Scottish Elises

Can not get into Aberdeen at present to compare them hands on, but have done everything else on line.

As I believe it, there is no difference in function between the two, but I prefer the size and lightness of the Mini as it will complement my Macbook Air 11". Many of you probably have a 3 or 4, but does anyone have a mini yet? The big difference on paper is display, retina compared to a pathetic sounding 1024x768, and a high resolution and good screen is a high priority for me.

However reviews state that because of the smaller pixel size of the mini, there is not much difference in practice. If anybody has compared them, or bought a mini instead of a 4, ignoring the price differential, could they let me have their views.

One thing that annoys me is their lock in which means no SD or USB slots for external storage. There is a USB dongle available for the lightening connector for uploading photos from a camera, but not sure if that means that you could connect a USB drive for uploading or downloading to.

tut

From memory....

Mini uses the same chip as the iPad 3. Dual core iirc.

iPad 4 has the new faster one, the A6 quad core one.



Not that I was looking...

The Mini is the one to get IMO, it makes the 'normal' iPads seem big, heavy and awkward.

I'll be buying one as soon as somewhere gets one in stock

And none of the iDevices will let you load or save to USB drive, IIRC. All need connected to iTunes to load content, unless directly downloaded to the device.

Tbh... The galaxy tabs seem much better value at the moment.

10.1 inch galaxy tab 2 is £250 at Tesco (Samsung cashback deal)

You could buy a 7 inch and a 10 inch for less than the price of a single ipad and do even more with them.

I've got the ipad and the tab and like them both. Tab has the SD slot which has come in handy.

Buy a surface instead

Thanks guys, started off with looking for a new laptop for Verian, so considered an iPad 4 with a keyboard which I believe will slot on.

However she needs the full functions of a Windows/Apple machine, ie able to use M/S Office and print to a wired or wireless printer which we have. Although the iPad on its own would be a nice devise to have, if it will not carry out the basic functions of a laptop it would not work.

However the iPad mini would be ideal for me, especially as I use it so much in bed and in the chair. The 11" Air is great, but it is the 2010 model so does not have a backlit keyboard which would be useful for use in bed when Verian is asleep, I do not need Word etc, and the 32gb would do me fine as I do not download films or music. I presume that it supports iPlayer etc and that I could watch TV online through my Sky subscription. Also will it access PirateBay?

tut

Tut, I would go for the i-pad mini.

We have an i-pad and I bought Kathy an i-pad mini from John Lewis on the day that they were released here. Two year guarantee from them instead of the one year from the Apple store.

I use the i-pad for looking on the net in the evenings, and reading books through Kindle mostly, but the i-pad mini is obviously lighter to hold, which makes a difference when reading books for any length of time and if I was to choose between the two, I would pick the mini. It just feels nicer to hold.

They are both great products, so whichever one you choose you will be happy with. Great back up and integration with Apple too, especially since you have a Mac notebook, and if you have an i-pod or i-phone then these will fit in nicely.

Steve.

Mini does not have retina display, £5 new mini by easter.

Nexus 7 is on the list.

2p

Sanjoy wrote:Mini does not have retina display, £5 new mini by easter.

Nexus 7 is on the list.

2p

This.



Tut, sounds like surface would be ideal for Verian. Comes with office, a choice of two keyboards and functions as a tablet sans keyboard.

How does the surface compare pricewise against the iPad?

I have a slightly newer Air with the backlite keyboard while Helen has a iPad 2nd gen

I far prefer the Air it is a much nicer machine to use due to the proper keyboard wihch not only makes typing nicer but gives it a nice support. Also the air has got a turn of speed which no machine this size should have.

Ignore specs and look at what form you get one best with

What size and spec Air do you have Paul?

tut

I'm an iPad 1 owner and tried a Mini in Glasgow last weekend. I must be in the minority since it confirmed for me that I prefer the magazine sized form of the iPad. Find it far more relaxing, and natural, to use.

Which iPad Steve?

If the 3 or 4 which is a Retina screen, does the mini with its 12x8 resolution lose out much in comparison? As I said this would make it a no go for me as any decent spec CPU will do the job nowadays, but it is the screen that you are looking at.

I want as much estate as I can get on the screen with a resolution that is sharp and readable. Ideally my Air would be one up, ie:- the same as the 13", but there is no choice. Sony manage 19x10 on the same size screen, so it can be done with a good LCD panel.

tut