Electric Guitars

[steve_man]

SO many musical (and other) applications on these things!  I have the original iPad, and I'm thinking about upgrading to either a new Retina display model, or the mini...

Any of you guys have experience with these two?

[Tone Deaf]

My girlfriend tests, evaluates, and trains on usage of such gadgetry at her job. She brought home an iPad mini, and quite frankly, I was underwhelmed. To me, the size just wasn't ideal...was more like an oversized phone than a tablet. Functionally, aside from Siri, which is fun for about 15 minutes, and a nicer camera, you aren't really getting any extras if you upgrade from an original to a mini. I have an iPad 2, and the mini did not seem like much of an upgrade from that.

However, if the size does appeal to you, it's a cheaper route than the newest iPad with retina. Honestly, I can't really justify upgrading from the iPad 2 to the newest model. The retina screen is nicer when you're comparing side by side, but the iPad 2 really isn't lacking. In your case, if you want a true upgrade, skip the mini and get the latest full size model. The mini just seems like a product that was developed to hit a target pricepoint, not a product that fits any specific needs.

[jpnyc]

Mini size tablets are really for women who carry purses and want the features of a smartphone minus the actual phone calls. But for music you want the biggest screen possible because most guitar apps have those terrible interfaces that look like studio equipment and it’s hard to turn the virtual knobs on smaller screens.

[docjeffrey]

I love my iPad with the Retina Display. Adobe Photoshop, iMovie, iPhoto, etc. all look and work great! I would have a really difficult time with Garage Band on a smaller display. Some of the buttons are tiny enough as is--even the record button is a delicate touch and I don't think I'd be able to edit very accurately in Garage Band. My iPad has been a constant companion since I bought it. It also interfaces well with my home theater--Panasonic Viera, Yamaha Aventage A720, Panasonic Blu Ray, Apple TV and Xfinity cable/internet. I have complete control over everything with my iPad--speaker setup/volume/distance/eq etc. I can stream anything from iTunes which makes it easy to jam with my guitar. 

All of the guitar software work great, but, again, with a smaller touch screen, it would be difficult for me. Most of the apps don't allow you to zoom in on the controls.

[steve_man]

Good points...thanks Doc!

[mnewb1]

I got an iPad mini for my daughter, cool gadget, it would certainly make reading in bed easier, but as mentioned before, I would not give up my retina display iPad

[Norcal_GIT_r]

I love my iPad 4. The mini lacks in its specs. To me the Kindle Fire HD smokes the mini for media and such.

[edremy]

I wouldn't bother with a Mini- I have a Nexus 7 that has it beat in basically every department including cost if you want a "fits in a coat pocket" sized tablet. It's one of the most underhelming products Apple has ever put out. As far as a big iPad, if you have a 1st gen it might be worth an upgrade but I'm not bothering upgrading the version 2 I'm typing on now- it works fine for what it it. Realize that the current version will require all new adapters if you have anything that connects to your current iPad.

[plasticscouse]

The Mini is as fast the ipad 2, I would get the full with retina because of this

[Morganbich]

Get a Playbook they are getting upgraded to BB10 over the air NC and your shit is secure and it is the fastest browser

[steve_man]

Went with a 4th gen iPad with the retina display. Just wanted the fastest processor I could get. And I tried the Surface, Nexus, etc...but I already own a ton of apps for the iPad...and iOS is just better, IMO than the others.

[sammyreynolds01]

No. ipad mini is faster than an ipad 2. Not by much but it is faster. If you have the cash get a regular ipad. Here's the thing about the ipad mini. This might be the only generation because people have bought that instead of the iPad 4. 

[Saturn]

I just got a mini and at first I wasn't sure about going to a smaller tablet from my iPad 1 but I carry it all day for work and wanted a smaller and lighter unit. Now that I have it I have really come to appreciate the smaller form. As far ad performance and screen size goes it performs really well. Much better than the 1 and side by side with the 2 it seems much peppier. The screen size is fine for pretty much everything I do. The screen looks better than the iPad 2 but still not a retina display. The only time I miss the extra size is working with Garage Band and my synth apps but it works alright. Overall I'm happy with the mini.

[steve_man]

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sammyreynolds01 wrote:

No. ipad mini is faster than an ipad 2. Not by much but it is faster. If you have the cash get a regular ipad. Here's the thing about the ipad mini. This might be the only generation because people have bought that instead of the iPad 4. 

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Not sure how it could possibly be any faster...exact same procesessor...

I didn't go with the Mini for two main reasons...first was the screen size...just knew I'd miss the larger screen.  Second, was a mistaked that I made with my original iPad.  Sure, it was great to have that new tech piece, but as soon as the iPad 2 came out, it blew the original away.  That's when I figured out that I should NOT buy the first Apple ANYTHING.  The second version is always MUCH better.  I have a feeling that this will be the case with the Mini. 

[Ratae Coritano…]

No brainer

OR

[sammyreynolds01]

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steve_man wrote:

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sammyreynolds01 wrote:

No. ipad mini is faster than an ipad 2. Not by much but it is faster. If you have the cash get a regular ipad. Here's the thing about the ipad mini. This might be the only generation because people have bought that instead of the iPad 4. 

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Not sure how it could possibly be any faster...exact same procesessor...

I didn't go with the Mini for two main reasons...first was the screen size...just knew I'd miss the larger screen.  Second, was a mistaked that I made with my original iPad.  Sure, it was great to have that new tech piece, but as soon as the iPad 2 came out, it blew the original away.  That's when I figured out that I should NOT buy the first Apple ANYTHING.  The second version is always MUCH better.  I have a feeling that this will be the case with the Mini. 

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The only thing they can do I think with the mini is put a retina display on it but like I said they may not make anymore since it was cutting into the regular ipad sales. I think in reality that's why Steve Jobs didn't want to make one.

[noisebloom]

Depends on what you use it for. Being a newbie tablet user (I have a Samsung Tab 10.1), I could live without the bigger size, I think. (Edit: I went into the buying process for the tablet thinking there's no way I wanted to "settle" for the 7" screen.) The extra size is handy for games like billiards and bowling, but when I'm reading e-books, the extra space doesn't really enhance the reading experience. I have just as much fun, if not more, reading e-books on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S3). A 10" tablet is a little awkward to walk around with, as well.

In a musical context, I can see the larger size being useful on the music stand, for example.

I think Steve Jobs may not have wanted the smaller size iPad, but it will make sense to a certain space of the market.

[steve_man]

SO glad I went with the 4th Gen regular iPad. Retina display is AMAZING,and the speed is top notch. Absolutely blows my original iPad away!