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All iPads Upgrading my original mini: Air 2 vs Mini 3!

JerTheGeek

JerTheGeek

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 15, 2014
1,993
487
Hello all
I am upgrading my iPad mini first generation. I am deciding between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3. I would get the mini 3 if I choose to stick with the mini form factor because I want Touch ID, gold, and better future software compatibility.
Anyway, should I upgrade to the air 2, or simply stick with the mini form factor and go with the mini 3? I will be using it alongside a 13 inch MacBook air if that changes anything. I like the idea of the big 9.7 inch retina display, but then again I am not really sure if I need it all that much since this will be a tablet that I use alongside my MacBook Air. What do you guys think? Which should I go for?
 
You do realize the Mini 3 has the exact same hardware as the Mini 2 except for touch id. If you have the extra dough I would suggest you get the Air 2. 2gb of ram plus the A8x makes it worth it that much more.
 
Personally I love the mini form factor. It fits in my suit jacket pocket and goes everywhere with me, yet is still large enough for reading pdfs reasonably comfortably. If I didn't already have a retina mini, I would get a mini 2 or 3. For me the portability of the device trumps the larger screen and more up-to-date processor of the Air 2.

Of course that doesn't mean you should get a mini 3. That all depends on what is more important to you: portability, or a larger screen together with a faster processor and more memory. One advantage of getting an Air in your case is that since you've already tried the mini form factor, you might be able to tell if you prefer the Air or not after using it for a week or two, and would have the opportunity to return it for a mini if you decided you made the wrong call.
 
JerTheGeek said:
Hello all
I am upgrading my iPad mini first generation. I am deciding between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3. I would get the mini 3 if I choose to stick with the mini form factor because I want Touch ID, gold, and better future software compatibility.
Anyway, should I upgrade to the air 2, or simply stick with the mini form factor and go with the mini 3? I will be using it alongside a 13 inch MacBook air if that changes anything. I like the idea of the big 9.7 inch retina display, but then again I am not really sure if I need it all that much since this will be a tablet that I use alongside my MacBook Air. What do you guys think? Which should I go for?
Click to expand...

If you like the mini form factor better, go for it.
 
Last edited:
If you are ambivalent, the air 2 is a much better buy. If you are dead set on the mini form factor (as I am) then get a refurbished mini 2. Or the mini 3 if you absolutely must have a new product or Touch ID.
 
Do you have an iPhone? If you have a Plus, get the Air 2. If you love the Mini form factor and want to save some money, get the Mini 2. If you need more than 32GB of storage, get the Mini 3. If you want to future proof your purchase and don't mind the larger size, get the Air 2. The extra RAM and processing power ensures it will be getting software updates for many years to come. Furthermore if you browse the web a lot, the experience on the Air 2 is far superior to the Mini due to it being able to keep tabs loaded into memory.
 
931069 said:
If you like the mini form factor better, go for it.


BTW, ha! I randomly found you here! It's Jakelegofilms from YouTube here!:apple:
Click to expand...

Funny to bump into you, LOL

----------
RickTaylor said:
Personally I love the mini form factor. It fits in my suit jacket pocket and goes everywhere with me, yet is still large enough for reading pdfs reasonably comfortably. If I didn't already have a retina mini, I would get a mini 2 or 3. For me the portability of the device trumps the larger screen and more up-to-date processor of the Air 2.

Of course that doesn't mean you should get a mini 3. That all depends on what is more important to you: portability, or a larger screen together with a faster processor and more memory. One advantage of getting an Air in your case is that since you've already tried the mini form factor, you might be able to tell if you prefer the Air or not after using it for a week or two, and would have the opportunity to return it for a mini if you decided you made the wrong call.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good plan, try the Air 2 and if I absolutely don't like the larger form factor, I'll just go with the mini 3.
 
JerTheGeek said:
That sounds like a good plan, try the Air 2 and if I absolutely don't like the larger form factor, I'll just go with the mini 3.
Click to expand...

I think you'll like the light and thin form factor of the Air 2. I've had mine for almost 2 weeks now and love it.
 
If you'd like more RAM, screen landscape, etc then I'd go with the Air 2.
If you just want smaller and more portable with saving a few bucks, Mini 3.

For me, I got the Mini 3 because the Air 2 is just a tad bit too large for me to comfortably hold and tote around in my purse. I just upgraded from my original Mini too. I'd advise to play with both in store, then decide what'll fit!
 
I was trying to decide the same thing, I ended up going for the air 2 which was the right choice for me, I love the display and the weight is perfect. I had an iPad 2 for about a year and found it too heavy to hold for long periods of time, with the air 2 I'm not finding that.
 
