iPad mini Anyone having eye strain with their iPad mini?

[nishishei]

I get less eye strain on the Mini than on my iPad 3. I like my text a little fuzzy (like ClearType), so there's less text contrast against the white backlight. Problem with iPad3 also is that it's not truly retina or print-quality (only 260dpi), so you still see some tiny pixels which can strain your eyes as well.

Maybe I'm just used to crappier displays.

To each his own.

 

[nfl46]

Nope. I wear glasses. Lol. Without the glasses on, the text hurts my eyes.

 

[HM Apple]

The reading of text (especially light grays) and zooming in for clarity made my viewing harder. Had brightness all the way up to 100%.

 

[Martylaa]

It's going back and I will get one when retina hits the mini, it's a lovely bi of kit but not right for me at the moment

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Where was this sentiment throughout the time before iPad 3? 2 generations of the exact same resolution at lower ppi and no eye strain/headaches.

I suspect this is just people really wanting the 3/4 and looking for ways to rationalize it... especially if these people have previously owned a 1 or 2.

I'm not one to usually jump to Apple's defense (and I do think they should have worked out a way to build in something better than this res in this gen of Mini) but it's funny to watch the rationalizations like this one. I guess it's the somewhat rare scenario where Apple competes against Apple at price points close enough to make one product as easily accessible as another. I mean, once you've spent $329 or more for Mini, the "maxi" is "only $____ more".

The good news in all of these (reasons I'm returning my Mini) threads is that the refurb store will soon be loaded with practically brand new Minis, probably priced at the level where many of us expected them to be (as new). If Apple does the usual 10-15% off, that discount will buy a lot of aspirin.

 

[Quantus]

Where was this sentiment throughout the time before iPad 3? 2 generations of the exact same resolution at lower ppi and no eye strain/headaches.

I suspect this is just people really wanting the 3/4 and looking for ways to rationalize it... especially if these people have previously owned a 1 or 2.

I'm not one to usually jump to Apple's defense (and I do think they should have worked out a way to build in something better than this res in this gen of Mini) but it's funny to watch the rationalizations like this one. I guess it's the somewhat rare scenario where Apple competes against Apple at price points close enough to make one product as easily accessible as another. I mean, once you've spent $329 or more for Mini, the "maxi" is "only $____ more".

The good news in all of these (reasons I'm returning my Mini) threads is that the refurb store will soon be loaded with practically brand new Minis, probably priced at the level where many of us expected them to be (as new). If Apple does the usual 10-15% off, that discount will buy a lot of aspirin.

iPad 1 and 2 render text larger. The fuzz isn't as noticeable.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

iPad 3 & 4 render text at exactly the same size as 1 & 2. The screen size is exactly the same size for 1-4. 3 & 4 have more pixels packed into the same-size space to yield "retina". The higher ppi does allow for sharper text (but it is the same size).

iPad Mini has higher ppi than 1 & 2. Yes, all imagery appears smaller on the Mini because the resolution of 1 & 2 is shrunk down from a 9.7" screen to a 7.9" screen but the pixels being used are exactly the same number of pixels and the ppi is higher.

Personally, I've looked at smallish text on Mini and I think it will work. My eyes are not perfect but I still think it will work. The iPhone crowd doesn't seem to suffer these "headaches" from viewing that much smaller-sized screen. How do they make it work? If they are zooming it a bit to make text less "fuzzy", we can do the same with the Mini. In other words, if it is a font-size problem, we can easily zoom to make the fonts BIGGER than they appear on iPad 3 or 4... even on the much smaller screen of an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Again, not defending Apple too much here (I'm often critical of Apple's decisions that seem unApple-like (and I do fault Apple for the decision to NOT up the resolution with this device)), but I find this particular "problem" funny. I suspect it's more of a "I really wanted a full-sized iPad" and this is just one of the rationalizations being used to justify opening the wallet again.

Further, I bet this thread will finish at about 60 posts. And Apple will probably announce selling millions of iPad Minis soon. Perhaps we should all buy stock in aspirin companies?

