Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad mini Returned iPad Mini today - too many headaches - now what?

Thanks guys

Waiting for all the young guys to attack the old guy-lol

While I love the idea of the mini,and will try again when the mini goes retina
I gotta believe it is a combination of the smaller screen with the non-retina
Screen.
I wanted to love it but just could not live with it.
But like I said,could not be happier with my 4
If you have the 3,keep it till next upgrade
If you have a 2 or are just getting into ipad market,pop the extra bucks
For the 4,should be good for a few yrs
I always get the upgrade anyway,
If I do not spend my money ,my kids will so what the hell,enjoy it
 
After reading the OP and not having received my LTE I wasn't sure what the problem might be so this afternoon I stopped by the local Apple store for some "playtime" with the mini. I experienced the same eye strain. It was like my eyes kept trying to focus but the print was in focus. Since I use an iPad 1 and 3 everyday I was sure it wasn't because it is non-retina as the iPad 1 doesn't strain my eyes. I thought it might be the size so I came home and dug out the old 3GS to check it. Again no strain so it isn't due to size. My belief now is that it has something to do with a change in glass or the way it is installed. All my observations were using Safari. I didn't think to try the print in another browser although I don't think it was font related.

All I can do now is wait until mine comes in and see if it still bothers me.
 
My advice to the OP is to have your eyes examined. I mean this sincerely. Often we don't realize our vision is getting worse or that we need glasses because its so gradual. Anyway, it could turn out that its not your eyes but wouldn't it be better to know? I speak this from experience, take care of your eyes at all cost.
 
I returned my iPad mini yesterday because its size was insufficient for me. Everything felt constrained and the fact that it doesn't have a Retina display also felt like a huge downgrade, coming down from an iPad 3. Plus I didn't like its form factor. While it does looks beautiful, I didn't like how small and thin it felt in my hands. Different folks, different strokes, I guess.
 
Stop telling the OP to get glasses/have eyes checked. I have 20/20 vision and never require reading glasses and I have had the exact same issue with the mini.. I can't even look at the Mini screen without getting a headache. I'm very prone to migraines, but this type of headache is unique and truly unlike anything I've experienced in all of my years of staring at LCD screens. No issues with my iPhone 4, Macbook Air, 3DS XL (i.e. all different levels of screen resolution), but there is something about the iPad Mini which gives me a searing headache. And I really wish it didn't because I absolutely love the device. In fact, I'm still trying to convince myself that my eyes will adjust and the headaches will go away, but no such luck yet. I've been looking forward to the Mini for a very long time so this is quite disheartening. I don't think the resolution has anything to do with it. There is something about the size, I guess, although I honestly can't explain it. It makes no sense to me, but it is reality nonetheless.

Everyone's eyes are different. If someone is having a headache from using a device, it is incredibly black and white to say "oh just get your eyes checked/get glasses" or "oh lol another person complaining about the Mini's resolution."
 
Scientific study people with ipad 3's and 4s are at risk for carpel tunnel in their wrists from holding it for long periods of time...seriously ? No but that's what these threads sound like here .,
 
aka777 said:
Why? They are not using the same LCD screen or same glass.

----------



The Kindle Fire HD does a much better job at preventing screen reflection, which cause eye strain.
Click to expand...

The mini did badly in screen reflection tests compared with the nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD.

What is wrong with Apple these days! They used to be the best screens for others to aspire to. Now only acceptable. Something is not right.
 
People need to get what works for them. I am not so sure I buy all this crap about getting headaches and eye strain. I am 53 years old and have been wearing glasses since I was 11 years old. I have zero issues with the iPad mini display. That isn't to say that other won't though!

For the record I also have an iPad 4 which I purchased at the same time. While the text is much crisper the weight and size on this thing laying around on the couch or in bed isn't nearly as convenient. I think you just have to weigh out which works best for what you plan to do with it.

I am likely going to be doing a return early next week on the iPad 4. Its great, but I can tell I won't use it nearly as much as the iPad Mini, so there is no point in keeping it. It is likely Apple will make a lighter iPad at some point or either a Mini with retina.

----------
Formativeyears said:
Stop telling the OP to get glasses/have eyes checked. I have 20/20 vision and never require reading glasses and I have had the exact same issue with the mini..
Click to expand...

I think people are simply making suggestions.. don't get your freaking drawers in a knot. I know many people that will spout off I have 20/20 vision only to go to the eye doctor and find out they don't.

Its just a suggestion and a possible solution. However, if the bringing the mini back is the solution then so be it.
 
dukebound85 said:
err why? he is talking about screen size, not screen resolution:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That's why I stated earlier that end users ( unless they happen to be 'super users' or expert reviewers,) cannot be counted on for feedback.
Just reading some of these posts makes me cringe.
1) Most people seem not to understand that there NO connection between resolution density and overall screen dimensions.
2) Many users complaining about getting headaches aren't clear what's causing the headaches. It could be one or more of the following possibilities:
A- Screen resolution
B- incorrect distance form your CORRECTED eyes ( I just had all my bifocals re-done in preparation for much closer reading distance with the 7" diagonal screens as my preferred reading distance is 13" (+or - 2 inches). That resulted in a switch from 2X to 3X for MY reading prescription
C- screen size ( same as B actually)

* In the old days, the big problem was screen refresh or 'frequency'. That coupled with the use of first gen fluorescent lights REALLY cause a lot of headaches.

So please. Before we indict the Ipad Mini's screen dimensions, we need to eliminate all other factors that could result in eyestrain first.
 
