Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

First iPad EVER Mini 4 or Air 2

P

pcubed18

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 14, 2010
130
12
Hey guys,

I am going to actually get my very own iPad for the first time. Previously I either always used a friends or family's iPad.

I want to use primarily for reading articles and watching movies and shows. I could see myself answering email as well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
I got received my first iPad ever today, it's a Mini 4.

Go with the form factor (size) that you prefer. Most techies will always try to sell you on the more powerful device, but for the use you describe the Mini 4 is more than powerful and enough, so it's really just a matter of which size you prefer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
iPad mini has few benefits. Honestly, you will find the extra screen size way more useful than having a smaller device. The only thing I can think someone would buy a mini is the price. If you can afford the air 2, get it.

I owned a mini and now have an air 2. It is so light, and I love being able to read full size pages without constantly having to zoom in on stuff like I did on the mini.

Also, if you ever want to use an external keyboard, the keyboards for the mini are so small they suck to use.

I know for a lot of people they love the size of the mini but if you are really using it everyday you realise that you want a bigger screen.

Heck, why not wait out for an iPad pro? Those things will be awesome.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
I have a mini, mini 2 w/ LTE and a Air. I am probably gonna sell a mini and the air and get a LTE pro. I mainly, like 90% use iPads for streaming via sling box, sports apps and movies. I love having the LTE mini to take around and have a wireless connection in a small form factor to watch a game almost where ever.

I have really started to enjoy the screen size of the Air (been using a mini since they came out, just got a air in the last year or so) and really think the productivity/media capabilities of the Pro could suit me for all mobile needs.

I used to like the mini for work with travel because I could fit it into a pocket. The portability sold me on it. Now I don't travel for work and mainly use them at home, so a bigger form factor works well for me and the pro will work double as a note pad and media device and now split screen. The 1st gen air doesn't do split screen..

I would say all 3 sizes have their area/niche. Just gotta think about what you want to use it for the most. Media on the go, I would say def a mini. Otherwise go for the air.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech and username:
Tough choice as always. I will be having my first iPad too and will go for Mini.

Surprisingly, reading is better on Mini for me since the size is just nice. It's not too big to my liking.
Movies are better in Air though although Mini can also do it just fine.

If you bring it around a lot, you will want Mini. At home, Air 2.
 
addictzz said:
Tough choice as always. I will be having my first iPad too and will go for Mini.

Surprisingly, reading is better on Mini for me since the size is just nice. It's not too big to my liking.
Movies are better in Air though although Mini can also do it just fine.

If you bring it around a lot, you will want Mini. At home, Air 2.
Click to expand...

From my point of view the air 2 is so light, it is just as portable and easier to use on the lap as the screen size makes it easier to work with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
Go with the form factor you like best. The specs are similar enough that it really comes down to portability vs the bigger screen. I'd suggest going to an apple store and playing with both models. For me the mini has always been fine for watching movies, but I value the portability the most. For others the bigger screen is more important, especially if you just want to use it at home. You really can't go wrong here with either choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
I have never understood the appeal of the Mini. It serves no function. If you have an iPhone, get the Air 2. Steve Jobs would have kept the iPad line simple and declined the Mini. The iPad Pro seems like something that is worth looking into when it comes out, but I would have preferred for Apple to get there before Microsoft or Samsung had (years ago).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech and username:
Vesuvio Cat said:
I have never understood the appeal of the Mini. It serves no function. If you have an iPhone, get the Air 2. Steve Jobs would have kept the iPad line simple and declined the Mini. The iPad Pro seems like something that is worth looking into when it comes out, but I would have preferred for Apple to get there before Microsoft or Samsung had (years ago).
Click to expand...

