Overall Findings
These two iPad models are so similar that most of the differences that influence buyers are screen size, speed, and availability. Screen size is a matter of personal preference, although bigger is usually better for productivity, while the speeds are almost the same. Because Apple discontinued both of these models, the ability to find them online is part of the buying decision.
Availability: iPad mini 2 Is Easier to Find
Screen Resolution: Smaller Screen Ups PPI
The inclusion of the same 2048x1536 resolution Retina display on both iPads means the iPad mini 2 out-Retinas the iPad Air. The same resolution on the smaller screen gives the iPad mini 2 326 pixels per inch (PPI), while the iPad Air’s resolution is only 264 pixels per inch.
Size: It Depends on Personal Preference
Size can be either an advantage or a disadvantage. We were wary of the smaller screen size when the original iPad mini arrived, having owned other 7-inch tablets and found them lacking. However, the iPad mini is bigger than most 7-inch tablets, and it shows. For web browsing, reading e-books, and most casual use, the iPad mini is fine, and the iPad mini 2 excels with hardcore games. The size tends to come down to personal preference. While it is easier to use the iPad mini 2 one-handed, there are areas such as typing on the on-screen keyboard where the extra real estate of the larger iPad Air gains an advantage.
Productivity: iPad Air Has an Edge
The iPad mini 2 may be just as powerful as the iPad Air, but the extra screen space on the Air leads to more productivity. Not only is it much easier to type on an iPad Air, but the 9.7-inch iPad also has more screen space to make it easier to manipulate images, edit videos, arrange text, and perform other tasks. If you are getting an iPad as much for work as for play, the iPad Air is the better choice.
Speed: It’s Close, but iPad Air Is Slightly Faster
The iPad mini 2 may have received the same A7 chip that powers the iPhone 5S, but the A7 chip used on the iPad is slightly faster. The iPad mini 2 chip clocks in at 1.29 GHz, while the iPad Air clocks in at 1.4 GHz. Most people won’t see the difference, but this makes the iPad Air slightly faster.
Specifications: More Alike Than Different
A surprising amount of the specifications for the iPad Air and the iPad mini 2 are identical.
Final Verdict
The iPad mini 2 has the edge. Apple moved the iPad lineup in the direction of giving customers a choice in screen size without the trade-off in slower processor speed, and that makes us the winner. The iPad mini 2 can do everything its big brother can do and look better doing it, so if you want to save a few dollars, go with the mini. However, that extra cash buys a lot of real estate. This makes the full-sized iPad best for people who use it for work or anyone who has big fingers.
