[Thorzdad]

So, my trusty 1st-gen iPad Air is starting to give up the ghost, and I’m looking at my options for a replacement. Looking at Apple’s refurb offerings, I’m kind of shocked at the price difference between the Airs and the standard iPad. The Airs are substantially more expensive.

The main reason I got the Air way back then was for the weight savings. At least back then, the difference was striking. Is the weight difference between Airs and not-Airs still as marked? How about performance differences between the two?

[reader50]

According to MacTracker, the weights are as follows:
1st gen iPad Air: 1.0 pounds. (what you're used to)
4th gen iPad from the same time: 1.46 pounds.
Current models:
10th gen iPad: 1.06 pounds
5th gen iPad Air: 1.02 pounds
4th gen iPad Pro 11-inch: 1.04 pounds
6th gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 1.51 pounds

Looks like they're mostly differentiated by screen size, and most are now about the same weight you're used to. I'd choose based on features, and not worry about the weight.

[andi*pandi]

I went with the non-air.... the weight is not really an issue and I still have a home buttan!

[ghporter]

Late to the party here.

While the weight of the iPad versus Air isn’t a real issue, the iPad Air is quite a bit thinner. This makes handling it different from handling the regular iPad.

I’m typing this on a third gen iPad Air, who’s battery is getting close to that decision point: replace the battery or replace the device. So I investigated how to change this unit’s battery. The iFixIt procedure for replacing the 3rd Gen iPad Air’s battery is rated at “difficult,” and has 64 steps. Wow, that’s a lot of steps. So my decision now is whether to have the battery replaced or buy a new iPad Air. I really like my Air, so it’s a difficult decision.