iPad mini Do you even notice the iPad mini has no Retina Display?

[WilliamLondon]

Noticing and whether it matters are separate things. I have an older car, I notice that it isn't a new one every day, but it doesn't matter to me.

That's a bad analogy, the mini isn't old technology, quite the opposite.

A better analogy would be my being interested in a BMW 1-series, when you who own or have driven or want to own a 7-series (760Li), think that the 6 litre engine in that car is the only engine that anyone should ever choose to own, and driving a 1 series is in no way as good as driving a big 7-series with a big 6 litre engine. The fact that some people might like the smaller form factor of the 1-series, and not be so totally enamoured with a huge gas guzzling engine, doesn't matter, their interest in the smaller 1-series is because they are stupid and/or they don't have enough money for the "real" version. The fact the big engine wouldn't fit in the smaller car doesn't matter, anyone who likes the 1-series is still stupid for wanting such a small car with a small engine, and the big point here is that the car is *only* the engine, nothing else has any impact on the user experience except the engine, not the driving experience, the manoeuvrability, the gas mileage, the size, the feel, etc.

This technology isn't old, it's never been produced in a device this small, this thin, this sized, running the way it does, with this battery life, ever before. That's not old tech, that's new. And the experience is wonderful.

 

[IbisDoc]

The poll answers are kind of confusing and don't really correspond to the poll question.

+1

Worst poll answers ever.

 

[arefbe]

Only if you've never seen retina display.

 

[NeroAZ]

Yes I noticed it. I took the mini back the next day because it really bugged me.

 

[ditzy]

I guess I have to echo the other posts here. I do notice that it isn't retina. Especially as I have a iPhone 4s and a retina macbook. And yes I will be very tempted to buy the retina iPad mini when it is released, but every product is a compromise in some way, there is always a tradeoff. To me its form factor more than makes up for it not having retina. And when a retina mini is released I will have to decide for my self if the tradeoff to have it is worth it.

 

[Anti-Lucifer]

Of course one would see a difference. That is if you have grown accustomed to the retina display.

I'm waiting to revive this thread when the iPad mini with retina is being sold.

 

[EMAN19]

When I look at retina display on iPad I'm awestruck. It's amazing.

But the second I lift my iPad mini and start using it I forget about retina display immediately.

 

[j.benj]

I do notice it since I have retina devices but it doesn't bother me at all. The size/weight advantages of the mini completely outweigh the lack of retina. I take the mini with me all over the place where I never took my iPad 3 out of the house.

 

[nfl46]

It was nice and all, but I can do without it for now. We all know a retina Mini is coming in 2013 or 2014.

 

[Bokes]

If you don't think the screen is poor- you're just not being honest.
I let my son use it around the house- I keep using the 3.
I take the mini when I head out around town.

If you're on the move- the mini is perfect for carrying around- but yes- the screen stinks.
If you're sitting at home with a mini and a 3 or 4- you will reach for the retina.

 

[TSloper]

I purchased a mini this week but returned it. The form factor is great but I could not deal with the non-Retina screen particularly when browsing. For games, photos, and movies there a no deficiencies but when dealing with text it is a disappointing experience (coming from Retina). My girlfriend on the other hand prefers the form factor of the mini over Retina.

If you have not spoiled by an iPad 3 or 4 you will have no issue with the mini. When the mini goes Retina it will be tough to stay with the larger form factor.

 

[OdT22]

When I look at retina display on iPad I'm awestruck. It's amazing.

But the second I lift my iPad mini and start using it I forget about retina display immediately.

Bingo. One can use a device with scrutiny in mind, or not. It's a choice made on purpose.

 

[MrGimper]

I have an ipad 3 and love the retina. I also have an ipad mini, and although I'd obviously prefer a retina display on the mini, the display is totally acceptable for the device.

I think some of the problem is psychological.... If you look at an ipad 2 and an ipad 3/4, the devices physically look the same, and therefore people will feel cheated if they don't have the retina model, and it's obviously better.

As the mini is a new device that is physically so different from it's retina big brothers, I think people are more accepting of the screen as there is no direct comparison available.

However, when the mini retina comes out, then there will be a true basis of comparison and everyone will hate the screen on the current one!

