I think the full size devices feel a little top heavy sometimes in my hands. Although the Air feels much more balanced than the iPad 2/3/4 it still doesn't compare to a Mini IMAO.
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iPad Review: Zach Epstein says the Air is the much better buy than the R Mini
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I think the full size devices feel a little top heavy sometimes in my hands. Although the Air feels much more balanced than the iPad 2/3/4 it still doesn't compare to a Mini IMAO.
It's actually not complete nonsense. It has partly to do with the density of the weight. I would guess that there's less weight per sq cm of surface area. This is why wider straps on backpacks make it easier to carry the same weight. The chest straps and waist straps increase the distribution of weight and help make the same amount of weight feel more comfortable and thus, it feels lighter.
It also has to do with expectation. Our sense of perception is always relative to our expectations. You have a preconceived notion of what a tablet of that size is supposed to weigh (probably from previous experience with iPads or other tablets) and so when it feels much less than your expectation, your brain says, "Wow, that's light!"
The fellow who wrote that article didn't say the Air felt lighter under certain circumstances or conditions, or that it felt light for its size; he made a blanket statement that the Air felt lighter than the mini. Now the Air is an amazing device, and I could certainly understand if someone said the difference in weight seemed negligible to them, especially in view of the advantage of having a large screen. But saying point blank the mini feels heavier than the Air? I've picked up both at the Apple store, and while we're only talking about a quarter of a pound, the Air definitely felt heavier.
It is true the Ipad Air is roughly 7% less dense than the retina mini in the sense you describe (although it's 1% more dense than the original mini). The Air is 42% heavier than the mini, but has an area that is 49% bigger. Still, do people really think a retina mini feels heavier than an Air (not just heavier for it's size, but literally heavier)? Perhaps Apple should have kept the Ipad Air the same size as the Ipad 4, so it could feel even lighter.
Guess I'll just get back to lugging my brick of a mini around.
It does "feel" lighter than the Mini
I remembered picking up the Air and the Apple Store for the first time after I picked up the Mini, and if I didn't know ahead of time, I would have said that the Air was lighter than the Mini.
That is to be expected. The weight difference between the two is not significant compared to the size different. Giving similar weight, denser object tends to feel heavier.
I remembered picking up the Air and the Apple Store for the first time after I picked up the Mini, and if I didn't know ahead of time, I would have said that the Air was lighter than the Mini.
That is to be expected. The weight difference between the two is not significant compared to the size different. Giving similar weight, denser object tends to feel heavier.
I'm a current mini user for the last year (replaced my iPad 3) and was trying to figure out if the air would be a good upgrade for me over a mini retina (I'm want a new iPad because I want more speed and retina screen) I went to the store when the air first came out and when I first picked it up I thought I was an iPad 3! Then I saw the smaller sides and knew it was the air. While I guess it was light, it defiantly felt heavier than the mini. The screen is awesome though. When I got back home and used my mini I decided that I really loved the mini size, I take it with me all over the place(even hiking!!gps rocks), it's just so easy to carry around. So I just bought a mini retina and I'm picking it up tomorrow, can't wait!
Absolutely. I had the exact same impression and it indeed has to do with density.