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Mini 4 vs Air 2

D

DiscoDude77

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 9, 2014
37
6
I can't decide!

I have an iPhone 6 right now, and am playing this game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes a bunch and would like to see it bigger. I also play The Room series of games, Hearthstone and as well as others. My one friend suggest the Mini 4 - he takes it on plane trips and such. But I know the processor of the Air 2 is better. I'd probably be using it for games mostly - just from the App store. I have a nice PC for new AAA titles like Witcher 3, etc.

So, I can't decide if the Air 2 is too big for me. And is one of them the better buy at the moment? I honestly would probably keep it mostly at home, maybe taking it in the bed with me at some points. I would for sure get the Mini 4 if I knew the performance was the same as the Air 2, but I know it's a bit weaker.

Any advice?
 
Air 2 is Better!! The Air 2 hás an A8X chip while the Mini 4 A8 chip. Go to the Air 2!
 
Love the iPad Air 2! It's my main devic - so fast and so much fun to use. As for the iMac, I need to get some ram and wipe and reinstall. She'll be fine. Just needs a little love.

Definitely go with the Air 2 though. I thinking of getting a 2nd Air just for consumption.
 
Math889 said:
Air 2 is Better!! The Air 2 hás an A8X chip while the Mini 4 A8 chip. Go to the Air 2!
Click to expand...

I don't think that A8 vs. A8X makes that much of a difference is most usage scenarios. The most significant difference between the two is simply the size, so go with the size that suits you better. More portable or larger display, which is more important to you?
 
joeblow7777 said:
I don't think that A8 vs. A8X makes that much of a difference is most usage scenarios. The most significant difference between the two is simply the size, so go with the size that suits you better. More portable or larger display, which is more important to you?
Click to expand...

I went to the Apple store and played some random game they had loaded. i noticed the frames-per-second where about twice as fast on the Air 2 vs the ipad Mini 4. But, other games were the same...
 
I had the same problem with you last month. I want to buy an iPad mini 4, but it has a smaller screen and its processor seems weaker than iPad Air 2. but finally I chose iPad mini 4, because it was released several month ago and easy to carry around. Now it runs well. If you don't mind a 7.9" display, iPad is a good choice.
 
DiscoDude77 said:
Oh ok :) How do you carry it around? it seems the Mini is more portable ?
Click to expand...
okay, you got the buy the Air decision from everyone.... except me. I can't see any difference in performance between my wife's Air 2 and my Mini 4.
How do I carry it around? in my back pocket. It is with me always and I live in a pretty hot area and wear shorts most of the year. I'm wearing them now, with the mini in my back pocket. I love the mini form factor and I use it for games and everything else. Bottom line is that it is up to you. If you like the smaller form factor then go for it. The Mini 4 and the Air 2 are almost the same animal, just buy the one that fits in your hands best.
 
Ok thanks Ron - I still haven't decided. I wish I could see how this particular game runs on the Mini. I play it on my iPhone 6 now.
 
DiscoDude77 said:
Ok thanks Ron - I still haven't decided. I wish I could see how this particular game runs on the Mini. I play it on my iPhone 6 now.
Click to expand...


Have you got a friend with one so you could test it out or are you near a store that displays them? You could attempt to download it and give it a whirl.
 
I guess if I'm not going to be taking it around much, should I just get the Air then? Also, what do people use the Mini for outside the home? :)
 
Having owned (and gamed on) both the Air 2 and the Mini 4, I never saw a performance difference between the two - It really comes down to size. The bigger screen can be a mixed blessing. Sometimes it's nicer, as a previous poster noted, for a more immersive experience, but sometimes the bigger screen just gets in the way. For me, there really weren't very many games that the larger display made a difference - the exception being Fallout Shelter. I thought the bigger screen would be better for GTA, Dues Ex, and Dead Space, but it got in the way more than it helped.

I sold my Air 2 to buy the Pro, so I had a fairly short window where I had both the Air 2 and the Mini 4 (before the Mini 4, I had the Air 2 and the Mini 2 - there was a drastic difference between the 2 and the 4).

