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I suggest the mini. I used to use a full size iPad as an alternative to carrying a laptop with me during the day. But I've recently purchased a 13" retina MBP and now I think the mini complements it better. If you use the mini primarily as a reader, it's smaller size is ideal. Carrying both the large iPad and the rMBP seems redundant.

This is exactly what I was thinking since i have the 13" Macbook Air, then why get a ipad 4... almost the same size as the Air.... Thank you very much for this.
 
I went with 4 and I'm ecstatic.

I too was torn between the iPad 4 and the mini. I had a iPad 3 and three of my children have mini's. I tried using the mini but could not come around to purchase one for myself once I sold my 3. I am very pleased with the 4 some apps open faster and I like the lightning connector since I have iPhone 5. The retina display makes it really hard almost impossible to trade down to mini. The display on mini just doesn't cut it for me. But that's just me. My 2 cents.
 
I too was torn between the iPad 4 and the mini. I had a iPad 3 and three of my children have mini's. I tried using the mini but could not come around to purchase one for myself once I sold my 3. I am very pleased with the 4 some apps open faster and I like the lightning connector since I have iPhone 5. The retina display makes it really hard almost impossible to trade down to mini. The display on mini just doesn't cut it for me. But that's just me. My 2 cents.

Yeah i agree, the form factor and all is is great for the mini but the display is just... yuck.

Even though the mini owners try to fight it really hard, the display sucks.
 
I have a 13" MBP and an iPad 4. I debated whether to get a mini when I looked at my options around Christmas.

In the end I went with the iPad 4 because:
1.) I read a lot on it and liked the larger display better.
2.) I figured the faster processor would have just a little longer usefulness.
3.) I was upgrading from an iPad 1 and was used to the size.
4.) The iPad 4 felt more robust. I have dropped my iPad 1 a couple of times and it is very sturdy. The mini felt a lot flimsier.

The weight of the mini was the main thing drawing me to it. I have a plane, and the smaller size would have been better to mount the iPad on the yoke to display moving maps and other information. However, the plane is not my primary use, so the larger size won out. The larger size is also better for looking at the details of various aviation maps.

Also, some aviation apps can tax the processor. Some newer features in the apps I used most didn't work on the iPad 1. That also drew me towards the faster processor in the iPad 4, thinking it would run future app updates longer than the mini.
 
Just go for the iPad 4. I like idevice with retina display.
 

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I bought the mini, used it heavily for a week, then returned it and got the iPad 4.

The screen on the mini is terrible. Just garbage.
 
This is exactly what I was thinking since i have the 13" Macbook Air, then why get a ipad 4... almost the same size as the Air.... Thank you very much for this.

The Air is heavier and more awkward to take out and use casually. So while the 4 might be similar in size it's still more portable and easier to use on the go.
 
I returned my iPad 4 and fit a cellular iPad mini. Better option and now with jail broken iPhone 5 I can tether the iPad mini with my unlimited data plan.

I'm confused as to why you'd get a cellular mini then when you can tether off of your iphone 5?
 
I regret buying my iPad 4, it seems heavy and cumbersome in comparison to the mini. Off course you may find the mini's screen irritating if you're used to retina/ high ppi displays.
 
The mini was a better fit for me. The smaller size feels easier to transport and the GPS is nice to have on a hike or road trip.

Why wouldn't you just use the GPS on the iPhone that you're tethering from, when on a hike or road trip?
 
I vote mini. I see the majority are leaning to the 4. If I want something big to carry I'll bring my laptop. If I want something that fits in my Jacket, I like the mini.
 
IMHO

Mini is like a slightly larger iPhone/Pod

iPad is like a slightly smaller MacBook


So pick which has the most appeal
 
I own an iMac 27" and a MacBook Air 13" that I will be giving to my son soon, because I'll be purchasing a Retina MacBook Pro 13". I want to know which IPAD I should purchase, the IPAD 4 or the IPAD Mini? I will use it mainly for surfing the web, pictures, and music. I like the portability of the mini however, I like the retina display of the IPAD 4. Please help...:D

May just get a "clamcase" with an iPad 4 and forgo the MacBook?

http://www.zdnet.com/clamcase-pro-review-turn-your-ipad-into-a-versatile-laptop-7000012167/
 
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Just wait until iPad mini 2 with retina display. :apple:

I'd rather have the current mini than a heavier, bulkier mini (which is what's going to happen in order for the mini to go retina). Would totally defeat the purpose of an ipad mini at all.
 
Get the iPad4

This is exactly what I was thinking since i have the 13" Macbook Air, then why get a ipad 4... almost the same size as the Air.... Thank you very much for this.

I say to for the iPad4, here's why.

You say you are also getting a MB Air with Retina display, now think about this, after using the lovely Retina Display on your MB Air do you really want to then go down to using a tiny and pixilated screen of the iPad Mini? You will most certainly notice the pixilation going from the smooth display in your MB Air to iPad Mini, whereas if you get the iPad4 the change won't be so dramatic, you will be going from one really great screen to another. You also said you do a lot of web browsing and pic browsing, well the iPad4's Retina Dispaly is perfect for that. :) Your choice.
 
I have a retina MBP and a iPad mini. To me this seems the best of all worlds. I have a powerful beautiful laptop to use at home, and if I really need to, which is rare outside of the home. but I want my iPad to be ultra portable. Yes I would prefer the mini to have a retina display, and yes it is noticeable that it doesn't. But it is no where near unreadable as some people would suggest, two years ago it would have been the best display I owned. While the display difference is noticeable, the weight difference is too. While I can hear that some people don't feel that they can go back to using old technology in terms of display, I could not go back to using the old heavier iPad. I feel that the sacrifice that you make with the display is more than made up for with the form factor.
 
I'm confused as to why you'd get a cellular mini then when you can tether off of your iphone 5?

i got the LTE iPad 3 and in the 5 months of ownership i've only activated the LTE plan twice.

i almost always tether to my iPhone 4S (jailbroken wifi tethering) b/c, well it's free. however there have been some times when i needed

1) a faster connection
and
2) longer battery life as i'm not near an outlet

it comes in handy and while i don't have the LTE activated all of the time, over the life of ownership i think it's worth the extra $$$ to get the LTE model IMO. for others, they might feel differently
 
I have a retina MBP and a iPad mini. To me this seems the best of all worlds. I have a powerful beautiful laptop to use at home, and if I really need to, which is rare outside of the home. but I want my iPad to be ultra portable. Yes I would prefer the mini to have a retina display, and yes it is noticeable that it doesn't. But it is no where near unreadable as some people would suggest, two years ago it would have been the best display I owned. While the display difference is noticeable, the weight difference is too. While I can hear that some people don't feel that they can go back to using old technology in terms of display, I could not go back to using the old heavier iPad. I feel that the sacrifice that you make with the display is more than made up for with the form factor.

Same set up here.
 
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