All iPads: Having thoughts of exchanging mini for iPad 4

[rockyroad55]

I'm having thoughts of getting the iPad 4 and exchanging the mini for it. My main needs are note taking by both text and writing on screen (no BT keyboard), reading textbooks, and the occasional game. The mini is great for what it is now but I'm concerned over the textbooks and note taking. Recently I've started doing those a lot more since its a lot easier doing this on an iPad than a notebook.

Help me out a bit please.

[mattopotamus]

If you are going to be reading text books, I would definitley go with the 4. You will not have to pinch and zoom and the clarity will be very important.

[corvus32]

Thumb typing on the iPad Mini in portrait mode is MUCH easier than with the full sized iPad.

I can fly. It's like using an iPhone in landscape.

[clyde2801]

Originally Posted by rockyroad55

I'm having thoughts of getting the iPad 4 and exchanging the mini for it. My main needs are note taking by both text and writing on screen (no BT keyboard), reading textbooks, and the occasional game. The mini is great for what it is now but I'm concerned over the textbooks and note taking. Recently I've started doing those a lot more since its a lot easier doing this on an iPad than a notebook.

Help me out a bit please.

If it's e-books released through the ebook store, either the mini or the 3/4 should be fine. I think the retina screen makes a big difference for scanned pdf's. My 3 handles my materials perfectly, but if you're using big honkin' multi -hundred page scans, the 4 may handle them better.

Logitech ultrathin keyboard for typing. Cannot say enough about it's size, usability and battery life.

[ZBoater]

I got myself a Kindle Paperwhite for reading books. For that purpose, it wipes the floor with all iPads.

[noteple]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

I got myself a Kindle Paperwhite for reading books. For that purpose, it wipes the floor with all iPads.

More and more of the texts I use at work contain pictures, color illustrations, charts etc.
How does the kindle handle these graphics?

[rockyroad55]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

I got myself a Kindle Paperwhite for reading books. For that purpose, it wipes the floor with all iPads.

There's only so much reading you can do on a black white screen when dealing with chemistry and medical textbooks. Colors help.

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by noteple

More and more of the texts I use at work contain pictures, color illustrations, charts etc.
How does the kindle handle these graphics?

It shows them fine, but in black and white.

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Originally Posted by rockyroad55

There's only so much reading you can do on a black white screen when dealing with chemistry and medical textbooks. Colors help.

I would agree with this. And comics too. I find the brightness of the LCD screens (retina or not) very tiring on my eyes after a while of reading at night.

[noteple]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

It shows them fine, but in black and white.

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I would agree with this. And comics too. I find the brightness of the LCD screens (retina or not) very tiring on my eyes after a while of reading at night.

Tiring, my issue also Mac or tablet. If kindle could covert into multiple shades of gray that could be a solution.

[mfr1340]

Originally Posted by rockyroad55

I'm having thoughts of getting the iPad 4 and exchanging the mini for it. My main needs are note taking by both text and writing on screen (no BT keyboard), reading textbooks, and the occasional game. The mini is great for what it is now but I'm concerned over the textbooks and note taking. Recently I've started doing those a lot more since its a lot easier doing this on an iPad than a notebook.

Help me out a bit please.

I did just that, I sold my ipad3 and pre-ordered the mini. After useing it for a week I decided to return it and get the ipad4. I will get the next mini because it was great but it needs a little better screen (for my likes), and when I read that they are already working on a ret. screen for it I decided to return it. A (stand alone) GPS would be a game changer also.

[bigboar]

I returned my mini for a 4 and am very happy with my decision....

[syd430]

Returning your ipad 3/4 to get an ipad mini is the equivilant of returning your spec'd out 2011 VW Golf to get a 2012 base model Polo and then being super excited about it.

The mini was designed to be a cheaper way to gain ownership of an ipad, watching all the people on these boards flipping out in excitement to sell their ipad 3's to "upgrade" to an ipad mini (VW polo) when they arleady own an iphone 5 (1/3 the weight of the Mini) is hilarious.

So yes, swapping it for an ipad 4 is a good choice.

