Ipad air 1 sizes. Apple iPad Air - Specifications

About a year ago, Apple introduced the iPad Air tablet model, the characteristics of which were significantly updated. Everyone received such a device with a bang, and active sales began. Many people wondered why the word Air was added. But after we tried the tablet in use, we immediately realized that it really was “airy.” The company was able to surprise the then fans of this product. But when another year passed, it was necessary to come up with something new or bring the parameters of the old to unimaginable limits. It was for this purpose that the iPad Air 2 tablet appeared, the characteristics of which are more than progressive.

Among competitors' products there are models that are practically stepping on Apple's heels. But the company's management does not even think about competing with them. Because they have a more interesting development path. This is the direction of aesthetic perfection and minimalism in design. This is what attracts the majority of users who choose Apple tablet models.

Features of the iPad Air tablet

This is one of the thinnest devices in its class. The company's engineers managed to fit such characteristics of the iPad 5 Air into a small case that we can confidently say about it: it is productive and multifunctional. The body is made of aluminum, and this sets this model apart from other plastic competitors. The software is also at its best; every element is well thought out.

I would also like to say something about touch controls. It is so light and sensitive that after using it it is simply impossible to use other tablets. You have to get used to all sorts of restrictions.

The word “Air” in the name fully characterizes this device as light air. They really worked purposefully on this, and the result exceeded all expectations. The iPad Air, whose characteristics in terms of weight and dimensions surpassed all competitors, will hold its leadership position for a long time.

Tablet performance

For computing processes, a dual-core A7 processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz is used. There is 1 GB of RAM. In addition, the assembly includes an accelerometer, compass and gyroscope on a separate M7 coprocessor. The operating system is presented in the form of iOS 7.0. There is space available for user files ranging from 16 to 128 GB. Accordingly, the price of models with different memory differs significantly. You need to decide on memory before purchasing an Apple iPad Air, the characteristics of which do not allow for memory expansion via SD cards. This limitation is by no means new for this company, as is the impossibility of the user replacing the battery independently.

iPad Air screen

One of the advantages over competitors is the Retina screen. The iPad Air screen, whose technical characteristics are always pleasing, has long become to some extent a standard of quality. Its resolution is 2048×1536 pixels with a display diagonal of 9.7 inches. The detail of the picture is very good. Screen technology - IPS matrix with LED backlight.

The sensor is capacitive and works very smoothly. There is virtually no braking, and the controls are comfortable.

Camera

What are the camera specs on the iPad Air? It is a 5 megapixel matrix. With its help you can shoot high-quality videos and photographs. On the screen side it is set to 1.2 megapixels, which is designed to carry out video communication.

Communications and other functions

To connect to the Internet, the iPad Air (technical specifications indicate the presence of Wi-Fi) has a wireless connection. To connect with other devices, Bluetooth 4.0 will help. There is also a built-in A-GPS, which can determine the location very quickly.

The device is powered by a 32.4 W/h lithium polymer battery. It lasts for 5 hours of continuous work. If you play games, this time will be significantly reduced.

The dimensions of the tablet are 240x170x7.5 mm and weighs 480 grams. Such indicators greatly impress those who pick up a product from this brand for the first time. It seems that he is empty inside. The iPad Air, which has excellent specifications, is one of those models that set the momentum for other companies.

Overall in demand even a year after it was introduced. This suggests that the manufacturer knows how to create really high-quality devices that can be relevant for a long time.

It is worth noting that there is also a model with a smaller screen. This is an iPad Air mini, the characteristics of which look more modest in comparison with a tablet with a large diagonal. But the price of this option is significantly different.

iPad Air 2 Features

The new model of the successful tablet is designed to impress Apple fans. After the phenomenal success of the old model, it was replaced by the second version. Engineers tried to develop a tablet with extreme technical parameters that would serve as a significant separation from competitors. Judging by the iPad Air 2, the characteristics of which have changed, the update was more than successful.

