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theapplepie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 15, 2018
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I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.
 
As for the gender neutral part, you are plugging yourself way too hard to your surroundings. F it and pick whatever color you want.
As for whether bezel will make iPad look a bit larger, my opinion is you consider which one is easier for you to hold in landscape mode instead. That can seriously impact your usage of the iPad. But for me, I hardly feel white bezel looking better on an iPad. Instead, black one makes iPad look cooler and less prone to noticeable fingerprints. Oh wait, is it? I am not so sure now.
 
I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.

I'm a guy - and a retired Marine (it really doesn't matter) - and I have a silver bezel 2018 12.9 Pro. I also have a white bezel 10.5 Pro and I like them both. I really don't believe in gender-associated colors - just get what you like.
 
I also prefer white and silver on my iPads. I find white bezels give the iPad a cleaner, classic Apple look. But I can see the case many make that visuals come across better with a black bezel as less distracting.

Silver with white is pretty macho too, so I wouldn't worry about that. As stated above, buy whatever you like and don't worry what others may think.
 
I have only very recently purchased my first iPad (6th Generation model) and always figured I'd get a space grey one. When I compared models in a store I found I liked the white bezels a whole lot more. The base iPad has fairly thick bezels by today's standards, but to me they feel less intrusive and a lot more clean when in white. In comparison the black bezels really stand out to my eyes. So if you can I'd suggest comparing the colors in real life, on real devices.

As for the masculinity issue: just pick whatever you like. I am a grown man and I ended up with a gold iPad! I like the warm color on the back. So what? :)
 
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I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.
As others have said, bezel color has nothing to do with gender.

The greater concern would be if you would find white to be more distracting. I dislike white bezels because they make the screen content appear washed out and the black border between the active part of the screen and the bezel is visible with white bezels (it isn't with black bezels). Also, when watching letterboxed videos, the black bezels and letterboxing seem to blend together making things look more seamless.
 
I started off being a “white bezel” guy when Apple introduced iPad 2 with a white Bezel and it was my preferred color through the first gen iPad Pro (both phones and iPad were white bezel). Starting with the iPad Pro 9.7” I have since started buying exclusively “space grey” models, even with my MacBook Pro. The last white bezel device I had was my Mini 4, since replaced with a Space Grey mini.

While I won’t go into the personal reason for the switch, I will say the black bezel does feel more like a screen extension vs. the white bezel. Personally, i’m Waiting for the elimination of the bezel entirely (or, at least iPhone X bezel thinness), but I seem to be in the minority on that one.
 
Having said all this, which iPad model do you think I’d be happier with; the Air or the Mini? To provide you with some background, I had an iPad 6th Generation (Space Gray) for about a year (and didn’t really use it that much) and finally sold it because I didn’t like the non-laminated display and the fact that it lacked antireflective coating, in addition to the fact that I thought it was rather bulky.

I mostly would use the iPad for reading the news, browsing the internet, email, Messages, and perhaps a few games. I was at the Apple Store today and was playing around with the Air and Mini. I loved the Mini’s size, but the display of the Air was oh so gorgeous. Am I going to find myself frustrated with the Mini’s size when iPadOS comes out and it turns into a more capable device?
 
I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.

Get what you like. I prefer dark bezels, so I typically get the space grey. However, for years after the polycarbonate MacBooks, the only color option was silver until the last 5-6 years... so nothing wrong with silver... just not my preference.

As far as size, I much prefer the Mini size... more portable, IMO... but again, it's a matter of personal preference — therein no 'wrong' answer.
 
Having said all this, which iPad model do you think I’d be happier with; the Air or the Mini? To provide you with some background, I had an iPad 6th Generation (Space Gray) for about a year (and didn’t really use it that much) and finally sold it because I didn’t like the non-laminated display and the fact that it lacked antireflective coating, in addition to the fact that I thought it was rather bulky.

I mostly would use the iPad for reading the news, browsing the internet, email, Messages, and perhaps a few games. I was at the Apple Store today and was playing around with the Air and Mini. I loved the Mini’s size, but the display of the Air was oh so gorgeous. Am I going to find myself frustrated with the Mini’s size when iPadOS comes out and it turns into a more capable device?
To be fair, iPadOS is designed with iPad Pro 3rd gen in mind, all because of the USB-C port. Lightning port just won’t cut it. So, the only determine factor is the size here, and you might regret picking the wrong size, but after a couple months.
Actually, you said you used iPad 9.7” before, so I think you will like iPad Air a bit more.
 
Having said all this, which iPad model do you think I’d be happier with; the Air or the Mini? To provide you with some background, I had an iPad 6th Generation (Space Gray) for about a year (and didn’t really use it that much) and finally sold it because I didn’t like the non-laminated display and the fact that it lacked antireflective coating, in addition to the fact that I thought it was rather bulky.

I mostly would use the iPad for reading the news, browsing the internet, email, Messages, and perhaps a few games. I was at the Apple Store today and was playing around with the Air and Mini. I loved the Mini’s size, but the display of the Air was oh so gorgeous. Am I going to find myself frustrated with the Mini’s size when iPadOS comes out and it turns into a more capable device?

I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for when you say “more capable device” - it’s still an iOS device.

I would say this: If you plan to take it with you, get the Mini - if you plan to leave it home, get the Air. Beyond the size, I haven’t noticed much of a difference in the screen between the Air and the Mini.
 
