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iPad: mini vs regular

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by massparanoia, Jan 17, 2013.

  1. massparanoia

    massparanoia Active Member

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    So my wife needs an iPad for her school and I pose the question; is the a6x chip worth the nearly $200 more for the regular iPad vs the mini? Other than the obvious screen size difference the only one I can see is the different chip.
     
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Hard to say if it's "worth it" but besides having half the RAM and having a much lower pixel density than the iPad 4 (AnandTech - iPad mini Review), it's also much slower. See the benchmarks at AnandTech - iPad mini Review and the page that follows.

    The smaller size is can be good/bad depending on your point of view. I kinda like the small size and lighter weight but don't like that it's a step down in pixel density and performance from the iPad "4". If someone has problems reading things up close, the larger display of the iPad "4", is a plus.
     
  3. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    I moved to Mini a few months ago...VERY happy. Do NOT miss bigger iPad.
     
  4. massparanoia

    massparanoia Active Member

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    Yeah she will be using it to read text a lot, so maybe the better display is worth it. I just hate that it is so damn expensive. And the school says she has to have an ipad. Can't get an android.
     
  5. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    For lots of reading and major work I would recommend larger one. Just because of the screen size. I did not noticed any "slowness" of the mini comparing to Ipad 2 (non-retina).
    Apple online store has Refurbished iPads (come with full warranty) at least $100 cheaper than "new"; also at some point they had older models at least $200 cheaper.

    - Alex (iPad 2 + Mini)
     
  6. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    I have an iPad 2 and an iPad Mini, my pick every time is the mini. It weighs so much less, it has a good feel to it.
     
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Keep an eye out for refurb iPad 3's (aka 3rd generation) at Refurbished iPad - Apple Certified, 1-Year Warranty - Apple Store (U.S.). Sometimes there are 16 gig iPad "3" (first one w/Retina Display, GPU faster than iPad 2, CPU about the same speed as iPad 2, GPU and CPU way slower than iPad "4") refurbs there for $379 (you'd be looking for a 3rd generation w/wi-fi only). The stock comes and goes.

    My parents ordered one of the above and canceled because of the rumors of a better iPad coming in March 2013 or so (Thinner, Lighter 5th Generation iPad to Arrive in March 2013? - Mac Rumors).

    I've personally ordered a bunch of refurb iPods before and they look brand new. As mentioned there:
    iOS 6.x.x is currently the latest iOS version and the 3rd gen iPad is so far getting all the features per iOS 6: Which software features does my iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch support?.

    Apple is still selling the (old) iPad 2 even though they've intentionally decided not to enable Siri on it.

    You can see a review of iPad "3" at AnandTech - The Apple iPad Review (2012). When it was introduced, it was called "The New iPad". :rolleyes: More info on the various models at iPad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    It's not surprising you didn't notice any slowness as the GPU, CPU and amount of RAM included in the iPad 2 and Mini are the same per AnandTech - iPad mini Review. And, they have identical resolution.

    If one looks further at the benchmarks there, they're almost identical as well.
     
  9. Simsonic

    Simsonic Junior Member

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    I'm selling my iPad to get a mini when the Retina Mini iPad comes out in March. I like the smaller form factor much better.
     
  10. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I have both iPad mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular) & iPad 3 (Wi-Fi only). I use the mini more. I take it with me to work each day and have it with me half the time when I go out.
    I use my iPad 3 at home.
    My PC is upstairs in my office and I don't have a laptop so I use my iPad 3 downstairs.

    If I had to pick one, I would pick the iPad mini. The screen is good size at 7.9 inches.
    It is very light and thin, easier to travel with. Compared to the iPad mini the regular iPad is too bulky to take with me.
    I'll probably end up selling my iPad 3 soon on Craigs.

    If you can wait till March you can either get the iPad mini (4th gen) at a cheaper price or get the new Retina iPad mini 2....or if you decide on the reg iPad, the current iPad (9.7 inch) model should drop in price by $100.00.
     
    ewxlt66 likes this.