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iPad mini Would You Buy An iPad Mini 2 If It Didn't Have A Retina Display?

Would You Still Buy An iPad Mini 2 If It Didn't Have A Retina Display?

  • Yes

    Votes: 25 17.4%

  • No

    Votes: 119 82.6%
  • Total voters
    144
I wouldn't because I already own a mini, and a cpu speed increase isn't really needed. The mini has handled everything I've thrown at it so far.

I'm holding out for a retina mini. The 10" iPad is just too big now that I've used a mini, so there is no going back there. I won't even mention the screen quality crap shoot I dealt with in the iPad 3's.
 
No. I already have a mini, and for me the only significant improvement that I think it 'needs' is a retina display. But then the existing mini does everything I want it to, so not sure I would upgrade even then.
 
I will only buy a mini 2 if it has retina. I so regret moving from the iPad 3 to the mini.

I'm hoping the rumors are true with a really reduced in size and weight ipad 5. If that comes true, I may very well forgo the mini 2 even if it has retina. Hoping they get the iPad 5 down to 1.25 lb or less with the smaller bezels and similar thickness to the mini.

I also hope these devices comes soon. I really don't want to use the current mini until fall.
 
TrackZ said:
I will only buy a mini 2 if it has retina. I so regret moving from the iPad 3 to the mini. . . . . .I really don't want to use the current mini until fall.
Click to expand...

I'm glad I read this. I was feeling very torn in selling my 3 and moving to the Mini.

As far as I see it, having held the mini and played with it, is that the screen is a bit better than the 2, but very different from the 3 when I hold them side by side reading a PDF with a ton of text. It's much fuzzier, and barely tolerable.

Still, the form factor and weight are excellent. Which is why I was torn.

I think I'll wait til the mini 2.

Also, the ram in it is atrocious at the moment. As future iOS's start releasing, requiring more and more power, I think the mini 1 will get left behind. But then again, that happens with all iDevices eventually. I just can't see, though, why they had to go with 512mb. It's ridiculous.
 
What can they update beside the screen? Besides more ram or battery life I don't see anything else they could make better.
 
No.

I've checked out the mini at the store, and was very unimpressed by the screen, I've been spoiled by my 3gen retina.

If it shows up with retina, I'll get one right away.
 
Certainly not buying such Mini 2. Think about that we have waited for another 12 months and what we would get is an "new" iPad Mini that is still a resized iPad 2??

Also don't forget iPod Touch 5th gen has new design, new display and just as fast as iPad Mini while it cost slightly less.

jojoba said:
No.

I've checked out the mini at the store, and was very unimpressed by the screen, I've been spoiled by my 3gen retina.

If it shows up with retina, I'll get one right away.
Click to expand...

Current Mini's screen is worse than classic MBP's screen that I am reading if you ask me.
 
Last edited:
Sitting here with my new iPad mini, purchased this morning.

Maybe it depends on usage and needs, but after installing the apps I bought it for I see nothing wrong with this iPad at all. I've increased the font here and there and am using Atomic Browser instead of Safari.

If this were my main device - and it's not even my main iPad - I'd probably look forward to the retina update. As it is, this one covers my needs admirably: Internet, email, text editing, reading, portability. But then, I never complained about the iPad 2 and updated to 4 just so I could give my 2 away.

Next year I'll probably go for Mini 3 and marvel at the display and speed bump.

Apart from usage I wonder if eyesight plays a part in the enjoyment of the screen. I don't need glasses but if my eyesight were as good as when I was 20 (two decades ago) I might see pixels like Neo in the Matrix.
 
As you , I will not buy an ipad mini 2 unless it has a much higher resolution than the current one or retina display.
 
XboxMySocks said:
Gotta love when people only look at the DPI and not at any other aspect of the screen
Click to expand...

Like what? Screen size? I assume color reproduction and vibrancy is the same. . . So I don't know what you're getting at.

If it's pixelated, it's pixelated.
 
caubeck said:
We've been using screens with a lower pixel density all our lives, and most people still use non-retina displays on monitors at work, at home, on phones, tablets and laptops. I have an iPad 4 but I'm glad I can still use other resolutions.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It's definitely a 'generational' gap here @ MR. Those of us over 30/40 years old, those under 25 (maybe even 20). I still remember how incredibly excited I was with my first 'Color' monitor for my Apple IIc:)

Luis2004 said:
I'm glad I read this. I was feeling very torn in selling my 3 and moving to the Mini.

....

Also, the ram in it is atrocious at the moment. As future iOS's start releasing, requiring more and more power, I think the mini 1 will get left behind. But then again, that happens with all iDevices eventually. I just can't see, though, why they had to go with 512mb. It's ridiculous.
Click to expand...

