Yesterday Apple announced changes to its own Apps, iLife and iWork, launched OS X Mavericks for Macs with support on some really old devices dating back to 2007, launched 2 new iPads and new smart cover and cases, the iPad Air and iPad Mini Retina, updated its MacBook Pro line and introduced the new Mac Pro.
If you want to read all about the new hardware and software in crazy detail, go to http://www.Apple.com .
So what’s my view on all this Apple news. Simply, it is one of unity and trying to deliver a complete eco system across media, productivity and all hardware regardless as to whether you are using a Mac, iPhone or iPad.
Apple does not want you to use other services, or other cloud services os by offering free software and software updates it accelerates this unity towards an even stronger one eco system reliance. And from what I have seen it is going to do this really smoothly and slickly.
And then the was the new full size iPad, renamed as the iPad Air, and at its thickness of 7.5mm and weighing 469g it is seriously thin and light. I previously owned the Sony Z Tablet which weighed 495g and that was amazing, but the iPad Air is a much smaller profile too and has smart covers, something the Z Tablet could have done with.
Most people might sway towards the iPad Mini Retina as it is a smaller more portable affair. It also has the identical spec compared to the iPad Air, just a smaller screen and naturally weighs less at 331g. The retina Mini is a fraction thicker than the old Mini but it is hardly noticeable. But don’t lose sight of having a larger screen on a lightweight frame will really be a wow moment.
But, here is an interesting fact. The iPad Air has a 264 ppi screen resolution vs the iPad Mini Retina which comes out at 326 ppi. So the Mini screen will look better as it is smaller. As a comparison the Sony Z Tablet 10.1 inch is 224 ppi and the Google Nexus 7 2013 is 323 ppi so practically identical to the iPad Mini Retina.
Also surprising is the fact that both iPads are now available in 128gb memory capacities.
And the one fact with Apple that no other company has learnt to do, is make an announcement on a new product/updates and then immediately or within a week or two, you are able to buy the new product. Apple has made the iPad Air available on 1st November and all the new MacBook’s from today. That is fantastic.
But really, my question is which iPad would you buy and why?
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 
Thank you Gavin for your thoughts and comments. As always a much better read to the larger papers shoved down our throats.
Apple certainly have the whole system of manufacture, deliver and constant update so fluidly contained, it is almost like written love poetry.
It is part this and the fact the titles available far outshine Android that I will have no hesitation in upgrading my iPad 4 64GB Wifi only to this time an iPad Air 128GB SIM & Wifi model.
Yes it will cost more than £700 but considering my iPad 4 has taken over 90% of time away from my laptop I then have no questions in justifying the change….. That and the iPad 4 will find a happy home with my Wife, who in turn will hand down my Samsung 10.1 Note to our granddaughter.
Mike
LikeLike
Great insights Gavin.
Not sure how the British public will respond to the new Retina Mini, I think people will buy the old Mini in greater numbers because of the price reductions.
LikeLike
To answer your question – none of them. My full size ipad 3 is still fine and there’s still so much it doesn’t do I end up using my MacBook more than I use the iPad. My ipad purchase last year was an ipad mini and the screen on that is fine (perhaps it’s my eyes but I’ve certainly no need for retina on it). I was amused by them having made all the fuss about the ipad air being smaller and lighter they didn’t mention the ipad mini retina dimensions – with the mini being bigger and heavier this year (no doubt because of the screen).
LikeLike