iPad iPad Air 4 v. Mini 5

[Crow_Servo]

I’ m thinking about upgrading my ipad mini 2 and each day I consider one different option as the best. Air 4 is brand new with a14 and new from factor but then I think about how comfortable is to hold ipad mini in the hand, but mini 5 looks so old with those bezels... news about upgraded mini with new from factor and 8,5” screen are really tempting as It would be the perfect ipad for me, but I don’t know if I have enough patience...

I thought I had the patience to wait until at least March, 2021, but I was itching for an upgrade this quarter.

Really wish Apple could refresh all their iPads at once, instead of this odd staggering method. Maybe companies like to keep their customers guessing. That’s probably not a maybe with Apple. They love to keep people guessing. Why else would this website exist?

I definitely wanted a larger screen and a redesign, so I hope the new Air feels just right (who knows if the next Mini will even be larger, and if so, how large . It’s larger than any iPad I’ve ever owned/used. When I had my Air (the original), I loved the screen size, but felt it wasn’t good for traveling, unless traveling light wasn’t a concern.

The funny thing is that my Air was in a bulky Otterbox Defender case, so I had completely forgotten how light the iPad actually was until I removed it from it’s case to sell it.

This time, I’m not going near an Otterbox-style case. Ordered a Speck folio case. I had one of those on my Mini 4 and liked it. Doesn’t add too much weight, but provides plenty of protection, and has the conveniences of a folio case, like acting as a stand and covering the screen when it’s not in use.

In short, I wish I had the patience to wait, but there’s no way of knowing whether waiting will pay off. Still, it’s good you’re planning to check it out first before buying it. I’m relying on my gut and research, and referencing my experience using 9.7” iPads. There’s no one right way to handle this, so hopefully things work out.

 

[tops2]

I have the mini 4 for a long time (and a mini 2 before that) and love the size of the mini. Earlier this year I got the Pro 11 to try to use it for work purpose and it mostly didn't work well for what I do at work (mostly due to iPadOS limitations vs needing to remote log into work machines).

While the 11" Pro is nice, I still find myself reaching for the mini 4 most of the time despite how slow it is in comparison and missing other nice feature from the 11" Pro. I even love watching videos on the mini vs the Pro despite the screen and speaker difference. I probably should have returned the 11" Pro a long while ago and just waited for the next mini refresh.

Kinda weird how for the phone, I love the larger size of my iphone XR (even more than the iPhone 6 plus)..but love the mini size for at home use.

 

[Fishels]

Like someone else already said I highly suggest keeping both until you find out if the mini is no longer of use

 

[*~Kim~*]

I have the Mini 5 and thought I was sold on the eventual Mini 6, but now I’m thinking I’ll pick up the Air 4 when refurbs get around. By then the Mini 6 might be out in case I end up thinking I should go straight for that, and my credit card (deliberately picked for the cashback but it’s a subprime card) doesn’t have a high enough limit to order online at retail price. The nearest Apple Store will be in a Tier 2 area any day looking at the numbers so I don’t want to go there (bus journey) right now to check colours in person or split payments across cards. At refurb prices it’s easier to justify 2 iPads.

My main logic at the moment is that the iPad Air 4 doesn’t look as large in the photos I’ve seen as I thought it was and that while I need cellular on an iPad, I think it’s more useful on a Mini. I also don’t want to buy Cellular again until 5G comes, so that’ll be Mini 7 or later as the Pros don’t have it yet. A WiFi Air 4 could satisfy my want for a slightly bigger screen at times as I find myself watching more videos on the iPad than I did before.

Does anyone have a size comparison picture of the Air 4 against a Mini? YouTube reviews seem to put it against the 8th Gen or 12.9 Pro.

 

[Ellen]

I was able to get an apptment at an Apple Store to check out the Air 4. (In the store light, the blue seemed more subtle than the green but if I buy one I am still likely to go for blue.) Doing this was very helpful because I now realize that I should not trade in my Mini but should keep it for what I use it for most of the time, which is reading books. The Air 4 is beautiful but I think I would be a bit too cumbersome when I read in bed.

On the other hand, I am still considering getting another iPad for other uses - incl. magazines and streaming - which I don't think the Mini is great for (at least for me). I looked at an iPad 8 and while the price is very appealing, my gut tells me that Apple's devices are all going to "look" like the Air 4 and the new phones sooner rather than later. And I may be obsessive but I could tell on the iPad 8 that the display is not laminated. And the Air 4 is a snazzy device.

So I may wait til closer to the holidays and see if there are any deals for the Air 4.

 

[klasma]

Does anyone have a size comparison picture of the Air 4 against a Mini? YouTube reviews seem to put it against the 8th Gen or 12.9 Pro.

The Apple comparison page is accurate I believe: https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/?device1=ipad-air-4th-gen&device2=ipad-mini&device3=ipad-mini-4

The difference in size and also in weight is significant.

