Swap Ipad for Ipad mini?

[jmachin]

I got an ipad ~4/5 months ago, mainly to take to lectures and couch surf. It's not actually that light/portable though and now I've got an opportunity to trade it for the ipad mini.

It's a third gen (the guys in the shop made me call it the ipad, but it's an ipad 3 with no lightning connector). I'm a bit put out that so soon after I bought it a new version that's like twice as good came out, and I find it's a bit heavy for taking in every day.

So I'm leaning towards swapping it with a family member (the mini would be brand new) but there are two things that are bugging me. A) I want to be able to watch netflix, bbci player e.t.c. on it, but I'm not sure if the screen is big enough, and B) I don't want to get a new tablet just before a wave of new ones are released like last time

Also a thought just struck me: the ipad 3 has a retina display but when I'm watching streamed video I don't seem to notice any amazing picture quality. Is the quality of the stream then the limiting factor? I'm wondering whether downgrading to a non-retina screen will actually change the video quality.

So the question is should I stick with the ipad or swap for the mini?
All advice is welcome! Cheers

 

[Aikouka]

Do you have an Apple Store or Best Buy near you? Both of them have the mini on display. Also, I doubt that you'll see a new mini for about 10-11 months.

 

[Red Storm]

I would personally make the switch, because after using both the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 (very similar comparison, extremely high res large tablet and more portable lower res tablet) I discovered I really value the mobility of the smaller tablet.

If the iPad is just going to sit at home, maybe keep your 3rd gen. If you want to carry it around, I find the smaller tablets to much more comfortable to carry around.

 

[badb0y]

I would personally make the switch, because after using both the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 (very similar comparison, extremely high res large tablet and more portable lower res tablet) I discovered I really value the mobility of the smaller tablet.

If the iPad is just going to sit at home, maybe keep your 3rd gen. If you want to carry it around, I find the smaller tablets to much more comfortable to carry around.

This.

OP let me warn you right now you will notice the drop in the resolution.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I just sold my iPad 3 and I'm trying to decide if I want to get an iPad 4 or iPad mini myself.

I really like the retina display on the big iPad, and the new A6X SoC should really help out powering that huge resolution better.

But I've recently discovered after spending time with a Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD that I really love the 7 inch size. Just so much more comfortable to hold.

I find the 7 inch screen is still big enough to surf the web and watch videos, I watch YouTube often on the Nexus 7 and been watching quite a bit of Amazon Instant Videos on the Fire HD. I believe the iPad mini is about the same width in landscape mode, so should probably provide a similar video viewing experience (with a lot extra height).

The lower resolution really isn't a problem with videos. I never noticed a difference between HD videos on my old iPad and on the new iPad 3. Where the resolution makes a big difference is in web surfing. Web sites are scaled to fit the width of the tablet and that can make some fonts fairly small and unreadable on lower resolution screens, but on the iPad 3 with Retina, they were still clear and readable.

I realize if I were to get the iPad mini, there is going to be some disappointment with the clarity of fonts in the web browser and it'll take some time for me to get used to that again. But I imagine I could deal with it.

Apparently I got time to think about it though. Seems both iPads are out of stock.

 

[jmachin]

Ok well I think I'll head to the apple store as suggested then, as there are quite a few near me. I'm worried about the resolution drop now =O. Mabye the next generation in a year or so might have a better display.

Or the other option I guess is to decline the offer and then pick up a nexus 7 at some point. I heard it's just a bit chunkier than the mini overall :|

Thanks for the replies

 

[kaerflog]

The iPad Mini is by far the best form factor tablet I've ever had.
Yeah, the biggest downsize is the resolution if you have had the new iPad but if you haven't it won't bother you.
The lower resolution only comes into effect when you are web browsing but i can deal with it.
I have a Mini and if Apple put the new resolution on the next edition, I will gladly pay the $499 as with the normal iPad.
BTW, if you want to get your hand on a Mini, wait till after 10pm when the stores update its stock.
Then add it to a cart and see if a store has it in stock and you can place an order and pick it up.
I ordered one online 8 days ago with the delivery date being the 13th but I did the above and was able to get one right away.

 

[zerogear]

Not really worth it. Might as well get a Nexus 7, screen is a lot sharper than the Mini.

