it’s definitely not the same type of experience, but I read on my mini with my kindle app. I just keep the brightness at the lowest level I can comfortably use.
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iPad mini Why iPad Mini?!
- Thread starter akash.nu
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it’s definitely not the same type of experience, but I read on my mini with my kindle app. I just keep the brightness at the lowest level I can comfortably use.
I do not use the iPad Mini to read. For novels and that sort of thing, it’s Kindle all the way. I have both the Oasis 1 and Oasis 2. My preference is the Oasis 1 for the tiny size. I think the best bang for the buck is probably the latest PaperWhite, but I haven’t used or even seen one. The larger Oasis 2 is very nice but for some reason, I just like the smaller one.
If I have books with color pics then I tend to use my iPad 11 Pro. I could use the Mini, but I’m usually reading those books (typically some sort of sewing/quilting/crafting title with lots of color pics) during the day (not in bed) so I use the larger device.
Definitely agree about the bang for your buck for the paperwhite. I have one and it’s much better than reading on a LCD screen.
On sale for $80-100, yep, definitely agree. I have both the latest Paperwhite and basic Kindle. While even the entry level has frontlight now, the low 167 ppi just makes the text too blurry for my taste. To me, it's well worth spending the extra $20 or so for the Paperwhite.
Admittedly, unless I have migraines, I read a lot more on my 9.7-10.5" iPads (2-page mode). Downloading content from non-Amazon sources is just so much easier on the iPad (with built-in LTE) vs the Paperwhite (which usually involves much cursing using the experimental browser or needing a PC to transfer via USB).
Good point about content. If you’re reading mostly Amazon/Kindle content, then the Kindles are great. There are ways to download other content to your computer and send it to your account, which can then send to Kindle, but that’s not as easy as just straight downloading.
Size. I can fit it into my back pocket freeing up both my hands. Until foldable tablets come out that's the easiest way to travel with a tablet. Plus I can palm the mini so it's not going to fall or slip out if I need to use it one handed.
Big Mini fan here as well. I travel an awful lot around Europe and the ME on business (not lately obviously...). The Mini is a travellers friend. So handy to get out when flying, no size issues with it taking up all the tray table etc. It's even great for reading e-papers. I still have and use my Mini4 but will upgrade when a suitable Mini6 comes out or I'll just go for the iPP 11in because I'm using the Mini primarily for reading e-papers at the moment.
But you cannot go wrong with a mini, it's a fantastic device.
I used that Brydge keyboard but I had two overall and both stopped working. They are well built and solid, but they are very iffy. The rubber feet fell off both very quickly and then they stopped working. After the first one died, like a sucker I bought another one and the same issue. Maybe they've improved I don't know.
But you cannot go wrong with a mini, it's a fantastic device.
I used that Brydge keyboard but I had two overall and both stopped working. They are well built and solid, but they are very iffy. The rubber feet fell off both very quickly and then they stopped working. After the first one died, like a sucker I bought another one and the same issue. Maybe they've improved I don't know.
For me it was never about the price. The size factor and the way the icons fit on the screen were the main reasons. I’d pay 1000 for an iPad mini sized iPad Pro style device. It was very usable with one hand, and could easily fit in my cargo short pockets. And my job now, the current iPad is still sort of big, as I’m constantly working with my hands but need to stow and use the iPad repeatedly. If they ever bring Face ID and the smaller bezel to the mini, I’d be all over it.
I do love my mini to read in bed and travel with, but lately I have had an issue were the point I am in a book isn't transferred to other platforms. I used to be able to move from my mini to my larger iPad, and to my mac. Now, it's sketchy at best. Although I can usually find the highlighted bit that I stopped on the other platform. Odd, huh...
