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All iPads Mini vs regular iPad
- Thread starter bkribbs
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Yeah, if your plan is to hold it with one hand in front of your face, the mini or Touch are much better choices.
I use mine in a more loungy type of environment because I already have the iPhone for the other on-the-go stuff and need it to be pocketable for that situation anyway. I would love a ~5 inch iPhone, but there is no point in going over that subject again.
I had the iPad 4 for 8 months, picked up a mini back in June and ended up selling the iPad 4. At home, I did prefer the iPad 4 for the screen resolution and size but the majority of tasks, the smaller 7.9" screen is fine. I opted to sell the iPad 4 while resale values were still high before the iPad 5 rumour mill went into over drive. The plan was to run with the mini until the iPad 5 was released but now I'm toying with sticking with a mini - more than likely if the mini 2 sports a retina screen. The biggest issue with the mini compared to the iPad 4 for me was performance, the lack of RAM was very evident when browsing multiple tabs etc.
With this fixed in a new release, the only real mark against the mini is screen size for certain UI elements i.e. keyboard for extensive typing and also certain apps like iDraw where the larger screen affords you better precision with less zooming. If it is your only device without regular access to a laptop or similar then I would stick with the full sized iPad. As a supplemental device then either are fine and the decision is more down to cost & portability.
I did consider keeping both a full sized iPad and a mini; the former for at home, the mini for travel and at work in my laptop bag. The mini works well enough for me that keeping two iPads is pretty unlikely now. Having said that. if the new mini doesn't come with retina then I will likely pick up an iPad 5 and also keep the current mini for travel. A performance increase alone is not enough for me stick purely with the mini.
With this fixed in a new release, the only real mark against the mini is screen size for certain UI elements i.e. keyboard for extensive typing and also certain apps like iDraw where the larger screen affords you better precision with less zooming. If it is your only device without regular access to a laptop or similar then I would stick with the full sized iPad. As a supplemental device then either are fine and the decision is more down to cost & portability.
I did consider keeping both a full sized iPad and a mini; the former for at home, the mini for travel and at work in my laptop bag. The mini works well enough for me that keeping two iPads is pretty unlikely now. Having said that. if the new mini doesn't come with retina then I will likely pick up an iPad 5 and also keep the current mini for travel. A performance increase alone is not enough for me stick purely with the mini.
It is only 20% larger if you look at it from the edge.
If you are reading it - it is 53% larger.
This is the key. Holding a giant ipad is annoying but if it just sits in your lap or on a desk...
For me, it is no different than holding a typical hard backed book. I never had an issue with that, either. For my use, there is not an upside to the mini's size. I don't want to hold it right in front of my face. I have an iPhone that does that and any time I have them both in reach, I grab thd iPad. The upside to the iPhone is that it easily fits in my front pocket. The mini doesn't.
The regular iPad is not "giant" sized. My 11 year old niece has no issues with using it, holding it, and carrying it around.
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So I'm going to chime in here - I have owned all but the 4th gen iPad and currently own a Mini.
In short: the Mini is great - super light, easy to carry around, but I find I just don't use it as much as I did my full size iPad. When the new iPad's come out I will most likely sell the mini and go back to full size.
I think the main issue is the keyboard size. I prefer to use it on my desk, as a second display next to my computer, or on my lap when just lounging on the couch. The mini is ultimately too small for those uses. What ends up happening is I use my Mini like my iPhone and in most cases the iPhone wins just on speed (5s with A7 versus Mini with A5, about a 4x performance gap without even mentioning RAM.)
The old full-size I would actually use for productivity applications because I could touch type with two hands fairly easily. On the Mini the keyboard is just too cramped, and if I am thumb typing I would just prefer to be on an iPhone.
The mini is great for reading, movies, twitter, facebook, etc. But I think it fails as an all around computing device because of the limiting input. I would feel fine typing a decently long document just on an iPad, but on the Mini it just isn't the same experience.
So that is my opinion. The Mini is still a great tablet, it just leans a bit more toward the content consumption end of the spectrum.
In short: the Mini is great - super light, easy to carry around, but I find I just don't use it as much as I did my full size iPad. When the new iPad's come out I will most likely sell the mini and go back to full size.
I think the main issue is the keyboard size. I prefer to use it on my desk, as a second display next to my computer, or on my lap when just lounging on the couch. The mini is ultimately too small for those uses. What ends up happening is I use my Mini like my iPhone and in most cases the iPhone wins just on speed (5s with A7 versus Mini with A5, about a 4x performance gap without even mentioning RAM.)
The old full-size I would actually use for productivity applications because I could touch type with two hands fairly easily. On the Mini the keyboard is just too cramped, and if I am thumb typing I would just prefer to be on an iPhone.
The mini is great for reading, movies, twitter, facebook, etc. But I think it fails as an all around computing device because of the limiting input. I would feel fine typing a decently long document just on an iPad, but on the Mini it just isn't the same experience.
So that is my opinion. The Mini is still a great tablet, it just leans a bit more toward the content consumption end of the spectrum.
