Upgrading my Ipad (1st Gen)

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Upgrading my Ipad (1st Gen)

I love my Ipad 1. I use it for everything. I mainly use it for apps for my kids as well as an e-reader. I also use it at night for web browser. I also use my Iphone 4 for email and texting. Both sit with me each night. Recently, I have had the need to do facetime. I have tried from my phone and it is not good. I was thinking of upgrading to either Ipad 4 or Ipad mini. I only need 16GB. I do want the device as an e-reader, but also want the capability of web surfing. I have never used a retina screen and did not see a difference at the store. I am so used to Ipad 1 that it really doesn't matter. My question is whether it is necessary to spend extra on the Ipad 4 or just get a mini? I don't travel that much, but when I do, I have no problem bringing my Ipad 1. Can anyone give me advice on which one I should go with? I am not selling my Ipad 1 so I will have it too.

Thanks!

Posted on Mar 2, 2013 7:11 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Ralph Landry1

Level 8

41,850 points

Mar 2, 2013 7:15 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

The biggest quesiton, after spending time at the Apple store with both models, which feels the most comfortable to you? Which is the eaiest to read? And if you are going to do email, which is the most comfortable for typing?

Both are great machines, but the choice has to be very personal, especially comfort level is use.

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2013 7:33 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

I guess the issue is that everyone keeps making me feel like the mini is going to be outdated in a month or two. I love the mini screen much more for books. I am just wondering if it is worth getting the bigger screen for facetime. I love the feel of the mini, but when I browse on my Ipad 1, I love the size of the screen. Its funny but I don't see any pixels when I web browse on the Ipad 1. I think that the Ipad 4 is better for everything but as an e-reader. I do feel that the Ipad 1 is bulky at certain times, but mostly feels okay. I mean, my iphone is what I use when I want something light. I just love the build of the mini and the feel. This is so difficult. Money is not the issue at all. I am fine with spending extra on the IPad4, but I just feel like its gonna be the exact same thing as what I already have except it has a camera. Anyone have any comments on mini for web browsing?

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Answer 3

Mar 2, 2013 7:41 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

Isn't it nice to have the dilemma of choices 🙂

I still use the iPad 1, works great, does what I want, easy to read (part of being in the over 50 crowd is reading small print) so why change? Thought seriously about the Mini for my wife to use instead of her Nook, but that hasn't happened yet. I really like the size of the iPad, much smaller and lighter than my MacBook Pro, but larger and easier to read than my iPhone...just a nice, comfortable intermmediate size for my usage pattern.

I would not worry about the out-of-date issue...it has always been a problem with computers that buy today or wait for the next improvement to come out. If you get caught in that you never buy because there is always something new and improved coming out in just a few months. And who knows when the next generation Mini will come out? Apple hasn't annouced any plans for a new model.

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Answer 4

Mar 2, 2013 8:19 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

Not sure what you are recommending. I guess it feels weird to have a 2nd full sized Ipad just for a camera and better display when I'm happy with 1st gen display. That is why the mini seems better since it is atleast something new. Just don't wanna regret the size of the mini and have trouble web surfing.

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Answer 5

Demo

Level 10

166,500 points

Mar 2, 2013 8:41 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

My sister-in-law has a mini and I was surfing the web with it for a while last weekend and had no issues at all. Yes the screen is smaller than my iPad 3 but the issues with the retina display never entered my mind while I was using it. In fact, I was amazed at how clear and crisp the colors were on the display on the mini.

Only you can decide what is best for your own needs. If you think that the size of the mini is fine for you based on the amount of research that you have already done, then why do you think that you would regret making the choice for the mini?

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Answer 6

Mar 2, 2013 8:57 AM in response to Demo

Its just hard to justify the size when i have an iphone.... Trying to decide if i will really use the mini for anything other than reading books and facetime. I am used to the ipad 1 size for web browsing. Then i switch to my iphone when i am texting. Just not sure if i should just give the ipad 1 to my kids and get the ipad 4 so i have everything in one device. I always feel that my iphone is what i switch to if i want ultimate portability. Ipad is for sitting on the couch. I think i would def get the ipad 4 if it did not seem too big for reading ebooks. That is what i like most about the mini size. Help!

