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All iPads First iPad..

H

hockey17

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
123
0
I'm getting my first iPad for my birthday. I'm going to go with a wifi only model and I am currently in a rural area where I can't go see an iPad mini without traveling close to 3 hours...

So iPad mini or the 4. I'm thinking I want a 32gb. I am a student and would use it mostly for surfing the internet, some games, maybe some reading...

Any suggestions please!
 
Portability, I say the mini. Although the 4 is real nice. Fast and the screen is beautiful. Hard choice but I'd go with the 4.
 
I find the bigger screen on the ipad 4 makes Internet browsing easier and ore comfortable. But if you portability, it would be the ipad mini if you want single hand navigation. It's also lighter so holding it without resting on a flat surface wouldn't be tiring. Reading novels or text only files is good for the mini but again if Yu have images in it like for PDF or textbook files, the ipad 4 with the big screen will make it more comfortable. I would google some images and watch some review videos to guesstimate the size and see if its something you want for yourself...especially if you aren't close to the store...researching before you hit the stores will give you an idea which one you want so you can just go to e store to physically experience if before purchase
 
thanks for the input. I need something portable considering I play college hockey and travel a lot. I do have an iPhone 5 but honestly I don't think I've ever had my hands on a retina iPad
 
Go with 4. It is a mature design, and the screen is just incredible.

Mini is in its first generation, and is not mature yet. In particular, the hardware is too old, especially its processor. The next generation of mini will probably be much much better.

In terms of portability, mini is in an awkward position. It is smaller than 4, but not small enough to fit into an average pocket. You still need a bag to carry it around. So it makes no difference if you are carrying a mini or a 4 in the bag.

The main disadvantage of 4 then is its weight, especially when being hand-held for extended hours. But since you play hockey, I don't think the minimal difference in weight means anything to you. Considering its other advantages, especially the size and quality of its screen, the extra weight is really nothing.

So if you have the cash, go with 4.
 
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just another vote for the 4 here. When and if the mini gets a Retina display then in terms of portability I guess it would win, but the 4 is the better option at present. If you could get your hands on both a comparison would be the best way to go about your choice though. The 4 really isn't that much bigger, and the screen more than makes up for the size IMO.
 
okay thanks! i think I'm gonna grab the 4. Unless my parents can take a look for me and send pictures or something...nothing I can't see online I suppose. thanks for your help!
 
Real man stand sturdy with full size Ipad in his hand or you can be little boy walking around with Ipad mini in your palm.
 
I'm kind of in the same boat here. I currently have the iPhone 5 and have had every model iPhone since the 3g but never an iPad. Purchased an iPad 3 for my daughter when she went off to medical school and got to play with it a little but have not handled the iPad 4.

I considered the mini but figured I already have an iPhone so don't really need portability since it would mostly stay in the house. Figured the larger screen would be easier on the old eyes and come in handy for such things as web browsing & accessing tech manuals. I'm sure the wife will find a use for it too if I leave it sitting around very long.

So, I'm going with the iPad 4 probably sometime within the next month that is if Santa doesn't bring me one for Christmas. ;)
 
Cowboy1629 said:
I'm kind of in the same boat here. I currently have the iPhone 5 and have had every model iPhone since the 3g but never an iPad. Purchased an iPad 3 for my daughter when she went off to medical school and got to play with it a little but have not handled the iPad 4.

I considered the mini but figured I already have an iPhone so don't really need portability since it would mostly stay in the house. Figured the larger screen would be easier on the old eyes and come in handy for such things as web browsing & accessing tech manuals. I'm sure the wife will find a use for it too if I leave it sitting around very long.

So, I'm going with the iPad 4 probably sometime within the next month that is if Santa doesn't bring me one for Christmas. ;)
Click to expand...

yeah that's what I was thinking as well. I have the phone if I need the internet on the go. I'm gonna try to get my hands on the mini somehow before I order the 4 though. The part that is killing me is that I love the design and look of the mini. And I know the next normal size iPad will have that sleek design. I don't think the lower res screen will bother me at all, but if it is slow, then it would bother me.

much to think about! hope you get it for christmas!!
 
Similar boat here too.

Have had an iPhone 4S and now have the iPhone 5, so I never had a pre-Retina screen. I really like the size of the Mini, and also the lower price (my girlfriend is thinking about getting me one for Christmas and I'd like for her to not have to spend so much).

But I will use it mostly for browsing the web and reading iBooks..Checked out the Mini in store earlier this week and really like it, but feel like the screen looks awkward..especially in the Settings app, just the lists look kind of scrunched and the letters don't seem very clear..

Also, I have an almost 4 year old MBP that's become very slow. The only real thing I need it for is for managing all of my music files (music not bought from iTunes) and transferring them to my iPhone (and hopefully soon) iPad, so it will for most things be replacing my MBP as well..

So basically I really can't decide, I like the price and size of the Mini, but I like the screen quality of the 4.

Any help?
 
Tyler23 said:
Similar boat here too.

Have had an iPhone 4S and now have the iPhone 5, so I never had a pre-Retina screen. I really like the size of the Mini, and also the lower price (my girlfriend is thinking about getting me one for Christmas and I'd like for her to not have to spend so much).

But I will use it mostly for browsing the web and reading iBooks..Checked out the Mini in store earlier this week and really like it, but feel like the screen looks awkward..especially in the Settings app, just the lists look kind of scrunched and the letters don't seem very clear..

Also, I have an almost 4 year old MBP that's become very slow. The only real thing I need it for is for managing all of my music files (music not bought from iTunes) and transferring them to my iPhone (and hopefully soon) iPad, so it will for most things be replacing my MBP as well..

So basically I really can't decide, I like the price and size of the Mini, but I like the screen quality of the 4.

Any help?
Click to expand...

The answer is clear: Refurbished iPad 3.
 
blackbelter said:
The answer is clear: Refurbished iPad 3.
Click to expand...

Well I want to have the Lightning connector, since I have that now with my iPhone 5. I gave my old 4S to my girlfriend so I have no more of the old 30 pin cables, and I have an extra Lightning cable I bought, so I don't really want to step backwards now..I know, a silly reason, but if I'm getting new tech I'd like to get the newest version..
 
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