Of course, for those who are genuinely suffering- or just wanting a "Maxi" (for whatever reason)- everyone should do what's best for themselves. I just see this kind of thought process as a great feeder for being able to buy Minis in the refurb store for <$300 sooner than later.

 

[NutsNGum]

iPad 3 & 4 render text at exactly the same size as 1 & 2. The screen size is exactly the same size for 1-4. 3 & 4 have more pixels packed into the same-size space to yield "retina". The higher ppi does allow for sharper text (but it is the same size).

iPad Mini has higher ppi than 1 & 2. Yes, all imagery appears smaller on the Mini because the resolution of 1 & 2 is shrunk down from a 9.7" screen to a 7.9" screen but the pixels being used are exactly the same number of pixels and the ppi is higher.

Again, not defending Apple too much here (I'm often critical of Apple's decisions that seem unApple-like (and I do fault Apple for the decision to NOT up the resolution with this device)), but I find this particular "problem" funny. I suspect it's more of a "I really wanted a full-sized iPad" and this is just one of the rationalizations being used to justify opening the wallet again.

With the same number of pixels in a smaller package, things may be harder to read. Pretty simple stuff, I don't know why you consider this to be rationalising behaviour.

 

[kas23]

Where was this sentiment throughout the time before iPad 3? 2 generations of the exact same resolution at lower ppi and no eye strain/headaches.

I suspect this is just people really wanting the 3/4 and looking for ways to rationalize it... especially if these people have previously owned a 1 or 2.

I'm not one to usually jump to Apple's defense (and I do think they should have worked out a way to build in something better than this res in this gen of Mini) but it's funny to watch the rationalizations like this one. I guess it's the somewhat rare scenario where Apple competes against Apple at price points close enough to make one product as easily accessible as another. I mean, once you've spent $329 or more for Mini, the "maxi" is "only $____ more".

The good news in all of these (reasons I'm returning my Mini) threads is that the refurb store will soon be loaded with practically brand new Minis, probably priced at the level where many of us expected them to be (as new). If Apple does the usual 10-15% off, that discount will buy a lot of aspirin.

I suspect, somewhere within all those words, you're trying to either rationalize a future mini purchase or one that has already occurred. Why else would you get so offended by other people's opinion of the mini? It hurts these people's eyes and they returned it. Deal.

 

[adamirox]

I wanted to use the mini for longer reading sessions since it's light and easiy to hold but i couldn't read for long on it cause my eyes were really getting strained.

Took it back, got a refund cause of a different fault ( black ionised alluminum started peeling off four days after the purchase) gonna wait for the retina one for sure now although i can't wait!

 

[FrozenDarkness]

i haven't gotten much eye strain, but i've been using ipad mini as a game machine

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

With the same number of pixels in a smaller package, things may be harder to read. Pretty simple stuff, I don't know why you consider this to be rationalising behaviour.

Because we don't see the same in iPhone and iPod Touch forums, both of which have much smaller screens. Conceptually, people should be getting even more eye strain & headaches with those devices but we don't see that. It seems to be a problem uniquely associated with iPad Mini.

The rationalizing seems to go: "it gives me eye strain... so I'm getting a 'Maxi' instead." Nothing wrong with doing whatever people like. I simply find it funny that we're not also seeing: "iPhone gives me eye strain... so I'm getting a "Mini" or "Maxi" too. No such threads. Apparently, things are fine in the smaller screen iPhone/Touch and fine at the iPad "Maxi" screen sizes... just a problem at this Mini size.

And for every post here about eye strain/headaches, there seems to be many more posts talking about how great the screen is... no headaches/eye strain at all in other threads.

Again, I'm in with the wishing that it launched with a higher resolution screen. I just find this funny against the backdrop of apparently no eye strain/headaches/"fuzzy" with the smaller iDevices, etc. Of course, people should get whatever makes them happy.

 

[NutsNGum]

Because we don't see the same in iPhone and iPod Touch forums, both of which have much smaller screens. Conceptually, people should be getting even more eye strain & headaches with those devices but we don't see that. It seems to be a problem uniquely associated with iPad Mini.