I have been using my iPad air in bed, and it's okay. It's too big-ish, and too bright, which I find odd. It seems to me, my opinion, that it's brighter at minimum than the iPad air. *shrug*
But traveling with a full size iPad could be a chore. I usually bring a real book, and acquire a few magazines on trips, and the weight starts to accrete, and at the end of a trip, I often end up trudging through airports hauling more than I should be. What with chargers, power blocks, sun glasses, book(s), cables, headphones, ear buds, cases, meds, snacks, liquids, water/soda, salty snacks, etc, there's a lot. Using the mini helps a little with the drudgery of travel.
On the 'paper white' e-reader screens. I tried one for a short time. I didn't like the display. It seemed 'muddy', washed out, not very good to be looking at for long periods of time. Plus it's basically one use. Watching a movie on a 'peper white' e-reader screen would be rather insane. Unless they have changed, the update rate was annoying. Watching anything with any motion, would be just nasty. Yeah, no...
And why would I want to carry around a 'paper white' e-reader, and an iPad? If the choice comes down to that, it's iPad all the way. I remember the RocketBook (might be slightly off the name) which was one of the first e-readers in my knowledge. (Although I have a Sony 'DataBank' which might predate those) They died for a variety of reasons I'm sure. Making them limited like that means they are not going to be ubiquitous. Unless you can do many things on the same device, that device ends up limited and unusable compared to others. But they are cheaper, so... They do have a market, but some are high priced too, which is kinda nuts.
Anyway...
I have been using my iPad air in bed, and it's okay. It's too big-ish, and too bright, which I find odd. It seems to me, my opinion, that it's brighter at minimum than the iPad air. *shrug*
But traveling with a full size iPad could be a chore. I usually bring a real book, and acquire a few magazines on trips, and the weight starts to accrete, and at the end of a trip, I often end up trudging through airports hauling more than I should be. What with chargers, power blocks, sun glasses, book(s), cables, headphones, ear buds, cases, meds, snacks, liquids, water/soda, salty snacks, etc, there's a lot. Using the mini helps a little with the drudgery of travel.
On the 'paper white' e-reader screens. I tried one for a short time. I didn't like the display. It seemed 'muddy', washed out, not very good to be looking at for long periods of time. Plus it's basically one use. Watching a movie on a 'peper white' e-reader screen would be rather insane. Unless they have changed, the update rate was annoying. Watching anything with any motion, would be just nasty. Yeah, no...
And why would I want to carry around a 'paper white' e-reader, and an iPad? If the choice comes down to that, it's iPad all the way. I remember the RocketBook (might be slightly off the name) which was one of the first e-readers in my knowledge. (Although I have a Sony 'DataBank' which might predate those) They died for a variety of reasons I'm sure. Making them limited like that means they are not going to be ubiquitous. Unless you can do many things on the same device, that device ends up limited and unusable compared to others. But they are cheaper, so... They do have a market, but some are high priced too, which is kinda nuts.
Anyway...
E-ink readers are a much smaller niche compared to tablets but I'm glad they exist. When I have migraines, I can still read on e-ink (even with front light on, as long as it's matched to ambient lighting). Meanwhile iPhones, iPads and monitors just aggravate my migraine.
There's also the amazing battery life. Unlike LCD, e-ink displays only use power when you turn pages and barely use power on standby so you get way longer battery life. I've been on 16-hour flights with no access to an outlet and would switch to the e-ink reader when the iPad drops to ~20-25%.
Plus they're like 1/2 - 2/3 the weight of the iPad mini and easier to hold thanks to thicker bezels so less wrist strain.
Yes, they are a niche product. It's one of the reasons I passed on the RocketBook-thing tablet. They certainly looked cool, and I could see them taking off, but there was someone too locked down and kludgy about them. I can see where the paper white readers could be nice. I got a color Kindle for my mom, and when she died, my sister 'stole' it. I wanted to have some time with it to see if it would grow on me, but after not getting it back, I figured I wasn't going to buy another one. But my mom loved it. She liked reading those bra ripper trash romance novels, and having the Kindle meant they were cheaper and she didn't have tons of books laying around, and she could actually hold it too.
