iPad Mini 4

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JarrodM

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#180594 14-Sep-2015 20:09

Anyone thinking of picking one of these up? waiting for some reviews before making a final decision but thinking it could be a good upgrade for my 3rd gen iPad. Mainly waiting to see if it has the 2gb of ram, which it looks like it has due to it's multitasking ability.

chiefie

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#1387467 14-Sep-2015 20:13

It will be a great upgrade compare to 3rd gen iPad. The processor is same as iPad Air 2 - which is speedy enough. It is same innard as iPad Air 2 just in smaller package.

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littleheaven

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#1387469 14-Sep-2015 20:22

My son has a mini 3 and it's really nice. I don't mind the smaller screen at all, and it's really zippy. You'll notice a huge difference. I went from an iPad 3 to an Air and it was a big step up, so going from that to the mini 4 will be even more noticeable.

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khull

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#1387485 14-Sep-2015 20:48

For reading I'd rather a small screen - the bigger Air 2 displays the same amount of information albeit a larger screen.

Paul1977

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#1387692 15-Sep-2015 10:05

chiefie: It will be a great upgrade compare to 3rd gen iPad. The processor is same as iPad Air 2 - which is speedy enough. It is same innard as iPad Air 2 just in smaller package.

Actually, the iPad Air 2 has an A8X chip, while the Mini 4 just has the A8.

MikeB4

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#1387710 15-Sep-2015 10:32

I like the iPad Mini form factor, it is a nice tablet. I have an iPhone 6+ so the mini would seem a bit pointless to buy.

Wade

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#1388326 16-Sep-2015 06:54

Paul1977:
chiefie: It will be a great upgrade compare to 3rd gen iPad. The processor is same as iPad Air 2 - which is speedy enough. It is same innard as iPad Air 2 just in smaller package.

Actually, the iPad Air 2 has an A8X chip, while the Mini 4 just has the A8.

Just saw this on Facebook

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/09/15/ipad-mini-4-a8-processor-a-hair-faster-than-iphone-6-chip/

Paul1977

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#1388439 16-Sep-2015 10:50

Wade:
Paul1977:
chiefie: It will be a great upgrade compare to 3rd gen iPad. The processor is same as iPad Air 2 - which is speedy enough. It is same innard as iPad Air 2 just in smaller package.

Actually, the iPad Air 2 has an A8X chip, while the Mini 4 just has the A8.

Just saw this on Facebook

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/09/15/ipad-mini-4-a8-processor-a-hair-faster-than-iphone-6-chip/

So is considerably slower than the iPad Air 2, bigger difference than I would have thought.

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mattwnz

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#1388515 16-Sep-2015 13:51

I have just been through this decision myslef. I ignored the 16GB models, as they aren't enough to be usable. So the next model is the 64 bit model. But there is only $30 difference at the moment between the ipad air 2, and the ipad mini 4. So for a bigger screen, and a faster processor, the ipad air 2 is the better buy...at least when on special at warehouse stationary for $830, even though it is a year old model. But Apple have just put up their pricing, so ipad air 2s RRP price has gone up from $899 to $950. So you are getting a really good discount at warehouse stationary at the moment. There maybe a new ipad air next year, perhaps March/April, but it too will be likely at the higher price, if not more if the NZ dollar continues to drop. JUst to add, the ipad air is so thin, and so light, it makes a huge difference to it, compared to the ipads v1-4. The only negative, is the battery life is worse than that of my ipad 2, after 3-4 years. I presume it has a smaller battery in it, even though I believe the quoted time is supposed to be as good or better than the older ipads.

mattwnz

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#1388518 16-Sep-2015 13:58

Paul1977:
Wade:
Paul1977:
chiefie: It will be a great upgrade compare to 3rd gen iPad. The processor is same as iPad Air 2 - which is speedy enough. It is same innard as iPad Air 2 just in smaller package.

Actually, the iPad Air 2 has an A8X chip, while the Mini 4 just has the A8.

Just saw this on Facebook

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/09/15/ipad-mini-4-a8-processor-a-hair-faster-than-iphone-6-chip/

So is considerably slower than the iPad Air 2, bigger difference than I would have thought.

That isn't good, because t is pushing the same pixels, and is essentially the same thing on a slightly smaller scale.

