Help............

[lindadunn]

Hi all, I have been doing research on the iPad Mini and iPad 2. I have read about other devises but will buy one of iPads. Does anyone have the mini? I'm just concerned about the smaller size. Your feedback is appreciated. Also, if anyone in the Ajijic area has one for sale I would be interested in seeing it. Thanks.

[k2tog]

I do not have one but I have seen two here lakeside recently. The mini iPad is much lighter then the regular iPad (which I own). I would say it's about the size of my Kindle Touch, if you are familiar with that e-reader. One friend bought the snap on keyboard to make it easier to type on which also serves a cover for the screen. I personally don't read e books on my iPad because of it's weight and use my Kindle for that purpose.

I think it's pretty cool especially if you are wanting to carry something around with you when you travel or leave home that has internet capability, is light weight, and fits inside your purse. If you can afford to have both -- go for it!! I will live through you vicariously!

I even think that TelMex sells them here in Mexico. You might go by and see if they have one for display that you can look at.

[ComputerGuy]

Small tablets are great if you love downloading the latest apps. Typing your email gets that much more difficult because of the size, however.

I have a Nexus 7" and, while it is not an iPad, I get lots of colour magazines on it... and therefore would prefer a 10" tablet, strictly for reading and web surfing.

EDIT: I rarely take my tablet or any other portable device with me. I don't quick access to my email, except at home.

[Kevin K]

I bought (and sold) a first generation iPad and have played around with the current generation ones as well as a friend's mini. My recommendation is to be as clear as possible about what you want to use your tablet for.

The full-size iPad is too heavy to hold in your hand for lengthy periods, but it's great when propped up (using its cover, for example) for viewing videos and the like. The Mini is far better for holding in your hand, and I actually find typing on it a bit easier than the full-size iPad, though if you are a touch typist, bloger, write long emails, etc. you will wish you had a real keyboard. The point is these tablets are media CONSUMPTION devices, not tools for creating stuff.

If you are considering the Mini I would advise waiting until this fall when, presumably, the second generation will be released. The screen quality on the Mini is far poorer than the full-size iPad, or for that matter the current generation iPod Touch. None of these tablets make good e-readers - the backlit screen is hard on the eyes (you want a Kindle if you're an avid reader), but the current Mini is particularly poor for reading. After using a friend's I decided to wait, but I do think that in the long run the Mini's size will likely become the dominant one for tablets.

It's really worth it to get yourself to an Apple store and play around with these before making any decision. Good luck on your research!

[grammajuana]

I bought (and sold) a first generation iPad and have played around with the current generation ones as well as a friend's mini. My recommendation is to be as clear as possible about what you want to use your tablet for.

The full-size iPad is too heavy to hold in your hand for lengthy periods, but it's great when propped up (using its cover, for example) for viewing videos and the like. The Mini is far better for holding in your hand, and I actually find typing on it a bit easier than the full-size iPad, though if you are a touch typist, bloger, write long emails, etc. you will wish you had a real keyboard. The point is these tablets are media CONSUMPTION devices, not tools for creating stuff.

If you are considering the Mini I would advise waiting until this fall when, presumably, the second generation will be released. The screen quality on the Mini is far poorer than the full-size iPad, or for that matter the current generation iPod Touch. None of these tablets make good e-readers - the backlit screen is hard on the eyes (you want a Kindle if you're an avid reader), but the current Mini is particularly poor for reading. After using a friend's I decided to wait, but I do think that in the long run the Mini's size will likely become the dominant one for tablets.

It's really worth it to get yourself to an Apple store and play around with these before making any decision. Good luck on your research!

Thanks , Kevin, for a great review. I've been toying with the idea of getting one or the other, and your comments and suggestions have been most helpful.

[fordtruckman]

I've had a mini ipad since January. The size was the deciding factor for me and my needs. I have small hands and the keyboard isn't a problem. As KevinK noted it will depend on your needs. I still use my kindle for most of my reading and I also have a laptop for creating. But when leaving the house the ipad comes along without taking up much space!