I use a 15in Macbook Retina as my "desktop" computer, lugging it most days to and from work. However, when possible I try to get by with just my iPad 3 + Logitech Ultrathin keyboard. Days when I'm traveling in and out on the same day, or when I have a lot of offsite meetings, I try hard to only bring the iPad.

I'm still trying to figure out how an iPad mini-sized tablet might fit in, but as of today I can't see it. Of course, there was a time when I didn't think I'd use a tablet much at all, and here I am creating this branch on one. So...we'll see.

IPad mini is good for using games and consuming books etc. Not as good as a big iPad with a keyboard. That said on my recent trip I saw a ton of people using the galaxy note as a phone/tablet. Its almost the size of an iPad mini but has a cellphone built in. So that replaced their phone and tablet so they only had the Note and when vital their laptop.

I don't think the Mini is necessarily targeted at consumers who, like yourself, already have an iPhone, iPad, and a MacBook Pro. However, I could imagine coming home from work and relaxing in the recliner. On my coffee table is the full-sized iPad and the iPad Mini - which do I pick up? I'm pretty certain it would be the Mini! :)

"Mini Me, you complete me"

Not so sure about the target, Richard. I have a 15" Retina, iPhone, and a full sized iPad and I love the iPad mini. In fact, I haven't turned on my full size iPad since I bought the mini. I take my laptop to and from work every day, but outside of that my iPad mini is now my main computing device.

I have noticed a few things that really would improve the mini, though. Obviously a retina display would be ideal. That will come in time. The other thing I think it needs is more memory - safari tabs tend to drop from active memory more often than on my iPad 3.

You're right about looking at the coffee table and deciding which iPad to pick up - the mini wins hands down. But it's also the one you pick up as you're heading out the door.

So, do you think you would want to sell your full-sized iPad now? If not, where do you see it still 'fitting' for you?

I actually cancelled my order (which I made on the first day it was announced) for a mini and now you are changing my mind. It will be the first new Apple toy I haven't purchased in years...but I absolutely see your point about the size being what I would grab. We do have a Fire in the house and I've always loved the size (even though I never use it.) I would never sell my retina iPad 3, but it does bother me that the mini is not retina. So my question is - will I be able to see it as well?

I'm not going to sell it - I think my wife will use it until she gets jealous of my mini. At that point I probably will sell and get another mini.

Donna - I do notice a difference, but it hasn't been enough to keep me from switching. I will definitely upgrade when the mini goes retina. Hopefully I can hold my wife back from wanting one and just give her this one when they do release a retina version.

John, do you use it with a keyboard or just type on the screen? And do you prefer portrait for typing? How often do you use it landscape vs. portrait?

The thing I'm trying to figure out is can it supplant my iPad 3 + bluetooth keyboard. At this point, I don't think it will. What I think I really want is a super thin and light "regular-sized" iPad.

Typing I find is easier on the mini - I can use thumbs in both portrait and landscape (portrait is obviously easier). On the full-sized iPad I have a hard time typing in landscape unless it is on a flat surface and I can use my fingers.
I would say I most often use it in landscape. For work I may get a Bluetooth keyboard, but for now I'm pleased.

Why I don't like is the Smart Cover. I like the way it attaches, but the tri-fold is just weaker than the four fold cover of the full size ipad.

It's funny you say that about the mini - I thought that would be the case. I could type like crazy in the old blackberry days and was thinking it would be more like that. Regular iPad is too big for fast typing, iPhone keys too small. Can't imagine the smart cover being weaker, by the way - my regular iPad cover is always falling off as it is!

Weaker as in it collapses easier - the connection to the iPad is actually much stronger

Since I bought my iPad three years ago (oh man, time flies) for development purposes I got hocked up by how handy a tablet was to be an intermediate device between my laptop and my smartphones. I loved how awesome it was and how I finally had a device, other than my Kindle DX, that I could be productive while comfortably on on my bed or on a couch.

Since then I bought 4 tablets, all for development purposes too, but also because I wanted to play with them, a ASUS EeePad Slider, a Galaxy Tab 7", a AuraSlate LifePad, and a BlackBerry PlayBook.

A tablet fits perfectly in my workflow when I want to be very confortable, but still productive. Checking emails, reading something on Pocket, or doing some lightweight web browsing.