iPad Mini: iPad mini bezel too thin for reading ebooks

[Amplelink]

So recently, I've been trying to shift from my Kindle to my mini for reading. The screen is fine for me, but I've come across a different issue. I like holding ebook readers in portrait mode - just looks and feels more natural to me. The problem is that the mini is significantly harder to hold in portrait mode than a Kindle is simply owing to the much narrower bezel. I find myself having to grip the mini on the fat bezels on the bottom instead.

The other alternative is to just grip the mini with my entire hand across the back. But that gets sort of tiring after a while. And I'm looking for a back cover like the Caudabe Shell that I have for the big iPad, but I'm afraid if I put something like that on, it'll be even tougher to grip in that position.

Anyone else have this issue?

[random person]

I am having similar issues. My hands are a tad too small to cradle the entire mini in one hand. Lately I am holding it from the bottom but that feels top heavy after a while. Not the easiest device to hold, that's for sure! That said, I still think the interface and overall experience is far better than any other ereader out there, including the kindle paperwhite that I also own.

I am curious how others at holding this device!

[canyonblue737]

The mini has excellent software changes that ignore a thumb held in place over the screen. Grip the screen like it has a bigger bezel and use your other hand to swipe... it will work fine.

[Night Spring]

Originally Posted by canyonblue737

The mini has excellent software changes that ignore a thumb held in place over the screen. Grip the screen like it has a bigger bezel and use your other hand to swipe... it will work fine.

This works for the most part. The trick is to put your thumb down and keep it there. You still have to be careful not to brush your thumb against the screen, as that will flip several pages at once.

[Kayakphotos]

I use a folio case and hold the mini in portrait mode opened up like a regular book.

[iosuser]

Originally Posted by canyonblue737

The mini has excellent software changes that ignore a thumb held in place over the screen. Grip the screen like it has a bigger bezel and use your other hand to swipe... it will work fine.

Think the op meant that the gripping hand is blocking the screen. I feel the same way, but this is what you get on a tablet with thin bezel.

[aPple nErd]

thisis part of the reason i returned mine and went with the ipad 3rd generation

[midwestfisherma]

I have not had that problem.

[Amplelink]

Originally Posted by random person

I am having similar issues. My hands are a tad too small to cradle the entire mini in one hand. Lately I am holding it from the bottom but that feels top heavy after a while. Not the easiest device to hold, that's for sure! That said, I still think the interface and overall experience is far better than any other ereader out there, including the kindle paperwhite that I also own.

I am curious how others at holding this device!

I agree. I like my Kindle and it works a lot better outdoors, but the software on it is maddening at times. For example, wading through my library takes ages if I'm looking for a book at the end of the list. Much, much easier on the iPad's Kindle app.

[AppleRobert]

Cross one leg halfway over the other to cradle the mini. VIOLA!

[Max(IT)]

Originally Posted by AppleRobert

Cross one leg halfway over the other to cradle the mini. VIOLA!

If you are a men, this isn't a great solution ...

[marcfiszman]

Originally Posted by Max(IT)

If you are a men, this isn't a great solution ...

Men lacking legs?

[Max(IT)]

Originally Posted by marcfiszman

Men lacking legs?

Men have something between ....

Seriously, I can't sit comfortably with legs crossed like women do, so I was joking about that.

[marcfiszman]

Originally Posted by Max(IT)

Men have something between ....

Seriously, I can't sit comfortably with legs crossed like women do, so I was joking about that.

That's cool. I have a small one, so it's not really an issue.

[AppleRobert]

Originally Posted by Max(IT)

If you are a men, this isn't a great solution ...

I didn't say cross one completely over the other like women do when they sit down especially with a dress on.

Picture crossing one halfway to about where your calf starts unless you ain't flexible enough where it is uncomfortable. It works great, like Mini table!

[irDigital0l]

your holding it wrong!

/jk

[Bakari45]

The smart cover provides a pretty good grip for me; however, I think a thicker folio what help even more.

[darngooddesign]

Originally Posted by irDigital0l

your holding it wrong!

/jk

You're using your incorrectly. ;-)

[maflynn]

While the bezel is thinner then the kindle, I'm not having problems with pages turning accidently. My thumb does sometimes his the touchpad but it doesn't change the page - perhaps apple added a slight delay knowing this may be the case. In any event while the bezel is thinner it doesn't appear to be a problem (at least for me)

I will say that I don't have meaty man hands and that might be part of the reason why its not a problem.

[Zetaprime]

I looked at the mini and the nexus 7..The shape of the nexus is better for holding in one hand and reading, and it's half the price for the same amount of memory (32 gigs). So when I wanted a more portable tablet to supplement my ipad 3 I went with the nexus. Also, it runs Firefox and Flash, so it's nice for web browsing. Android does have its advantages. Nearly all the apps and games I use on the iPad are also available for Android, so there's really no 'app gap'.

[bagelmaker]

I agree with those who recommended a case to you. I use a simple folio case and I just fold it back when I read. It feels very similar to a book to me and I don't end up blocking any of the screen in portrait mode. You can find inexpensive cases on Amazon. Mine was about$10.

I've never owned a Kindle so I can't compare it to that experience, and I do admit that I still find that I prefer regular paperback books. However, reading on the Mini is very user friendly.

[sinser]

That's why I hope they never change the bezel size and aspect radio of the full sized iPad. It's just perfect.

[Amplelink]

Originally Posted by Zetaprime

I looked at the mini and the nexus 7..The shape of the nexus is better for holding in one hand and reading, and it's half the price for the same amount of memory (32 gigs). So when I wanted a more portable tablet to supplement my ipad 3 I went with the nexus. Also, it runs Firefox and Flash, so it's nice for web browsing. Android does have its advantages. Nearly all the apps and games I use on the iPad are also available for Android, so there's really no 'app gap'.

I agree that the Nexus feels better for reading because of the thicker bezels. But, man, it looks like absolute crap, particular the top and bottom bezels which are just huge. The fact that Android uses soft buttons just exacerbates the look. Just my opinion, of course.

I have a smart cover on my mini and that doesn't help much at all. Actually, it makes the experience worse because the smart cover ends up sliding on the back of the mini when I fold the smart cover behind. I might invest in a folio case......or maybe just stick with my Kindle.

[Zetaprime]

Originally Posted by Amplelink

I agree that the Nexus feels better for reading because of the thicker bezels. But, man, it looks like absolute crap, particular the top and bottom bezels which are just huge. The fact that Android uses soft buttons just exacerbates the look. Just my opinion, of course.

I have a smart cover on my mini and that doesn't help much at all. Actually, it makes the experience worse because the smart cover ends up sliding on the back of the mini when I fold the smart cover behind. I might invest in a folio case......or maybe just stick with my Kindle.

I don't think it looks bad. If you want one that looks bad the Kindle Fire looks awful. The screen is the same size as the Nexus but the bezel is ridiculously huge and makes the device much bigger than it needs to be.

[AppleRobert]

Originally Posted by Zetaprime

I don't think it looks bad. If you want one that looks bad the Kindle Fire looks awful. The screen is the same size as the Nexus but the bezel is ridiculously huge and makes the device much bigger than it needs to be.

I have the 7" kfhd. I can live with it but going to the larger 8.9 model even with the much improved screen I will not go for with its bezel.