iPad vs iPad mini

julessays

I need some advice/opinions on normal iPads vs. the iPad mini.

My Dad would like us to club together to buy some for of tablet for my Mum's bday in a couple of weeks. She's pretty much the least tech-savvy person on the planet, but she's retired and spends a lot of time on the (rubbish, old, slow) PC using Facebook and email to stay in touch with friends, reading news sites, playing games (Solitare, rather than Call of Duty!!). The idea is she could also use it to watch iPlayer, take pictures, etc.

He wants to get her the mini but I'm wondering whether the normal size would be better as she's unlikely to use it out of the house so it doesn't need to be convenient/portable beyond carrying it from the dining table to the sofa.

What do people who've used both think? Is there an alternative to the iPad that's better?

cubegame

https://play.google.com/store/devices

This is all you need to know. Nexus 10 is available for the price of a decently specced iPad Mini. Nexus 7 is much more powerful than the iPad Mini as well and the 32Gb 3G version is cheaper than the bottom of the range Mini.

-TangleFoot-

Seen this thread yet?

grizzly1911

+1` for Nexus 7.

Icey370

If you determined for either the iPad or iPad mini, then I'd get her the normal sized iPad!

It's definitely nicer to work on the bigger screen than on the slightly smaller one.

Me and my bro were in the same predicament, we wanted to buy our dad a mini or normal sized for christmas. We ended up getting the normal and he said the screen size makes it easier for him to see.

wba31

I have an iPad mini and think it's great. the screen is 2 inches smaller than the regular iPad, but for me it is no issue. I have fat fingers and have no issues with navigating around the pad and safari. It is also extremely light, therefore easy to hold. The only thing it lacks is a retina display, which is so clear it needs to be seen to be believed...

macman

If portability is not an issue thne the iPad is a better choice in every way.

mrochester

cubegame wrote: »

https://play.google.com/store/devices

This is all you need to know. Nexus 10 is available for the price of a decently specced iPad Mini. Nexus 7 is much more powerful than the iPad Mini as well and the 32Gb 3G version is cheaper than the bottom of the range Mini.

Only go this route if you are happy to use Android.

bod1467

cubegame wrote: »

https://play.google.com/store/devices

This is all you need to know. Nexus 10 is available for the price of a decently specced iPad Mini. Nexus 7 is much more powerful than the iPad Mini as well and the 32Gb 3G version is cheaper than the bottom of the range Mini.

mrochester wrote: »

Only go this route if you are happy to use Android.

The Nexus 10 is currently Sold Out, with no indication of when stock will come back in.

(But I'd also suggest a Nexus 10 over an Ipad, or a Nexus 7 over an Ipad Mini).

bylromarha

Neither.

Get android if that's what she's going to use it for.

10" better. Not tried the nexus. You could get galaxy's at a good price before Cmas?

Speaking as someone who has an android tablet, and an iPad on loan...love the iPad, but really not worth the higher price for Facebook, email and Iplayer. No difference in those things between my iPad and my tablet.

julessays

Thanks for all this advice so far!

I have had an iPhone for years which I love and haven't ever really used an android tablet/phone other than messing about with friend's phones in the pub, etc. Might sound like a daft question but based on a lot of the comments above why would you ever go for an iPad over Nexus/Galaxy if you were just using the basics (FB, iplayer, email)?