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

I just got the air

and it rocks love it and I will also get the mini when it comes out. Did the same thing the last mini launch but I guess I can see understand folks bagging the mini this time around. this thing its so freaking light and portable its just a sick device
 
Thanks for the discussion. Based on these comments and others, I just bought the new iPad, and it likely was the right call.

I was going to wait for retina mini. But after reading comments about larger text, easier tapping and keyboard, more screen real estate, easier surfing and book reading -- and all in a size and weight package that isn't much larger/heavier than the mini retina, it made sense.

So I got the new iPad, it sure is light, screen is great. Pretty happy with it. I am really surprised at how light and compact it is. Yes, new iPad is larger than the mini, but the gap between them has shrunk considerably with this new iPad.

My significant other also was adamant: she wants a larger screen as well for her books, news, messaging, and emails.

I'd say if portability is incredibly important to you, and you need every ounce of space and weight reduction, get the mini retina. If not, the new larger iPad is a great choice, and it is def. more portable than prior generations, especially 3rd gen.
 
Velin said:
Thanks for the discussion. Based on these comments and others, I just bought the new iPad, and it likely was the right call.

I was going to wait for retina mini. But after reading comments about larger text, easier tapping and keyboard, more screen real estate, easier surfing and book reading -- and all in a size and weight package that isn't much larger/heavier than the mini retina, it made sense.

So I got the new iPad, it sure is light, screen is great. Pretty happy with it. I am really surprised at how light and compact it is. Yes, new iPad is larger than the mini, but the gap between them has shrunk considerably with this new iPad.

My significant other also was adamant: she wants a larger screen as well for her books, news, messaging, and emails.

I'd say if portability is incredibly important to you, and you need every ounce of space and weight reduction, get the mini retina. If not, the new larger iPad is a great choice, and it is def. more portable than prior generations, especially 3rd gen.
Click to expand...

I agree. Less zooming in and out will be a welcoming return for me. And less than a third of a pound between the mini and Air is far smaller than it was before. With weight getting this low, I think distinguishing the difference is becoming more and more negligible.

Not saying the mini is lesser in any means. Other than the size and weight of course, which I always see as beneficial. But for my needs and purposes, which include a lot of reading books and magazines, gaming, and music creation, I chose the Air.
 
I had an iPad 3 and a mini. Used the mini to take with me when I went out, and the 3 at home. Before the mini came out, I used to carry the 3 almost everywhere I went. The mini was a great improvement over the 3 in terms of portability, but for me, I really felt the loss of screen estate. Web pages required more zooming to read, keyboard and other tap targets were smaller and harder to hit accurately, and PDFs was impossible. Granted, I have bad eye sight and muscular coordination problems, so I realize that my experience is by no means typical.

Yesterday, I got the Air, and compared to the mini, it felt hefty. When I stuffed it into my bag this morning, it took some maneuvering, whereas the mini slid right in. But as I walked around with the Air in my bag all day, I hardly felt the weight. When I used to do this with my iPad 3, my shoulders would be aching by the end of a day. So the verdict is in. For me, the Air is the right device, giving me excellent portability without having to make do with a smaller screen. No retina mini for me -- the Air will be my ione iPad both in and out of my house.
 
Ive been working from home this week and found myself using the mini more. Just so light and easy to carry around. The only thing is is that I have to 'pinch' to expand text more. They are both equally superb. At the end of the day the mini is more portable than the air but the air a better (as in bigger) display]
 
Medz1 said:
Ive been working from home this week and found myself using the mini more. Just so light and easy to carry around. The only thing is is that I have to 'pinch' to expand text more. They are both equally superb. At the end of the day the mini is more portable than the air but the air a better (as in bigger) display]
Click to expand...

...and that is precisely why I opted for the Air!
 
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