The iPad 3 is a phenomenal tablet. As is the Mini. As well...they perform almost in parity. When stripped down to the bare benchmarking--iPad 2/3 and Mini are almost all identical. I don't think ANY app development group will abandon this treasure trove any time in the near future. The RAM isn't atrocious...not by a long shot. It's very fluid...very quick and easily plays all the 'games' on the App Store. For productivity apps, it's excellent...and for portability, it's unrivaled IMO. Some times small sacrifices have to be made to keep the size/weight and function within a certain parameter. RAM was one of those choices made by Apple in the first generation Mini. However...so many of them sold, as well as iPad 2 still being sold...and PLENTY of the 'new' iPad 3s are in the wild. To abandon development for this population any time in the near future would be a silly idea!

In response to the OP...I'll be the odd man out. I will definitely buy the new mini regardless of display resolution or inclusion or 'retina' PPI--I'll explain...

I've got an original iPad, iPad 2, iPad 4 and the Mini. We've also got a pair of 4s for our business and that's their only function. I literally sold my iPad 3 last week on Craigslist after owning the iPad 4 and Mini since launch. My wife didn't care about the retina display and loves her iPad 2. It's set up just the way she wants and she doesn't care to 'upgrade' at this time. Our son 'owns' the original iPad and it's perfect for him (he's 8). The iPad Mini has become our 'family' iPad. We use it around the house and take it out on the road--it's getting a TON of usage. Where-as the bigger iPads have become more of our own personal tablets. Each of our own email accounts, Facebook, Twitter, RSS readers....my wife handles all of the business end functions of our business...I, the product. Both of us have our own apps according to our jobs (on the big iPads). Our son enjoys his iPad for different education software, an occasional NetFlix or YouTube session, games and books.

I'm the geek in the family. I do enjoy the 'latest' and 'greatest'. I've yet to be let down by any of Apple's iOS releases. For me, every iteration has been a nice upgrade...even the simple 's' updates (I've owned each iPhone, passing the older version to my wife or updating/selling older version), and the iPad 4 (from the 3)...a significant upgrade IMO from my iPad 3. I only lost about $145 on the sale of the iPad 3 and we owned it for just shy of 12 months! Not bad---$10/month. The new Mini...regardless of it's resolution or RAM or processor...it's sure to be a nice update. I'm of the belief that Apple WILL try to get a retina screen in there at some point...but I'm not convinced it will be the 2013 version of the Mini. I think they'll more likely update processing, RAM and GPU for more of an 'S' update to the Mini and shoot for a Retina screen in 2014 maintaining the same beloved 10 hour mark we've all grown accustomed to...unplugged!

To each their own...but Apple is a hobby of mine. I don't mind losing a few bucks each year on the iOS device of the year. I buy them, use them (daily and constantly!!!), and most of all--our family enjoys them!
 
I would say no but I know I can't go back to the first mini. Have to buy the latest.
 
Honestly, I dont care much for retina displays, I have 3x 1680x1050 displays in my face right now, along with my NON retina 13" MBP that goes to bed with me, and none of them bother me at all. As most of my daily content can only actually be displayed at up to 1080p anyway.

And the iPad is no exception.
 
akdj said:
I completely agree. It's definitely a 'generational' gap here @ MR. Those of us over 30/40 years old, those under 25 (maybe even 20). I still remember how incredibly excited I was with my first 'Color' monitor for my Apple IIc:)



The iPad 3 is a phenomenal tablet. As is the Mini. As well...they perform almost in parity. When stripped down to the bare benchmarking--iPad 2/3 and Mini are almost all identical. I don't think ANY app development group will abandon this treasure trove any time in the near future. The RAM isn't atrocious...not by a long shot. It's very fluid...very quick and easily plays all the 'games' on the App Store. For productivity apps, it's excellent...and for portability, it's unrivaled IMO. Some times small sacrifices have to be made to keep the size/weight and function within a certain parameter. RAM was one of those choices made by Apple in the first generation Mini. However...so many of them sold, as well as iPad 2 still being sold...and PLENTY of the 'new' iPad 3s are in the wild. To abandon development for this population any time in the near future would be a silly idea!

In response to the OP...I'll be the odd man out. I will definitely buy the new mini regardless of display resolution or inclusion or 'retina' PPI--I'll explain...