I get it, but for me, meh... I like my mini. Like the flexibility. Honestly I just don't need another something right now.
Anyone still have the Wired magazine with the paper white display stuck on the cover? I can't remember where I put mine! Grrr...
There are no consumer e-ink readers with color display. You're probably referring to the Fire (formerly named Kindle Fire) which is an LCD tablet based on Android. It doesn't have Google Play store but otherwise, no problems watching videos, etc. on that.
The e-ink technology is not really for general media consumption so expecting them to work as a normal tablet is a bit incorrect.
I have a kindle for uninterrupted reading. Especially on long trips, be it on the train or flight or at the beach, when there’s no internet connection and I don’t want to get distracted from reading.
I use my iPad for all general purpose usage. What I’ve found is I get eye strain looking at the iPad for too long since I work on computers 24/7 anyway. Kindle helps with that and the refresh rate is plenty good for reading. Also as mentioned earlier, the battery life is something I don’t need to worry about at all when I’m travelling. One less thing to charge.
I have a kindle for uninterrupted reading. Especially on long trips, be it on the train or flight or at the beach, when there’s no internet connection and I don’t want to get distracted from reading.
I use my iPad for all general purpose usage. What I’ve found is I get eye strain looking at the iPad for too long since I work on computers 24/7 anyway. Kindle helps with that and the refresh rate is plenty good for reading. Also as mentioned earlier, the battery life is something I don’t need to worry about at all when I’m travelling. One less thing to charge.
Let me give you a few reasons. The tl;dr of it is, as many have mentioned, the size. But there's more to it than that.
1. Even with a case and smart cover, it will fit in the front pocket of any men's pants. It will also fit in the internal pocket of most suit jackets.
2. The smaller the device is, the more likely you're going to want to take it places. The iPad mini is no exception, and, as such, it is much easier to take to more places than any 9.7" or larger iPad. There are plenty of outings where I wouldn't take a 9.7" or larger iPad along for the ride, but do with an iPad mini.
3. Cellular. Getting a WiFi+Cellular iPad mini and putting it on a plan is awesome. As stated in 1 and 2, an iPad mini is small enough to take with you on most outings, so if your main phone goes dead, you're not without an emergency communications device. I'd also say that, in general, the smaller the iPad, the more sense a cellular model and plan make for it.
4. Use in the car. There are some fantastic car mounts specifically for iPad minis, and with a cellular iPad mini, you have the ultimate infotainment setup. Beats the utter crap out of Android Auto and CarPlay (and is easier to use give or take eyes-free). Also, most car chargers will fail to charge a 9.7" or larger iPad faster than it will drain it. Not so with the mini. The charging still sucks, but it is at least able to charge it, albeit slowly.
5. Perfect for eBook reading. I'm currently doing a lot of IT Certification reading right now and I'm using the 2017 5th Generation iPad for with Apple Books that. It's not the best experience. That's not Apple Books' fault (though, that software could really use some cleanup); the iPad is just a bit large to hold in one hand comfortably. The iPad mini is much nicer for that.
6. Most comfortable model of iPad for watching movies on an airplane. Especially with the seats being so crammed in nowadays.
1. Even with a case and smart cover, it will fit in the front pocket of any men's pants. It will also fit in the internal pocket of most suit jackets.
2. The smaller the device is, the more likely you're going to want to take it places. The iPad mini is no exception, and, as such, it is much easier to take to more places than any 9.7" or larger iPad. There are plenty of outings where I wouldn't take a 9.7" or larger iPad along for the ride, but do with an iPad mini.
3. Cellular. Getting a WiFi+Cellular iPad mini and putting it on a plan is awesome. As stated in 1 and 2, an iPad mini is small enough to take with you on most outings, so if your main phone goes dead, you're not without an emergency communications device. I'd also say that, in general, the smaller the iPad, the more sense a cellular model and plan make for it.
