Logos on iPad Mini?

Heather Ablondi
Heather Ablondi Member Posts: 51
edited November 21 in English Forum

I am considering purchasing an iPad Mini and I was wondering if someone could give me their thoughts on what the Logos app looks like on it?  I have decided to go completely digital with my bible reading/study this year.  I have a first generation iPad, but don't find it very portable.  It is heavy and doesn't fit in my daily purse.  I have an iPhone, but really dislike reading the Bible on it because it seems soooo small.  Hence the thoughts on the iPad Mini. . . . Do you think I am also going to find it too small?  My first gen iPad has become really slow, as well.  If I don't do the Min, I will probably upgrade to a refurbished second or third generation iPad.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?  TIA!

Women's Ministry Speaker and Author

Religion Columnist for Fredericksburg's Free Lance-Star Newspaper

www.heatherablondi.com

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Comments

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    Heather - I can't speak from experience, but I think it would be good… the menus would be smaller than the full sized iPad, but you can adjust the type upwards to suit your fancy.

    I would certainly look at one "in person" before you make your decision. You might even be able to download the app (don't sign in to your account!) if you ask nicely.

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • Jacob Hantla
    Jacob Hantla MVP Posts: 3,871

    I have a 2nd gen iPad, an iPad mini, and a new iPad as well as an iPhone 5. The big difference between what you're on now and the iPad mini is the resolution; it is better than the first gen iPad but not as good as the Retina (which the new iPad and newer iPhones have). You can still see the pixels on the iPad mini which makes it not as good of a reading experience as you'll get on the new iPad. So here is a breakdown of my opinions


    • 2nd Gen iPad; Waste of money, a bit faster than your current iPad but resolution is the same. Your reading experience will be about comparable.
    • 3rd or 4th Gen iPad: Probably the way to go if you don't mind the bulk of a full iPad. This is my preferred reading machine. The retina display is so good that it'll make you not be able to believe that you could ever have read on the pixelated 1st gen. 
    • iPad mini: Probably the way to go if you need to save a bit of money and you prefer a smaller lighter device. 

    Jacob Hantla
    Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
    gbcaz.org

  • PL
    PL Member Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭

    I made that exact switch (from iPad 1 to iPad mini) for exactly the same reasons (the iPad 1 being too heavy, bulky, and low), and I love the mini!  It's the perfect size. I sometimes put it in my up winter jacket's inner pocket. I got a book-like cover/case for it, so it looks and feels like a small thin paperback book except it can do a lot more!

    The Logos, Faithlife and Vyrso apps run perfectly on it, and I've had no problems with anything being too small to touch or tap or read. Because its so much smaller and lighter than the regular iPad, I can easily bring it slightly closer or farther if I need to read something more clearly (in addition to adjusting the font sizes in various apps, as Alabama pointed out). 

    Btw, both Best Buy and Apple Stores in the US do not allow you to download apps on their display models unless you sign into the App Store with an apple ID.

    hope this helps.

    Peter

  • Heather Ablondi
    Heather Ablondi Member Posts: 51

    Thank you all so much for your advice.  I am going to head over to Best Buy today and see if they will let me put the Logos app on the Mini just so I can see what it looks like.  I am leaning towards the Mini because of portability, but also like the idea of the retina display.  I think the portability will probably win out in the end.  I normally travel with three young children in tow, so I try to keep my bag as light and small as possible.

    Women's Ministry Speaker and Author

    Religion Columnist for Fredericksburg's Free Lance-Star Newspaper

    www.heatherablondi.com

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    Heather - If you end up logging into your iTunes account, make sure you delete it before you leave the store. Also, I would NOT log into your Logos account… 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • PL
    PL Member Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭

    Also, most Best Buys I've been to have a strict parental control filter installed, so you wouldn't be able to get to Logos.com because all "religious" sites are blocked.  Not sure if that applies to installing "religious" apps, if they would let you.

    FYI.

    Peter

  • Heather Ablondi
    Heather Ablondi Member Posts: 51

    Thanks again.  I ended up going with the Mini.  Just really wanted the portability factor and the screen looks great compared to my first gen iPad (which my daughters have happily claimed as theirs).  

    Women's Ministry Speaker and Author

    Religion Columnist for Fredericksburg's Free Lance-Star Newspaper

    www.heatherablondi.com

  • Wesley Surber
    Wesley Surber Member Posts: 36

    Hello, Heather.

    I don't think you will be disappointed with the iPad Mini.  I use Logos and Vyrso on mine.  Of course, the resolution is nothing like a Retina iPad, but it is still a great display.  The text and menus on Logos are very crisp and clear.  I have no problems researching, reading, and making notes in the app.  Please let us know how your experience goes.

    In Christ,

    Wesley

    The science, art, and philosophy of the royal game. - www.campfirechess.com

  • JimTowler
    JimTowler Member Posts: 1,383 ✭✭✭

    Heather,

    I'm pleased you found a solution. I have an iPad 3 and its my main computer for email, WWW and reading eboks and of course Logos resources.

    Can I please encourage you to return to this page in a week or two and provide a "review" of running the Logos app on your mini. I think it would be useful for others considering that option.

    Regards,

    Jim.

  • Heather Ablondi
    Heather Ablondi Member Posts: 51

    Women's Ministry Speaker and Author

    Religion Columnist for Fredericksburg's Free Lance-Star Newspaper

    www.heatherablondi.com

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭

    I just went with the iPad Retina Display.  As far as portability goes, I guess the mini would be better, but going from carrying a 15.6 laptop to an almost 10" lighter iPad, I think portability got better for me.  When the mini comes out with Retina, I'll probably get it.  Now...

