Apple today revealed two new iPads and after the big event, the company allowed journalists to get their hands on the new Apple iPad Air 2.

The tablet is indeed thinner than the original iPad Air ($389.99 at eBay) ; 18 percent thinner than its predecessor, to be exact, at 6.1mm. I didn't have an original iPad Air to compare it to, but the new version is impressively thin. And yet, despite its low profile, the iPad Air 2 still feels sturdy. Apple hasn't done anything special to reinforce the iPad, but said that its aluminum unibody construction still provides strength. I gave it a few twists under the watchful eyes of Apple PR, and it seemed solid.

Apple also upgraded the iPad display. Although the resolution (2,048 by 1,536) and size (9.7 inches) are the same as the iPad Air, the display is sharper and clearer. Apple claims it bonded what had been three layers into one, eliminating air pockets. It also laid down an anti-reflective coating on the surface of the display; a complicated process given this is a touch-based device. It looked great in the demo room, and I've been assured that the differences will be easily visible when looked at beside the original iPad Air.

Of course the most requested feature on the new iPad isn't exactly new—the new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 both feature Touch ID. It works exactly like it does on the iPhone, allowing you to authenticate with your fingerprint. Though it's been around since the iPhone 5s , it is a big step forward for Touch ID. You can make secure purchases on iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store. Plus, Apple is starting to open it up to third-party apps—imagine locking your Evernote memos with your finger. The iPad is already a great shopping tool, but being able to authenticate and make purchases with the touch of your finger will make a better one.

One improvement I couldn't test was the improved wireless connection. Apple claims the Wi-Fi connection is more than twice as fast—with speeds reaching up to 866 Mbps. Obviously, that is going to be best case scenario and require you to have the latest 802.11ac wireless router with MIMO support. We will test it when we get a unit into the PC Labs. Apple also added more LTE bands to its compatibility list for a total of 20.

Finally, Apple upgraded the iPad's iSight rear camera—the 8-megapixel sensor can capture 3,264-by-2,448 images and shoot 1080p video. I've never found shooting photos or videos with the iPad particularly comfortable, but clearly I'm in the minority; I see people doing it all the time. Watching videos shot with the iPad on the iPad, it was hard to quibble about the quality of the final product. And it does provide a HUGE viewfinder for framing shots. Also, it is hard to argue against a unified iOS imaging experience.

The iPad can now shoot burst mode and create slow motion videos. These are features iOS fans deserve on every device. Apple also upgraded the FaceTime HD camera so it performs better in low light. Again this is something we need to confirm in the Labs.

Indeed, aside from cosmetic upgrades—it is now available in gold!—most of the important improvements in the iPad Air 2 require testing. Apple did some impressive demos that showed off the power of the iPad's A8X CPU. An app called RePlay was able to stitch together HD video clips, synchronize with a music track, and play back the mix in seconds. The developers of Pixelmator claimed that the combination of the A8X processor and Metal enable it to deliver 20 times the performance of the previous iPad.

Apple claims the iPad is the best-selling product it has ever launched. After a few hours with the iPad Air 2, it seems clear it wants to keep it that way. Stay tuned for PCMag's full review.

For more, check out iPad Air vs. iPad Air 2: Is It Worth the Extra $100? Also see our hands on with the new 27-inch iMac with a 5K Retina display, also revealed today.

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