4. Use in the car. There are some fantastic car mounts specifically for iPad minis, and with a cellular iPad mini, you have the ultimate infotainment setup. Beats the utter crap out of Android Auto and CarPlay (and is easier to use give or take eyes-free). Also, most car chargers will fail to charge a 9.7" or larger iPad faster than it will drain it. Not so with the mini. The charging still sucks, but it is at least able to charge it, albeit slowly.
5. Perfect for eBook reading. I'm currently doing a lot of IT Certification reading right now and I'm using the 2017 5th Generation iPad for with Apple Books that. It's not the best experience. That's not Apple Books' fault (though, that software could really use some cleanup); the iPad is just a bit large to hold in one hand comfortably. The iPad mini is much nicer for that.
6. Most comfortable model of iPad for watching movies on an airplane. Especially with the seats being so crammed in nowadays.
Carrying an ereader and a tablet is surely not for everyone. On the other hand, the weight of a Kindle is really low so in a travel bag it doesn’t make much of an impact.
I also don’t mind that ereaders only serve one function. They are designed for one purpose only. In return, they offer low weight, long battery life and often times a pleasing screen. I’ve tried a few and would agree with you that the screens of some models aren’t that appealing but in my experience you get these if the display works for you and you prefer that to transporting real books.
I use them for almost a decade now and wouldn’t want to miss my e-reader - iPhone and iPad do the rest of the tasks at home.
Thanks for your input. I hadn’t thought about your 4th point at all. Yes an iPad mini would be awesome as a navigation / car entertainment system.
I guess my feeling is that adding anything tends to add more complexity. Chargers, cables, etc. I read e-books on multiple platforms, MacBook Pro, iPads, etc, and having a way to go from device to device and not miss where I stopped on the previous reading opportunity is nice. You do you. I understand why someone would want one, I dont understand why anyone would want one instead of an iPad, and when you get to that point, they iPad is an e-reader on steroids, sy why the duplicity. For me... If it works for others, rock on!
Personally, I love the iPad and use it for majority of the time for almost everything (unless I have a migraine).
However, I know there are plenty of folks who have no desire to use a tablet and opt for a dedicated e-ink reader for reading and laptop/desktop + smartphone for all the other stuff.
Mind, as far as e-reading goes, I'm betting smartphones are the dominant platform for that rather than tablets or dedicated e-readers
I bought the first iPad expecting to hate it. Clients were curious to see what I though tof it. I actually expected to hate it. I did for a while, and then liked it, and then hated it, and then actually loved it. It's better than an iPhone for reading books, but I have old eyes. I have tried reading books on my iMac, and really haven't liked it much. I guess the screen is too big. (Performance anxiety) Anyway, I have used my iPhone a couple of times to read small books. Really small books...
Rock on!
I know this is an older thread - and perhaps someone already answered this post - but I use the iPad mini and the Kindle App and all the books that I either purchased from Amazon, got from my local library or uploaded to the Amazon server are easily available in the iPad (and iPhone) Kindle apps. Yes it is not an e-ink screen (my wife prefers her Kindle to my iPad mini for reading books), but you would not lose anything in your Kindle/Amazon library.
I had an iPad mini 3 that I loved for its size and portability. The screen is now shattered, and I’m looking at upgrading to an 11” iPad Pro. As much as I love the iPad mini size, I would like a bigger screen for multitasking purposes.
Like many, I'd kill for a Mini Pro. Hopefully, the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be like a mini iPad Pro. If they nail that phone, it'll be amazing.
I wanted a mini-pro before getting my 10.5" pro as well.
However having lived with an iPad Pro 10.5" I want a 12.9 Pro. Depends on what you're doing, but for pencil use I feel even 10" is a little cramped for writing and drawing on. You can do it... but 12.9" would be so much less cramped for sketches, etc. - particularly when note-taking in portrait.
But - the lines are blurred now. The pencil used to be a pro only feature and now it isn't. What "pro" thing do you wish the mini had? RAM? it will get it eventually. truetone? Ditto...