The iPad air feels lighter than the Retina Mini

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I own both! And besides the higher brightness on the Retina Mini, the screen looks fantastic on both! As a matter of fact, fonts have a higher contrast on the Mini. This is because the pixels are more compressed. Same goes for images. But again, both screens looks fantastic to me.

Me too! I agree with your statements. Text on the Mini looks superb. Exactly what I had hoped the original Mini would be and what I was waiting for to buy one.

Originally Posted by JTravers

The Retina mini has the same color gamut as the non-Retina mini, which is narrower than the iPad Air (and iPad 4) color gamut.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7519/a...lay-reviewed/3

Thanks for the link. Wow, I'm glad I didn't rush out to buy the iPad Mini Retina. I came really close...had my finger on the BUY button several times, but backed away.

I probably wouldn't have even thought that much about color gamut et cetera if I hadn't purchased a Nexus 7.2 about a month ago. I'm an iThingie person who truly dislikes Android and Google (the company), but bought a Nexus 7.2 simply because it is capable (hardware-wise) of being connected to my Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera via a USB OTG cable. iOS thingies don't allow this type of wired connection. I am able to use the Nexus 7.2 to control my camera and review photos taken by the camera on the beautiful Nexus 7.2 screen. My camera has a 3" 0.9 Mb articulting LCD, but the Nexus 7.2 is 7" and 2.3 Mb, so that is much better resolution and a larger screen as well. I do a lot of astrophotography and trying to take photos when the camera is pointing up 60° or more is rather difficult, even with an articulating screen on the camera. With the camera at such weird angles it is difficult to use the camera controls. It is so much easier using the touchscreen of the Nexus 7.2 while sitting comfortably near the camera, as opposed to being contorted in a strange position directly using the camera. Yes I could use an iPad for this with a WiFi connection, but that is not as fast or as reliable.

Long story short, I was amazed at how much better the colors are on my Nexus 7.2 than on my iPad 3. So when I read about a reduced color gamut on the Mini Retina I became concerned. I wouldn't use it for camera control, but I would use it for viewing and showing photos. So I think I'll have to go view both the Mini and Air side by side and decide if either is worth upgrading to from the iPad 3.

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Me too! I agree with your statements. Text on the Mini looks superb. Exactly what I had hoped the original Mini would be and what I was waiting for to buy one.

Yes I'm sure it is very good for reading. My iPad 3 is good for reading and it has less ppi than the Mini Retina. The Mini Retina and my Nexus 7.2 have about the same ppi and after reading over 1,000 pages on my Nexus 7.2 I'm wishing I never wasted money on my Paperwhite 2. Now when I pick up my PW2 it looks like I'm trying to read text through a yellow fuzzy cloud. You should really enjoy reading on the new Mini. The good thing is it is an iOS thingie so reading apps are way better than the ones available on my Nexus 7.2.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Sounds like it is best for you to just view them in store. Because of your experience with the Nexus, your perspective will be different. The Air is for someone else in my household, and I still have the iPad4. If you are still happy with your iPad3, then it might not be worth the upgrade to an Air unless you want lighter weight, faster speed, or more memory. I went with the Mini because I wanted something more portable in my handbag, another night-time reading option and a cellular connection. I travel frequently on business. I thought the Mini might be a reasonable option instead of carrying both the iPad & eink reader plus laptop.

I have the same camera. Interesting setup that you describe. My passion is landscape photography. No shortage of opportunities here in the American Southwest. An easy drive to the coast, the desert, and the mountains in any direction. I have one of the Apple adapters so I can access my photos. It works for me. Years ago when digital photography was new and tablets didn't exist I used to travel with a portable printer.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Thanks for the link. Wow, I'm glad I didn't rush out to buy the iPad Mini Retina. I came really close...had my finger on the BUY button several times, but backed away.