MikeB4

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#1388519 16-Sep-2015 13:59

mattwnz: I have just been through this decision myslef. I ignored the 16GB models, as they aren't enough to be usable. So the next model is the 64 bit model. But there is only $30 difference at the moment between the ipad air 2, and the ipad mini 4. So for a bigger screen, and a faster processor, the ipad air 2 is the better buy...at least when on special at warehouse stationary for $830, even though it is a year old model. But Apple have just put up their pricing, so ipad air 2s RRP price has gone up from $899 to $950. So you are getting a really good discount at warehouse stationary at the moment. There maybe a new ipad air next year, perhaps March/April, but it too will be likely at the higher price, if not more if the NZ dollar continues to drop. JUst to add, the ipad air is so thin, and so light, it makes a huge difference to it, compared to the ipads v1-4. The only negative, is the battery life is worse than that of my ipad 2, after 3-4 years. I presume it has a smaller battery in it, even though I believe the quoted time is supposed to be as good or better than the older ipads.

I thought for a long time that 16GB devices were too low in storage but with the abundance of Cloud storage available 16GB is more than adequate these days.

mattwnz

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#1388575 16-Sep-2015 15:29

MikeB4:
mattwnz: I have just been through this decision myslef. I ignored the 16GB models, as they aren't enough to be usable. So the next model is the 64 bit model. But there is only $30 difference at the moment between the ipad air 2, and the ipad mini 4. So for a bigger screen, and a faster processor, the ipad air 2 is the better buy...at least when on special at warehouse stationary for $830, even though it is a year old model. But Apple have just put up their pricing, so ipad air 2s RRP price has gone up from $899 to $950. So you are getting a really good discount at warehouse stationary at the moment. There maybe a new ipad air next year, perhaps March/April, but it too will be likely at the higher price, if not more if the NZ dollar continues to drop. JUst to add, the ipad air is so thin, and so light, it makes a huge difference to it, compared to the ipads v1-4. The only negative, is the battery life is worse than that of my ipad 2, after 3-4 years. I presume it has a smaller battery in it, even though I believe the quoted time is supposed to be as good or better than the older ipads.

I thought for a long time that 16GB devices were too low in storage but with the abundance of Cloud storage available 16GB is more than adequate these days.

I would have agreeed with you before I got my 16GB ipod touch. However it has minimal apps on it, but apps tend to store lots of data locally, far more than the app size itself. So in order to do an iOS update I have to delete apps. So I am regularly removing apps, as apps get bigger and use more data, and the whole thing slows down and crashes when I reach the limit. It is not worth the hassle in my opinion having to manage the diskspace, when you pay another $100 and you then don't have to worry. But certainly if I was paying nearly 1k on a product, it would be more than 16GB, as it can't be upgraded later on. They only have the 16GB option, so they can have a low price point of entry.

Just to give one majaor benefit of an ipad air, vs the mini, and that is the keybaord size. The ipad air size is more comfortable to use like a normal keyboard, than the mini. So if you plan on doing a lot of typing, the ipad air may be more comfortable.

JarrodM

969 posts

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#1388648 16-Sep-2015 17:39

Not too worried on the price and comparing to the equivalent air model, as my brother works at an Apple Store in australia and I can get a discount. Looks like it has the 2gb of ram, and the A8 is clocked at 1.5GHz.

JarrodM

969 posts

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#1388650 16-Sep-2015 17:41

But otherwise good input, and maybe swinging me a bit to an iPad Air. Still waiting on some reviews.

sidders80

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#1388685 16-Sep-2015 19:44

Something worth mentioning is the apple refurbished store. I have bought stuff of it and its as good as brand new with a new 12 month warranty and you get it cheaper as well. I bought an iPad air wifi + cellular at a really good price last year and haven't had any issues with it. The iPad air 2 64GB is selling for $759 which is really a good price.

http://www.apple.com/nz/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad/ipad_air_2/wi_fi

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JarrodM

969 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1394557 25-Sep-2015 19:23

My brother returned home for my nana's birthday, luckily he booked the time off months ago. Anyway with my new iPad Mini 4, he got the tax refund on the way out of Australia too so got it even cheaper. Very happy with it