[All iPads] Deciding between iPad mini and iPad Retina (a guide)

deaglecat · Jan 28, 2013, 01:32 PM

For those (like me) struggling to choose, hopefully this will help put an end to the endless posts about which of these two superb products to spend your hard earned cash on..

Instructions: score the questions on a scale of 0=Not at all to 5=Very much

Factors for the iPad mini

How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)

TOTAL for iPad mini =

Factors for the iPad retina

How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5)
How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5)

Total for iPad retina =

Whichever scores higher wins !

(And if you don't like the answer that you get ... well then maybe that has helped make your decision too

)

Deag.

danpass · Jan 28, 2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaglecat

......

Factors for the iPad mini

1. How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
2. How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
3. How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
4. How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5)
5. How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)

TOTAL for iPad mini =

Factors for the iPad retina

6. How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5)
7. How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5)
8. How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
9. How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
10. How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5)

Total for iPad retina =

............

1. 0
2. 5 (I would like to give this a 7 out of 5)
3. 2.5
4. 2
5. 3.5

Mini = 13
==========

6. 2
7. 0
8. 2
9. 4
10. 4

ipad = 12

deaglecat · Jan 28, 2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpass

1. 0
2. 5 (I would like to give this a 7 out of 5)
3. 2.5
4. 2
5. 3.5

Mini = 13
==========

6. 2
7. 0
8. 2
9. 4
10. 4

ipad = 12

Too close to call dude... you would be happier with either. As a trained scientist, I would say this is within the margin of error of the test !

Samtb · Jan 28, 2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaglecat

For those (like me) struggling to choose, hopefully this will help put an end to the endless posts about which of these two superb products to spend your hard earned cash on..

Instructions: score the questions on a scale of 0=Not at all to 5=Very much

Factors for the iPad mini

How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)

TOTAL for iPad mini =

Factors for the iPad retina

How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5)
How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5)

Total for iPad retina =

Whichever scores higher wins !

(And if you don't like the answer that you get ... well then maybe that has helped make your decision too

)

Deag.

Is the ipad 4 really more future proof?

danpass · Jan 28, 2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaglecat

Too close to call dude... you would be happier with either. As a trained scientist, I would say this is within the margin of error of the test !

Not if it was 15 v 12

A 1-10 scale may be better.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samtb

Is the ipad 4 really more future proof?

I would say it depends more on what happens with iOS than on hardware.

deaglecat · Jan 28, 2013, 02:01 PM

For me the scores are

mini 4,3,2,2,3 = 14
retina 5,2,2,2,2 = 13

Mini is the winner (for me)... just.

freediverdude · 02:47 PM

I didn't score it like that, but the mini won out for me. I considered the lightness/portability/less cost/newer design to be more important for me than the retina/larger screen/faster internals.

And edited to add, I had both right in front of me, and had the money to purchase either of them right then and there, and had to make a decision (and I hate making decisions like that), and went with the mini.

darngooddesign · Jan 28, 2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samtb

Is the ipad 4 really more future proof?

Yes.

It will run increasingly demanding software longer.

go ipad · Jan 28, 2013, 03:18 PM

Retina rocks!

brand · Jan 28, 2013, 05:59 PM

This is not a guide.

kevroc · Jan 28, 2013, 06:04 PM

How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0
How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 4
How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0
How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5) = 0
How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0

TOTAL for iPad mini = 4

Factors for the iPad retina

How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5) = 3
How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5) = 4
How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) = 0
How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) = 5
How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5) = 0

Total for iPad retina = 12

Mini = 4
iPad 4 = 12

No contest.

Side note: The mini speakers may be stereo, but head to head I find the iPad 4's speaker better in overall tonality and quality.

flavr · Jan 28, 2013, 07:43 PM

The new iPad 5 form factor blows the doors off the iPad 4

iPad mini = 1

iPad 4 = ZERO

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/28/...-5-rear-shell/

kitzuki · Jan 29, 2013, 03:24 AM

This isn't a guide its more of a questionnaire lol

Amplelink · Jan 29, 2013, 05:23 AM

I think you're missing one very important attribute for the mini. Its real world battery life is incredible. Much longer than the rated 10 hours. This has been well documented on Anandtech and is a significant benefit over the iPad with retina.

cardfan · Jan 29, 2013, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flavr

The new iPad 5 form factor blows the doors off the iPad 4

iPad mini = 1

iPad 4 = ZERO

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/28/...-5-rear-shell/

In a case, you won't see any new form factor. Who cares?

jessica. · Jan 29, 2013, 06:14 AM

Whichever scores higher? This isn't a guide; more like a chick magazine survey but iPads replaced men.

maflynn · Jan 29, 2013, 06:33 AM

I never got these type of surveys. Simply put the person is going to put more emphasis on what they already want. That is I want an iPad mini so I'm going to consciously pick what makes the iPad mini a better choice for me.

The bottom line, pick the product that best fits your needs. Do you want a retina display, then get the iPad 4, need or like the smaller form factor of a 7" tablet, then get the mini. Simple

AppleRobert · Jan 29, 2013, 09:57 AM

Struggling to choose is accomplished by trying out what you are interested in, not by this whatever scoring thread.

bohbot16 · Jan 29, 2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samtb

Is the ipad 4 really more future proof?

The iPad 4 will be more future proof due to the A6X processor being more powerful than the A5 in the iPad Mini.

bobbysmith · Jan 29, 2013, 10:10 AM

Improved guide:

Want a small iPad? Pick the iPad mini.
Want a big iPad? Go with the regular iPad.

darngooddesign · Jan 29, 2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbysmith

Improved guide:

Want a small iPad? Pick the iPad mini.
Want a big iPad? Go with the regular iPad.

This is the only guide you need.

It's amazing how people like to complicate things.

TJ61 · Jan 29, 2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maflynn

I never got these type of surveys. Simply put the person is going to put more emphasis on what they already want.

I think you DO "get" these surveys after all.

They're a silly construct to help people realize they actually do know what they want.

Regards,
Tom

deaglecat · Jan 29, 2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maflynn

I never got these type of surveys. Simply put the person is going to put more emphasis on what they already want. That is I want an iPad mini so I'm going to consciously pick what makes the iPad mini a better choice for me.

yup ! that's kinda the point.

Quote:

They're a silly construct to help people realize they actually do know what they want.

and yup again.

All it does is list the differences and perhaps help folk consider how much they value the differences.... and maybe we get in 1 less "which iPad should I buy ?" thread that seem so popular on this board.

Samtb · Jan 29, 2013, 03:46 PM

How often do you have to zoom in with a mini when looking at websites?

WillFisher · Jan 29, 2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaglecat

For those (like me) struggling to choose, hopefully this will help put an end to the endless posts about which of these two superb products to spend your hard earned cash on..

Instructions: score the questions on a scale of 0=Not at all to 5=Very much

Factors for the iPad mini

How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5)
How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5)

TOTAL for iPad mini =

Factors for the iPad retina

How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5)
How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5)
How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5)

Total for iPad retina =

Whichever scores higher wins !

(And if you don't like the answer that you get ... well then maybe that has helped make your decision too

)

Deag.

0
5
3
2
3
=13

4
3
1
2
3
=13

Dammit.

Jan 28, 2013, 01:32 PM	#1
deaglecat macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012	Deciding between iPad mini and iPad Retina (a guide) For those (like me) struggling to choose, hopefully this will help put an end to the endless posts about which of these two superb products to spend your hard earned cash on.. Instructions: score the questions on a scale of 0=Not at all to 5=Very much Factors for the iPad mini How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5) How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) TOTAL for iPad mini = Factors for the iPad retina How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5) How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5) How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5) Total for iPad retina = Whichever scores higher wins ! (And if you don't like the answer that you get ... well then maybe that has helped make your decision too ) Deag.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 02:40 PM	#7
freediverdude macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2006	I didn't score it like that, but the mini won out for me. I considered the lightness/portability/less cost/newer design to be more important for me than the retina/larger screen/faster internals. And edited to add, I had both right in front of me, and had the money to purchase either of them right then and there, and had to make a decision (and I hate making decisions like that), and went with the mini. __________________ 17" core2duo white iMac/Lion, Apple TV3, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad mini Last edited by freediverdude; Jan 28, 2013 at 02:47 PM.
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 06:14 AM	#16
jessica. macrumors Nehalem Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wrong girl from the right side of the tracks	Whichever scores higher? This isn't a guide; more like a chick magazine survey but iPads replaced men. __________________ Because I'm an ahole.
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 06:33 AM	#17
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	I never got these type of surveys. Simply put the person is going to put more emphasis on what they already want. That is I want an iPad mini so I'm going to consciously pick what makes the iPad mini a better choice for me. The bottom line, pick the product that best fits your needs. Do you want a retina display, then get the iPad 4, need or like the smaller form factor of a 7" tablet, then get the mini. Simple __________________ I know that I know nothing ~ Socrates
	0

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Jan 28, 2013, 02:01 PM	#6
deaglecat Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012	For me the scores are mini 4,3,2,2,3 = 14 retina 5,2,2,2,2 = 13 Mini is the winner (for me)... just.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 03:18 PM	#9
go ipad macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	Retina rocks!
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 05:59 PM	#10
brand macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1	This is not a guide.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 06:04 PM	#11
kevroc macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011	How much do you value the cost saving of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0 How much do you value the reduced weight/increased portability of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 4 How much do you value the thin bezel, newer industrial design of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0 How much do you value the stereo speakers in the mini over the mono speakers in the retina iPad (0-5) = 0 How much do you value the reduced charge time (2.5 hrs vs 6-7hrs with 12w charger) of the mini over the retina iPad (0-5) = 0 TOTAL for iPad mini = 4 Factors for the iPad retina How much do you value the retina iPad display over the lower resolution mini (0-5) = 3 How much do you value the 9.7" screen of the iPad retina over the 7.9" screen of the mini (0-5) = 4 How much do you value the better screen quality (blacks, gamut etc) of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) = 0 How much do you value the increased speed of the iPad retina over the mini (0-5) = 5 How much do you value the future proofing of the iPad retina 1024Mb RAM vs mini 512Mb RAM (0-5) = 0 Total for iPad retina = 12 Mini = 4 iPad 4 = 12 No contest. Side note: The mini speakers may be stereo, but head to head I find the iPad 4's speaker better in overall tonality and quality.
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 07:43 PM	#12
flavr macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2011	The new iPad 5 form factor blows the doors off the iPad 4 iPad mini = 1 iPad 4 = ZERO http://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/28/...-5-rear-shell/
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 03:24 AM	#13
kitzuki macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2009	This isn't a guide its more of a questionnaire lol
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 05:23 AM	#14
Amplelink macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	I think you're missing one very important attribute for the mini. Its real world battery life is incredible. Much longer than the rated 10 hours. This has been well documented on Anandtech and is a significant benefit over the iPad with retina.
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 09:57 AM	#18
AppleRobert macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2012	Struggling to choose is accomplished by trying out what you are interested in, not by this whatever scoring thread.
	0

Jan 29, 2013, 10:10 AM	#20
bobbysmith macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	Improved guide: Want a small iPad? Pick the iPad mini. Want a big iPad? Go with the regular iPad.
	2

Jan 29, 2013, 03:46 PM	#24
Samtb macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2013	How often do you have to zoom in with a mini when looking at websites?
	0