iPad model comparison

Hello,

The biggest difference will be in the amount of software you can keep in memory meaning your applications will stay open longer as well as allowing you to use several applications at the same time. Newer iPad models running iPadOS 13 can even run multiple instances of the same application which means that you would be able to have more than 1 Numbers spreadsheet open at the same time. It is really great at how well it works! I use Numbers on my iPad as my main spreadsheet application and it is great that I can have 3 spreadsheets open simultaneously. You would also be able to keep larger amounts of information in a spreadsheet without it bogging down the system.

While I do not know what all is in your typical spreadsheet, if you are able to get by on an iPad Air (1st generation) then Apple’s new iPad (7th generation) will be a phenomenal upgrade. If you can afford it you may look into the iPad Air (3rd generation) as it has a slightly larger display with much better computer internals meaning your spreadsheets will function much faster.

Both iPad (7th generation) and iPad Air (3rd generation) work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard so you would be able to input data much like a desktop computer. With iPadOS 13 you can even use a mouse. While I am writing this post I have Safari, Notes, Mail, and a TV window open simultaneously while using a mouse and keyboard. It is truly remarkable at what you can do on an iPad. You can even connect a USB external storage device (such as a hard disk or flash drive) to store your documents.

Your iPad Air has an A7 processor (this be the first generation 64-bit CPU) and only 1GB RAM; if updated to the newest available version of iOS for your iPad Air, it will max-out at iOS12.4.3. You may have noticed a obvious “hit” to performance as you upgraded from iOS11.x to 12.x.

The biggest contributor to diminished performance is your available RAM. Both the OS and Apps have themselves moved-on considerably over the lifespan of your iPad (originally released with iOS7.x installed - which placed significantly less demand upon CPU and RAM) requiring more of the limited RAM resources in order to run.

Assuming that, insofar as you can, you’ve been keeping iOS up to date, your iPad will be struggling to cope with growing RAM requirements. Additionally, core native Apps, such as Numbers, will be increasingly behind the functional capabilities and features of anything running iPadOS/iOS13.

Current iDevices have at least 2GB of RAM - this being the minimum requirement to run iPadOS/iOS13. Any current device (even the most modest) will significantly outperform your Air - and enjoy the functional improvements of the newer versions of iOS, notwithstanding your ability to keep your device up to date with security patches.

If you upgrade to a newer iPad, you will certainly notice a difference over your current Air; even the simplest of tasks, such as rendering a webpage, will (assuming your internet connection is not a limiting factor) render faster.

My advice, if you update to a newer device, is to purchase the newest version of CPU that you can afford - as this will extend the life of your investment as far as possible. At present, f you choose something with a A12 or later CPU, you should (hopefully) see a support lifespan of 4-5 years before finding yourself needing to consider replacement due to obsolescence.

I hope this insight might prove to helpful. Nobody likes having to update when hardware still, essentially, functional.

I understand your dilemma - certainly not a decision to be taken lightly. Consider the possible alternative of a cheap laptop that can perform the majority (if not all) tasks that you can complete on your iPad - and represents significantly less cost/risk if something goes wrong?

If you are importing - and have limited (if any) access to any warranty repairs - is having a warranty, of any length, of relevance to you? If a warranty is of importance, I guess you’ll need to balance the cost saving / reduced warranty period of a “reconditioned” (brown box) iPad - against the longer warranty period of a new (white box) item. If the chances of making a warranty claim in nil, then perhaps go for the cheapest alternative of a reconditioned model?

If buying outside of the Apple Authorised Reseller network, I suggest only buying from a “reputable” source. A lot of stolen devices are reported to appear in auction sites such as eBay.

I wish you all the very best in making your difficult choices.

Hello,

Specs and numbers don’t always indicate real world performance. Any of Apple’s iPad lineup will suit you just fine.

Hello,

What I meant by that is whichever iPad you decide to purchase it will be a great upgrade over your current iPad Air (1st generation).