Ipad Mini 2 16Gb Or 32Gb

[countrykid]

I am thinking of buying my first tablet - a compact sized one. I know there is a new ipad mini just out but other than being thinner, having a gold colour option and fingerprint ID it appears no different to the Ipad Mini 2. I don't think that is worth the £90 extra. From what I gather, the thinness might actually be a bad thing!
The ipad mini 1 would suit me but I'm told for reading books the Ipad mini 2 with Retina display is better. Is this the case?
I won't ever be playing games, just the usual web and email stuff mostly, plus possibly storing photos and using it a bit like my ipod touch for music.
One thing I'm not sure about is whether I need 16Gb or 32Gb. Can anyone explain is simple terms what you can store on one versus the other.
Thanks

[Zacs-Master]

Simple. If you can afford the 32, go for it.

[countrykid]

Thanks Zacs. Could prob stretch to the 32Gb but wondering if I need to, hence asking if anyone can give me some idea of what can typically store on the 16Gb. Also asked if the retina version really is best for reading ebooks versus the normal version

[Zacs-Master]

Apple forum:
http://store.apple.com/uk/questions/ipad?st=ipad_storage_capacity

[alavahalf]

I bought a brand new iPad mini retina 32gb wifi and cellular about 6 weeks ago.
Thankfully I managed to ditch it last week. I bought it thinking that if it's Apple, it's got to be good....wrong in my case. I wish I gone and tried one first.
The layout and text on the browser was incredibly small and I found that if I tried to use it in low light I needed to wear specs, not ideal I'm afraid.
Anyhow I've gone back to a 10" screen, just waiting for the Samsung S to drop in price then I'll grab one of them.
16 GB or 32 GB... If you do pictures are you saying you take pictures with your iPad? If so you will want the 32 GB model so you don't have to worry about running out of space during an outing. You will be able to edit and take movies on the iPad as well so combined with pictures the 32 would be your best bet. Even if you don't take movies it is something to think about.

If you are not shooting any pictures with the iPad I would still recommend the 32 as you are probably editing pictures on the iPad. For this you will need the space to upload photo projects to edit. Realistically, when you get your hands on the 32 you only have about 25 gigs of useable space.

The 16gig model is for people using cloud storage for everything or is only using the iPad for email, web surfing, and books. As those items do not take up that much space.

Since the iPad is a device not accepting to the consumer to upgrade components. Why not spend the extra money upfront and get the larger iPad than kicking yourself for not, when in actuality you need the extra space.
Each to their own ... good luck !

[Jomlett]

I have 982 photos and 873 music tracks and 41 apps and I had to get the 32 gb when i got the iPad 2. 16 GB might not hold all you want/have.

[VHG]

Note that even though it says 16Gb of memory some of that will be used to hold the operating system apps and so on.

On some tablets over half the memory can already be used up before you buy it (not sure if that applies to the iPad mini).

[countrykid]

My thanks to all for really useful answers and tips. If I buy one it will be the 32Gb. I will check one out before I buy. I prefer the mini over the full size just because it is a bit more portable in fitting into a small day bag when out walking. I hadn't really given any thought to the storage space needed for taking photos, or the amount used by the ios etc. Thanks again

[Zacs-Master]

You might like to get the Ordnance Survey Map finder app if you do a lot of walking.

[countrykid]

thanks zacs, i will

[Sycamore3House]

Go for the biggest memory you can afford. But for music you can sign up to iTunes Match for £22 per year for music which is for downloaded and CDs added by yourself to itunes so the memory space is not used for music. I have 1200 songs currently in iTunes Match so not taking up space. Plus you would still have 5gb of iCloud storage free if charge. Go into an Apple Store and have a chat with someone.

[whiskeryron]

I have the ipad mini 16gb purely & simply because it was the one I could afford, it serves my simple needs ( Answerbank & emails & all the Googling I do on a daily basis.) I am very happy with it.