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iPad Why iPad mini when you've got an iPad Air

I'm torn. I really want the mini but sitting here surfing macrumors forums on the air I find myself constantly zooming. I have perfect vision and don't need to zoom but it's just more comfortable. I know it would be worse on the mini. I mainly use my ipad at home and traveling. Don't have any cloths that the mini will fit in. I have the iphone for those occasions.

Also the retina Mbp 13 has a higher resolution then the iMac 27. I can see the resolution clearly on the Mbp but I'd rather work off the 27". It's just more comfortable and easier on the eyes. So unless you can go places with the mini that you can't with the air I'm starting to thing the air may be better.
 
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cardfan said:
But you don't. I probably hold the Mini 15" away and it's the same with the full sized ipad. Do you really stretch your arms out with a full size ipad?

Btw..for those who don't think there will be a difference between these two screens then why are we seeing 4k TV's? Why are we seeing people hope for a 4k thunderbolt display from Apple? 1080p TV's are already retina displays as defined by Apple. Yet, reviewers of these 4k TV's (when combined with native 4k content) noticed a significant difference in quality of screen? How is that possible? 4K is the future.

There's room for screen improvement despite the retina marketing buzzword. The retina ipad mini will have superior screen quality vs the ipad air. For many, it won't matter because they want a bigger screen and higher quality doesn't matter for them. Many of these same people chose android years ago as well looking for bigger. Screen quality didn't matter for them.
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You are falling for the 4k hype hook line and sinker. Viewing distance is the key factor in 4k. Most 4k sets are worthless at their current sizes because the DPI gain is negligible given your viewing distance. 4k 27 inch computer monitor is significant given your viewing distance.

Mini will have a small advantage, but will mostly be negated due to viewing distance.

Source: me - 5K camera operator (RED epic) and 4k/5k content finisher
 
I have a mini as well as a Nexus 7 FHD. And while the 7-8" form factor is very convenient from a portability factor, I found myself zooming a lot when reading scientific PDF journal articles. And while articles look great on my iPad 3, the weight is noticible after carrying the mini around so much.

The iPad Air is, for me, a wonderful compromise between the two. Basically like a mini (in thickness and weight) but with a larger retina screen.

I'd love to have a retina mini as well, but I'm pretty satisfied with my LTE Air as my main daily computational device.
 
I have lived with my mini since launch, but now I am waiting for my ipad air, going up for more screen
 
Have an Air and love it as a replacement for my 3. Much more usable as a true handheld device. But the mini is still a more comfortable reading device to because of its size which is why I'll be getting an rMini too.
 
xraydoc said:
I have a mini as well as a Nexus 7 FHD. And while the 7-8" form factor is very convenient from a portability factor, I found myself zooming a lot when reading scientific PDF journal articles. And while articles look great on my iPad 3, the weight is noticible after carrying the mini around so much.

The iPad Air is, for me, a wonderful compromise between the two. Basically like a mini (in thickness and weight) but with a larger retina screen.

I'd love to have a retina mini as well, but I'm pretty satisfied with my LTE Air as my main daily computational device.
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This is why I'm getting an Air. Main use will be for reading, and for articles and textbooks, the smaller screen won't cut it.

When reading novels on the Kindle app, iBooks, or something like that, any size of screen will do, since the text will adapt to the screen's size. PDF articles and textbooks won't do you the same favor..
 
I've held and looked at the iPad Air a few times now since it's been released.

I think for those people whose 'creation' purposes are met by a laptop (in my case, a new rMBP 13"), the iPad Air is a little overkill. My impressions of the devices are that it is definitely much lighter - but not light enough to hand hold in one hand comfortably. You can hold it for short periods of time in one hand, but it doesn't feel 'safe'.

With the iPad mini, you can hold it in one hand without feeling like you might drop it. It's left to be seen whether the extra 23g on the new rMini will make a significant difference. That's almost a 10% increase in weight.

If your usage includes pdfs, textbooks, and things that don't format well into an iPad screen, then the iPad air is probably better. For me -- Kindle books, twitter, Instapaper/Pocket all adjust font size fairly well and will be fantastic on the retina mini, and more comfortable to hold.
 
cardfan said:
326ppi vs 264ppi. That's a significant difference.
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If it were the Nexus or a Kindle, everyone would agree that 326 vs 264 was a Significant difference. Since we are comparing Apple to Apple the difference will be nonexistent...
 
Snapperjw said:
So got my iPad Air this morning. Upgrading from a 3rd gen version.

First conclusion would be why would anyone need a mini as the air is so much lighter, thinner and easy to hold compared to previous iPads.

You've got the great 9.8 screen but in a smaller case!
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Agree 100% and the hardware you get in it for just $100 more is clearly worth it. There are a lot of discounts even like at staples that make it just $80 more
 
AdonisSMU said:
Thats like saying a nexus 7 is better than the current mini because it has higher dpi. The bigger screen means i dont have to sit on top of the device to see it. Plus the air is easier to type on than the mini in addition to the bigger screen.
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ding ding ding
 
There is no upside to the iPad Air unless you have poor vision. $100 cheaper, same specs, more portable, lighter, higher DPI screen.

Actually, the bigger screen might be slightly better for drawing. But I doubt it would be that much of a difference. As I'm more likely to have the Mini on me when I want to sketch something, that makes it a better choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Mini outsells the Air 2 to 1. Maybe even close to 3 to 1.
 
iPad mini will fit into my white coat at work while the air won't. Plus I just get the 16 gb unit so if I lose it it doesn't cost as much as my 64 gb iPad with 3G.
 
It's worth noting...

