Which iPad to buy?

Dietsquirt

Hi folks,
I'm looking to buy an ipad for my wife, i was on the Apple site and i was thinking of the following 2 (although i'm open to suggestions):

Ipad Mini
Ipad Mini Retina

Other than the 100 quid difference, is the retina option really worth it? My wife will primarily use the device for watching movies and minimal internet surfing (she has a laptop). I don't need the 'cellular' option.

If there's any women reading this that could suggest which one they'd like most

Thanks

username123

I have a mini - got it before Retina was out. I love it. I have largely stopped using my laptop for surfing because the ipad mini is so convenient. I go back to the laptop to write more than a few lines of an email or to do work on, but for general goofing off type surfing - its ipad mini all the way!!

Im not sure if Retina display is worth it on the mini tbh, the screen clarity in reading apps and surfing is perfect without it.

guil

iPad mini is the same specs as iPad 2. iPad mini with retina is same specs as iPad Air except the processor is slightly slower and I think the colours aren't as good. The retina one will a much longer usable life.

Callanutd

If you are sold on getting her a mini then get the retina. However if you are pondering getting the original mini I would just get her the ipad 2. Pretty much the same but the extra few inches in size does make the difference when watching movies, youtube, internet etc.

guil

Callanutd wrote: »

If you are sold on getting her a mini then get the retina. However if you are pondering getting the original mini I would just get her the ipad 2. Pretty much the same but the extra few inches in size does make the difference when watching movies, youtube, internet etc.

Why would you want to spend so much on a discontinued item? The iPad 2 might not get anymore iOS updates and then it's only a matter of time before you can't install apps. I know apple allow you to download older versions of an app for older devices, but it's up to the developer to implement it.

username123

Id hate a full size ipad - its the size of the mini that I love. Convenient and portable.

FourFourRED

Don't buy the original mini. (If you really want to, buy it for €250 from Apple refurb store.) The newer model is well worth the extra €100 for reasons already outlined on this forum numerous times.

Callanutd

guil wrote: »

Why would you want to spend so much on a discontinued item? The iPad 2 might not get anymore iOS updates and then it's only a matter of time before you can't install apps. I know apple allow you to download older versions of an app for older devices, but it's up to the developer to implement it.

Why would you think the ipad 2 wont get anymore updates? Since the full redesign with iOS7 I highly doubt that there will be such a major overhaul in the next year to 18 months at least. The ipad mini has the same specs as you said yourself, yet you dont rule that out. I merely assumed that as he was looking at a mini price was an issue and I was suggesting the most cost effective way of buying a full sized ipad. I have had the ipad 2 and upgraded to the retina and my wife has the mini. Personally I dont see the point in the mini and if I was to choose between the 2 and an original mini it would be the 2 everytime.

cuilteanna

Retina mini. I had the original mini and sold it to get the retina; love the crispness of the text. Like username123 I rarely use the laptop any more.

FourFourRED

Callanutd wrote: »

I merely assumed that as he was looking at a mini price was an issue and I was suggesting the most cost effective way of buying a full sized ipad. I have had the ipad 2 and upgraded to the retina and my wife has the mini. Personally I dont see the point in the mini and if I was to choose between the 2 and an original mini it would be the 2 everytime.

You surely don't think that people are in the market for a Mini or Full Sized based on price?

I went from the iPad 3 to the Retina Mini because I don't like the size of the bigger iPad for my usage. I would have paid for the Air if I wanted that size.

It's crazy to assume the Mini is the cheaper or lesser than the full sized. The Air & rMini are very similarly specced and targeted at different audiences based on what size screen the use not based on price.

Callanutd

Aodhagan wrote: »

You surely don't think that people are in the market for a Mini or Full Sized based on price?

I went from the iPad 3 to the Retina Mini because I don't like the size of the bigger iPad for my usage. I would have paid for the Air if I wanted that size.