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by syd430

Returning your ipad 3/4 to get an ipad mini is the equivilant of returning your spec'd out 2011 VW Golf to get a 2012 base model Polo and then being super excited about it.

The mini was designed to be a cheaper way to gain ownership of an ipad, watching all the people on these boards flipping out in excitement to sell their ipad 3's to "upgrade" to an ipad mini (VW polo) when they arleady own an iphone 5 (1/3 the weight of the Mini) is hilarious.

So yes, swapping it for an ipad 4 is a good choice.

Ummmmmm no.

The screen might be better, but being half as heavy and smaller is not like getting the same car with less options. Your analogy is flawed.

It is like trading a Crown Vic for a Smart fortwo.

[syd430]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

Ummmmmm no.

The screen might be better, but being half as heavy and smaller is not like getting the same car with less options. Your analogy is flawed.

It is like trading a Crown Vic for a Smart fortwo.

The critical part of my post was that the said person already owns an iphone 5. In a world where super capable smartphones that weigh 100 grams didn't exist, then yes the Mini would make a lot more sense.

It was designed to be a budget tablet, not an ipad 3 replacement for people that already own bleeding edge smart phones.

Edit: also I didn't say the same car with less options. The VW polo is designed to be a smaller, cheaper Golf. They are not built on the same platform.

[nStyle]

I agree with everyone in favor of switching so far.

I bought the Mini with minimal expectations - I received an amazing product.

However, I already owned a 3 - and decided that I'd rather upgrade to the 4 and have the best tech out and rely on ONE tablet rather than worry about juggling two (4 and Mini).

Don't get me wrong, the Mini is fine, like most have said, as a budget, smaller experience. I just decided it wasn't worth it right now as is.

[clyde2801]

Originally Posted by nStyle

I agree with everyone in favor of switching so far.

I bought the Mini with minimal expectations - I received an amazing product.

However, I already owned a 3 - and decided that I'd rather upgrade to the 4 and have the best tech out and rely on ONE tablet rather than worry about juggling two (4 and Mini).

Don't get me wrong, the Mini is fine, like most have said, as a budget, smaller experience. I just decided it wasn't worth it right now as is.

Would NOT suggest juggling two or more tablets unless you have applecare plus on both.

[canyonblue737]

Originally Posted by syd430

Returning your ipad 3/4 to get an ipad mini is the equivilant of returning your spec'd out 2011 VW Golf to get a 2012 base model Polo and then being super excited about it.

The mini was designed to be a cheaper way to gain ownership of an ipad, watching all the people on these boards flipping out in excitement to sell their ipad 3's to "upgrade" to an ipad mini (VW polo) when they arleady own an iphone 5 (1/3 the weight of the Mini) is hilarious.

So yes, swapping it for an ipad 4 is a good choice.

to each his own. i have owned the iPhone 3G, 4 and now the 5. i have owned the iPad 1, 2 and 3.

the best thing i have ever done is sell my iPad 3 and get the iPad mini, the device is amazing and almost as transformative to my life as the iPhone itself. i couldn't be happier.

[maflynn]

The bottom line is that you need to choose whether you want a smaller tablet that's more portable or a larger tablet with a superior screen (and a better cpu).

For some of us, the smaller size trumps the screen, but for others its the other way around.

[brig2221]

Originally Posted by rockyroad55

I'm having thoughts of getting the iPad 4 and exchanging the mini for it. My main needs are note taking by both text and writing on screen (no BT keyboard), reading textbooks, and the occasional game. The mini is great for what it is now but I'm concerned over the textbooks and note taking. Recently I've started doing those a lot more since its a lot easier doing this on an iPad than a notebook.

Help me out a bit please.

This is exactly what I did last week, and I'm really glad I did it. I stayed up late and pre-ordered a White Mini (32gb), and received it on launch date.

As far as ergonomics go (weight, size, etc.), Apple nailed it and hit a home run in my opinion. I was coming from an iPad 2, so the thought of not having a Retina display didn't bother me as I hadn't yet been spoiled.

