Well, I had the option of either purchasing an iPad 4th gen or an iPad mini -- and I went with the former. Even if a retina version mini was released right now, I'd still prefer the iPad 4 over the mini just because I truly prefer more screen space to watch movies, view pictures, web browse, webcam chat, and play games. People complain about the iPad 4 not being portable enough, but I never found this to be the case.
I think that's great, the 4 is a wonderful device.
It just seems like there's a big competition between the mini and full sized iPad, which is ridiculous. It's like if you're for one, you're not for the other, and if you choose one, you're an idiot for not choosing the other, depending on which side of the line you find yourself. This does seem to come from one side more than the other, as if holding the device with retina makes you the winner, but that's not the point I wanted to make.
What I want to say is that I think it's great you prefer the full sized iPad. I can't imagine that Apple will at some point in the future drop one in favour of the other (so we need now to get people to support one or the other), they'll always offer both, which gives us choices, and if you're happy with the full sized one, go for it and enjoy, it's a fantastic device, I would never say otherwise. If, like me, you're all about the smaller form factor (in this device and others), the mini is the best device Apple makes.
My mother was recently in the market for a tablet (she was going to go with Android - shock, horror!<grin> - for price reasons, but I talked her into getting Apple, since she's already got an Apple iMac and 2 iPod Touches), she bought the iPad 4 and couldn't be happier with it, she uses it all the time and loves it, and I'm thrilled, it's for her the perfect device and I'm glad Apple now makes 2 sizes.