Well I actually mainly spend time using it while holding it, so the lighter weight and smaller size will come in handy in this case.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Anyone switched from 9.7 to Mini?
- Thread starter JerTheGeek
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I got a new Air last year for Christmas and I felt that it was too big. I just purchased a mini 2 and I already prefer the size. I'll be using it for web browsing and watching tv shows in bed.
I just got the mini 4 thinking I'd sell my air 2. I've previously owned every other iPad except the mini 3. Previously there was a huge benefit to the size of the mini, but with the air 2 weight cut its at a point to me where I just can't see switching any more. The missing screen of the air 2 is a far greater sacrifice than the weight savings of the mini. The iPad mini2 was always my favorite form factor but as of now the deal is don't on that. The air 2 weighs so little it's just not worth giving up the screen.
If you're talking about any other comparison including the air I think and argument can be made to go to the mini. As of now I don't feel there's enough in hand,one differences to justify leaving out the air 2 and as such assuming price isn't an issue I can't recommend the mini 4 over the air 2
I absolutely feel upgrading from the air one to the air to was probably as big of a difference is going from the air to the mini or very very close to it. And I would urge people to consider upgrading from the original air to the second one before skipping down to the smaller size. Especially considering the new multitasking capabilities in the picture a picture you can get away with a smaller size picture in picture on the air but with the many you have use the larger one which occupies fair amount of the screen real estate
Aside from iPads I also have a surface pro 3. It's the worst machine I've ever owned but aside from that the size of slate is just too big to be a comfortable every day tablet. You'll be relying on voice input when it's not got a keyboard attached. I'm 6'5" and I can't say anything about a 12-13 inch tablet is remotely Usable everything is two hands. With the air 2 I can easily hold it for hours in one hand. Just like the mini 4. . But anyway even with the sp3 and iPhone six plus k thought the mini would fit better in that lineup. It doesn't really
This is after a week of mini 4. And around four months or so of air 2
If you're talking about any other comparison including the air I think and argument can be made to go to the mini. As of now I don't feel there's enough in hand,one differences to justify leaving out the air 2 and as such assuming price isn't an issue I can't recommend the mini 4 over the air 2
I absolutely feel upgrading from the air one to the air to was probably as big of a difference is going from the air to the mini or very very close to it. And I would urge people to consider upgrading from the original air to the second one before skipping down to the smaller size. Especially considering the new multitasking capabilities in the picture a picture you can get away with a smaller size picture in picture on the air but with the many you have use the larger one which occupies fair amount of the screen real estate
Aside from iPads I also have a surface pro 3. It's the worst machine I've ever owned but aside from that the size of slate is just too big to be a comfortable every day tablet. You'll be relying on voice input when it's not got a keyboard attached. I'm 6'5" and I can't say anything about a 12-13 inch tablet is remotely Usable everything is two hands. With the air 2 I can easily hold it for hours in one hand. Just like the mini 4. . But anyway even with the sp3 and iPhone six plus k thought the mini would fit better in that lineup. It doesn't really
This is after a week of mini 4. And around four months or so of air 2
Last edited:
I did the same, now I have both.
My vote for my Air 2 is more decisive at a strong 50.26% ...ha...ha...ha.
i would consider it, but the iPad Air 2 is the perfect companion for reading, lightroom photo work and general typing with MS Office and of course consumable entertainment. My eyes would struggle with a smaller screen again. I tried to get used to the iPad Mini when i first had it, but couldn't.
It depends on your needs and how you see the iPad itself fitting into your daily life.
I think the iPad Mini is perfect for say young school kids between the ages of 5 and 10 who need one for the class room. I see this all the time , 9 years olds lugging an iPad 3 or 2 to classrooms and the things load up their bags!
Again, thats just my experience.
It depends on your needs and how you see the iPad itself fitting into your daily life.
I think the iPad Mini is perfect for say young school kids between the ages of 5 and 10 who need one for the class room. I see this all the time , 9 years olds lugging an iPad 3 or 2 to classrooms and the things load up their bags!
Again, thats just my experience.
For me it's not so much about weight as form factor. The dimensions of the air 2 with that bigger screen make it inconvenient to carry around. Also, despite it being lightweight, the larger form factor is still harder to hold than the mini 4. I spend a lot of time sitting outside holding the iPad doing school, and I know that the mini 4 will be much more comfortable for this. It will just be much nicer to hold .65 lbs vs .96 lbs especially since the mini is physically smaller.
I did the same, now I have both.
My vote for my Air 2 is more decisive at a strong 50.26% ...ha...ha...ha.
I am doing the same and will have both when I can get a mini 4 from Best Buy. Seriously they still cannot stock a cellular mini 4 and might not until November. I plan to use the mini when out of the house and the air at home.
