iPad Thinking about getting an iPad Mini 4 to compliment iPad Air 2?

[SteelBlueTJ]

I love my 64Gb Air 2 and use it everyday doing a variety of tasks. I take it to bed with me at night to read and to easily check email if I wake up throughout the night and whatnot. I find the Air 2 to be a little awkward and heavy to use in bed. I have been thinking about picking up a Mini 4 to use only at night. It probably wouldn't leave my nightstand. Just curious if anyone else felt the same way and has purchased both iPads for similar reasons? Any regrets? Do you think 16GB would suffice for a secondary iPad for light internet browsing at night and only installing a couple apps (facebook, eBay)? A part of mean thinks its overkill to have 2 iPads though, and neither one will ever leave the house. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Pmp174]

Wouldn't it just be easier to use an iPhone instead.

 

[tlou]

Wouldn't it just be easier to use an iPhone instead.

I'd agree with that.

I have a 6S plus and it's ideal for light browsing. Anything more "heavy" and I use the iPad pro.

Something as big as a plus isn't even needed, the 5s display was absolutely fine to check emails, browse the net etc

I personally think two iPads in your given scenario is overkill.

 

[Night Spring]

For me, the iPhone 6 or even 6 plus feels too small to relax with in bed. But then, I like reading on the Air in bed, and don't find it too heavy to hold. Yes, the mini is a nice size for bed time reading. But for me, the best use of the mini is to take it with me on the go for times when I want something bigger than the iPhone. For home use, the Air wins.

 

[Channan]

That's kind of weird that you find the iPad Air 2 too heavy and awkward to use in bed. Seems like that would be the best time to use it, while maybe taking a mini out of the house with you.

 

[bensisko]

It's really a question that can only be answered by the individual.

Personally, I have had an iPad Mini as a companion device ever since they came out. The mini was my go-to iPad for just about everything and the full-sized iPad was the specialty device. I even tried to reduce the foot-print of the full-size iPad to 16 GB Wifi with the iPad Air 2 (I had a 128 LTE iPad Air previously), but it didn't work and I was glad to give it up when the Pro came out. And yes, I have the iPhone 6+, and No it doesn't even begin to be a replacement for the mini.

So is it overkill? I don't think so, but each person has to decide that for themselves.
If you really just want it for reading/surfing, and you think another iPad might be overkill, there are other options - you could get a low-cost/priced Android tablet. The Kindle Fire is $50, and there are a host of other cheap Android tablets. Depending on your needs it might suit you (of course if you think you want it for anything else, you have to think about what it would take to balance two different Operating Systems - your mileage may vary for the cost/benefit analysis).

That's just me though... My list of tablets/devices is... Not small (iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4, Surface Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Tab Nook, iPhone 6+ x2 [work/personal]... And, of course, my non-tablet Retina MacBook Pro)(also not counting any old, not-in-use tablets/devices). I gather this is not abnormal for this forum though. =)

(I'll also acknowledge that, though I love the Pro and it does travel most places with me, I could make room in my life for an Air-sized tablet if it had Pencil support... I know, I know... I need help.)

 

[spiderman0616]

I love my mini. I've tried all three sizes of iPad, and the mini is (much to my surprise) my favorite. I take it with me out of the house all the time, which I did not tend to do with the bigger iPads, and I even have a bluetooth keyboard for it if I want to type something lengthy. It's also a lot more fun to read or watch stuff in bed on my iPad mini than it is with my 6s.

I still need my Mac for a lot of stuff and I don't like huge phones, so for me the mini is that perfect in between device between my phone and laptop.

 

[DogFarm]

I am an outlier but my favorite bed igizmo is my iPod Touch. I read all of my library, ibooks and Nook books on it. Also a tiny bit of internet, my TV listings and remote for Apple TV.
I have mini and Air2 but if the house was on fire I would grab my iPod ( and the dogs)
I'm sure YMMV

 

[joeblow7777]

Honestly, I think think that a Mini 4 is overkill to be just a supplementary nightstand tablet when you already have an Air 2. This may sound crazy to someone who's only accustomed to Apple, but have you considered a less expensive small Android tablet? iPads are among the most expensive tablets on the market, but practically anything can handle emails and reading. Why buy a (second) sports car just drive around the block?

 

[Vivian125]

That's kind of weird that you find the iPad Air 2 too heavy and awkward to use in bed. Seems like that would be the best time to use it, while maybe taking a mini out of the house with you.

So True, me with my iPad Mini 4 sure it's lot heavier after few minutes if your trying hard to hold it like your iPhone 7 Plus. But in Bed i actually use Smart Case to let it stand on my Chest, then watch a movie.

 

[subjonas]

I am an outlier but my favorite bed igizmo is my iPod Touch. I read all of my library, ibooks and Nook books on it. Also a tiny bit of internet, my TV listings and remote for Apple TV.
I have mini and Air2 but if the house was on fire I would grab my iPod ( and the dogs)
I'm sure YMMV

I take it you don’t have an iPhone then?

I would buy an iPod Touch plus if Apple sold one—preferably as big as it can be while still being handheld. For phones I prefer the smallest size for one-handed use, so it’s not ideal for things like reading an ebook. I have an iPad mini, which is the most ideal solution Apple has for me currently, but I don’t always find it comfortable because I can’t palm it comfortably, particularly for long periods of use while lying down. In those cases I actually find myself reaching for my tiny phone.