All iPads iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 2 ?

[vivek28]

i bought an ipad mini 2 32gb recently in black friday sale(320 $), had a mini 1st gen earlier. I am loving it but when i tried an air2 afterwards in a store, why the large size ipad felt so lighter than or equal to ipad mini 2? i must say the colors also were far more lively on ipad air 2. But operating the keyboard on a large screen was still cumbersome to me.. compared to mini.

I use my mini largely at home and in bed and can keep it over my head without much strain and watch movies, browse the web.. I would happily upgrade to air2 if it can be kept comfortably in one hand while in bed.. Any insights on that from air 2 users ??

IMHO, The screen is the best on air2 i have seen anything on a digital device, i actually felt i was touching the content , maybe due to bonded display..

Should i upgrade or not do i want air2 more than i need it

 

[maflynn]

If you liked the larger size, go for it. I can't imagine using it the way you state. Laying in bed, holding it over your head, but if it works for you then that's all that counts.

 

[saltd]

The Apple Smart Cover(not the Smart Case) does a great job of keeping the size and the weight of the iPad air to a minimum. The extra size and color fidelity of the iPad Air screen is definitely worth the extra cost. It's just more immersive, and an absolute joy to use. If portability is not a concern for you-get the Air 2.

 

[IanGahagan]

I went from an iPad mini 1 to the iPad Air 2 and I don't regret the size increase one bit. They are about the same weight too. If I were you I would go with the Air 2 but that's just based on my preference. The colors are amazing and performance/battery life is astounding.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I've felt the air 2 a few times and it's definitely a lot lighter than my air 1. However as light as it is, there are times when it's overall size just make it cumbersome for using on the go or even in bed as you describe. That's why my iPhone 6 + and mini 3 are in service. However OP only you know what will work for you. Also if I could only have one iPad I'd definitely go for the air. You compromise on portability but it's more of a general purpose device.

 

[mattopotamus]

I went from the mini 2 to the air 2 and I love it. I also use it in bed, but just rest it on my chest. If I have to type I lift it up, and it is not a problem at all.

Holding it with 1 hand in the air would not really work. It would be pretty uncomfortable and awkward

 

[themetnut]

I've felt the air 2 a few times and it's definitely a lot lighter than my air 1. However as light as it is, there are times when it's overall size just make it cumbersome for using on the go or even in bed as you describe. That's why my iPhone 6 + and mini 3 are in service. However OP only you know what will work for you. Also if I could only have one iPad I'd definitely go for the air. You compromise on portability but it's more of a general purpose device.

That's the reason why I'm probably going to stay with my iPad mini 2, even though I have a galaxy note 4. It's easy to hold in bed, and to me the screen on the mini is still much bigger than the note 4. Still gives me the iPad experience.

 

[Aluminum213]

the iPad air 2 is barely heavier, thinner, significantly better screen and more powerful, also better cameras

It's a no brainer

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

the iPad air 2 is barely heavier, thinner, significantly better screen and more powerful, also better cameras

It's a no brainer

And much more expensive. Currently the Mini 2 is the best deal on offer from Apple imo. If money is no object, then sure, Air2. But that one has trade-offs aswell.

 

[Aluminum213]

And much more expensive. Currently the Mini 2 is the best deal on offer from Apple imo. If money is no object, then sure, Air2. But that one has trade-offs aswell.

But you also have to think of the long run. Only 1GB of RAM with the iPad Mini 2, barely handles iOS 8, what about iOS 9 and 10 after that? It's going to be a slog. The iPad Air 2 chews up and spits out iOS 8 and is ready for apps and iOS that is going to demand more power. Yes you save more now but it's not worth it in an year and especially after that

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

But you also have to think of the long run. Only 1GB of RAM with the iPad Mini 2, barely handles iOS 8, what about iOS 9 and 10 after that? It's going to be a slog. The iPad Air 2 chews up and spits out iOS 8 and is ready for apps and iOS that is going to demand more power. Yes you save more now but it's not worth it in an year and especially after that

It's half the price for an ipad that has the exact same internals als the Mini 3 that was released alongside the Air 2 with iOS 8 pre-installed. I can't imagine Apple cuts that one loose one year after release. So iOS 9 will do just fine on the Mini 2. I guess OP likes the mini better sizewise and the money saved is half the price of an ipad Air 3 or 4 (or 5) that is much more futureproof than an Air 2.

