new iPad Air to the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-4-review/24849/" target="_blank">4th-generation iPad</a>, 3rd-generation iPad, and the iPad 2.</p> <ul id="gallery_images"> <li><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#1" class="image"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_tn/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-0.jpg" title="Battery watt hours for each of the last four full-sized iPads (Apple advertised 10 hours o..." alt="Battery watt hours for each of the last four full-sized iPads (Apple advertised 10 hours o..."/></a></li> <li><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#2" class="image"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_tn/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-1.jpg" title="This is how Apple described each of these iPads at launch" alt="This is how Apple described each of these iPads at launch"/></a></li> <li><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#3" class="image"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_tn/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-2.jpg" title="The iPad Air is still aluminum, but has a new look and finish" alt="The iPad Air is still aluminum, but has a new look and finish"/></a></li> <li><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#4" class="image"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_tn/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-3.jpg" title="Camera resolutions for the four recent iPads" alt="Camera resolutions for the four recent iPads"/></a></li> <li id="view_all"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures" class="blue">View all<br/></a></li> </ul> <div class="clear_both"></div> <h2>Branding</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#2" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-1.jpg" width="530" alt="This is how Apple described each of these iPads at launch"/></a></div> <p>What do you call your model of iPad? Don't ask Apple, as it keeps changing its mind. At the simplest level, it's always just been "iPad," but the way Apple described each particular model when it launched has changed with every generation.</p> <p>We've seen numbering with the iPad 2, newness with the 3rd-gen model, and Retina Displayness with the 4th-gen version (to differentiate it from the non-Retina iPad mini that launched beside it). And now it's "Air," to emphasize the new model's lighter build.</p> <p>When in doubt, just refer to the generation number, as that's how Apple now (retroactively) refers to the older iPads. You'll also hear "iPad 4" and "iPad 3" used casually.</p> <h2>Release date</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#15" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-14.jpg" width="530" alt="Original release dates for each iPad"/></a></div> <p>In case you're fuzzy about which model you have – or forgot how long you've been using your iPad – these are the dates that each model released.</p> <h2>Model numbers</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#11" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-10.jpg" width="530" alt="In case you aren't sure which iPad you have, look for one of these model numbers in tiny w..."/></a></div> <p>Still don't know which generation of full-sized iPad you have? Then you can look for the model number in the tiny print on the bottom of your iPad's backside, and check it against the above visual.</p> <h2>Still for sale?</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#13" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-12.jpg" width="530" alt="The 3rd- and 4th-generation iPads are technically obsolete, yet the iPad 2 lives on"/></a></div> <p>Somehow 2011's iPad 2 is still on the market, for US$400. The 3rd- and 4th-generation models are now kaput, though retailers are still offloading their iPad 4 stock. You can probably find some nice deals on that year-old model, if you keep your eyes open.</p> <h2>Size</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#8" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-7.jpg" width="530" alt="The iPad Air is nine percent narrower than the older models, and much thinner too"/></a></div> <p>The 3rd- and 4th-generation iPads are the exact same size. The iPad 2 is actually a little thinner than those two, but otherwise is identically proportioned.</p> <p>The new iPad Air is the biggest physical redesign since the tablet's inception. It's only a hair shorter than its predecessors, but is nine percent narrower. It's also 20 percent thinner than the iPads 3 and 4, and 15 percent thinner than the iPad 2.</p> <h2>Weight</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#19" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-18.jpg" width="530" alt="The iPad Air's killer feature: it's 28 percent lighter than the last iPad"/></a></div> <p>This is the iPad Air's killer feature. Apple managed to squeeze the same size 9.7-in screen into a body that's 28 percent lighter than the 3rd- and 4th-gen iPads, and 22 percent lighter than the iPad 2.</p> <h2>Build</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#3" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-2.jpg" width="530" alt="The iPad Air is still aluminum, but has a new look and finish"/></a></div> <p>Still aluminum all the way, though the appearance and finish of the iPad Air's back now matches that of the iPad mini.</p> <h2>Colors</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#6" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-5.jpg" width="530" alt="Colors that each Apple is/was sold in"/></a></div> <p>It's still basically black and white with the iPad Air, but since the colors on the back of the new iPad vary as well, "space gray & black" and "silver & white" it is.</p> <h2>Display</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#9" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-8.jpg" width="530" alt="The last three iPads have all had Retina Displays"/></a></div> <p>Every full-sized iPad has had a 9.7-in screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, and the iPad Air is no exception. It retains the Retina Display that the last two models had. The iPad 2 was the last pre-Retina model.