 

[Ellen]

Hi. As the person who started this thread I wanted to provide an update. I finally decided to give the Air 4 a try given the 14 day Apple return policy. Initial impressions:

1) It is gorgeous, fast and while the blue is very pale, I think the color is lovely. I am storing the Air in the navy Smart Folio (also nice) so not much color shows. But I know it is there!

2) I did not buy a keyboard - I have a MacBook and if I need to do a lot of typing, that's what I use - but in many respects the Air seems to me like a smaller version of my laptop. I don't have a TV in every room and streaming a movie or TV show on it would be far superior to my Mini.

3) I did buy the Pencil. Haven't used it yet but the fact that it charges while attached to the Air via magnets is also nice.

4) I will however keep my Mini either way. I'm finding that the weight and size makes the Air less comfortable for me as an ebook reader. But it is great for magazines and newspapers.

...still have about a week before I decide for sure.

 

[ericwn]

Just gave you enough proof in all the threads of people looking for back covers, what stats would you like a door knock of mini owners?

The Macrumors readership is but a tiny fraction of the enthusiast market. I’m jot sure we can make anything but guesses.

I personally have never seen anybody I know getting a back cover but am aware they are available.

 

[Robbosan]

The Macrumors readership is but a tiny fraction of the enthusiast market. I’m jot sure we can make anything but guesses.

I personally have never seen anybody I know getting a back cover but am aware they are available.

thanks for letting me know, 6 weeks later lol.

 

[ericwn]

thanks for letting me know, 6 weeks later lol.

Valid now, valid then lol.

 

[New York]

Hi. As the person who started this thread I wanted to provide an update. I finally decided to give the Air 4 a try given the 14 day Apple return policy. Initial impressions:

1) It is gorgeous, fast and while the blue is very pale, I think the color is lovely. I am storing the Air in the navy Smart Folio (also nice) so not much color shows. But I know it is there!

2) I did not buy a keyboard - I have a MacBook and if I need to do a lot of typing, that's what I use - but in many respects the Air seems to me like a smaller version of my laptop. I don't have a TV in every room and streaming a movie or TV show on it would be far superior to my Mini.

3) I did buy the Pencil. Haven't used it yet but the fact that it charges while attached to the Air via magnets is also nice.

4) I will however keep my Mini either way. I'm finding that the weight and size makes the Air less comfortable for me as an ebook reader. But it is great for magazines and newspapers.

...still have about a week before I decide for sure.

Keen to hear what you ended up doing? I currently have a Mini 2 which I've always loved but it's on its last legs. I've been holding off for the Mini 6, but tried out the new iPad Air in an Apple store yesterday and it's very appealing. I do wonder though whether I'll end up finding it too big.

 

[tops2]

Keen to hear what you ended up doing? I currently have a Mini 2 which I've always loved but it's on its last legs. I've been holding off for the Mini 6, but tried out the new iPad Air in an Apple store yesterday and it's very appealing. I do wonder though whether I'll end up finding it too big.

I used to have a Mini 2 that I traded in for a Mini 4 a long time back. I love the mini size of ipad for general browsing and even consuming media (YouTube/Disney Plus and other movies). That said, I've always preferred to use my devices without glasses (I'm nearsighted).

Earlier this year, I was trying to do work on the Mini 4 and it was pretty impossible since its too small (I'm remote logging into machines at work..) Then I picked up Apple refurb 2018 iPad Pro 11" to try to do work. For workwise, the 11" Pro was ok (not great mostly due to iOS)..but the 12.9" would be better. But when I unwind and try using the 11" Pro, I find it too large when I hold it at the same distance that I do with my Mini 4. I occasionally have a tiny bit buyer's remorse for the 11" Pro and think I should also wait for the Mini 6, and use my PC laptop for work...

Despite having the 11" Pro, I still gravitate towards my Mini 4 most of the time when just randomly browsing and reading. I do notice the speed difference..especially for websites like Amazon and Best Buy or other shopping sites.

Since you're holding of for the Mini 6, probably best thing to do is stay out of the iPad subforum? And avoid looking at anything iPad related until the Mini 6 comes out?
But I know the feeling.

 

[thelookingglass]

Ellen, curious what you ended up doing? I'm in a similar "predicament" and ended up going for the iPad Air 4. It's quite small and light to begin with and is a joy to read on. I like the lack of super thick bezels on it much better than the iPad mini.

 

[ericwn]

Keen to hear what you ended up doing? I currently have a Mini 2 which I've always loved but it's on its last legs. I've been holding off for the Mini 6, but tried out the new iPad Air in an Apple store yesterday and it's very appealing. I do wonder though whether I'll end up finding it too big.

Thank the heavens for the extended return period over Christmas!

 

[thelookingglass]

Thank the heavens for the extended return period over Christmas!

Ha, I agree!