The iPad mini w/Retina is going to be slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor, much like the iPad 3 was thicker and heavier than the iPad 2. It probably won't be much, but it may be enough to sway people to the Air(which is awesome btw...)
 
Apple must be thrill to see answers on this page.

Many are just trying so hard to find reason to get the mini retina. One said that ipad air is so light and then said that Mini is even lighter and easier to hold???. sound contradicting to me.

The only flaw i see in Ipad 1-4 is the weight. Thats it. Once you chopped the weight, there is no need for smaller Ipad. If apple can ship out Ipad air last year instead of the ridiculous Ipad 4 then we wouldn't see the Ipad mini to begin with. IMO, i can't type fast and comforably on ipad mini. Ipad 9.7 is the perfect size.
 
Steviejobz said:
Air superfluous for most who use laptop as main device at home. If I used a desktop, then I'd get the Air and the mini. I never use full size ipad at home b/c my laptop is better. If it is going to rest on something anyway, might as well be most powerful, easiest to type device.

Mini perfect for when not at home and one-handed comfort is paramount like when I want to read a book.

And it is cheaper.


I have a feeling the Air return rate will be very high once the Mini Retina is released
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Conclusion I have come to as well. I have a 2013 MacBook Air for home portable use and a Mini and my iPad Air is going back this morning. I'll await the retina Mini as an upgrade for my current Mini.
 
Raffi said:
I would like to see someone using a mini one handed.
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It's easy... You hold it in one hand and use the tips of your fingers to swipe directions for when you read. The Air is not really light enough or small enough to compactly fit into one hand comfortably in a resting position (laying down, for instance) for an extended period of time.

Not to mention...
 
Cool Pup said:
One handed use is still not possible on the Air. The Mini is much more compact.
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LOL... This is funny. Do you type with your nose on your iPad Mini?

Steviejobz said:
Air superfluous for most who use laptop as main device at home. If I used a desktop, then I'd get the Air and the mini. I never use full size ipad at home b/c my laptop is better. If it is going to rest on something anyway, might as well be most powerful, easiest to type device.
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This is not true for everyone. Don't generalise this. I use a laptop as my main computer at home, but I'd much rather surf the net, or catch up on my social networks on the tablet simply because I can do this on my couch with much more comfort. I can also do this while being in front of a TV.

Sure, you cane o this with a laptop as well, but it is much more of a hassle to open and close the device as it obscures the objects in front of you. This can be a problem when you are engaged in other activities and are trying to multitask.

I find that with the iPad Mini, there is a bit too much zooming (as others have pointed out). I rarely choose to use any iPad with one hand, so its form factor isn't so relevant as its screen size.
 
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jjp007 said:
Now that I have my air I don't feel the need for a mini. :):D:D
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So far that is the way I feel and I have some outerwear for the current weather in my locale that I can fit the Air into their pocket! :D

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racoonboy said:
Apple must be thrill to see answers on this page.

Many are just trying so hard to find reason to get the mini retina. One said that ipad air is so light and then said that Mini is even lighter and easier to hold???. sound contradicting to me.

The only flaw i see in Ipad 1-4 is the weight. Thats it. Once you chopped the weight, there is no need for smaller Ipad. If apple can ship out Ipad air last year instead of the ridiculous Ipad 4 then we wouldn't see the Ipad mini to begin with. IMO, i can't type fast and comforably on ipad mini. Ipad 9.7 is the perfect size.
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+1. Now I can enjoy movies and games even more as well.
 
macduke said:
There is no upside to the iPad Air unless you have poor vision. $100 cheaper, same specs, more portable, lighter, higher DPI screen.
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Not sure how poor vision would be a factor in buying an Air since rMini has higher PPI and therefore sharper, even more legible text. Air is about screen real estate where its more comfortable to work with a bigger screen -- edited a document or a movie, crunching numbers on a spreadsheet, etc. I have distinct preferences as to which iPad (Air or Mini, soon-to-be rMini) I pick up depending on what I need to do.

The other reasons you give are great reasons to buy the rMini but no reasons not to buy the Air if you want to do things where a bigger screen will be more comfortable and efficient.
 
Cool Pup said:
It's easy... You hold it in one hand and use the tips of your fingers to swipe directions for when you read. The Air is not really light enough or small enough to compactly fit into one hand comfortably in a resting position (laying down, for instance) for an extended period of time.

Not to mention...
Click to expand...


Holding any of the iPads in one hand for an extended period of time, is something you get used to. I do it all the time, since the 1st gen. I use it for work, and will spend the better part of a day carrying the iPad. Just like anything else, you find a way, if it is important enough to you.

I am going from the 3rd gen to the air. It is a noticible difference in weight and size. No problems holding it in one hand for extended periods of time. And I have small hands.
 
racoonboy said:
Apple must be thrill to see answers on this page.

Many are just trying so hard to find reason to get the mini retina. One said that ipad air is so light and then said that Mini is even lighter and easier to hold???. sound contradicting to me.

The only flaw i see in Ipad 1-4 is the weight. Thats it. Once you chopped the weight, there is no need for smaller Ipad. If apple can ship out Ipad air last year instead of the ridiculous Ipad 4 then we wouldn't see the Ipad mini to begin with. IMO, i can't type fast and comforably on ipad mini. Ipad 9.7 is the perfect size.
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You know preference is not a right or wrong issue, it's just that preference. The mini is smaller and lighter than the air, for me that makes it the one I want, and it would still be the one I wanted if it was the same price. That it is cheaper is an added bonus.
I don't feel that people who choose to buy the air need to justify themselves to me, I accept that their needs and wants are different to mine.
 
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