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All iPads New iPad >Air or rMini (for comics)

J

JR86

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 30, 2012
8
0
Hi all.

My Ipad (1) was stolen a week ago. So I am looking for a new one.

I am doubting between the Air and the Mini with retina screen.

Since yesterday I found out that a comic serie my dad used to collect when I was young and I used to read is availeble with an app :).

Would the smaller screen with the mini bother you reading comics or no problem at all ( I never read a comic on Ipad.

Advise?
 
The mini is too small for reading comics, the air is better as a comic reader. The extra couple inches makes a big difference in the comic book's readability.
 
I can second this. I use the Marvel Unlimited and comics are much more enjoyable on the Air than the rMini.
 
While I use the retina mini and personally strongly prefer it to the Air in general, I think I would prefer the Air if I used the device for comics. I did get one comic graphic novel, and it seemed small on the mini.
 
Not to mention the reduced color gamut on the mini would be a real bummer when reading comics. Yes, I've owned the mini. ;O)
 
I have my mini and love it, but for your purpose you would be doing yourself a disservice by not getting the Air. The bigger size is a preference thing, but the decreased color gamut really is a big drawback. It is VERY noticeable, and you would not be seeing the comics in their true color.

Air all the way.
 
EvilEvil said:
The retina mini ipad is perfect for reading comics. It's also more portable than the ipad Air.
Click to expand...

More portable, yes, but bigger's gotta be better with fixed-size text. When text can adapt to fill the space, it's fine. But comics don't have that, so you're stuck zooming in and out manually.
 
Bryanw3535 said:
More portable, yes, but bigger's gotta be better with fixed-size text. When text can adapt to fill the space, it's fine. But comics don't have that, so you're stuck zooming in and out manually.
Click to expand...

Actually if you use any of the apps powered by Comixology on the app store (Comics, DC or Marvel app) they use a "guided reading interface" which zooms in on each panel as you read. I have both an iPad 3 and just got a retina mini and I can read comics on either without issue. If you are using a generic comic reading apps for comics downloaded outside of the app store (in .cbr or .pdf) than the full size iPad Air may be the better choice. Also the colors in comics are not that complex that the reduced color gamut of the mini should make that big a difference.

BTW - If you are using a Comixology based app I suggest using the Comics app as you can access all the publishers (DC, Marvel, Bongo, etc) using only the one app.
 
Last edited:
I read infinity gauntlet on my iPad retina Mini a few days ago. Was great. I love my mini for reading.
 
I use the iPad air for comic reading (using the DC Comics app). I agree with many of the comments above, the mini would be too small to allow you to enjoy the comics fully.
 
eneisch said:
Actually if you use any of the apps powered by Comixology on the app store (Comics, DC or Marvel app) they use a "guided reading interface" which zooms in on each panel as you read. I have both an iPad 3 and just got a retina mini and I can read comics on either without issue. If you are using a generic comic reading apps for comics downloaded outside of the app store (in .cbr or .pdf) than the full size iPad Air may be the better choice. Also the colors in comics are not that complex that the reduced color gamut of the mini should make that big a difference.

BTW - If you are using a Comixology based app I suggest using the Comics app as you can access all the publishers (DC, Marvel, Bongo, etc) using only the one app.
Click to expand...

True. I've been using Marvel Unlimited, though, and it has "Smart Panels," which is a poor man's guided view. It's terrible, though, so the only way to read on that app is full-size.
 
Bryanw3535 said:
More portable, yes, but bigger's gotta be better with fixed-size text. When text can adapt to fill the space, it's fine. But comics don't have that, so you're stuck zooming in and out manually.
Click to expand...


Retina display really negates that point. It IS slightly bigger on the bigger screen but it is perfectly readable on the retina mini screen - even low res comics are!

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JR86 said:
Hi all.

My Ipad (1) was stolen a week ago. So I am looking for a new one.

I am doubting between the Air and the Mini with retina screen.

Since yesterday I found out that a comic serie my dad used to collect when I was young and I used to read is availeble with an app :).

Would the smaller screen with the mini bother you reading comics or no problem at all ( I never read a comic on Ipad.

Advise?
Click to expand...

I have an iPad Mini Retina and my main use it reading comics. It's fantastic and I prefer it to my old 4th Gen iPad. The retina screen is clear as day for text without zooming AND it's more portable AND it's cheaper. Perfect. Ignore the 'colour gamut' stuff. I've noticed nothing even when it's side by side with a friends iPad Air. Folk are just SUPER picky.
 
I like my mini for comics, though I never saw how well the Air would do with it. I think either would work, and it depends if you want a smaller product or the larger one.
 
I have owned the iPad, iPad 2 and iPad 3rd generation and, when it was time to upgrade, I struggled between an Air and a retina mini because I really, really wanted something smaller that I would personally find more portable, but I am a heavy comic reader - approximately 30 titles per week.

I thought the mini would be far too small. But, I can safely say, it's not. It's perfect. If your eyesight is TERRIBLE then maybe you might struggle, but I doubt it. I have no hesitation in recommending the mini for comics.
 
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