iPad Buy iPad Air in April?

[Poly]

Well I'm from Germany and I will visit Orlando(FL) in mid April. Currently i have an iPad Mini first gen but the processing speed and screen resolution drive me crazy combared to my 5S and even my much older 4S!

As you may know, € and $ prices are put almost to the same numeric value. But due to the good exchange rate i would save a lot of money!

Now I don't know if it's still worth it in April....
A) How is the Airs processing power?
B) Can't really decide between the Air and Mini retina....I replaced my old iPad1 with the first Mini originally...

Could you guys tell me your thoughts on what YOU would do in my place?

 

[Rodster]

I purchased both and returned the rMini because I prefer the bigger screen on the Air. Both iPads are nice and it all depends on what screen size you prefer. If you haven't compared the two you will be amazed at what Apple did to shrink the size of iPad. The weight of the Air is pretty light although previous iPad weight never bothered me.

As far as performance the Air has a slight bump in CPU performance but you probably won't be able to tell the difference.

If you are happy with the size of the mini then the rMini will be a good choice. My suggestion is to compare both side by side.

 

[s2mikey]

I'm all about the larger screen and it does it for me. The mini is nice but wouldn't cut it for my needs. The Air is so svelt and unimposing that it darned well almost feels like a mini. IMO.

I'm sure you'll figure it out and do what suits ya.

 

[eggersj]

You didn't comment on portability, so I would 100% get the air.... You can't go wrong either way... Both are awesome products.

 

[Ludatyk]

In your situation... Since you currently have the 1st generation iPad Mini, I would recommend you get the retina iPad Mini since you are already accustomed to the size.

As the above commenter mention, iPad Air & rMini are both great devices. Can't go wrong with either one. But it all depends on the individual... And in the end you are the one with the final say.

 

[Adonys]

only you can answer your own question. You have owned the iPad and mini, which one suits you best?

 

[Max(IT)]

Well I'm from Germany and I will visit Orlando(FL) in mid April. Currently i have an iPad Mini first gen but the processing speed and screen resolution drive me crazy combared to my 5S and even my much older 4S!

As you may know, € and $ prices are put almost to the same numeric value. But due to the good exchange rate i would save a lot of money!

Now I don't know if it's still worth it in April....
A) How is the Airs processing power?
B) Can't really decide between the Air and Mini retina....I replaced my old iPad1 with the first Mini originally...

Could you guys tell me your thoughts on what YOU would do in my place?

I don't think we are going to see any new iPad until September or layer, so it's alright to buy one in April ...

Processing power is the same for the air and the retina mini, and it's absolutely stunning.

The choice between mini and air is up to you and your needs. I like the mini very much, but I need the screen estate of the Air much more.

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You didn't comment on portability, so I would 100% get the air.... You can't go wrong either way... Both are awesome products.

The Mini is wonderful , but portability isn't a problem on the Air also: it's thin and very light.

 

[Poly]

I don't think we are going to see any new iPad until September or layer, so it's alright to buy one in April ...

Processing power is the same for the air and the retina mini, and it's absolutely stunning.

The choice between mini and air is up to you and your needs. I like the mini very much, but I need the screen estate of the Air much more.

----------



The Mini is wonderful , but portability isn't a problem on the Air also: it's thin and very light.

Do you know how much the Air 32gb Wifi costs in Florida with taxes?

 

[Max(IT)]

Do you know how much the Air 32gb Wifi costs in Florida with taxes?

About 638$ .... It's 465 €

 

[Poly]

About 638$ .... It's 465 €

Thank you
Well so it's not that big of a saving considering that i'll have to pay importing-taxes for everything above 450€....and i still need Levis, sunglasses and Victorias Secret bras for my gf All those shiny things you only get in the UsA.

Today i tested both the mini2 and Air in store and IT IS A FREAKING HARD DECISION. Performance wise they're miles ahead of my mini....but the size is difficult....10" feel just so big, but 8" feels small.

 

[Max(IT)]

Thank you
Well so it's not that big of a saving considering that i'll have to pay importing-taxes for everything above 450€....and i still need Levis, sunglasses and Victorias Secret bras for my gf All those shiny things you only get in the UsA.

Today i tested both the mini2 and Air in store and IT IS A FREAKING HARD DECISION. Performance wise they're miles ahead of my mini....but the size is difficult....10" feel just so big, but 8" feels small.

Don't want to suggest something illegal but .... If you trash the box and configure the iPad how could someone say it wasn't bought in Europe ?
It's a big saving in my opinion ... More than 30% off

 

[FrankB1191]

Poly,
I had an iPad 4, and then bought an iPad Mini1. The iPad 4 never saw daylight again. I bought the Air on the day it came out, and then the Retina Mini on the day it came out as well. The Air is just so much different than the iPad 4 in terms of weight and being thin, I returned the rMini. I'm still amazed by the Air's thinness and light weight, and it's been 5 months! There's no downside to the Air, and believe me, I wanted the rMini to be the perfect device.

 

[Poly]

Don't want to suggest something illegal but .... If you trash the box and configure the iPad how could someone say it wasn't bought in Europe ?
It's a big saving in my opinion ... More than 30% off

I think I will deffinitely do that. Thanks

Poly,
I had an iPad 4, and then bought an iPad Mini1. The iPad 4 never saw daylight again. I bought the Air on the day it came out, and then the Retina Mini on the day it came out as well. The Air is just so much different than the iPad 4 in terms of weight and being thin, I returned the rMini. I'm still amazed by the Air's thinness and light weight, and it's been 5 months! There's no downside to the Air, and believe me, I wanted the rMini to be the perfect device.

