Apple Launches Cheaper 9.7-inch iPad to Replace iPad Air

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Say goodbye to the iPad Air 2. Apple has dropped the slim slate from its lineup in favor of a more-affordable 9.7-inch slate simply dubbed "iPad" that starts at just $329, but weighs a little bit more, tipping the scales at 1.03 pounds vs 0.73 pounds on the Air 2. 

Don't expect brand new tech, though. The iPad shares similar specs to the late iPad Air 2, but bumped from an A8X to an A9 processor -- the same chip in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. It's available in gold, silver and space gray with a Retina display.

It starts at $329 for 32GB of storage and Wi-Fi along with a 128GB model for $429. A 32GB model that supports cellular data will run you $459 for 32GB of storage and $559 for 128GB.

MORE: iPad Buying Guide: Which One is Right for You?

That starting price is $70 less than the Air 2's starting price of $399. Notably, Apple has removed the iPad Mini 2 from its website but has left the iPad Mini 4. Other Apple updates today included Apple Clips, a video creation app, and a Project (RED) iPhone 7.

Photo: Apple

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Andrew E. Freedman

Andrew is a contributing writer at Laptop Mag. His main focus lies in helpful how-to guides and laptop reviews, including Asus, Microsoft Surface, Samsung Chromebook, and Dell. He has also dabbled in peripherals, including webcams and docking stations. His work has also appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, PCMag, Kotaku, and Complex. He fondly remembers his first computer: a Gateway that still lives in a spare room in his parents' home, albeit without an internet connection. When he’s not writing about tech, you can find him playing video games, checking social media and waiting for the next Marvel movie.