iPad Why did you get the iPad Air over the Retina Mini?

[hallidc]

Ever since the iPad mini was revealed, I knew I was going to purchase one the moment they implemented a retina display. However after using the mini for a few hours, I knew that the full size iPad was for my liking (watching videos, playing the odd game here and there, and reviewing notes/presentations).

Although the mini was quite light and compact, I found at the end of the day, it would be too small for my likings. Hence, I decided to stay with the full size iPad and purchased the Air.

 

[SactoGuy18]

For not much more weight than the iPad mini, the iPad Air offers a larger and superior display touchscreen. And that larger screen makes web access much more pleasant, too.

 

[terrywfoster]

Mini isnt too small, nor is it a useless device

Didn't learn to read did we? As I said it's too small and useless in MY ecosystem.

 

[ozbilge10]

I'm buying a tablet, not something between ipad and iphone.

 

[Brittany246]

The main reason I got the air over the mini was the bigger screen. The iPad mini is too small, and for me it isn't really any more portable than the iPad air. I don't wear clown pants, so I can't fit an iPad mini in my pant pockets. It doesn't fit in any of my coat pockets either. It's not like I'd put a tablet there anyway.

 

[Misskitty]

The main reason I got the air over the mini was the bigger screen. The iPad mini is too small, and for me it isn't really any more portable than the iPad air. I don't wear clown pants, so I can't fit an iPad mini in my pant pockets. It doesn't fit in any of my coat pockets either. It's not like I'd put a tablet there anyway.

Lol i dont get why people say that the mini isnt anymore portable than the air when its much more portable.

The mini is almost half the size.

But i agree with you on the screen, its so nice to have the bigger screen on the air.

For me, the biggest adjistment has been typing with the split keyboard and no more one handed operation

 

[AppleWarMachine]

Bigger, better screen (color gamut)

 

[nStyle]

Lol i dont get why people say that the mini isnt anymore portable than the air when its much more portable.

The mini is almost half the size.

Because it still requires a bag most of the time. It's more portable but it's not a useful more portable. An iPhone is usefully more portable since it fits in 100% of pants pockets. The Mini fits in hardly any pants pockets. Even if it did fit in your pants, do you really want something so conspicuous all of the time?

 

[Brittany246]

Lol i dont get why people say that the mini isnt anymore portable than the air when its much more portable.

The mini is almost half the size.

But i agree with you on the screen, its so nice to have the bigger screen on the air.

For me, the biggest adjistment has been typing with the split keyboard and no more one handed operation

It's not any more portable for me because I would still have to bring a bag to carry it in when I bring it out in public. My bag holds my iPad air just fine, and the iPad mini doesn't fit in any pockets.

 

[baypharm]

If you were stuck between the two, why did you choose the iPad Air over the Retina mini?

Larger size

 

[daijholt]

The iPad Air just feels like it's useful for more things because of the bigger screen. I never used to like using iWork on my iPad mini because it felt too compact, but it was fantastic for safari because it could be used in one hand.

Now that the iPad air has fixed the problem of portability and is light enough to be held comfortably in one hand, it was a no brainer. The screen size is perfect for everything, and the form factor rivals the mini, so the real question is do you need it to fit into a small bag or a jacket pocket? If yes, get the mini. If no, get the air.

 

[Ladybug]

After owning a mini for one year, and not being able to purchase a new set of eyes, I opted to buy something with larger fonts.

 

[Misskitty]

Because it still requires a bag most of the time. It's more portable but it's not a useful more portable. An iPhone is usefully more portable since it fits in 100% of pants pockets. The Mini fits in hardly any pants pockets. Even if it did fit in your pants, do you really want something so conspicuous all of the time?

You dont need big pockets to pocket the mini. It fits in my baggy cargo pants fine.

 

[braddick]

Got the iPad Air 'cause my iPad mini was lonely.

