This Is the iPad Mini You Should Get

The iPad Mini is just a shrunken down iPad 2 in a lot of ways, but it is a different device with uses that will be somewhat different. So what do you need in an iPad mini? We think we have it figured out.

For Almost Everybody

It's the 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad Mini, in black.

• Why 16 gigs? The iPad mini is primarily for reading and browsing the web. Those activities don't take up much space on an iPad. It's perfect for storing books and magazines, a handful of favorite games, some essential apps, and a fair amount of music. Any gamer who is buying an iPad to play a resource-gobbler like Infinity Blade II probably doesn't want to drop money on a device whose guts are two years old. Anyone who really likes watching locally stored video probably wants a bigger display.
• Why Wi-Fi? How often do you really see yourself somewhere for an extended period of time without a wi-fi connection? What connected activity would you need to do on an miniature iPad that you couldn't do on a smartphone in a pinch? Why not just tether your iPad to your phone?
• And why black? For the same reason as the iPhone 5. That murdered out, black on black—or slate, to be exact—color scheme is too damn sleek to refuse.

But there are exceptions.

Some of you won't blend into the homogenous horde. So there might be a few good reasons why you'd want a different iPad Mini.

• Why a 32/64 GB iPad Mini? You have a long commute on public transportation and you can watch entire movies or episodes during that time. You have no internet connection. Alternatively, you have kids, and want to toss them a device chock full o' entertainment they can actually hold while they're in the backseat.

• Why a 4G iPad Mini? You travel a lot and find yourself needing to do internet-dependent things where stable wi-fi connections don't exist. You have a 3G phone which isn't optimal for heavy use. And you need more screen real estate than your connected smartphone can offer, but don't want the bulk of a full-sized tablet next to your laptop. Chances are, the company you work for is probably willing to foot all (or part) of that data bill as well. In that case, go with a Verizon data plan.
• Why a white iPad Mini? Because it looks pretty damn nice too. And like a black bezel lends itself to a more immersive video experience, a white bezel could do the same when you're reading a book.