iPad Refurbished iPad 4 VS Retina iPad Mini

[Formativeyears]

Hi all - I currently don't own an iPad, and would like to spend around 500 bucks for a 32 GB wifi model. Can you give me a sense of the technical difference between a refurb iPad 4 and the retina Mini? I absolutely hate iOS 7, especially on the iPad, so the prospect of reverting to iOS 6 on the refurbished model is pretty appealing as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[virginblue4]

Hi all - I currently don't own an iPad, and would like to spend around 500 bucks for a 32 GB wifi model. Can you give me a sense of the technical difference between a refurb iPad 4 and the retina Mini? I absolutely hate iOS 7, especially on the iPad, so the prospect of reverting to iOS 6 on the refurbished model is pretty appealing as well.

Thanks in advance!

You realise that there is only a chance of getting iOS 6 on the iPad 4, right? It's not a given.

And I'd go for the retina mini. The A7 chip really is great and more future proof than the A6X found in the iPad 4. The device is much lighter, nicer to hold, and wow it has a stunning display!

 

[Formativeyears]

Actually I was wondering about the chance of iOS 7 being installed, so thank you for confirming that possibility.

 

[mripadmini]

get the latest and greatest ipad

 

[doboy]

Actually I was wondering about the chance of iOS 7 being installed, so thank you for confirming that possibility.

If you buy refurbished from Apple then there is almost no chance you'll get the iOS 6. Even if you manage to get an iOS 6 device you will have to update to iOS 7 if you ever need to restore for some reason.

 

[brent1977]

If you buy refurbished from Apple then there is almost no chance you'll get the iOS 6. Even if you manage to get an iOS 6 device you will have to update to iOS 7 if you ever need to restore for some reason.

Just ordered a refurb iPad 4 from Apple last month. Came with iOS 6 instead of 7. Didn't require that I upgrade, either.

 

[cambookpro]

It's now pretty random whether you get iOS 6 or 7. I got an iPhone replaced in November with iOS 6, but two friends recently got their iPads exchanged: one was running iOS 6, one was running iOS 7 (iPad 2 and iPad 4 respectively).

Personally, I'd get the rMini as it's as powerful as the Air and has all the new features.

 

[doboy]

Just ordered a refurb iPad 4 from Apple last month. Came with iOS 6 instead of 7. Didn't require that I upgrade, either.

Didn't say that upgrade was required. However, you'll be forced to upgrade if you ever need to restore.

 

[Ener641]

After returning 3x ipad air because of the yellow screen, i went for an ipad 4. (No refurbished)

Some stores still have them in stock. The 2nd i got (1st had yellow screen too) has a perfect white screen. Both came with ios 6 installed.

 

[RGC1981]

Ipad 4 refurbished

I went with the Ipad 4 and couldn't be happier. Bought mine 2 months ago and it came with iOS6. A6 chip is no slouch. Weight is no issue for me. However I'm thinking about the retina ipad mini for other use and compact ability.

 

[Tsepz]

If size and wait isn't an issue then get yourself a iPad4, using mine for over a year now, still running beautifully on iOS7.0.4,loving it thoroughly, the A6X chip is still quite a beast,should see support for atleast the next 18-24months.

 

[Formativeyears]

If size and wait isn't an issue then get yourself a iPad4, using mine for over a year now, still running beautifully on iOS7.0.4,loving it thoroughly, the A6X chip is still quite a beast,should see support for atleast the next 18-24months.

This is exactly what I did. Thanks!

 

[SomeGuyDude]

With these two, size and form factor are a HUGE difference. The iPad 4 is a behemoth compared to the rMini. If you're okay with the extra size, you can keep the 4, but IMO the rMini is far more comfortable.

 

[carjakester]

depends on which screen size you want, i have the 4 and i got the mini for my mom, the size of the mini is fantastic but if you want a larger screen go for the full size iPad

 

[maflynn]

As others stated it all boils down to screen size. If you want the smaller tablet then the rMini makes sense.

I prefer the smaller form factor and think that's a great size and recommend it, but it all comes to personal preference - its your money what do you want.

 

[Zxxv]

I have iPad 4. Bought retina mini. Put ipad 4 up for sale. Didn't sell. In mean time returned mini. Being back on bigger screen is way more enjoyable for what I view. So really it all depends on what you do on the iPad.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

I honestly thought I would hate IOS7 when it was first introduced, but after installing it on my iPhone, I grew to love it. It looks tons better than IOS6 (in my opinion) and it gives a nicer look to my Apple device. I bought the retina iPad mini because the size was perfect for me. No need for anything bigger than that because that's what I have my laptop for. It all depends on your personal choice, however. We could tell you what we think, but in the end, it's all on what you think you would be happy with. I'm happy with my retina iPad mini and I love the look of it, including the IOS7.

 

[na1577]

I ordered a refurbished iPad mini from Apple about a week ago. It might have been old stock, because it was an LTE model and Apple probably doesn't sell as many of those. That being said, it did come with iOS 6 so I wouldn't worry too much about your iPad 4 coming with iOS 7. It seems Apple might not be loading it on the refurbished devices yet.

 

[Dlanod]

You realise that there is only a chance of getting iOS 6 on the iPad 4, right? It's not a given.

And I'd go for the retina mini. The A7 chip really is great and more future proof than the A6X found in the iPad 4. The device is much lighter, nicer to hold, and wow it has a stunning display!

It has a stunning display if you don't mind the yellow home screen disease - at least the handful I've tried have.

 

[virginblue4]

It has a stunning display if you don't mind the yellow home screen disease - at least the handful I've tried have.

We

The one I'm using right now doesn't. I'm sure 99% of them don't.

 

[s2mikey]

If size and wait isn't an issue then get yourself a iPad4, using mine for over a year now, still running beautifully on iOS7.0.4,loving it thoroughly, the A6X chip is still quite a beast,should see support for atleast the next 18-24months.

Yep, just bought the wifey a 16 GB refurb from apple and expect to get a lot of use out of it! The 4th gen units are very good. Not quite as good as my Air but darned solid.

 

[d123]

As others stated it all boils down to screen size. If you want the smaller tablet then the rMini makes sense.

I prefer the smaller form factor and think that's a great size and recommend it, but it all comes to personal preference - its your money what do you want.

If you read magazines on iPad then the 9.7" screen is definitely more practical.

 

[maflynn]

If you read magazines on iPad then the 9.7" screen is definitely more practical.

Books are my preference. I actually checked out an iPad air at staples yesterday (just poking around) and it looked monstrously large I'm so used to the smaller screen size now it felt huge, though fairly light.

I can see magazines being easier on the larger iPad, so I guess it boils down to usage needs and personal preference

 

[iPodJedi]

i would get a retina mini it is so small and portable and i just love my normal mini.