iPad Air 2 vs Mini 4 Size/weight questions

[rotobadger]

I just purchased a mint used iPad Air 2 64GB after doing my research on what I thought was the best deal for me. However, after using it for a couple of days, I am noticing I much prefer the size and weight of my wife's iPad Mini (1st gen). Now, I know it's a "personal preference" thing but I wanted to see if others here can comment on why they prefer the larger iPad over the mini from a size and weight perspective.

Maybe I'm not using it correctly? Maybe I'm missing the benefit of the Air 2 (other than processor superiority)?

I'm finding myself seriously considering grabbing a mini and selling the Air 2 but don't want to be hasty. Maybe give it some more time? I've only had the Air 2 for a week or so. I'm wondering I'd regret the trade off. Or not...

Thoughts are appreciated!

 

[subjonas]

You're right, it's personal preference and use cases. Personally, I have no use for a mid size tablet. For casual ereading, web browsing, video viewing, and short productivity tasks, mini is the most ideal iPad for me. If I want to draw or spend more time for productivity or get immersed in a serious film/tv show, I use my 12.9. I suppose midsize is good for people who want one device and they don't feel it's too compromised.

Basically, the bigger the screen the more you can do on it; but the bigger the device, the bigger the barrier it is to use it, so you should only get bigger if you have a typical use case in which the benefit of the bigger screen outweighs the unnecessary bulk you have to deal with the times you don't need it.

 

[rotobadger]

Thanks for the reply sujonas. I think you hit on one thing that I hadn't really thought about and that is creation vs consumption. I am probably going to use my iPad for consumption about 85 percent of the time. I'll use it with a Bluetooth keyboard for emails but, other than that, movies, games, web, youtube, etc.

It seems like proponents of larger screen often cite the same reasons: Drawing, reading comics and other types of creation.

I love the Air 2 it's just the mini feels so much better in-hand and more "flingable". Meaning it's easy to pick up, carry around, put down and handle without too much care.

Again, I appreciate the "get what feels right for you argument" and it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Asp09]

I agree with everything that has been said here. I have a Mini 2 and an Air 2; the only reason I bought the latter was for drawing (now I have the 12.9 for that, though). For everything else I prefer the Mini. It's perfect for casual browsing on the couch or in bed, and I like the fact that it is easy to type with the on screen keyboard in landscape mode when holding it (on the Air 2 I have to hold it in portrait mode to type, which is less comfortable). And yes, it literally is more "flingable"; the other day it flew out of my hand at the top of the staircase and bounced all the way down before crashing screen first onto a hard floor. Miraculously, there isn't even a scratch

 

[PBMB]

Meaning it's easy to pick up, carry around, put down and handle without too much care.

To put it in a pouch or a large jacket pocket and go out without needing a special bag for it, to use it on the road and during travel to see the weather conditions and get directions from the GPS (cellular model), to use it as a cheap phone while abroad (Skype) ... It is the perfect size for such applications.