Struggling about buying iPad Air or iPad mini 2? In this article, I compared iPad Air and iPad mini 2 specs and prices and tell you the secret to choose your best iPad.

Compare iPad Air vs. iPad mini 2 specs

For tablet weight, 9.7-inch iPad Air is 138 gram heavier than 7.9-inch iPad mini 2 (331 gram) with the same 7.5mm depth.

100+ gram does not seem heavy but it would make a different when you are holding it for a long time.

Retina display is one of the most requested feature for iPad mini. Now both iPad Air and iPad mini 2 have the same Retina display resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels).

Due to smaller display size, iPad mini 2 has higher pixels per inch (ppi) at 326 than iPad Air (264 ppi). However, you won’t notice the different in their PPI, both are great, trust me.

New A7 64-bit processor is used in both iPad Air and iPad mini 2. It is a great upgrade for iPad mini (A5 to A7) and a step upgrade for iPad (A6X to A7). Every benchmark result shows A7 processor performance is a lot better than previous processors.

Faster processor means shorter battery life, correct? Not in this case. iPad Air and iPad mini 2 still keep the famous 10 hours battery life.

So, should you buy iPad Air or iPad mini 2?

iPad Air and iPad mini 2 specs are same in many ways – both iPads are retina display, same processor, same cameras, same battery life…

The only major different is the display size – 9.7 inch vs. 7.9 inch.

iPad Air’s bigger display is ideal for watching movies with your partner. iPad Air – lightweight & long battery life – could be your ultrabook replacement if you feel comfortable of using iOS productivity apps for work.

For those who prefer a smaller device that can be hold by one hand for a longer time (read news, books, comics, etc), iPad mini 2 is your ideal tablet. It is easier to keep iPad mini 2 too – throw it in any bag and you are ready to go.

Compare iPad Air vs. iPad mini 2 price

iPad Air is RM320 to RM330 more expensive than iPad mini 2. See the table above for iPad Air vs. iPad mini 2 price.

Malaysia iPad Air price

Here is the official Malaysia iPad Air price list:

• iPad Air WiFi 16GB – RM 1,599
• iPad Air WiFi 32GB – RM 1,929
• iPad Air WiFi 64GB – RM 2,249
• iPad Air WiFi 128GB – RM 2,579
• iPad Air WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 16GB – RM 2,029
• iPAd Air WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 32GB – RM 2,349
• iPad Air WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 64GB – RM 2,679
• iPad Air WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 128GB – RM 2,999

iPad Air is RM150 to RM230 more expensive than iPad Retina’s launch price.

The price different between iPad Air WiFi vs. iPad Air 4G LTE is around RM 420, similar to iPad Retina.

Malaysia iPad mini 2 price

Here is the official Malaysia iPad mini Retina display (iPad mini 2) price list:

• iPad mini 2 WiFi 16GB – RM 1,279
• iPad mini 2 WiFi 32GB – RM 1,599
• iPad mini 2 WiFi 64GB – RM 1,929
• iPad mini 2 WiFi 128GB – RM 2,249
• iPad mini 2 WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 16GB – RM 1,699
• iPad mini 2 WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 32GB – RM 2,029
• iPad mini 2 WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 64GB – RM 2,349
• iPad mini 2 WiFi+Cellular (4G LTE) 128GB – RM 2,679

iPad mini 2 WiFi 16GB is RM330 more expensive than iPad mini WiFi 16GB. The latter is the only iPad mini 1st generation model available now on Apple Store Malaysia.

Cheapest iPads in the World!

Though iPad Air and iPad mini 2 are both more expensive than previous generation, but Malaysia’s new iPads are one of the cheapest in the world! The price is matching to the Apple USA price!

Availability in Malaysia

iPad Air and iPad mini Retina Display (iPad mini 2) are available without contract at all local Apple resellers, such as Machines, Mac City, Switch and SenQ.

Local telcos – Maxis, DiGi, Celcom – are also offer iPad Air WiFi+4G and iPad mini 2 WiFi+4G with data plan contracts.

Thought

In a nutshell, it really depends on your personal usage and preference. Would you prefer a bigger or smaller tablet?

Instead of struggling in front your computer, why don’t you visit nearest Apple resellers and try both iPad Air and iPad mini 2 to find out which one you like most?

No matter you buy iPad Air and iPad mini 2, they are good for the next few years – thanks to 64-bit processor, good build, iOS updates, and good battery life.

You won’t be wrong buying either one. However, you are advised to buy at least 32GB model. 16GB won’t be enough for your many iPad apps, photos and videos.

So, are you iPad Air or iPad mini 2?