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iPad or Nexus?
- Thread starter sammyvine
- Start date
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I ws gifted an ipad mini for Christmas, my old eyes cannot see any pixels, even so, I think the screen is great, I think it is a wonderful device, I had a look at a retina iPad the other week, that is also superb. I haven't had much to do with the Nexus 7 but I like pure Android on my Nexus 4 so it is something that I would be interested in. Whichever way you choose, I'm sure you wont be disappointed.
As for a recommendation? Purely because it is the one I own and could not give a subjective view on the Nexus 7, I would pick the iPad Mini.
iPad if you are going to watch movies - though the mini has a great screen despite the naysayers.
I'd go Apple over Nexus simply because of the app selection and browsing in a 4:3 ratio is much better than in a 16:9.
(*I've owned an every iPad, currently have the iPad mini and have owned a Nexus 7*)
People see resolution numbers and PPI and think they are the only measures of a display's quality.
The resolution difference is noticeable. As is the speed.
However. The mini is a lot more portable and comfortable to hold for long sessions.
The nexus 7 would work fine for what you want too, as would the 10" or the kindle fire.
The issue really boils down to how much you have invested in apps, if its not much, try the nexus 7
Either way I'd probably go with one of the smaller less expensive tablets for that which was stated
However. The mini is a lot more portable and comfortable to hold for long sessions.
The nexus 7 would work fine for what you want too, as would the 10" or the kindle fire.
The issue really boils down to how much you have invested in apps, if its not much, try the nexus 7
Either way I'd probably go with one of the smaller less expensive tablets for that which was stated
I agree that the Nexus 7 is a nice tablet - especially for the price point. The only failings it has are form factor (aspect ratio) and lack of tablet optimized apps.
The resolution difference isn't nearly as noticable as the PPI numbers would suggest given the new process Apple used to put the mini's display together (thinner, LCD closer to glass). And the lack of tablet optimized apps means that resolution isn't used properly anyway - you simply get apps written for phone screens blown up.
I concur though - depends on your app investment and usage. If you're going to use a lot of apps (or have already purchased a bunch from Apple) I would go with the mini.
Then again, if you just want to save some money, the Nexus 7 would suffice.
I want it mainly for music and browsing. I have a macbook and iphone but want something slightly bigger than the iphone when i am on the go.
Then I would say the mini - its a great little device. I love mine and use it all the time.
I need 32GB
The 32gb ipad retina is £550
The nexus 7 is £250 i think so i am saving almost £300 if i go for the nexus
i am also worried that the ipad is a bit too big?
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I am told the specs are not as good as the nexus 7 and the screen is crap.
I need 32GB
The 32gb ipad retina is £550
The nexus 7 is £250 i think so i am saving almost £300 if i go for the nexus
i am also worried that the ipad is a bit too big?
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I am told the specs are not as good as the nexus 7 and the screen is crap.
Lol be careful of those who post spec sheets as the only reason to purchase one device over the other. Also beware those who characterize the mini's display so intensely - again, I've owned both and a retina iPad - I can tell you the difference isn't as apparent as some make it out to be.
Specs mean next to nothing comparing two completely different OSes and the screen is far from crap for the reasons I've already listed....
Sure - the 32 GB mini is $429 versus $249 for the Nexus 7. Like I said, if saving money is a factor, by all means go for the N7. But it will offer a worse browsing experience and no where near as many tablet optimized apps. And if you're looking at the larger iPad 32 GB ($599), there are much larger differences that could add value for that price (screen resolution, pure power, GPU, and the form factor/ratio, tablet optimized apps etc...)
Its a personal value proposition - for me, the integration into the ecosystem, app library and form factor were worth the extra money. You have to make that decision on your own.
I echo jr above. I could notice a difference between screens of a mini and a retina iPad when they were side by side, but that was the only time. Honestly, have a look in an Apple store and see how good the mini's screen is. I love mine also.
Really, unless upfront cost is the only driving concern, get an iPad, even a refurbished one if you have to. Web browsing is far smoother (scrolling, zooming, and accuracy of touch) and in my experience, sites behave more predictably (I get way too many sites on Android that want to default to the mobile version - a rare occurrence on my iPad). The default Music app on the iPad is much, much more polished than the majority of options on Android (and no need to go looking for a suitable one - the stock one is excellent). If you use Pandora or Spotify, both of those apps are excellent on the iPad and totally polished. They are complete afterthoughts on Android tablets and look like they are 2 years behind the times.
The only place where Android might have a leg up is on video playback, where there are fewer restrictions than in iOS, although the situation there is greatly improved as of late.
What about the iconia b1?
Cheap at £99, capable of web browsing/video and it has 8gb internal with an SD slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3WOfQkIJI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
With a couple of SD cards your potential for carrying multiple cards with movies is immense.
