ipad mini vs android tablet

R

rowanS

New Member
Ok so i have pretty much all apple stuff now (laptop, iPhone, iPod). I'm looking at a tablet, mainly just to use as an e reader and mess about on. I'm not too fussed about the iPad but do you think it would just be totally lush integration between all the other devices?
I used to have an android phone and didn't really get on with it. Obviously they've changed a bit now though.
I'm looking at a mini tablet about the same size as the ipad mini

any suggestions?

cheers

R
 
The Google Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD are both less expensive than the iPad Mini and feature better hardware and capabilities. They are both Android based so you may not "get on with it".

Since you are apparently heavily invested in apple stuff, I suppose it makes sense to go with the iPad Mini but you will pay a premium price for an inferior device.
 
strollin said:
The Google Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD are both less expensive than the iPad Mini and feature better hardware and capabilities. They are both Android based so you may not "get on with it".

Since you are apparently heavily invested in apple stuff, I suppose it makes sense to go with the iPad Mini but you will pay a premium price for an inferior device.
Click to expand...

I bought an ipad mini and I love it, its fantastic. I think the size is perfect.
I think its stupid comparing the mac mini to an android device and saying it is inferior to the nexus 7 or kindle fire HD purely on specs. There are so many other things to consider, iOS, the actual quality of the device, etc
People don't do that in the car industry and call a cheap car like Chery or Proton superior to a BMW because on paper it may have more power or some other spec.
I think the nexus 7 and ipad mini are both great devices and will suit different peoples needs.
 
ian said:
I bought an ipad mini and I love it, its fantastic. I think the size is perfect.
I think its stupid comparing the mac mini to an android device and saying it is inferior to the nexus 7 or kindle fire HD purely on specs. There are so many other things to consider, iOS, the actual quality of the device, etc
People don't do that in the car industry and call a cheap car like Chery or Proton superior to a BMW because on paper it may have more power or some other spec.
I think the nexus 7 and ipad mini are both great devices and will suit different peoples needs.
Click to expand...
Completely agree, and I'm a Nexus 7 owner.

Specs are a bad way to compare mobile devices. The Tegra 3 quad core in my Nexus 7 and HTC One X is pitiful next to the A6 dual core SoC in the iPhone 5 and new iPad. So, saying it's better because "it haz moar corez" is ridiculous.

And from a hardware point of view the iPad Mini destroys the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire anyway. Far superior battery life, better build quality, and better real world performance. The Nexus 7 only wins on screen resolution and pixel density.

The iPad Mini wins on the software side as well. The selection of Android tablet oriented apps is just pathetic next to the App Store. Not to mention the apps are usually better than their Android counterparts. I love my Nexus 7, but the poor app selection and quality really ruin the experience of an otherwise great device.

There are also going to be loads of accessories for the iPad Mini versus its Android counterparts. There still aren't any good Nexus 7 cases or docks, even though they were promised at launch.

If I were buying a small tablet today I would go with the iPad Mini. And the OP should go that way since they have all Apple devices. The ecosystem integration makes it a no brainer.
 
Ethan3.14159 said:
Completely agree, and I'm a Nexus 7 owner.

Specs are a bad way to compare mobile devices. The Tegra 3 quad core in my Nexus 7 and HTC One X is pitiful next to the A6 dual core SoC in the iPhone 5 and new iPad. So, saying it's better because "it haz moar corez" is ridiculous.

And from a hardware point of view the iPad Mini destroys the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire anyway. Far superior battery life, better build quality, and better real world performance. The Nexus 7 only wins on screen resolution and pixel density.

The iPad Mini wins on the software side as well. The selection of Android tablet oriented apps is just pathetic next to the App Store. Not to mention the apps are usually better than their Android counterparts. I love my Nexus 7, but the poor app selection and quality really ruin the experience of an otherwise great device.

There are also going to be loads of accessories for the iPad Mini versus its Android counterparts. There still aren't any good Nexus 7 cases or docks, even though they were promised at launch.

