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All iPads iPad Air vs iPad Mini with Retina - My thoughts and the one I picked

Rhyalus said:
It is kind of funny, but these iPad vs iPad mini threads have been raging for months,

Do you web browse or view documents or use other apps that need the screen real estate? If so, you need a 9.7".

R
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For what tasks, would a Mini be a better options than an Air? Or phrased differently, what tasks don't require the screen real estate?
 
I tried out both yesterday and decided I preferred the sizes of the on screen items on the ipad air.

Loving it over my ipad 2, great though that device was
 
dhokes said:
For what tasks, would a Mini be a better options than an Air? Or phrased differently, what tasks don't require the screen real estate?
Click to expand...

I agree. I don't use any apps that "need" a larger screen size, although many of them would be easier to use or look better on a 9.7" screen vs. a 7.9" mini
 
Rhyalus said:
It is kind of funny, but these iPad vs iPad mini threads have been raging for months,

It is all about what you do on your iPad - especially now that the hardware will be so similar.

Do you web browse or view documents or use other apps that need the screen real estate? If so, you need a 9.7".

I just can't understand why this is such a hassle for folks to come to terms with.

If you have not been to the gym for a long time and can't read with the iPad 4 or Air in bed, then buy a cheap Kindle and use the right tool for the right job...

R
Click to expand...

Actually the main concern is whether you need portability, not what you do on it. If you use a device mainly at home then the air seems to fit the bill. If you will carry it with you all over town the mini makes more sense.

Same device really, but one is easier to carry that's it. Since I rarely take my ipad out of the house I bought an air. I have my iphone for portability.
 
I think both are killer devices and I have use for both (and good fortune to be able to pay for them).

Right now I have the mini and the iPad 1 both bought on launch day. Mini is with me all the time, but the full size iPad stays at home, and is always in reach--I far prefer the larger size for general browsing, etc. I have an MBA 11", too, but I use that primarily for work--I prefer the iPad over the MBA for browsing, too.

So, I went to store yesterday thinking I might ultimately end up upgrading both iPads--retina mini is a must when it comes out (my kid will get the current mini) but the iPad 1 is getting a bit slow. I did not walk out of the store yesterday with an iPad Air, and after some consideration, I think I am going to scout around for deals on clearance iPad 4s. I really liked the Air, but given the stay at home nature of the full size iPad, I think I can be one generation behind.
 
hachiman said:
This is why Apple is advertising only the Air and not the mini with Retina. It has the same performance, smaller compact design, the same resolution as the Air, better pixel density, and cheaper than the Air. I knew Apple was trying to hype up the Air and it would have to be released first, because not many people would have bought the Air if it was released on the same day or after the Retina mini.

From my perspective, the Air is "meh", unless you need the bigger screen from an accessibility context like people with disabilities, using it as a navigation assistance device (pilots, drivers), or commerce.

The iPad mini with Retina is the better deal.
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it's not the same resolution

the Ipad air has 264 PPI and the mini 326 PPI it's mean the mini will have sharper image BTW the old mini has only 163 PPI
 
loapp38 said:
I'm wondering if there's any one who own both ipad and the mini, how do you find yourself using them and under what percentage? I already have an ipad 3rd gen, and is debating if I should upgrade to the air or keep it and get an retina mini. I really appreciate your response, and this will definitely help me to make a decision!
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I went from iPad 3 to iPad Mini, and now want to go back to the bigger size Air. I have a Nexus 7 which is pocketable and awesome for taking places. The mini didn't really save me much space because I could barely fit it even in a jacket pocket, and the point for me was to be able to go places with it without holding it in my hand at all times. the Nexus allows we to do that when needed, but the bigger screen ipad is better for presentations and videos which I use a lot for work etc...
 
Jasmynsway said:
From where did you buy it that you can't return it 24 hours later? Most if lot all US retailers would take it back even opened. Just restore to default and get your money back.
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PC World, unfortunately their terms and conditions state that it can only be returned before it's been opened :(
 
cyrax83 said:
Still debating yourself on which to get? My thoughts are below if people are interested in hearing my rant.

My first iPad was the 2nd Gen, I thought it was pretty awesome, weight was fairly good and it was fairly thin – although holding it and reading on it at night, I did wish it was lighter. I sold out in prep for the iPad 3rd Gen, while the retina screen was amazing, the weight and thickness increase was crap and I never bought it. I could handle the thickness increase, but the weight increase sealed it in the Do Not Buy category.

The iPad 4th gen was much the same so wasn't interested and eventually forgot about buying an iPad as I made the move to Android ecosystem on my mobile. The iPad line up didn't match my previous iPad 2.

When the iPad Mini came out, I said yes – this is THE product. The weight was much lighter which was what I was after, the size was very comfortable to use and hold, and I could even handle the slower processor. The only thing that let it down at that time was the screen which I found horrid and I just couldn't forgive. The iPhone 4 screen looked better than the Mini, 1024x768 was yuck, so once again let it pass.

Fast forward to today, I'm back on Apple as I am using my work iPhone 4S phone, and a tough decision on the Air vs the Mini. The main uses for me would be daily travel (as I catch a train) so it would always sit in my man bag, using it for note taking occasionally at work with clients, and at home with some gaming and YouTubing. I won't read books on it as I have a Kindle Paperwhite which I think is a far better screen and platform for reading books due to the e-ink technology (I could never read books on an iPad).

When I walked into the Apple store to play with the Air, I picked it up, and went – wow this thing is light as hell and is so easy to hold. After a minute I realised it was the Mini haha. Picking up the actual Air, I could tell that this was a worthy upgrade to the iPad 2 I once had and considered the best iPad thus to date. Slimmer bezels and a good weight reduction (although it didn't feel as light as I would have hoped). I played with the Air for a couple of minutes and put it down. While the larger screen was nice, I would not use it as much as I would use the Mini. The 9.7" screen has more screen real estate, but displays the exact same content (i.e. same amount of apps on the grid etc)

So my current products being a iPhone 4S (probably upgrade to a 6 next year) and a 13" Macbook Air, i'm fairly sure the RMini bridges that gap – and at $100 cheaper with a higher PPI screen and same internals seals the deal. Shame no TouchID but oh well. Once thing I am slightly concerned about is how desktop websites are going to look on the RMini in portrait with it's super high PPI. Will text be readable? I'm sure it'll be fine though.

I'd recommend the Air if you don't really take it out of the house, don't have very good eyesight, do a lot of content creation and typing on it, or watch a ton of movies/videos on a desk where the larger screen would be beneficial.

Hope this helps other people on the fence. The Air is a good upgrade – much better than 3rd/4th Gen iPad, but I think RMini is the pick of the lot at the moment
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Excellent....just the thought process I wanted some insight into....I will be going through the same once the mini R comes out...comparing the two physically in the shop. There's no clear favourite for me at the moment. Let's see.
 
I picked up the air and plan on getting the retina mini.

I used a mini exclusively last year and the biggest thing I noticed so far going back to a larger screen is how much space is wasted. Apple can easily increase the resolution (which is rumored to be the case for the next gen) and take better advantage of the bigger screen.
 
I checked the Air out yesterday at best buy. Loved it and was very tempted to buy it. But I thought about it and I'm gonna keep rockin my ipad 2 for now and check out the mini retina when it gets released and probably buy that if I can get this ipad 2 sold.
 
I also got the air, have been using a mini since it came out. I will be going back to the mini when the 2 comes out. I thought I'd like the size since I don't need the portability anymore, but I like the mini better all around.

If the air had a higher resolution, and actually displayed more, I think it would be nice. But since I'm getting the same thing, just displayed larger, I like the smaller mini better. I actually don't like the air in landscape because the keyboard is just so big.
 
I've had every generation iPad since day 1. When the mini came out I bought one and swear I'll never go back to a big iPad. Here I am typing on a brand new iPad Air. It's light weight and portable enough for me.

Get back to me when mini retina comes out. I might change my mind. :p:p
 
iPad Air vs iPad Mini with Retina - My thoughts and the one I picked

My mom upgraded from an iPad 2 to the iPad Air. I helped set it up for her and played with it for a while. I do like the improvement in weight and overall design but I still prefer my mini. I'll be getting the iPad Mini Retina. $100 less, 326ppi, same internals as Air, lighter and can be used better with one hand...no brainer.
 
