iPad advice (2 vs 3 vs Mini)

[js81]

Hey all:

Really wanting to get a new iPad soon; still rockin' a 1st gen and it's getting a bit long in the tooth... As much as I'd love the iPad 4, I really really really don't want to spend $500 right now. So I'm looking at 16GB refurbs; specifically, the 2 and 3, as well as a new Mini.

The way I see it is this (and please correct me if I'm wrong) - straight-up performance-wise, they're all 3 about the same (A5 and A5X), and approximately double my iPad's A4. iPad 2 gets the nod for lowest price ($319 refurb), the Mini gets the nod for portability ($329 new), and the 3 gets the nod for the Retina screen ($379 refurb).

So what do ya think? I'd like to avoid spending $500, but the 4 is tempting... but my sweetie has authorized me to spend sub-$350 (I can probably squeak the refurb 3 in, since it's close). Suggestions?

 

[glenthompson]

It can depend on what you do with it. The retina is great for reading books. Text is much easier on the eyes. I played with a mini in a store and didn't like the size. It was just a little too large for my short fingers to palm so I have to hold it the same as a full size iPad. If you have long fingers, it can be an option.

What apps do you run? Will they do ok on a mini?

 

[js81]

It can depend on what you do with it. The retina is great for reading books. Text is much easier on the eyes. I played with a mini in a store and didn't like the size. It was just a little too large for my short fingers to palm so I have to hold it the same as a full size iPad. If you have long fingers, it can be an option.

What apps do you run? Will they do ok on a mini?

Thanks for your reply. I'm coming from a 1st gen, so any apps I run now should run just fine on any of the three, I assume. I don't play games (well, a few "low intensity" ones, but nothing fancy) - mainly just web browsing and reading (mostly Bible apps, no ebooks - I have a Nook for that). My biggest concern is that my current iPad slows to a CRAWL if more than one or two apps are open (and some apps are slow on it regardless). I don't think I would mind NOT having the Retina screen; my thoughts were that it sure looks nice BUT it also comes with 1GB of RAM (may help slow downs). The biggest problem with my 1st gen is 256MB of RAM. I don't want to run into that again in a year with the 2 and Mini's 512MB.

 

[glenthompson]

My wife had an iPad 1 and we could definitely tell a difference in speed between it and my 3rd gen. Got her a 3 and gave the old one to my brother for Xmas. After using mine she didn't want a non-retina screen.