All iPads Mini vs regular iPad

[mcdspncr]

I pretty much take notes with pen and paper so that doesn't matter. I would mostly be using it for internet and reading books. I can handle the print on the internet on the mini I think, only thing I'm not sure of is books.

If I'm not planning on taking notes with it (some teachers wouldn't allow it, and still I don't think it'd be as easy as notes) do you think a mini would work?

Possibly, but from my experience I use my iPad for other school related tasks such as essays and textbooks. It's nice to be able to start an essay on my laptop, have iCloud automatically sync it to my iPad and continue working on it when I'm out of my room. I've heard people say they are able to use Pages on the mini, but I just don't see how you could write a few thousand words on there. Also, with regards to textbooks, yes you can read epubs and whatnot on a mini, but if you ever wanted to effectively highlight, annotate, scribble on, write mnemonics/charts/mark-up PDFs, you will need more sophisticated apps than iBooks/Kindle. And the extra screen real estate is very helpful. My suggestion would be to really analyze what work related tasks you hope to be able to accomplish on a tablet (if any) and test it out on the iPad 2 that you said you have access to. Also check out some of the productivity apps like iAnnotate, Goodreader, Pages (even if you just watch youtube reviews) and get an idea if the mini will suffice.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

There's no denying the added portability of the mini, but for my own uses I prefer to use a full size iPad if I'm going to be using a tablet at all. The extra screen real estate is just much more pleasant to use. For everything else, I can just use my iPhone.

 

[nStyle]

^^^

The Mini is nice and portable but if you have an iPhone already then IMO they cross too many functional areas. The full size iPad while not something you can put in your pocket or pull out anywhere is definitely more convenient than a laptop for short trips and around the house where most use gets done anyway.

 

[Deliro]

Why don't you give a Nexus 7 2nd gen a try?

If you want a device that is portable and mostly for books and web, then it's an awesome device. I recently purchased one, my first Android device, after having 2 iPads and 3 iPhones. A few things to note.

- Separate ecosystems: It had me worried, however I was able to integrate all well.

- Screen/Hardware: Hands down the Nexus > Mini - Although most real world performance is about the same. Mini's screen is a tab bit bigger, but I love how the 7 slides into my pockets with ease.

- iOS vs Android: Personal preference I guess. Android is a lot more of an open platform, at least for now. Apps are getting better for Android, but iOS still has the advantage is both quantity and quality. I prefer the Android OS now despite my iOS devices being all JB'd and heavily tweaked.

You also have to consider the 100 dollar difference for the 16 gig model and around 130 for the 32 gig model. You will be able to get the fully loaded LTE 32 gig model for nearly the same price as the 16 mini. If you are dead set on a Mini, I'd personally wait for 2nd gen. Despite what people say, retina does make a difference and I'm sure it'll get a processor bump and 1 gig of memory. Good luck.

 

[bkribbs]

Possibly, but from my experience I use my iPad for other school related tasks such as essays and textbooks. It's nice to be able to start an essay on my laptop, have iCloud automatically sync it to my iPad and continue working on it when I'm out of my room. I've heard people say they are able to use Pages on the mini, but I just don't see how you could write a few thousand words on there. Also, with regards to textbooks, yes you can read epubs and whatnot on a mini, but if you ever wanted to effectively highlight, annotate, scribble on, write mnemonics/charts/mark-up PDFs, you will need more sophisticated apps than iBooks/Kindle. And the extra screen real estate is very helpful. My suggestion would be to really analyze what work related tasks you hope to be able to accomplish on a tablet (if any) and test it out on the iPad 2 that you said you have access to. Also check out some of the productivity apps like iAnnotate, Goodreader, Pages (even if you just watch youtube reviews) and get an idea if the mini will suffice.

I think for the amount of note taking and annotating and such I would do on the mini, it seems like it would suffice. I am going to look at the iPad 5 though. (hopefully... may just want it once the new mini comes out)

There's no denying the added portability of the mini, but for my own uses I prefer to use a full size iPad if I'm going to be using a tablet at all. The extra screen real estate is just much more pleasant to use. For everything else, I can just use my iPhone.