Among the tablet's innovations, one of the most interesting is Touch ID technology and the ability to purchase the device in gold color. The first feature allows you to scan your fingerprint to identify the user. This function is integrated into the operating system and is required when performing critical operations.

The color scheme greatly enlivened the appearance, which was gray from year to year. Most users responded very well to this update.

Specifications

A processor with three cores at 1.5 GHz each is responsible for the computing part. It is helped by 2 GB of RAM. Everything is controlled by the updated iOS 8.1 OS. Compared to last year's model, the result is more than significant. And when you consider that the body has become even thinner, then this update turns out to be simply exceptional.

The new version no longer has a 32GB memory option. Available only in 16, 64 and 128GB. This decision was received ambiguously at the presentation of the device.

The screen of the new tablet was completely borrowed from the old model. It also has an effective anti-fingerprint finish. There is also an anti-glare coating that effectively counteracts the reflection of rays from the screen. It is worth noting the large viewing angles that the display shows us. Even with large tilts, the image looks quite natural.

The main camera was still made better. It is now 8 megapixels. When comparing images, the improvement is felt in the increase in detail.

But what is completely unexpected is the weight reduction compared to the old model. The characteristics have increased, but the weight has decreased. The developers clearly did a great job.

Placing Controls

The iPad Air tablet, the characteristics of which remain the same in terms of the arrangement of elements, demonstrates the company's commitment to established standards. On the front side there is traditionally a “Home” button, which is now installed. A front camera is installed in the upper part above the screen. It appears as a black dot on a white background.

The main camera is installed on the back side in the upper left corner. On the top edge you can see the power button. The headphone jack is located symmetrically relative to it. They are installed near the start button on the right edge. They represent a double key.

There are Apple iPad Air models whose technical characteristics allow the installation of a SIM card. The connector is installed on the right edge and is a slot that can be opened with a special clip.

In the lower edge in the center there is a socket for connecting a cable. On both sides of it are visible holes for loudspeakers. There are also two of them in this model.

Finger scanning

The new feature allows you to personalize your device. Almost every important action, such as changing settings and making purchases in online stores, can be configured with fingerprint confirmation. This innovation allows you to significantly protect user data, even if other people take possession of the device.

The function works smoothly and works correctly. Sometimes there are errors and you have to repeat the scan again, but this rarely happens.

Now all Apple devices have full synchronization through the Handoff and Continuity functions. They allow you to receive calls on the tablet when it is in your hands, and the phone is lying in another room on the table. Also, when working with documents or mail, you can switch from using a tablet to an iMac at any time. Of course, this is only possible using devices of this brand, as well as their proprietary software.

Generalized characteristics

The company is constantly improving its tablets. They have exceptional user characteristics, making them the most ergonomic. Some users cannot resist the Air 2 with competitors in the market for such devices. However, it must be borne in mind that the main desire of Apple is, first of all, the ease of use and aesthetics of the device. In addition, not all manufacturers use aluminum to make cases.

From this we can conclude that tablets of this brand should be classified as a separate class of devices, which should be assessed according to completely different criteria than the rest.

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. This, for example, happened with the new iPhone, and the same thing happened with the new iPad, which, however, still managed to present several pleasant surprises. One of them is the new name of the device - .

Specifications

Manufacturer

Apple

iPad Air (A1475)

Type, form factor

tablet, monoblock

Communication standards

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)

CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz)

LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26)

High speed data transfer

GPRS (32-48 Kbps), EDGE (236 Kbps), HSDPA (up to 42.2 Mbps), HSUPA (up to 5.76 Mbps), CDMA EV-DO (up to 14.7 Mbps /s) LTE cat.4 (up to 150 Mbit/s)

SIM card type

CPU

Apple A7: dual 64-bit ARM cores (ARMv8), up to 1.4 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache, 28 nm HKMG process

Graphics adapter

IT PowerVR G6430: 4 cores (clusters), up to 650 MHz, support for OpenGL ES 3.0, OpenGL 3.2 and DirectX 10.0

