iPad Air 1 Uncomfortable - Ordered replacement iPad mini 2

[FumbleDuck]

Hi All,

I have been using my iPad Air 1 for a while now (primarily as a creation tool - photo editing [snapseed] and music creation [Korg gadget]) and I have noticed that my fingers get quite sore on the knuckle joints where I'm constantly holding the iPad up in portrait mode wherever I'm sitting. Its just a bit too "heavy" or the centre of mass is just a bit too far away from my fingers for it to be comforntable after long sessions.

I have ordered an iPad Mini 2 to test as a replacement (as far as I can tell, same guts, different size) and hopefully the small drop in size will mean the weight is balanced better and will be noticeably less.

Anyone else transfer to a smaller iPad because of the awkwardness of the Air after several hours?

Cheers.

 

[Zxxv]

been playing with them in apple store of late for editing photos. iPad mini 2 and 3 screen is not as nice as iPad air 2.

ipad mini is heavier than iPad air 2

an iphone 6+ is better for looking at and editing photos than my iPhone 6 and could possibly be ok instead of any iPad.

I think I could live with an iPhone + model for photos over an iPad but if buying an iPad I feel I would also prefer the mini but haven't lived with a mini2 for more than 2 weeks in the past as I couldn't sell my iPad 4 to cover the cost so returned mini.

I later sold my iPad 4 when I got my macbook air as I just didn't use it.

I think they are all compromised for my uses and maybe the iPhone 6+ the least apart from pocketablity.

Maybe that helps in some way?

 

[Zxxv]

Oh I also think they all exist because each model compromises in some way shape or form usage. So really you need them all and move between them as you see fit. That I think is the only true way to not feel or lessen the user pain we all feel after a while.

I think Steve Jobs usage was take photos etc on iPhone, edit later on iPad as iPhone is too small. I don't think he did much on his iPhone like users are trying to do.

 

[skiltrip]

I had a iPad Mini 2 and I loved the form factor. I then got a job doing IT support for Apple products, and had access to multiple iPad Airs through work. I ended up then selling the Mini as it was redundant with all the Airs around. I do miss the form factor especially for web browsing and gaming. The one thing I prefer the Air for is music creation (Auria, Audiobus, etc), and watching Netflix/YouTube.

 

[username:]

I owned a mini for 2 years. Love the small size but found the screen too small at times.

Now I've just bought an iPad Air 2. It is almost as light as the mini, but because it is bigger, for some reason it feels lighter to me.

I prefer more screen space. Easier to use. iPad Air 2 is amazing, I think it would fix your comfort problem.

 

[AppleRobert]

I owned a mini for 2 years. Love the small size but found the screen too small at times.

Now I've just bought an iPad Air 2. It is almost as light as the mini, but because it is bigger, for some reason it feels lighter to me.

I prefer more screen space. Easier to use. iPad Air 2 is amazing, I think it would fix your comfort problem.

Same here, used the Mini 2 for two years. It was time for a change especially since the price was right for the Air 2 and rumor is no Air 3 and I don't really want the IPad Pro.

 

[nia820]

Hi All,

I have been using my iPad Air 1 for a while now (primarily as a creation tool - photo editing [snapseed] and music creation [Korg gadget]) and I have noticed that my fingers get quite sore on the knuckle joints where I'm constantly holding the iPad up in portrait mode wherever I'm sitting. Its just a bit too "heavy" or the centre of mass is just a bit too far away from my fingers for it to be comforntable after long sessions.

I have ordered an iPad Mini 2 to test as a replacement (as far as I can tell, same guts, different size) and hopefully the small drop in size will mean the weight is balanced better and will be noticeably less.

Anyone else transfer to a smaller iPad because of the awkwardness of the Air after several hours?

Cheers.

I had an old ipad air then I sold it and hot a mini 3. About a month later i sold the mini 3 because the screen is just too small and got the ipad air 2.

Ipad air 2 is much lighter than the air 1. It find it very comfortable to hold. The screen on the air 2 is also a whole lot better than the mini series.

 

[adam9c1]

Went to T-Mobile store yesterday as I had some questions about my an. I looked at air 2 and played a game of some sort. Experienced first hand the vibration from speaker. IMHO that aspect of it should have been redesigned in early stage of design. I'm happy with my mini(r).

 

[FumbleDuck]

Thanks all for the replies. I have already looked and handled an Air 2 at a local store while I had my Air 1 with me. It was late in the evening and I had a good amount of time with the device. To be honest I found the weight difference between the 1 and 2 to be minimal and I dont think it would help with the discomfort as its not so much the weight as where the centre of mass is - and this doesnt really change with the Air 2.

Unfortunately I havent been able to get my hands on a mini so I will have to wait and see when my new one turns up in the post. I'll have both for a while and will make my descision then. From what I've read of the Mini Retina it should (hopefully) be ideal for my situation.

I have a rMBP for any work that requires a bigger screen and my 5s is ideal for portability and photos. Just need to get this "middle" screen sorted and I should be done for a few years! ;-)

 

[Chocolatemilty]

OP, I do think that the upcoming mini 4 will bring a requisite weight drop from the mini 2, if that helps you and you want to stay with the mini form factor. The mini 1 was perfect for me size and weight wise, but of course was a mini iPad 2. The mini 2 is still great specs-wise but was substantially heavier with the bigger battery. The mini 4 improvements should bring a smaller weight improvement as well.

 

[IrishVixen]

Do note that the Mini 2 (and Mini 3) screens have a 62 percent color gamut versus the full sized tablets at 100%; in layman's terms, this means they show fewer colors, which makes them a poor choice for photo editing.

I've had both. The Mini 2 makes a poor choice for photographic work unless you don't care about color accuracy. If all you're doing is quick stuff to toss up on your personal social media, it might be fine. Otherwise, stick with the Air or Air 2.

I did love the Mini 2 for handholding. The small text size though meant I far too often ended up zooming in on websites, and the color gamut eventually became a problem for editing photos, which is how I ended up buying a refurb Air 2. After about a week getting used to the larger size, no regrets. My husband has the Air, and that model was still too heavy for me. (I have disabiling inflammatory problems, so holding any device with minimal pain is tricky. The Air 2 *is* better for me on that score.)