Even after less than a day with the Mini 4 I can tell you that the screen real estate and access to actual tablet apps make it a very different device even compared to a 6+. Web browsing alone is a joy on a 7.9" screen compared to a sub-6" one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech and CaptMarvel
I've had an iPad Air 2 for 7 months. Sold it and bought mini 4 last night. So. As I can say for now, the iPad Air 2 is great for couch surfing. The mini 4 is great but at home it is too small. It is not bad but for a home surfing and other stuff I recommend the Air 2.The problem with the Air is that after couple of minutes it gets heavy in your hands. Yes, it is lighter than previous generations but still heavy. The mini is doing better in this case. I'll check it outside today how is this device holding up.

By the way I am that kind of a guy who's using iPad just for web, a lot of reading and video watching sometimes (theatretical trailers, short clips etc.)
 
pcubed18 said:
Hey guys,

I am going to actually get my very own iPad for the first time. Previously I either always used a friends or family's iPad.

I want to use primarily for reading articles and watching movies and shows. I could see myself answering email as well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Get the Air 2 it is much better for your needs! :)


Got the Air 2 very recently which is all so my 1st IPad ever and I LOVE it!! :D :D
 
Last edited:
franzkfk said:
The problem with the Air is that after couple of minutes it gets heavy in your hands.
Click to expand...


Just wondering How can you say the IPad Air 2 gets heavy in your hands after only couple minutes????


For me the IPad Air 2 never gets heavy in my hands, it feels very very light in my hands for me and for a full sized(9/10 inch) tablet is incredible!! :)
 
The Air 2 is called the "Air 2" for a reason. It's super light. I can even balance it on one finger tip with ease. For a tablet of its size, it is beautifully thin and ridiculously powerful. It works well at home and on the run. My friend has a Mini and it just feels like an inferior product.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
Billy95Tech said:
Just wondering How can you say the IPad Air 2 gets heavy in your hands after only couple minutes????


For me the IPad Air 2 never gets heavy in my hands, it feels very very light in my hands for me and for a full sized(9/10 inch) tablet is incredible!! :)
Click to expand...

That person needs to lift.
 
Sounds like either iPad would suit your needs perfectly. I just ordered a Mini 4 personally. Over the past year I have owned an Air 2 as well and the vibration issue, while minuscule for some, drove me absolutely nuts.
 
I had an Air 2 for a couple months but had to sell it. I would highly recommend it. You wouldn't believe how thin and light those are, and the performance is solid. iOS 9 has made them even better. I'm hoping to get one again myself soon. The screen is so immersive, I would play driving games on it (and I hate games), but it just felt so immersive and email and web, was so fast and fun.

When Jobs launched original iPad he said you were "touching" your content, and it truly felt as though I was interacting with everything, and the big screen gives that feeling much more so than something like an iPhone or iPhone Plus. With the performance of these latest models, it's better than ever.

The mini is a great device, and many people need the extra extra portability.

However, honestly, the Air 2 is easy to carry too and it sounds like you don't have a specific reason not to get the Air 2, therefore, that would be my recommendation. The experience on it is quite good.
 
If price is a factor, check out the refurb store from Apple. You can get an Air 2 for around the same price +/- $10. I convinced my friend to get one from there, he paid just $10 more for a black Air 2 64GB than he would've paid for the equivalent in a Mini 4.
 
Vesuvio Cat said:
I have never understood the appeal of the Mini. It serves no function. If you have an iPhone, get the Air 2. Steve Jobs would have kept the iPad line simple and declined the Mini. The iPad Pro seems like something that is worth looking into when it comes out, but I would have preferred for Apple to get there before Microsoft or Samsung had (years ago).
Click to expand...
It sounds like the mini is not the right device for you, but for many of us it's the perfect size in terms of being portable yet big enough to consume content. I have an iphone 6, and while it's fine to read on it for a very short time, I would not want to read on it long term and certainly would not want to watch videos on this. The 6 plus is too big for me, but I imagine I would feel the same way about it if I had one, since it seems a lot smaller than the mini.

The mini is great for me because I use it all the time at home and take it out with me for time to time. It fits perfectly in my purse, which the air 2 would not, and does not seem too small for any of my uses. I doubt the air 2 would seem too heavy for home use, but I think it would be too cumbersome for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RickTaylor
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back