To the OP, I am an athletic male in my late 20s. Holding the regular ipad 3 playing games & watching movies has tired my arms and wrists out during long use. I find myself changing positions a lot just to compensate for the tired extremities. Please go with the mini. Although I must say I don't know how much heavier the 3 is from the 2 but it is indeed heavier. My next tablet will be a mini or similar size Android.