Apple's (AAPL) iPad sales are down 25 percent for the third quarter of 2014 compared o the same period last year, but Apple appears unconcerned, releasing the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 with minimal upgrades.

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The iPad Air 2 has a slight trim and a new anti-reflective display and both tablets got Touch ID and a new gold option. It is a bit thin - even if the iPad Air 2 is impossibly thin - it still doesn't reflect any major progress in the tablet market.

What is surprising from Apple is the fact that they don't have anything to make tablet buyers want their newest edition. The trimmings to the size and Touch ID are nice, but both incremental, features iPad 2 users might not be too sad missing out on.

Is the iPad Air 2 the best tablet in the world? Well, that's uncertain - especially with the $100 extra price compared to the original iPad Air. The anti-reflective coating gives the display a closer to the bezel look, but the difference is minimal at best.

Of course, the original iPad Air is not the iPad Air 2's only competition. The recently announced Nexus 9 makes for a tough competitor, and it offers a good amount for a cheaper price. HTC has developed a gorgeous tablet with more performance packed inside and Android Lollipop takes advantage of the 8.9-inch display.

For the average buyer, Touch ID and a slightly thinner size really does not make much of a difference. The Nexus 9 and Kindle Fire HDX should be looked at before making a final decision, even the Galaxy Note 10.1 might be worth a check.

The iPad Mini 3, on the other hand, is a clear no. It does not have the anti-reflective coating and has not been trimmed down. It also doesn't have the A8X processor on the iPad Air 2, and is basically a worse version of the iPad Air 2 in every way. For those who want an iPad Mini, they may want to check out the iPad Mini 2.

TagsiPad Mini 3, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Kindle Fire HDX, Tablets, iOS8