iPad got fat and heavy till the Air came along

It is interesting reading the reviews of the latest iPad Air and a lot of people have commented on how thin and light it is. Apple gave it the Air name because it is as light as air. OK, not really, but it is lighter than before. One reviewer remarked that it was like a completely new tablet. The reason for their reaction is because the iPad had become fat and heavy.

Being fatter and heavier isn't a selling point, so at the launch of the iPad 3 and 4 Apple kept quiet about this and never mentioned it.

iPad 1 = 680g / 13.4mm thick
iPad 2 = 601g / 8.8mm thick
iPad 3 = 652g / 9.4mm thick
iPad 4 = 652g / 9.4mm thick

iPad 5 = 469g / 7.5mm thick

Notice how the weight and thickness dropped significantly with the iPad 2, despite it having a much better specification than the previous model. With the iPad 3 and 4 the weight rose and it got thicker, making it more awkward to hold - one-handed anyway. The performance may have been better, but you paid for it by being fat and heavy.

I didn't buy an iPad 1 because I wasn't that impressed. The iPad 2 is much better and that's when I bought one. It was a good tablet. I say 'was' rather than 'is' because it is beginning to show signs of age. Apple continues to sell it even though it's a two and a half year old spec because it's OK for most apps if you don't mind the low resolution screen. 

I have just upgraded from an iPad 2 and the difference in thickness and weight is much less noticeable. It is slightly lighter and slightly thinner, which is welcome, but it isn't hugely different. The most noticeable change is the sharpness of small text. It is much better than the old iPad 2's screen. I've not played any games on it yet, but there should be a noticeable improvement in performance.

What will the iPad 6 be like? It is hard to imagine it being any thinner or lighter. If it is, then the difference will be tiny. It's easy to make something fat and heavy thinner and lighter, but when something is already thin and light it's hard to make it even more so. I think the iPad 5 is one I'll be keeping for a long time. The iPad 2 and 5 look like the best of the range so far. Pick your models wisely and don't just buy every one that comes out.