iPad Mini: Found a Mini at Best Buy

[Scarpad]

I was surprised they had any but they had a few 32gb Black Models in Stock, I picked one up and I love it, the weight and size are fantastic, true one handed pad holding without fatigue, I can't go back to a larger Ipad now, I sold my 3g. The screen is very nice, and very readable, the people making these extreme accusations of eyes bleeding are crazy. Vids look fantastic especially my 720p stuff. I loaded a bunch of Comics up in comic Zeal and this is the perfect size for Comic Viewing. Books are fine in Ibooks as well.

Overall I'm very happy with the mini, I have a plastic shell on it and I put it in a Padded Sleeve which seems to work out better than using a heavier case.

When retina finally does get released I'll get a 64gb and a 4g model, but until then I'll be loving my mini.

[cardfan]

Originally Posted by Scarpad

I was surprised they had any but they had a few 32gb Black Models in Stock, I picked one up and I love it, the weight and size are fantastic, true one handed pad holding without fatigue, I can't go back to a larger Ipad now, I sold my 3g. The screen is very nice, and very readable, the people making these extreme accusations of eyes bleeding are crazy. Vids look fantastic especially my 720p stuff. I loaded a bunch of Comics up in comic Zeal and this is the perfect size for Comic Viewing. Books are fine in Ibooks as well.

Overall I'm very happy with the mini, I have a plastic shell on it and I put it in a Padded Sleeve which seems to work out better than using a heavier case.

When retina finally does get released I'll get a 64gb and a 4g model, but until then I'll be loving my mini.

I wish I was among one of those who didn't have a problem with the screen. Having good vision sometimes sucks..

[Highboy90]

Congrats. Enjoy your new mini!

[AppleRobert]

They are starting to show up at Best Buy. Just keep checking folks if you want one.

[rmhop81]

Originally Posted by AppleRobert

They are starting to show up at Best Buy. Just keep checking folks if you want one.

they've had them since launch...not a ton. usually everything except 16gb. they don't put them in the regular spot with other ipad's. usually put in the cage up top and have to use the ladder to get them.

[CTHarrryH]

I walked in on launch day and walked out with exactly what I wanted. I sense that Best Buy gets a good stock and often has availability - may not have the model you want - on launch day they had no white ones as most other places didn't.

[corvus32]

I was able to get one from Bestbuy on launch day, and my mom got hers on Black Friday. I rechecked all my local Bestbuys on Tuesday and none had a Mini in stock - not even an open box. I noticed one store was missing their Mini on display. When I asked, the guy said someone tried to run out the store with it. Crazy.

[TJ61]

Originally Posted by cardfan

Having good vision sometimes sucks..

Give it time.

Regards,
Tom

[NutsNGum]

Originally Posted by TJ61

Give it time.

Regards,
Tom

Agreed, it took me all of 2 minutes to get used to it. I've given my iPad 3 to m girlfriend. No regrets, whatsoever.

[kodeman53]

Remember everyone, the more posts and threads on this topic the closer we are to convincing strangers on the Internet that the Mini screen is/is not OK. Keep posting and keep starting threads on the same topic. Gotta drive up the MR click count.

[Ladybug]

The whole screen argument is silly in my opinion. I personally think its more than acceptable but that doesn't mean everyone will agree with me. So it's simple really...if you like it buy it, if you don't then buy something else. There really is no point in wasting time trying to convince someone else to see it your way. What is acceptable to me might not be right for you. Go somewhere and judge it for yourself.

[Maverick713]

Originally Posted by cardfan

I wish I was among one of those who didn't have a problem with the screen. Having good vision sometimes sucks..

I have 20/20 vision and it seems just fine to me, and last night I lost internet connectivity so I had to rely on it to get to my onlineclass to do my postings and what not,and I had no issue, so I dunno what you are talking about.

[braddick]

Originally Posted by cardfan

I wish I was among one of those who didn't have a problem with the screen. Having good vision sometimes sucks..

Does having OCD kind of suck too or is it something you eventually get used to?

[cardfan]

I know it's a cute little form factor and cheaper to boot but some of you are hilarious in defending this screen. You must be the same ones who couldn't tell the difference between older and retina ipads. Or even the iphones.

