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I bought an iPad, why?

U

ultrakomm

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 18, 2011
7
0
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
 
BallparkDreamer said:
Reading magazines, books, taking care of email, other various media consumption, some light gaming?
Click to expand...

Thanks, it helps! Yes, those are some of the things I've thought of. Making use of the university's extensive library of scientific journals, reading e-books and magazines, watching Netflix and HBO and the like. Also Hearthstone and Baldur's Gate. But these really aren't things I couldn't do on my iPhone or on either of my MacBooks.
 
ultrakomm said:
Thanks, it helps! Yes, those are some of the things I've thought of. Making use of the university's extensive library of scientific journals, reading e-books and magazines, watching Netflix and HBO and the like. Also Hearthstone and Baldur's Gate. But these really aren't things I couldn't do on my iPhone or on either of my MacBooks.
Click to expand...

No problem! I'm also a University student, and just bought an iPad as well for nearly the same uses. I hate carrying my laptop around everywhere, and I honestly don't enjoy reading articles or the like on it. Phone is too small for that stuff as well. Enjoy your new mini :D
 
ultrakomm said:
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
Click to expand...

I am a physics student at university and bought myself an iPad to write down notes.
It's brilliant when you use Goodnotes.
I don't know if you have to take down notes, but buy yourself those cheap 5 € Stylus Pens from Amazon and go on writing.
It's so much fun seriously
 
BallparkDreamer said:
No problem! I'm also a University student, and just bought an iPad as well for nearly the same uses. I hate carrying my laptop around everywhere, and I honestly don't enjoy reading articles or the like on it. Phone is too small for that stuff as well. Enjoy your new mini :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, that is true. The reading experience should be much better. I too despise reading longer texts on my computer. Not having to carry around my laptop to do this kind of usual stuff is a plus as well.

whiteRAD said:
I am a physics student at university and bought myself an iPad to write down notes.
It's brilliant when you use Goodnotes.
I don't know if you have to take down notes, but buy yourself those cheap 5 € Stylus Pens from Amazon and go on writing.
It's so much fun seriously
Click to expand...

Taking notes is a great idea! The split-view multitasking with a text on the left and a note-taking app on the right combined with a pen sounds delicious.

masotime said:
Curious - why not an iPad Pro? The Apple Pencil should be brilliant for taking notes.
Click to expand...

The iPad Pro really is too big for me. I wouldn't use it as I would feel awkward taking it out at lectures and the like. I can't see myself even using my iPad mini on the subway.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. The burden is starting to feel lighter.
 
ultrakomm said:
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
Click to expand...

Question ? So you purchased first, than ask why. Why don't you people ask FIRST, than buy ?
 
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ultrakomm said:
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
Click to expand...

I have an iPhone 6, an ultraportable Windows laptop, and an iPad Mini 4 and I find that the Mini is the one I reach for for casual web browsing, reading emails, Facebook/Twitter, and YouTube. More screen real estate than a phone, easier and faster to pickup and use than a laptop. Even now I'm relaxing on the couch browsing Macrumors Forums, and it's my iPad I'm using.
 
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If you got an iPad with cellular, then that's great for gps. You can see much more of the map with it than a phone.
 
It's Christmas! Buy it if you can afford it. No need to have a reason. Just enjoy it any way you want.
Merry Christmas :)

When you are bored with the mini one day, give it it a younger sibling/cousins/nephew/niece. He or she will surely appreciate it.
 
Just get the thing and use it for a week and decide. All the theoretical uses in the world don't make up for actual use.
 
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ultrakomm said:
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
Click to expand...


Son, you need more help, than anyone here can offer, I mean do you always buy things you don't know if you need or want??
 
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Reactions: Badrottie and Good User Name
I think the ipad mini 4 is a great fit for along side your iphone and macbook

I have air 2, 6S plus and mini 4 and part of me is thinking just to stick with mini 4 as my main ipad. That said I like choice so that is my question mark with selling the air 2. Think I just love the different form factors too much
 
joeblow7777 said:
I have an iPhone 6, an ultraportable Windows laptop, and an iPad Mini 4 and I find that the Mini is the one I reach for for casual web browsing, reading emails, Facebook/Twitter, and YouTube. More screen real estate than a phone, easier and faster to pickup and use than a laptop. Even now I'm relaxing on the couch browsing Macrumors Forums, and it's my iPad I'm using.
Click to expand...
I do find the mini 4 is so much easier to just grab and do things like forum posting and general tasks like twitter, facebook and searching stuff.
 
The Game 161 said:
I do find the mini 4 is so much easier to just grab and do things like forum posting and general tasks like twitter, facebook and searching stuff.
Click to expand...

Exactly. A phone, even a "phablet" is still too small for good web browing, and a laptop isn't as easy to just pick up and go.
 
Last edited:
iPads are nice devices, just don't come in with the assumption it can replace a Mac.

Light browsing (5 tabs or less), movies, music, books/magazines, gaming, etc.

It's a pure luxury device but you may find it worth it.
 
ultrakomm said:
Hi everyone.

I bought an iPad, or I ordered one, I haven't received it yet. And so, I need to convince myself it was a good decision. I already have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro (for work) and a PlayStation 4. What use cases are there where my new iPad mini 4 would be a better fit?

I'm a computer science student at university and I work part time as a computer technician. I like film, books, martial arts and photography.

Help me, please! Tell me I need this thing and why.
Click to expand...

I have to admit I use my laptop very little after getting the iPads.

They are not a replacement for my computers except to cruise the Internet from the Lazyboy!
 
The iPad Mini 4 is a wonderful device, I loved mine (had to return it simply because I needed $ for a replacement Mac. I do miss it a little bit...) Reading school materials (pdfs etc.), light note taking and entertainment uses are great. It's wonderful to hold in one hand too, no fatigue. And the screen is amazing.

Congrats and enjoy.
 
You need to cancel your order immediately and order an iPad Pro. Trust me i am saving you money here. You sound like the sort of guy who will convince yourself immediately that you need the bigger screen. You will not be happy with the lesser of the iPads.

Takes one to know one as they say. :)
 
If you don't have a girlfriend at school then Mini 4 is perfect for watching porn in your dorm restroom and you can do whatever.......
 
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