    Question: Since I got the wifi version of the iPad 4, do I just hit download to some books and when I don't have internet they'll automatically appear or can they not be used off line?

    Thanks!

    DAL

  • Jacob Hantla
    Jacob Hantla MVP Posts: 3,871

    DAL said:

    Question: Since I got the wifi version of the iPad 4, do I just hit download to some books and when I don't have internet they'll automatically appear or can they not be used off line?

    In order to use a book offline it must be downloaded. 

    Jacob Hantla
    Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
    gbcaz.org

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    DAL said:

    Question: Since I got the wifi version of the iPad 4, do I just hit download to some books and when I don't have internet they'll automatically appear or can they not be used off line?

    As Jacob said, you must download the books to use them offline… although part of a book might be cached without doing so (but I wouldn't count on it). Personally, I don't recommend that users download large parts of their library. The best fix for many problems is to reinstall the app, which will require redownloading resources. This is no big deal if you have 5-20 downloaded books. It's a much bigger deal if you have 2,000!

    Here is a tip: You can filter your library to download a subsection. For example, I have added the tag discipleship to a number of resources. In the Logos mobile app, I can filter my library with the syntax mytag:discipleship and just the books I have tagged with discipleship will appear. If I press the download all button in this state, all of my books tagged discipleship will download. NOTE: the "download all" button is hidden above the results. Scroll slightly upwards and it will appear.

    Another tip: If you want to see what will happen when you are out of wifi range… switch your device to "airplane" mode (found in your iOS settings app).

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭

    Thanks guys! I got it.  I downloaded my NKJV Patriot's Bible and a couple of books I'm reading.  I then went to "airplane mode" and turned it on.  When I went to the Logos app it only showed the books I wanted.  Lucky me I can still jump references in my Bible though I cannot see the verse pop up on the other books.  Wow, the iPad is just awesome! I just downloaded tomorrow's class and sermon (PDF) to my ibooks so I can have my outlines with me as reference on my iPad. 

    Blessings!

    DAL

    Ps. I don't think I would download all books to my iPad, only the ones I read.  By the way, another QUESTION: How do I delete books so they won't take up space once I'm done reading them.  That way I can download new ones to read and then remove them and read others.  Don't really want to take up all the space.  I only have a 16GB iPad and don't really want to use up all the memory.

  • Jacob Hantla
    Jacob Hantla MVP Posts: 3,871

    DAL said:

     Lucky me I can still jump references in my Bible though I cannot see the verse pop up on the other books.  

    Do you have your default / favorite Bible downloaded?


    DAL said:

     How do I delete books so they won't take up space once I'm done reading them.

    If you tap on the info icon you can click "remove" to delete it from your memory. 

    Jacob Hantla
    Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
    gbcaz.org

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭

    DAL said:

     Lucky me I can still jump references in my Bible though I cannot see the verse pop up on the other books.  

    Do you have your default / favorite Bible downloaded?

     

    DAL said:

     How do I delete books so they won't take up space once I'm done reading them.

    If you tap on the info icon you can click "remove" to delete it from your memory. 

     

    Thanks Jacob! And no, I do not have my default/favorite Bible downloaded.  My "preferred" Bible is in Spanish, but switched it to NKJV in English, but instead of downloading the NKJV with the Blue and Red icon, I downloaded the Patriots Bible which allows me not only to jump references but also to look at the "patriotic quotes" scattered in the various texts of the Bible.  I have also downloaded the NIV 84, 2011 and the NASB along other books.  So nice to read with the Retina Display.  So crisp and awesome! And to think that I almost made the "mistake" of buying a "black friday" left over Asus Eeepad Transformer 16GB for $300 bucks.  I'm glad I waited and chose the iPad 4 instead.

    DAL

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭

    Wow again! I just realized why you asked if I had downloaded my "preferred Bible" LOL Thanks man! I'm now able to see the pop up verses and jump to them in the books I have downloaded to my iPad when I'm off line. [:P] Not only do I see the references but the screen is split in 2.  One half shows the book I'm reading the other half shows the Bible I'm reading.  How do I turn it off though if I just want the book? Big learning curve on this one.

    DAL

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,628

    DAL said:

    Not only do I see the references but the screen is split in 2.  One half shows the book I'm reading the other half shows the Bible I'm reading.  How do I turn it off though if I just want the book?

    You should see a small semi-circle at the bottom of the line which splits the screen.

    Grab and drag that to either side and you will end up with a single screen.

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭

    DAL said:

    Not only do I see the references but the screen is split in 2.  One half shows the book I'm reading the other half shows the Bible I'm reading.  How do I turn it off though if I just want the book?

    You should see a small semi-circle at the bottom of the line which splits the screen.

    Grab and drag that to either side and you will end up with a single screen.

    Thanks Graham this definitely helped! Logos for iPad is definitely more advanced than the Android one.

    Blessings!

    DAL

  • Richard Kingston
    Richard Kingston Member Posts: 128

    Some great comments by everyone. I have just had the same dilemma. The iPad Mini looks such a great device, particularly the weight. The price is not so high to be absurd for what you get. As Jacob mentioned, the resolution for me is a disappointment, particularly for long stints at reading. I eventually went for the Kindle Fire HD 8.9. This has a high definition screen, not quite as good as the Retina iPad, but much better than the iPad Mini. That persuaded me. But I agree, the Android version of Logos Bible is not as far developed as the Apple version. But it is not bad. So for me it was a definite trade-off. If there had been a retina display Mini, then no contest.  

  • JoshInRI
    JoshInRI Member Posts: 1,942 ✭✭✭

    .....is there a cheap ipad that has retina now?  even used?  I keep vacillating on buying a cheap ipad for reading logos books.

    I keep being told that the apple version of logos (really an app) is not that robust (meaning not that good).