The rationalizing seems to go: "it gives me eye strain... so I'm getting a 'Maxi' instead." Nothing wrong with doing whatever people like. I simply find it funny that we're not also seeing: "iPhone gives me eye strain... so I'm getting a "Mini" or "Maxi" too. No such threads. Apparently, things are fine in the smaller screen iPhone/Touch and fine at the iPad "Maxi" screen sizes... just a problem at this Mini size.

And for every post here about eye strain/headaches, there seems to be many more posts talking about how great the screen is... no headaches/eye strain at all in other threads.

Again, I'm in with the wishing that it launched with a higher resolution screen. I just find this funny against the backdrop of apparently no eye strain/headaches/"fuzzy" with the smaller iDevices, etc. Of course, people should get whatever makes them happy.

Distance from eyes is the reason. People who buy the iPhone and iPod Touch are using it much closer to their eyes, they also both feature retina displays. The two devices are used in different ways, so it's impossible to make such a direct comparison.

You have to realise that some people's eyes just won't dig the mini. It's not that big a deal, it's nonsense to draw the conclusion that people are justifying to themselves so as to get the larger iPad, when they obviously bought the mini with the intention of using/enjoying it.

 

[Kayakphotos]

I've switched my browser so I can adjust the text size and I can adjust the text size in the kindle app. Reading small text has been the only issue (for me).

 

[Bakari45]

I was experiencing some strain when reading in the Kindle app, but I changed the font to Helvetica and increased the size, I'm okay with it now. I also use Atomic Web to increase font size. I don't want to go back to a larger iPad.

 

[chris7777]

Unless they shrink the pixels even further, or use a lower ppi on the "retina" mini, I can see why they waited. They would either have yet another resolution for developers to implement, or some extremely tiny pixels if they were able to match retina on ipad 3/4


still haven't seen on in person If I had the $ or could win one I would love it for the weight, but it is really difficult to go back from retina once you get used to it.

I love my 3 but it is a brick, the mini would be a nice weight per screen size, but I for one will wait.

 

[aka777]

Mines going back will get a Kindle fire HD or Nexus 7 until Apple release a mini with a better display retina or HD then I will get one. It will be amazing with a retina screen....

In an analysis of screens, the mini has 53% more reflections than the Kindle fire hd.

 

[RevTEG]

The mini is hurting my eyes as well. Mainly from using Safari. Text is to small except in landscape. Will be returning it. Wanted a mini a long time. But just isn't working for me. Love my 3 though.

 

[NutsNGum]

In an analysis of screens, the mini has 53% more reflections than the Kindle fire hd.

How many login names do you have?

 

[urkel]

I agree. I keep hearing about bad eyes but for some reason I can use my iPhone 5 for long periods of time.

Exactly.

A 4" iPhone is more readable for more people than an 8" tablet.

How the heck is that being defended, and how the heck is that the users fault? The screen is good enough, the PPI is good enough but the OS and 1st Party Apps are NOT. So to blame the users rather than Apple is obnoxious because the solution isn't glasses, its Apple (and its defenders) acknowledging that shrinking a UI/Apps may require customizing the OS and optimizing text sizes for a smaller screen.

 

[xofruitcake]

All these too small threads are ridiculous. If you read via kindle or iBooks you can adjust the font size which i do on my iPad 4 regardless. When you are reading web pages and want to zoom in (ie NYtimes website) you double click to zoom as I do on normal iPad. And if text is too small to read for some you can pinch out to make it bigger. And if you really think that is too much trouble you can use one of the alternate browsers like Perfect Browser which allow you to increase font size or you can do this (which I do) on those occasions when using Safari and you want to have the page's font size bigger if its a long read (http://marcos.kirsch.com.mx/2012/04/29/font-size-bookmarklets/).

I think the horse has been pummeled to death regarding the screen. But if that is your sole decision factor go grab the Nook HD which is regarded to have best 7" screen. Its to each his own and everyone is entitled to their preference of device but its ridiculous to complain the text is too small and thus the device has to be returned when there are plenty of options available to increase text size if that is your complaint.