I have an android that has about the same size screen of the iPhone 5, and I must say, I notice quite a difference. Again, I want to have the mini next to my phone next to a regular iPad when I get the chance.

^^^

The Mini is nice and portable but if you have an iPhone already then IMO they cross too many functional areas. The full size iPad while not something you can put in your pocket or pull out anywhere is definitely more convenient than a laptop for short trips and around the house where most use gets done anyway.

Really my previous reply works for your post as well haha.

Why don't you give a Nexus 7 2nd gen a try?

If you want a device that is portable and mostly for books and web, then it's an awesome device. I recently purchased one, my first Android device, after having 2 iPads and 3 iPhones. A few things to note.

- Separate ecosystems: It had me worried, however I was able to integrate all well.

- Screen/Hardware: Hands down the Nexus > Mini - Although most real world performance is about the same. Mini's screen is a tab bit bigger, but I love how the 7 slides into my pockets with ease.

- iOS vs Android: Personal preference I guess. Android is a lot more of an open platform, at least for now. Apps are getting better for Android, but iOS still has the advantage is both quantity and quality. I prefer the Android OS now despite my iOS devices being all JB'd and heavily tweaked.

You also have to consider the 100 dollar difference for the 16 gig model and around 130 for the 32 gig model. You will be able to get the fully loaded LTE 32 gig model for nearly the same price as the 16 mini. If you are dead set on a Mini, I'd personally wait for 2nd gen. Despite what people say, retina does make a difference and I'm sure it'll get a processor bump and 1 gig of memory. Good luck.

I just got a rMBP, and I have had an iPod touch. Quite frankly, what I am looking forward to is the sync'd ecosystems between my soon to be iPhone 5s, iPad (whatever I get) and MBP.

As far as hardware, once the screen gets an update, I'm fine with whatever differences still exist.

I'm very aware of the OS differences. I currently have a phone which I have had rooted and now has CM10. Can't wait to get back on iOS though (and then finish it off with a jailbreak!)

Can you clarify what you mean though with the last statement? I can get a 32 GB LTE for the same price as a 16? I assume perhaps a typo? Or maybe I just don't comprehend?

I think regardless, its going to come down to the updates, and the size of the iPad 5 vs the retina on the mini.

 

[Robster3]

I pretty much take notes with pen and paper so that doesn't matter. I would mostly be using it for internet and reading books. I can handle the print on the internet on the mini I think, only thing I'm not sure of is books.

If I'm not planning on taking notes with it (some teachers wouldn't allow it, and still I don't think it'd be as easy as notes) do you think a mini would work?

Good, just dont look at a retina iPad then and you will be ok.

 

[bkribbs]

Good, just dont look at a retina iPad then and you will be ok.

Well I'll be waiting for the retina mini or taking the 5

 

[Deliro]

Can you clarify what you mean though with the last statement? I can get a 32 GB LTE for the same price as a 16? I assume perhaps a typo? Or maybe I just don't comprehend?

I think regardless, its going to come down to the updates, and the size of the iPad 5 vs the retina on the mini.

Sorry it was a bit of a typo, what I meant was you will be able to get a nexus 7 with 32 gigs LTE for nearly the same price as an iPad mini 16.

I bought the nexus as an experiment as I have 60 days to return it if I didn't like it. But it now has become my goto device and i take it everywhere. If the mini had a better screen I probably would have never done this experiment.

 

[bkribbs]

Sorry it was a bit of a typo, what I meant was you will be able to get a nexus 7 with 32 gigs LTE for nearly the same price as an iPad mini 16.

I bought the nexus as an experiment as I have 60 days to return it if I didn't like it. But it now has become my goto device and i take it everywhere. If the mini had a better screen I probably would have never done this experiment.

Ah I gotcha. Perhaps I'll look into it, but I think that I would rather have the mini simply for the uniformity between my laptop, soon to be phone, and iPad.

 

[Vanilla35]

I'm very aware of the OS differences. I currently have a phone which I have had rooted and now has CM10. Can't wait to get back on iOS though (and then finish it off with a jailbreak!)

Dude hell yeah, I'm in like almost the exact same situation lol. Rooted my GS2 and flashed over 50 roms. Currently on CM10 too, but MIUI is the rom I just keep going back to. Reminds me a lot of iOS, but not as limited. I am looking forward to going back to iOS though.

