I feel like i get the benefits of the mini with benefits of the larger iPad with the iPad Air.
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All iPads Love My Air! Mini vs. Air - Think Twice
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I feel like i get the benefits of the mini with benefits of the larger iPad with the iPad Air.
You guys are weird. The iPad Air is the exact same length as the iPad 4. The bezel on the sides is just smaller... and creates the illusion that it's taller. I think a lot of people maybe can't swing the money right now and they are making themselves feel better by discrediting the product or making up some lame excuse.
That's why for every 50 praise threads you'll get one where someone is trying to find some small insignificant thing to complain about and twists it into their one and only reason not to buy it. Half the people making these claims don't even own the device, and some I bet never even saw it in person and just looked at photos. I'd love to know the names of other devices which are perfect, "wowed" you, and are worth buying instead.
It's like a kid mad that the other kids have the ball and he can't play. So he decides to steal the ball and throw it over the fence and say, "this game is stupid anyway". Until finally he gets to play and then he suddenly loves the game.
It's improved in every aspect. Both the design and speed of the device. I find it really odd that one of you drove to an Apple store expecting more than a faster, lighter, thinner device... when that's exactly what we've known for months now and what happens pretty much every year. How can you be "wowed" by any device if it meets expectations and still doesn't please you? Was there supposed to be some hidden surprise nobody heard about that you'd discover by driving to the store?
That's why for every 50 praise threads you'll get one where someone is trying to find some small insignificant thing to complain about and twists it into their one and only reason not to buy it. Half the people making these claims don't even own the device, and some I bet never even saw it in person and just looked at photos. I'd love to know the names of other devices which are perfect, "wowed" you, and are worth buying instead.
It's like a kid mad that the other kids have the ball and he can't play. So he decides to steal the ball and throw it over the fence and say, "this game is stupid anyway". Until finally he gets to play and then he suddenly loves the game.
It's improved in every aspect. Both the design and speed of the device. I find it really odd that one of you drove to an Apple store expecting more than a faster, lighter, thinner device... when that's exactly what we've known for months now and what happens pretty much every year. How can you be "wowed" by any device if it meets expectations and still doesn't please you? Was there supposed to be some hidden surprise nobody heard about that you'd discover by driving to the store?
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Screen is too small. A full comic page fits perfectly on the full sized ipad screen and is readable without zooming. The mini text will have to be enlarged to read books. You're only getting 4 inches more than an iPhone 5 screen and paying $100 less than the full sized iPad.
If the original Mini had a retina display to begin with I think it would of made more sense. Since the alternative was the bulky iPad 4 and the original Mini was priced well. But instead I didn't care about the Mini the first time because the screen was horrible. This time it has the nice screen, but it's $80 more and the alternative is a full sized iPad that is practically the same size while delivering the same full sized screen. Again making me not care about the Mini. They did everything backwards for me.
The ONLY reason to buy a Mini is if you desperately need to have a SLIGHTLY smaller device, or you're one of these people who for some reason likes a smaller screen.
When it comes to a touch device... screen real estate is EVERYTHING. The screen is the entire device. If you're going to spend that cash on a tablet... go all the way, not half way.
Just my opinion however... do as you please!
I just played with one at Best Buy-when the guy handed it to me I immediately said "no, I wanted to see an Air" as I thought he'd handed me a 4. He goes "no, this is an Air".
Oh.
I've had a Mini exclusively since they launched, and so while I'm sure this is thinner and lighter than a 3/4/whatever, my perception was obviously thrown having used the Mini for so long.
Going to wait for the Retina Mini and make my decision afterwards.
Oh.
I've had a Mini exclusively since they launched, and so while I'm sure this is thinner and lighter than a 3/4/whatever, my perception was obviously thrown having used the Mini for so long.
Going to wait for the Retina Mini and make my decision afterwards.
I love my mini, but getting the new air. Think I want it a bit bigger as it stays home with me
Any reason why you didn't just simply walk over to the iPad 4 to see the difference? Sounds like a completely missed opportunity.