It's crazy to assume the Mini is the cheaper or lesser than the full sized. The Air & rMini are very similarly specced and targeted at different audiences based on what size screen the use not based on price.

Do you honestly believe price is not a factor when people choose their iPad? or do you just assume that for all apple consumers money is no object?

FourFourRED

Callanutd wrote: »

Do you honestly believe price is not a factor when people choose their iPad? or do you just assume that for all apple consumers money is no object?

My point just flew right over your head.

Callanutd

Aodhagan wrote: »

My point just flew right over your head.

well you clearly didnt make it well enough then.

the_monkey

OP go for the retina ... it's amazing, like glowing paper ... such clarity ..

Lia_lia

I'd go for a larger screen if she will be watching movies etc on it. The iPad with retina display (larger screen) is back on the online store and is cheaper than the mini retina...

FourFourRED

Lia_lia wrote: »

I'd go for a larger screen if she will be watching movies etc on it. The iPad with retina display (larger screen) is back on the online store and is cheaper than the mini retina...

Only cheaper by €10.

Just an idea of the performance of all of your options.

Dietsquirt

Thanks everyone for all of your advice, it seems like the majority of you are suggesting i should pay the extra few quid for the retina mini, the ipad air is a tad on the expensive side for me. Thanks again

Gumbo

Dietsquirt wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all of your advice, it seems like the majority of you are suggesting i should pay the extra few quid for the retina mini, the ipad air is a tad on the expensive side for me. Thanks again

How much is the mini?

I just sold my iPad 4 for €340 and bought an iPad Air on Groupon for €399. Bought Sunday, arrived today.

Edit - just checked, the Groupon is finished, sorry.

Dietsquirt

kceire wrote: »

How much is the mini?

I just sold my iPad 4 for €340 and bought an iPad Air on Groupon for €399. Bought Sunday, arrived today.

Edit - just checked, the Groupon is finished, sorry.

iPad Mini Retina FROM €399

Gumbo

I have to recommend the Air now. I have mine 2 days and can't believe the difference with previous models.

The lightness while still retailing the full size screen is amazing IMHO. My son has the mini and I used to be in awe at the quality of that and compared to the bulk and weight of my old iPad 4 it's excellent.

Performance wise, safari on the air is so much quicker. Might be the new wifi aerials or something but I constantly get 45mbps from the same sofa that used to yield 30-35 on the 4.

iPad Air - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-APPLE-iPAD-AIR-WITH-9-7-RETINA-DISPLAY-16GB-WIFI-SILVER-TABLET-/301055632940?pt=UK_iPad_Tablets_eReaders&hash=item461850662c
iPad mini retina - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Apple-16GB-iPad-Mini-with-Retina-Display-2nd-Gen-Wi-Fi-Silver-/151256441640?pt=UK_iPad_Tablets_eReaders&hash=item2337962328

The One Who Knocks

I've been looking for an excuse to buy an ipad for a while now, is there any point if you already have an iphone & macbook air?

Is the difference in the app store significant?

Gumbo

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

I've been looking for an excuse to buy an ipad for a while now, is there any point if you already have an iphone & macbook air?

Is the difference in the app store significant?

The iPad is not meant to replace any of those IMO. It's a surfing tool and a flaking on the sofa tool. I use my iPad 99% of the time and only pull out the laptop for backing up photos from my DSLR and using Autocad for work.

Everything else that I used to do is done on the iPad, surfing, booking, dissing, you tubing porn ehh I mean adult revision

FourFourRED

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

I've been looking for an excuse to buy an ipad for a while now, is there any point if you already have an iphone & macbook air?

Is the difference in the app store significant?

I have all 3. I usually keep my iPad Mini for daily commuting and the odd movie or tv show here or there in bed. Would fb exactly pick it up around the house too much so maybe on weekends it gets a bit neglected for the MacBook Pro. So as was said, not meant to be a replacement.

You could always try one for 14 days via Apple online and return it hassle free if you don't think you will use it.