8 Reasons I Switched Back to a Full-Sized iPad

iPad Switch

As you probably know, I am a big fan of Apple devices and how they drive my productivity.

They are simple. They just work. And they get the job done.

So, you might be surprised to hear that I recently traded in my iPad Mini. No reason to panic, it was to upgrade to the latest iPad Air 2.

This is the first time in years I have used a full-sized tablet and it has been a game changer.

Full Size, Full Productivity

I have been a fan of the iPad since its inception.

Yet, the iPad still seems a bit ahead of its time. It is still not a full laptop replacement. As well, apps, capabilities, and software are still catching up with the iPad’s now wafer-thin user experience.

There are many tasks that are better on the iPad:

  • Email – I love the ability to touch my email. This leads to better efficiency processing email.
  • Writing – It may sound silly, but the iPad is a great typewriter. With an external keyboard, the iPad is the ultimate mobile writing device. Long battery life, and a single purpose view.
  • Reading – I love reading books via the Kindle App on my iPad.
  • Productivity – My iPhone is great on the go, but productivity apps like Trello and Wunderlist shine on the iPad’s large screen.

Several years ago, I moved to the iPad Mini because I like the portability. I thought the ability to carry it in my jacket would lead me to use it frequently. However, over time, I found myself using my iPhone more often. The increased screen size of the iPhone 6 made the Mini seem just that… mini. There wasn’t as much reason to carry the small iPad.

When the new iPad Air 2 was released I saw the potential of using the larger screen for my time management. And with the reduced weight, the iPad Air was almost the same weight as the Mini.

So, I decided to take the plunge and switch back to a full-sized iPad.

Here are 8 reasons I switched from my iPad Mini to a Full-Sized iPad Air 2:

  1. Better Visual Sharing – Other than photos, showing people information on your phone isn’t a great experience. In meetings, I often share information, documents, and more with my iPad. The iPad Air 2 shines in this area, the new screen technology and larger form factor make for a great in-person sharing experience.
  2. Speed – The new A8X chip in the iPad Air 2 is even faster than the iPhone 6 processor. Apps pop. Graphics fly. I dare you to compare this experience with any other brand of tablet. They are jumpy, laggy, and just don’t let you touch your work in a fluid manner.
  3. Screen Size User Experience – In addition to #1, I find the real estate of the full-sized iPad to be better for working. For me, there is just more room to work, move things around, and interact with your information. The iPhone 6 made this apparent. Mini was just too small. It is true that the Mini and Air both display the same resolution, but the larger screen makes for a better user experience.
  4. Camera – The new camera on the Air 2 is 9MP and takes amazing pics. The iPad camera had lagged in quality compared to the iPhone until this iteration. I don’t use it for social settings, but it is great in a business setting. It excels in capturing white boards, scanning documents, and yes, even taking photos.
  5. iPhone 6 – As I mentioned previously, the iPhone size increase changed when/where I carry my iPad. This was particularly noticeable with the Mini. There just wasn’t as much of a difference with the iPhone 6 vs. the Mini. (For those curious, I use an iPhone 6, not the Plus.)
  6. iOS 8 – Software and apps are still catching up to the concept of the iPad as a productivity device. iOS 8 was a major step into the future. Extensions let me more fluidly interact between apps. Continuity lets me switch between devices with ease. And iCloud allows me to work with my documents seamlessly.
  7. Weight has changed – Shaving a few millimeters off the thickness of the original iPad Air made the new version so light, it is amazing. It just feels good, and doesn’t get too heavy with one-hand viewing.
  8. TouchID – TouchID is perfect not only for unlocking the device, but also for securing apps such as LastPass, Evernote, Day One, and more. ApplePay functionality will be convenient as more online stores support it.

Full Sized iPad, Full Sized Productivity

Switching back to a full-sized iPad has been a big productivity driver for me.

I carry my iPhone everywhere and it gets the job done on the go. However, I love the larger screen experience of the iPad Air 2.

If you are considering a new iPad, I recommend you go for the full-sized screen.

Question: Which tablet do you use to drive your productivity? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

8 thoughts on “8 Reasons I Switched Back to a Full-Sized iPad

  1. I totally agree with about the Air2; I recently make the jump from Ipad1 😉 and it is great.
    About “mini” vs “normal”, I had the opportunity to have a Mini during a meeting (no extra keyboard): a nightmare for writing meeting’ minutes or showing a PDF.

  2. That’s awesome that you’re getting your time management skills a useful boost by using a larger IPAD. It is tempting for me to get one just because of the speed and great visual affects. But I also enjoy the small ones because they’re easily portable. So I guess they both have their ups and down.

  3. I currently use a Dell XPS 12 as my laptop/tablet. I hope to move to a Surface Pro 3 before too much longer. Being able to take notes in my own handwriting would be killer. I’m also super stoked about having Cortana on my primary device. I am torn, though, about whether to go with an iPhone 6+, or stay in the same ecosystem with a Lumia 1520. The dawn of universal apps =)

  4. Not buying an iPad 2 just yet since my iPad Air 1 is only months old. I miss the TouchID though. And I have to agree about the productivity part. Mind mapping, OmniFocus and writing are best with a larger screen.

  5. Over the past 24 months I spent a lot of time and money trying to find a tablet that would replace my heavy laptop. I went down the apple road with iPhone 4S and the 3rd generation iPad. Had many difficulties with apps not being Windows compatible. I moved to the Samsung Note 2 and Tab 2; much more compaible with the world of Windows. Went to the Surface 2; got really close but it still didn’t totally replace my laptop. The app list was smaller and I couldn’t find several productivity apps that I had come to love. So, I gave up and went back to Samsung with the Note 3 and Tab S. Tab S is fast, much lighter than the Tab 2 or Surface and is faster and more convenient than the laptop for many applications. I have used an external keyboard for a year and just bought a keyboard case that I love.
    I know you are a fan of Apple but I feel there are a lot of readers who will agree that Samsung products and Android are just as good.

    On a side note; I look forward to the newsletter every Sunday and recommend this site to every management class I teach.

  6. It’s funny that you should mention this. I too am thinking of switching from the mini to a full size iPad.
    I do like the small form factor but I find that I have been using it less lately.

    Justifying the switch was a bit difficult but now that I see that I am not the only one – the decision seems a little easier.

  7. I got the iPhone 6+ and my mini screen cracked so that left the it in the dust. I got the new iPad Air, but it’s only left my apt a couple times cause it’s still too heavy for my bag

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