I had the iPad 3 then went to mini 1, mini 2, air 2. I like the portability and weight of the mini but love the screen size of the air 2. I think eventually Apple will shrink the bezels and reduce the weight of the air even more for the air 3. Both devices are great but the bigger screen wins it for me.
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Anyone switched from 9.7 to Mini?
- Thread starter JerTheGeek
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So I was just lying in bed using my iPad Air 1 to research the iPad mini 4 vs iPad Air 2; and as I was using it I thought, this screen is just so nice, and I know if I got the mini I'd miss it. I love this size, and even though it may be a bit less portable, it is worth it cause this screen is great.
I did for one week. The Mini 4 was a great micro tablet but the font was just too small and I had eye strain.
I went back to the Air 2 and not only is my vision better but I can type twice as fast on the screen.
Portability isn't any better with the Mini over the Air 2. Both are so thin and light that there was no reason to have such a small screen of the mini 4. I just didn't see any advantages for my needs with the mini4 over the Air2. I am also getting the Pro and use the Air2 as my portable.
I went back to the Air 2 and not only is my vision better but I can type twice as fast on the screen.
Portability isn't any better with the Mini over the Air 2. Both are so thin and light that there was no reason to have such a small screen of the mini 4. I just didn't see any advantages for my needs with the mini4 over the Air2. I am also getting the Pro and use the Air2 as my portable.
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That is a great point; at this size, both are still portable, and may as well get the larger screen if your carrying around an iPad anyway.
We are now at a point of a 6mm thick tablet. It is already almost too thin to hold comfortably in the hand without it in a case. I suspect the Pro at 6.7mm will still be very portable for me. My older iPads like the iPad 3 feel like a brick in comparison to the Air 2.
FYI... My Air 2 battery life is exactly what my IPad 2 and 3 are getting. 12 hours of web use except I can do this now.
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FYI... My Air 2 battery life is exactly what my IPad 2 and 3 are getting. 12 hours of web use except I can do this now.
Yes, that is a great point. I think I'll be sticking with the 9.7 inch size. The air 2 is a significant upgrade from the air I believe.
Now in terms of future proofing, how good do you think the air 2 would be? Is it worth it to wait for the air 3? Or will that not be till next year in the fall?
Air --> Air 2 --> Air --> Mini 4
My first Mini, and frankly surprised how much I liked it.
Everything I do with iPads is on lap or closer. I've never propped it up at a distance to watch a movie, for instance. So your use may vary. But this display is creamy... no pixel peeping at all. Loving it.
My first Mini, and frankly surprised how much I liked it.
Everything I do with iPads is on lap or closer. I've never propped it up at a distance to watch a movie, for instance. So your use may vary. But this display is creamy... no pixel peeping at all. Loving it.
Went original iPad from its first year of release to the Mini, then Mini 2. Went Mini 2 to Air 2 this summer. All have seen heavier use than most people will ever do, because they've been 85-95% laptop replacements, all day, every day. While not quite as light as a Mini 2, the Air 2 is significantly lighter than the Air (which we also have in the house.) I carry mine in one hand all around the house, same as I did with the Mini. The only time I miss the smaller size is when I want to take it out and about. The Mini fit into almost every purse I own, the Air 2 only fits the larger ones. Solution...more purses! 
Would I go back to a Mini size tablet again? Probably not. The Mini just renders websites way too small for comfort. Video is better on the larger screen. And for any productive work (writing, light photo editing), the Air 2 is just better all around. For me, that outweighs the portability of the Mini by a lot.
(And yes, the Air 2 is a significant upgrade from any iPad...but I personally don't think it's worth the money upgrading from the Air if you already have that model. If I'd had an Air of my own, I'd have waited to upgrade until the Air 3...even if that's another year. We're not upgrading my husband's Air until at least that point; it's honestly still an excellent device.)
Would I go back to a Mini size tablet again? Probably not. The Mini just renders websites way too small for comfort. Video is better on the larger screen. And for any productive work (writing, light photo editing), the Air 2 is just better all around. For me, that outweighs the portability of the Mini by a lot.
(And yes, the Air 2 is a significant upgrade from any iPad...but I personally don't think it's worth the money upgrading from the Air if you already have that model. If I'd had an Air of my own, I'd have waited to upgrade until the Air 3...even if that's another year. We're not upgrading my husband's Air until at least that point; it's honestly still an excellent device.)
That is one my biggest gripes with the Mini. To my amazement there is no way to increase default text size in Safari, and I haven't found a replacement browser that does much better. (Does iPhone also not have this ability?! My Note 4 does... was thinking of moving to iPhone but that would be a deal breaker for me.) I never noticed that before because I was only using a 9.7 inch iPad. Lack of this feature basically make the Mini fairly miserable to use for browsing unless you have superb vision or have reading glasses on.