I was getting headaches with my mini, until I downloaded Mercury Browser for free and made the default text larger on every page. Now I don't have the problem anymore.

zephyrnoid said:

That's why I stated earlier that end users ( unless they happen to be 'super users' or expert reviewers,) cannot be counted on for feedback.
Just reading some of these posts makes me cringe.
1) Most people seem not to understand that there NO connection between resolution density and overall screen dimensions.
2) Many users complaining about getting headaches aren't clear what's causing the headaches. It could be one or more of the following possibilities:
A- Screen resolution
B- incorrect distance form your CORRECTED eyes ( I just had all my bifocals re-done in preparation for much closer reading distance with the 7" diagonal screens as my preferred reading distance is 13" (+or - 2 inches). That resulted in a switch from 2X to 3X for MY reading prescription
C- screen size ( same as B actually)

* In the old days, the big problem was screen refresh or 'frequency'. That coupled with the use of first gen fluorescent lights REALLY cause a lot of headaches.

So please. Before we indict the Ipad Mini's screen dimensions, we need to eliminate all other factors that could result in eyestrain first.
Click to expand...
 
manito2000 said:
Today I returned mi iPad Mini to Target. Yesterday I was using it and was trying to convince myself that it was the perfect screen size. However, I got a headache after about 5 minutes of use. This morning I did the same and again headache. Must be the small screen size...straining my eye sight. Who knows...

Anyway...I am debating between the iPad2 or refurbished iPad3. Is it worth getting the refurbished iPad3? I noticed I can buy and pick up at the Apple store...

Also, I got the protective cover for the Mini through the online Apple store. Is this something that I can return at one of their walk-in stores?
Click to expand...

i am also returning it tmr, after i bought my macbook pro retina 15":D
 
I had the opposite problem as OP. My eyes were more strained on the iPad 3 than on the Mini. The problem is I have very good eyesight, so my eyes were straining really hard to see the pixels on the iPad3 (which are still visible even with the "Retina" marketing and not quite the same as 300dpi or 600dpi print yet), whereas my eyes kind of just ignore the obvious large pixels on the Mini and on my non-retina laptop. So paradoxically I have less strain from crappier screens. I kind of prefer my text off a backlight to be a little fuzzy and not starkly contrasted.
 
What has happened to this forum? This used to be a community. The comments 'you need glasses' and 'its in your head' are really not appropriate.

Mods maybe this thread needs to be locked as it has devolved into a making fun of others' choices thread.

----------
Buckeyestar said:
Funny how it wasn't a poor resolution 8 months ago.
Click to expand...

Really? 10" vs 7.85". Not the same resolution at all.
 
I believe all the people that have headaches from the mini. I experienced this 3 evening in the row whle reading on my mini in bed. First, I thought it was just me, but after third time I figured its the mini. Swapped for 4th gen, and everything is fine.
 
I went to check out the mini today, and can't wait for the retina version. While I didn't get a headache, what I noticed was that the browser text had a micro-garbled look to it, especially towards the top of each letter. I suspect this may even be a software issue, as other similar resolutions display text much crisper than what I saw on the mini. Zooming in seemed to help a lot. The retina display is just legit from the start, no zooming necessary.
 
Joey51 said:
Before the fanboys attack me:
I have owned every i pad released.
I sort of did a forced upgrade from 3 to 4.
I received the mini on launch day,loved the size but with the non-retina screen,
I experienced eye and headache discomfort
I gave it over a week but sent it back on tues.
Unfortunately I sold my 3 ,2 weeks before the mini launch which was dumb,
But received $420 for it so it cost me about a 100 bucks to get my new 4.
Would I have been happy with my 3-yes
I do like the snappiness and quickness of my 4 over 3
I am getting about 12 hrs of battery life compared to 9-10 hrs on 3
The heat factor is better also-cooler than my 3
I believe the problem with the mini is the size first,along with the non retina.
I never had problems wit my 1 or 2,but my senior eyes just could not take the
Mini.
And yes fanboys,I am 60 and wear reading glasses
So yes,I am enjoying my forced upgrade
Click to expand...
Well I learned this magical trick. Place thumb and index finger on screen and slide apart. Of course to all your results may vary;)

----------
1251division said:
I went to check out the mini today, and can't wait for the retina version. While I didn't get a headache, what I noticed was that the browser text had a micro-garbled look to it, especially towards the top of each letter. I suspect this may even be a software issue, as other similar resolutions display text much crisper than what I saw on the mini. Zooming in seemed to help a lot. The retina display is just legit from the start, no zooming necessary.
Click to expand...
I agree on browser text, I noticed this right away.
 
Jacoblee23 said:
I was getting headaches with my mini, until I downloaded Mercury Browser for free and made the default text larger on every page. Now I don't have the problem anymore.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm hoping to buy the mini and finding alternative ways to view text.

Would you mind showing us screen shot of text?
 
First time poster, found this site with google.

For the people who are sceptical and tell people complaining about the mini-screen to have there eyes checked out please read my experience with the Mini.

This week I got a 16gb mini. After using it about three times for half an hour (mostly Safari) I experienced a terrible headache and hurting eyes.

And here is the bonus, for my profession good eyesight is crucial so I'm checked very regular on that, guess what?, my eyes were checked for the last time 3 weeks ago and 100% healthy without corrections needed.

As mentioned before I'm 99% sure Safari and it's fontsize on the mini is the problem. When switching to the Mail app (with increased font size in settings) I immediately felt relieve in my eyes compared to Safari.
I was dissapointed and didn't want to wait for updates or install other browsers, this is clearly a huge mistake by MrApple. Got an Ipad4 instead and obviously no issues.

Forgot to say that my previous Ipad was an Ipad 1 and also NO issues using that one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back