The mini has a number of advantages going for it:
  • Ultraportable - Most people can find a way to take it everywhere without too much adjustment. For me, it's my take-everywhere device, moreso than even the Apple Watch (I actually wish the watch would sync with my iPad mini instead (and my mini should also have the Health app)).
  • Less Awkward - If you play motion-based games, the mini is less awkward to twist, tilt, etc. Not that the Air 2 is horribly awkward, but the difference is very noticible for me.
  • Travel - pulling out the mini on vacation as a guidebook is incredibly convenient. I can carry it in a large pocket (like a coat pocket) and I don't have to worry about carrying a bag.
If I could only have one device, it would be incredibly tricky for one reason only: the screen is too small for drawing (which is why I love the Pro).
[doublepost=1452732210][/doublepost]
DiscoDude77 said:
I guess if I'm not going to be taking it around much, should I just get the Air then? Also, what do people use the Mini for outside the home? :)
Click to expand...

  • Camera
  • Guidebook
  • GPS
  • Note taking
  • Reading (books, articles - safari or Instapapaer, magazine articles)
  • Drawing (sketches - too small for anything more involved)
  • Listening to Music/Podcasts/etc.
  • Playing games (outside the house - mostly pickup games)
  • Stargazing
  • Identifying Music (Shazam)
  • Social Media
  • Event Guide (for conferences)
  • Reminders and Lists (especially grocery)
  • Etc.
As I said - this is my "go everywhere, do (almost) anything" device. =)
 
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bensisko thank you for your detailed reply!!! :eek:

Do you also have the iPhone 6 you carry around with you? It seems the iPhone covers a lot of the same bases as the iPad Mini would - I guess with just a bigger screen? Just making sure it's not redundant, u know? I'm leaning towards the Mini.
 
I have an iPhone 6+, but even that screen is too small to spend a significant amount of time with it.
I do use it for photos because the camera is much better on the 6+, but unless it's low light or involves motion, I'm more likely to use the mini.

I even do all my messaging on the mini - thank goodness for messaging on all devices!

My case certainly doesn't apply all around, but the mini is much more suited to my Primary device.
 
Ah, the classic iPad mini versus larger iPad decision. I've been on both sides. I had the iPad 3, then mini 1, then air 1, then mini 4, now finally Air 2.
I tried the mini 4 because I wanted something lighter to use for my homeschool textbooks. I thought the mini 4 would be nice for this. So I got it for my birthday.
It was an incredibly nice little device and I really enjoyed using it. BUT with my textbooks, the text was simply too small when viewing the page without zoom. It was just too small to read comfortably. My eyes are fine but it just wasn't comfortable. This bugged me, and I just couldn't get over the fact that the mini was closer in size to my iPhone 6. I know it was a big difference in real estate, but this just kinda bugged me, if nothing more than subconsciously, too.
SO I returned it for an air 2. I love it. Thin and light as ever, and plenty fast and capable. I do sometimes wonder whether I made the right choice or not, but ultimately the text size in my textbooks makes the decision for me, a seemingly small thing but since I use them so much it is important for me.
As for your decision, I'd say go for the air 2, especially since you said you'd use it mainly at home. Even when you do bring it out, compared to the mini 4, it is still portable. Now the mini 4 is easier to carry around and use on the go, but the air 2 is still portable and you can certainly use it on the go. Plus, I have an iPhone 6 that I can use on the go, so when I use my iPad, I want it to be significantly bigger. The mini 4 is still different obviously than the 6, but if you're gonna have a tablet, unless you find the mini 4 easier to hold or more comfy, may as well go for the bigger screen and enjoy its benefits.
Also I do notice a smoothness difference in Asphalt 7, noticeably smoother on the air 2.
These are my thoughts, hope it helps! :)
 
Guys well I just got the iPad Mini 4 and got home to read JerTheGeek's thread. :eek: eek well I have 2 weeks with it - I can exchange it or get a refund if I don't like it.

thanks for everyone's input!!
 
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DiscoDude77 said:
Guys well I just got the iPad Mini 4 and got home to read JerTheGeek's thread. :eek: eek well I have 2 weeks with it - I can exchange it or get a refund if I don't like it.

thanks for everyone's input!!
Click to expand...
Lol whoops! Enjoy the mini 4! If it's not the one you prefer you'll know. I actually think it's best to own the mini first to see if it works.
 
