All iPads Mini is great, but Air is vastly superior.

[David58117]

Hi everyone,

I've had a 128GB wifi iPad Air since launch, and I love it. Unfortunately, so does the rest of my family! I'll be getting a small windfall in the next few days and was considering buying another iPad. The reason for getting 128gb was to be able to have lots of music and videos when I visit family quite regularly who live out in the sticks with slow internet.

I think a second device would perhaps only need 32gb, but maybe cellular/3G would be useful. Here are my options I think:-

1. Another iPad Air but 32gb.

2. Ipad mini retina 32gb and maybe add cellular?

3. Something cheaper like a kindle hdx (I have Prime) or a Nexus 7?

A retina display is a must. I mainly use the iPad Air (and will still have use of it sometimes!) for films, TV like iplayer, ebooks, games, email, surfing, notes. There's not much I don't use it for!

I'd like to get the most bang for buck. I did have a root round the forums, but didn't come across anyone in my position with a part-time ipad.

I also have a kindle Paperwhite, which I may sell if I get a smaller tablet for reading ebooks.

Thanks in advance

Mandy

I think it comes down to how involved you are with the apple ecosystem.

Also, are you familiar with android?

I never could find a reading app on android I enjoyed as much as some of the ones on iOS. They're much more polished, and text to speech apps are much more developed than what's on android.

Out of those, I would go with cellular retina mini..

 

[MacMandy]

I think it comes down to how involved you are with the apple ecosystem.

Also, are you familiar with android?

I never could find a reading app on android I enjoyed as much as some of the ones on iOS. They're much more polished, and text to speech apps are much more developed than what's on android.

Out of those, I would go with cellular retina mini..

Hmmmm, I'm pretty involved with the apple system, owning an iMac and Apple TV, but it would probably be used mainly for surfing, emails and reading ebooks using the kindle app. I think I would most likely watch films and TV shows on the larger iPad Air.

The 32GB Kindle 7" HDX is on offer at just £199 at the moment which would be good for those uses.

I think a little trip is needed to John Lewis and the Apple Store.

 

[doug in albq]

I'd say the air is better for you As others stated just because its better for you doesn't mean its better for everyone.

One size doesn't fit all, and for my needs, perspective the mini is a better device.

If you have not figured it out, this post is an opinion-piece.

 

[doug in albq]

Why not, both have different uses, just like some people have 2 phones. I can watch tv on my ipad while reading a book on my mini

I use both together all the time. For example, I will watch a TV show or movie on the Air via Hulu Plus or Netflix and check my email, or a quick fact on IMBD.com on the Mini at the same time.

Many, many other use-situations where both the Air and Mini are being utilized at the same time in addition to the one example above.

 

[petvas]

I use both together all the time. For example, I will watch a TV show or movie on the Air via Hulu Plus or Netflix and check my email, or a quick fact on IMBD.com on the Mini at the same time.

Many, many other use-situations where both the Air and Mini are being utilized at the same time in addition to the one example above.

So basically you are saying that you use two devices to multitask properly, by having apps side by side, something that iOS unfortunately cannot do. That way you make Apple happy.
Apple should just provide the capability to have side by side apps on iOS.

 

[OTACORB]

Steve Jobs was right though. The smaller screen does change the user experience to the worse. Some people don't care though...

Nonesense, the issue here is that Apple boxed themselves up with the text. Android doesn't have this issue rather you go from a phone display or a tablet, because the text can be sized appropriately for the display you are on.

The mini is fine, the issue you experience is by Apple's own design. It is an issue though for some, not for me, I like my iPaid rMini, but I did recently buy and return a Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. Beautiful and I would have kept it had they come in a 32gb model.

 

[Kaye Star]

This is a subjective thing. I prefer a bigger screen and 9.7 (nearly ten inches) is perfect for me, so I'd take the iPad Air over the mini any day. On the other hand, if I had to choose between the mini and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro that's supposed to be released in 2015, I'd choose the mini because over ten inches is too big.

 

[petvas]

Nonesense, the issue here is that Apple boxed themselves up with the text. Android doesn't have this issue rather you go from a phone display or a tablet, because the text can be sized appropriately for the display you are on.

The mini is fine, the issue you experience is by Apple's own design. It is an issue though for some, not for me, I like my iPaid rMini, but I did recently buy and return a Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. Beautiful and I would have kept it had they come in a 32gb model.

The iPad Mini does scale text normally, but because of the screen size text will be smaller. Apple has done its homework and has provided a system wide text size switch, but unfortunately many apps have still to take advantage of it. These apps are suffering the most from the smaller size.

 

[Rodster]

Just ordered a Space Grey 32GB Air from Best Buy. With my $190 in credits I was able to get it for under $450 tax included.

 

[takeshi74]

If you have not figured it out, this post is an opinion-piece.

Then you should write your opinions as opinions instead of presenting them as fact. Don't just say "X is vastly superior". Explain why.

 

[AppleRobert]

Just ordered a Space Grey 32GB Air from Best Buy. With my $190 in credits I was able to get it for under $450 tax included.

Good deal. I got one as well and FYI I was interested in the Samsung Pro 10" but this was a better deal for the price and storage space.

 

[alexrmc92]

The mini isn't designed to compete with the air, it's designed for markets where the air is too large to efficient accomplish the needed task.

For example, at work when i need a mobile serial terminal to plug into our cicso switch consoles it is much easier to use the mini because it can comfortably fit into one hand. Holding an air while trying to move ethernet cables around wouldn't be nearly as easy.

