iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 4?

[newellj]

just hope the next air gets 3D touch

Yeah, me too. I cant imagine it being left off of the future releases.

I'm on the fence about that. I see the usefulness with the iPhones. I'm not sure about the iPad...

 

[Spankey]

I'm on the fence about that. I see the usefulness with the iPhones. I'm not sure about the iPad...

It's a feature Apple is bringing to all devices. The Magic Trackpad 2 has brought it to the Mac. iPad will be next.

 

[The Game 161]

And a feature like that would take the shininess away from the Pro line.

Name a time that the Mini line has got a feature before the Air line. OK, there was the revised design, but that's literally all there has been. Everything else has gone to the bigger iPad first.

Apple has to create a reason for people to bother spending more on the bigger, much more expensive Pro. It's in their interest to ensure that it stays the most advanced and fully featured of all the iPads.

So while it's entirely possible that Air 3 could recieve 3D Touch at the same time as Pro 2, I really doubt that it'd get that headline feature well in advance of the Pro lineup.

Honestly the market is far higher for the air

I can't see the pro selling well enough to out do the air line up

 

[newellj]

It's a feature Apple is bringing to all devices. The Magic Trackpad 2 has brought it to the Mac. iPad will be next.

So, admitting that I haven't followed 3D Touch, are there disadvantages? Is the screen thicker? Does it use more current and shorten battery runtimes?

 

[Cakefish]

Honestly the market is far higher for the air

I can't see the pro selling well enough to out do the air line up

Which is exactly why Apple won't want to give the Air any extra advantages than it has already got over the Pro lineup. In my opinion.

Again, I point to the Mini lineup. They gave both of the iPad lineups equal treatment in the 2013 iPad generation. They backpedaled on that strategy the next year as Mini must have cut into regular iPad sales too much. They make more profit per unit from the more expensive models.

 

[konjecture]

I see the same question asked every time. It's like asking should I buy a BMW SUV or BMW Sedan. The answer lies what you plan to do with it. Do you live in a hilly area/have several family members and go out for camping trips often? Then get the SUV. Do you just want a car for commute and sleekness but don't mind the small trunk space? Then but the Sedan. Same with Air 2 and Mini 4. Right now I have the Mini 4 and I wouldn't trade it for Air 2 even though Air 2's processor is a little faster. I like the Mini 4 form factor and it is very light. I can put it in my suit pocket and I don't even feel it. It's ideal for prolonged reading and you can hold it in one hand.

However, If you watch lot's of movies and TV shows and play lots of games, then go for the Air 2. The bigger screen helps in this case.

So essentially it's your choice. See what you plan to do with it and based on that make your decision.

Both are good. You will not regret buying either of them. Just don't let people tell you which is better because they just happen to own it.

 

[Cakefish]

Oh, haha I got caught up in the discussion and didn't realise that this was the thread I started!

So I should probably mention that in the end I went for an Air 2 refurbished from the Apple Store.

I loved the lighter weight of the Mini 4 and the slightly sharper display, but at the end of the day when I could spend the exact same amount of money on a refurbished Air 2 as a brand new Mini 4 I couldn't resist the former. With both prices being the same and with me liking both form factors so much, the refurbished deals offered better value for money considering the slightly more powerful A8X chip vs the regular A8 in the Mini 4.

It was delivered today and I'm loving it so far. It'll take a bit of getting used to as my last iOS device was the iPod Touch 4th generation way back when. I've only ever had Android smartphones. So this is my first iOS experience in a long while. My major gripe so far is figuring out how to download files from the browser (it doesn't seem to want to download even basic .zip files full of simple JPEGs) and the lack of a proper file system UI.

 

[The Game 161]

Oh, haha I got caught up in the discussion and didn't realise that this was the thread I started!

So I should probably mention that in the end I went for an Air 2 refurbished from the Apple Store.

I loved the lighter weight of the Mini 4 and the slightly sharper display, but at the end of the day when I could spend the exact same amount of money on a refurbished Air 2 as a brand new Mini 4 I couldn't resist the former. With both prices being the same and with me liking both form factors so much, the refurbished deals offered better value for money considering the slightly more powerful A8X chip vs the regular A8 in the Mini 4.

It was delivered today and I'm loving it so far. It'll take a bit of getting used to as my last iOS device was the iPod Touch 4th generation way back when. I've only ever had Android smartphones. So this is my first iOS experience in a long while. My major gripe so far is figuring out how to download files from the browser (it doesn't seem to want to download even basic .zip files full of simple JPEGs) and the lack of a proper file system UI.

