Should I buy the new iPad Air or iPad mini 2?
Apple today announced their next generation of tablet products, boasting a better performing iPad mini 2, and a much thinner and lighter iPad, which they’ll be calling the iPad Air. The second Apple hits that stage to share their next rollout, Apple users look at their current device and dream of how much better life would be if that device were faster, stronger, and better. So should you buy a new iPad Air or an iPad mini 2? Maybe.
The folks at ArsTechnica have put together comprehensive comparison charts so you can see the iPad mini 2 up against the Nexus 7, Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, Galaxy Tab 3 8.0, and the Kindle Fire HDX 7, while you can compare the iPad Air to competitors Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Surface Pro 2, Nokia Lumia 2520, and of course, the Nexus 10.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook says the new devices will be available sometime in November, as suspected, just in time for the holiday shopping season, but consumers should know that the guts of the devices and price points may not be what they’re used to.
Pitting the new Apple products against competitors
For example, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 may have a larger screen and weigh less, but the new iPad mini 2 has a higher resolution screen – we’re talking almost double the quality of the Galaxy tablet. Consider that the iPad mini 2 is extremely useful for media, and offering presentations at conferences or watching movies on the plane can benefit tremendously from such high resolution, but the downside is that this quality comes at a price, and at it’s starting price is nearly $120 more than the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and $170 more than the Nexus 7.
Many consider the Nexus 10 to be the iPad Air’s top competitor, and while it has a slightly larger screen with a higher screen resolution, it is heavier than the iPad Air. And of course, there is a price difference of $100, putting Apple squarely in the more expensive seat.
The bottom line is that Apple products’ power, speed, and size is preferable in most of these cases, but they come at a price. Shoppers this season will also be taking into account which apps they want – some of which play nicely with Apple, some of which don’t.
Watch for lines to form at your local Apple store when these beauties hit the shelves.