I bought air 2 to replace my ipad mini, it's awesome device, screen is really great, much much less reflection than any other ipads. 2gb of ram is really makesnthe air 2 much more fluid to use, there is no more refreshes in safari. But i returned it the next day because i feel it's too big. Got the mini 3 and couldnt be happier. Wish the mini 3 has 2gb of ram and a8x too. Damn apple.
 
I ended getting the Air 2 and keeping my Mini 2. Its great because I use the mini for traveling and Air most other times. I sold a Mini 1 I had lying around and my iPhone 5 to pay for the Air 2 so it worked out well.
 
JerTheGeek said:
Hello all
I am upgrading my iPad mini first generation. I am deciding between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3. I would get the mini 3 if I choose to stick with the mini form factor because I want Touch ID, gold, and better future software compatibility.
Anyway, should I upgrade to the air 2, or simply stick with the mini form factor and go with the mini 3? I will be using it alongside a 13 inch MacBook air if that changes anything. I like the idea of the big 9.7 inch retina display, but then again I am not really sure if I need it all that much since this will be a tablet that I use alongside my MacBook Air. What do you guys think? Which should I go for?
Click to expand...

The iPad mini is an amazing device but now there is a clear winner in the Air 2. Spending $400+ on a mini is definitely not worth it. I suggest you try out the Air 2 and once you get it in your hands you will understand why it is now leagues ahead of the mini in terms of speed and performance. Mostly on paper but there is a noticeable difference between my Air 2 and Mini with retina. The Gamut issues alone on the Mini make it not worth the amount Apple is charging for it. Most people wouldn't notice it but that's why we have forums like this to get really technical. IPad Air 2 FTW!
 
aleni said:
I bought air 2 to replace my ipad mini, it's awesome device, screen is really great, much much less reflection than any other ipads. 2gb of ram is really makesnthe air 2 much more fluid to use, there is no more refreshes in safari. But i returned it the next day because i feel it's too big. Got the mini 3 and couldnt be happier. Wish the mini 3 has 2gb of ram and a8x too. Damn apple.
Click to expand...

Just curious, how exactly was it too big? Like it was uncomfortable or awkward to hold? It's always great to get feedback from people who own the device.
Thanks!
 
JerTheGeek said:
Just curious, how exactly was it too big? Like it was uncomfortable or awkward to hold? It's always great to get feedback from people who own the device.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Very hard to palm an iPad Air or hold it with one hand. Much easier with the iPad Mini. I can also fit the iPad mini in my jacket or in the back pocket of my backpack. The Air must go into the laptop pocket or be carried by hand.
 
JerTheGeek said:
Hello all
I am upgrading my iPad mini first generation. I am deciding between the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3. I would get the mini 3 if I choose to stick with the mini form factor because I want Touch ID, gold, and better future software compatibility.
Anyway, should I upgrade to the air 2, or simply stick with the mini form factor and go with the mini 3? I will be using it alongside a 13 inch MacBook air if that changes anything. I like the idea of the big 9.7 inch retina display, but then again I am not really sure if I need it all that much since this will be a tablet that I use alongside my MacBook Air. What do you guys think? Which should I go for?
Click to expand...

I did the same thing... Had the original mini 16GB and my Air 2 arrived today.

It was worth it. Totally.
 
"generation"-wise:

- from mini 1 to mini 3 = 3 generations (A5 from the iPad 2 to A7 from the iPad Air = iPad 5)
- from mini 1 to Air 2 = 4 generations (A5 from the iPad 2 to A8X on the iPad Air 2 = iPad 6)
 
RickTaylor said:
Personally I love the mini form factor. It fits in my suit jacket pocket and goes everywhere with me, yet is still large enough for reading pdfs reasonably comfortably. If I didn't already have a retina mini, I would get a mini 2 or 3. For me the portability of the device trumps the larger screen and more up-to-date processor of the Air 2.
Click to expand...

Same here. Went from ipad mini 1 32GB to mini 3 64GB. The mini's size is the perfect size for me.
 
JerTheGeek said:
Just curious, how exactly was it too big? Like it was uncomfortable or awkward to hold? It's always great to get feedback from people who own the device.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

You know. Everyday stuff like moving from one place to other place in your house, goin to take a pee while you are in clash of clans or youtube watching some videos. It's too cumbersome to be super mobile with air 2.

And reaching things in air 2 screen is too tiring lol. I might get flamed but it's ok, it's just my opinion.
 
They are both great devices but the latest tech doesn't necessarily make it the best. I tried the Air 2 for 10 days and thought the screen was fantastic and it was a great iPad. But I found that I've adapted to mini size for the past two years and really didn't like using the full sized iPad for reading books, even one as good as the Air 2. The Air 2 screen was amazing, but I decided to return it for the mini 3 instead. I hope the mini gets the screen that the Air 2 has next year but the device size was the deciding factor.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. If anyone else has an opinion on why they love the form factor of the mini or Air, I'd love to hear it!
Thanks
 
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