iPad Air Announced, Released Date Set for November 1

Apple has announced the all new iPad, and rather than naming it iPad 5, it has been renamed to iPad Air. Featuring a thinner screen bezel, a 20% thinner unibody aluminum enclosure, and as the iPad Air name suggests, it’s quite a bit lighter in weight tipping in at barely one pound.

iPad Air Specs

• 9.7″ Retina display
• A7 64 bit CPU
• M7 motion processor
• 5MP iSight camera
• 1080p HD video
• FaceTime HD camera
• Dual microphones
• 10 hour battery life
• 802.11n MIMO Wi-Fi, optional LTE model
• 1lbs weight

iPad Air is available in two different color options, a silver and white option, or a space grey and black model.

iPad Air Pricing

iPad Air pricing is consistent with prior iPad models:

• 16GB Wi-Fi model – $499
• 16GB LTE model – $629
• 32GB – $599
• 64GB – $699

All models will be available in an optional LTE version for an additional $129.

iPad Air Release Date Set for November 1

The iPad Air will be released on November 1 in a wide variety of countries, including the USA, much of Europe, and China.

Also still in the line up is the iPad 2, available at $399, but it would be hard to recommend for most uses. The difference in performance specs is so considerable between the older iPad 2 model and the iPad Air that just about everyone should opt for the iPad Air model, which will not only have a much longer shelf life, but also significantly improved performance. Also available starting at $399 is the all new iPad Mini Retina, which features much of the same hardware as the full sized iPad Air, but with a smaller display and enclosure.