iPad mini Should I get the iPad Mini now or wait?

Wait for the next version with Retina.

I bought a mini and within a week gave it away as its just horrible as it is now... Once you go retina there's no turning back!

I think I would wait until after March with buying an iPad mini, which is what I'm going to do myself. That is, if it turns out that there will be an upgrade (even if just a spec bump) of the iPad mini in March.

A good rule of thumb is to never buy the first revision of any tech product; this market penalizes early adopters. However, if it turns out the next iPad mini will come out in November, you might as well buy the current model if you really want it. You can always sell it later.

You can wait. A new mini is coming guaranteed. It's one of those things where you don't know why they didn't do the obvious.

As far as eye strain you will get it if a device is on max. Max is only meant for outside.

mossme89 said:

Actually, from what's going on with rumors, seems like the March revision will just be a spec boost, as in an A6, no retina. Usually by now, there would be more chatter about a retina display and/or a display leak.

Plus it would make sense to have a spec boost in March, to keep it "fresh", then keep the big feature of the retina display for October. Idk, maybe I have it all wrong?

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Why are you asking for advice then?!

As a current mini owner, and someone who has been since it launched and used it joyfully every day since then, I'd say, go for it. This is a device that is one of the most enjoyable Apple products I've ever owned, and I've been an Apple enthusiast since the Apple II+ days.

As long as you're not a spec whore or retina bigot, this device, if you're looking for portability in an iOS tablet, is fantastic.

Regarding an updated mini, I would suggest you look to what the rumour mill usually churns up in the months leading up to the release, and since we're now a mere ~1-1/2 months from a (supposed) March announcement, ask yourself what no product leaks, no picture leaks, no physical dimension leaks, no supply chain leaks might mean regarding an imminent March release.

Now, I haven't played Joe Danger since I got home from work, so I'm going to go sit on the sofa and enjoy what is one of the best iOS games I've played in a long time.

SiPi said:

Why are you asking for advice then?!

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Civility in discourse, huh?

What is with this retina fascination?

Seriously, get one if you need one. Many, including myself, have zero issue with the non-retina display.

Looks fine to me.
These people who say you can't read anything on the screen should perhaps visit their local optomitrist for a check up.

New Concept Warning

1. If you need it now, buy it now.
2. If you want it now, buy it now.
3. If neither 1 or 2, wait.

mossme89 said:

Actually, from what's going on with rumors, seems like the March revision will just be a spec boost, as in an A6, no retina. Usually by now, there would be more chatter about a retina display and/or a display leak.

Plus it would make sense to have a spec boost in March, to keep it "fresh", then keep the big feature of the retina display for October. Idk, maybe I have it all wrong?

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Although I would really like an iPad mini with retina screen, a spec boost will be enough for me in March; I will buy it anyway.

Heck, even if an iPad mini 3 does come with retina in Oct/Nov, there's a chance it will be bulkier and/or heavier than the current one since it will consume more power and therefore need a larger battery. And then what? Wait until the iPad mini 4 gets released?

Do you want the Mini now?

WilliamLondon said:

Civility in discourse, huh?

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Please explain further?

tigres said:

Looks fine to me.
These people who say you can't read anything on the screen should perhaps visit their local optomitrist for a check up.

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Funny enough, those people will also claim that we are the ones who should get our eyes checked. Their rationale is that only someone with an already blurred vision (or worse) will have difficulties to tell a retina screen from a non-retina screen.

FWIW, I can tell the difference between 160 ppi and 300 ppi, but I don't have any issues with the screen of the current iPad mini. I'm more concerned about the CPU and RAM, and how long into the future I can keep the software up-to-date. Sluggishness is even worse than pixelation IMO.

DesertEagle said:

I'm more concerned about the CPU and RAM, and how long into the future I can keep the software up-to-date.

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Since no one can tell you this, it is irrelevant to your decision.

kodeman53 said:

Since no one can tell you this, it is irrelevant to your decision.

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It's not totally irrelevant. Knowing that the original iPad was left out of iOS updates (6.0 and onwards) less than 18 months after Apple took it off the shelves, I see it as a dealbreaker that the current iPad mini has old hardware like the iPad 2... which is now nearly two years old.

The good thing about Apple products is the resale value doesn't go down very much. I say go buy an iPad mini now use it until a new one that you want comes out and then sell it you might lose $100 at most.

I am using my mini right now and absolutely love it!!

DesertEagle said:

It's not totally irrelevant. Knowing that the original iPad was left out of iOS updates (6.0 and onwards) less than 18 months after Apple took it off the shelves, I see it as a dealbreaker that the current iPad mini has old hardware like the iPad 2... which is now nearly two years old.

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If you think it's relevant, then don't buy a Mini. Simple.

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mossme89 said:

Does the display bother you at all?

And I guess another question to ask is whether the A5 will ever be as laggy as the A4 in basic operations. Used my dad's original iPad and it's just terribly laggy.

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How does whether it bothers someone else apply to you?

Yes, eventually, the A5 will be laggy.

I have the iPhone 5 and also the MacBook retina and the display on my iPad mini does not bother me. When I'm at home I barely use the MacBook or the iPhone 5. When they do come out with a retina display yes I will definitely buy it but until then it is not a dealbreaker for me. Great little device and zero lag for me, but I'm not a gamer. Look at a purchase as just renting it for a few months.

This is coming from someone who vowed to never get an iPad because it was an oversized iPhone, But the size of the Mini is absolutely perfect.

kodeman53 said:

If you think it's relevant, then don't buy a Mini. Simple.

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Oh, I'm going buy one. It's just that I'll wait until the refresh. Yes, simple it is.

By the way, my posting was meant to emphasize why the internals should be more of a concern than retina display, not to utter dismay about the iPad mini (even if this was hard to avoid). I'm sure that most of the users are satisfied.

mossme89 said:

Yes, almost bought one last time I was in the Apple Store. Just not sure if I'll regret it once the retina model comes out.

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I know you're just asking for opinions, but you know everything that will be said.

If you suspect you will regret it, you prob will. So wait.

Or sell the current one when the next comes out.

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mossme89 said:

Does the display bother you at all?

And I guess another question to ask is whether the A5 will ever be as laggy as the A4 in basic operations. Used my dad's original iPad and it's just terribly laggy.

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Surely you live near an Apple Store or best buy so you can decide for yourself if the display bothers you.

All hardware lags at some point. When it does its time for you to upgrade.

It's an iPad, it doesn't have a ten year lifespan. The mini is cheap enough so upgrading isn't that painful.

I'll tell you what, get one now, and if they update it with retina in march I will buy that one for you. Seriously, safest bet in the world for me.

Get one and enjoy until october when the 3rd revision is released with retina.