Can't decide between Air and Mini 2

py2006 · 04-11-2013 11:03AM #1

I just can't! lol

I never owned either but my father does have the Mini. I am just looking for a device to have beside the bed for those lazy Sunday mornings. Well may be I will find more use for it once I have it. I like the look of the Air and the fact that it is lighter etc. Whereas I am hearing the Mini 2 is heavier and bigger than the first incarnation?

Also, is the Air merely bigger Mini? Oh wait, that was a stupid question...

Any advice?

EDIT: Actually if rumours are to be believed (and I am a sucker for an aul rumour or two) there may be quite a limited supply of Mini 2's.

Sad Professor · 04-11-2013 11:31AM

The Retina Mini is slightly heavier and a tinsy tiny bit wider than the first gen Mini. Nothing worth talking about.

As for Air vs Mini, it depends on your usage. If it's never going to leave the house then I think the Air is the better choice. The larger screen is good for games and makes typing easier. But if you are going to be carrying it around a lot, say for reading eBooks on the commute, etc, then you should consider the Mini with cellular.

Zcott · 04-11-2013 11:31AM

For reading websites and magazines, the Air wins for me. If you were taking it everywhere and wanted something to out in your pocket, the Mini would be best but for your usage it sounds like an Air would be best.

py2006 · 04-11-2013 12:14PM

I probably won't be bringing out of the house. Although, I am saying that now.

I'm just thinking the full size might be big and awkward in the hand while lying in bed. (don't go there, too easy).

How is the Air for Youtube and the RTE Player etc?

murpho999 · 04-11-2013 01:16PM

Had 3 days with the air, and love it.

Been on couch, public transport, bed etc and I think the size is just right and it's very light.

Personally don't see the advantage in the mini as the Air is not too big, but that extra screen makes videos look really good.

whitebriar · 04-11-2013 03:11PM

The air hands down.
Perfect for bed watching.Its so light,it will rest against a crumpled blanket or is easy for hand holding in bed (which is all you should be doing there anyway

)
The keyboard is the best tablet one I've had.So good,I'm settling for a Smart Cover rather than a USB keyboard cover.

py2006 · 04-11-2013 03:26PM

whitebriar wrote: »

Perfect for bed watching

well I don't plan on watching beds on it.

jester77 · 04-11-2013 03:36PM

How are you going to use it?

Have a look at the Nexus 7 as well, it's more portable than the ipads and has a better screen aspect ratio for watching video. My company ipad was due an upgrade last week and I had the choice of the Air, mini retina or nexus 7. Ended up going with the Nexus 7, it's smaller and lighter than the ipads, easier to hold in one hand and even fits in the pocket of my pants. I really only use it for watching a movie when travelling, everything else I do on my phone or kindle.

py2006 · 04-11-2013 03:39PM

jester77 wrote: »

How are you going to use it?

Have a look at the Nexus 7 as well, it's more portable than the ipads and has a better screen aspect ratio for watching video. My company ipad was due an upgrade last week and I had the choice of the Air, mini retina or nexus 7. Ended up going with the Nexus 7, it's smaller and lighter than the ipads, easier to hold in one hand and even fits in the pocket of my pants. I really only use it for watching a movie when travelling, everything else I do on my phone or kindle.

Well like I said, just some lazy social media, youtube and general crap while in bed may be beside me at my desk in work.

jester77 · 04-11-2013 03:41PM

py2006 wrote: »

Well like I said, just some lazy social media, youtube and general crap while in bed may be beside me at my desk in work.

In that case I would go with the bigger screen, sounds like the air would suit you better.

lertsnim · 04-11-2013 03:42PM

Air for sure. The bigger screen is more than worth it.

PADRAIC.M · 04-11-2013 05:05PM

I was same as you, first time ipad owner, up until air was released I was dead set on a mini but after using both in store I went with air! And delighted with it!

py2006 · 04-11-2013 05:07PM

Yea I am leaning towards the Air now. I may pop into PC World after work to have feel of it.

I am just thinking if I was to bring it to a cafe or bar that has wifi is it too big for that? As in can people all around see what you are looking at? Not that I would be looking at anything I shouldn't be.

murpho999 · 04-11-2013 05:23PM

py2006 wrote: »

Yea I am leaning towards the Air now. I may pop into PC World after work to have feel of it.

I am just thinking if I was to bring it to a cafe or bar that has wifi is it too big for that? As in can people all around see what you are looking at? Not that I would be looking at anything I shouldn't be.

Really what are you worried about?

Unless you are going around the bar taking photos then non one will look at your screen.

It's smaller than your average magazine, light and very portable.

Stop over thinking it and just get it!

py2006 · 04-11-2013 05:48PM

murpho999 wrote: »

Really what are you worried about?

Unless you are going around the bar taking photos then non one will look at your screen.

It's smaller than your average magazine, light and very portable.

Stop over thinking it and just get it!

