ipad mini 4 or ipad air 2

[pcslookout]

I can't decide between the two which one do you prefer ?

 

[amyklai]

Unless you prefer one size or the other (and it sounds like you don't have a clear preference, otherwhise you wouldn't be asking), it seems to come down to this:

- Air 2 is more powerful
- Mini 4 has better battery life

Personally, I'd go for the Mini 4, because I mainly use my tablets for reading, browsing etc., so more power is less important than better battery life.

 

[pcslookout]

Unless you prefer one size or the other (and it sounds like you don't have a clear preference, otherwhise you wouldn't be asking), it seems to come down to this:

- Air 2 is more powerful
- Mini 4 has better battery life

Personally, I'd go for the Mini 4, because I mainly use my tablets for reading, browsing etc., so more power is less important than better battery life.

Thanks.

Few questions do you own a iPad mini 4 ?

 

[suklee]

I have the mini 4, have had the mini since version 2, and before that I had the "new iPad" which I think was v2.

I prefer the size/weight combo of the mini over the Air... I don't think I'd ever get another 10" iPad again.

 

[amyklai]

Thanks.

Few questions do you own a iPad mini 4 ?

I've got an Air 2, my wife has a Mini 4.
Had a Mini 2 before, which I didn't like that much because of the muted colors. That's why I got the Air 2 a year ago.

The mini 4's screen is just as good as the Air 2's, color-wise.

 

[Ichinisan]

Unless you prefer one size or the other (and it sounds like you don't have a clear preference, otherwhise you wouldn't be asking), it seems to come down to this:

- Air 2 is more powerful
- Mini 4 has better battery life

Personally, I'd go for the Mini 4, because I mainly use my tablets for reading, browsing etc., so more power is less important than better battery life.

iPad Air 2 has 10" screen
iPad mini 4 has 7.9" screen

iPad Air 2 base price: $499
iPad mini 4 base price: $399

Personally, I prefer the size/price of the mini 4.

 

[Eug]

Unless you prefer one size or the other (and it sounds like you don't have a clear preference, otherwhise you wouldn't be asking), it seems to come down to this:

- Air 2 is more powerful
- Mini 4 has better battery life

Personally, I'd go for the Mini 4, because I mainly use my tablets for reading, browsing etc., so more power is less important than better battery life.

- Air 2 is more powerful
- Air 2 has a much bigger screen
- Depending on the test, Air 2 may have much better battery life, or else slightly worse battery life
- mini 4 is more portable
- mini 4 is cheaper

For video playback, the Air 2 has 35% (!) better battery life:

For web browsing, the mini 4 has 6% better battery life:

Personally, I'd go for the Air 2, because I mainly use my tablets for browsing, video playback, etc., so the much bigger screen size and video playback battery life are more important than a small improvement in portability; given the light weight of the Air 2, it is already quite portable. It just doesn't fit in an average purse, but I don't carry a purse.

Plus I purchased the Air 2 for CAD$100 off retail when it went on sale back in September, just before the mini 4 was announced. For $100 off retail, the Air 2 was a no-brainer.

BTW, here are some of the tablets and phones we own:

iPad Air 2 (mine)
iPad Air 2 (wife's)
iPad 2
iPhone 6s
iPhone 5s
Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 is never used. Part of it is it is too slow and I prefer the software on iOS, but part of it is that the screen is just too small for my liking. It's more portable than the Air 2, but it's not as if it just slides into my pants pocket like an iPhone does, so if I take it with me I still need to carry it separately in its own case or inside my briefcase (despite the fact the Nexus 7 is smaller than the mini 4). And if I'm going to do that, I may as well just take my iPad Air 2, because the Air 2 is actually much thinner than the Nexus 7. Inside my briefcase, the width and height don't matter, since both the mini 4 and Air 2 easily fit with regards to those dimensions. The more important measurement here is the thickness, and the Air 2 and mini 4 are the same thickness.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I have an ipad air 2.

I have played with the previous gen mini, and with the new mini in-store.

The new mini does feel extremely light and "one-hand-able". I think it might be optimal if you need to carry both a laptop and a tablet. I'm a huge fan of my air 2. I can one-hand it without any trouble, battery life is VERY good (for reference, my battery draw is almost 90% Safari use), and the display is excellent.

If you need the lightest and most compact ios tablet possible, especially if fitting into small bags, purses, etc is important, or if you also carry a laptop, I like the mini 4. If you're OK with the slightly larger footprint, and especially if you don't already carry a laptop, I'd go with the air2.