 

[MacMandy]

Ok. Decision made. I'm going for the 32gb with 3G iPad mini retina. I may have to use the 14 day return policy to swap it for a higher capacity and lose the 3G, but I think I'll be ok. The thing that swings it for me with the 3G is that I'm going on a narrowboat holiday this summer and the easy internet and GPS would be so useful. I can get 6GB PAYG for £20 for 90 days with EE to start with. No commitment. And the 4G connection could be used as a hotspot too. We only have 3G phones.

I'm also getting a pink Smart Cover. I have a red smart case for my iPad Air which is great as it protects the whole ipad, but I think I'd like to go a little lighter with the mini, and the pink colour is to keep my boys away from it

Thank you to everyone that gave advice. I really appreciate having this forum. None of my family or friends understand the stress of making the right decision. They just leave me to do it all, then reap the benefits of the gadgets!

 

[FL360]

I originally purchased a Retina Mini to replace my iPad 2 for the cockpit. The mini size is perfect but when looking at radar and the flight plan within the app Foreflight, the text is way too small. For other pilots searching for feedback, get the iPad Air if you don't want to zoom in and out when looking at plates and searching for fixes and waypoints when you get a reroute.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I prefer the smaller form factor. It's much more portable and comfortable to use. I suppose it depends on what you want to do with your tablet. Some things like productivity based activities would be better on a bigger screen. However for web browsing I don't see any advantage of having a bigger screen. For watching videos in some situations the bigger screen would be better, but in others it wouldn't make much of a difference. For playing games I think the mini is better. It's also better for reading.

I guess it all depends on the individual.

 

[Rodster]

The superior device is the one that fits your needs the best.

 

[Badrottie]

did you test them both side by side and see a difference? probably not.

No I didn't but I read article from Cnet or Engadet websites.

 

[x-evil-x]

No I didn't but I read article from Cnet or Engadet websites.

do you believe things if you don't see it for yourself?

 

[Kebabselector]

Or, 10 inch form factor is vastly superior to 8 inch. (8 inch has its places, but experience is not the same)


Those who know, know.


Steve Jobs was absolutely correct.

My first iPad was the original size, my next 2 were Mini's

Don't assume we are all like you.

Steve Jobs thought Ping was a good idea also.

 

[doug in albq]

So basically you are saying that you use two devices to multitask properly, by having apps side by side, something that iOS unfortunately cannot do. That way you make Apple happy.
Apple should just provide the capability to have side by side apps on iOS.

No. I am using the device(s) exactly the way i want to. In the use case described in the post you quoted, I would not want to scale my TV show/Movie onto half of my device to check mail or go to IMDB on the other half of the screen. I want full screen movie and the ability to check on facts or email on a full screen also. Two devices.

There are many other use-scenarios where two tablets, especially a large one and a small one, are the best way to accomplish a desired goal.

----------

Nonesense, the issue here is that Apple boxed themselves up with the text. Android doesn't have this issue rather you go from a phone display or a tablet, because the text can be sized appropriately for the display you are on.

The mini is fine, the issue you experience is by Apple's own design. It is an issue though for some, not for me, I like my iPaid rMini, but I did recently buy and return a Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4. Beautiful and I would have kept it had they come in a 32gb model.

I agree with much of this, the main drawback is not the screen size, it is the less than great software. iOS is best on the iPhone, does OK on the full sized iPad, and seems the most inappropriate for the Mini (1st gen or Retina).

The iPad Mini really could use its own version of iOS, not just a shrunken full sized ipad OS

 

[AppleRobert]

I lived with the 1st gen Mini long enough sans its resolution. While the Rmini is far superior, I especially felt the Ipad Air for the added cost was well worth it. I just waited, not long enough for 7.1 though but I have 45 days to return it via a Best Buy purchase and the price on the 32gb is just too good to be true. 7.1 will easily to here by then.

Not knocking the Rmini but the change will suit me fine since the Air is lighter and thinner now versus the other larger iPads.

 

[vince22]

Perhaps due iPad rmini lower gamut and inferior screen quality.. the iPad Air, was named Best Mobile Tablet of the year by the judging panel. The 9.7-inch iPad Air Receives Best Tablet Award At MWC 2014 and found itself up against the second-generation iPad mini.

 

[HarryWarden]

Here are my issues with the Rmini:

Display appears to be washed out, the audio quality, text is crushed, less enjoyment with games and video, the price versus the Air. I'll add more as to why I returned it later.

Forgot the color contrast/gamut.

Yeah, the less enjoyment from games and video is why I'm returning mine tomorrow for the Air. It also wasn't as good for web browsing because some sites aren't great at the whole tap to zoom thing still. Yahoo News articles being one example. My iPhone actually seems better for web browsing, oddly enough.

 

[ColdShadow]

last year when the first iPad mini arrived I finally decided to buy my first iPad,as I found the full sized iPads gigantic and heavy for my liking.but I hated the fact that although it was a premium product,it had low res screen,and I knew the Retina model will come.

so I waited until this year.but they confused me with launching the iPad Air.still I waited for the launch of Retin Mini and bought one day one.after playing with it for a while,I decided to return it and buy the iPad Air.

rMini was great but at that price point,I felt the Air was a better value.
the rMini's screen size was fine,but not really "standard" for every task as the Air is.

if rMini was cheaper,I probably wouldn't bother with the temptation replace it with the Air

 

[AppleRobert]

Perhaps due iPad rmini lower gamut and inferior screen quality.. the iPad Air, was named Best Mobile Tablet of the year by the judging panel. The 9.7-inch iPad Air Receives Best Tablet Award At MWC 2014 and found itself up against the second-generation iPad mini.

Hehe! Nice to have the latest and greatest once in awhile.