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Poll: iPad 3 or iPad mini

If they are were the same cost which would you buy iPad 3 or iPad mini?

  • iPad 3 - Retina baby yeah!

  • iPad mini - Portability FTW!

Results are only viewable after voting.
If I must, I would give up teh "Retina" for mini's form factor, even if the prices were the same. (assumed: resale not allowed) iPad fans will be in treat when Apple debuts a mini w/ 2000x1500 res. As a plus, iPad mini has a semi-functional palm rejection mechanism that allows thin bezels.

I am looking forward to Android tabelts with mini-like design. Flat (no bellies), glass/metal uni-body, under 300 gram. For reference, iPad mini is 310 gram and Nexus 7 is 340 gram. I hope there will be variety of 7" and 8" tablets because personally I like 7" ones. They fit in my suit/jean pockets. (Somewhat tight on jeans, but it's better than carrying a bag)
 
Unless you need a smaller device for easier (pocked sized) portability, then the iPad 3 wins in every way (faster, more memory, much better screen, bigger screen for easier web browsing/movie watching/game playing, etc). The full sized iPad does cost more, but if they were the same price then it would be an obvious choice for most situations.
 
Depends on what you are going to use it for. If it's a couch device get the 3, if it's something your going to be often taking out then the mini would be a good pick. Two different products for two different uses really. I'd get the 3.
 
Well, I agree that there is a huge subjectivity factor, but some things can be compared on a reasonably level field. I agree that you are getting more hardware with an iPad 3, but the usability may not be too different considering that it has to drive 4 times the pixels of iPad mini. I do think mini's 512 MB is on a rather stingy side, but so is 1 GB on iPad 3. Again, for 4 times the pixels. So which one will age better is arguable.

I am never a one to advocate downgrading for convenience or aesthetics, but there are real and practical benefits from lighter, better-designed form factor. Web browsing, for instance: Most sites nowadays have mobile-oriented versions which work rather well on 7~8" screens. Full blown desktop sites fit in 10" screens, but in order to read you will need to zoom anyway.

So that leaves one concrete advantage of iPad 3 which is HD playback. You can watch 720p/1080p material without any conversion or downgrade on iPad 3, while that's not possible on iPad mini. If this matters a lot, then perhaps iPad 3 is a wiser choice. But at that point, shouldn't you go with iPad 4? It's been discussed and acknowledged that iPad 3's GPU is not enough for 2000x1500 under many scenarios.
 
Get the iPad 3. The mini isn't going to fit in your pockets, so there's no reason not to get the 3 if they're the same price.
 
I voted the mini because I think the iPad 3 is a terrible investment. It has the lowest amount of power per pixel than any Apple device since the first iPad. I personally think it will stutter in iOS a version or two before the Mini or iPad 2. There is a reason Apple dropped it like a rock but still sells the iPad 2.

It is the 3G all over again. The Retina MacBook is the same way- GPUs just weren't ready when they both launched. The iPad 4 is a clear winner over the mini, but the 3 will be obsolete first.

If a family member asked me this question my answer would be save your money and buy the Mini 2 the day it launches.
 
Last edited:
Fardringle said:
Unless you need a smaller device for easier (pocked sized) portability, then the iPad 3 wins in every way (faster, more memory, much better screen, bigger screen for easier web browsing/movie watching/game playing, etc). The full sized iPad does cost more, but if they were the same price then it would be an obvious choice for most situations.
Click to expand...

The iPad 3 is actually slower than the iPad mini (same CPU but needs to decode images 4x in size), GPU and RAM advantage are mitigated by retina screen, and the iPad mini has better battery life. The iPad 4 would solve many of those issues, but he specifically asked about the iPad 3.

Besides, when the iPad mini 2 comes out with a Retina display, the "iPad vs. iPad mini" topic won't be worth discussing anymore.
 
i hate apple but the mini's form factor, aspect ratio, thin side bezels and overall size is perfect in every way. very well thought out and miles ahead of the nexus 7.

its rumored to get a retina screen, in which case i might even buy one if the android tablet apps don't improve by then.
 
I'd go iPad3. Maybe it's because I have one and looking at the lower res screens of previous gens and the mini hurts my brain.
 
So I went with the mini in the end. Went to an Apple store played around with both. The LCD bothers me but its not the pixel density. The screen seems 'inset' to where you can see depth of where the actual screen is compared to the glass. The iPhone 5 from what I could tell does not have this issue. Is this an example of 'incell technology"? The iPhone 5's screen just pops out at you from an angle but the mini is certainly lacking in that respect. I like the portability and it feels great in the hand.

For those who want an iPad 3 for $300 they should look to Target as they are on clearance.

http://www.target.com/p/apple-16gb-...ack-mc705ll-a/-/A-14000303#prodSlot=large_1_1
 
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