Apple iPad or iPad Mini

[AusTraveller]

Hi All

I've narrowed things down, a bit.... As much as I hate to think I have become some sort of "Apple Droid" I think it is Apple over Samsung (but am willing to be convinced otherwise if someone has a compelling arguement).

I think I like the fact that I am used to iOS, can find accessories easily, have the iPhone and just about everyone has one to borrow chargers from makes it an easier choice. I think it will also have to have a cellular connection. Just not sure if I will find the iPad will be too "chunky" or if the Mini will be "too small" - the joys of choice! Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are? Especially want to hear from anyone that has both!

Looking to take advantage of the 10% TRS refund and hopefully 5% from discounted wish gift cards..... BIGW targetted offer or double/triple points would also help.....But that would make the deal that much sweeter. Looking to buy within the next month or so (although not departing until the end of June - thank you TRS refund changes to 60 days )

Thanks all in advance

P.S forgot to add a question mark to the heading Sorry all

 

[simongr]

Are you a guy with big hands or a girl with small hands? I have no issue with the chunkiness of the iPad.

I use mine for mostly email, Internet, tv shows and comics so the extra screen is justified. I am thinking about iPad mini for boygr when he goes to school.

 

[Ausbt]

I've got a iPad v1 and a mini. I love both - the original still does the job and is great for watching movies/tv shows from iTunes, the mini is far more convenient for travelling. One irritation is that the mini always needs to have both my iPhone tethering and home wi-fi manually connected each and every time (and gets a lot of drop-outs) whereas the original never misses a beat. I just haven't been able to work that out, but I get really sick of having to re-connect it continually.

 

[AusTraveller]

Are you a guy with big hands or a girl with small hands? I have no issue with the chunkiness of the iPad.

I use mine for mostly email, Internet, tv shows and comics so the extra screen is justified. I am thinking about iPad mini for boygr when he goes to school.

Thanks simongr

I'm a girl with small hands.... I'm thinking the iPad would be good for movies, email, internet etc but was worried it would feel chunky for travel. Mini would be great "size-wise" but worry screen would seem small in comparison....

 

[AusTraveller]

I've got a iPad v1 and a mini. I love both - the original still does the job and is great for watching movies/tv shows from iTunes, the mini is far more convenient for travelling. One irritation is that the mini always needs to have both my iPhone tethering and home wi-fi manually connected each and every time (and gets a lot of drop-outs) whereas the original never misses a beat. I just haven't been able to work that out, but I get really sick of having to re-connect it continually.

Thanks for this... the drop outs on wifi would be a little irritating thanks for sharing

 

[samh004]

Depending on when you're next travelling/planning to buy, the rumours are pointing to a slightly less wide full size iPad (taking design cues from the mini) in the next update, and personally I've found my iPad a little big after coming into contact with a friends mini, but think the mini is too small so think the potentially slimmer full size model to be released (if rumours are to be believed) is the one. Same size screen, just reduced borders, AFAIK.

Not sure if it'll be out before June though.

Other things to consider are the full size comes in 128GB, but the mini does not (the more space you have the better, I've hit the limit on my 32GB and am having to delete things occasionally, very annoying. The full size also has twice the screen resolution (retina) but not sure if it makes a difference.

 

[drewbles]

Agree with sam's comments above. Also, the rumours point to the next mini having a retina display. I'd hold out for this or buy a regular iPad.

Having used both, I don't see the point in the mini; it's a nice piece of kit, but the standard iPad is much better for watching movies IMHO (especially on a long haul flight). The iPad Mini is probably better suited to public transport IMHO.

 

[straitman]

We have both regular and mini iPads and SWMBO loves the mini and I don't really care.
The one really nice thing about the mini is that the new QF business class packs are exactly the right size for an iPad mini cover.

 

[simongr]

The iPad Mini is probably better suited to public transport IMHO.

Not sure I agree - I use the full size quite happily on the train. I don't travel on buses.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I have both (the original Ipad1) and the mini....the mini is great for travelling and for reading. Downloaded a few episodes of a series I had missed and watched them quite OK on recent flights, slips into my handbag quite easily. I bought the Apple magnet cover which drives me a bit crazy but also bought a $5.00 zip case from K Mart which has been great for storing safely.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I took both an Ipad and a laptop on my recent trip to Perth, and the laptop never came out of the bag.

I would go with an Ipad, almost book size and compared to a laptop the size of the Ipad is great.

 

[samh004]

As an additional point, I have a friend with an iPad mini and their smart cover seems to slide around so much more than mine does on my full size iPad. Not sure if it's the same for every iPad mini, or a one-off, but it doesn't look as good and basically doesn't feel as sturdy.

 

[blackcat20]

Thanks simongr

I'm a girl with small hands.... I'm thinking the iPad would be good for movies, email, internet etc but was worried it would feel chunky for travel. Mini would be great "size-wise" but worry screen would seem small in comparison....

Thanks for this... the drop outs on wifi would be a little irritating thanks for sharing

I have the iPad mini and love it. I've also used the normal iPad, but I love the size of the mini and don't find it too small (and I don't have little hands). No issues with drop-outs at all, so that might be specific to that iPad...

 

[get me outta here]

I know next to nothing on this but am thinking of a mini for travelling as I hate carrying things. I used a friends mini over lunch outside y'day and was surprised at hard it was to see the screen in the glare and the screen seemed a bit dark. I have reading glasses, but it was a bit on the small side.

I'm going to get an otterbox cover esp for the travelling use as it seems to be indestructible (but not water proof). I have ordered one from o/s on ebay for about $28 all up

 

[simongr]

Yep - the problem with most tablets is the poor readability in direct sunlight. I don't sit on the beach reading in the sun (never have really - especially given the books are mostly scifi/fantasy the likelihood of me being outside in the sun is pretty small already ) but if that was a need I would be getting a kindle as well.

 

[dajop]

Until last December I had never used any form of ipad. Then an ipad mini came into my hands (well my partners hands anyway, but I use as well). It is small, light and very easy to carry around. More recently an ipad came my way for work (shared, for very specific uses, no apps allowed) and I don't like - to big and too heavy. Whereas the mini is easy to take on trips, take to meetings and even carry in my hands when I do site visits, the ipad is not. But if you go back to the old fashioned ways, I much prefer A5 sized notebooks to A4 notebooks, so maybe that's a good way of assessing your preference.

 

[get me outta here]

Until last December I had never used any form of ipad. Then an ipad mini came into my hands (well my partners hands anyway, but I use as well). It is small, light and very easy to carry around. More recently an ipad came my way for work (shared, for very specific uses, no apps allowed) and I don't like - to big and too heavy. Whereas the mini is easy to take on trips, take to meetings and even carry in my hands when I do site visits, the ipad is not. But if you go back to the old fashioned ways, I much prefer A5 sized notebooks to A4 notebooks, so maybe that's a good way of assessing your preference.

Thanks, yes good points I prefer A5 too.

 

[drewbles]

Best Answer:

Head into an Apple store or reseller and get your mitts on both, and decide which you prefer. Nothing like handling them to see which you prefer

 

[lmere12]

I have ipad 3 but going in to buy a mini before next trip. I like to travel light as possible and the ipad is too big for me (i have small hands)

 

[Princess Fiona]

In my house we have 4 iPads ( one V1, the rest the latest model) and an iPad mini.
The iPad mini is a great size, we don't have any issues with wi-fi dropping out on it either at home or traveling and the Apple cover fits like a charm.
The only problem is that the mini belongs to one of my daughters and she refuses to swap it for my iPad :!: