This October, tech giant Apple launched the iPad Air, the
new iPad. Quite interestingly, Nokia also launched the first ever tablet,
called as Lumia 2520 which is based on the Windows RT 8.1 platform. Quite
obvious to state, the new iPad Air is a more sophisticated version of the
immensely popular iPad family. On the other hand, the Nokia Lumia 2520 is the
Finnish organization’s debut in an increasingly competitive market for tablets.
Thus, it would be quite interesting to see how Nokia fares with its first
offering in this segment. Also, comparisons are only likely between the iPad
Air and the Lumia 2520, even though both the tablets are based on different
operating systems. Here’s a brief lowdown on the new tablets.
Size, form, and
dimensions
Apple’s new iPad Air features 9.7-inch display screen
(diagonal ). However, the new iPad Air is a lot lighter and thinner compared to
iPad 4. The Apple ad for the new iPad Air states that it is even thinner as
opposed to a pencil. The iPad Air does not weigh more than a pound and as per
Apple, the new iPad Air is the lightest of all full-sized tablets being
currently sold in the market. The bezel on the tablet’s sides has also been
trimmed down by Apple and is supposedly 43 percent narrower compared to the
outgoing version. Thus, the new iPad Air has been just 7.5 mm thick while the
iPad is 9.4 mm thick. The new iPad Air has 264 pixels per inch screen
resolution.
On the other hand, the Lumia 2520, sports a bigger display
than its Apple counterpart. The 2520 has a 10.1-inch screen (diagonal). The
screen flaunts a full-HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution display. This would be 218
pixels per inch. Thus, in the picture quality department, the iPad Air is a
clear winner. However, the Lumia 2520 packs in ClearBlack Display filter. With
this, Nokia promises that the users can effortlessly read while using the
device outdoors.
Camera and Battery
life
Nokia has always enjoyed a good reputation as far as the
hardware of its devices is concerned. Even with the Lumia 2520, it repeats the
same feat. The Lumia 2520 packs in a 6.7-megapixel rear shooter equipped with
ZEISS optics. Also, there is a 2-megapxel front-facing snapper for video
calling. Though not everyone would use the tablet to click pictures, there are
many uses one can stumble upon with a good camera.
On the other hand, the iPad Air packs in basic 5-megapixel
camera and has a frugal 1.2-megapixel front camera. Thus, in the camera
department, the Lumia is a clear winner. However, camera quality would not qualify as a deciding factor when choosing
which tablet to buy.
Operating system
Needless to say, the operating system would be a critical
factor influencing the purchase decision. And the operating system is what is
most likely to go against the Lumia 2520. The 2520 tablet is running on Windows
8.1 RT OS. To all those who are not aware, this is a trimmed down edition of
the Windows 8.1 OS. As per the Windows website, this OS is specifically
designed for light and thin PCs that are powered by ARM processors. Some of the
key features are -entire suite of
MS-Office apart from some Microsoft apps, like SkyDrive, Xbox Music, Mail and
some others which come pre-installed.
However, it is debatable whether the Windows 8.1 RT would
give a tough competition to the much praised iOs 7. The iOs 7 comes with
enhanced notifications and a vibrant interface. Also the iOs App Store has
exhaustive applications unlike Windows app store. Windows has got Instagram
only a few days back. Apple is also giving iWork app for free, to compete with
the lure offered by Microsoft in the form of free MS-Office suite.
Processor and storage
Like the iPhone 5S, the new iPad Air also packs in the
advanced A7 chip. Apple claims that the new tablet is a staggering eight times
faster as opposed to the previous version. The 64-bit chip enables faster
processing. Apart from providing faster processing, the chip will also make a
key difference for developers who will be making a lot of 64-bit apps. Much
like the iPhone 5S, even the iPad Air will feature M7 motion co-processor. The
iPad Air will be available in 128 GB, 64 GB, 32 GB and 16 GB versions.
For WI-Fi, the new iPad Air features MIMO (multiple –input
and multiple output) advanced wireless
technology. The technology relies on several antennas for both receiver and
transmitter for enhanced connectivity. However, it continues to use the 802.11n
standard unlike the advanced Wi-Fi 802.11n AC
version.
On the other hand, the Lumia 2520 packs in 2.2 GHz quad-core
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. This is the most powerful and the latest
processor from Qualcomm that is equipped with 2 GB RAM cache. However, it is
also interesting to note that the A7 processor chip has blown out competition
in some recently conducted tests. The Lumia 2520 offers 32 GB inbuilt storage
and it can be expanded more 32 GB using a micro SD card.
Battery life
Apple claims the iPad Air will provide 10 hours of seamless
battery life. Nokia claims the Lumia 2520 offers 11 hours battery life.
Additionally, the Lumia 2520 will also function with a Surface style attachment
known as Power Keyboard, offering an additional five hours more of battery
life. The Power Keyboard can be purchased at 149 dollars.
Pricing
In a move that is set to heat up the competition between the
two devices even further, both thenew iPad Air and the Lumia 2520 will feature the same price tag in the
United States. Even in India, they are likely to feature the same price. Both
the devices are likely to priced starting Rs. 30,000 INR.
Final thought
While iPad Air already enjoys a cult following, Nokia has a
lot of work to do and will be starting from scratch since its foraying this
segment for the very first time with the Lumia 2520. However, Nokia enjoys a
lot of goodwill in a country like India, something on which it is surely
banking on.
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