Which to choose? Mini or iPad?

[lparsons21]

My old mini was a wifi only base model, won't go past iOS 9.3.x and is darned near full. So I've decided I need to move up. And there lies the rub.

Looking at Verizon, I can get the Mini 4 cell model for $329 or the iPad (non-pro) for $359, both 128Gb models. The mini is at least a generation behind the other ipads but the size is great for reading books which is my primary use for this secondary iPad. As well as being more suitable for travel.

But the iPad non-pro is more current and the size doesn't seem overly awkward. How about some feedback from bed readers with the iPad?

Currently also have an iPad Pro (original), which is definitely not suitable for bed reading.

 

[harshness]

What are some of your secondary uses? The Asus Zenpad Z8s may be an option if there aren't some show stopper apps that you're not telling us about. It doesn't hurt that the cost is less than half that of an iPad Mini.

Another plus for the Zenpad is if you use the tablet to store books, music or videos, its only $45 for 128GB of additional storage versus having to buy the 128GB iPad for $200 more.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't see the advantage of downloading content over taking it with me.

 

[navychop]

My wife uses her iPad everywhere, in bed, on the road, at work, etc. she has no problem toting it around.

Of course, she carries a purse.

 

[lparsons21]

What are some of your secondary uses? The Asus Zenpad Z8s may be an option if there aren't some show stopper apps that you're not telling us about. It doesn't hurt that the cost is less than half that of an iPad Mini.

Another plus for the Zenpad is if you use the tablet to store books, music or videos, its only $45 for 128GB of additional storage versus having to buy the 128GB iPad for $200 more.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't see the advantage of downloading content over taking it with me.

Zenpad is fine, I have one. But I read with iBooks as well as other readers.

As to secondary uses, well most don't come into play at home as I have a slew of computers/devices for those. On trips just the usual suspects, email, web and so forth.

I'm primarily an Apple guy, the others are just toys to diddle with. My iPad Mini is long in the tooth and very slow.

 

[lparsons21]

My wife uses her iPad everywhere, in bed, on the road, at work, etc. she has no problem toting it around.

Of course, she carries a purse.

Thanks. I'm leaning to the iPad non-pro since the newest mini is 2 generations old and no indication of a new one coming out.

I suppose I could use a Murse!

 

[king3pj]

I bought the 32GB iPad ffor $329 directly from Apple a couple months ago to replace my 4th Gen iPad that wasn't going to get iOS 11. A 128GB LTE model for $359 is a pretty great deal. 32GB was a nice improvement for me coming off my older 16GB model but 128GB wouldn't be necessary for my needs. My old model had LTE but I never activated it. I just used mobile hotspot from my iPhone since it worked just as well and didn't come with an additional monthly fee.

I would not go with the iPad Mini. My sister has one and it's noticeably slower than my standard iPad. It probably won't get new iOS versions as long because of this too.

I use my iPad constantly. It is my general web browser when I'm at home and I read books on it every night before bed. The Mini's size is great for reading but the iPad isn't bad either. I just hold mine in landscape mode with two pages side by side when I use the kindle app. One page taking up the entire screen is a bit much in portrait mode.

 

[lparsons21]

Thanks. The $359 is with a contract and adds $10/month to my cell bill. Not a problem as after I played cell provider shuffle a bit bac, I won't be leaving Verizon.

 

[klang]

I have both a Mini 4 and a Pro. The Pro is noticeably faster than the Mini but the Mini is not slow by any stretch. For reading the Mini would be more than adequate. As the 4 is still the latest Mini I don't think support is much of a concern.

 

[lparsons21]

Size is the determining factor as Verizon's price for the mini 4 is only $30 less than the 128Gb iPad regardless of storage configuration.

Just got back from the Verizon store with the new iPad 128Gb. Love it already! Small and light enough for reading anywhere, big enough to do most anything else I might want to do. Set it up as a new iPad so it won't have some of the cruft in the backups I have. Downloading a software update now, then I'll load up the software I want on it.

Fastest visit to a vzw store I've ever done!

 

[lparsons21]

Btw, the 32Gb version is only $259 with contract.

 

[navychop]

I agree- we aren't likely to see another mini.

 

[TheForce]

Be mindful of that $10 cost per month + taxes for the cell model. After I saw how easy it was to use tether from our iphones when we travel I worked hard and was successful in getting Verizon to drop my off contract ipad with cell from the account. If you will use the ipad without having your cell phone then it may be worth it. Personally, I haven't missed the cell service on my ipads at all. When we travel, I turn on my tether feature and then my wife and I can access the internet for "free" with our ipads and Surface Pro

If you plan to use that ipad for 3 years, the cell service will double it's out of pocket cost.

 

[lparsons21]

The cell service cost would be there regardless as I've always had a tablet with cell data. I prefer it over using tethering. Consider it a convenience fee!

 

[Foxbat]

The only other reason to pay extra for the iPad with cellular radios is the GPS receiver that is missing in the WiFi version. Using an iPad mini with Waze (or your other favorite Maps/GPS app) gives you a nice big screen compared to your iPhone.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I have an iPad mini 3 which is used primarily as a secondary reader. when I got the iPad Pro 10.5 it just seemed to big for the kindle app, although ironically, I have come to use it more and more for that.

But if I had to chose 9.7" ipad (not pro) or mini 4, I'd go for the ipad.

 

[lparsons21]

The only other reason to pay extra for the iPad with cellular radios is the GPS receiver that is missing in the WiFi version. Using an iPad mini with Waze (or your other favorite Maps/GPS app) gives you a nice big screen compared to your iPhone.

I use the iPad on the golf courses with a golf gps app. Screen is big enough to not need reading glasses and size is not overwhelming.