As well as launching their latest iPhones, the iPhone 5C and 5S, Apple have recently unveiled their new generation of iPads at an event held in San Francisco last month. The high-end iPad Air and Retina iPad Mini both feature significant enhancements, so here’s the lowdown on what they have to offer.
Starting with the iPad Air, this is the latest full-size iPad and it shares a few similarities with its predecessor the iPad 4 with its 9.7-inch screen (264ppi), 5-megapixel iSight camera and built-in memory which starts at 16GB and goes through to 128GB. However the iPad Air (so-called due to its lightweight build) is an impressive 30% lighter and 20% more slimline measuring just 7.5mm in depth compared to the iPad 4. Weighing in at only 469 grams, at the moment it’s also the lightest full sized tablet on the market.
Following on from the new technology in the iPhone 5S, the iPad Air also sports the ultra fast and powerful A7 chip with 64-bit architecture and the same M7 Motion Coprocessor (which is great news for those who like the many fitness apps available) as well as WiFi connectability and 4G connectivity. The iPad Air is now available in the UK with prices starting at around £399.
If you prefer a smaller sized tablet, Apple’s iPad Mini has also been updated and improved – the new model is known as the Retina iPad Mini. With a rich and vibrant 7.9-inch Retina touchscreen which gives it a resolution of 2048 x 1536 (326 pixels per inch), the Retina iPad Mini display is right up there with the full-size iPad Air.
The Retina iPad Mini is also powered by the new A7 chip which according to Apple is more than 4 times faster in comparison to the A5 chip which can be found in the first generation of iPad Minis. Like the iPad Air, the Retina iPad Mini also houses an M7 Coprocessor and offers better battery efficiency. As well as the original white colour choice, the new Retina iPad Mini is also available in ‘space gray’ with on-board storage options starting at 16GB and going up to 128GB. The Retina iPad Mini is priced from £319 upwards and is anticipated to be hitting stores in early 2014.