</p> <h2>Storage</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#18" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-17.jpg" width="530" alt="Storage options originally available for each iPad"/></a></div> <p>These are the storage options that were available during each iPad's initial run. As the budget full-sized iPad, the iPad 2 has only been sold in a 16 GB model since March of 2012.</p> <h2>Wireless</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#20" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-19.jpg" width="530" alt="The cellular version of the iPad 2 was limited to slower 3G speeds"/></a></div> <p>The 3rd-generation iPad was the first Apple product that supported LTE. The cellular model of the iPad 2 only supports slower 3G data.</p> <p>The iPad Air also has some improved Wi-Fi capabilities, with multiple antennas, and supposedly delivers up to twice the performance of last year's iPad.</p> <h2>Cameras</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#4" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-3.jpg" width="530" alt="Camera resolutions for the four recent iPads"/></a></div> <p>The iPad Air's cameras have the same resolution as the iPad 4's, but Apple did mention some improved sensors in its presentation.</p> <h2>Processor</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#7" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-6.jpg" width="530" alt="The processor info for each of the iPad's chips"/></a></div> <p>If cores and clock speeds don't mean anything to you, then just know that the iPads above get faster as you move from right to left. Though the iPad 3's A5X has the same processor as the iPad 2's A5; that chip just added quad-core graphics to drive its Retina Display.</p> <h2>Motion coprocessor</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#12" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-11.jpg" width="530" alt="The new iPad Air has Apple's M7 motion coprocessor"/></a></div> <p>Apple included the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/apple-iphone-5s-review/29155/" target="_blank">iPhone 5s'</a> M7 motion coprocessor in the iPad Air. It can log data from your iPad's motion sensors, and compatible fitness apps can use that data without draining your battery. This makes sense on the iPhone, but not so much on an iPad (who works out with an iPad?), so we're suspecting the M7 has more to do with a future <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/apple-iwatch-late-2014-rumor/27623/" target="_blank">iWatch</a> than with fitness apps.</p> <h2>RAM</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#14" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-13.jpg" width="530" alt="RAM in the four recent iPads (we suspect the iPad Air also has 1 GB, but will have to wait..."/></a></div> <p>We'd bet on 1 GB of RAM in the iPad Air, but we'll have to wait for benchmarks and teardowns to know for sure.</p> <h2>Battery</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#1" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-0.jpg" width="530" alt="Battery watt hours for each of the last four full-sized iPads (Apple advertised 10 hours o..."/></a></div> <p>If the above battery Watt hours look like gibberish, then just know that Apple has always advertised the same 10 hours (web use over Wi-Fi) with each model. In our experience, those estimates are pretty sound.</p> <h2>Software</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#17" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-16.jpg" width="530" alt="You can upgrade to iOS 7 on all four of these iPads"/></a></div> <p>All four of these iPads now run the new iOS 7. Only the original iPad, which we left out of this comparison, got locked out of the iOS 7 action (it's forever stuck on iOS 5).</p> <h2>Siri</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#16" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-15.jpg" width="530" alt="All but the iPad 2 support Apple's Siri virtual assistant"/></a></div> <p>If you like to use Apple's virtual assistant on your iPad, then everything but the iPad 2 delivers. There's no technical reason why Siri can't run on an iPad 2 (jailbreakers can vouch for that), so it looks like Apple left it out just to make upgrading that much more enticing. Those rascals.</p> <h2>Charging cable</h2> <div style="width: 530px; height: 298px; " class="article_img"><a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/pictures#5" target="_blank"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2-4.jpg" width="530" alt="The older iPads use Apple's 30-pin charging cables"/></a></div> <p>Starting with the 4th-generation iPad, Apple dropped the old 30-pin connector, and replaced it with the smaller Lightning port. So if you're upgrading from the iPad 3 or 2, and you have charging docks or other accessories, you'll need a $30 adapter for your newer iPad.</p> <h2>Wrap-up</h2> <p>We've yet to put the iPad Air through the paces (it launches on November 1), so we can't definitively say whether it's worth the upgrade. But based on its features and specs, it looks like a rebirth of sorts for the full-sized iPad. It's so much lighter than the older models that its comfort in hand alone could potentially make it worth the upgrade. <em>Potentially</em>.</p> <p>Of course there's also the iPad mini. A <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-2-retina-display-announcement/29488/" target="_blank">new model with a Retina Display</a> will be launching sometime in November. If you're happy with its smaller screen, you could potentially save $100 and get it instead of the iPad Air.</p> <p>Unsure? Then you can check out our <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/retina-ipad-mini-vs-ipad-air/29503/" target="_blank">comparison of the iPad Air and the Retina iPad mini</a> or see how the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-vs-ipad-mini-2/29541/" target="_blank">two generations of the iPad mini compare</a>.