Hi all

I currently have a Blackberry Playbook, which I am thinking of changing over to an ipad mini (I miss not having great apps!)

I have read many reviews who all say that the screen on the ipad mini is not that fantastic compared to other tablets (even cheaper ones).

I've looked at one briefly on display in PC World but it was only a very quick look!

So, does anyone have one and would the lower res screen be really that noticeable? I think my current Playbook is 1024 x 600 whilst the ipad mini is 1024 x 768....163ppi (playbooks is 169ppi)....so, is the ipad mini's screen, based on these specs better?

Any opinions greatly appreciated as really want to get a new tablet, but currently not sure on exactly what to go for...read about the Nexus 7 being good as well with a better screen?

I love my mini. Screen and all.

Go to an apple store and check one out,

Can you wait?

It's nearly a year since the iPad Mini and 4th Generation iPad were released, and updates are expected in the next month or two... Some are speculating that the new Mini will have a "Retina Display".

I think the reviews say that certain other tablets have higher resolution screens than the iPad mini. They don't actually say there's anything wrong with the screen, do they?

I find the screen fine, though possibly because I've never had anything comparable.

....it's just that every review picks up on the screen issue as a negative point, so it got me thinking...!

The new iPads are expected in mid October. The iPad mini will very likely recieve a Retina display. You should wait.

That said, the current mini likely has the best screen on the market, for it's level of resolution.

The Nexus 7 2013 has much better specs than the current ipad mini and costs less. The screen may be a little smaller at 7" compared to the 7.9" mini screen but the resolution of 1920 x 1200 on the Nexus trumps it. If the Apple brand is important to you then you should hold off to see what the next generation ipads will offer.

No, it doesn't. Its lower resolution than the Blackberry Playbook, the new Nexus 7 leaves it for dead and the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" is on a completely different level.

Although that is purely talking about resolution, something on which the iPad Mini does not have as a selling point.

When I bought my iPad mini I spent a while looking at both the mini and the nexus 7.

As far as I'm concerned the mini just looks and feels far better (but you do pay for it). Despite the nexus having a better spec screen, I have had no issues with my iPad screen quality.

However, the best advice has already been given. Go play with both machines and see which one best suits you.

I have both the ipad and the ipad mini and there is a distinctly noticeable difference in screen quality between the two.

Having said that, the ipad mini is absolutely brilliant! I find that I have adapted to the difference in screen quality and it doesn't affect my use and enjoyment of the device.

If the new ipad mini is going to have a retina display then hold off until it is released, otherwise just go for it.

It has always been a very very basic screen. It is the brand name that makes it sell.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57...d-mini-retina/
So reading between the lines Apple were caught very flat footed by the quality of the new Nexus 7 and did not plan to upgrade it, obviously create dual sales of the more acceptable iPad 4.

2014 does sound likely for the Mini to get a decent screen. Their problem being the quite regimented screen resolutions they stick to will make it a massive upgrade with new pricing structure needed for their 2 Pads.

Vast numbers of people have actually found the screen quite acceptable!

While a retina screen for the mini will be nice is is hardly the terminal problem you imply.

As a budget iPad that is all that Apple offer.

Acceptably basic to many, far too limited for some.
With probably Apple having had to do an about turn, just maybe they will release a more expensive Retina Mini version in very limited quantities October.

At least it should mean a big price cut for the current basic model.

Most analysts agree that there's going to be an Apple event on 15th October, where it's rumoured they're going to unveil a retina iPad mini and iPad 5 (along with the latest version of OS X and new Macs).

Why an "about turn"? Analysts have been saying for months (if not since it was first launched!) that the NEXT iPad Mini (the one which was always going to arrive just about now) would have a retina display.

I would expect it to be at the same price points.

Go into a John lewis or PC world and have a look at one in action. The screen is good but if your eyesight is up to it you can tell its not as high resolution as the other 7 inch tabs.

In just a few weeks it's pretty likely that there will be an upgraded mini with a 'retina' display and the chances are it will have an upgraded processor too.

As others have said - go and have a look - though worth holding back for a couple of weeks in case a new version comes out (and the "old" one is discounted.

Interestingly I use an iPhone 5 (retina screen) and an iPad mini.

I don't even think (or conciously notice) the difference in screen and I swap betweem them several times a day.

I'm on a different planet then. Most reports had it as a non Retina Mini. The Retina reports came to the fore the day after that 1080p Nexus 7 with a much higher quality screen was released.

And all main gossip now points to supplies of a 2048 x 1536 8" screen being slow to production. Knowing how Apple works in small leaps it is likely they will have wanted to upgrade the current 2 models to an 'interim' 64 bit Mini and a faster 64 bit Retina

The screen is fine from what I've seen of them when I played around with one in the Apple shop. It's probably journalists hoisting them with their own petard. Apple fans made such a big deal about Retina and ridiculed devices that didn't have it until the mini came out.

This. I had a Retina iPad, which I gave to my husband as I wanted a Mini for portability for work. I have an iPhone 5 and a Nexus 4 as well. If you look for it, you can see the difference between a 'Retina' and non-Retina resolution, but honestly, I don't notice it. It was a concern for me and I thought it might bother me but it really doesn't, and I use my Mini all day every day.

I must, as you say, be on a different planet! Perhaps I missed some more recent speculation but earlier comments about the Mini mostly predicted that a retina display would arrive with the 2nd generation!

Using PressReader my Nook HD I can only read a tabloid in full page mode.
With the IPad Mini it is very unlikely you will even be able to do that.

Web pages are quite the same, more visible and readable is simply better. And 4 times better on the iPad Retina.

Your opinion... my opinion. Your use case... my use case.

I don't read newspapers at all, so whether I can fit a whole page of one of my screen doesn't matter to me.

As the post above said for the benefit of the OP, go to a shop, look at one, see if it bothers you. In my opinion, it's less of an issue than the reviews made out, and that is answering the question the OP asked.

OP here....Thanks for all your responses on this - appreciated...

The obvious answer, as people have said, is to go and have a look at one "in the flesh" and see what I make of it.

As I say, I did this, albeit quickly, in PC World the other day and it looked "ok" to me....

I love my ipod touch and feel that the ipad mini would be a natural step up from this....so could well be tempted!

Just practical examples. I'm not really into retro which is what low resolution screens are.

And for using maps 800x480, 1024 x 768 and even the 1400 x900 of my HD are piffling resolutions. As ever, the more the better.