The iPad 4 is dramatically heavier, thicker, and bulky. If you've used the Mini all this time I can't see how the iPad Air felt so hugely different to you. It's only 0.25 of a lb heavier, same thickness as the Mini, and slight width/height increase... but majority of the device is all SCREEN baby.
Not sure why you apologized. He clearly misread your post. You said you were missing the bigger screens from the previous iPads (after you switched to the Mini), so you were happy to see the iPad Air be close to the Mini size and still have that same big screen size. Which made you less definitive on the Mini Retina. Right?
Was that so hard, Veinticinco?
Honestly the difference in DEVICE size isn't much different...but the iPad Air screen is much bigger. Full sized iPad hits the sweet spot.
slight width/height increase? either your perception of size is skewed or you haven't seen it in person next to the mini... the overall size of the Air is significantly larger than the mini. the weight and thinnes is definitely similar but the footprint is way different still.
Again...why didn't you walk 2 feet and pick up an iPad 4. You were at the store with a curiosity... but instead decided to ignore the actual tablets you were comparing it to, and still feel confident to make a controversial post to show just how much you "didn't notice any difference" versus another tablet you never even held before.
I was just at the Apple store to pick up my Air... I think I saw about 10 airs next to 10 Minis? Guess I didn't get a close enough look
The difference in device size is miniscule when comparing how much bigger the actual screen is.Unless you carry around a purse... needing a device that's only that much smaller seems pointless. Unless you just love smaller screens for whatever reason... if that was the case then totally fine with me.
Just got home from the reseller that's across the street (I'm waiting for a Mini, but was curious and wanted to hold an Air myself).
I was not impressed at all. I had an iPad 3 (that I sold about a year ago or so) so yes I noticed that it's lighter, which is always a good thing. However it's not that smaller, it felt familiar in my hand, it would be tough to hold after a while with one hand, and it's in general a little bit big for my taste and hard to handle.
I have a MacBook air at home. I will definitely use my iPad at home too, when I don't feel like picking up the laptop, streaming music to the Apple TV, and reading (for which I think the mini's size is just perfect by the way). I will take it with me on trips too, and again, the mini's size is way nicer for that.
The iPhone is only 4 inches smaller, but those 4 inches make a huge difference, and you all know that. The iPhone is great because it fits in the pocket, but it's a pain doing pretty much anything on it.
But then the iPad Air is only 3 inches smaller than my laptop and is less capable for production in general. Sure it's nice to move around but it doesn't improve the experience that I have already with my laptop that much.
The mini is the sweet spot. It's obviously not for producing content (in fact it's worse than the Air for that) but I feel like the spectrum of things I can do with a mini + laptop + iphone is wider because of its smaller size. I've always felt like a full-sized iPad kind of overlaps a little bit with the laptop. It's in a place where I'm not even sure it's useful (that's why I sold it!).
Anyway that's just my opinion, and I stand by it after checking it out. I'll give up those 2 extra inches and I'll get a lighter device, more portable, with the SAME specs, and as an extra, higher dpi. The price is irrelevant. Hell, even if they cost the same I would still get the mini.
I was not impressed at all. I had an iPad 3 (that I sold about a year ago or so) so yes I noticed that it's lighter, which is always a good thing. However it's not that smaller, it felt familiar in my hand, it would be tough to hold after a while with one hand, and it's in general a little bit big for my taste and hard to handle.
I have a MacBook air at home. I will definitely use my iPad at home too, when I don't feel like picking up the laptop, streaming music to the Apple TV, and reading (for which I think the mini's size is just perfect by the way). I will take it with me on trips too, and again, the mini's size is way nicer for that.
The iPhone is only 4 inches smaller, but those 4 inches make a huge difference, and you all know that. The iPhone is great because it fits in the pocket, but it's a pain doing pretty much anything on it.
But then the iPad Air is only 3 inches smaller than my laptop and is less capable for production in general. Sure it's nice to move around but it doesn't improve the experience that I have already with my laptop that much.