Anyway, I agree with you. The Air 2 is far more usable, in general. The Mini is a beautiful little device, and very easy to like. But it's very unfriendly to eyes that don't see as well close up.
Nothing is really taxing the A8X right now (or maybe almost nothing, maybe some games? - can't address that from personal experience). I think the Air 2 is good for several years. iOS 9 has only caught up with the Air 2 a year after it was introduced.
This closely mirrors my iPad history: iPad Original, iPad 2, Mini 1, Mini 2, Air Original, Air2 (i.e. Just purchased Air2 after also testing Mini 4).
Also note that I had a small iPhone 3.5 inch display while I had the Mini 1 & 2. I moved up to the 6 plus last year (when I went with the Air Original). I find the 6plus, Air 2 to be a nice combination. They don't compete with each other. I also have a 15 inch MBPr that I use for work.....nice spacing between the various screen sizes....each gets a lot of use.
The OP also asked about how future proof the Air 3 is: My take - In terms of power, I think the A8x will hold in nicely for quite a while (i.e. Similar to the longevity the iPad 2 enjoyed). It will likely be features other than power that will drive a desire to upgrade (i.e. 4K display, smaller form factor...thinner bezels....new design, some new feature that only works on the new release, etc...).
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I switched from an iPad Air 1 to a Mini 4. It was all about size for me. I find the Mini to be the perfect sized iPad. It's just light enough that my wrists don't get sore, and it's still large enough and powerful enough to produce an enjoyable tablet experience. It compliments my iPhone 6 quite well. The Air and the Mini are both very portable devices, but I do find myself taking the Mini with me more often. It's just so easy to carry around.
I did, I sold my Air 2 to help pay for the Pro. I figure having a mini and a Pro will work out perfectly. The Pro will be for art homework and such at home. Then the mini will be my in the field device.
I have an iPhone 6s+, iPad Mini 4, and incoming iPad Pro. (Small, less small, ginormous.) lol.
Kal.
I am like the most indecisive person ever, lol. I've decided to go with the mini 4. The air is just not as portable and versatile as I want my iPad to be.
iPad -> iPad 3 -> iPad 4 -> iPad Air -> iPad Air 2 -> iPad Mini 4
Love my new iPm4. It's just so much better on the move and I have my MacBook for when I'm not on the move.
Love my new iPm4. It's just so much better on the move and I have my MacBook for when I'm not on the move.
That is true; I already have my MB Air so I really don't need a large iPad Air on top of that; may as well stay super portable with the mini.
I know you said you've made a decision but one thing to consider is that the 9.7" screen is much better if you are using it at a desk/table. I have a MacBook Air as well and often use them together. The Mini is nice for holding but IMO too small when you put it down.
The larger screen is also noticeably better for typing and watching videos. I found watching a movie in bed on the Mini to be a lacklustre experience.
I have an iPad 2 and later got the iPad mini 2. Even if I had an iPad Air 2, I think I would use the mini more for what I use it for, which is mainly bedtime reading and baby monitor. It's just so much easier to pick up and use...
For watching movies, for sure I'll use the regular iPad, but haven't been able to watch much of anything lately.
For watching movies, for sure I'll use the regular iPad, but haven't been able to watch much of anything lately.
Got mini when I thought it's more portable and I would carry it out. The truth is I still rarely take the iPad out of the house and continue to use iPhone all the time as it is more convenient.
If iPad is mostly for home, and you have the 4.7" or 5.5" iPhone, iPad Air is good enough (iPad Air 2 is last year's tech, wait for iPad Air 3 if you can)
I would even suggest that for home use (except for lying in bed, which iPhone is actually more ideal than even mini, and Air is still not as comfortable), iPad Pro may be the best for media consumption and reading.
Here's my suggestions:
1. if you have iPhone 5S, and want a bigger device to carry on your backpack outside of your home. Mini 4 is very nice (especially with LTE, tethering on a regular basis is a hassle)
2. if you have iPhone 6/6+/6S/6S+, hold onto your iPad Air and evaluate iPad Pro or wait for iPad Air 3 for home use
If iPad is mostly for home, and you have the 4.7" or 5.5" iPhone, iPad Air is good enough (iPad Air 2 is last year's tech, wait for iPad Air 3 if you can)
I would even suggest that for home use (except for lying in bed, which iPhone is actually more ideal than even mini, and Air is still not as comfortable), iPad Pro may be the best for media consumption and reading.
Here's my suggestions:
1. if you have iPhone 5S, and want a bigger device to carry on your backpack outside of your home. Mini 4 is very nice (especially with LTE, tethering on a regular basis is a hassle)
2. if you have iPhone 6/6+/6S/6S+, hold onto your iPad Air and evaluate iPad Pro or wait for iPad Air 3 for home use