TABLETS like the iPad Air are not simply larger smartphones or streamlined laptops – they occupy their own niche in between, for good and bad.
At least when it comes to Apple’s products, this distinction means that they are great at media consumption and good at productivity (your mileage may vary depending on the task) – but only to a point.
Apple’s need to use a separate OS for its iPads (and apps being limited to their App Store versions) means that MacBooks and iMacs will be the machines of choice when it comes to truly intensive workflows – especially as it pertains to editing video content.
That doesn’t even account for how pricey an iPad Air is when combined with a Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. You’ll also probably want a screen protector as well because of all the fingerprints the tablet will eventually accumulate. More affordable third-party versions are available, but the point still stands.
For the price of a complete iPad with all the trimmings, a discerning consumer could probably get a no-frills laptop that can handle their productivity and YouTube needs. Of course, these people are probably not the ones willing to shell out for an iPad as a first option.
Yes, there are workarounds and Apple veterans know all the shortcuts like the backs of their hands. But for newcomers to Cupertino’s family of devices, to fully coax the full potential of their shiny new tablets, they are going to have to go on a YouTube binge.
It’s possible this is just griping by someone who has used Windows devices going back to the mid-90s (Windows 95, baby). Even without learning the nuances of multitasking and file management, the iPad has plenty to offer as a device you just pick up and play.
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It feels right
Previous complaints notwithstanding, the thing about the iPad Air is that it just works. From the moment you pick it up and boot it up, resting your finger of choice on the Touch ID sensor and you’re greeted with iPadOS, it’s all so intuitive.
In the hands, it feels light, yet substantial. In this day and age, it is all too easy to take smartphones and tablets for granted but picking up and using an iPad can feel positively sci-fi.
It’s a piece of technology that was futuristic just a couple of decades ago and now it can be used to send out as many silly gifs and memes as your heart desires.
Outside of the micro-dot LED display of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, there isn’t a better screen on a tablet – and there likely won’t be a better one until Apple goes all-in on OLEDs.
The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display on the iPad Air is a beautiful screen to look at. Movies, YouTube videos, or pictures (either those taken by the tablet itself or from an iPhone), all look good.
Sure, it doesn’t have HDR or it’s not in 4K, and it doesn’t have a high refresh rate, but those things are more premium than what most consumers need (with the exception of high frame rates, which Apple’s rivals already have available).
Note-taking is also a major strength, either with the optional Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard, though the keyboard is preferable to old hands used to working with computers. With the native Notes app or any number of third-party apps like MindNode and Notion, productivity is a snap.
There’s just something tricky when it comes to using the pencil. Again, it’s one of those things that works better with a lot more practice, and if you’re an illustrator or at least artistically inclined, it can definitely be a lot more rewarding.
Considering that a decent chunk of the last six months has been spent in various lockdowns, the portability of the iPad Air hasn’t really been taken advantage of. However, not being in the office means more video calls.
Whether it be Zoom, Webex, or Teams, the iPad is as close to an ideal video conferencing option as there is.
Ultimately, if you’re more budget-minded, there are more affordable tablets or even laptops that are suited to your productivity needs. But with the iPad Air, Apple offers its renowned build quality and an excellent screen in a product that nearly anyone can pick up and use with ease. – The Vibes, September 14, 2021
