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iPad mini + iP5 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 2

H

hulk2012

macrumors 6502
Original poster
I am looking into buying an iPad mini which will enable me to read ebooks, zite magazine, do sketching, watch YouTube, TED talks, checking websites - overall being productive. I'm finding quite difficult doing it on my iPhone 5 so I though of iPad mini. Now the downside will be carrying two devices everywhere I go. Alternative seems to be Note 2 - best of both (phone+tablet) worlds.
Any ideas from someone who had similar dilemma?
 
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I've got a Nexus 7 and the S3 and I've been seriously thinking about picking up a Note 2. The reason is because I've noticed that I don't use my N7 nearly as much since I got the S3 last summer. My rationale is that if I went with the Note 2, I could basically replace two devices with one.

The only monkey wrench in this idea is that I've already had the Note 2 once for a couple of weeks and felt it was just a little too large for everyday carry so I returned it. But at that point, I hadn't basically replaced my N7 with my S3, so things have changed a bit now.

I'm trying to find a very good condition used gray Note 2. I'm not sold on the idea yet, but if the right deal comes along, I'll probably jump on it.
 
The Note 2 is a great go-everywhere device. I've had mine for a couple months and it really does feel like carrying a small tablet. It has largely replaced my Nexus 7, which I didn't touch for over a month after I got my Note 2 (which itself replaced an iPhone 4S). Make no mistake about the size of the Note 2: yes, you get used to it but it's still a massive phone. You may need to clear out extra pocket space (I carry a slim card holder instead of a wallet) to carry it, it's a bit heavy, and it's very conspicuous when you use it. On the flip side, there's a massive battery in there so you likely won't have to carry a charger with you and of course you have a very capable device with you everywhere you go. After having it for a couple months I'd have to say that the positives far outweigh the negatives for me.
 
I've had a very similar dilemma, but I was interested in replacing an iPad mini, iPhone 4S and a kindle paperwhite with a convergence device that I would take to work everyday.

5 days ago i went and got a Note 2 and I'm actually very happy with it. with a few power-saving tweaks I found its battery to be much better than any iPhone I'd ever had (all of them minus 5) the screen is big enough for use as a mini tablet out and about and can also be used as a phone (if you don't mind the occasional funny look lol)

I haven't had any issues with the weight, although this is a personal preference and would recommend trying one out before buying. For me though its cut down the weight I carry to work etc significantly.

Despite a few teeth troubles (ios user for 6years lol) The way things are going I can see myself sticking with the Note 2 for use on the move, and possibly getting a full sized iPad solely as a couch computer
 
I tries this couple months ago. Worked really well but now I e sold the note and back on iPhone and iPad mini. Why? Well I'm used to iOS. That pretty much it. Kinda miss my note sometimes. It did feel abut to big some days but it sure was I nice phablet. It felt like I had my phone, tablet and laptop in one machine. That extra sd card meant a lot.
 
IPhone 5 + iPad Mini is a great combo. When you don't want to carry around a big device you can leave the iPad at home whereas the Note will always be big.
 
Note 2 is awesome. Replaces a tablet for web browsing easily, and it is much more convenient to use on the go. Battery life is awesome. I can get up to 36hr device on time (screen on + standby) per charge with normal use. SD card holds all my music plus extra goodies. Haven't missed the iPhone since switching, the screen on the Note 2 is much better suited for reading web pages and documents. Admittedly apps generally aren't as high quality as iOS overall. That doesn't bother me though because some apps on Android are better than what they offer on iOS (reddit for example). iPhone 5 plus iPad mini seems a little unnecessary unless you must stick with iOS, in which case your only option is to do that as you can't have a phablet unless you want something besides iOS.
 
macrem said:
IPhone 5 + iPad Mini is a great combo. When you don't want to carry around a big device you can leave the iPad at home whereas the Note will always be big.
Click to expand...

This is actually a pretty good point and this is coming from a Note 2 fan. It actually all comes down to a matter of what you need out of a device.

If size is something that is going to bother you and your world is entrenched in iOS then you may be better off with an iPhone 5 and an iPad. However, if you want to pack lightly and have an all in one device that does everything from being a PMP, eReader, tablet, productivity tool, etc then the Note 2 by itself is the way to go. The screen is just amazing for watching movies and the SD card is great for storing multimedia files. Also, having SwiftKey makes sending emails much more efficient. And the best part of SwiftKey is that it remembers your typing and word patterns which is extremely handy for those who use a lot of hashtags for Twitter and Instagram. If the iPhone had something similar to this then I would consider using the iPhone full time again.

The size doesn't bother me when I go traveling or use for work, but when I'm out on the weekend, out to eat, at a bar or wherever then the iPhone 5 is the ideal device to take. That is the luxury of being able to have both devices but it might not be practical for some people.
 
I'm hoping the note 3 will be that filler. 6 inch screen will fulfill tablet wants while I can still make the call if needed. Can't wait til sept/oct.

