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**monkeylady** · 02-26-2014, 04:53 PM

I have a one-year mini and I love it. It's fine to use as an ebook reader during the evening or in low light, but not in daylight. The Kindle is superior IMO in all light conditions. My mini is wifi only (as I am sick to death of data fees with phone companies). I use it extensively to access the internet.
Music quality is just fine, same as Ipod. For travel, I store copies of documents and passport, and downloaded information regarding my destination which I prefer over my Iphone because of screen size and better readability. I use it for email as needed and because my email use is very limited on vacation, I do not have/use an external keyboard. I find the mini to be a life saver on long flights; I can read or play games. When travelling I generally just take my iphone and mini. The phone is good for calls and IMs (we have free international service with T Mobil). If I were lounging by a pool during the day, I'd also take my Kindle, but usually pool lounging is not on our vacation agenda, so the mini serves me well at night. You can take decent photos with it if you like. I have foreign language dictionaries installed for use in foreign countries. You could easily download some guidebooks into the Kindle function if you use guidebooks heavily when you travel. I have used it for still photos, but not video so can't address your question on that. For me, the mini scores high for readability and the convenience of small size.

**Badger** · 02-26-2014, 05:24 PM

I use a normal, huge, non-retina iPad because I haven't been persuaded that I need anything else at the moment, so I can't answer all of your questions but I can respond to some of the questions that apply to all iPads:

4. You can, but not outside. It does okay indoors. The Kindle is vastly superior to the iPad for reading, although I used the iPad Kindle app before I got my Kindle and somehow I survived.

5. It works as an iPod but unless you have one of the models with more storage you probably won't want your whole library on it. I wouldn't shell out big bucks for more storage just to have more music on it; pandora and spotify are helpful and don't require tons of room.

6. Isn't that what everyone primarily uses their iPad for? Confused by this question.

7. Uh, I have a swanky alarm clock app and a virtual drum set that I bust out now and again, but they're not essential to my life.

8. I use an Apple wireless keyboard for writing and conducting research. It's bluetooth, it's fine, but I would probably get a lighter, foldable model if I was going to be one-bag traveling for any length of time.

9. My iPad is AT&T but I got it when free (or any) wifi was harder to come by. Today I would go wifi only.

10. I don't. I use my phone. In fact, with the exception of writing lengthy papers, there's nothing my iPad can do that my phone can't do, plus the phone is supremely portable. I use my phone more than my iPad, iMac, and MBP combined.

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**giantsteve** · 02-26-2014, 06:56 PM

Between all of us in the house we have just about every type of iPad although we seem to be migrating to the mini for the more convenient form factor. We use it as a personal device so the difference in screen size is less important than having a smaller, lighter and easier to hold device. The retina display is a significant upgrade over the standard screen and personally I think the image is fantastic. I have read some of the critical articles and just don't notice any issues mentioned. I would say the retina mini is well worth the premium especially considering the processor is far more powerful than the original mini.

The iPad works as an ereader, but no tablet can hold a candle to the kindle for reading. It's important to note that the kindle you want for an ereader is the paperwhite (or another unit with the e-ink screen) not the kindle fire which is like an iPad. The kindle paperwhite is light, inexpensive, rugged, and readable in every type if light including bright sunshine. The battery also lasts for weeks. After my iPhone, my kindle paperwhite is my favorite portable electronic device.

**Janine** · 02-26-2014, 07:52 PM

I'm confused. Why would people ask you about the iPad Mini if you don't own any flavor of iPad? Do you do tech support or something?

No matter. These forums are full of Apple folk and the various iPad models have been chatted up quite a bit. I'm sure you'd find answers to all your questions with a few quick searches, with the exception of the "internet appliance" one. Since that was what the iPad was designed to be, a question with a more interesting answer would be "If you don't use your iPad as an internet appliance, what do you do with it?” I reckon lots of folks use them to entertain their offspring. It would be cool to know of people using their iPads for other things, like maybe as a gaming device. (Puzzle & Dragons, anyone?)

**Badger** · 02-26-2014, 07:55 PM

Dude, I play PAD on my phone. PM me if you want to add me as a friend, other forum peeps.

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**hamiltee** · 02-26-2014, 08:25 PM

1: Does anyone here own an older iPad Mini? What do you think of it?
I really like it. I debated between the regular and min, and I'm happy I went with the mini. I like its size and weight. It's a bit easier to hold for longer periods of time.

4: Would you use this device as an e-book reader? Would you be able to read it in an outdoors situation? Would a Kindle or other tablet be a better choice for that?
I haven't gotten into e-books yet, so I can't really comment on this use.

