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Happy Mini owner switch back to iPad 5 if its the same weight?

  • switch to light weight iPad 5

    Votes: 18 29.5%
  • Stay with the mini

    Votes: 43 70.5%

  • Total voters
    61
  • Poll closed .

jqc

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 30, 2007
393
204
Just curious, how many happy ipad mini owners (of which i am 1) would switch back to iPad 5 it it got close to the same weight as the current mini?

For me, I switched mainly for the weight. The smaller form factor is nice but its not small enough to fit in most jacket pocket pockets so you most people will have to use a bag anyway. In that case 9.7 v.s 7.9 doesnt make a ton of difference...so why not have the extra screen real estate?

Of course if that happens ipad mini 2 should be even MORE lighter, but maybe at that point its worth it for the bigger screen.

Thought?
 

flavr

macrumors 6502
Nov 9, 2011
363
40
Id rather have my mini non retina than a lighter revised full sized iPad...I prefer the mini
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,907
I prefer the smaller form factor.

Happy iPad Mini owners, switch back to next 9.7 iPad if same weight?

"Switching back" implies that Mini owners started with the 9.7. I never liked the size of the 9.7 and so I didn't buy an iPad until the Mini came out.

For those who prefer the larger size, I'd be really surprised if many of them switched to iPad Mini just because of a roughly 10% increase in size and weight. That's a very drastic change in screen size and resolution compared to a small change in size/weight.
 

costabunny

macrumors 68020
May 15, 2008
2,466
71
Weymouth, UK
for me its the size (IT DOES MATTER AFTER ALL) ;)

seriously, I love the size of the mini. perfect for my uses (reading and netflix) when I am at work. As I work in my car I needed it small and light to easily store when doing fares.

If I had the money I would like a lightweight 10inch iPad for in the house, but alas thats noway gonna happen.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,419
43,307
The weight is not the reason I bought the mini, its the form factor. In fact I may go out on a limb and guess that many if not most mini owners purchased it because of the size not the weight.
 

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,598
7,768
I'd have to try out the form factor to be sure, but I suspect that if the 9.7 iPad weighed the same as the current mini, I'd go back to using just the 9.7 iPad. But then, I'm not sure I count as a "happy" mini owner. I find the mini convenient for carrying outside the house, but I've always prefered the larger size screen.
 

cruzmisl

macrumors regular
Nov 10, 2012
229
24
While weight is a huge factor, I realize now that I simply don't enjoy a massive tablet anymore. The mini is the right size.
 

LaurieAnn

macrumors regular
Jul 6, 2011
215
85
No because I can now hold a glass of wine in my left hand while actively using the Mini in my right hand at the same time.

I haven't used our iPad2 since I picked up the Mini last week.
 

Piccio

macrumors member
Dec 10, 2012
54
0
I'm so happy of my Mini but I'm interested in the iPad 5 too.

But it must have the same form factor, and the lowest weight as possibile to convince me to switch to the iPad 5 or I will wait the Mini 2 to upgrade.
 

ditzy

macrumors 68000
Sep 28, 2007
1,719
180
I would probably switch but I'm not sure that this is possible, and if it was wouldn't the mini get lighter too? In which case I'd stay with mini.
 

irnchriz

macrumors 65816
May 2, 2005
1,034
2
Scotland
Got both already, will get the 5th gen if it has must have features. For myself weight and form factor are non issues and I have uses for both sizes at present.

The mini is good for browsing and reading, but the retina is indispensable for remote admin work.
 

GBR

macrumors 6502
Mar 19, 2012
359
18
The only thing worth upgrading to from the current mini is when they have a retina mini. The form factor of the mini makes it infinitely more useful than the standard iPad. I've had every version of iPad, and always wanted to be able to bring it with me but it was just too big. Now with the mini it's soooo much more portable, it even fits in the pockets of several of my jackets.

A retina mini would be the be all end all of tablets IMHO.
 

akdj

macrumors 65816
Mar 10, 2008
1,186
86
62.88°N/-151.28°W
Got both already, will get the 5th gen if it has must have features. For myself weight and form factor are non issues and I have uses for both sizes at present.

The mini is good for browsing and reading, but the retina is indispensable for remote admin work.

Right with ya. I'll always have a use for both. I enjoy both form factors for different reasons. I didn't respond to the poll as I'm a daily user of both iPads. The mini and the 4. We also use the regular iPads for our business and 'family room' entertainment.

That said....if I absolutely HAD to get rid of one or the other, I'd keep the iPad 'Major'. It would be awfully hard to give up the mini though. We love ours! I'm fine with the bulk of the bigger iPad assuming they continue to put this type of power under the hood. The iPad 4 is getting very close to a competent laptop replacement. We often leave the MacBook Airs and Pros at home these days because of the convenience, power and app/software selection on the iPad.

J
 

Kadin

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
597
2
I'd stay with my Mini. As much as I can appreciate Retina, it's not in any way a necessity for me. Size is perfect...
 

smileyface

macrumors member
Jan 8, 2013
82
0
I chose the ipad4 but I do see the appeal of the mini and it's here to stay.In Asia,the mini is sold out.In Hong Kong,you see people walking or standing around while using their mini and on public transport.You can't do that with the 9.7,at least not comfortably.You can hold the mini quite comfortably with one hand but the screen size looks way bigger than the 7in offerings.

I use my ipad4 as a second laptop around the house so I enjoy the larger display.There is no debate that a larger display is nicer to use.I am hoping that Apple will make a bigger ipad while trimming the weight.
 

Ladybug

macrumors 68000
Apr 13, 2006
1,874
1,013
Doubtful that I would switch back. I already have an iPad 3 and the only time it gets used is when the mini battery runs down or my son uses it because he has no iPad at all. The iPad 5 would have to be as light as the mini I think for me to even consider it.
 

D.T.

macrumors G4
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,460
Vilano Beach, FL
For me, the most compelling thing about the Mini wasn't the external dimensions, it was the weight.

Now a couple of potential future scenarios that will be interesting for me.

iPad Mini, retina, A6x, same size/weight vs. current iPad4 ... for me, I'd say 70/30 preference toward the Mini.

iPad Mini, retina, vs. iPad "5" that's ~300g ..., I think I'd probably flip it the other way, 30/70 :)
 

darkcoupon

macrumors regular
Aug 8, 2012
141
0
I bought the Mini for several reasons, but mostly because I wasn't entirely sure I wanted/needed an iPad in the first place. I have a Macbook pro for every day computing, a Mac Pro for my work needs, and a Mac Mini as an HTPC. It's hard to justify throwing an ultra-portable device like the iPad into the mix, especially if it doesn't have all of the capabilities of a Macbook Pro, but I got an Apple giftcard from my family so I thought I'd try it out and see if I really have a use for it.

That being said, If I do decide that I NEED an iPad, it would be a toss up as to whether I upgrade to the full size machine or stay with a Mini. The big iPad isn't really that BIG in the first place, it's more of a want vs. need vs. cost decision for me.
 

JoshMKB24

macrumors 6502a
Jan 5, 2013
520
44
Midwest
Staying with the mini, its not so much weight for me as the regular iPad isn't exactly heavy......but the form factor is what I like. I like how it fits in my hands and how its much easier to type on than a full sized iPad. If I didn't have a laptop as well I'd probably consider going back, but as is I don't think I'd ever go back to full sized.
 

wineandcarbs

macrumors 6502a
May 2, 2008
904
137
Not an iPad mini owner YET, but having owned a 9.7 iPad, I prefer the footprint of the Mini. It's not just the weight that's appealing but the footprint as well.
 
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