iPad Thinking about exchanging iPad 3 for iPad mini

[shanghaichica]

Originally Posted by afv011

How so? The N7 has a DPI of 216, 33% higher than the mini.

I prefer the colour contrast on the mini. I don't have the best eyesight so I don't notice the pixels. The mini has bad specs on paper but performs well in real life. For me whilst the nexus 7 is ok, it doesn't perform as well as the specs would suggest. Or maybe I was expecting too much from it.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

I prefer the colour contrast on the mini. I don't have the best eyesight so I don't notice the pixels. The mini has bad specs on paper but performs well in real life. For me whilst the nexus 7 is ok, it doesn't perform as well as the specs would suggest. Or maybe I was expecting too much from it.

So it's a colour temperature preference, which is subjective, as opposed to the sharpness/crispness which is more objective (as it's dependent on DPI). I know Samsung screens tend to go towards blue, but I'm not certain what the N7 screen leans towards.

[MeSue]

Originally Posted by afv011

How so? The N7 has a DPI of 216, 33% higher than the mini.

I haven't compared it to the iPad mini, but my Nexus 7 has viewing angle issues. It washes out at certain angles. I never had that issue with my iPad 2 or 3.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by MeSue

I haven't compared it to the iPad mini, but my Nexus 7 has viewing angle issues. It washes out at certain angles. I never had that issue with my iPad 2 or 3.

Don't know you, but I tend to look at my tablets straight on.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by afv011

Don't know you, but I tend to look at my tablets straight on.

If two or three people want to watch a video, it's hard for all them to look straight on. Unless they are very cozy.

[Turtle91]

Originally Posted by ApK

If two or three people want to watch a video, it's hard for all them to look straight on. Unless they are very cozy.

I haven't noticed many people wanting to get cozy with me when I watch my Gene Simmons workout videos on my iPad...which is strange, because it's not like I'm actually exercising...just watching....






BTW...that was a joke if you were wondering...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by Turtle91

I haven't noticed many people wanting to get cozy with me when I watch my Gene Simmons workout videos on my iPad...which is strange, because it's not like I'm actually exercising...just watching....






BTW...that was a joke if you were wondering...

Yeah, sometimes you have to be specific, sarcasm seems to escape some people.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by MeSue

I haven't compared it to the iPad mini, but my Nexus 7 has viewing angle issues. It washes out at certain angles. I never had that issue with my iPad 2 or 3.

Doesn't the Nexus 7 use an IPS panel? If so, there shouldn't be a drastic difference in tint or brightness. I've never been impressed by screens used by ASUS in the past, but with the N7, they're trying to offer a Fire/Note-competitive user experience, and my limited exposure to the N7 suggested it did so in hardware as well as software.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Yes, I did remember correctly: The Nexus 7 does use an IPS panel and in theory should have decent viewing angles. You might be interested in this section of an extensive review, in which the N7's IPS panel is tested:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...an,3249-5.html

[robinson]

The Best Buy test that I observed used the New York Times in portrait mode—I specifically asked them to test that as I read it regularly. Most customers and even the Best Buy sales people could *not* tell the difference between a Retina and non-Retina iPad!

This is hardly the difference between a horse-and-buggy and the automobile. That analogy might be apt if the change had been from the old 16-pound “portable” Kaypro word processor to today’s iPad—but that’s *not* what we’re comparing!

Certainly, many people could never go back to using a non-retina screen—but that doesn't mean that *everyone* or even *most* people see that great a difference in the screens. The question then, is why? I can think of three reasons.

1. The size of the screen.
   
2. How close people hold the screen to their eyeballs.
   
3. To borrow a phrase from Jane Austen, differences in visual sense--and sensibilities.

[robinson]

robinson, those are all brilliant points!

(Just kidding, I wanted to delete this follow up, but couldn't figure out how!)

[Faterson]

Originally Posted by robinson

Certainly, many people could never go back to using a non-retina screen—but that doesn't mean that *everyone* or even *most* people see that great a difference in the screens.

I doubt that. Seeing the same content on iPad 2 and iPad 3 side by side, it's impossible to deny the superiority of the Retina screen, or to deny the existence of marked differences. To the casual eye of a casual user, the difference might not be obvious at first glance, but after you point out the differences specifically, everyone can see them.

For example, open the iPad's Settings app on both iPad 2 and iPad 3, lay them side by side, and compare the look of the text. Dramatic difference.

I find that Retina screens are especially crucial for reading e-books. All fonts, no matter which you prefer, are so much crisper on Retina (or equivalent) screens.

Of course, if you're happy with previous-decade screens, that's fine, too. You'll be able to save some money, I guess (though not in the case of the heavily overpriced iPad mini).

[ApK]

Originally Posted by robinson

robinson, those are all brilliant points!

(Just kidding, I wanted to delete this follow up, but couldn't figure out how!)

You can't. Folks usually just edit them to say "(never mind)" or similar.
But patting yourself on the back is OK, too.

[MeSue]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Yes, I did remember correctly: The Nexus 7 does use an IPS panel and in theory should have decent viewing angles. You might be interested in this section of an extensive review, in which the N7's IPS panel is tested:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...an,3249-5.html

Well, the screen quality is the least of what I dislike about the Nexus 7. I do find it inferior to the iPad 3 screen, but the real deal breaker for me with the N7 is the poor battery life. And I'm just not crazy about Android OS.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by MeSue

Well, the screen quality is the least of what I dislike about the Nexus 7. I do find it inferior to the iPad 3 screen, but the real deal breaker for me with the N7 is the poor battery life. And I'm just not crazy about Android OS.

The link provided above would suggest battery life is pretty good:

Source