2022 Apple 10.9-inch iPad Air (Wi-Fi, 64GB) - Space Grey (5th Generation)

I purchased this to replace my sons Apple iPad Air 2 that was still going strong but was getting a little long in the tooth, Apple have really nailed the whole market for having to replace devices regularly to get the best software and support. I generally replace my Apple devices to ensure they are supported for the next few years. The device itself is not that much different from previous ones when it comes to looks or feel when in the hand. It's nice to have a tablet a bit lighter than my past Android tablets. One thing of note is that a lot of modern Andoid tablets compare much more favourably with the iPad in everyway and Apple has lost a lot of the lead it had with regards to its hardware. My brand new Lenovo tablet is easily the iPads equal in most ways like size, weight, etc. Obviously, the major draw for the iPad is the software and it is still more intergrated and user friendly than Android (Although the gap is shrinking). It looks great on the bright and vibrant screen and the performance is as good as ever, I personally have not noticed any real improvement over recent iPads but that can partly be attributed to the smoothness and optimisation of the iPadOS especially now they have seperated it from the phone OS. The only real issues are the quality of the finger print sensor (sometimes it can be very unresponsive) and the new gesture controls following the removal of the home button (They can be confusing and awkward if you are not used to them and they can take a while to get used to. They still lag behind some Android devices since they have refined gestures over a longer period). You pay a big premium for this iPad over the miriad of other options on the market especially if you go for the higher storage models but you know what you are getting and you are guaranteed to get something good and of high quality, so if that appeals to you then it is a easy choice to make.

My original iPad was WiFi only and I thought that I could get by using tethering to my iPhone's hotspot. When travelling, I found that: The iPhone doesn't pass across the location and WiFi-only iPad's don’t have a GPS chip. This causes problems with apps such as mapping, satnav and weather. Tethering runs down the iPhone’s battery fast. Often, it doesn’t automatically resume a connection to the iPhone’s hotspot. The pad always thinks that it’s on an unmetered network when tethered. Blew through my iPhones data allowance when it decided to do an update! I saved money by buying from Amazon rather than Apple. The M1 chip should future-proof it a little. Still eyewateringly expensive! (Got twice the offered trade-in price when I auctioned the old one)

I got this tablet as a Christmas gift for my sibling - they had an analog Bamboo graphic tablet for digital art however it was not cutting it. Needless to say, combined with an Apple Pencil, the iPads are a great tool for creatives. Combined with software like Procreate this turns a tablet into an artist's toolbox. The build and screen quality are great, and iOS makes sure this thing runs super fast. Very happy with my purchase - like most Apple products they are a bit pricey but retain their value quite well and for what you get, in my opinion, it's well worth the investment.

For the last 5 years my previous iPad was stuck in a drawer because I was finding that a combination of iPhone and Mac met my needs. However, I was spending long hours at my desk (which did nothing for posture) or tapping emails and documents on my iPhone (bad for eyesight and plenty of predictive text awkward words for thought or I mis-read) (also bad for RSI). Increasingly I handle home and work tasks on my phone and when I go away I lug my laptop. ‘Lug’ because although it is lightweight, once the fast charger cable and shock protection case are added in it becomes more cumbersome. Three days ago I started something off relaxed on the bed but it was slow and I was squinting so I had to treck to the study. I couldn’t figure out why I had stopped using the iPad, which by now was gathering dust. It is still okay but I compared screen size and weight with the Air 5th generation and decided that I could justify upgrading. I did look at the larger Pro (12 inch diagonal) but it was seven ounces heavier and larger screen size obviously means larger item of kit. Also the Pro has a lot of elements that are of use for graphic designers and the like and would be wasted in terms of my needs. Here I am. Moved data across to new iPad, synchronised Dropbox and Mail and I have a larger screen (enough to make a difference) and the latest in hardware. I use Mac dictate where suitable - it wasn’t safe on the iPhone because I failed to spot inaccuracies due to the screen size. I also took the plunge and bought a Magic Keyboard for work such as spreadsheets where I find it very difficult to handle on a tablet. Why a Mac tablet? Because there just seems to be more thought into the ergonomics and operating system. Also because I have been on a Mac desktop for several years and it is very reliable. I have full integration across 4 Mac devices (phone, tablet, laptop and desktop). Is the 5th generation a sea change? It is more an evolution but with a distinct and yet intangible difference. I usually upgrade every third year because year on year the changes are too small to justify the outlay even though I can get something on trade in. Has it changed my life compare with using the five year old one? No but it just has a better feel. Apple generations are iterative and a tweak here and an extra facility there make for a better experience, just as with changing a car after a while. It still only gets you from A to B but the journey is easier. Why buy from Amazon? Saved a few bob but mainly because Amazon is very good on the rare occasion I need to return an item. By contrast, Apple led me a merry dance when they delivered a piece of kit (a fast charger when I couldn’t find my laptop fast charger) and provided the wrong lead to go with it. All on a recorded call with Apple clearly stating the cable needed. If you are not sure which IPad you want, the Apple site offers a very clear side by side comparison and I read a coupe of technical reviews of the ‘which is best for your needs?’ type. Star rating is because I find Apple functionality faultless. It can take a while to convert from Microsoft or other operating systems but I quickly realised how well thought out the Max OS is. The stars are the same as for all Apple kit i have bought except the keyboard that goes with the desktop. I don’t get that but only because I like a large keyboard.

Excellent

Screen, sound and general performance is immense. Very slick, easy to set up and everything is in typical intuitive Apple fashion. I've upgraded from a Samsung Galaxy Tab which was awful in every respect, especially with games, but I needed a budget tablet at the time. Cellular iPad Air 2022 is great, but....I really miss the home button..... also, for the money, it really isn't any better than iPads 3-4 years ago.... This is all subjective of course! Annoyingly and reassuringly expensive.