After spending about a week with the mini, I came to the conclusion that although the mini was cheaper ($170) than the full size iPad, the gap in price wasn't significant enough for me to not jump up to the iPad 4 to get the beautiful Retina display, and to also get the power of the A6X processor.

I can tell you that although the iPad 4 does indeed feel snappy, it certainly isn't anything significant over the mini, as it was no slouch. However, I tend to keep my devices for awhile, so I feel much better about spending the extra money and getting Apple's top processor, which in theory should run longer and better than the A5, and certainly be supported longer.

I'm not bashing the mini by any means, it really is a fantastic device that I'm sure millions of people will purchase and love this Christmas season. For me though, the better "value" by far was to spend the extra $170 to get the Retina display and faster (future proof) processor.

If and when Apple decided to put out an iPad mini that is on par with it's full size counterpart, I will probably look at moving back to the mini.

[rockyroad55]

Originally Posted by brig2221

This is exactly what I did last week, and I'm really glad I did it. I stayed up late and pre-ordered a White Mini (32gb), and received it on launch date.

As far as ergonomics go (weight, size, etc.), Apple nailed it and hit a home run in my opinion. I was coming from an iPad 2, so the thought of not having a Retina display didn't bother me as I hadn't yet been spoiled.

After spending about a week with the mini, I came to the conclusion that although the mini was cheaper ($170) than the full size iPad, the gap in price wasn't significant enough for me to not jump up to the iPad 4 to get the beautiful Retina display, and to also get the power of the A6X processor.

I can tell you that although the iPad 4 does indeed feel snappy, it certainly isn't anything significant over the mini, as it was no slouch. However, I tend to keep my devices for awhile, so I feel much better about spending the extra money and getting Apple's top processor, which in theory should run longer and better than the A5, and certainly be supported longer.

I'm not bashing the mini by any means, it really is a fantastic device that I'm sure millions of people will purchase and love this Christmas season. For me though, the better "value" by far was to spend the extra $170 to get the Retina display and faster (future proof) processor.

If and when Apple decided to put out an iPad mini that is on par with it's full size counterpart, I will probably look at moving back to the mini.

This is true. I'm just doing lots of text reading now and note taking. The bigger screen may be more fun to write and read on.

[shoppy]

I have got an ipad original, ipad 3 and 2 minis and now today an ipad 4. I love the mini but my 5 and 2 year old play with these the most. I just missed the retina display to much. I's a great device but I just prefer my bigger ipad.

[MrXiro]

Originally Posted by corvus32

Thumb typing on the iPad Mini in portrait mode is MUCH easier than with the full sized iPad.

I can fly. It's like using an iPhone in landscape.

I'm fast on landscape on the Mini too. It's so thin that I have greater reach with my thumb.

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Originally Posted by rockyroad55

I'm having thoughts of getting the iPad 4 and exchanging the mini for it. My main needs are note taking by both text and writing on screen (no BT keyboard), reading textbooks, and the occasional game. The mini is great for what it is now but I'm concerned over the textbooks and note taking. Recently I've started doing those a lot more since its a lot easier doing this on an iPad than a notebook.

Help me out a bit please.

If it's not for your needs and the iPad 4 is what you're looking for, definitely return it for the 4.

It's great for my needs and I'm coming from an iPad 3. It's great and I loved it but the form factor and size of the Mini fits my needs better (light, cheaper, and for video watching)

[mattopotamus]

Originally Posted by clyde2801

Would NOT suggest juggling two or more tablets unless you have applecare plus on both.

best post in this thread

[plucky duck]

For what you use it for I'd personally go with the iPad 4, or if you can get your hands on a refurbished iPad 3 on Apple store that would suffice as well.

I already have the iPad 3 and don't have the urge to upgrade to the 4. The iPad mini does have my attention, but I am willing to wait til they incorporate retina technology in second or third generation before I grab one.

[Deasnutz]

I just don't get the appeal of buying the mini for its weight. Do you carry it around in place of an iPhone? What freedom is this opening someone to, over a 10" tablet in usability?