Are iPads worth the extra money?

buglawton

8" screens are the best for small tablets, yet the majority of tablet manufacturers have not caught onto this simple fact. Hence the iPad mini tends to triumph on user experience if not price.

Contessa

buglawton wrote: »

8" screens are the best for small tablets, yet the majority of tablet manufacturers have not caught onto this simple fact. Hence the iPad mini tends to triumph on user experience if not price.

It would be helpful if you would explain why. This is a just a question, as I'm thinking about buying a tablet but confused about "best" sizes.

Does size matter matter? Or does weight?

RobTang

Contessa wrote: »

It would be helpful if you would explain why. This is a just a question, as I'm thinking about buying a tablet but confused about "best" sizes.

Does size matter matter? Or does weight?

Not really...

Well it all comes down to personal preference, really the extra inch doesn't really make much of a difference.
The width/height ratio does affect it a bit more but I cant say there's really massive reason to go either way: iPad is shaped similar to a piece of paper (feels for natural, but layout isn't as efficient) other tabs are shaped like a widescreen monitor on its side (more efficient layout but just feels wrong)
Again pretty much comes down to what you prefer.

Weight generally speaking most people can agree lighter is better, although Sony's Z tabs really sacrifice battery life for its lightness a bit too much.

fed_up_and_stressed

I adore my ipad, never had anything else don't want anything else. Some of the best money I've spent.

Anne_Marie_2

I think size and weight do matter, however it's all down to personal preference. I like the ipad mini, friends and family have various other 7" and 10" tablets and prefer them. All everyone can give you is their personal opinion, you have to go and check out what is best for you in the shops.

prowla

Size definitely matters; the size of the display is relevant to what you want to use it for...

Would you prefer to watch movies on a larger screen? If so then get the larger screen model.

Do you want to read books on it? Probably best on the larger screen model.

Is your eyesight not quite as good as it was? Larger screen = bigger text.

Do you want to display full pages? Larger screen needed.

Do you want it to be handy-sized? Well, the smaller the better.

Gaming? Usually the bigger screen gives you a wider vista.

I'm sure the list could be expanded a lot, but you get the idea.

Me, I have a full-screen iPad and an iPhone; I don't really need an in-between sized tablet.

Actually I do have a BB PlayBook, which is smaller than the iPad, but I never use it.

The one thing which I can see the iPad mini being useful for would be a Sat-Nav, as the iPhone screen is slightly small in the car and the full-size iPad isn't quite going to fit in a hands-free bracket hanging off the air vent.

buglawton

I changed from a 10" iPad to iPad mini. The mini is much better for popping into a shoulder bag for travel. Wife has one too and finds the mini easy to hold all day, not true of the bigger iPad. My brother uses the 7" Hudl and I've tried it. The Hudl is much less forgiving of fat fingers while the mini is a breeze to type on as well as having a lot more text displaying while the keyboard is up. IMO the main reason for going 7" is price, once you've tried both of the smaller formats you won't want to go back to 7".

Oh and I use an iPhone as a temporary sat nav, it's fine but has to be positioned in the corner as close as possible to driver.

shopperwin

In short, the iPad is much more intuitive and easier to use for less techy people. My parents are in their 70s and they both have one and can work them just fine. The structure of the entire operating system is just so much easier to use than Android products.

However the downside is that Apple products cost, they are not a luxury brand as their products break and bust like everybody elses, build quality is good but most iPhone/iPads can't take a drop for 4 feet without smashing the screen to bits.

Google Nexus 7 for thrifty techies, Apple iPad for no-techs with a big wallet. Simple

A._Badger

isofa wrote: »

With everything in life you get what you pay for. .

Now there's a tired old cliche that should qualify for an immediate MSE reprimand.

If it were true there would be no bargains, nothing would be overpriced and there would be absolutely no meaning to the phrase 'value for money'.

Some products and services are overpriced - and that's a fact.

buglawton

Also worth mentioning is that the resale value for used Apple tech - if in perfect condition - is quite good which helps with the next upgrade.