I have both iPad retina with 3g and iPad mini withoit 3g.
Media playback.
I installed gplayer and.with that its simply unbeatable as media player.
I managed to even play blueray rips mkv files on iPad without any issues.
Onlt issue i.noticed,with non mp4 files battery life is less and with mp4 files,its far better.
Retina
It does make huge difference and dad loves to read on retina iPad.
Only advantage is my parents perspective is mini is lightest and easier to use for facetime calls with my sis.
Given choice I will suggest you these ,
1) If you have time and can wait,
You should wait for redesign of iPad full size.
2) I'd would wait for retina mini if mini is your preferred size.
I no longer use iTunes for any of media transfer and i use application name files.
Its paid app which I purchased for 99cents during its launch.
Its wifi based files transfer app and does wonderful.job as file management tool.
It allows drag and drop through browser and transfers files at 70-75mbps rate with iPad retina and 23-30 mbps with iPad mini owing to wifi chipset of mini.
I dont remember plugging in my iPad with usb on computers.
Last time I plugged in was for update with 6.1.2 jailbreak.
Media playback.
I installed gplayer and.with that its simply unbeatable as media player.
I managed to even play blueray rips mkv files on iPad without any issues.
Onlt issue i.noticed,with non mp4 files battery life is less and with mp4 files,its far better.
Retina
It does make huge difference and dad loves to read on retina iPad.
Only advantage is my parents perspective is mini is lightest and easier to use for facetime calls with my sis.
Given choice I will suggest you these ,
1) If you have time and can wait,
You should wait for redesign of iPad full size.
2) I'd would wait for retina mini if mini is your preferred size.
I no longer use iTunes for any of media transfer and i use application name files.
Its paid app which I purchased for 99cents during its launch.
Its wifi based files transfer app and does wonderful.job as file management tool.
It allows drag and drop through browser and transfers files at 70-75mbps rate with iPad retina and 23-30 mbps with iPad mini owing to wifi chipset of mini.
I dont remember plugging in my iPad with usb on computers.
Last time I plugged in was for update with 6.1.2 jailbreak.