Coprocessor

Apple M7: single core Cortex-M3 (ARMv7-M), up to 150 MHz, 90 nm process technology

Retina: 9.7", 2048 x 1536 pixels (264 ppi), IPS+IGZO, touch (capacitive), multi-touch up to 5 touches, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3

RAM

1 GB LPDDR3-1600

Card reader

1 x 3.5mm mini-jack audio jack

Multimedia

Microphone

Main

iSight: 5 MP, BSI sensor, 5-element optics, f/2.4 aperture, autofocus, 1080p video recording

Frontal

FaceTime HD: 1.2 MP, fixed focus, 720p video recording

Communication capabilities

802.11a/b/g/n, dual band (2.4 / 5 GHz) and MIMO

Navigation

GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS

3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass

Battery

Lithium polymer, non-removable: 8827 mAh, 32.9 Wh, 3.73 V

Charger

Output parameters: 5.2 V DC e.g. 2.4 A, 12 W

Input parameters: 100~240 V AC eg at 50/60 Hz

240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm

"Space Gray"

operating system

(update to iOS 7.0.6 available)

Official guarantee

12 months

Products webpage

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 the highly successful second generation iPad. Since then, the tablet has been updated twice, but its appearance has hardly changed. The situation changed only with the advent of its “younger brother” in the form of the Apple iPad mini, which not only brought fresh design ideas, but also determined the further development of the full-size version of the tablet.

As expected, the appearance of the Apple iPad Air almost completely follows the outlines 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. The color scheme of the tablet began to correspond to 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, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition), has more weight - 544 grams, and this despite the fact that the “galaxy” case 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 the 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, at 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 engraving of the device name (without the “Air” prefix) and very brief 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 this type of device. 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 the relatively new IGZO technology (derived from the main components - indium, gallium and zinc oxide), developed by the Japanese JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) is used. 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 adjust the degree of illumination when manually setting the 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. There are practically no low frequencies, but a hint of them is present. 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 selecting sounds for various types of notifications and adjusting the volume level, and only for calls and reminders (the overall level is adjusted using the volume control buttons or through the quick settings panel). In addition, you can enable playback of the device locking sound and keyboard clicks. Additional settings (such as an equalizer, sound check, 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, although 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 a 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 the high-quality work of 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, its functionality has not changed. The following are displayed here: the current time and date, battery charge status, cellular network signal quality, 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 wireless data modules, put the device into “do not disturb” mode, block changes in display orientation, launch stopwatch and camera applications, and also control the overall volume level, the level of display backlighting and the AirPlay function.

The main screen, which the user lands on after unlocking the device, has undergone virtually no functional changes in the new version of the OS, but has greatly changed visually. Thus, a new, smoother and, unfortunately, longer animation has appeared, system application shortcuts have completely redrawn icons, the display of folders has become full-screen (no more “breaks”), and for the background wallpaper you can apply the so-called parallax effect, in which the 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 using a 90 nm process technology 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 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 capable of real competition with flagship Android solutions that are based on 4-core or even 8-core processors with clock frequencies of 1.5 GHz or more. 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 increasing data transfer speeds.

Thus, the fastest mobile access to the Internet in Ukraine is provided by Intertelecom, which has currently implemented the widest 3G coverage area with support for EV-DO Rev.B access technology, providing a maximum data transfer speed 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. The maximum data reception speed indoors was 4.5 Mbit/s, and sending speed 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 the 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 the local communication capabilities of the tablet, 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 functions and MIMO signal spatial coding method. 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.