</p>    <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446js_/http://static.fmpub.net/zone/7980"></script> <div id="bottom_unit"><span class="title">Post a Comment</span> <div class="dotsontop" id="comment_form_div"> <div id="comment_form" data-article="29532"> <div id="comments_login"> <form action="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/index.php" name="login_form" id="login_form" onsubmit="return false;"> <p class="bold">Login with your gizmag account:</p> <p id="login_status"></p> <label for="email">Email</label><input type="text" name="email" id="email" value=""/> <label for="password">Password</label><input type="password" name="password" id="password" value=""/> <input type="submit" value="Log In" class="med"/> <div id="options"> <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/register/">Register here</a><br> <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/new_password/">Forgotten your password?</a> </div> <input type="hidden" id="expired_comment" value=""/> </form> </div> <div id="facebook_login"> <p>Or <span class="bold">Login with Facebook:</span></p><br/> <div class="fb-login-button" data-scope="email" data-max-rows="1" data-onlogin="loginFUser(29532);" data-autologoutlink="true"></div> </div> </div> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div> </div>  </div> <span class="title share_bar">Share</span> <div id="article_share_bar" class="dotsontop share_bar"> <div class="as_button fb_as_button"><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/" data-send="false" data-layout="box_count" data-show-faces="false"></div><script type="text/javascript">_ga.trackFacebook();</script></div> <div class="as_button"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446/http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="gizmag">Tweet</a></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="g-plusone" data-size="tall" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/"></div></div> <div class="as_button"><iframe style="overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; " src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446if_/http://badge.stumbleupon.com/badge/embed/5/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gizmag.com%2Fipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2%2F29532%2F" width="50" height="60" id="iframe-stmblpn-widget-2"></iframe></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="pin-it-button" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2/29532/" data-image="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/ipad-air-vs-ipad-4-vs-ipad-3-vs-ipad-2.jpg" data-description="With the new iPad Air set to launch next week, you might be wondering whether it's worth the upgrade. Or maybe you're eyeing a used model, and wondering if that's a good idea. Let Gizmag lend a hand, as we compare the new iPad Air to the 4th-generation iPad, 3rd-generation iPad, and the iPad 2."></div></div> <div class="as_button"><script type="IN/Share" data-counter="top"></script></div> <div class="as_button" id="reddit_button_bar"><script type="text/javascript">reddit_newwindow='1'</script></div> <div class="as_button" id="email_a_friend_bar"><span class="email_a_friend">Email</span></div> </div>  <span class="title clear_left" id="author_byline_title">About the Author</span> <div class="dotsontop" id="authorcontainer">  <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/author/will-shanklin/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/author_profiles/181.jpg" alt="Will Shanklin" id="bio_pic"/> </a>   Will Shanklin covers consumer technology for Gizmag. He's previously written for Android Central, Geek, GottaBeMobile, Android Police, and The Huffington Post. <br/> He lives in New Mexico, U.S., with his lovely wife, Jessica.<br/>   <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/author/will-shanklin/">All articles by Will Shanklin</a> <span id="author_byline_links">   </span> <br class="clear_both"> </div>  <div id="tags"> <span class="title">Tags</span> <div class="dotsontop"> <ul> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/apple/" rel="tag">Apple</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/ipad/" rel="tag">iPad</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/ipad-air/" rel="tag">iPad Air</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/product-comparison/" rel="tag">Product Comparison</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/specs/" rel="tag">specs</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/tablet/" rel="tag">Tablet</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div> </div> <div id="bing_unit"></div>  <span class="title" id="comments">2 Comments</span> <div class="dotsontop"> <div id="comment-265459" class="a_comment"> <p>Excellent and very helpful article. I'm about halfway between "dummy' and "expert" as far as computer expertise and this article was in my opinion well written... Thanks </p> <span class="name">Maverick62</span><br> <span class="date"> 25th October, 2013 @ 11:48 am PDT</span> </div> <div id="comment-265711" class="a_comment"> <p>Very useful comparison. However I have the original iPad 1, it would have been even more useful if this model had been included as well. </p> <span class="name">rozel3</span><br> <span class="date"> 27th October, 2013 @ 08:08 am PDT</span> </div> </div>  <span class="title">Related Articles</span> <div id="related_articles" class="dotsontop"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/apple-4th-gen-ipad-a6x-chip/24679/" title="Apple has updated its full-sized iPad to 4th generation "> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204446im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/4th-gen-ipad.jpg" alt="Apple has updated its full-sized iPad to 4th generation "/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/apple-4th-gen-ipad-a6x-chip/24679/">Apple announces 4th gen iPad with new A6X chip</a> <p class="rel_date">23rd October, 2012</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20131029204446/http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-2-retina-display-announcement/29488/" title="The second iPad Mini 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