The mini is the sweet spot. It's obviously not for producing content (in fact it's worse than the Air for that) but I feel like the spectrum of things I can do with a mini + laptop + iphone is wider because of its smaller size. I've always felt like a full-sized iPad kind of overlaps a little bit with the laptop. It's in a place where I'm not even sure it's useful (that's why I sold it!).
Anyway that's just my opinion, and I stand by it after checking it out. I'll give up those 2 extra inches and I'll get a lighter device, more portable, with the SAME specs, and as an extra, higher dpi. The price is irrelevant. Hell, even if they cost the same I would still get the mini.
glad you like it. i am still debating between the mini and air. i think i will wait for the mini and compare. also i would like to get it thru Tm as they have free 200MB for like. so a wifi cellular iPad will be it for me (air or mini).
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+1. i have a mini and my daughter has the regular iPad. i think i will wait for the mini also as i love the small form factor.
Its the same
A lot of you are making very valid points, but there are a few of you that are a tad bit confused (i.e. the ones that say their media needs room and comics need to be zoomed). Both of these tablets have the EXACT same resolution (mini and Air) so everything you are doing on either tablet will look the same. Speaking as someone who has been reading comic books on a Nexus 7 for the past few months, no zooming is required on a 7-ish inch tablet to read comics correctly. As far as apps are concerned, since the only difference between the two tablets is size, the developers that make apps for iPad Air are making for the same resolution and power of iPad Mini /w Retina so they will work the exact same. The only questions that matter when you make this decision are:
1. Are you more comfortable holding a 10 inch or 7 inch tablet for an extended amount of time?
2. Is the price difference worth the extra screen real estate?
Personally, I'm eyeballing the Retina Mini only because I've had every iPad to date (except mini) and I told my wife I would get the Mini if it ever went retina, due to the fact that I have used my Nexus more than any tablet before because of the crisp screen and size when having long comic reading sessions.
A lot of you are making very valid points, but there are a few of you that are a tad bit confused (i.e. the ones that say their media needs room and comics need to be zoomed). Both of these tablets have the EXACT same resolution (mini and Air) so everything you are doing on either tablet will look the same. Speaking as someone who has been reading comic books on a Nexus 7 for the past few months, no zooming is required on a 7-ish inch tablet to read comics correctly. As far as apps are concerned, since the only difference between the two tablets is size, the developers that make apps for iPad Air are making for the same resolution and power of iPad Mini /w Retina so they will work the exact same. The only questions that matter when you make this decision are:
1. Are you more comfortable holding a 10 inch or 7 inch tablet for an extended amount of time?
2. Is the price difference worth the extra screen real estate?
Personally, I'm eyeballing the Retina Mini only because I've had every iPad to date (except mini) and I told my wife I would get the Mini if it ever went retina, due to the fact that I have used my Nexus more than any tablet before because of the crisp screen and size when having long comic reading sessions.
Again...why didn't you walk 2 feet and pick up an iPad 4. You were at the store with a curiosity... but instead decided to ignore the actual tablets you were comparing it to, and still feel confident to make a controversial post to show just how much you "didn't notice any difference" versus another tablet you never even held before.
I was just at the Apple store to pick up my Air... I think I saw about 10 airs next to 10 Minis? Guess I didn't get a close enough look
Unless you carry around a purse... needing a device that's only that much smaller seems pointless. Unless you just love smaller screens for whatever reason... if that was the case then totally fine with me.
wrong person. I wasn't the one who posted about going to best buy.
I simply pointed out to you that the size difference is quite big between the 2 devices.... because you wrote that the width/height is similar and that's simply not true. If someone wants portability the mini is a much better option.
Again...why didn't you walk 2 feet and pick up an iPad 4. You were at the store with a curiosity... but instead decided to ignore the actual tablets you were comparing it to, and still feel confident to make a controversial post to show just how much you "didn't notice any difference" versus another tablet you never even held before.