Will be getting a rMBP soon, and my Retina iPad Mini soon after

 

[MacAPOL]

From my experience

I bought an ipad mini back in january, ended up selling it two months ago and i bought an ipad 4. Best desicion ever. I use the ipad at university for productivity And at home for entertainment. The mini, retina or not, was too small, it was more like a phone. The design and weight was awesome, but now with the rumored ipad 5, that will change. I could never get back to the mini, too small for me. And also, i have a bagpack, so carrying a mini or a full siZe for me is the same deal.

 

[bkribbs]

So knowing about what the iPad 5 will look like based upon that video, does it look like something that could be functional more like the mini now, with a big screen but easier to use with one hand? I'd love to preorder one, or order the first day, however it works for iPads, so that I don't have to wait several extra weeks to physically see one first.

 

[rjkgr]

watching videos on the mini is not the best, and games is a perfect size for the mini and more convenient is the mini

 

[postpc]

I had a Blackberry Playbook at home for a few days which is comparable to the iPad mini in terms of size ( I also looked at the Nexus 7 ) and for me it was too small but I guess it all comes down to your use case. My ipad replaces my laptop at home and is my only computing device so I really appreciate the extra screen real estate.

 

[bkribbs]

watching videos on the mini is not the best, and games is a perfect size for the mini and more convenient is the mini

I had a Blackberry Playbook at home for a few days which is comparable to the iPad mini in terms of size ( I also looked at the Nexus 7 ) and for me it was too small but I guess it all comes down to your use case. My ipad replaces my laptop at home and is my only computing device so I really appreciate the extra screen real estate.

I think I'll be using it mostly for the internet and eBooks (so I would think the regular) and games (so I would think smaller). Really torn between the two.

 

[rjkgr]

I think I'll be using it mostly for the internet and eBooks (so I would think the regular) and games (so I would think smaller). Really torn between the two.

its your choice whatever you feel more comfortable with

 

[bkribbs]

its your choice whatever you feel more comfortable with

Ok I messed around today with the mini compared to a 3.

Am I mistaken in saying you don't actually get more on the screen? It seemed to me like it was the same amount, just bigger on the three?

 

[nStyle]

Ok I messed around today with the mini compared to a 3.

Am I mistaken in saying you don't actually get more on the screen? It seemed to me like it was the same amount, just bigger on the three?

It depends on the app of course. Feedly shows one extra article per page. Text is obviously more readable everywhere.

 

[bkribbs]

It depends on the app of course. Feedly shows one extra article per page. Text is obviously more readable everywhere.

Ah really.

What apps could I look at that most iPads would have to compare? I just looked at Safari.

 

[Wispy]

Mini is the best for education and web-surfing;
iPad (big) is the best for high education and some work, because big screen is good for this.

 

[nStyle]

This is the best interpretation yet:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qOwBIykvdYI

 

[rjkgr]

Ok I messed around today with the mini compared to a 3.

Am I mistaken in saying you don't actually get more on the screen? It seemed to me like it was the same amount, just bigger on the three?

some apps are not meant for the ipad yet and just like so apps are not made for the iPhone 5 and it doesnt take up the full screen

 

[bkribbs]

some apps are not meant for the ipad yet and just like so apps are not made for the iPhone 5 and it doesnt take up the full screen

I meant compared to the ipad 3, but yeah that's true

 

[roxics]

So- I'm in school and want an iPad.

.

My friend has the regular mini. It's a great size, and works for her as she carries a purse. I always have thought the regular one (mom has a 2) was just too big to carry anywhere. I'm jealous of my friend whipping hers out whereever she is.

So just start carrying a purse. This is the 21st century. Ridiculous that men and women still have such stupid differences between them.

Nobody call it a murse either. That's just retarded. It doesn't need to be called something different just because a man uses it.

 

[bkribbs]

So just start carrying a purse. This is the 21st century. Ridiculous that men and women still have such stupid differences between them.

Nobody call it a murse either. That's just stupid. It doesn't need to be called something different just because a man uses it.

I carry a backpack around with me at school so that isn't really the big problem. Its just if the extra weight and screen size are worth it.