I just ordered a Mini and waiting for it to come. I chose the space grey because I want black bezels. I've never owned a white bezel Apple product, because I never liked the white colour scheme, and I think the screen looks more seamless and less framed with a black bezel. However, since the space grey is so drabby, I really would have liked another black bezel option. I'm female, but I generally do not like "girly" colours. Gold looks more "blingy", which isn't my style either, but I would have chosen it for something different than all of my silver Apple devices. But alas, because of the bezel, I went with space grey, which I don't like (I actually hoped that they would add colours mid-release cycle, like the iPod Touches). Silver never occurred to me to ever be gendered. Pretty neutral of the 3 choices. I think the choice of smart cover would be more important. None that I like, so was actually investigating 3rd party ones.

But yeah, gendered items be damned. Just choose what you like. My old silver iPad rocks a navy blue smart cover. The bezel that you want should be the main determinant since I think that's more important.

I want the Mini and not even thinking about the iPad because it's redundant. I am on my MBP all the time when at home and have minimal use for the iPad. I rarely take it out because then I need a large bag and then I'd just bring the Mac. I actually would find better use with the Touch as I could carry it around anywhere without a second thought. I decided against that for 2 reasons: 1) Touch is intentionally hardware crippled, and 2) the one use case I have that requires a larger screen is sheet music. So going with the Mini as a compromise.
 
If any look feminine, it would be the Gold. Space Grey and Silver have always struck me as gender neutral colours.

iPad Air is taller and wider than the iPad 2018, but thinner and lighter. Processor and RAM wise the Mini and Air are the same (A12/3GB.)

I plan to keep my Mini on iOS 12 for a while as iPad OS seems to have been designed for larger screens and as such, the icons seem to be too small on the Mini.
 
I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.

A guy can carry a rose gold device and it still won’t be weird. The only thing weird is thinking what colors are “allowed” for your gender.

As for silver vs space-gray - it comes down to taste. That’s it. I used to change colors with every new iPhone or iPad to keep things fresh. I had space gray and silver devices and liked both. Never had gold and rose gold for some reason, but like how they look too. In fact, in my home, it is my wife who prefers space gray/black devices.
 
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A guy can carry a rose gold device and it still won’t be weird. The only thing weird is thinking what colors are “allowed” for your gender.

As for silver vs space-gray - it comes down to taste. That’s it. I used to change colors with every new iPhone or iPad to keep things fresh. I had space gray and silver devices and liked both. Never had gold and rose gold for some reason, but like how they look too. In fact, in my home, it is my wife who prefers space gray/black devices.

My 10.5 iPP is Rose Gold. I even have a clear cover on the back to keep it visible.
 
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My 10.5 iPP is Rose Gold. I even have a clear cover on the back to keep it visible.
Exactly the same setup. Rose gold is an awesome color. I’m a guy and I don’t even think one bit about it being feminine at all. I see it more as of a coppery color than pink anyways.
 
As others have said, bezel color has nothing to do with gender.

The greater concern would be if you would find white to be more distracting. I dislike white bezels because they make the screen content appear washed out and the black border between the active part of the screen and the bezel is visible with white bezels (it isn't with black bezels). Also, when watching letterboxed videos, the black bezels and letterboxing seem to blend together making things look more seamless.

Conversely, I prefer white bezels because the black border merging with the black bezel makes the bezel seem much larger to me.
 
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Conversely, I prefer white bezels because the black border merging with the black bezel makes the bezel seem much larger to me.
Fair enough. But many who prefer white bezels didn't even notice that black border until I pointed it out. They now can't un-see it.
lol.gif
 
I am still deciding between an iPad Air or iPad mini, and while everything else I own from Apple is Space Gray, I find that the silver model looks better than the Space Gray model, making it look larger because of the white bezels. Does anyone else find this to be true? Also, I know that technology (for the most part) is gender neutral, but would it look weird for a guy to have a silver iPad? That question isn’t meant to start anything, I just want some feedback out of genuine curiosity.
I honestly prefer black bezels, but because the new iPad Pro had black bezels on either model, I went with silver.
 
Prior to buying my current, silver, iPP 10.5 I was over the fence as to which color iPad 9.7 2018 to pick, well, the one with white bezels looked fugly to me, way too huge to be honest, while the same iPad looked rather good with black bezels, my gf got herself 9.7 iPad in Space Gray and it looks great in that color combo.
iPP 10.5 just looked much better in white-silver combo to me than in black-gray, those black bezels seemed too simple and somewhat bigger'ish to me than white bezels with silver accents.
To each their own I guess.
 
I have always been buying space grey iPads.
One of my main uses is to read documents. For the purpose, the white bezels are superior. They are less taxing for the eyes.
 
I have always been buying space grey iPads.
One of my main uses is to read documents. For the purpose, the white bezels are superior. They are less taxing for the eyes.

I’m confused; did you mean that black bezels are less “taxing for the eyes”?
 
The interesting thing about the border and screen discussions is that without looking at the devices in real life, the 'issues' with certain combinations appear to be way more appalling than they truly are.

My white bezel iPad 2018 has the black border between the screen and bezel and a non-laminated display. After comparing devices I found that these things don't matter to me at all. It's a nice display. Are there better screens? Sure, but that doesn't mean that this one is suddenly bad.

I also think that the white bezels are lot easier on the eyes when viewing a lot of documents and webpages. Plus it looks much better when the device is turned off. The black bezels are better when watching video.
 
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