 

[McPc]

Like a lot of others here are pointing out my iPhone handles my portability needs and have no problem reading the news or ebooks on it during my lunch hour. However at home I prefer to have a larger viewing area for movies and a more comfortable web browsing experience so I prefer the iPad Air.

Can't wait for the discussions that will happen here if the rumored 12" iPad & 6" iPhone come out next year. Trying to convince someone which size is best will be even more fun than we are having now!

 

[JoeRito]

Screen size and popping colors. The extra couple inches makes a real difference. I recommend trying both for 10 mins or so at the Apple store.

 

[ab2c4]

I actually wanted the new Mini instead of the Air but when the Air came out, and the Mini had no release date yet, I figured I may as we'll get the Air. I don't regret getting the Air at all since it is a massive upgrade over our ipad 3, but I can still see myself getting a Mini down the road in maybe a year or two. I really want an even smaller, lighter tablet.

 

[RickTaylor]

I got the retina mini rather than the Air, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the Air has its advantages. For example, the os was originally designed for the size of the Ipads 1 to 4. The mini just took the very same screen and shrunk it, even keeping the resolution. That's great, as I can be confident that anything that works on the full size Ipad will work on the mini, just scaled down. But it also means I'm using an os that was designed for a larger screen; as a result buttons and tabs and such are sometimes a little more awkward to press.

 

[rkuo]

Because it still requires a bag most of the time. It's more portable but it's not a useful more portable. An iPhone is usefully more portable since it fits in 100% of pants pockets. The Mini fits in hardly any pants pockets. Even if it did fit in your pants, do you really want something so conspicuous all of the time?

Goes in my jacket pocket, can be held in one hand and poked with the other, and it is light enough to be carried indefinitely in one hand even without a jacket. So yes, it's a big difference.

 

[nStyle]

Goes in my jacket pocket, can be held in one hand and poked with the other, and it is light enough to be carried indefinitely in one hand even without a jacket. So yes, it's a big difference.

Sure but would you wear a jacket year round just to carry a Mini? Also, do you really see yourself carrying it around "indefinitely"? When you're out, how often are you really going to pull out your Mini over your iPhone? The point is that it's more portable but it just doesn't matter.

 

[rkuo]

Sure but would you wear a jacket year round just to carry a Mini? Also, do you really see yourself carrying it around "indefinitely"? When you're out, how often are you really going to pull out your Mini over your iPhone? The point is that it's more portable but it just doesn't matter.

I carried it around all day today and surfed over LTE and read some books while the ladies of the family did their shopping. I'm replying to you now off the same iPad and I'm at 32 pct battery life. Doing the same thing on my iPhone all day is headache inducing. So yes, it matters.

 

[RickTaylor]

Sure but would you wear a jacket year round just to carry a Mini?

I wear a jacket to look nice. Having a pocket big enough to carry the mini is a wonderful bonus. I can see that a mini might not be as useful to someone who doesn't wear a jacket or carry a purse.

Also, do you really see yourself carrying it around "indefinitely"?

I carry the mini with me pretty much all the time, except when I'm sleeping or taking a bath. Because it fits in my jacket pocket, for me the mini is effectively as portable as a cell phone. When I need it, it comes out of my jacket pocket, when I'm done it slips right back in.

When you're out, how often are you really going to pull out your Mini over your iPhone?

The only time I pull out my cell phone is when I make or receive a phone call; I use the mini for everything else. It's far more convenient when I want to read a book, bring up a document, look up something on the internet, check or reply to email, bring up a map, etc.

The point is that it's more portable but it just doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter for you. I get that. Different people have different preferences and use things in different ways. The Air has its advantages and the mini isn't for everybody. But I do find it funny when people make absolute statements of the utility of various devices as though everyone uses things the same way.

 

[oVerboost]

For me the larger screen and sharpness in store over the rmini was the winning factor. Both looked awesome but I already have a 5s so didn't think the mini was a big enough step up in terms of size.