iPad Mini vs. iPad Standard

[workinwifdakids]

I was sold on the iPad, and very much thought the iPad Mini was a half-measured gimmick.

Well, Sunday I had my first Apple Store experience. I held both products and played around with them a bit. I've changed my mind - I'll be getting the iPad Mini at some point. It's roughly 4x the size of an iPhone, and weighs the same - maybe less! - than my iPhone with the Otterbox Defender case on it. I can't see messing around with an iPad for any extended amount of time without balancing it on my knees or some-such. The Mini I could hang onto forever.

Anyone have one and want to chime in?

[randy]

It's Android not Apple, but when I bought tablets for myself and CINCHOUSE, we went with the 7" (which I believe is similar in size to the Mini) over the 10" for it's easier portability and handling, as well as price point.

Big enough for a useful screen, not so big it won't fit in CINCHOUSE's purse or most pockets on my coats. Not much room in my briefcase. Easy to hold and use one handed.

[BobbyK]

I honestly consider the mini to be too small, but my usage case is probably different. I read a ton of eBooks on it, as well as using it for both technical reference, and as a remote access tool.

[Greg]

The only tablets I have are a pair of Touchpads (10", size and shape rather like an iPad knockoff) that we bought because I lucked into them during the fire sale. We thought it was a cheap way to see what this tablet thing was about, and we could always make a profit selling them. Well we still have them, so we must like them.

But... the next tablet I buy will be 7". 10" is great for sitting on your lap on the couch. 7" is more convenient for pretty much everything else.

[Denis]

I find my first-generation Kindle is a handy size, although a trifle too heavy for a comfortable one-handed hold for long periods. It's about 19x12cm or say 7x4", though the screen itself is only 9x12cm. A tablet-type device the overall size of the Kindle would be about right, as it fits in all my pockets.

For an all-round device, including a phone, my colleagues are raving about their Samsung Galaxy Notes.

[blackeagle603]

Was out to lunch with a friend last week who is using one of the NOK Win 8 phones. Not a tablet but quite a large screen for a phone. Really nice display.

[Rich]

I am completely infatuated with my 7" AGPTek el-cheapo Android tablet (see this topic. I put the Aldiko e-reader app on it and have over 75 ePUB and PDF books and tech articles and manuals on it. And that's just the e-book reader.

I also use it to check my e-mail and play games, but I drew the line at on-line banking.

Necessary additions (for me) are a usb (female) to usb-mini (male) data adapter, which allows me to plug in a usb stick or keyboard as needed (the one that comes with the tablet is for charging only), and the largest micro-SD card (in this case 32Gb) I could get.

It doesn't replace my computer, but is very complementary.