Deciding whether to buy an iPad or not can be tough-- what more when there are two iPads out on the market? Apple recently announced two refreshed lines for their slate series: the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Air. While it may seem logical to buy both to avoid the hassle, it does not make sense to get both in an instant. The following sections offer a guide when buying iPad Mini 2 or iPad Air this holiday season. Just like any product, the right device depends on the user's needs and their preferences.

Compatibility with iOS 7

One of the primary considerations people should look into when buying an iPad is iOS 7 compatibility. iOS 7 is the latest mobile platform from Apple. The iPad 2 and first iPad Mini can both run Apple iOS 7 so they should be good for a while. However, the previous generations of iPad cannot support iOS 7 completely because they do not have the right graphics chipset. For people with older generations of the iPad series, upgrading to either iPad Air or iPad Mini 2 should be great. Both devices run with the latest mobile platform and feature the right chipset and processors.

Retina Display

One of the major selling points of these two new devices over other iPads is the Retina Display. Both displays offer 2048 x 1536 resolution. This means the iPad Mini 2, measuring 7.9 inches offers higher pixel density compared to the iPad Air. This would constitute as 326ppi vs 263ppi; meaning the iPad Mini 2 provides a sharper display than the iPad Air. Nonetheless, the larger screen display of the iPad Air (9.7 inches) offer better reading and web-browsing experience. People can see the pages better and clearer.

In terms of display, consumers should decide whether they want a sharper resolution or bigger pages.

Framework and Design

The iPad Air comes slimmer and thinner than previous iPads. It weights around 469g and measures only 7.5mm thick. The iPad Mini, on the other hand, weighs 331g and measures 7.5mm thick. Both tablets follow a similar design inspiration. They also sport a single uni-body aluminum block emphasizing their premium feel. They both come in Silver or Space Grey options.

The only contrasting aspect from the designs is that the iPad Air is longer, wider and heavier. It is 40mm longer, 35mm wider and 138g heaver compared to the iPad Mini. The choice comes down to wanting a larger display or carrying a more portable device.

A7 Processor

Both the iPad Air and the iPad Mini 2 run on the latest A7 64-bit processor. The latest processor puts the two iPads among the fastest mobile devices today. Curiously, one device remains faster over the other. According to latest benchmarks, the A7 processor in the iPad Air clocks at 1400MHz. This is 100MHz greater compared to the iPhone 5s, and this means iPad Air is faster than iPhone 5s. iPad Mini, on the other hand, clocks at 1300MHz. The iPad Air still remains faster. The two slates are closely matched though. People looking for speed can have a better deal with the iPad Air; though for some tasks, the difference between the two may not be obvious or apparent.