All iPads iPad 4 vs Mini 2 - Advice

[Alex225]

I'm looking at buying my mum an iPad for Christmas. She currently uses a first gen Nexus 7 I bought her and she uses Facebook, does some minimal web browsing and plays some non-graphics intensive games.

The Nexus is a good bit of kit that she uses daily but having owned one I know by comparison the iPad (and iOS) is a far slicker, nicer bit of kit and easier to use.

Now the iPad Mini 2 is a bargain and bearing in mind the Mini 3 is identical in terms of everything except the touch ID, seems like relevant tech as well.

Here's the thing though, I'd like to go for a larger tablet for her so there's a marked difference between her Nexus and whatever iPad I opt for.

So my question is this. Is the iPad 4 still worth a buy? It's for sale through Apple's site as a refurb and is the same price as a Mini 2.

Is it likely I'll receive a newly boxed one if they're old stock or will it be a plain box example?

Any advice would be great.

 

[MTL18]

I'd be hesitant because of the 32 bit chip. Apple is putting emphasis on developing 64 bit so the life of the A7 chip should far exceed the A6X. Check out a refurb iPad Air and then compare the costs if you really want a larger device.

 

[Alex225]

That's really good advice, much appreciated.

I had been leaning toward the retina Mini slightly, based on the A7 and that I'd be getting brand new within my budget rather than a refurb!

 

[s2mikey]

That's really good advice, much appreciated.

I had been leaning toward the retina Mini slightly, based on the A7 and that I'd be getting brand new within my budget rather than a refurb!

An Air refurb is a great buy at this point and it's still a fantastic tablet. The 4 is OK too but it's considerably heavier and your Mom might appreciate the sveltness of the Air.

 

[Alex225]

Yeah I had considered the weight of the 4.

I'm a big guy and I find myself propping my iPad 3 up rather than hold it. My mum is 60 and a lot smaller, may find the 4 a bit of pain to hold for the length of time she looks at Facebook or plays Candy Crush lol

Refurbished Air is more suitable or mentioned the Mini 2.

 

[donnaw]

Well, I'm 63 and I know I appreciate the bigger screen. But I also have a Kindle Fre I use for reading because it's smaller. If she reads a lot that's a big consideration (but you didn't mention reading so I don't know).

Since she already has a smaller tablet I would think getting the larger screen would be the way to go. That gives her options when say reading or perhaps she uses the larger one at home but takes the smaller Nexus out and about.

 

[Alex225]

She does like reading but she doesn't seem to do it on her Nexus, mainly because she's untrusting of her card details being kept somewhere for her to spend on!

I was hoping that if I set her up with an iTunes account she could make some more use of it and get the Kindle app and actually do some reading on it as well.

My only concern with getting a refurbished iPad is it looking second hand which I don't want as it's a gift.

 

[itsOver9000]

My only concern with getting a refurbished iPad is it looking second hand which I don't want as it's a gift.

refurb iPads from Apple come with a new outer shell and new battery and the standard 1 year warranty

 

[Alex225]

Thanks for that, more food for thought there.

 

[Nozuka]

yesterday i actually switched from the 1st gen nexus 7 to the mini 2 myself.

the mini 2 feels surprisingly big in comparison and i'm very happy with it. the aspect ratio makes it more comfortable to use for most tasks and the screen estate feels less restricted.

feels like the perfect size to me.

screensize comparison (the resolution is from the 2nd gen nexus 7, but the size should be the same):

i'm sure she would be happy with it.

 

[Alex225]

That's a really good comparison especially seeing how the Nexus has 26% less screen size than the Mini!

I'm warming towards the rMini for both size, weight and that its that bit more relevant tech wise.