You made a great choice as it is a fantastic device. I got my mini 4 yesterday but i will still use my air 2 as my at home device no doubt. love it.

 

[Ffosse]

Explain please how it's better to buy a product that although introduced later has slower hardware? Specs certainly come into it, unless you're excluding anything physically bigger than the Mini (in which case you're back to specs, but external rather than internal specs).

Specs don't matter to me much (apart from the better ppi screen on the Mini 4 - I could see the fuzziness on both the Nexus 9 and Air 2). The Air 2 is a year old and, as already I pointed out could well have a 1 year old battery inside.

 

[Cakefish]

You made a great choice as it is a fantastic device. I got my mini 4 yesterday but i will still use my air 2 as my at home device no doubt. love it.

Hope so! My mind has been asking whether I should have gone for a cellular one (£549 for 128GB cell instead of the £479 I paid for 128GB WiFi only), but then I just keep telling myself that it'd mean I'd have to pay more every month to make use of it. And I could always use my smartphone out and about, I specifically bought this tablet for home use first and foremost. Else, if I wanted a tablet for taking everywhere with me I'd have gone for the Mini 4. I just don't like knowing that mine is missing some functionality (like GPS) when I've already paid so much!

Specs don't matter to me much (apart from the better ppi screen on the Mini 4 - I could see the fuzziness on both the Nexus 9 and Air 2). The Air 2 is a year old and, as already I pointed out could well have a 1 year old battery inside.

The Mini 4's display does look sharper when viewed relatively close up no doubt about that. But it's not bothering me as much as I feared it might. The display of the Air 2 still looks so gorgeous that I really can't complain that much.

Refurbished iPads have brand new batteries installed by Apple so there's no danger of getting a year old one when buying directly from Apple.

 

[JustMichal]

I've checked both in shop and imho both have their advantages for different usage scenario:

mini:
- better for gaming since your fingers can reach whole screen when holding it horizontally
- easy to hold with one hand
- bit easier for transport

air2:
- faster
- better for web browsing, movie watching

Since mini4 screen isn't crippled like previous versions it comes down to whether it will be used at home almost exclusively or used outside a lot.

I personally went for mini4

 

[bpeeps]

I went with the 4 as it's a year newer.

This means nothing.

It ain't that much slower and is certainly fast enough for use. You have to put them side by side to see it, and what does it matter if it's a fraction slower? It is very usable imo.

His point: Newer doesn't always equal better as the original comment implied. Get what suits your needs, shouldn't necessarily depend on if its the newest tech out.a

 

[bpeeps]

Scarecly idiocy: the iPad Air 2 is indeed a year older. I wanted a smaller device which wasn't a year old (and the real possibility of having a year-old battery inside). Specs didn't come into it.

Loving my 64GB in Gold:

Here it is next to the crappy Nexus 9 (which I have now sold):

A year is not enough time for the chemical fuse in the lithium ion battery to deplete causing battery failure. And just because the Air 2 is a year old will mean you will receive a year old machine. Most Air 2s on the market are from current manufacturer production dates. Just say you wanted a smaller device and move on, no need for the idiocy you are spouting in this thread.

 

[Kendo]

Oh, haha I got caught up in the discussion and didn't realise that this was the thread I started!

So I should probably mention that in the end I went for an Air 2 refurbished from the Apple Store.

I loved the lighter weight of the Mini 4 and the slightly sharper display, but at the end of the day when I could spend the exact same amount of money on a refurbished Air 2 as a brand new Mini 4 I couldn't resist the former. With both prices being the same and with me liking both form factors so much, the refurbished deals offered better value for money considering the slightly more powerful A8X chip vs the regular A8 in the Mini 4.

It was delivered today and I'm loving it so far. It'll take a bit of getting used to as my last iOS device was the iPod Touch 4th generation way back when. I've only ever had Android smartphones. So this is my first iOS experience in a long while. My major gripe so far is figuring out how to download files from the browser (it doesn't seem to want to download even basic .zip files full of simple JPEGs) and the lack of a proper file system UI.

Just to note, the A8X isn't slightly more powerful than the A8, it is SIGNIFICANTLY more powerful. Although the A8 is 60% more powerful in GPU than the A7, the A8X is 2.5x (150%) more powerful than the A7.

