iPad Air vs. iPad Mini-Retina

Now that both the iPad Air and the iPad mini Retina have been out for several weeks, has anyone had an opportunity to read with both for any extended length of time? If so which would you recommend for primarily reading? Is the extra .25 pound significant or is the extra screen size worth the extra weight?

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JT (alabama24)

Is the extra .25 pound significant or is the extra screen size worth the extra weight?

I can't speak about the mini... but I would not like it (for reading purposes). The regular sized iPad is ideal for reading. I know that many people talk about wanting to add layouts to the mobile app... which I think is foolish. The size of screen is ideal for one page! For me to move to the mini would require increasing the typeface (meaning less words on a line & less lines on a page) or going blind reading tiny text. Your milage may vary. [;)]

Paul-C

Hi Keith, I had a 3rd Gen. iPad (w/Retina display) for over a year. When the first iPad mini came out, I bought it as I wanted the smaller profile. I promptly returned it because despite uncorrected 20:20 vision I was getting eye strain from the ipad mini. Coming from a retina display, the text seemed too fuzzy for my tastes. I stuck with my 3rd Gen. iPad for a while longer until the new iPad mini Retina came out. I bought one early on and love it! The screen is light years ahead of the old one, and the internal specs are a vast improvement too. I use it a lot for reading kindle and Logos titles - often late at night - and no eye strain so far!

I highly recommend the new iPad mini, but can't comment on how it compares to the new iPad Air.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/555477#Comment_555477

Keith, if the split screen mode is something you would use a lot on the Logos iOS app, the full size iPad is much better. When you split the screen on the iPad mini, it almost looks like you're reading two iPhone sized screens next to each other. This wasn't an issue for me since I don't use this feature a lot, and the smaller size of the iPad mini more than made up for this downside. As Alabama said, YMMV.

If you can get to a store to check both iPads side by side, you'll get a much better idea of which is for you.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/555477#Comment_555477

That's funny. I read on my iPod, and then got the mini. Made the letters smaller; too big! Of course for many years I used Windows XP on a Sony 6". Libronix!

Keith Larson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/555477#Comment_555477

....I had a 3rd Gen. iPad (w/Retina display) for over a year.

The 3rd Gen. is what I currently have and to be honest I have been disappointed with it (way too heavy). I use it 90% of the time to read Logos books and for this purpose the Mini Retina seems idea, but it is the other 10% I wonder about. Only one hand .25 pounds is not a lot, but on the other hand it is a 33% increase over the Mini!

Andy

Hi Keith,

My wife has the iPad mini retina and I have the iPad Air. The mini is a 32GB Wifi and the Air 64GB cellular.

In terms of the reading experience, both screens are incredibly crisp and crystal clear even when reading for a sustained period of time. I understand the pixel density is greater on the mini, but, having said that, I cannot see any decernable difference. Both displays are superb.

You make mention of the difference in weight. I accept that the Air is undoubtably heavier than the mini (and more so in the case of the cellular model). However, weirdly, when holding one in each hand, the Air actually feels as light, if not a little lighter than the mini. I presume this illusion must be down the the way in which the weight is distributed across a wider device (or perhaps one of my hands is freakishly stronger than the other). Regardless, the point remains that the Air is light (indeed, surprisingly light) and very comfortable to hold.

In summary, I cannot arrive at a determination as to which device is better. Both are amazing. My wife prefers the mini because it fits in her handbag. I prefer the Air because I want the additional real estate (and I do not have a handbag [:)]).

I would suggest, if you are able, visiting an Apple store in order to try both out and see which suites you better. I am, however, supremely confident that which ever you choose, you will be delighted.

Blessings,

[:)]

Martin Folley

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/555575#Comment_555575

I have the older iPad with retina, and my wife now has the mini with retina ... She loves her new mini ... And finds it large enough to type into Logos comfortably as well as read. I prefer my iPad since I like the split screen ... Both screens are excellent and we find them great for long term reading. The ease of changing the font size also helps on occasion!

My wife prefers the mini because it fits in her handbag.

My wife uses exactly the same quote ... It fits into her handbag ... I like the fuller iPad ... Because it too fits in her handbag [;)] [:D]

Zachary Oglesby

I currently have the iPad mini and I prefer it over my old iPad 3rd gen. The difference in the weight between the iPad Air and mini is not as great though so it really depends on what you are going to be doing. If you want to have two items on screen at the same time the Air will probably be easier to read, but for reading one book at a time I like my iPad mini much better. The best thing you could do is go to an Apple Store or Best Buy and play with both to see what size you like better, I don't imagine you are buying it for Logos alone, so make sure that the size fits your complete workflow.

Paul-C

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/556023#Comment_556023

I like my iPad mini because it fits in my "man bag"! [:D]

Keith Larson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/556029#Comment_556029

Just an update: I traded in my 3rd gen iPad for a iPad Retina and love the new Retina! I almost like it as much as my Kindle Paperwhite.

In addition to the Mini's lighter weight and smaller size, I think the other thing that gives my new Mini more of a "Kindle" experience is the antiglare screen protector I placed on it. I didn't realize how much of my previous eye strain was being caused by the reflections off the screen. Since I use my iPad Mini almost exclusively for reading the lose in color clarity is no big deal.

Very happy camper now.

Earl Sheneman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/564174#Comment_564174

Do you mind sharing which brand of anti glare screen protector you got Keith? I am thinking about either the mini or the air and probably would want the anti glare protector also. Thanks for this thread also as it is helpful though it still comes down to a personal decision I guess. Looks like a trip to the Apple store may be in order.

Keith Larson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/564223#Comment_564223

iVisor Anti-Glare Screen Protector for iPad Mini and iPad Mini with Retina display.

http://store.moshimonde.com/ivisor-anti-glare-screen-protector-ipad-mini-black.html

It really is bubble free!

Earl Sheneman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/564232#Comment_564232

Thanks I will file that away for future reference.

Kevin A. Purcell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/564238#Comment_564238

The ipad air is not that much heavier than the mini. I have both of the newer models and it's amazing how light the an is.