Hi and welcome to the Forum! I've just upgraded from an iPad 2 (same as yours) to an Air! It's a huge difference, I love how much faster it is but it's the feel and weight of it that really impresses me. It's slimmer and that much smaller without sacrificing the size of the screen. My new Air is so much lighter than the 2, which now feels like a brick to carry. Take your iPad 2 to an Apple Store and compare them, I think you will see the difference easier this way and appreciate all the more what the Air offers. The retina screen is really wonderful and now after having used the Air for a while, when I use the 2 I can see the pixelation so much more. It's been a step up for my eyes! I've had my 2 since they were released and it's served me so very well but the Air makes it a joy again! Wait till you try it, you'll see!