Galaxy Nexus 9<\/strong>: which was released at just about this time. Unfortunately, none of the telcos offered this tablet alongside its packages – possibly at least on account that the LTE versions of it weren’t available yet.<\/p>\n iPad mini 3<\/strong>: Apple’s update to the Mini Retina I’ve already got, but from all counts, is a very minor bump with its addition of Touch ID.<\/p>\n iPad Air 2<\/strong>: Slimmer, more powerful version of the iPad Air from last year.<\/p>\n The new iPad mini 3 was dropped from consideration quickly: I really didn’t want another mini that was nearly identical to the one I’ve already got, specs wise. The decision came down to the Galaxy S 8.4 or the iPad Air 2. The latter package offered attractive discounts against what I’d pay on retail, but the price of a package with the 64GB model was still pretty hefty. And as the app stores go, as ardent an Android fan I am, the reality remains that tablet apps generally just run and look better on iPads than Android tablets.<\/p>\n So, the iPad Air 2 it was. And having used it for a week now:<\/p>\n Screen’s good, and the color gamut is quite different from that of the iPad mini Retina, and also the iPad 4.<\/p>\n The iPad Air 2’s processor is reportedly loads faster than the previous iPad generations. In normal use, things do feel just a tad more responsive, but the difference isn’t large enough to startle.<\/p>\n The device is thin. In fact, so thin that you’ll want to protect the tablet quickly with a good case! My first iPad slowly broke down after Ling accidentally stepped on it years ago. This new iPad will probably just break in two if the same happened.<\/p>\n Touch ID took some configuring, but once properly setup, has worked very well. Loads more convenient to unlock the tablet now.<\/p>\n Battery power does indeed seem to expend itself quicker than the mini or iPad 4.<\/p>\n All in, the iPad Air 2 is quicker, smoother, and more pleasing to use. Just a pity on the shorter battery life and also form factor – if only this device came in an 8.4 inch size!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ever since picking up the iPad mini Retina in June this year, my mobile data usage has shot up significantly, and each month at about its fourth week, I start having to put very close attention and ensure that I<\/p>\n![\"iPad](\"https:\/\/www.chekyang.com\/musings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/ipad-air-2.jpg\")