Cheap at £99, capable of web browsing/video and it has 8gb internal with an SD slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3WOfQkIJI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
With a couple of SD cards your potential for carrying multiple cards with movies is immense.
God no.
I have an Iconia Tab A210 on my desk here at work and despite being a far more expensive device than the B1, it's still a piece of garbage. Slow, laggy interface, terrible yellow-brown tinged screen that is almost impossible to view off-angle, and after 3 days of use, primarily on my desk (it has literally not been out of this room or even seen even a bag) it has several scratches on the screen deep enough to catch a fingernail. If this is what Acer offers as a premium device, I shudder to see how they do budget.
I have an Iconia Tab A210 on my desk here at work and despite being a far more expensive device than the B1, it's still a piece of garbage. Slow, laggy interface, terrible yellow-brown tinged screen that is almost impossible to view off-angle, and after 3 days of use, primarily on my desk (it has literally not been out of this room or even seen even a bag) it has several scratches on the screen deep enough to catch a fingernail. If this is what Acer offers as a premium device, I shudder to see how they do budget.
You can jailbreak an ipad now so i would say the mini.
However, if widgets are done right, they are nicer and productive on the nexus, and it doesn't need mandatory tethering to iTunes for content either (hence the reason i jailbroke my iphone 5, do not care or want iTunes).
However, if widgets are done right, they are nicer and productive on the nexus, and it doesn't need mandatory tethering to iTunes for content either (hence the reason i jailbroke my iphone 5, do not care or want iTunes).
I'm sure your iconia is a turd but the b1 doesn't look like a bad little tablet given the price.
Seems more than capable for video and browsing use that the OP asked for.
Seems more than capable for video and browsing use that the OP asked for.
The only reason one would need iTunes is to purchase movies/music - much like one would purchase movies/music through the Play store or Amazon app store.....
The days of having to plug your iDevice into the computer are over - heck, I haven't ever plugged my mini into the computer.
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When it comes to budget tablets like that, I'm of the mind "You get what you pay for."
That's fine if the OP wants the cheapest possible tablet that will work.....but considering the iPad mini is higher quality AND will likely hold at least 50% of its value if the OP chose to sell it later to upgrade, there are many reasons one could find the price worth it.
If your gonna make a comment on the tablet at least know what your talking about. Pretty much every android tablet including both nexuses is 16x10 not 16x9. The app argument is not valid either. There are just as many apps on android as on iOS.
The screen on the nexus 7 is noticeably better, especially text. It also better for movies as the aspect ratio is better. Theres also the fact that unlike the mini (wifi) it has a built in gps chip. The wifi minis have no gps.
Perhaps because you are using a cloud service aka icloud or something else.
But i am not.
And it is still annoying to manage photos on iOS devices without being jailbroken. I don't use iPhoto, photostreams, macs etc so i would like an easier windows explorer solution with my PC.
Photoalbums+, pwntunes, and iFile has just provided that. My iPhone feels much more "free", and i enjoy it 100x more. The safari plugins mean i can now use it as a real desktop class browser than a pretender.
The only thing holding me from going android is one phone that combines a great LCD screen, full day battery life under heavy load, and good camera in one package. All the current ones have 1 or 2 but not all three at the same time.
As for performance stuff, my GS3 never had any perceptible issue with performance or apps. Sure after using iOS i can feel the slight difference, but otherwise i had no idea that things lag anymore.
Perhaps I'm misreading the OP's requirements when they ask for "music, watching movies and browsing" but all three tablets are capable of doing just that.
If the OP does want the best in resale value, sure, go for the iPad but I've not seen any indication that that is a primary factor in their usage (being music, watching movies and browsing).
Overall though I was just throwing a new (budget concious) suggestion in that can do all the OP asked for which they may have not considered prior to this thread..
The thing even looks like it'll be laright for a little light gaming too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPXOJC1qm6o
I'm sorry - but why would you not use those services? I hate to say this, but to use the fact that you choose not to partake in those services as a negative against the iPad doesn't really seem very fair.
Photostream is great, and while iCloud backups take a while, they are nice in a pinch when you don't have your computer nearby.
Personally, I backup both to iCloud automatically every night - and then do weekly backups to my iMac - best of both worlds.
The mini is not more comfortable to hold than the nexus 7. It is too wide which makes it a stretch to hold with one hand. It also has sharp edges along the edge of the bezel. The nexus 7 is very easy to wrap one hand around in comparison and the soft touch back is more comfortable to hold and doesn't slip.
They may be 16:10 but in practice they are generally 16:9 with non-movable row of icons along the bottom. The Nexus 7 provably shows considerably less content on the screen than the Mini when web browsing.
As I noted above, yes, many apps may technically be available for Android tablets, but god do a lot of them suck compared to the iOS equivalents.