I've been debating this for multiple weeks now (I'm sure some of you share my pain :p). I had the original iPad 1 when it came out in 2010, then sold it to my brother in 2012 because of lack of support from Apple and slow performance on iOS 5 compared to iOS 4 which I downgraded it back to (SHSH for the win). It's still in use as a Bible reader and on the road video device (64GB) for the kids, so that's nice to see it ticking 5+ years later. Then I got the iPad mini 1 sometime in early 2014 I think, it was lightly used. It's intended use was for textbooks and general use, but I sold it only a few months after getting it because it too was slow (A5 w/512mb RAM) and the screen was indeed a bit too small to easily read textbooks, not to mention it wasn't a retina panel and had the same resolution as my iPad 1.

Since then I haven't had an iPad because more often than not I'd just end up using my MacBook for the same tasks and the new 13" rMBP is quite portable and light in a bag. But I've finally decided I do want another iPad for using around the house and out and about but have had a hard time deciding on Mini vs Air 2. Especially when both still have the A8 when the A9 is out. BUT, I made up my mind today and went with an iPad Air 2 64GB that I snagged on Swappa for $400, mint condition with a smart cover as a bonus. I was going to wait for the Air 3 and get one new, but it would come $599 + tax and this guy was about $240 less than that, so I'm happy with the deal and hopefully won't be too disappointed when the Air 3 comes out this year.

They were on sale at Best Buy for $100 off iPad mini and $125 off iPad Air 2 but the deal has since ended and I thought I wouldn't get one. My fault for toying with the idea for too long haha! But there's always good ol' Swappa.

Congrats on the Mini 4 though! Worst case, I find this too large, sell it for a similar price and grab a Mini 4. :)
 
BrettApple said:
I've been debating this for multiple weeks now (I'm sure some of you share my pain :p). I had the original iPad 1 when it came out in 2010, then sold it to my brother in 2012 because of lack of support from Apple and slow performance on iOS 5 compared to iOS 4 which I downgraded it back to (SHSH for the win). It's still in use as a Bible reader and on the road video device (64GB) for the kids, so that's nice to see it ticking 5+ years later. Then I got the iPad mini 1 sometime in early 2014 I think, it was lightly used. It's intended use was for textbooks and general use, but I sold it only a few months after getting it because it too was slow (A5 w/512mb RAM) and the screen was indeed a bit too small to easily read textbooks, not to mention it wasn't a retina panel and had the same resolution as my iPad 1.

Since then I haven't had an iPad because more often than not I'd just end up using my MacBook for the same tasks and the new 13" rMBP is quite portable and light in a bag. But I've finally decided I do want another iPad for using around the house and out and about but have had a hard time deciding on Mini vs Air 2. Especially when both still have the A8 when the A9 is out. BUT, I made up my mind today and went with an iPad Air 2 64GB that I snagged on Swappa for $400, mint condition with a smart cover as a bonus. I was going to wait for the Air 3 and get one new, but it would come $599 + tax and this guy was about $240 less than that, so I'm happy with the deal and hopefully won't be too disappointed when the Air 3 comes out this year.

They were on sale at Best Buy for $100 off iPad mini and $125 off iPad Air 2 but the deal has since ended and I thought I wouldn't get one. My fault for toying with the idea for too long haha! But there's always good ol' Swappa.

Congrats on the Mini 4 though! Worst case, I find this too large, sell it for a similar price and grab a Mini 4. :)
Click to expand...
I think you would've found the mini 4 too small for textbooks; I did. Congrats on the deal, still cheaper then the air 2 will likely be when the air 3 comes out; plus I don't think it'll provide a ton of must-have features anyway.
 
Jasmynp said:
Love the iPad Air 2! It's my main devic - so fast and so much fun to use. As for the iMac, I need to get some ram and wipe and reinstall. She'll be fine. Just needs a little love.

Definitely go with the Air 2 though. I thinking of getting a 2nd Air just for consumption.
Click to expand...

I also love my air 2, not as much as my brand new rimac, but my rmbp is sitting gathering dust. I have my own cloud solutions via a qnap server + qsync is ace. I just wish I could open, read, edit, and sae back on qsync. It should work on paper, but I am just not getting the same functionality, precision, and control in iOS as I do in OS X. I end up saving on the fly noted in a scratch drive in onedrive, then drop to my qsync folder on osx
Maybe in a year or two, I may upgrade to the iPad pro to replace my mbp as a travel laptop.
 
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