This is exactly what I was wondering about. Currently I have a mini, but after seeing that leaked video of the next iPad shell sizes, it seemed that the overall dimensions between full-sized iPad and mini were getting closer.... at least width-wise. The height still seems to be ~1.5" longer than the mini. I guess we'll see. I'm not sure quite what to think or do right about now.
Very good post. It's interesting to see people's differences. I completely agree the mini is more for content consumption. If I'm creating I would much prefer to be on the iPad... as that was my original incentive for my iPad 3 purchase.
I'll chime in here because I'm at a crossroad as well. I'm upgrading to either a 5 or mini retina (assuming). I use my iPad primarily at school to look at documents, browse sites, email, and ebook reading. I rarely play games on it and the only media I consume is video.
It sits on a desk so it's stationary. But typing is annoying even though I have long fingers. Most people in class have keyboards for their iPads. I'd rather just bring my 15" pro. The weight is another issue. Something so small as sitting up and leaning back to read the iPad can be an issue with the weight. I tend to prop my legs up and rest it on them. This also happens on the couch. I never like holding it up. With the mini I can hold it one handed and my hand won't get tired.
I've played with the mini numerous times and I'm nearly sold on it. The screen size doesn't seem like an issue because it covers everything I need and is lightweight to use more often. The only reason I would get the iPad 5 is if the specs are ridiculously amazing (highly doubt it and I'd probably never put it to sufficient use anyway) and they really brought the weight down. And not to mention if the mini doesn't have retina.
full size FTW the mini was great when the iPad was in it's second generation big and clunky. if the reports are true and it is lighter, smaller by width, length, and height, the answer is easy. if you can afford it of course.
Reading any PDF or Powerpoint on the mini is going to be an eye strain and lots of manual zooming. Not very efficient.
Get the "regular" sized iPad and you will not be disappointed. You will appreciate the bigger screen size and the new iPad will be supposedly faster and lighter. The regular sized iPad will also be more versatile as well. I have never seen a guy with a mini iPad to be quite frank...
Get the "regular" sized iPad and you will not be disappointed. You will appreciate the bigger screen size and the new iPad will be supposedly faster and lighter. The regular sized iPad will also be more versatile as well. I have never seen a guy with a mini iPad to be quite frank...
I honestly have good eyes right now, so I don't think lots of zooming is needed. I have my friends mini and never really zoom except for clicking links when they are stacked.
I'm going to play on my mom's iPad a lot when I go home in two weeks which hopefully will help me decide.
Not really worried about whether other guys use them so...
The only reason to get a Mini over the regular sized once is the form factor... (not portability)
iPad 4 is superior in every way.
I don't buy that Mini is more "portable" they are both portable. The iPad was originally created to be a portable mini sized laptop... The Galaxy Note 3 is almost the same size as the Mini... eh
For my friend who carries a purse, the mini fits in it while the regular wouldn't or would make it bust at the seams. Definitely more portable in that case.
If you're arguing about carrying it, I would say the new one will be similar to the mini, still larger though.
You sound like you have your mind made up on getting the mini, just go that way with your gut and don't look back as you don't want regrets.
I'll be looking at the specs of both for sure, but will probably choose the mini.
I tried typing a paper last night on the mini like it was an actual keyboard and it wasn't comfortable, although it felt more like carpal tunnel than anything else.
I will be retyping the same paper at home on a full-sized ipad, and depending on that, and other time playing on it, my decision could be affected.
I currently have an iPad 1 and 2. I didn't want the iPad mini because I prefer the 9-inch models to the 7-inch tablets. Sure, they are lighter and easier to carry around, but I never saw myself needing for a tablet to be lighter, so thats why I stuck with my other 2 iPads.
A good portion of people here are suggesting for you to get the iPad mini, which is what I think you should get. But Apple is probably going to be releasing a new version of the iPad mini and iPad by the end of 2013. Rumors for the new iPad mini are currently pointing to a Retina display, and Apple is experimenting with 12-inch tablets for the iPad. So, I suggest for you to wait until Apple announces the tablets.
A good portion of people here are suggesting for you to get the iPad mini, which is what I think you should get. But Apple is probably going to be releasing a new version of the iPad mini and iPad by the end of 2013. Rumors for the new iPad mini are currently pointing to a Retina display, and Apple is experimenting with 12-inch tablets for the iPad. So, I suggest for you to wait until Apple announces the tablets.
Exactly, like I said if the video is true it will be smaller in length, width, and height. It's also supposedly lighter. So everything from every angle is smaller and lighter it's a no brainer. I was playing with my nephews new Mini today and while its nice the keyboard feels really small too me. I'm a male with big hands but still the iPad is just much more comfortable to the hands and eye.
I'm due for an upgrade from my iPad 2, and I'm leaning towards the Mini. As of right now, I expect to wait till early next year to purchase a new iPad and I think my deciding factor will be how bigger of a screen will the iPhone 6 get. I expect we will hear more solid rumors early next year on how big it will be.
Should the iPhone 6 get a 4.8 or 5 inch screen, I would lean towards the iPad 5. But if the iPhone 6 gets a minimal increase to 4.3 inches, I would get the mini.
Should the iPhone 6 get a 4.8 or 5 inch screen, I would lean towards the iPad 5. But if the iPhone 6 gets a minimal increase to 4.3 inches, I would get the mini.