See before I would be 100% in agreement but having used the iPad Air 2 and mini 4 I just don't think the form factor is that different. You're not realistically walking around with either in your pocket and the air is the first truly one hand holdable 9.7" iPad. The weight they saved from for the first air and how thin it is means you can truly sit and hold it with a few fingers on the side.
That said this only works if you use it nude. If you are a have to have a case beyond a Smart Cover kind of person my theory goes out the window.
I get what you are saying, but I actually was able to slip the mini 1 into my pocket which actually helped me carry it around more easily, as crazy as it sounds. Just in general the mini 4 is more portable and since I already have my MBA 13, it makes more sense to have the more portable iPad for me.
Yes. I went from an original iPad to an iPad Air to an iPad Mini 4. With the Mini 4 I also upgraded to LTE for the first time and downgraded to 16GB storage. This works perfect for me as I have a relatively small laptop (rMB) and the iPad Mini has become my ultra-portable on the go device. I use it to take notes, send emails, etc on the go and don't need the extra storage or screen realestate.
I think ultimately I'm just looking for a perfect in between my MBA and iPhone 6. My iPad is probably my most used device, and I want it to be versatile enough to take it places easily and use it anywhere comfortably. The air just doesn't provide that for me right now.
It really isn't. I stopped noticing the size difference almost immediately and appreciate how light and easy the device is to hold. I use the onscreen keyboard a lot and had no trouble switching. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but I feel like I'm losing next to nothing with the less than 2" change in display size but gaining a much more portable device.
That is true, what you lose in screen size you gain in portability. And there is the same screen resolution, plus more ppi.
Right. Plus I'm definitely appreciating the Touch ID, Wireless AC, and thinness of the device. All things I would've gotten with the Air 2 of course, but going from the Air 1 they're great upgrades.
Definitely. I knew the air 2, IMO, wouldn't be worth the upgrade; but adding the smaller form factor plus all the other upgrades, with the mini 4, and it is certainly a worthy upgrade from the air 1.
Some of us are.
Not my pants pocket, but my suit jacket pocket where it fits like a glove. As a result for me the mini is nearly as effectively portable as my phone. Some carry it in a purse.
Now I understand plenty of people don't where a jacket, or don't want to carry an iPad in their pocket, and for them the Air may be just as good. But how portable a device is depends in part on how one uses it.
I'd say the biggest adjustment is the keyboard. The keyboard on the 9.7" is big enough to make touch-typing with 10 fingers possible. The Mini is just a little too small for that (YMMV).
I was able to type fine on my old mini 1 in landscape. Anyway, I don't plan to do too much typing on it, I can do that on my 13 inch MacBook Air.
Last edited:
I have the air 1 and love it. I just added the mini 4 for something different. To watch video for lengthy periods, the bigger screen wins. For everything else the mini 4 wins. I have to say I have my air 1 in a zagg keyboard setup, so I don't have to hold it up while watching it. That would probably make a difference.
This decision really is hard. I keep thinking I'm sold on the mini 4, but I am not 100% yet. I think the biggest thing pushing me away from the air 2 is that it is already a year old and an Air 3 may be out next spring. Do you think this is enough of a reason to not get the air 2? Is it significant enough of an upgrade from an air 1 to get at this point in its lifecycle?
When I consider the features I get vs. my air 1, it doesn't seem that worth it. Mainly just a bit thinner, more storage than I currently have, Touch ID, bit faster, and split screen apps. However if I'm upgrading for the smaller form factor of the mini, seems worth it.
When I consider the features I get vs. my air 1, it doesn't seem that worth it. Mainly just a bit thinner, more storage than I currently have, Touch ID, bit faster, and split screen apps. However if I'm upgrading for the smaller form factor of the mini, seems worth it.
Look, that doesn't make sense.
The Mini 4 is already behind the Air 2 in terms of hardware. If you are worked about the Air 2 being out of date, you shouldn't be thinking about the Mini 4, either.Or in other words, no, I don't think that's a reason to not buy an Air 2 today.
I had an Air 1 until early summer. Honestly, if you already own it and don't care about split view, upgrading wouldn't make sense. As a new purchase today, on the other hand, I don't think the Air 1 makes much sense. It's on the wrong side of the 2GB divide.
True, true. The specs are the same. I guess it really depends on what size I want. I would expect both would be upgraded with 3D Touch and a9 probably next year right? So it would be silly to buy based on what is coming out next year, considering it is a year away?Look, that doesn't make sense.
Or in other words, no, I don't think that's a reason to not buy an Air 2 today.
I had an Air 1 until early summer. Honestly, if you already own it and don't care about split view, upgrading wouldn't make sense. As a new purchase today, on the other hand, I don't think the Air 1 makes much sense. It's on the wrong side of the 2GB divide.