I beg to differ.. It is a discussion forum about Ipad mini. Some people like the mini screen, other think that it is acceptable and some don't find it acceptable. So why is it o.k. for a poster to post that he likes the screen but not o.k. for another poster to post that the screen hurt their eye?

Ipad mini is a niche tablet that is targeted to a specific group of users and I think it is going to successful beyond Apple's hope. The lower price point will do well for the budget crowd and the lighter and thinner will do well for the mobile crowd. But it is not a perfect tablet for other who may find the display a problem and there is no reason to try to stop people who want to share their thought. This is an open forum after all and it is not just a forum that only accept "praise about Apple product".

 

[dhy8386]

I beg to differ.. It is a discussion forum about Ipad mini. Some people like the mini screen, other think that it is acceptable and some don't find it acceptable. So why is it o.k. for a poster to post that he likes the screen but not o.k. for another poster to post that the screen hurt their eye?

Ipad mini is a niche tablet that is targeted to a specific group of users and I think it is going to successful beyond Apple's hope. The lower price point will do well for the budget crowd and the lighter and thinner will do well for the mobile crowd. But it is not a perfect tablet for other who may find the display a problem and there is no reason to try to stop people who want to share their thought. This is an open forum after all and it is not just a forum that only accept "praise about Apple product".

No where did I opine on the ipad mini being a good, bad, or in between tablet. As I point out, to each his own. And in a discussion forum we all know there is way too much misinformation and wining / trolling. People come to forums predominantly for help and to share their experiences with others. It is not helpful to say "gosh I get eye strain from looking at this device, it's going back". All the reading apps can have their text size adjusted. Many apps its a non event and for the other apps you can always make the text bigger. Some of those options have trade offs which is appropriate to discuss and debate. The problem is that people are so damn defensive of both their purchases and opinions that they resort to nastiness, misinformation to prove their point, or just bitching. There are opinions and then there are facts. And helping users weed through these is what the forums should be used for, IMHO.

 

[MrXiro]

I love the mini, much more than my ipad 3 but after a week I am realising this screen is hard work in my eyes for reading my books and when I load Internet sites up I have to expand the screen otherwise it's a strain on my eyes.
My vision is perfect but this screen and the text size on pages is starting to make me think I might return it and get one in the future when the screen is retina.

For me the strain much worse on my iPhone 5 because the size of the text... South as nothing to do with Retina but the size of the fonts.

 

[aka777]

Since the ipad mini has 53% more reflections than the kindle fire, it does make sense.

I have two eye glasses. One is coated against reflections and glare, the other is not. Within an hour of watching TV, my eyes start to hurt whenever I use the frame that has no anti-glare coating.

 

[BFW122083]

Apple spoiled us with displays and have made us expect nothing less than "retina" resolution on all their products. I have owned every generation of the iPad and always thought the displays looked great. I am now addicted to retina. Between my iphone, iPad 3, retina macbook pro, and thunderbolt display (I know it isnt retina, but its extremely sharp), my eyes have gotten accustomed to retina displays.

I can honestly say reading text on the mini gave me a bit of a headache. When I would stop using it my vision seemed fuzzy for a little bit. I LOVED the size, weight, design, absolutely everything about it, except the display. I believe this is due to being used to high res screens on all my other devices. I am 28 years old with 20/20 vision. When I had my ipad 2 and older macbook pro I never got headaches. Always thought the screens looked great.

I believe that the people that are having no issues are the ones that are not used to retina displays. I almost wish I wasn't, because I loved the thing. I don't care much for specs, its about the experience for me. I returned it after two days of use and got an iPad 4. I am still thinking about the mini because I loved everything but the display on it.

There seems to be two sides here where people adamantly defend the mini, or find reasons to bash it. It did not live up to some peoples expectations (mine included, but because apple has led me to believe they were moving towards all retina devices with each new release), but for others its awesome. I wish the display didnt bother me, I really do.