iPad or iPad mini: which should you buy?

At least one analyst has lowered his estimates for iPad sales this quarter based on strong sales of the iPad mini. Apple's smaller tablet is selling so well that it can still be difficult to get hold of one from some retailers. If you're choosing an iPad this Christmas, here's our guide to the pros and cons.

iPad
Pros: The new iPad has an incredible screen that delivers amazingly sharp images and text. Apple calls it a 'retina' display because, when held at a normal distance, it is impossible for the human eye to discern individual pixels. The iPad also has a fast processor that improves graphics performance so that games, in particular, run very smoothly. Finally, the 9.7-inch screen is an ideal size for photos and web pages. It's easy to read the text on a web page without zooming in.

Cons: The iPad weighs more than twice as much as the iPad mini. After an hour of so of holding the iPad, you'll start to notice that weight. While the iPad is very slim and certainly more portable than a laptop, it's not a device that you can just tuck in your pocket each time you go out. And it's £130 more expensive than the iPad mini - a significant difference if price is a key factor in your decision.

iPad mini
Pros: Remarkably thin and light, the iPad mini is the perfect size for holding in one hand. The iPad mini also fits comfortably in the pocket of a coat or a handbag, making it ideal for use on the move. It's also beautifully designed, with obvious influences taken from Apple's iPhone 5. Finally, it's Apple's cheapest iPad, with prices starting at £269 for the 16GB, WiFi-only version.

Cons: Anyone who has used an iPhone or iPad with retina display might find the iPad mini display a disappointment, though it does have more pixels-per-inch than the iPad 2. Elsewhere, this is basically an iPad 2 inside, so it will reach the point where it is incompatible with cutting edge apps sooner than a brand new iPad. Lastly, the smaller screen size - 7.9-inches - means more pinching and zooming to make text readable than on a full-sized iPad.

Conclusion
If you have decided that you want an iPad and not one of the many competing tablets now available then your choice of model comes down mostly to two things: price and portability. If price is your main concern then the iPad mini is the one to buy: you get a full iPad experience for £130 less. Likewise, if you want to have your iPad with you at all times then you would be better off with the iPad mini. The full iPad is very portable but you'll need to carry it in a bag; the iPad mini can go in your pocket.

However, if your iPad is primarily going to be a home device, travelling mostly between the sofa and the bedrooms, then a full iPad is the best bet. The larger screen size and better resolution are worth the extra money. And if it is going to be a home device, then you only need buy the WiFi version. iPad mini buyers should seriously consider the WiFi + Cellular version to get the most out of the tablet's portability.

Just one decision remains: how much storage do you need? I would recommend against the 16GB model for all but the most committed minimalists. A few apps, some music and a moderate picture library will soon fill that. However, only constant travellers really need the 64GB version. If you are always on the move - particularly on planes - then you need lots of space. For most users, a 32GB iPad is enough. It has room for plenty of apps and other content and anything else you need can easily be downloaded from the cloud when you want it.