It has now been six months since I made the purchase of my iPad Air fifth generation, and needless to say, it has changed my life.
When I purchased it back in May 2022, I did also make sure to get the black Magic Keyboard case with it so I could use it for writing at my full-time job, as well as when traveling. This made it so my 2017 MacBook Pro became more of a home-only type of product in my life.
Transitioning to the iPad Air and iPadOS was quite easy. One aspect I have loved about Apple since I got my first iPod Touch in 2012 was the fact that it is easy to go from one product to a newer or somewhat different product like an iPod Touch to an iPad. The interfaces are very similar and create a great experience for the user, as well as keeps them familiar.
The other item to note is the fact that this iPad Air does have an Apple M1 processor in it. I have found this to be beneficial for me. Software updates do download and install pretty quick, and when going back to my MacBook Pro, I have found the iPad Air does perform better since my MacBook is still running an Intel i5 processor in it.
Portability on this thing is even better than on a MacBook. When I have been packing my backpack, I have found that it’s so much easier to just slide this thing in the rear compartment and then I have everything I need when the time comes for said “need.”
Typing on the Magic Keyboard has been a dream come true. This is not to say that I don’t like the keyboard on my MacBook Pro, but this version of the keyboard is so much better. While the keys are small, they do have a nice click sound to them and enough travel.
Additionally, the keys being backlit makes it even more fantastic. It makes it good if you are in a dark room and still need to get some writing done. I just like Apple’s extra touch on it too.
Sure, a feature like that might drive the price up on the Magic Keyboard overall, but I think in the long run, it’s better to have it. Better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it.
Folding it when you’re done using it done have some satisfactory sounds to it too, especially if you have been writing for a while on it that day.
Outside of writing, the device is great for watching TV shows, movies, and live sports games on it.
Over the past weekend, I did watch the movie “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” on Paramount+ from it and it was great while I used my laptop to get some other work done. The audio coming from other sides is good as well. I like that on newer versions of the iPad, Apple has gotten away from having speakers on only one side of the iPad.
Watching live sports has been something I have used lightly since I’m not a big sports fan anymore. However, there have been times this year where it has come in handy. I think, whether it is this iPad Air or different version of the iPad, the screen size and quality of said screen make it a great live sports viewing device for those who travel or are in an area that does not have a TV accessible.
It’s crucial now since streaming services like Paramount+, Peacock, and ESPN+ do have live sports and sporting events on them. Let’s also not forget live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fuboTV, and Vidgo have live sports and news to be streamed on the iPad too.
All in all, the iPad Air fifth generation is probably the best Apple device I have purchased in all of 2022. It has changed the way I write and use an iPad.
This iPad made my life so instead of using it as a video viewing device to use for falling asleep or reading books on, I’m getting actual work done on it, and that’s a great feeling.