If I were buying a small tablet today I would go with the iPad Mini. And the OP should go that way since they have all Apple devices. The ecosystem integration makes it a no brainer.
Click to expand...
Even if I were to agree with all of your points, is the iPad mini worth the $180 premium? I think not.

In my experience, the average purchaser of an iPad (mini or full) doesn't buy it based on specs, performance, how many apps, etc... They buy it because it's cool and trendy and they want to be among the "in" crowd.

The one point that I will agree 100% with you is your point about the accessories. 3rd party companies all jump to support the Apple products so there is no shortage in that department. That's where having a limited selection of available products vs the relatively huge selection of Android devices is an advantage.
 
Reasons for ipad mini:
Build quality
if you're part of the eco system it's handy
as an iphone user there won't be a learning curve for op

My personal reasons against it:
4:3 screen, lower resolution than my phone's screen
$329 starting point?? Really?
iOS..restrictive as balls
Apple as a company is skeevy as hell.

What OP should do:
You already have 90% Apple products, why stop here? Being that you're more used to iOS and it's apps it's probably best to stick with it. You may get frustrated with the differences when switching from one to the other.
If however you were sick of iOS and willing to try/learn something new, than I would recommend an Android tablet.
 
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strollin said:
Even if I were to agree with all of your points, is the iPad mini worth the $180 premium? I think not.

In my experience, the average purchaser of an iPad (mini or full) doesn't buy it based on specs, performance, how many apps, etc... They buy it because it's cool and trendy and they want to be among the "in" crowd.

The one point that I will agree 100% with you is your point about the accessories. 3rd party companies all jump to support the Apple products so there is no shortage in that department. That's where having a limited selection of available products vs the relatively huge selection of Android devices is an advantage.
Click to expand...
Oh I completely agree on the price. I think that was a stupid move. Even $299 would've been acceptable. If it was $249 I would already have one by now. :P

I don't really know anyone who buys an Apple product to be cool or trendy. If they're not technically minded, they either buy it because they don't want the learning curve of Android. (Which is fair enough) Or they're already part of the Apple ecosystem.
 
You can refer to this table...

iPad Mini: super battery life, lags free, easy to use, virus free, apps only on the official App Store, more pay to use apps, faster app installation, HD display, great games.
Conclusion, hardware is great, but many apps really costs.
Android tablet: some lags, battery life is shorter, a little hard to use, virus may attack, but more apps to choose, as you are not restricted to the official store. You can download apps from other stores like appbrain, getjar, amazon. More free apps as the SDK is free.
Conclusion, hardware is not so good, security is not great, but antivirus available. More free apps.
 
AngJinhang said:
You can refer to this table...

iPad Mini: super battery life, lags free, easy to use, virus free, apps only on the official App Store, more pay to use apps, faster app installation, HD display, great games.
Conclusion, hardware is great, but many apps really costs.
Android tablet: some lags, battery life is shorter, a little hard to use, virus may attack, but more apps to choose, as you are not restricted to the official store. You can download apps from other stores like appbrain, getjar, amazon. More free apps as the SDK is free.
Conclusion, hardware is not so good, security is not great, but antivirus available. More free apps.
Click to expand...

Correction:
iPad mini: Lags sometimes, prone to malware and data miners like Android, Low resolution display (compared to competition), App installs not any faster than android.

True story about iOS app install I had: It took me 3 days to install Real Racing 2 on my iTouch. Yes, days. Granted this was a while ago, pretty sure they fixed this, but don't preach about fast app installations. They take just as long on iOS as other OSes.
 
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I would say ipad mini, I prefer android but lets be honest you will get more out of it in the terms of apps and media since you live in that ecosystem. Android IMO is better but different apps to pay for, and I am sure you could transfer media via wire connection but the point of a tablet is on the go so it would be easier of you to stream your stuff off a wifi when you need it verse transferring everything. Cause why not just use the laptop then.
 
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