The iPad air feels lighter than the Retina Mini

[jbjb]

Originally Posted by afv011

That link is old. check the new info here: Source

That link doesn't seem to add much, other than to highlight that Google tried a bit harder to hide permission editing in KitKat. It certainly doesn't appear to address my concerns.

I notice that the Pro version of the utility in the article you linked to requires the downloaded installer to be run while the phone is rooted. Running third party code while rooted is an "interesting" approach to solving the issue of how to limit the permissions of third party apps!

Using a third party app to access a hidden, undocumented Android feature doesn't strike me as ideal. The iOS approach of having it in Settings under Privacy seems much more transparent to me.

/JB

[jocampo]

Can we please put that iOs vs Android war aside and reply or post messages pertinent to the discussion of the thread? Those add nothing to the actual topic of the thread.

I am actually the OP. I posted it to compare the ergonomics and weight of both devices. I wanted to get opinion from people who bought one or the other or help on that regard. The whole iOs vs Android thing has nothing to do with that.

If someone wants to argue about how good or bad Android Os is, there is a forum for that or even better, he can create a different thread and debate about it. Not only will be more clear for someone searching the site, but will get better and more focused response.

[jbjb]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Can we please put that iOs vs Android war aside and reply or post messages pertinent to the discussion of the thread? Those add nothing to the actual topic of the thread.

I am actually the OP. I posted it to compare the ergonomics and weight of both devices. I wanted to get opinion from people who bought one or the other or help on that regard. The whole iOs vs Android thing has nothing to do with that.

If someone wants to argue about how good or bad Android Os is, there is a forum for that or even better, he can create a different thread and debate about it. Not only will be more clear for someone searching the site, but will get better and more focused response.

You're right. Apologies for getting involved in the digression.

/JB

[MartyTX]

Went to Best Buy a couple of days ago and was able to compare iPad Mini with iPad Mini Retina side-by-side, one in each hand.

Overall, the Retina is definitely sharper, but the non-Retina display is very acceptable. Had no problems with sharpness of text, pictures, video, etc. on the non-Retina. Not big into games, so the slower CPU on the non-Retina is not a show stopper.

Unfortunately, the display model of the Retina had a yellowish tinge to the screen. I've read a few posts about this occurring in early production models but it supposedly has been corrected.

I couldn't do a side-by-side comparison of the Mini Retina and the iPad Air, because Best Buy keeps them on short tethers too far from the Mini's. Apparently display models tend to "walk away" if not tethered!

I plan on picking up the non-Retina at Walmart on Thursday for $200 net. I really can't cost-justify paying twice as much for the Retina; especially with my aged eyes.

-------------------

UPDATE: Got it! Love it! Walmart had MANY iPad Mini's available. All had iOS 6, so they must have been tucked away somewhere awaiting Black Friday. Updated to latest iOS 7 and have been playing with my new toy! Have iBooks and Marvin and I'm trying to decide which I prefer.

[harriska2]

I got the air a few days ago on craigslist for $420 - someone out there always seems to buy these things and wait too long to return them. Anyways, my sis in law had one stacked with other devices on her counter and I swore it was a mini. Come to find out it was an air. It is a pretty nice device and will fit much easier into my messenger bag.

[Jedis]

Hello,

I registered just to post on this thread. I, too, am having a hard time deciding which would be best to get: the Air or Mini Retina.

Has anyone used either with the Safari Books app? I have a subscription to Safari through my workplace and wish to be able to read tech books on the device. I also want to read for pleasure on the device eventually, but I am not sure which app to use for that purpose.

Basically, my intention for my future tablet is primarily for reading textbooks and for pleasure. But I will also use it occasionally for browsing the internet and reading forum posts

I'm worried that the Mini might be too small for reading tech books, but that the Air will be too big and cause fatigue. Any suggestions to help steer me either way? I plan to visit an Apple store soon, but any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Jedis

Hello,

I registered just to post on this thread. I, too, am having a hard time deciding which would be best to get: the Air or Mini Retina.

Has anyone used either with the Safari Books app? I have a subscription to Safari through my workplace and wish to be able to read tech books on the device. I also want to read for pleasure on the device eventually, but I am not sure which app to use for that purpose.

Basically, my intention for my future tablet is primarily for reading textbooks and for pleasure. But I will also use it occasionally for browsing the internet and reading forum posts

I'm worried that the Mini might be too small for reading tech books, but that the Air will be too big and cause fatigue. Any suggestions to help steer me either way? I plan to visit an Apple store soon, but any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

The iPad Air really is amazingly light! I wouldn't worry too much about fatigue. I usually rest my full-size iPad in my lap or on a table. The Air feels about the same weight as the Mini in your hands as the OP noted.

I prefer the larger screen for tech books and magazines and PDFs. However, I prefer the Mini for regular fiction books. That's because when reading those books on the big iPad I have to use 2 column landscape. I prefer one column reading on the Mini.

Best of luck with your decision!

[Jedis]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I prefer the larger screen for tech books and magazines and PDFs. However, I prefer the Mini for regular fiction books. That's because when reading those books on the big iPad I have to use 2 column landscape. I prefer one column reading on the Mini.

Best of luck with your decision!

Thanks! Can you clarify what you mean by having to use landscape mode? It forces you to have two columns? Any chance you can post a picture of what you mean?

[Bookworm_Girl]

You turn the iPad sideways and then make the text in two columns like a newspaper or magazine. Otherwise for me there is just too much text on a single line across the width of the page to read quickly. It makes it harder to focus on what you are reading.