I probably wouldn't have even thought that much about color gamut et cetera if I hadn't purchased a Nexus 7.2 about a month ago. I'm an iThingie person who truly dislikes Android and Google (the company), but bought a Nexus 7.2 simply because it is capable (hardware-wise) of being connected to my Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera via a USB OTG cable. iOS thingies don't allow this type of wired connection. I am able to use the Nexus 7.2 to control my camera and review photos taken by the camera on the beautiful Nexus 7.2 screen. My camera has a 3" 0.9 Mb articulting LCD, but the Nexus 7.2 is 7" and 2.3 Mb, so that is much better resolution and a larger screen as well. I do a lot of astrophotography and trying to take photos when the camera is pointing up 60° or more is rather difficult, even with an articulating screen on the camera. With the camera at such weird angles it is difficult to use the camera controls. It is so much easier using the touchscreen of the Nexus 7.2 while sitting comfortably near the camera, as opposed to being contorted in a strange position directly using the camera. Yes I could use an iPad for this with a WiFi connection, but that is not as fast or as reliable.

Long story short, I was amazed at how much better the colors are on my Nexus 7.2 than on my iPad 3. So when I read about a reduced color gamut on the Mini Retina I became concerned. I wouldn't use it for camera control, but I would use it for viewing and showing photos. So I think I'll have to go view both the Mini and Air side by side and decide if either is worth upgrading to from the iPad 3.

Have you checked the EPSON P-3000?

If all you want is exporting your pics and see them after the shoot, it may be better and more portable than any iPad.

[Faterson]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Long story short, I was amazed at how much better the colors are on my Nexus 7.2 than on my iPad 3.

Hmmm, I wouldn't say so, but then I'm no (semi)pro or a camera enthusiast like you guys. Speaking purely as a lay person, I find the colours on my 2013 Nexus 7 screen more "muted" than on my iPad 3, and overall, to me, the iPad 3 screen wins hands down. (And I'd no doubt say the same thing about the iPad Air screen, very likely also the new Retina mini screen.) I understand Apple may be sacrificing some colour fidelity for the sake of colour saturation, vivacity. (Samsung, especially, is famous for playing such tricks with their screens; I held a Galaxy Note 3 in my hand a few days ago, and the colours were eye-popping without being disagreeable.)

In any case, both the iPad Retina and 2013 Nexus 7 screens are outstanding, and ideal for extended reading of e-books, which is what matters to me most. I find the Nexus 7 screen more muted, and the iPad 3 (and iPhone 4!) screen more impressive overall.

Originally Posted by jocampo

Have you checked the EPSON P-3000?

If all you want is exporting your pics and see them after the shoot, it may be better and more portable than any iPad.

Thanks, but i want to stick with the iPads as I will use it for 95% of my tablet stuff, not just the photography stuff. I've got too many purchased apps to want to change over!

I found this image on MacRumors that shows the Mini screen is way lacking in coverage of the sRGB gamut. The Nexus 7.2 and Kindle Fire HDX both have much better coverage, in theory. Of course each unit will have some variance. The 3,4 and Air supposedly have much better overage, although my iPad 3 seems a bit dull. I have to increase vibrance for images on my iPad 3 to make them match my Samsung monitor and Nexus 7.2.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Thanks, but i want to stick with the iPads as I will use it for 95% of my tablet stuff, not just the photography stuff. I've got too many purchased apps to want to change over!

I found this image on MacRumors that shows the Mini screen is way lacking in coverage of the sRGB gamut. The Nexus 7.2 and Kindle Fire HDX both have much better coverage, in theory. Of course each unit will have some variance. The 3,4 and Air supposedly have much better overage, although my iPad 3 seems a bit dull. I have to increase vibrance for images on my iPad 3 to make them match my Samsung monitor and Nexus 7.2.

That's the same narrow gamut that the original mini had, about 63%. It's disappointing that for what's intended to be a premium device the screen is below average - if $229 N7 and Fire can offer ~100% gamut, then I don't think there's any excuse for the mini's lacklustre gamut.

Originally Posted by afv011

That's the same narrow gamut that the original mini had, about 63%. It's disappointing that for what's intended to be a premium device the screen is below average - if $229 N7 and Fire can offer ~100% gamut, then I don't think there's any excuse for the mini's lacklustre gamut.

