Apple has done it again. Their latest iPad, the iPad Air, is blazing
fast, incredibly lightweight and the envy of all other tablets.
But that doesn?t mean you have to buy one. I?m Donald Bell, and
in this Top 5 I?ll be counting down five reasons you may want to
hold off on the iPad Air.
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5. Your old iPad
Starting off at #5: Because your old iPad is fine. Apple loves to
show us images of people using their iPads to make scientific
breakthroughs or Facetime chat from the top of a mountain -- but
most of you are just using your iPad to browse Facebook from
the toilet. An A7 processor is not going to make that experience
any more extraordinary, or any less shameful.
4. Android
At #4: Android. The iPad has the name brand, but Google is
winning in market share. More of you are choosing Android
tablets over iPads, and for good reason. Android tablets offer
more features, more screen size options, and some of the best
prices around. $500 in the Android world could buy you a Nexus
10 with 32GB of storage and a suite of cloud-connected software
and productivity tools that people actually use.
3. No Touch ID
Coming in at #3: No Touch ID. The fingerprint reader on the new
iPhone 5S is the coolest thing we?ve seen from Apple in years,
but they didn?t include it on the iPad Air. In typical fashion, Apple
did just enough to the iPad to keep you interested while
deliberately withholding features for the next update. So, spoiler
alert: the iPad Air 2 will have a faster processor, a better camera,
and will include Touch ID. So why not just wait for that one?
2. Price (16GB isn?t even a realistic option)
The #2 reason NOT to buy an iPad Air: Price. How in 2013 do
you justify selling a tablet with just 16GB of storage for $500? So
we?re probably really talking paying $600 for the 32GB model, an
extra $130 for cellular data so that you can wave at your loved
ones over Facetime from the top of that mountain you?ll never
climb, $69 for the case, $100 for the AppleCare+, and $100 for a
Bluetooth keyboard, and you now could have bought a MacBook
Air with 128GB of storage. It just doesn?t make sense.
INTER: That said, I know how these decisions go. Right now I?m
that little voice of reason over here trying to help you hold on to
your money and think this thing through logically. But Apple has
never sold a product to that guy.
The impulsive one on your other shoulder -- as soon as this
video?s over, he?ll be the one reminding you of how pretty this
thing is -- the thrill of showing it off to your friends, and the
embarrassment you feel taking your old iPad out in public.
So make no mistake, the iPad Air is a great tablet. You may go
broke buying one, but you probably won?t regret it.
1. iPad Mini
But before you hit that checkout button, here?s one last reason to
just say ?no?. At #1: the iPad Mini with Retina Display, a.k.a. the
iPad Mini 2, a.k.a. the iPad you can afford.
You think iPad Air is light? The Mini weighs a ? of a lb less. This
thing is the real iPad Air. You get the same A7 processor, same
Retina-quality display, and all the same software. You?ll have to
live with a slightly smaller screen, but it?s a minor sacrifice for the
price. $399 for the base model, $499 for the 32GB version I
would buy.
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So there you have it, 5 reasons to pass on the Apple iPad Air.
But what do I know? For CNET?s full rundown on the iPad Air
and the new iPad Mini, be sure to check out the full reviews over
on CNET, where we also have a list of the best Android tablet
alternatives. Or, for more Top 5?s from me, Top5.CNET.com.
I?m Donald Bell, thanks for watching.