Hah, I'm in PC world now giving it a good grope.

py2006 · 04-11-2013 05:52PM

py2006 wrote: »

Hah, I'm in PC world now giving it a good grope.

Seem to only have 16gb models in which is fine but I'm suddenly scared of handing over 500 smackeroonies

Zcott · 04-11-2013 06:12PM

py2006 wrote: »

Seem to only have 16gb models in which is fine but I'm suddenly scared of handing over 500 smackeroonies

You can do it!

murpho999 · 04-11-2013 06:22PM

I think you'll have given in and your next post here is from a shiny iPad!

String · 04-11-2013 07:28PM

I have been waiting for retina to buy a Mini for ages.. When air was announced in keynote I was thinking maybe with the smaller form factor and lighter it might be a better option but after holding it, I decided against it. The mini is perfect size and weight for me and since the specs are the same but with more ppi on the mini!, I can get 32GB mini instead of 16gb air which makes it great value.

py2006 · 04-11-2013 08:23PM

Chickened out!

Although I may go back tomorrow.

adox · 04-11-2013 08:37PM

DrMorphine wrote: »

I have been waiting for retina to buy a Mini for ages.. When air was announced in keynote I was thinking maybe with the smaller form factor and lighter it might be a better option but after holding it, I decided against it. The mini is perfect size and weight for me and since the specs are the same but with more ppi on the mini!, I can get 32GB mini instead of 16gb air which makes it great value.

Have you held the air in store without it being attached to the counter by a cable? The pull cable in the likes of PC World make it feel heavier.
I couldn't believe how light the air felt when I got home compared to picking it up in store.

String · 04-11-2013 08:51PM

adox wrote: »

Have you held the air in store without it being attached to the counter by a cable? The pull cable in the likes of PC World make it feel heavier.
I couldn't believe how light the air felt when I got home compared to picking it up in store.

I didn't actually.. ugh! I will just wait and see what people think of the mini retina before I make a final decision.

Spipov · 04-11-2013 10:42PM

adox wrote: »

Have you held the air in store without it being attached to the counter by a cable? The pull cable in the likes of PC World make it feel heavier.
I couldn't believe how light the air felt when I got home compared to picking it up in store.

Did you get a voucher for 50'euros? If it ws a 16gb of course. If 32gb then definitely 50 euros the norm

The One Who Knocks · 04-11-2013 10:59PM

I'm trying to decide too,

I would go for the air, but I only recently got a 2013 macbook air, ..is there really a need for a tablet a few inches smaller?

Whereas the mini retina could be my go to device, lighter with a better screen. Given that they're the same spec, it makes sense for me to go for the mini instead, right?

Creamy Goodness · 04-11-2013 11:08PM

iPad mini retina, if you are carrying it with your macbook air there's no need for the iPad air.

I'm glad I held out on the mini last year, mini retina going to be amazing.

Dublinstiofán · 05-11-2013 12:17AM

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

I'm trying to decide too,

I would go for the air, but I only recently got a 2013 macbook air, ..is there really a need for a tablet a few inches smaller?

Whereas the mini retina could be my go to device, lighter with a better screen. Given that they're the same spec, it makes sense for me to go for the mini instead, right?

I bought an Air at the weekend. Highly recommend it over the iPad Mini.

Mimikyu · 05-11-2013 12:24AM

This post has been deleted.

Dublinstiofán · 05-11-2013 01:53AM

Captain Morgan wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

They've essentially taken all the bulk away from the full size iPad so I'd see no reason to buy a mini other than cost anymore.

ArthurG · 05-11-2013 09:12AM

I'm going to replace my iPad 3 with an Air. I had my heart set on a mini, but the fact it got heavier and thicker (marginally) reminds me of what happened with the iPad 3. Retina display, heavier and thicker. Replaced by the 'new' iPad 6 months later. Given the rate at which Apple are now making iPads obsolete, I can't but assume the same fate awaits the Retina mini.

Zcott · 05-11-2013 09:55AM

ArthurG wrote: »

I'm going to replace my iPad 3 with an Air. I had my heart set on a mini, but the fact it got heavier and thicker (marginally) reminds me of what happened with the iPad 3. Retina display, heavier and thicker. Replaced by the 'new' iPad 6 months later. Given the rate at which Apple are now making iPads obsolete, I can't but assume the same fate awaits the Retina mini.

Apple's history with the retina display always starts off a bit shaky. On the MacBook Pro the first retina display device was underpowered and a bit sluggish. The same happened with the iPad 3.

The same might happen with the new mini but because the internals are largely similar to the iPad Air it should be ok. I doubt they'll come out with a new one a few months later.

Hobbes · 05-11-2013 10:36AM

Zcott wrote: »

Apple's history with the retina display always starts off a bit shaky. On the MacBook Pro the first retina display device was underpowered and a bit sluggish.

Citation needed. I have a rMBP and I have never seen what you describe.

The same happened with the iPad 3.

Again citation needed. There is no difference in the retina of iPad3 vs iPad4.

Can't decide between Air and Mini 2

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