5: Does anyone here regularly use an iPad as an iPod (music player)? What do you think of it?
Yep. I listen to music via Pandora and TuneIn Radio. I also frequently listen to Detroit Red Wings hockey games on the external speaker. I'm happy with the experience.

6: Does anyone here use an iPad as an internet appliance? (web browsing, e-mail, social media, chat) What do you think of it?
Yep. My iPhone 4 was an update to my ~2006 MacBook Pro. (I do have a current PC laptop through work.). I browse these forums and the web with my mini. I buy things on line, write emails, follow Twitter usually through the iPad's apps. I use iMessage for texting and FaceTime. I'm pleased with them all.

7: What is the most unusual use you have for your iPad? Is it something a tablet does better than any other device?
Most unusual...I recently downloaded an app to determine if I snore. Quite interesting to read and hear the report generated.

8: Do you ever use an external keyboard with your iPad? If so, how well does the keyboard work for you? What kind of keyboard do you use?
I got the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard, and haven't regretted it. This provides a clam shell cover to the mini and a pretty good typing experience for typing emails or word docs. I don't do a lot of word processing, but I have written some notes to self on my mini.
Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini - Logitech

9: Is your iPad WiFi only, or does it also have cellular capability?
I made a choice to haveWiFi only because I also have the iPhone. So far, so good....

10: Explain how you use your iPad while traveling to enhance your traveling experience.
I'll play games, watch TV shows, listen to music or podcasts.

11: I see that there are at least two generations of the iPad Mini. (2012 and 2013?) What do you think of the photo and video quality of the Mini's built-in camera, and has the image quality improved with the newer model?
Again, I have the older model, but I've been happy with its quality.

**Miking** · 02-26-2014, 10:25 PM

1: Does anyone here own an older iPad Mini? What do you think of it?
I have a first generation 32gb wifi only mini, I really like it, nice and light but still solidly built. old iPhone apps don't look ridiculous on the screen. Video and pictures look good. The price was an easier pill to swallow compared to the bigger iPads.

3: Has anyone who currently owns one of these gadgets tried tinkering with a newer (or older) one to see what the difference is? How does it stack up to the iPad Air?
Comparing it to an iPad air is kind of like comparing a Chevrolet Cobalt with a Camaro. They are built for completely different markets, you can tell the mini was tailored to fit a specific price point. I have an app developer friend who tells me the specs stink compared to most high end 7" tablets but because of "optimization" developers have an easier time working with it's well known shortcomings to create better, faster apps.

4: Would you use this device as an e-book reader? Would you be able to read it in an outdoors situation? Would a Kindle or other tablet be a better choice for that?
I read with mine, it is backlit so your eyes will get fatigued faster than reading a kindle or book. Like all apple products the screen becomes unreadable in bright sunlight although there are a few non-glare screen covers you can add if you plan on using it outdoors a lot.

5: Does anyone here regularly use an iPad as an iPod (music player)? What do you think of it?
It does just fine, pretty much the same converters as any other iGadget. Discerning audiophiles will scoff at it but they scoff at everything.

6: Does anyone here use an iPad as an internet appliance? (web browsing, e-mail, social media, chat) What do you think of it?
It's good, just as able as the big iPads, but with less weight, nice when you are holding it up to FaceTime chat or scrolling through pages

7: What is the most unusual use you have for your iPad? Is it something a tablet does better than any other device?
I use mine on the job so it's nice to have one that fits in my back pocket or tool pouch, and I can't wait for the iPad mini field journal notebook!

8: Do you ever use an external keyboard with your iPad? If so, how well does the keyboard work for you? What kind of keyboard do you use?
I have used the apple wireless keyboard with it, it works well, I just wouldn't carry it around with me, the keyboard on the iPad is just fine for anything short of a novel.

9: Is your iPad WiFi only, or does it also have cellular capability?
Wifi only but I often tether it to my iPhone via Bluetooth and that works wonderfully.

10: Explain how you use your iPad while traveling to enhance your traveling experience.
Movies, photos, video editing, Facebook, maps, web surfing, email, if I have a day or two off in a city I'll download a guidebook app.

11: I see that there are at least two generations of the iPad Mini. (2012 and 2013?) What do you think of the photo and video quality of the Mini's built-in camera, and has the image quality improved with the newer model?
The camera is serviceable enough in good light, I have taken quick photos with it that I have posted on here, will it replace a real camera? No...

**scribe** · 02-27-2014, 12:14 AM