"duh..i don't know what you're talking about..I have no problems with the screen" LOL

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Originally Posted by braddick

Does having OCD kind of suck too or is it something you eventually get used to?

That's what it is. OCD. Man, you're a genius. It couldn't really be that all those reviewers are wrong who complain that it's a subpar screen. It couldn't really be that the screen really does look like crap compared to todays screens.

It makes a good gift for people who don't know any better. And there's a lot of them out there..

[D1G1T4L]

Originally Posted by cardfan

I know it's a cute little form factor and cheaper to boot but some of you are hilarious in defending this screen. You must be the same ones who couldn't tell the difference between older and retina ipads. Or even the iphones.

"duh..i don't know what you're talking about..I have no problems with the screen" LOL

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That's what it is. OCD. Man, you're a genius. It couldn't really be that all those reviewers are wrong who complain that it's a subpar screen. It couldn't really be that the screen really does look like crap compared to todays screens.

It makes a good gift for people who don't know any better. And there's a lot of them out there..

Same goes for people who think the screen is unusable. Yes the retina screen is better. I don't think anyone would say different but for the screen on the mini is fine. It will be the perfect device for me with a retina screen but for what it has now I'm very happy with it.

[RedCroissant]

Originally Posted by cardfan

I know it's a cute little form factor and cheaper to boot but some of you are hilarious in defending this screen. You must be the same ones who couldn't tell the difference between older and retina ipads. Or even the iphones.

"duh..i don't know what you're talking about..I have no problems with the screen" LOL

----------



That's what it is. OCD. Man, you're a genius. It couldn't really be that all those reviewers are wrong who complain that it's a subpar screen. It couldn't really be that the screen really does look like crap compared to todays screens.

It makes a good gift for people who don't know any better. And there's a lot of them out there..

Have you used it, or did you just glance at one in a retail store? I have one and enjoy the screen. And yes, I can tell the difference between older and retina iPads and also between older LCDs and newer ones as well. The thing is, not everything has to be "retina" quality for it to be an awesome device. It's smaller, thinner, less expensive, same screen resolution, faster WiFi, and better battery life than the iPad 2. All that to me = awesome.

And yes, it's not retina, but it is better than the iPad 2(I have owned both and am comfortable making this claim). So I don't think that calling people idiots for defending the screen is appropriate since the people that have one and use it daily have no doubt that it is not retina but also know that it's not crap either.

[EMAN19]

Nice post, OP. I'm glad you found one at Best Buy and are enjoying it.

I'm loving my iPad mini as well. It's a hell of a device, and I think that the screen is pretty damned good too. Retina display is amazing, and I will love it even more when it's made available on the iPad mini 2. But for now, I'm 100% content with the screen and have no qualms about it.

To the people crying about the iPad mini screen -- don't use iPad mini! Go use iPad 3 or 4 and be happy!

[CandyNJ66]

Originally Posted by RedCroissant

Have you used it, or did you just glance at one in a retail store? I have one and enjoy the screen. And yes, I can tell the difference between older and retina iPads and also between older LCDs and newer ones as well. The thing is, not everything has to be "retina" quality for it to be an awesome device. It's smaller, thinner, less expensive, same screen resolution, faster WiFi, and better battery life than the iPad 2. All that to me = awesome.

And yes, it's not retina, but it is better than the iPad 2(I have owned both and am comfortable making this claim). So I don't think that calling people idiots for defending the screen is appropriate since the people that have one and use it daily have no doubt that it is not retina but also know that it's not crap either.

Very well said! I agree completely. You make common sense points

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Originally Posted by EMAN19

Nice post, OP. I'm glad you found one at Best Buy and are enjoying it.

I'm loving my iPad mini as well. It's a hell of a device, and I think that the screen is pretty damned good too. Retina display is amazing, and I will love it even more when it's made available on the iPad mini 2. But for now, I'm 100% content with the screen and have no qualms about it.

To the people crying about the iPad mini screen -- don't use iPad mini! Go use iPad 3 or 4 and be happy!