I'd still have my 4s too.
 
I owned an iphone 4s. At the same time I had an ipad three. The screen on my 4s was terribly small to even browse my Facebook feed. Carrying my ipad got extremely annoying and had to find places with Wi-Fi when I wanted to go on the internet. My upgrade came and I got a note 2. Its been amazing... not too small and not to big... Just perfect! I have been able to leave my ipad at home now. I highly recommend the note 2.
 
I work out a lot and I feel like the Note 2 would be a pain to strap to my arm. I can't put phones in my pocket because I do lifts like power clean and deadlifts and shrugs where the bar + 90-180+ pounds of weight are on each side and the bar slides across my quadriceps. A phone in my pocket would either rub into me even worse or break under the pressure of the weight.

That said, I'm trying to see if I should trade my iPhone 5 for a Note 2 because carrying an iPad Mini along with the phone is a little troublesome.
 
Essenar said:
I work out a lot and I feel like the Note 2 would be a pain to strap to my arm. I can't put phones in my pocket because I do lifts like power clean and deadlifts and shrugs where the bar + 90-180+ pounds of weight are on each side and the bar slides across my quadriceps. A phone in my pocket would either rub into me even worse or break under the pressure of the weight.

That said, I'm trying to see if I should trade my iPhone 5 for a Note 2 because carrying an iPad Mini along with the phone is a little troublesome.
Click to expand...

Try Bluetooth headphones, Ive worked out for years with them and it's awesome to just leave your phone in a locker and work out without worrying about it.

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hulk2012 said:
I am looking into buying an iPad mini which will enable me to read ebooks, zite magazine, do sketching, watch YouTube, TED talks, checking websites - overall being productive. I'm finding quite difficult doing it on my iPhone 5 so I though of iPad mini. Now the downside will be carrying two devices everywhere I go. Alternative seems to be Note 2 - best of both (phone+tablet) worlds.
Any ideas from someone who had similar dilemma?
Click to expand...

I had the dilemma, I tried the IP5 and tablet route but for me carrying around a Tablet just got too tiring, I wanted to have both my hands free. Having the Note2 I have something pretty close to a tablet, but I can put it in my pocket. Just like they say the best camera is the one you have on you in defense of cell phone cameras I kinda think along the same lines with a tablet, the best tablet is the one you have on you rather than the one you left at home because you didn't feel like lugging it around.
 
spinedoc77 said:
Try Bluetooth headphones, Ive worked out for years with them and it's awesome to just leave your phone in a locker and work out without worrying about it.

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I had the dilemma, I tried the IP5 and tablet route but for me carrying around a Tablet just got too tiring, I wanted to have both my hands free. Having the Note2 I have something pretty close to a tablet, but I can put it in my pocket. Just like they say the best camera is the one you have on you in defense of cell phone cameras I kinda think along the same lines with a tablet, the best tablet is the one you have on you rather than the one you left at home because you didn't feel like lugging it around.
Click to expand...

I integrate a lot of my lifestyle into the phone/tablet I'm using. For example, I've started tracking my workouts with my iPhone 5. I want to be able to pull the device out, log my weight, times, regime. Plus I'm a little neurotic about changing songs that I've heard too many times but I don't delete from my library for that one time I do want to hear them.

I'm going to try strapping my friend's Note 2 to my arm. If I look like an ignoramus, I might have to pass. The S3 was in a nice middle point where it could still be used in the gym and not be completely obstructive. However, the S3 is showing its age and I really don't want to 'downgrade' the level of performance I have.
 
Essenar said:
I integrate a lot of my lifestyle into the phone/tablet I'm using. For example, I've started tracking my workouts with my iPhone 5. I want to be able to pull the device out, log my weight, times, regime. Plus I'm a little neurotic about changing songs that I've heard too many times but I don't delete from my library for that one time I do want to hear them.

I'm going to try strapping my friend's Note 2 to my arm. If I look like an ignoramus, I might have to pass. The S3 was in a nice middle point where it could still be used in the gym and not be completely obstructive. However, the S3 is showing its age and I really don't want to 'downgrade' the level of performance I have.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, the note 2 is kind of big to strap to your arm. Honestly my workouts were so hard that I would never get away with strapping anything to my arm, it would have been destroyed.
 
I'm selling my iPad mini to help offset the cost of an AT&T ETF. I find myself using it less and less with the 4.7 Nexus 4. I think a 5 or 5.5 phone makes a small tablet irrelevant, especially with the ultra high res screens we're getting now.
 
Essenar said:
I work out a lot and I feel like the Note 2 would be a pain to strap to my arm. I can't put phones in my pocket because I do lifts like power clean and deadlifts and shrugs where the bar + 90-180+ pounds of weight are on each side and the bar slides across my quadriceps. A phone in my pocket would either rub into me even worse or break under the pressure of the weight.