Data transfer speeds over Wi-Fi (wired connection 100 Mbit/s, router supporting the 802.11n standard) show 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 occurs very quickly, and the 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 a 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

The fifth generation of full-size 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) easily maintains the same battery life 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 can provide up to 10 hours of browsing the Internet in 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 gaming mode, for example, with Dead Trigger 2 running, the tablet can work for almost 4.5 hours at 100 percent 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 the best tablets on the market, both in terms of the visual component, which has finally received the expected updated design, almost completely copied from the Apple iPad mini, and in terms of 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 display quality; one of the most productive mobile platforms, which is represented by a 64-bit dual-core Apple A7 processor with an Apple M7 motion coprocessor, as well as a capacious battery that provides about 9-10 hours of battery life. In addition, the tested model with the A1475 index can please you with full support for 3G and 4G mobile communications (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 the closed nature of the iOS 7 operating system, which encourages the purchase of legal content (music, films, 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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Having studied all the iPad models and their characteristics, you can understand how the technologies for creating Tablet PCs have developed and progressed from 2010 to the present day.

After all, these famous gadgets, both a few years ago and now, are equipped with the most modern parts. And you can see development from them.

Moreover, some analysts suggest that iPads will eventually be the first to displace a significant part of desktop computers from the market, surpassing them, if not in power, then at least in mobility and ease of use.

iPad 1

The first iPad went on sale in 2010 and became a truly revolutionary gadget that received many technologies that other tablet PCs did not have at that time - an IPS display and a powerful gigahertz Apple A4 processor.

High operating speed, a screen with a diagonal of almost 10 inches and a capacious 6667 mAh battery made the iPad 1 popular.

However, it was still just an experimental model, with a number of shortcomings and shortcomings.

Among the disadvantages of the device were the relatively short operation time on a single charge - even such a battery was not enough for the large display and the resource-intensive iOS operating system.

In addition, the iPad was quite thick by the standards of other tablets and did not come with a camera, which is why it could not be used for video chatting.

But its body has rounded edges and stylish volume control buttons on the right side.

The developers’ original solution was the button for switching lock modes and screen orientation, which lights up green when turned on.

Another impressive characteristic is the tablet’s built-in memory, the maximum capacity of which was 64 GB.

Although the rather modest RAM parameters did not allow installing more modern versions on the tablet.

Technical specifications:

  • Screen size: 9.7 inches;
  • resolution: 768 x 1024;
  • processor: single-core, 1000 MHz;
  • cameras: none;
  • memory capacity: 256 MB RAM and from 16 to 64 GB built-in;
  • Battery capacity: 6667 mAh.

iPad 2

The next generation of iPad, which appeared in 2011, was more advanced and had many fewer shortcomings.

First of all, this concerned the amount of RAM that had increased to 512 MB - quite enough to run modern applications and install new operating systems.

In addition, the model received two cameras at once - the main one with 0.69 megapixels. and frontal with resolution (640 x 480), gyroscope and dual-core processor.

Most other characteristics, except for a more powerful processor, remained at the same level. Visually, the gadget was distinguished by the edging of the Home button, which matched the color of the body.

Tablet parameters:

  • screen: 1536x2048 pixels, 7.9 inches;
  • chipset: 2 cores, 1300 MHz;
  • cameras: 5 and 1.2 megapixels;
  • memory: RAM – 1 GB, ROM – 16, 64 and 128 GB;
  • Battery capacity: 6471 mAh.

Another plus is the most affordable price in the entire history of the series. The basic version of the model can be purchased for only $329.

At the same time, decent capabilities and quite affordable prices allow the gadgets to compete well with the top versions of other manufacturers.

And not only among fans of Apple products, but also among users who prefer high performance and modern technologies.

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 that's not all the winning features of the iPad 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 networks, and the user can access the Internet 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 - a detailed review of the 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 the 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 always comes with a 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 the new tablet is really different 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 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 make a 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 all versions of the iPad, 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 operating system version iOS 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 turned on, 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 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, in extreme cases, when not just one new model came out 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.

In this article we will discuss one of the most important characteristics of the iPad - screen diagonal. 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. 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

The time has come to highlight tablets that are close to modern standards of top-end 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 the 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 this is all during active use using wireless elements, while 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, there are also more significant distinctive points compared to the previous version and competitors. 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.