Why Buy the iPod touch When You Can Have an iPad for $30 More?

In case you missed it, Apple just announced an iPad mini. This new, 0.68-lb. device features a 7.9" 1024x768 display, Apple A5 dual-core processor, FaceTime 720p HD front-side camera, 5-megapixel iSight camera, Lightning connector, and 10-hour battery life, and both WiFi and 4G LTE models are available. From an iPad standpoint, the mini marks an evolution for the product line, being both cheaper and smaller than any other iPad.

But let's not forget that the tablet-like iPod touch, which is even cheaper and smaller, underwent its own transformation just last month. The entire fleet of iPods received a facelift and a refresh, and the iPod touch's storage was bumped to a minimum of 32GB; its starting price, too, rose to $299. Compare these numbers to the smallest iPad — the 16GB iPad mini for $329 — and now we wonder, why would anyone buy an iPod touch at all?

The two main arguments for the touch is that it has more storage and is more portable. And that's about it. But once you consider the availability of the iCloud (a place where all your music, movies, and files are stored), on-board storage begins to lose its necessity as a media-player feature.

As for portability, sure, the iPad mini is bigger, but that only means it won't fit into as many pockets as the iPod touch does. But if you'd just stop wearing such tight jeans, you should be fine! OK, maybe not. But it should fit comfortably wherever you might store a paperback book at least. Another note on its size: you might look a little awkward trying to take pictures with the 8" tablet, but we've seen people shamelessly use a full-size iPad to take photos at many a concert. An iPad mini will be a tad clunkier than an iPod touch, but acceptable.

When all is said and done, the biggest difference we can think of between the iPad mini and the iPod touch that might sway consumers one way or another: the iPod touch is available in multiple colors, whereas the iPad mini comes in just Black or White. And some people simply must match their device to their shoes.

What do you guys think? Go for the bigger screen, or save yourself $30? Or are you just going to buy both, so you don't have to think about it? Sound off in the comments below.

Jeff Somogyi is the dealnews Media Editor. One social media could not contain all his awesomeness, so he is on three of them: Google+ (barely counts as "social!"), Twitter, and a blog.

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