Besides you don't have to upgrade. That's not to say the Air 2 doesn't run iOS 8 better than the Mini2/3. It does, but depending on your use, not by much.

 

[Yebubbleman]

i bought an ipad mini 2 32gb recently in black friday sale(320 $), had a mini 1st gen earlier. I am loving it but when i tried an air2 afterwards in a store, why the large size ipad felt so lighter than or equal to ipad mini 2? i must say the colors also were far more lively on ipad air 2. But operating the keyboard on a large screen was still cumbersome to me.. compared to mini.

I use my mini largely at home and in bed and can keep it over my head without much strain and watch movies, browse the web.. I would happily upgrade to air2 if it can be kept comfortably in one hand while in bed.. Any insights on that from air 2 users ??

IMHO, The screen is the best on air2 i have seen anything on a digital device, i actually felt i was touching the content , maybe due to bonded display..

Should i upgrade or not do i want air2 more than i need it

I'm probably in the minority here, but I believe that the iPad mini and the iPad Air are complimentary rather than necessarily serving the same function 100% of the time. That being said, if you are in the opposite camp as me in that regard, I'd recommend the iPad Air 2 over the iPad mini 2 simply because the iPad mini 2 (and 3) are both using last year's processor technology and will thusly be rendered obsolete (in terms of app and OS compatibility) one year earlier than the iPad Air 2 inevitably will be. The cost you pay to do this upgrade (assuming you then sell or return your iPad mini 2) will be proportionate to the power you gain, so it's not like it's a fantastic deal per se; just that if you can afford the additional expense, you do get additional power (and thusly longevity).

 

[vivek28]

Thanks Everyone for the comments.

I went to store one more time to feel the air2, the screen was still spectacular, but size still a little too big for my use case.. You know you are holding an air2 in your hands(after sometime..) but ipad mini just vanishes in your hands and you get the experience. I wish the mini screen(colors/bonded display) matched the air2 screen.

While doing web browsing on air 2( i use landscape mode for that), i felt like it needs to be put on a desk(like a laptop) after some time to consume the large loads of data displayed in front of my eyes.. not because of the weight. Air2 keyboard cannot be used at all with both hands while holding in landscape compared to ipad mini. My MBP 13 feels similar to Air 2 in web browsing but better.. Also reading books is infinitely better on a mini which resembles more of an Ereader So, an ipad mini does complement my macbook instead of an air2 trying to replace it!!

One more point, I have got an awesome deal for my ipad mini 2 32gb on black friday, if i upgrade to Air2 now, that would not be too good of a deal i got earlier. I have to sell the mini and get the air2(64gb) for double the price i paid.. I can always do that later when air3 or upgraded mini comes.. So my 'head' urges me to stay with mini for now rather than to go with my 'heart'

BTW off the topic, i tried iphone 6 in store.. I guess my iphone 5 definitely needs an upgrade now instead of ipad mini.

 

[sviato]

I was going to get the air 2 but just got bought the mini 2 as it was a better deal, financially. However, ios8 isn't that smooth on it and I don't think ios9 will run well at all on it. so now I'm considering exchanging for the air 2 as it's much faster, has a better screen, and will be able to handle more future updates and may be worth the extra cost.

And definitely need to go for the 64gb option, as with only a couple of apps I already have less than 10gb available on this 16gb version.

 

[nj-morris]

i bought an ipad mini 2 32gb recently in black friday sale(320 $), had a mini 1st gen earlier. I am loving it but when i tried an air2 afterwards in a store, why the large size ipad felt so lighter than or equal to ipad mini 2? i must say the colors also were far more lively on ipad air 2. But operating the keyboard on a large screen was still cumbersome to me.. compared to mini.

I use my mini largely at home and in bed and can keep it over my head without much strain and watch movies, browse the web.. I would happily upgrade to air2 if it can be kept comfortably in one hand while in bed.. Any insights on that from air 2 users ??

IMHO, The screen is the best on air2 i have seen anything on a digital device, i actually felt i was touching the content , maybe due to bonded display..

Should i upgrade or not do i want air2 more than i need it

Bear in mind that the iPad air 2 doesn't come in 32gb