Steviejobz said:
No offense but the Air is redundant if you use a laptop as your primary device at home. reading is brutal on the Air. I'll never get the large iPad again unless I can't afford to buy a retina macbook macbook
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Wow, this is a terrible perspective and not widely shared, pal.

R

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dhokes said:
For what tasks, would a Mini be a better options than an Air? Or phrased differently, what tasks don't require the screen real estate?
Click to expand...

My point is that this is a personal perspective. I read magazines and view documents for work on my ipad 4. I would not be able to do this as easily on the mini.

My kids love the mini for minor web browsing and playing games. Reading books is also ok on the mini.

R
 
Rhyalus said:
Wow, this is a terrible perspective and not widely shared, pal.

R

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My point is that this is a personal perspective. I read magazines and view documents for work on my ipad 4. I would not be able to do this as easily on the mini.

R
Click to expand...

My main use of the iPad Air/iPad Mini with Retina would be to browse Safari/read textbooks (.pdfs)/Pocket/Mail on my commutes so for me it's a question of readability vs portability.

I think I'll wait impatiently for the new Mini to come out and then test them both.
 
Steviejobz said:
No offense but the Air is redundant if you use a laptop as your primary device at home. reading is brutal on the Air. I'll never get the large iPad again unless I can't afford to buy a retina macbook macbook
Click to expand...

No offence but that's just your opinion and not fact. Its also not an opinion shared by a lot of people out there if posts on this and other forums are anything to go by. I have a MacBook Air but it hardly get used these days. Most of my computer use is done on my iPad 3 because its far more practical then a laptop or desktop for most purposes. Reading is just fine on my iPad 3 so I'm sure its going to be just fine on my new iPad Air. You may be happy with using a cumbersome laptop at home and travel with it but a lot of people aren't including myself.

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caesarp said:
Actually the main concern is whether you need portability, not what you do on it. If you use a device mainly at home then the air seems to fit the bill. If you will carry it with you all over town the mini makes more sense.

Same device really, but one is easier to carry that's it. Since I rarely take my ipad out of the house I bought an air. I have my iphone for portability.
Click to expand...

I have no problem carrying my iPad 3 around and I'm sure the iPad Air will be a big improvement. Having also used a Mini it doesn't make a big difference in reality so I'd rather have the advantage of a larger screen especially for web browsing and watching movies.
 
hachiman said:
This is why Apple is advertising only the Air and not the mini with Retina. It has the same performance, smaller compact design, the same resolution as the Air, better pixel density, and cheaper than the Air. I knew Apple was trying to hype up the Air and it would have to be released first, because not many people would have bought the Air if it was released on the same day or after the Retina mini.

From my perspective, the Air is "meh", unless you need the bigger screen from an accessibility context like people with disabilities, using it as a navigation assistance device (pilots, drivers), or commerce.

The iPad mini with Retina is the better deal.
Click to expand...

That's just an assumption on your part and not a theory based on any facts. I disagree totally with your theory as it makes no sense what so ever. People should stop coming up with such ridiculous conspiracy theories. Its a personal preference at the end of the day and comes down to type of usage in ones daily life and what one expects from such a device. The full size iPads are just as viable a product as the Mini's.
 
I plan on getting the iPad Air as a stay-at-home family device but I'll be very tempted to pick up a mini at some point down the road (I love the "hold in one hand" form factor). I really wish it was priced closer to the Nexus 7, though.
 
scupking said:
Man a 8.9 inch screen would be perfect!!! Mini sometimes feels to small and the air sometimes feels to big.
Click to expand...

You guys need to think outside the box.

Five years from now, here comes the 'iPad Stretchy', an iPad Mini that can be stretched all the way to 10" when you need a larger screen.
 
I am a fan of the mini. I have and love the current/old one. I too almost got sucked into buying the Air. This 3 week lag for the mini release is rough. I just had to ask myself, if they were both available today, which would I get? The answer without hesitation is the mini. So I'll just wait it out. But when I really think about it, I have very little to gripe about with the current mini. The higher screen resolution would be welcomed and appreciated though. I'll most likely be picking up a new Black 32GB mini when they drop. Just wished they would have kept the "Slate" color. Not sure I'm into is new agey "Space Gray" stuff.
 
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