11-15-2013, 11:03 PM
Depends on what your priorities are. The retina mini is really great—and what it should have been—but after playing around with them today at the Apple Store, I've pretty much decided on the Air. It's not the tough decision I thought it would be.
Last year, when I checked out the low res mini, I was surprised at how much the smaller, lighter form factor appealed to me, and I really thought I'd want the retina when it came out. But that was compared to the clunkier iPad 4. Not complaining, but the retina mini felt thicker, heavier and warmer than the standard mini next to it (I know the thickness and weight are so close that it shouldn't even be perceptible). And with the Air being the same thickness, the weight spread over a larger area almost made it feel thinner...and not a whole lot heavier at all.
Again, to each his own. If you are in the market for something more portable, then you cannot go wrong with the retina mini. It's vastly improved. But the deciding factor for me is that I do really want the bigger screen. It's more useful to me. Same reason I don't choose a 32" over a 50" and sit closer.
Last year, when I checked out the low res mini, I was surprised at how much the smaller, lighter form factor appealed to me, and I really thought I'd want the retina when it came out. But that was compared to the clunkier iPad 4. Not complaining, but the retina mini felt thicker, heavier and warmer than the standard mini next to it (I know the thickness and weight are so close that it shouldn't even be perceptible). And with the Air being the same thickness, the weight spread over a larger area almost made it feel thinner...and not a whole lot heavier at all.
Again, to each his own. If you are in the market for something more portable, then you cannot go wrong with the retina mini. It's vastly improved. But the deciding factor for me is that I do really want the bigger screen. It's more useful to me. Same reason I don't choose a 32" over a 50" and sit closer.