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MN7119

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 7, 2011
504
607
My son will be 7 years old in 1 month and I wanted to give him an iPad. He will only be using for reading books and using educational apps and some kids games as well. Should I get an iPad Mini (non retina and smaller display but lighter) or should I get him an iPad 4 (retina and bigger display but heavier)? I would be getting the Wi-Fi 16gb so the difference in price from $329 to $499 would not be an issue in my decision. Tks for any help.
 
Mini.

It's lighter, they don't need the processing power of the iPad 4 and they won't care about the screen (which in my opinion isn't an issue, but it is to some.)

It's cheaper too.
 
iPad mini. It's much easier to hold for him, still packs a lot of performance, screen is amazing (not retina amazing but still...) and cheaper to replace in case of accidents. The 4th gen is simply overkill.
 
He's a little boy so the iPad mini is ideal for him instead of him lugging around the heavier full sized iPad.

No doubt, he will love the Mini :)
 
The Mini, for reasons given. Better size for him and no discernible benefit for him with the 4.
 
17month old and 3yr old

my 17month old dropped the ipad2 on her foot this morning and cried, i think that motivates me for a mini if i had any younger kids but my 3yr old and younger one both love using the ipad2..........the drawback is the weight so if I had to do it over again and was looking to buy, i'd go with the mini so they would have an easier time holding it.
 
Mini for sure, it may not be the best spec wise, but it has it's place, this is one such scenario.
 
Without a doubt a mini, my 14 month old has been using my old iPad 1 for a while. I got a 'kid proof' iPad case at toys r us, he likes some of the learning apps on it but it is way to big and heavy for him to comfortably use. Once more 16gb mini's are in stock I am picking one up for him (and me :)) and getting a good case and eBaying the iPad 1.
 
i would say a less expensive tablet for a 7yr old especially when it will be dropped and things spilled on it..

Looks like a another spoiled child in society.... :cool:
 
i would say a less expensive tablet for a 7yr old especially when it will be dropped and things spilled on it..

Looks like a another spoiled child in society.... :cool:


Well, my son uses my iPad 2 almost everyday for more than a year and he never dropped or spilled anything on it. It is a matter of the way you teach them how to take good care of their stuff. Also, I prefer to "spoil" him with an iPad he can use for educational purposes than with a Nintendo DS.
 
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If you can afford it buy the child an ipad, mini may be better and easier for him to hold and use. My advice though if you want to take it, limit his time on it. Kids need social interacting and playing with other kids outside more and more these days.
 
i would say a less expensive tablet for a 7yr old especially when it will be dropped and things spilled on it..

Looks like a another spoiled child in society.... :cool:

I don't think a device like this "spoils" a child. It's got great educational content, many of the games are very age appropriate and boost logic, coordination. It facilitates creativity, is a great communication device for chatting with Grandma and Grandpa too :)

If you think about the use they'll get out of a device that grow with them, vs. the price paid for toys [for XMas] that are forgotten about in a month, or that have limited use outside of banging on controllers, I think it's an outstanding value.

My 4-1/2 year old has used my 1st gen on her own for several months - appropriately locked down for content and purchase control - and it's only picked up a few minor scratches on the display (it's in an Incipio NGP case). She recently learned ALL the planets, their relative locations vs. the sun, how many moons, etc., from using Solar Walk :D
 
I'm much past child age and I vastly prefer the form, size, weight of the Mini. Absolutely no doubts about which would be better for your 7-year-old!
 
I say mini. That's what I bought my 6 year old for Christmas. I wanted something lightweight for her and the mini not having a retina screen is not an issue for us.
 
My 3 year old has an iPad 2...full size is the way to go.
 
Neither, there are more appropriate things for a 7 year old.

Looks like a another spoiled child in society.... :cool:

It's OP's kid and OP's money. You have no place telling him what he can and can't do in the interests of his child. iPads have many educational uses and are wonderful learning tools. You may see them as luxury items, but a lot of schools use them as teaching aids so someone somewhere sees value in them.

That said, I'd probably go with the mini due to it being smaller and easier to handle with smaller hands.
 
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