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iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 4

B

bubulol

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 7, 2013
967
274
Hello, here is the dilemma, i dont know if i have to pick bigger iPad than iPad Mini

My usage are pretty standard:

- Watching through streaming
- Web browsing
- Reading manga/comics/magazines/books (mostly manga)

I d prefer the smaller form factor from iPad Mini but iPad Air would be more fits comfortable for web browsing and reading

Which one do you advice me to pick?

PS: Ipad for home usage, not cellular model, that s why i am asking you if i am going to make a mistake if i buy iPad Mini 4 instead of iPad Air 2

thanks
 
Hi there,

The iPad mini 4 should work just fine for you.

The iPad Air 2 will have slightly faster loading times for pretty much everything but you don't sound like you need it. However, you might want it because it will be more future proof and you won't have to upgrade again as soon as you would need to if you bought the mini 4.

Hope this helps :)
 
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You might want to wait until Wednesday on the off chance that there's an iPad release at the iPhone event. If nothing else there may be an adjustment in prices.

If nothing changes, I say go with the size that you prefer. The only difference is a more powerful processor in the Air 2, but I don't think it will matter for the kind of usage that you describe.
 
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No one can tell you which one is best for you. It's an entirely personal preference weather one prefers the compactness and portability of the mini or the larger screen size of the Air. My advice is not to try to reason about it too much, and go with your immediate gut response. Pick the one that calls to you.
 
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iOSpecialist said:
Hi there,

The iPad mini 4 should work just fine for you.

The iPad Air 2 will have slightly faster loading times for pretty much everything but you don't sound like you need it. However, you might want it because it will be more future proof and you won't have to upgrade again as soon as you would need to if you bought the mini 4.

Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...
iPad Air 2 isnt better for web browsing/reading?
 
It's quite simple. Do you want a regular sized tablet or a smaller tablet. That's about it. I wouldn't worry too much about any performance differences between the two since you won't be using it for productivity.
 
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bubulol said:
iPad Air 2 isnt better for web browsing/reading?
Click to expand...

That's really up to you. The speed difference probably isn't even noticeable for such tasks, so what sized device would you rather have for doing them? I personally like how the Mini fits in the palm of my hand.
 
bubulol said:
iPad Air 2 isnt better for web browsing/reading?
Click to expand...
The air 2 is better for everything, really, except portability. However I don't think you need such a powerful device. I'm typing this reply on a mini 4 and I absolutely love it.

I suggest going to an Apple Store and testing them out if you can.
 
Channan said:
Honestly, if you have a hard time reading on an iPad mini, I can't imagine how much you struggle with a phone.
Click to expand...

I use zoom display mode, and make the fonts larger using accessibility controls where available, ebooks apps have their own font size controls, and I have Safari bookmarklets to make font larger in Safari, etc, etc, etc.

Where font size can't be adjusted, I can tell what they say by squinting. It's just that for reading longer text passages, it's more comfortable with larger font.
 
Night Spring said:
I use zoom display mode, and make the fonts larger using accessibility controls, ebooks apps have font size controls, and I have Safari bookmarklets to make font larger in Safari, etc, etc, etc.

Where font size can't be adjusted, I can tell what they say by squinting. It's just that for reading longer text passages, it's more comfortable with larger font.
Click to expand...
No, I didn't mean you personally. Lol

I'm just saying if a person struggles reading on a 7.9" screen, it must be extremely difficult on a screen less than half the size.
 
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Channan said:
No, I didn't mean you personally. Lol

I'm just saying if a person struggles reading on a 7.9" screen, it must be extremely difficult on a screen less than half the size.
Click to expand...

Er, not always, because the layout is different. And like I said, font size can be adjusted, for the most part.
 
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Should i wait Apple's Keynote before buying anything?
Rumors perhaps talk about iPad Mini 5?
I tried iPad Pro 9'7, iPad Air 2 and Mini 4 on Apple Store
Trying on physical store is one thing, taking it in hands is another story lol
 
I dont type on tablet, i hate virtual keyboard
Its not a criteria to me, no matter the keyboard size, i suck at typing lol
 
bubulol said:
Should i wait Apple's Keynote before buying anything?
Rumors perhaps talk about iPad Mini 5?
I tried iPad Pro 9'7, iPad Air 2 and Mini 4 on Apple Store
Trying on physical store is one thing, taking it in hands is another story lol
Click to expand...

It's only two more days until the keynote, so might as well wait, though it's unlikely any new iPads would be announced.

It wasn't clear from your OP, but do you currently have an iPad? Or have owned one before?

As some other posters have said, picking between a mini and 9.7 size iPad is purely personal preference. If unsure, the only way to know for sure is to buy both and test them out, and return the one you decide not to keep. That is, if you live in the US or other place with unconditional return policy.
 
Nope, i just bought my first tablet some month ago, i love it but Android isnt a viable OS for tablet
I tried iPad on Apple Store, its very smooth, more than my own tablet
I think i will stay away from Android device, i could no longer handle lag and bugs
No matter how good hardware is, the main problem is software
 
bubulol said:
Nope, i just bought my first tablet some month ago, i love it but Android isnt a viable OS for tablet
I tried iPad on Apple Store, its very smooth, more than my own tablet
I think i will stay away from Android device, i could no longer handle lag and bugs
No matter how good hardware is, the main problem is software
Click to expand...

Okay, how big is your Android tablet, and how does that size feel to you?
 
8'', it feels great on my hands, its even lighter than iPad Mini, under 270 grammes
For watching movies/games, i couldnt be more satisfied
That why i think iPad Mini 4 would be better to me?
 
bubulol said:
8'', it feels great on my hands, its even lighter than iPad Mini, under 270 grammes
For watching movies/games, i couldnt be more satisfied
That why i think iPad Mini 4 would be better to me?
Click to expand...

If you feel happy with the 8" android tablet, then yes, the iPad mini will likely feel good to you. The 9.7 iPads are great, too, but they do feel noticeably heavier.
 
bubulol said:
Should i wait Apple's Keynote before buying anything?
Rumors perhaps talk about iPad Mini 5?
I tried iPad Pro 9'7, iPad Air 2 and Mini 4 on Apple Store
Trying on physical store is one thing, taking it in hands is another story lol
Click to expand...

There hasn't been much to suggest a new iPad announcement, but at this point, it's less than 2 days away. Unless you can't survive another day without an iPad, why not wait just to be sure?
 
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