 

[Oyeve]

I would keep the ipad 3.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I would keep the ipad 3.

ditta. the ipad mini is nice but wait until it has a retina display in january--iss mo' betta! ipad 3 is heavy no question tho

 

[kaerflog]

ditta. the ipad mini is nice but wait until it has a retina display in january--iss mo' betta! ipad 3 is heavy no question tho

I would love to see that but I don't think its happenning.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I would love to see that but I don't think its happenning.

i bet you didnt thank an ipad 4 was cuming out either

 

[XenIneX]

i bet you didnt thank an ipad 4 was cuming out either

I also don't think the Earth will spiral into the sun on Tuesday. Sometimes, that which we don't expect still won't happen.

 

[dagamer34]

I think portability wins over resolution. A tablet is only useful if you actually feel like using it. I've carried my iPad mini around to places where I would never bring a larger iPad before because its weight is actually substantial in the hand.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I also don't think the Earth will spiral into the sun on Tuesday. Sometimes, that which we don't expect still won't happen.

whateva, thank whachu want,thank whachu want the joke is going to be on you guys in january when youre still looking at your crappy non retina 7 inch screens.

 

[sour07]

I just traded my Ipad 2 for the Ipad mini and I have to say I'm loving it so far. Its just as smooth as the Ipad 2 but the screen looks a little bit nicer since its smaller.

 

[amdhunter]

After playing with an iPad mini, I want to sell my iPad 3. It's just so much nicer than any other tablet I've used - EVEN with the low resolution.

It screams quality and isn't too widescreeny.

 

[bonkers325]

After playing with an iPad mini, I want to sell my iPad 3. It's just so much nicer than any other tablet I've used - EVEN with the low resolution.

It screams quality and isn't too widescreeny.

this. and the resolution isn't as big of a deal breaker as people make it to be. if you were comfortable using non-retina ipads, you'll be happy with an ipad mini as the resolution is the same but the ppi is greater.

 

[bigrash]

I'd go with the ipad mini.

 

[jpiniero]

Got a chance to look at the Mini today. It needs retina to justify the price even though I love the size of it.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I had an iPad 3, which I eBayed last week. And I've been torn between replacing it with an iPad mini, iPad 4, or Nexus 10. Decided to go with the iPad mini because it looked more comfortable to hold while still having a pretty decent sized screen.

I immediately restored my iPad 3 backup to the iPad mini. It feels really good in the hand. I really hope Apple can use this design on it's next 9.7 inch iPad, this is much better than the tapered edges of the larger iPad. It feels quick and fluid. And the bottom mounted speakers sound really amazing, I think better than my iPad 3.

Obviously the screen was going to be a down side. I looked at it a while in the store and figured it doesn't look that bad. But after using it a while at home, it started to bother me more and more.

I decided to run back to the store and swap the iPad mini for the iPad 4. I just can't like the screen. I thought the lighter weight and more comfortable feel would offset the screen, but for me it just doesn't. I'd rather deal with the extra bulk and have that retina display.

 

[openwheel]

wait for the retina iPad mini. That will be the ultimate tablet if they keep the size and thinness. The current iPad mini just doesn't cut it for reading text due to low resolution.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I had an iPad 3, which I eBayed last week. And I've been torn between replacing it with an iPad mini, iPad 4, or Nexus 10. Decided to go with the iPad mini because it looked more comfortable to hold while still having a pretty decent sized screen.

I immediately restored my iPad 3 backup to the iPad mini. It feels really good in the hand. I really hope Apple can use this design on it's next 9.7 inch iPad, this is much better than the tapered edges of the larger iPad. It feels quick and fluid. And the bottom mounted speakers sound really amazing, I think better than my iPad 3.

Obviously the screen was going to be a down side. I looked at it a while in the store and figured it doesn't look that bad. But after using it a while at home, it started to bother me more and more.

I decided to run back to the store and swap the iPad mini for the iPad 4. I just can't like the screen. I thought the lighter weight and more comfortable feel would offset the screen, but for me it just doesn't. I'd rather deal with the extra bulk and have that retina display.

not to mention that 4g on the ipad 4 is twice as fast as on the ipad mini

 

[kaerflog]

Having had the Mini for a week now, its the perfect size tablet minus the screen.
I love everything about it.
If Apple can manage to up the resolution on the next edition, I will pay full price for it.(same as the normal iPad)

 

[sour07]

I just went and returned my 16gb wifi model for a 32gb LTE with AT&T and have to say these speeds are amazing. Coverage is awesome too.

And I agree with the above poster, I don't think I can ever go back to a regular sized Ipad.