iPad mini Disappointed with Magazine Reading on iPad Mini

sracer · May 29, 2013

akdj said:
I'm with ya. I've got a mini and an iPad 4. All of my rags are on my 4. I subscribe to a half dozen monthlies through newsstand and zinio. I've not bothered to d/l any of my mags to my mini as the retina screens are Much better for reading periodicals...newspapers included.

That said...I'm a HUGE fan of the old catalogs from sears, penny's and...was it Ward's Can't remember...but I'm definitely curious as to where you've been able to find the old copies? Do share please

LOL I thought I was the only one!!!

Here's the link- http://www.wishbookweb.com/

senseless · May 31, 2013

sracer said:
LOL I thought I was the only one!!!

Here's the link- http://www.wishbookweb.com/

Old catalogs are very interesting, agreed. So are old Billboard magazines if you like music history. Try this. Use the magnify button to zoom in:

http://books.google.com/books?id=zC...CDQQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=billboard 1967&f=false

Peanut207 · Jun 5, 2013

The larger 9.7" iPad is much better for browsing the web, checking email, Flipboard etc. Everything seems cramped on the mini. I have my iPhone if I want a small screen.

Crikey · Jun 5, 2013

I'm not surprised to hear it. I have been disappointed with reading magazines on the full-size iPad. I'd love an iPad with a 12-13" screen, but I've suggested it here before and the idea hasn't got much traction. Apple loves their small and thin and light, so I doubt a larger iPad will ever happen.

Capt T · Jun 6, 2013

madgibbon said:
Have you ever used a mini or any other small tablet for that matter? I didn't think the iPad 4 was heavy until I purchased a mini. I challenge you to hold an iPad 4 one handed for an hour while reading a book. Then try the same thing with a mini, you will notice a significant difference.

I use it at work all the time standing and holding it in one hand for over an hour at a time, either typing on it or directing others, using it as reference, as well as carrying it in my hand most of the day. Have done that since the first gen iPad. No weight issue at all. Like anything, you get used to doing it.

colodane · Jun 6, 2013

Don't have a mini (a full size iPad 2), but have to agree that reading magazines on an iPad isn't the pleasurable experience I had expected.

When I first got the iPad, I downloaded apps for a few of my favorite magazines. They worked very well. Maybe too well? By this I mean that the download sizes for all the multiple pages of color graphics is fairly large. I have storage space to spare, but the download time on my 3 to 4 Mbps ISP is annoyingly slow.

Then, the actual reading experience isn't nearly as pleasurable as holding the physical magazine. This is certainly a personal preference rather than any fault of the iPad, but for me the physical magazines were so much better that I deleted my iPad magazine apps.

That said, the iPad is an excellent device for consuming magazine-like information and news media. I really enjoy using it for reading the New York Times digital newspaper, Google News, Zite, etc. etc.

CristobalHuet · Jun 6, 2013

Here's where a Retina display would do wonders for the reading experience.

Night Spring · Jun 6, 2013

colodane said:
Then, the actual reading experience isn't nearly as pleasurable as holding the physical magazine. This is certainly a personal preference rather than any fault of the iPad, but for me the physical magazines were so much better that I deleted my iPad magazine apps.

That said, the iPad is an excellent device for consuming magazine-like information and news media. I really enjoy using it for reading the New York Times digital newspaper, Google News, Zite, etc. etc.

I think magazines that try to replicate the physical magazine experience on the iPad tend to come up short -- the original printed format trumps any iPad apps based on that format.

Reading apps that are designed from the ground up for the iPad, such as the ones you mention, plus Flipboard, Marco Arment's "The Magazine" (although Arment just sold it to his editor), The Loop Magazine, etc, all provide a more satisfying iPad reading experience, IMO.

MrWillie · Jun 7, 2013

madgibbon said:
Have you ever used a mini or any other small tablet for that matter? I didn't think the iPad 4 was heavy until I purchased a mini. I challenge you to hold an iPad 4 one handed for an hour while reading a book. Then try the same thing with a mini, you will notice a significant difference.

I don't even hold books one handed, always propped on something. Same with the iPad.

Crikey said:
I'm not surprised to hear it. I have been disappointed with reading magazines on the full-size iPad. I'd love an iPad with a 12-13" screen, but I've suggested it here before and the idea hasn't got much traction. Apple loves their small and thin and light, so I doubt a larger iPad will ever happen.

Night and day difference reading mags on iPad 3 & 4 compared to 1 & 2. A larger iPad is coming, they have even had a rumor story or two. But I don't think it will run iOS, it will have OS XI.

srkmish · Jul 5, 2013

Hi Friends,

I recently purchased Ainol Venus Tab with 720p resolution and comparing it to ipad mini in terms of reading / pdfs , it becomes totally apparent that Apple has compromised on the display quality of mini.

On my Ainol Tab, text seems sharp and perfect for reading while on mini there is an annoying hint of bluriness and the text never seems "sharp". While epub is fine on mini, the text in PDFs make matters worse as atleast with epub u can customize ( increase/change fonts.). The text in some PDFs are woeful compared to Ainol where the text is still intact and sharp.

If a 120$ tablet can provide a better reading experience, my verdict is that Apple should not have compromised the display quality given its price.

For the rest of the tasks though- performance/gaming/audio/battery life , Mini is far ahead of Ainol. Ios is just so much more smoother and seamless. This is my final objective analysis with respect to reading experience on tabs. Currently using ainol tab as my ebook reader for now.

TyPod · Jul 5, 2013

srkmish said:
sir. I'm nt tlkin abt blurry text in general. It is really blurry when u purchase something from newstand and u have to zoomin and read .it becomes obvious that the text is fuzzy.

I think I have to purchase an ipad 4 for enjoin magazines

Nothing on the iPad Mini is as hard to read as your grammar.

akdj · Jul 5, 2013

sracer said:
LOL I thought I was the only one!!!

Here's the link- http://www.wishbookweb.com/

Thanks man! Maybe you, I and senseless are th only three...and I'm sorry I missed your link before...but reminiscing with those catalogs...these WERE Amazon, computer and tablet merchandising. In the 70s and 80s, I'll never forget sitting down with my brothers going through those things page by page! Circling our 'wish list'. Wow. Great Find!

senseless said:
Old catalogs are very interesting, agreed. So are old Billboard magazines if you like music history. Try this. Use the magnify button to zoom in:

http://books.google.com/books?id=zC...CDQQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=billboard 1967&f=false

Very cool! I've worked in radio for 22 years now...I've got a dozen stacks of old Billboard and R&R magazines in storage! Again....another industry/product decimated by the Internet and tablets, computers, and smart phones.

Thanks fellas

J

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