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All iPads Which do you choose iPad Air or rMini?

N

noodle15

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 15, 2008
32
7
Wondering how many bought the air and returned for the retina mini? Or did you just wait for the rmini? Did you buy the air and keep it? Did you buy the rmini and return it for the air.

Have a mini and bought the air. I really love the air but the mini seems more portable. I have bigger hands so to use the air it is easier. Really love the crisp screen on the retinas and just want to see what everyone's preference.
 
I went from the iPad 3 to the rMini. With the 3, I already had an experience with the full sized iPad and wanted to try out the Mini. So far I really like it, and like it better than the full size ones.
 
I never owned any iPad except for the mini. I bought the original soon after it came out, then upgraded to the retina.

The regular sized iPads never interested me, because if I'm carrying something that size, i may as well carry a laptop. The mini just fits into a sports coat pocket, and goes everywhere with me.
 
I got the Air. I have owned every full-size iPad since the very first one, but I took a year off last year to use the iPad mini. I am a student and I like to use it as a laptop replacement, but the screen was just too small to touch-type on with the iPad mini. In short, if you don't have a lot of productivity tasks that you have to do with the iPad, and it's just for consumption, the iPad mini will probably work for you. However, in my experience with the Mini compared to the full-size iPad, the full-size is much better for word processing and reading PDFs on.
 
Ipad

Yes there are a ton of similar threads. I am just curious as to what was purchased or returned and for what. Mine is used for personal as well as business so. Just like to hear others thoughts.
 
Just like there are phones and phablets, there are tablets and laplets. :D

Air is a laplet, not a tablet. It's between tablets and laptops. Mini is a true tablet - larger than phones and phablets, yet still fully portable, carryable, even wearable without needing a bag.

What's YOUR choice? :D
 
I stopped using my iPad 3 when I got a Macbook Air. It seemed silly when they were about the same size.

Just got the Mini Retina and loving every second of it.
 
shamash said:
I stopped using my iPad 3 when I got a Macbook Air. It seemed silly when they were about the same size.

Just got the Mini Retina and loving every second of it.
Click to expand...

Exactly same here. Laplets don't make any sense because ultra portable laptops now are so good. 13 hours on battery with real OS instead of 10 hours with toy OS.
 
Depends on use.
I use my ipad mostly for reading magazines/graphic novels/web surf.
I also monitor stocks thoughtout the day. And play music/podcasts.
Occasionally some netflicks when traveling- stuck on the road.
Prefer the Air for that stuff vs my retina macbook (which I also love for the real work)
They may be similar in size/ weight but they serve very different purposes.

Went from iPad 3 to mini and now I'm on the Air.
The Air works because I enjoy the larger screen while reading.
It's the perfect size for my needs.
The mini required too much pinch and zoom.
Weight is no longer an issue.
Air just makes sense....for me.
Good luck.
 
Last edited:
I had an ipad 2. Bought an Mac Air and have a mini. Bought the air to replace the ipad 2. I would always catch myself using the mini more now I am on the air constant. I need a tablet for work and with the Mac air not having direct conncpectivity to Internet ipad seems best.
 
Have an Ipad 3. Just bought two Ipad Airs (for my wife and myself). And also bought two minis for my 4 year olds. So I have mine hiding. Everyone else is getting theirs for Christmas. I CAN NOT wait for that.
 
I got the iPad Air, love it, and I'm keeping it. After a year with the Mini, the font size was just small enough to cause me eye strain so I had to go back to full size. The Air is light enough to hold in one hand so I'm happy with my choice.
 
Last year I had the iPad 4 and iPad mini. I'd enjoy holding the mini more, but using the iPad more.

This year I got an iPad Air, intending to get a retina mini as well (selling both my old iPads to fund the operation), but still haven't purchased a mini. I really like the mini, but just don't see any need for it myself when the Air is now so thin and light.

I don't think there's any correct choice here. It all depends on what you want personally, and I know I'd be almost identically happy with either, but that I'd be more disappointed in not having a larger screen (for those times when I want a larger screen) than I would be in the larger size and weight of the Air (for those times when bulk is an issue).

Some people would go one way here, and some the other. Both are acceptable choices.
 
I wanted the mini for ages, then was going to get one in August but as new ones was due to be announced I waited, now I've got an Air, I went with it coz of the trimmed down size, very happy with my choice :D

Adam.
 
dsquarius90 said:
I got the Air. I have owned every full-size iPad since the very first one, but I took a year off last year to use the iPad mini. I am a student and I like to use it as a laptop replacement, but the screen was just too small to touch-type on with the iPad mini. In short, if you don't have a lot of productivity tasks that you have to do with the iPad, and it's just for consumption, the iPad mini will probably work for you. However, in my experience with the Mini compared to the full-size iPad, the full-size is much better for word processing and reading PDFs on.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much the reason I returned the rMini and got the Air. This was my first iPad, so I wasn't sure what my uses would be on it. But I do a lot of writing and reading PDFs, and the bigger screen really helps me be more productive.
 
I've done just the opposite... I'm returning the Air to get the rMini. I had the first-gen Mini and loved it, even with the low-res screen. The Air is surprisingly light without a case, but adding one makes it heavier than I want, and I need a case because I do take it out and about. Plus, I can get a 64gb cellular rMini for the same price as the 32gb cellular Air that I had.
 
I'm a teacher, so I guess I'm at least semi-smart, but I used the Air for about 6 weeks, and liked a lot of things about it. I just decided that for me and my uses of an iPad, the rMini might be better.
 
Deciding which iPad to buy or use is not a major life and death decision. There are people around the world facing those today and every day. I know, because I've been there. It's just an electronic device, not a measure of anyone's IQ.
 
My first iPad was a Mini. I now have a Retina Mini waiting for me at the Apple store that I will be leaving soon for to pickup. Mini = perfect size.
 
I have an iPad 1, my kids have the original mini.

I have no desire to use theirs... It's too small for what I do.

I still want a MacBook air (11 inch), but it would work at all for how I'm typing this post!
 
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