That said, I'm trying to see if I should trade my iPhone 5 for a Note 2 because carrying an iPad Mini along with the phone is a little troublesome.
Click to expand...
I am addicted to two things. Working out every single day, and my love of tech, as it applies to work & personal productivity. One of my favorite phones is my Note 2.

Yet when working out in the gym, I use an iPod Nano. I have no reservations about being without a phone in the gym as I'm far too focused & my workout time is rather long & of great importance to me.

For long cycling rides, rock climbing etc I keep a small prepaid cell phone in my gear for emergencies.

That's my solution for what it's worth 🙂
 
maxosx said:
I am addicted to two things. Working out every single day, and my love of tech, as it applies to work & personal productivity. One of my favorite phones is my Note 2.

Yet when working out in the gym, I use an iPod Nano. I have no reservations about being without a phone in the gym as I'm far too focused & my workout time is rather long & of great importance to me.

For long cycling rides, rock climbing etc I keep a small prepaid cell phone in my gear for emergencies.

That's my solution for what it's worth 🙂
Click to expand...

I think three devices is a little archaic. I haven't used a dedicated "MP3 player" since 2006.

I also take my training very seriously and it's important to track your progress. Using a notepad for such a task is asking for trouble. Notepads get lost, forgotten, misplaced and are low on the "carry everywhere" priority list. You think carrying around a smartphone in the gym is annoying? I'd rather strap a Note 2 to my chest like Iron Man's arc reactor than carry around a 3"x3" notepad everywhere I go.

Smartphone apps literally revolutionize your work outs. You can track your heart rate, stay on pace to run a 5k in 25 minutes in a 9 week program, have an automatic timer that warns you when your cool down is over, have access to thousands of different work outs. You can mount it to your rode bike bars and use it as a GPS. It'll warn you about changing weather conditions when you're on a hike. You can read a book while you're on any of the cardio machines warming up.

Choosing not to use one, doesn't make you a more credible athlete. There's professional fighters that train 48 hours a week that use smartphones in the gym.

I was thinking of a "universal sports strap" for the Note 2 so maybe you can move it around as you change workouts.

I really wish Apple would release a damn 4.5-5" phone already. If only the S3 wasn't outdated.
 
Essenar said:
I think three devices is a little archaic. I haven't used a dedicated "MP3 player" since 2006.

I also take my training very seriously and it's important to track your progress. Using a notepad for such a task is asking for trouble. Notepads get lost, forgotten, misplaced and are low on the "carry everywhere" priority list. You think carrying around a smartphone in the gym is annoying? I'd rather strap a Note 2 to my chest like Iron Man's arc reactor than carry around a 3"x3" notepad everywhere I go.

Smartphone apps literally revolutionize your work outs. You can track your heart rate, stay on pace to run a 5k in 25 minutes in a 9 week program, have an automatic timer that warns you when your cool down is over, have access to thousands of different work outs. You can mount it to your rode bike bars and use it as a GPS. It'll warn you about changing weather conditions when you're on a hike. You can read a book while you're on any of the cardio machines warming up.

Choosing not to use one, doesn't make you a more credible athlete. There's professional fighters that train 48 hours a week that use smartphones in the gym.

I was thinking of a "universal sports strap" for the Note 2 so maybe you can move it around as you change workouts.

I really wish Apple would release a damn 4.5-5" phone already. If only the S3 wasn't outdated.
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Wow you sound kind of sensitive about it. 🙂. Strapping it across your chest like iron man sounds like the best bet IMO.
 
spinedoc77 said:
Wow you sound kind of sensitive about it. 🙂. Strapping it across your chest like iron man sounds like the best bet IMO.
Click to expand...

The way you threw around how intense you work out, I'd say I wasn't the one being too sensitive. Either way, I'm gonna give the Note 2 a try. My budget isn't too limited and I don't think I'll lose money on the trade if I decide to keep it.
 
Essenar said:
The way you threw around how intense you work out, I'd say I wasn't the one being too sensitive. Either way, I'm gonna give the Note 2 a try. My budget isn't too limited and I don't think I'll lose money on the trade if I decide to keep it.
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Yeah my workouts used to be pretty intense, I definitely would trash a phone if it was strapped to me. You'll like the note2 I think, especially the ability to take notes in the gym if that's your thing.
 
personally I would never work out with a phone attached to me....too bulky and too risky. That is what the shuffles are for. Also, don't nano's have apps? So you could still use the tracking apps
 
iPad mini + iP5 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 2

I take my workout serious and would never let any smartphone destruct me from benching 400-450lbs. That's why I leave it in the car and carry shuffle with me sticking it anywhere I want.

Plain simple. C'mon guys!
 
hulk2012 said:
I take my workout serious and would never let any smartphone destruct me from benching 400-450lbs. That's why I leave it in the car and carry shuffle with me sticking it anywhere I want.

Plain simple. C'mon guys!
Click to expand...

I thought the hulk benched tanks
 
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