That was what the MacRumors article said: Same gamut percentage as original Mini. I guess they wanted to save money on the screen so they could sell it for $100 less than the Air. I know the Mini screen is 30% larger than the Nexus and Fire screens, so maybe a comparable screen would have cost too much for their high profit margin. Apple is using multiple (at least two and I think perhaps three) screen providers for the Mini Retina, so there might be some variations. I know they claim that only the Sharp screens are showing the ghosting. Oh well, with the Air being so light and now smaller than previous full size iPads, it is well worth the extra $100 to get it instead of the mini. Well for me it is.

[cadele]

Unfortunately there is a noticeable difference between the screens of the air and the mini. I am quite disappointed with the mini and am suffering buyer's remorse, particularly as it is not a cheap tablet. I would be more forgiving of a non-premium device.

The resolution of the mini is great but the colours are quite poor. If you want to use a tablet for photographs I would definitely recommend against.

Very happy with the air, though.

[Faterson]

Originally Posted by cadele

Unfortunately there is a noticeable difference between the screens of the air and the mini. I am quite disappointed with the mini and am suffering buyer's remorse, particularly as it is not a cheap tablet. I would be more forgiving of a non-premium device.

The resolution of the mini is great but the colours are quite poor. If you want to use a tablet for photographs I would definitely recommend against.

That's some truly valuable insight. Many thanks for that, and to JTravers again for drawing our attention to the AnandTech review. It's disquieting to realise how many online reviews superficially claimed that iPad Air and iPad mini Retina were identical hardware-wise.

Given that, while I was considering the purchase of iPad mini Retina, despite its overblown price and the annoyance that is iOS 7, I might now opt for sticking with Nexus 7 as my secondary tablet. You guys may have saved at least €360.94 for me (= the lowest current mini Retina price where I live).

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by cadele

Unfortunately there is a noticeable difference between the screens of the air and the mini. I am quite disappointed with the mini and am suffering buyer's remorse, particularly as it is not a cheap tablet. I would be more forgiving of a non-premium device.

The resolution of the mini is great but the colours are quite poor. If you want to use a tablet for photographs I would definitely recommend against.

Very happy with the air, though.

I strongly disagree .

While I noticed the difference between both , I would not say the colors are poor.

The Mini is not cheap but it's not a bad tablet either. The extra inches in screen are fantastic for browsing Internet and ebooks.

Putting things into perspective , besides screen's quality , the Mini offers you a great iOS ecosystem.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I strongly disagree .

While I noticed the difference between both , I would not say the colors are poor.

You can disagree all you want, but 63% gamut is very narrow and the pictures posted by users clearly show muted colors. Considering the premium price of this tablet, this is disappointing.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by afv011

You can disagree all you want, but 63% gamut is very narrow and the pictures posted by users clearly show muted colors. Considering the premium price of this tablet, this is disappointing.

You misread my post or did not understand what I said, or both.

I said, I see the differences and I acknowledge the "gamut thing", but the true of the matter is that in general terms, the screen resolution and the overall quality of the tablet is not poor, like the previous user said.

You can show me 1k reports of gamut comparison and they will all say the same. But how many end users actually care about it? Not many. Most people, except a few, really care about such differences in color when they are browsing a webpage or reading a Kindle book, which by the way, most of the time is just black and white, i.e. novels.

The Retina Mini is expensive, yes. The Retina Mini does not provide the same gamut range that the iPad air provides, probably, based on those reports. But most end users are no complaining. As a matter of fact, it is difficult to find one. My wife visited few stores and the answer was, they are sold out or reserved for people who already pre-ordered online.

Agree, it is disappointing, but you need to see it in an more holistic way, like how users are receiving the product in terms of usability, apps, weight distribution, etc.

If I was going to use the Mini for photography related activities, I probably would not buy it. But if I want it for light reading, browsing internet and magazines, I will pick it for sure (I did) because iOs tablet optimized apps are more in the iOs ecosystem, plus I get more screen area and support from Apple; I can walk into an Apple store and make an appointment if the hardware dies. You can't say the same for many of the Android tablets out there. You will have to send it back via mail or make use of the 30 days warranty support if you bought it from a brick and mortar store.

[Faterson]

Does anyone know what is the gamut for iPad 3 and iPhone 4? I like both of those screens very much... but perhaps their gamut range is even lower than on iPad mini Retina?