I bought a new Mini with Retina yesterday. I went to the Apple Store in Fort Worth and spent some time looking at the Mini with Retina and the Air. I was skeptical of the Mini since reports said it was lacking the full sRGB color spectrum that the Air has, and I use the iPad with photography. To be honest, I didn't see much difference, if any, between the mini and the Air as far as colors and screen vibrance. I assume if I had viewed a color wheel and carefully examined both screens I would have seen some differences. But for what I will use the Mini the colors seem good enough.

I love the smaller size! The iPad 3 was too big and heavy for prolonged reading sessions, but the Mini is just right. It only weighs about 1.5 ounces more than my Nexus 7.2 and is about 3/4" wider (narrow side). I cannot tell the difference in holding each of them. But the Mini has way more screen real estate! I think the text is easier to read on the Mini than the Nexus 7.2. I too read in landscape mode with two columns mostly using the Kindle app and Marvin. @Jedis, you can read in one or two columns in landscape mode.

I wish I had bought the Mini prior to my Thanksgiving holiday air travel last week. I took the Nexus 7.2 because it was so small compared to the iPad 3. Big mistake. The Nexus 7.2 requires fiddling with to get apps to do what iPads just simply do. Things just tend to work in iOS right out of the box!

Here are a couple of photos of my iPad Mini Retina (on the left) along side of my Nexus 7.2 (on the right). It gives a good comparison of device size and screen size. I like the greater amount of screen real estate on the iPad Mini, especially since it adds very little extra weight or bulk. In the photo showing the Kindle app open, you can see how much more text is displayed on the Mini.

...

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I bought a new Mini with Retina yesterday. I went to the Apple Store in Fort Worth and spent some time looking at the Mini with Retina and the Air. I was skeptical of the Mini since reports said it was lacking the full sRGB color spectrum that the Air has, and I use the iPad with photography. To be honest, I didn't see much difference, if any, between the mini and the Air as far as colors and screen vibrance. I assume if I had viewed a color wheel and carefully examined both screens I would have seen some differences. But for what I will use the Mini the colors seem good enough.

I love the smaller size! The iPad 3 was too big and heavy for prolonged reading sessions, but the Mini is just right. It only weighs about 1.5 ounces more than my Nexus 7.2 and is about 3/4" wider (narrow side). I cannot tell the difference in holding each of them. But the Mini has way more screen real estate! I think the text is easier to read on the Mini than the Nexus 7.2. I too read in landscape mode with two columns mostly using the Kindle app and Marvin. @Jedis, you can read in one or two columns in landscape mode.

I wish I had bought the Mini prior to my Thanksgiving holiday air travel last week. I took the Nexus 7.2 because it was so small compared to the iPad 3. Big mistake. The Nexus 7.2 requires fiddling with to get apps to do what iPads just simply do. Things just tend to work in iOS right out of the box!

I do agree

I do not deny that colors look slightly different but not the way is shown online; online reviewers have made a big of a deal for something that it is not .

When you hold one yourself and compare yourself, you barely see the difference, specially if you use the device for reading.

Using the Retina Mini for reading is a pure joy! Is so light and the contrast is so good, that reading is actually nice. I will confess that since I bought mine, I find myself using my PW2 way less. Also, because is not 7 inches tablet, browsing is way better as well. I even use it for reading some technical PDFs and does not feel so cramped like other 7 inches Android tablets, like the Nook HD, which I also own by the way.

Originally Posted by jocampo

I do agree

I do not deny that colors look slightly different but not the way is shown online; online reviewers have made a big of a deal for something that it is not .

When you hold one yourself and compare yourself, you barely see the difference, specially if you use the device for reading.

Using the Retina Mini for reading is a pure joy! Is so light and the contrast is so good, that reading is actually nice. I will confess that since I bought mine, I find myself using my PW2 way less. Also, because is not 7 inches tablet, browsing is way better as well. I even use it for reading some technical PDFs and does not feel so cramped like other 7 inches Android tablets, like the Nook HD, which I also own by the way.

I loaded a couple sRGB color charts on my Mini Retina this morning and I'm hard pressed to see any difference between how the charts look on my mini and on my good computer monitor. I sold my iPad 3 to be able to buy the Mini, so I cannot compare with it.

I will be using the Mini as my main reader for now on. I really loved the way the Nexus 7.2 renders text, but a side by side comparison shows that the Mini is even better at rendering text and has darker contrast. Plus it is an iThingie, which means a lot to me.

ETA: I loaded the same sRGB color charts on my Nexus 7.2. Side by side the charts are a bit more vibrant on the Nexus 7.2, but not enough to notice unless I really scrutinize with an eagle's eye.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Jack. Glad to hear that the color gamut issue is not such a big deal to you after all.

I am really enjoying reading on the Mini. I have hardly used my KPW2 recently. Love the form factor better than my Nook HD as well. I did take mine on my Thanksgiving travels. Also looking forward to take it on an upcoming long international trip. Fits great in my handbag! Will be nice to have the smaller, lighter device than my iPad 4 that I usually take.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Jack. Glad to hear that the color gamut issue is not such a big deal to you after all.

I am really enjoying reading on the Mini. I have hardly used my KPW2 recently. Love the form factor better than my Nook HD as well. I did take mine on my Thanksgiving travels. Also looking forward to take it on an upcoming long international trip. Fits great in my handbag! Will be nice to have the smaller, lighter device than my iPad 4 that I usually take.

Is it yours 4G or wifi only?

I brought my old Mini to Colombia in Dec 2012 and it was awesome. My wife and I watched a 2hrs movie in the airport, while waiting for the 2nd plane. I used it for reading and gaming like for 4 hrs. And when we finally arrived, it still had some battery left. I was shocked.

I will do the same this year if I travel. I'm not expecting any bad performance with the Retina Mini giving the case of the better and battery optimized CPU.