 

[Artdeco]

pcslookout, what are your intended uses?

I have an Air 2 and a Mini 2, use them both almost interchangeably, although with the multitasking, I find the extra screen real estate of the Air 2 very useful.

 

[Midwayman]

pcslookout, what are your intended uses?

I have an Air 2 and a Mini 2, use them both almost interchangeably, although with the multitasking, I find the extra screen real estate of the Air 2 very useful.

If you read the mini 4 review there are some signs that apple had to scale some things back to make mutli-tasking work on the mini as well. If multi-tasking is a big draw the Air 2's extra cpu power is probably really worth it.

 

[manly]

to my recollection, there are better deals on the iPad Air 2.
This week $120 off at Staples for select configs. Sams Club is doing $150 off select configs on Nov. 14th.

Part of the general appeal of the iPad mini is lower price, but that seems to be negated by these sales on the Air 2.

 

[phexac]

I can't decide between the two which one do you prefer ?

I think wait a bit until the refresh when iPad Air and mini get the A9-based CPU.

 

[desura]

Air 2. Why? Price. There are some very good deals on it right now. The Mini 4 is just released so in many cases it will be more expensive.

Battery life is extremely good on apple devices in general (with the exception of the watch).

 

[manly]

I think wait a bit until the refresh when iPad Air and mini get the A9-based CPU.

sure, if you think 11 months is a bit.

There's always a chance Apple could do an Air 3 update in the spring or summertime but it's anybody's guess at this time.

 

[pcslookout]

I just got a free iPad Air and notice the difference between the iPad Air and iPad Mini 4 with weigh.

The weight is not as spread out on the iPad Mini 4 which makes it feels heavier a little to me at times. That or the iPad Air is just easier to hold.

 

[Rottie]

I have an iPad Air 2, I use it for video streaming... bi screen is nice to have and closed caption is very clear to my eyes. I compared to my LG G Pad 7.0 the closed caption is awful everywhere on the screen for 7 inches screen or is it because of bad Android? I don't know.

 

[pcslookout]

Ok thanks.

 

[HeXen]

I read a lot of digital mags on mine so a larger screen is preferable. I currently got a 7" Fire and it's too small, have to zoom in to read articles.

 

[pcslookout]

I read a lot of digital mags on mine so a larger screen is preferable. I currently got a 7" Fire and it's too small, have to zoom in to read articles.

Does 7.9 inches to 9.7 inches really make that big of a difference ?

 

[manly]

I have an iPad Air 2, I use it for video streaming... bi screen is nice to have and closed caption is very clear to my eyes. I compared to my LG G Pad 7.0 the closed caption is awful everywhere on the screen for 7 inches screen or is it because of bad Android? I don't know.

The screen resolution on the LG is 1280x800, 215 ppi is actually decent but you can't compare that to a Retina screen iPad in clarity.

 

[Midwayman]

Does 7.9 inches to 9.7 inches really make that big of a difference ?

For formatted text like PDFs? Yes. Formats that can reflow the text like webpages or novels, not so much.

 

[phexac]

sure, if you think 11 months is a bit.

There's always a chance Apple could do an Air 3 update in the spring or summertime but it's anybody's guess at this time.

I would be a little surprised if it takes that long. It seems silly to have an A9-based chip in the iPad Pro and the iPhone but not in the iPad Mini or Air.

When I had to replace my iPad Air 1 due to a cracked screen (at least we know my wife's diamond ring is real!!) I had the option to replace it with another AT&T 32GB Air 1 for $299 or pay for a new iPad2. I opted for the Air 1 because I didn't feel like paying up for a device that has an A8 chip in it. If it had been an option for the iPad Air with and A9, I would definitely have gone for that.

 

[HeXen]

Does 7.9 inches to 9.7 inches really make that big of a difference ?

Certainly seems to. I guess because it's closer size to an actual magazine? But on my original iPad, I could read PDF's without zooming just fine and that thing had lower resolution

 

[leilah]

Air 2 here.. I prefer the speed and the feel

 

[Thanatosis]

I have never used a mini, but I vote Air 2. Same thickness, faster SoC, bigger screen, same price.


Mini 4 has advantage of weight and mobility, otherwise it is either equal or worse in value to the Air 2. I don't think the mini 4 is necessarily a bad choice though, personally I prefer the page-like size of the Air 2.