 

[The Game 161]

Hope so! My mind has been asking whether I should have gone for a cellular one (£549 for 128GB cell instead of the £479 I paid for 128GB WiFi only), but then I just keep telling myself that it'd mean I'd have to pay more every month to make use of it. And I could always use my smartphone out and about, I specifically bought this tablet for home use first and foremost. Else, if I wanted a tablet for taking everywhere with me I'd have gone for the Mini 4. I just don't like knowing that mine is missing some functionality (like GPS) when I've already paid so much!



The Mini 4's display does look sharper when viewed relatively close up no doubt about that. But it's not bothering me as much as I feared it might. The display of the Air 2 still looks so gorgeous that I really can't complain that much.

Refurbished iPads have brand new batteries installed by Apple so there's no danger of getting a year old one when buying directly from Apple.

Yeah I get that

I have the wifi and cellular mini 4 as I will use it at work and about. That's my main reason for getting the mini. My partner will use the mini when I'm at home and will use the air 2 as my at home tablet. Jones st love the bigger size at home.

Taking the air 2 to,work was just too big and noticeable

 

[ACG12]

Scarecly idiocy: the iPad Air 2 is indeed a year older. I wanted a smaller device which wasn't a year old (and the real possibility of having a year-old battery inside). Specs didn't come into it.

Talks about the Air 2 being a year, doesn't realize the design language and processor are actually a year old in his "new" tablet.

 

[Ffosse]

Talks about the Air 2 being a year, doesn't realize the design language and processor are actually a year old in his "new" tablet.

Are you completely dumb? Of course I realise; doesn't change the fact that the Air 2 is a year old.

 

[ACG12]

Are you completely dumb? Of course I realise; doesn't change the fact that the Air 2 is a year old.

Not completely, but your comments show how full potato you truly are.

 

[Ffosse]

So the iPad Air 2 isn't a year old, then?

That's what I've been saying, plus I prefer the 4 - I don't want last year's device. I don't have last year's phone, either and I generally upgrade every year. That, plus the size of the Air 2 and its worse display, notwithstanding its technical merits.

I give up on Americans; you're all so egregiously insular. If the Air 2 had been half the price, or a third the cost I still would have gone with the 4. I buy what I want.

 

[joeblow7777]

So the iPad Air 2 isn't a year old, then?

That's what I've been saying, plus I prefer the 4 - I don't want last year's device. I don't have last year's phone, either and I generally upgrade every year. That, plus the size of the Air 2 and its worse display, notwithstanding its technical merits.

I give up on Americans; you're all so egregiously insular. If the Air 2 had been half the price, or a third the cost I still would have gone with the 4. I buy what I want.

I get where you're coming from preferring the Mini 4. I just got one myself and I'm enjoying it. But I think people are confused by your "I don't want last year's device, so I got a Mini 4 instead of an Air 2" argument. The two devices have mostly the same specs, but the processor in the Air 2 is actually more up to date than the Mini 4 processor. That probably doesn't matter for most people's intended use. It certainly doesn't matter to me, but the age is irrelevant.

Also, how is the display on the Air 2 worse? I thought they were pretty much the same.

 

[Spankey]

The mini 4 is not so much a must have since I already have an Air 2. That said, I will be picking up either a used or refurbished 4 in about 6 months time.

 

[newellj]

Not completely, but your comments show how full potato you truly are.

I guess he's happier with an iPad that's what, a year and a half, old? He's obviously deeply confused, since he's saying that the display is worse. If you allow for sample variation, the Air, Air 2 and Mini 4 come out essentially the same on any measure but DPI, but he's already told us he pays no attention to "specs."

 

[The Game 161]

So far I'm using my mini 4 and air 2 very evenly

Air 2 at home and mini 4 at work

 

[Ffosse]

I guess he's happier with an iPad that's what, a year and a half, old? He's obviously deeply confused, since he's saying that the display is worse. If you allow for sample variation, the Air, Air 2 and Mini 4 come out essentially the same on any measure but DPI, but he's already told us he pays no attention to "specs."

You're deeply, sadly and irretrievably stupid, but, hey, enjoy whatever it is in your sig.

 

[newellj]

You're deeply, sadly and irretrievably stupid, but, hey, enjoy whatever it is in your sig.

Well, for starters, I try not to violate forum rules - you? Second, personal attacks are usually a sign that there's no factual basis for the argument that was advanced. I'll let it stand there. Your emperor can enjoy your new clothes.