I was just at the Apple store to pick up my Air... I think I saw about 10 airs next to 10 Minis? Guess I didn't get a close enough look
Unless you carry around a purse... needing a device that's only that much smaller seems pointless. Unless you just love smaller screens for whatever reason... if that was the case then totally fine with me.
I wouldn't see the point in comparing it to an iPad 4 if what I was using currently is a mini. It seems like a pretty irrelevant comparison. Yes the weight of the iPad Air does feel impressive if you are coming from an iPad 4 or below but probably not coming from a mini.
I'm going with the mini mainly because I like the form factor. It's not a matter of affordability. Hell, I buy new phones full price every year strictly because I feel like it. I could get an ipad air but I'm skeptical of the amount of use it'll get once the newness wears off. The question I ask myself is what device would I unconsciously reach for if I were to own both an ipad air and an ipad mini with retina. I have a strong suspicion that it would be the latter and the ipad air would eventually gather dust right alongside my ipad 3.
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Exactly. I love the iPad, best tablet/ecosystem combo on the market. However, every full-size iPad I have had has been put to the side at one point or another to collect dust. I picked up a Nexus 7 FHD tablet and never put it down. It was small and light and easy to read on. I was upset when the Mini came out last year non-retina so I am looking forward to the retina release so I can get my tablet situation back in the Apple realm.
I have had the original iPad, iPad 2 and the iPad mini. Today I got the iPad air and have spent most of the day playing with both the mini and air. I ignored the retina screen difference as the mini will be getting this opinion in a few weeks.
I love the form factor of the mini, I love to carry it around and holding it is a joy. That's when I realised that it was the holding and carrying around that was great but actually using it was just ok.
The screen size on the air was so much better for reading emails, web browsing and watching tv. It's weight and thickness are almost identical to the mini but I have to admit its a little bigger.
I was concerned this size difference would bother me but whenever I travel I put my mini in my bag so I can just put the air in the same bag and as it's almost the same weight then no difference carrying it around.
I guess it's each to there own but for me the air has been a great experience so far.
I love the form factor of the mini, I love to carry it around and holding it is a joy. That's when I realised that it was the holding and carrying around that was great but actually using it was just ok.
The screen size on the air was so much better for reading emails, web browsing and watching tv. It's weight and thickness are almost identical to the mini but I have to admit its a little bigger.
I was concerned this size difference would bother me but whenever I travel I put my mini in my bag so I can just put the air in the same bag and as it's almost the same weight then no difference carrying it around.
I guess it's each to there own but for me the air has been a great experience so far.
I really liked the iPad mini compared to the iPad 3 / 4. I thought it was portability, but it really came down to weight. I was never able to find a pocket large enough for the iPad mini. I use a tablet for business and wear suits, but never was able to put the iPad mini in the mythical jacket pocket. Maybe Brooks Brothers needs to update their 1818 suit line with larger jacket pockets. Regardless, I found putting the iPad mini in the small of my back worked when I needed to be hands free, but never really liked that idea. Now with the iPad Air, the weight is light enough to compare to an iPad mini such that it no longer feels bulky. Unfortunately, the iPad SmartCase is a complete bust. I'll live with it to protect the iPad Air until something better comes along. Patiently waiting for the Belkin Sheer Shield to be released. I also hope the poly urethane SmartCover is thinner and/or lighter than the cover of the SmartCase.
That's exactly it. The portability of the mini is fantastic but usability on the smaller screen suffers. I'd much rather have the 9.7" screen on a tablet. The Air slims down just enough that the big iPad doesn't feel bulky anymore.
I have had the iPad 1,2, 3 and Mini and must say I LOVE the mini over them all. I purchased it the day it came out use it daily for content consumption. I told my wife I would get the Retina Mini as I just love the size, but I couldn't stand it. I went to BestBuy this morning and bought the Air.. I plan on using it for a few weeks to see if I really like it over the Mini.. If not I will return it and get the Mini 2.
Every year it's the same software on a new IOS device like iPhone and ipad. Ios7 just had a massive new look what more do people want?