Yes, we all have a choice of iPads, so no reason to complain really. Sell/return/exchange whatever you are unhappy with and get the iPad you will enjoy

[cardfan]

Originally Posted by RedCroissant

Have you used it, or did you just glance at one in a retail store? I have one and enjoy the screen. And yes, I can tell the difference between older and retina iPads and also between older LCDs and newer ones as well. The thing is, not everything has to be "retina" quality for it to be an awesome device. It's smaller, thinner, less expensive, same screen resolution, faster WiFi, and better battery life than the iPad 2. All that to me = awesome.

And yes, it's not retina, but it is better than the iPad 2(I have owned both and am comfortable making this claim). So I don't think that calling people idiots for defending the screen is appropriate since the people that have one and use it daily have no doubt that it is not retina but also know that it's not crap either.

I'm not calling these people idiots. It's really hard to describe. There are those that don't seem to care though. My wife humored me in getting an hdtv years back. Even now, she'll record shows in SD because she doesn't care if it's not HD. There's a whole lot of this market still left to tap into which the Mini and it's lower price is doing.

There's better headphones than others out there. I'd say most don't care about that either.

What's interesting is how Apple finally made a big deal about screen quality with their "retina" marketing and people bit on it. We're in the midst of PPI wars between the manufacturers. It's great for those like me who always wanted more resolution back in the Treo/early iphone days...these threads were often met with "are you nuts? this screen is great." Reviewers of the iphone 4 were saying idiotic things like "I didn't know i needed a better screen til Apple told me". I kept a Palm Pre around because its screen was a bit sharper than an iphone 1-3. The 3GS finally ruled that out with its speed/apps along with Palm's decline.

Here's an excerpt from Pogue's iphone 4 review:

The new screen, with greater contrast, is excellent. It packs in four times as many pixels as before; at 326 dots an inch, it’s now the sharpest phone screen on the market. Now, “the screen isn’t sharp enough” wasn’t exactly a common iPhone complaint before. But it’s easy to see, and appreciate, the improvement in clarity of text, pictures and videos.

Here's another from CNET:

Sometimes the best gift is something that you didn't know you wanted, and that's definitely the case with the iPhone 4's display. It features a 940x640-pixel (326 pixels per square inch) "Retina Display," which is four times the resolution of previous iPhone models.

You didn't know you wanted? Really? I guess some of us didn't complain enough prior to that..lol I hope we don't hear about how we didn't know we wanted a retina Mini later..

Now here we are with a Mini that's a reverse. A focus on thin and light, not screen. It'll again be interesting to see what Apple does. I don't imagine seeing a retina Mini next year as they'll want to milk some sales and increase that margin through scale. If they can lower the Mini price it'll tap even deeper into that vast mainstream that simply wants a tablet and doesn't care about screen quality. Despite what anyone says, you know it's hurting bigger ipad sales.

I also can't imagine many wanting to spend 200 more if they can buy a retina Mini at 329. A retina Mini is definitely a wanted item but it would really disrupt things especially for Apple's bigger ipad line.

[dinggus]

Originally Posted by cardfan

Having good vision sometimes sucks..

Hmm, ever had a iPhone before retina?

[cardfan]

Originally Posted by dinggus

Hmm, ever had a iPhone before retina?

I had a VCR too. Doesn't mean I want to go back to it..

[MikeTHIS]

Not intending to hijack this thread but download the app Milo or use their website http://www.milo.com - I had a mini on order through apple, but diligently checked local stock and scored one at a RadioShack.

Good luck!

[dinggus]

Originally Posted by cardfan

I had a VCR too. Doesn't mean I want to go back to it..

If you don't think the Mini has a clear screen then maybe you do need your eyes checked.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by dinggus

If you don't think the Mini has a clear screen then maybe you do need your eyes checked.

Lets be fair. There is a HUGE difference in screens between retina and mini.

Text and graphics are clearer on the iPad 3/4.

You can see that the text on the mini is not crisp bordering on fuzzy. It is still acceptable when the real wins are in the size and weight.

I which it had better clarity but its fine for now and I'll wait to see what the next mini & ipad bring.

[guitarmandp]

There are a couple of problems with throwing in a retina screen. 1) I don't know that the iPad mini would be as light

The other problem is that they would either have to charge more money or lower the price on the iPad retina and I'm not sure they are willing to do that.

It will be interesting because I havea feeling if they do put out an iPad Retina and charge between $329 and $399, then they are going to lower the price of the older model and it might be the same price as a Kindle Fire HD