iPad Mini or iPad 2?

shuffles03

I'm looking for a second hand/refurb iPad and have €300 max to spend. WHat's the power difference between the iPad 2 and iPad Mini?

Will the iPad 2 be able to upgrade to iOS7? Will the Mini?

Dudda

iPad mini will be upgraded.

iPad 2, will also be upgraded but does not support

Filters in Camera app
Panoramic photos
AirDrop
Filters in Photos app
Square photos and videos
Siri upgrade

I'd expect the iPad mini to get an upgrade to iOS 8 as well next year while this will probably be the last major update for the iPad 2.

I'd be more concerned about the form factor and the size of the tablet than the power as they are similar. For example if you take the train to work and plan to use it on that then the mini is an obvious choice for it's portability. If your reading a lot the mini is also lighter. If it's for watching netflix on the couch or basic editing of documents then the iPad 2 is larger.

If you can wait till late September / October when iOS 7 and updated iOS devices are launched you'll probably save a few quid as more people upgrade to newer models more second hand devices will become available.

Gumbo

iPad mini V iPad 2= iPad mini for me please.

Duff

I've the 2 and my sister has the mini. I'd go with the mini, it runs slightly smoother than my 2 but the size difference is the clincher for me.

makoten

Have a look at the refurbished iPad section on Apple's site: http://store.apple.com/ie/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad
They have a brand new battery and also include a one year warranty just like new products.

If it's between iPad mini and iPad 2, then it's definitely iPad mini. iPad 2 will be missing out on many features once iOS 7 comes out.

Luckycharms_74

I have been tempted by ipad mini for a while now. With the refurb price it looks great value.

The Ayatolla

Would get the iPad mini but it wrecks my head how things like Sky Go can't utilise the entire screen. Will wait for the next one!

nightster1

Luckycharms_74 wrote: »

I have been tempted by ipad mini for a while now. With the refurb price it looks great value.

yes, good value at €289 from apple

RATM

I had the exact same dilemma as the OP just 2 weeks ago and in the end plumped for the iPad 2. I test drove a friends Mini and while I liked it for what I wanted it for the screen was just a bit too small. I do love the way you can hold a Mini comfortably in one hand which is great but for me I want to watch movies and play games so an 8 inch screen was just a bit too small. I know when I go on holidays I'd prefer have a Mini with me but I'm at home 48 weeks of the year so I bought the iPad 2 with that in mind.

OP you say your budget is €300. I got a refurb iPad 2 16gb from the Tesco Outlet on ebay. Tesco give a 12 month warranty. Mine came in a box and with instructions but nothing else, no charger, etc. I paid a total of €313 delivered- you will have to sign up to Parcel Motel and have it routed to Belfast first as Tesco Outlet don't post to outside the UK. All in all I am very happy with it, there is one or two minor scuffs on the back but overall I recokon it had less than a few hours use.

Luckycharms_74

The Ayatolla wrote: »

Would get the iPad mini but it wrecks my head how things like Sky Go can't utilise the entire screen. Will wait for the next one!

Oh I didn't know that. how bad does it effect it ?

The Ayatolla

Sky go runs off a 16:9 resolution and hence puts a black strip above and below the picture.

Its not too bad, but Sky Go works perfectly on iPhone 5 so hopefully in the next iteration of tablets they fix the screen proportions like they did with the iPhone

Dades

The Ayatolla wrote: »

Its not too bad, but Sky Go works perfectly on iPhone 5 so hopefully in the next iteration of tablets they fix the screen proportions like they did with the iPhone

Hopefully bloody not!

16:9 is great for movies, but for regular TV (via FilmOn etc.) or just browsing the web, e-magazines or most apps in general the 4:3 format is much better. I would find a short widescreen really annoying most of the time.

Luckycharms_74

I bit the bullet and went for the iPad mini refurb. I ordered yesterday and it arrived this morning from the UK. It's a serious piece of kit. It looks brand new and all the accessories are new. I highly recommend it for the €50 saving

http://store.apple.com/ie/product/FD528B/A/refurbished-ipad-mini-with-wi-fi-16gb-black-slate

Bellu

iPad Mini shares a lot of the iPad 2's DNA. Both have Apple's dual-core A5 processor, and both have a 1024x768-pixel screen. These two models each have Wi-Fi and 16GB of storage. Both can record HD video, though the iPad 2 tops out at 720p while the Mini shoots at 1080p (meaning it'll burn through that 16GB that much quicker). The Mini has a much better rear-facing camera. And iPad 2 has no USB, no SD card reader and no removable battery. iPad Mini feels expensive, given that its screen is the least spectacular, and on paper it fails to tick many of my boxes. But I really liked its size, form factor and weight. If I were feeling rich, I would probably treat myself to one of these as well as the winner...BTW, if you buy a new iPad, then go to the Aneesoft iPad column to know some tips about iPad.

Andre Salmon

I had been dithering over which to buy too.
Decided on the ipad mini 32g based on posts above.
so thanks all!