Apple iPad Air 2

"Like birthdays and paying taxes, each year we can expect a tablet refresh from Apple. Their latest model, the iPad Air 2, is headlined as thinner and lighter than before. But is this enough to reverse declining iPad sales? Well, thankfully, the iPad Air 2 does include a few extra features and refinements to make things more interesting.

Beginning with its design, the iPad Air 2 is approximately 18% slimmer and 6% lighter than its predecessor. While this redesign does offer some improved handling and portability, the difference is barely noticeable by comparison. However, in order to achieve a 6.1mm thin chassis, Apple fused three layers into one. As a result, the display is more firm and touch-responsive while also offering more vivid color and contrast. The iPad Air 2 also has a fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating. These two new additions have never before been featured in any previous iPad tablet model.

The iPad Air 2 now includes the A8X chip to deliver better CPU and graphics performance. Though the difference in speed is minor, yet more than two-times faster nonetheless. The latest Air tablet also comes with the brand's breakthrough Touch ID technology for added security. Again, this feature too is new to the iPad line-up.

Alongside the redesign came with it some slight changes to the tablet's features. First and foremost, the iSight camera has been boosted from 5 to 8 mega-pixels. Plus, the new camera now includes slo-mo, time-lapse and Burst mode features. Next, the dual microphones have been moved to either side of the rear-camera. The mute-lock has been removed and the speakers are now just a single row of holes rather than two. Unfortunately, audio flow remains a weak point in the iPad tablet.

Overall, power-users can appreciate the new iPad Air 2 tablet. However, the changes are probably not enough to warrant swapping out your original iPad Air model. But those new to the market, as well as owners of iPad 4 and older generations, may surely want to consider purchasing the most up-to-date big iPad tablet, which may easily be worth its weight in gold. And speaking of, the iPad Air 2 tablet now comes in a gorgeous white gold-like finish, in addition to the standard, sleek space gray and silver versions. "