I've got an original iPad, iPad 2, iPad 4 and the Mini. We've also got a pair of 4s for our business and that's their only function. I literally sold my iPad 3 last week on Craigslist after owning the iPad 4 and Mini since launch. My wife didn't care about the retina display and loves her iPad 2. It's set up just the way she wants and she doesn't care to 'upgrade' at this time. Our son 'owns' the original iPad and it's perfect for him (he's 8). The iPad Mini has become our 'family' iPad. We use it around the house and take it out on the road--it's getting a TON of usage. Where-as the bigger iPads have become more of our own personal tablets. Each of our own email accounts, Facebook, Twitter, RSS readers....my wife handles all of the business end functions of our business...I, the product. Both of us have our own apps according to our jobs (on the big iPads). Our son enjoys his iPad for different education software, an occasional NetFlix or YouTube session, games and books.

I'm the geek in the family. I do enjoy the 'latest' and 'greatest'. I've yet to be let down by any of Apple's iOS releases. For me, every iteration has been a nice upgrade...even the simple 's' updates (I've owned each iPhone, passing the older version to my wife or updating/selling older version), and the iPad 4 (from the 3)...a significant upgrade IMO from my iPad 3. I only lost about $145 on the sale of the iPad 3 and we owned it for just shy of 12 months! Not bad---$10/month. The new Mini...regardless of it's resolution or RAM or processor...it's sure to be a nice update. I'm of the belief that Apple WILL try to get a retina screen in there at some point...but I'm not convinced it will be the 2013 version of the Mini. I think they'll more likely update processing, RAM and GPU for more of an 'S' update to the Mini and shoot for a Retina screen in 2014 maintaining the same beloved 10 hour mark we've all grown accustomed to...unplugged!

To each their own...but Apple is a hobby of mine. I don't mind losing a few bucks each year on the iOS device of the year. I buy them, use them (daily and constantly!!!), and most of all--our family enjoys them!
Click to expand...


Crap, akdj!

You've got me on the fence again!

:eek:
 
akdj said:
Some times small sacrifices have to be made to keep the size/weight and function within a certain parameter. RAM was one of those choices made by Apple in the first generation Mini.
Click to expand...
Yes, it only has 512 MB because 1 GB weighs more. Come on dude, the only reason for the lower specs on the mini is to differentiate it from the iPad in more than just size, in order to maximize profit. It's pretty obvious that the mini has too little RAM (as well as a poorly designed browser and app switching).
 
I voted no - but that's because I already have a mini. The retina display will come in this second gen....IGZO is ramping up and that's really what they've been waiting on to make the retina mini anyway.
 
bobbysmith said:
Yes, it only has 512 MB because 1 GB weighs more. Come on dude, the only reason for the lower specs on the mini is to differentiate it from the iPad in more than just size, in order to maximize profit. It's pretty obvious that the mini has too little RAM (as well as a poorly designed browser and app switching).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have to say, this really is keeping me from getting the mini. That, and also the screen not being up to snuff.

I think I'll wait.
 
Doubt it unless the wife wants my mini. I'm tired of keeping up with The Joneses.
 
mtneer said:
I would buy if the processor caught up a generation or two with the frontline Apple devices.
Click to expand...

:D The A5 was Apple's top mobile processor until one month before the iPad mini's release! (A5X being basically a GPU upgrade to support retina display.)

It's a single generation behind. Not sure I would expect more than that in the future. (Other than the obvious AxX upgrade if needed to support a potential retina display.)
 
Luis2004 said:
Like what? Screen size? I assume color reproduction and vibrancy is the same. . . So I don't know what you're getting at.

If it's pixelated, it's pixelated.
Click to expand...


If only it were that simple.

If you read Annandtechs in depth technical review for the Mini they measured all aspects of its screen, DPI aside it is significantly worse in terms of contrast & it's ability to display full RGB (or colour reproduction as you put it).

If you look at a Mini and an iPad 3/4 side by side it's clear to see its not simply just lower DRI that's the issue. Colours are muted, blacks just aren't quite as black etc.

It's basically guaranteed the next Mini will be "Retina" because Apple knows people will jump on the DPI bandwagon and buy it. Im not saying I don't want a Retina Mini, I just hope they actually use a higher quality screen next time too.
 
Paulywauly said:
If only it were that simple.

If you read Annandtechs in depth technical review for the Mini they measured all aspects of its screen, DPI aside it is significantly worse in terms of contrast & it's ability to display full RGB (or colour reproduction as you put it).

If you look at a Mini and an iPad 3/4 side by side it's clear to see its not simply just lower DRI that's the issue. Colours are muted, blacks just aren't quite as black etc.

It's basically guaranteed the next Mini will be "Retina" because Apple knows people will jump on the DPI bandwagon and buy it. Im not saying I don't want a Retina Mini, I just hope they actually use a higher quality screen next time too.
Click to expand...

Then we're agreed! DPI is important as is color reproduction/vibrancy. I don't see any flame war happening here. We are most definitely agreed.
 
I'd be really surprised if they released it non-retina and expect people to be wowed by 1gb + A6 alone
 
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