The iPad mini has been out for a while now, and I have to say I’m surprised that the screen whining is still going on. Like I mentioned in my review, the decision to not put a 2048 x 1536 screen in the iPad mini isn’t just Apple being silly, it’s a necessary evil to reach the size and weight. Compared to the Nexus 7- which is considered to be “the other” ~7-inch device right now, the iPad mini is thinner, lighter, has a bigger physical screen, and has better battery life. It’s not a huge leap to conclude that Apple already accomplished something by making the mini this small and light, and that there’s simply no way you can cram a screen with four times the resolution into the same package without sacrificing something, namely battery life.
Still, a lot of people say they don’t like the iPad mini’s screen because it’s inferior to the iPad 3/4 screen. I get that. While I find it’s outright pointless to blame a company for not doing something that’s not possible, I also think that anyone is entitled to simply ignore a product that they don’t find is adequate. It doesn’t matter what the reason for the lack of a better screen in the iPad mini is if it ends up making you not want to use it. If that’s the case, simply don’t buy it. I have a list of products and companies whose perfectly reasonable excuses still don’t change the fact that I’m not interested in the end product.
What I find more interesting about the situation is how people got to the point where they find the iPad mini’s screen inadequate. Go back to January, and the iPad mini would have been praised for its screen, because it’s a significant upgrade in PPI over the iPad 2, which was then the latest iPad. I came from the iPad 2 to the mini, so it’s a significant upgrade for me too. I’ve shown it to other people who use the iPad 2, and they too liked the screen. The iPad 2′s resolution has never bothered me when reading on it, and so the iPad mini certainly doesn’t bother me. The only times I’ve noticed the resolution to be an issue is with direct comparisons to an iPad 3, in which case you become aware of something that otherwise wouldn’t have bothered you.
The mini’s size and weight are game changers for a lot of what I do with it, and it seems like I’m this poor, naive person who is only capable of liking the mini’s screen because I never had the “pleasure” of owning an iPad 3/4 and using it every day. Unlike a lot of advances in technology, upgrading to an iPad 3 wouldn’t have changed how I used my iPad. Everything I already do would look better, sure, but I wouldn’t suddenly find whole new uses for it. That is why I never upgraded, and that is, it appears, why I can now enjoy the iPad mini without crying myself to sleep over the screen resolution.
At the end of the day, I’m glad I never upgraded my iPad 2. I have a friend who sold his iPad 3 to get a mini, and while he had some comments about the screen difference, the form factor eventually won out. That seems to be the logic of many iPad 3 users out there right now, while iPad 2 users actually get more enjoyment out of the upgrade. I guess that proves once and for all that ignorance is bliss, and it’s all relative.
Ab-so-lootly!
I’ve an iPad2 I rarely use: it’s too heavy, ungainly, difficult to type on and not nearly as portable as I’d like.
I’m finding myself increasingly eager for the ‘mini because while not as pocketable as my phone, it will slip easily into a cargo pocket (‘though it won’t vanish there). 66% of the iPad screensize at 47% of the weight? You’re on!
I’ll probably upgrade to the iPad 5 or 6. I think the IPad mini is too small. Used one at bestbuy and it’s like a shrunken IPad. I don’t like it but that’s why apple has two sizes. Bought the Microsoft surface and still like my IPad more but now trying to do some things on my iPad that is on windows 8 like swiping for charms and closing apps. And on surface I try multitasking by using apple’s gestures. Confusing when you have 2 devices with different user experiences.
I couldn’t agree more and I’ve previously complained in these comments about the lack of resolution. I’ve not felt like it was Apple doing anything but working within limitations, technological or budgetary.
I will wait for the Mini S or next full version because I’ve been spoiled by the 3 as a primary reading device. Im not suffering in the meantime in the least but I look forward to technology catching up to my expectations.
Poor Apple! They get tagged as me-tooists in the wake of the Nexus 7, and then they can’t even keep their own fan base happy. Seems they can’t put a foot right these days.
People say iPhone is to small while the IPad mini is too big. It has more screen than the nexus 7 it beats it so much that there not in same class. But I think they meant the IPad mini as something else to choose from from there iPad line. There’s a 13 and 15 inch MacBook option. Now same for IPad. It’s not meant as an upgrade it’s meant as a different product. If you like smaller screen go with mini if not then go with full iPad.
I have to take exception to one point though – that it isn’t possible to have a higher resolution in this size unit.
Yes you can – it isn’t a problem technologically. There are other reasons not to do so. Some don’t see the value in Full HD in a 5-inch screen. You can now buy phones with this resolution.
So please don’t put he excuse that it isn’t technologically feasible. Whether the price increase, battery drain etc. would make it worthwhile are far better reasons not to include it, along with the perceived view that it gives something for them to sell the next generation with. Again, you shouldn’t blame them for that – but see as a business decision.
I take the view that it is easier going from worse to better than the other way around.
I went from a 2.8″ screen to 4″ to 5.3″ to 5.5″. Resolution went from QVGA to WVGA to 720P. No way would I want to go back to 4″ WVGA never mind QVGA.
The problem in the mind is that this device is bigger than an iPhone and should be have a similar PPI as less is exactly that. The problem for Apple is their system doesn’t allow for an inbetween resolution – like 1440×900, which would keep the PPI high yet not too high.
I agree with you on a few of these points. I think one of the main reason Apple did not include a higher resolution display is not so much because of a lack of ability but more because of the fact they need a selling point for the next model. Apple’s model has always been to hold a little bit back, and it has worked out well for them. I’m sure we will see a faster processor coupled with a higher resolution display with the next mini after Apple has had time to see how they’re customer base responds to the current version.