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iPad mini What can my rMini do that my iPhone can't do?

When the iPad was first announced, I thought it was going to be useless. Just a big iPhone. Even now, I can see that for many people, that's still all it would be for them. Which is fine, everyone doesn't have the same needs or uses.

For me, the iPad's longer battery life and flash storage (fast on-off, sleep-wake performance) eventually started making me want one just so I could surf the web on the couch instead of using my laptop. So I pulled the trigger and bought one. It didn't take long before I noticed that surfing the web on it was a lot easier not just because of the obvious screen size but most of the sites would not default to the mobile version (which I hate) so I could browse full content.

I then noticed that Apple sold an SD card reader (not compatible with iPhone) that allowed me to transfer photos I took with my camera and store them on my iPad. This was great because I no longer had to take my (much more expensive and less portable) laptop on trips or anytime I traveled. I soon found apps such as Adobe Photoshop Touch that allowed be to do an impressive amount of re-touching and photo editing (much more than iPhoto) while I was on my trips or even at home when I just needed to do some quick touch-ups.

I could go on and on but I'm still finding more and more things I can't do on my phone. I had no idea my iPad would become so useful for me. Is it a necessity? No, of course I could manage without it, it would just be much less convenient. Just like having a cell phone is more convenient than not having one.
 
Can you please explain how you didn't realize this before you bought the iPad? It runs iOS... what would be different about it?

In fact, the iPad has a lot LESS functionality than the iPhone, especially if you get the wifi-only model. No cellular data, can't make non-FaceTime calls, no camera flash, etc.
 
I am one of the early adopter of the first iPad. Bought them when they first came out. I have found great use of the iPad as mentioned by many poster above.

Lots of my friends told me that I don't need an iPad. IT is just a bigger iPhone. Well, fast forward 3.5 years later; ALL of my friends who said that it's just a bigger iPhone began to purchase iPad. None of them is without any now, and they swear that they cannot live without their iPad now.
 
darngooddesign said:
Wait until you have settled in with your iPad. In another thread someone said they have now reduced the MacBook Air usage to 10%. You could get by with a cheap used last-gen model.
Click to expand...

Yeah thats what I started to notice too... But i still cant get rid of my Macbook Air completely... Because i still have to use tax software, MS Office, torrent downloads, etc... It's probably only 10% of my usage though
 
BC-2 said:
When the iPad was first announced, I thought it was going to be useless. Just a big iPhone. Even now, I can see that for many people, that's still all it would be for them. Which is fine, everyone doesn't have the same needs or uses.

For me, the iPad's longer battery life and flash storage (fast on-off, sleep-wake performance) eventually started making me want one just so I could surf the web on the couch instead of using my laptop. So I pulled the trigger and bought one. It didn't take long before I noticed that surfing the web on it was a lot easier not just because of the obvious screen size but most of the sites would not default to the mobile version (which I hate) so I could browse full content.

I then noticed that Apple sold an SD card reader (not compatible with iPhone) that allowed me to transfer photos I took with my camera and store them on my iPad. This was great because I no longer had to take my (much more expensive and less portable) laptop on trips or anytime I traveled. I soon found apps such as Adobe Photoshop Touch that allowed be to do an impressive amount of re-touching and photo editing (much more than iPhoto) while I was on my trips or even at home when I just needed to do some quick touch-ups.

I could go on and on but I'm still finding more and more things I can't do on my phone. I had no idea my iPad would become so useful for me. Is it a necessity? No, of course I could manage without it, it would just be much less convenient. Just like having a cell phone is more convenient than not having one.
Click to expand...

Macbook Air is light enough, and it doesnt need a stand to prop it up
 
for one games are way more immersive on the ipad. and productivity apps are better on the bigger screen. Just download all ipad only apps that interest you and you will see what your missing out on..
 
AudiA3 said:
I think a part of me is feeling guilty also, because I rarely ever use my MacBook air since I got the iPad, unless for doing more serious task which is less than 10% usually and I've spent quite a bit for a maxed out MBA
Click to expand...

Completely understand. We rarely use our MBA, but we have to have it for that 10% like you mentioned.....

If Apple had a file system on here where we could save files with iPad on time capsule we would ditch the air completely. Maybe that day will come in the future. We are light users. Sell the maxed out air and get a base 11 inch refurb or something
 
Makes surfing the web a whole lot more enjoyable.

Watch movies while laying down in bed.

Etc.
 
AudiA3 said:
Yeah thats what I started to notice too... But i still cant get rid of my Macbook Air completely... Because i still have to use tax software, MS Office, torrent downloads, etc... It's probably only 10% of my usage though
Click to expand...

My iMac has become my defacto server. It gets used maybe 5% of the time. I have a really nice work laptop, and on the rare occasion I try to use that for casual stuff, it is just feels like I'm stuck in 2003 browsing with this heavy thing on my lap. The ipad is my digital world encapsulated in the most beautiful magazine you've ever seen. For home use, it's the laptop that now feels like it's full of limitations.
 
Yeah I got caught in the same dilemma. I got an iPad Air but couldn't find any uses it for it. So I decided to return it. Instead I got the rMini (I just had to buy something!) and I'm finding a lot of uses it for it now simply because it's so light and portable.

- No need to power on the power sucking gaming PC to so light web browsing.
- Excellent device for entertainment. The battery life is immense and I can listen to Pandora the whole day without running out.
- Incredible portable gaming machine. You absolutely cannot play games on the iPhone unless you have a battery case.

I have a 13" MacBook Air and I've decided to sell it. I have no use it for it now that I've finished Uni and started working.

I'll be switching between my rMini and gaming PC. PC for Battlefield 4 and rMini for everything else.
 
Just larger screen. That is pretty much the justification, other then that people simple wants one! Me included.
 
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