 

[yourmother]

Ive owned an ipad 1 for a few months before selling it. Ive been ipadless for more than a year. I own a retina iphone but not a retina ipad. I can easily tell that the screen is not up to par on my ipad mini. However the weight size and design are far more important to me so I am okay with the screen.

 

[nasa25]

I switch between the 4 and the mini so yes, I do notice the screen res difference.

 

[urkel]

Noticing and whether it matters are separate things. I have an older car, I notice that it isn't a new one every day, but it doesn't matter to me.

You notice that your car isnt new every day? I dont buy it. Also I think its a terrible example because there isnt a "missing feature" in your car, but there is a missing feature in the iPad Mini.

Yes, most of us can live without Retina but I feel that anyone saying "it doesnt matter" is just making an excuse in order to satisfy themselves for now. BUT next year when the new Retina model comes out then will people out here still have the same attitude or will many of us be scrambling to get rid of our non-retina versions in order to justify an upgrade?

We may not all be buying the retina mini, but when the next model is out and the defensiveness is over then we will all look back later and admit that in 2012 then a retina iPad Mini is exactly what we should have gotten in the first place.

 

[caligurl]

yes, i notice it.... but i want the small form factor and i want an ipad....

it's not unusable.... obviously retina would be better.... i love my mini! (but do truly wish it had retina)

 

[MrXiro]

This is for the people who bought the iPad mini at Launch.
For me it's no longer a issue.

I notice but it doesn't bother me.

 

[AppleRobert]

Of course one would see a difference. That is if you have grown accustomed to the retina display.

I'm waiting to revive this thread when the iPad mini with retina is being sold.

You will probably beat me to it. Once Reina is available, watch how fast folks change to that model. Thought they didn't care.

 

[ScottNWDW]

I've used an iDevice with retina displays since they were introduced on the iPhone 4. I have an iPhone 5 now as well as an iPad 3. I am used to the retina display.

When it comes to my iPad mini, I love it. The fact that it is not a retina display does not discourage me from using it, The screen is absolutely wonderful. I also have an iPad 1, which is the same resolution as the mini, but the mini looks more retina like when comparing the two side by side. My macBook Pro is also not retina and it also does not make my eyes bleed as you would think many on here would think.

The fact of the matter is this...... THE RETINA THING IS BLOWN WAY OUT OF PROPORTION. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IPAD MINI DISPLAY.

I use my iPad mini more than my iPad 3, it comes with me everywhere. In fact since getting my mini, I rarely use the iPad 3 anymore. It is light, small, looks great and does everything that I need it to do. The screen is fantastic. For those of you who think it is old technology it is not. It is new technology. For something in this form factor, I think the iPad mini is fantastic. Look up the specs side by side, it is NOT a repackaged iPad 2 which others are claiming. The only thing in common with the iPad 2 is the A5 chip, which is more than adequate for this device. The screen itself is smaller, but has the same resolution, which means the pixels are closer together and in effect present a sharper picture.

Would the iPad mini be just as great with a retina display....maybe. It would certainly be thicker, heavier and run warmer. What makes the iPad mini so cool is that it uses low power so it doesn't get as hot, it's thin and it's extremely light.

To those complainers on here, Since you can't seem to look at anything without a retina display did you change your TV, laptops and anything else you own to something with a retina display and when you go out do you avoid places without retina displays, because obviously a non retina display will give you migraines and make your eyes bleed out.

 

[AppleRobert]

Nothing wrong with the display? Maybe it depends upon what one is using the mini for. How do you explain some folks getting headaches and enough folks returning it and the fuzzy text?

Perhaps you should take a look the the n7, nook HD, or kfhd.

 

[Fruit Cake]

The fact of the matter is this...... THE RETINA THING IS BLOWN WAY OUT OF PROPORTION. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IPAD MINI DISPLAY. .

Lol keep telling yourself that, if its in big red writing, surely it must be true? Especially if its in the Internet??

 

[irDigital0l]

Its easily noticeable and it matters a lot.

 

[Hello...]

I also noticed nothing special about retina, when it first came out many threads here saying the same thing.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

I really tried to convince myself to get an iPad Mini; but I also love the crispy retina displays on my existing devices. So I need to wait the few month until the Mini Retina comes. But then I will get one ...