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All iPads What's the difference between iPad Air and Retina iPad Mini besides screen size?

Virgo

Virgo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 7, 2011
514
155
Los Angeles, CA
I was comparing the specs on the apple site and they appear to have the same processors, camera, everything else... I was set on getting an iPad air 32 gigabyte but maybe I'll just save $100 and get the mini version! Is anything else different besides screen size?
 
The number of pixels per inch. The iPad Air has 264 ppi and the iPad Mini with retina has 326 ppi.
 
One other difference: you'll have to wait a few weeks longer if you want the Mini....:)
 
I'm in the same boat as you OP. We have until next Friday to figure this out lol.
 
Nothing

That's about it. I guess they figure people will pay a premium for a larger screen, but I myself after having used a mini, find no reason for the iPad air to exist at all.
 
Yea it really is pretty much just the screen size. Is the Air considered retina at that pixel density? Is that the same density as the iPad 4?
 
We still don't know the clock speeds of the processors in the mini and the Air. So we'll have to wait till next week to find that out.
 
I feel like I will have to hold both in my hands to really decide. Then again, the iPad Mini Retina won't be available until later in the month.. so I have a feeling I might be going with the Air.
 
Sym0 said:
From a real world perspective, nothing.
Click to expand...

I agree. There's no new OOMPH function. Like the Air launching with fingerprint sensor and the mini doesn't etc. Retina display has been around for a long time so the mini getting it was an eventuality :rolleyes:

:apple: seems to be like a follower these days :rolleyes:
It's really sad actually :(
 
Virgo said:
I feel like I will have to hold both in my hands to really decide. Then again, the iPad Mini Retina won't be available until later in the month.. so I have a feeling I might be going with the Air.
Click to expand...

To be able to get a larger screen with a slimmer and lighter profile is big. I am going to try the Air on the 1st and even though I'm so use to the Mini I own now, I think it will be love at first try!
 
preyan said:
I agree. There's no new OOMPH function. Like the Air launching with fingerprint sensor and the mini doesn't etc. Retina display has been around for a long time so the mini getting it was an eventuality :rolleyes:

:apple: seems to be like a follower these days :rolleyes:
It's really sad actually :(
Click to expand...

I'm glad Apple's finally making them the same. Why should customers be penalized for wanting a smaller screen? If they needed to be differentiated then Apple should've done something to make iPad Air a Pro device, and to me fingerprint sensor isn't "pro" anything.

----------
WilliamG said:
We still don't know the clock speeds of the processors in the mini and the Air. So we'll have to wait till next week to find that out.
Click to expand...

What would be the reason for them being different?
 
I hope that the only difference is screen size.

I honestly prefer the size of the mini over the regular iPad, but the reason I didn't get a mini is because of the low specifications compared to the iPad 4. I just decided not to get an iPad at all because the iPad 4 was too large and heavy for my preference, and the original mini I knew would be dropped very soon.

I'm fine if they maybe limit clock speed a little, or many not as much ram, but I'm glad it's still A7 and retina.
 
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