Apple’s relaunched the fourth generation iPad yesterday, replacing the iPad 2 in the company’s tablet lineup. With a $399 price tag and a reasonable set of specs,  you may be wondering whether the full-size tablet is worth purchasing. It’s a difficult decision , especially when you consider the $499 iPad Air and the $399 Retina iPad Mini.  So many iPads, which one should you buy? Read on as we discuss each model and offer some buying advice below.

Let’s size things up — Full-size or Mini?

The first thing you should consider when buying an iPad is size. Do you want a larger 9.7-inch display or a smaller 7.9-inch screen? I’ve owned both models and can tell you that the larger iPad is great for reading, browsing the web and watching movies. It’s also the preferred size if you are drawing, writing or editing media files. Because of its size, it is more of an at-home or at-work device than a portable device.

You can still edit documents, browse the web and watch movies on the smaller iPad mini, but the experience is not as enjoyable as it is on the larger screen of the 9.7-inch iPad. The smaller size of the iPad mini, though, makes it perfect for mobile users who can easily fit the tablet in the pocket of a bag and go. When out and about, these users still have a comfortable-sized screen when they need to look up something or have some free time for a movie. The iPad mini is also perfect for gaming as it is a great size for on-screen controls.

Consider how you will use your iPad before you decide between the 9.7-inch iPad and the smaller iPad mini, will you use your tablet mostly at home or are you always on the go? Once you decide between mini or the full-size form factor, then you can start thinking about individual models and which one is the best fit for your needs.

The iPad Air versus the iPad 4

There are two options for full-size tablet users — the new iPad Air and the recently relaunched iPad 4. A quick look at the chart below, and it is readily apparent that the iPad Air is superior to the iPad 4, but not by a significant amount. Both models have the same resolution display, have newer processors (A6X and the A7), and run iOS 7 like a champ. Across the board, the Air is faster and lighter than the iPad 4, but is that bump worth the extra cost?

Once again, you need to consider how you will use your iPad, with size being the major difference between the two iPad models. The iPad 4 is noticeably thicker and heavier than the iPad Air, making it difficult to hold for a long period of time. This extra bulk doesn’t matter if you plan to use the iPad at your desk, but it is a factor for those using the tablet on the couch or in bed. The iPad Air is noticeably smaller and lighter, making it suitable for reading or long gaming sessions that require you to hold your device.

Price also is a factor in the decision-making process with the iPad Air starting at $499 for the base 16 GB WiFi-only model. The iPad 4 is $100 cheaper, but it is only available in a 16 GB configuration. If you think you need more than 16 GB of storage, then your only option is the iPad Air.

Choosing between the iPad Air and the iPad 4 is not an easy decision. The fourth generation iPad is a very capable device, will likely be supported by Apple for the next few years and is $100 less than the iPad Air. The iPad Air, though, is Apple’s flagship device. It has a thin profile that makes it delightful to hold and is powerful enough to run any game you throw at it. You can view a rundown of the tech specs for each tablet below.

Retina iPad mini versus the original iPad mini

If you decide that you want an iPad mini, you have a difficult decision ahead of you. The Retina iPad mini and the original iPad mini are very similar in form factor and in most major specs. Your choice comes down to price, performance and screen resolution. If you want a high-resolution screen for movies, photos and games, then be prepared to shell out the extra money for the Retina iPad mini. You won’t be disappointed by the performance of the tablet and the extra $100 you paid will be money well spent.

If you plan on using the mini for web browsing, social networking and personal information management, then you can happily use the original iPad mini and save yourself some cash. The original iPad mini is only available with 16GB of storage, which could be an issue for customers who want to store movies and music on their device. These customers, though, are not the target market for the original iPad and likely will buy the Retina model just for the improved graphics.

Even though the original iPad mini is older, it still is worthing purchasing. I own one, and it handles almost everything that I throw at it. I don’t notice the lower resolution display and would recommend it to anyone looking to grab an iPad for the least amount of money. You can compare the hardware specs of Apple’s two mini tablet devices in the table below:

Big, little, retina or non-retina? Which iPad model are you going to choose?