This is exactly how i felt, too, when testing rMini and the Air! Will probably buy the Air 32GB wifi in Florida this month.
The Apple Store is just 30minutes away, which is awesome

Short question: Does anyone know if the US Apple Store can support me with an european power plug? Because the jack itself has a different form in the EU.

 

[Breaking Good]

Short question: Does anyone know if the US Apple Store can support me with an european power plug? Because the jack itself has a different form in the EU.

I just checked the U.S. Apple Web site and they sell a World Travel Adapter kit for US$39.00.

Perhaps you could acquire something like that in Germany before you depart.

I don't have an iPad charger in front of me right now, but I believe the plug on the charger is a separate piece that can be removed and replaced, just like on the MacBook chargers.

I would also recommend checking prices at stores like Walmart, Target and BestBuys before heading to the Apple store. All three have been running sales on iPads recently.

Keep in mind that if you buy in the U.S., May might be subject to Apple's U.S. Warranty policies which could be different from those in the E.U. (one year versus two years I think.)

 

[Max(IT)]

I think I will deffinitely do that. Thanks



This is exactly how i felt, too, when testing rMini and the Air! Will probably buy the Air 32GB wifi in Florida this month.
The Apple Store is just 30minutes away, which is awesome

Short question: Does anyone know if the US Apple Store can support me with an european power plug? Because the jack itself has a different form in the EU.

I bought several iDevices in USA in the past, and every time I bought an European charger in Italy (it's about 19€).
I'm going to travel in USA quite often, so it's useful to have both charger with me.

 

[michaelsviews]

Thank you
Well so it's not that big of a saving considering that i'll have to pay importing-taxes for everything above 450€....and i still need Levis, sunglasses and Victorias Secret bras for my gf All those shiny things you only get in the UsA.

Today i tested both the mini2 and Air in store and IT IS A FREAKING HARD DECISION. Performance wise they're miles ahead of my mini....but the size is difficult....10" feel just so big, but 8" feels small.

I'm in the same boat, not from oversea's but looking at an iPad now, Apple rep strongly suggested that I get the iPad mini non retina to save money I think was his point.

 

[Poly]

I'm in the same boat, not from oversea's but looking at an iPad now, Apple rep strongly suggested that I get the iPad mini non retina to save money I think was his point.

But the non Retina mini lacks processing power so badly.....compared to my old 4S (i won't even begin with my 5S) it already feels slow.

 

[Nickwell24]

I think I will deffinitely do that. Thanks



This is exactly how i felt, too, when testing rMini and the Air! Will probably buy the Air 32GB wifi in Florida this month.
The Apple Store is just 30minutes away, which is awesome

Just to add another perspective. You mentioned using the Mini currently. I did the same things you're about to do, went from a full sized iPad, to Mini, back to the iPad Air. I will say from experience the Air feels HUGE after you've used the extremely portable mini. I purchased the Air a few days after it's release then ended up returning it and waiting for the mini. To this day I've yet to feel like i'm missing necessary screen real estate with the mini, however when i'm reading I notice a HUGE benefit to the mini's size and convenience. I tried reading with the Air and ended up using my Nexus 7 instead.

Like others have mentioned though you won't go wrong with either the Air or rMini. There are benefits the both:
Air - More vivid display, more real estate (although same amount of pixels),
rMini - more portable, just a powerful, higher pixel density, $100 less.

 

[SHirsch999]

Looks like iPad Air refurbs are now available. Would this be an option for you?

 

[Max(IT)]

I'm in the same boat, not from oversea's but looking at an iPad now, Apple rep strongly suggested that I get the iPad mini non retina to save money I think was his point.

Don't do that, the original Mini is underpowered.
It's not the processing power it lacks, it's the ram: 512 Mb is just not enough today

 

[michaelsviews]

But the non Retina mini lacks processing power so badly.....compared to my old 4S (i won't even begin with my 5S) it already feels slow.

My main use will be for watching video's for class's I'm taking and not really processing anything intense

Don't do that, the original Mini is underpowered.
It's not the processing power it lacks, it's the ram: 512 Mb is just not enough today

I'm guessing your saying the 512 is video memory and the Retina has more ? I must have missed this on the tech spec's

 

[Max(IT)]

My main use will be for watching video's for class's I'm taking and not really processing anything intense



I'm guessing your saying the 512 is video memory and the Retina has more ? I must have missed this on the tech spec's

Nope. I'm speaking about system RAM .... The first gen Mini has only 512 Mb of RAM, while every other model after iPad 2 has 1 Gb (retina mini included).

 

[nickdylan]

I'm in the same boat, not from oversea's but looking at an iPad now, Apple rep strongly suggested that I get the iPad mini non retina to save money I think was his point.

Don't do it - the iPad Mini 1st gen is sluggish and uses hardware that's more than 3 years old. That would be like buying an iPhone 4 today - sure, you'll save money, but you'll lose resale value and functionality.

 

[michaelsviews]

Don't do it - the iPad Mini 1st gen is sluggish and uses hardware that's more than 3 years old. That would be like buying an iPhone 4 today - sure, you'll save money, but you'll lose resale value and functionality.

Thank you, I have not bought one yet, have to settle on which MBA or MBP to get first.

 

[Poly]

What retailers for iPads do you know besides Walmart, Target, Bestbuy and (obviously) Apple Stores?
Will be in Orlando/Tampa(FL) from Monday 14th.