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Answer 7

Mar 2, 2013 9:03 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

iPad Mini vs. iPad 2 vs. iPad 4: Which iPad Should You Buy?

http://www.padgadget.com/2012/10/25/ipad-mini-vs-ipad-2-vs-ipad-4-which-ipad-sho uld-you-buy/

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 8

Demo

Level 10

166,500 points

Mar 2, 2013 9:05 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

Matt Rosenthal1 wrote:

I think i would def get the ipad 4 if it did not seem too big for reading ebooks. That is what i like most about the mini size. Help!

If you are already comfortable with using the iPad original for everything that you do now, and that includes using it as an e-reader ... correct? .....and you are happy with that size, then buy the iPad 4.

The devices are the same size except the iPad 4 is a little thinner and just a little lighter. I really think that once you sit down with both devices side by side, you will notice the difference in the retina display compared to the screen of the original iPad. I have an iPad 1 and the difference to me was something to see compared to the iPad 3 that I purchased.

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Answer 9

Mar 2, 2013 9:10 AM in response to Demo

I think it is too big for ereader... That was the main reason for interest in the mini. That is the issue. I feel like if i get the mini i will be happy with it for ereader but miss the ipad 1 size for everything else. If i did not have an iphone this would be an easier decision.

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Answer 10

Demo

Level 10

166,500 points

Mar 2, 2013 9:16 AM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

Well, whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy.

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Answer 11

Mar 2, 2013 9:40 AM in response to Demo

It comes down to this. I have the 1st gen ipad. I was hoping to give that to my kids. I use it for 70% web browsing, 20% ereading, and 10% games/apps. I only want a new device to add facetime capability. The cameras are the same in the mini and Ipad 4 so that doesn't matter. I am trying to decide if I will have to put the mini down and keep switching back to my Ipad 1 for web browsing. That is just stupid. I know it is my decision. I am just trying to figure out what most people are doing when they upgrade from Ipad 1.

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Answer 12

Mar 2, 2013 12:04 PM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

Hi:

I received for a Christmas present an iPad mini and I can just tell you that I love it! I personally never looked into investing on an iPad as they always looked and felt too big to hold on my hand. If I was going to invest on an iPad just to sit on the couch I can see myself using my MacBook Pro instead. Besides, it was going to be a second device to carry around along with my MacBook Pro, and I didn't want that, but that is just my personal preference of course. I have a MacBook Pro, an iMac, an iPod, Apple TV and an IPhone, so you can see that I am an Apple lover, but for some reason the iPad never got me too excited as I was perfectly happy booting up myMacBook Pro to check email and browse. When the iPad mini came out I got excited about it for its size and price. Now that I have it, I can tell you that it is great for everything I want to do! From reading a book, browsing, doing email, and running apps. It is very comfortable to type with your thumbs and the screen looks very sharp even though is not retina display. I strongly recommend it if you want to upgrade; again, I could not recommend the iPad 4 for the reasons I already mentioned and not having one makes it difficult to recommend it, however, I have friends that have the iPad 4 and I will still go with the mini in a heart beat.

Good luck!

MR. 🙂

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Answer 13

Mar 2, 2013 12:51 PM in response to Manolo Romero

Thanks...as long as you think that the web browsing is not too small...I am perfectly happy with even the Ipad 1 display. So I guess the 4 is not worth it. I will say that I don't travel much and when I do, I consider the Ipad 1 super portable.

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Answer 14

Mar 10, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Matt Rosenthal1

Hello Matt:

The web browsing is not small to me, but this is really a personal opinion. Have you gone to a Best Buy or to an Apple store to hold one and play with it? This will be important on your final decision. If you feel the iPad 1 is super portable, the mini will be even more portable!

Perhaps you already made your decision, but I hope all this helped.

Take care,

MR. 😎

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