I feel like "retina" is the kind of thing that's just a "really nice to have" at first, and then you simply can't go back. It just makes every non-retina display look crappy and low quality, in my opinion.

For example, I'd love an iPad Mini but I just can't wrap my head around going back to a non-retina display. I know many people feel the same.

I felt the same way as Justin when I bought my first retina iPhone, curious to hear his thoughts once he gets one.

I should have mentioned in the post that I do have an iPhone 4 (with Retina). I regularly switch between that, an iPod touch, an iPad Mini, and 1st gen iPad.

For me Retina feels "brighter and more crisp", but it does feel like "it's nice, but not a game changer."

For me the form factor and weight of the iPad Mini wins over the higher resolution display.

Retina for games may not be a big deal, but Retina for text definitely is: I notice the difference when reading on my iPad 2 vs my iPhone 4S. The distinction doesn't seem like much when you're in the middle of reading, but your eyes will definitely notice when you go from a screen that's Retina to one that isn't.

Odd, I haven't really felt a difference between my iPad Mini and my iPhone 4.

I definitely don't have perfect eyes; I wonder if that's a factor.

Well, the iPad Mini has a pixel density somewhere in the middle: it's higher than an iPad 1 or 2, but lower than a Retina iPad or iPhone (in fact, it's density is exactly equal to the pre-Retina iPhones)

The overall size of the screens affects your perception, too, I think: a large iPad screen feels different than a pocket-size phone screen.

I have a Retina MacBook at work and it is the biggest deal for me since the switch to LCDs. For the first time ever, I cannot see the pixels! The curves are just curved, the gradients are just gradients, the text is just.... text. It's as sharp as if it were printed. It's like the computer is a Hollywood movie prop - the experience of looking at text on a monitor and not seeing pixels is that strange. The machine feels like something dropped in from the future. Every other computer display suddenly looks a bit old-fashioned.

For me, I can definitely tell the difference between a retina and non-retina iPad. However, I have trouble seeing the difference between a retina and non-retina MacBook.

Likewise: when I was debating buying a Macbook Air and a Macbook Pro 13" with Retina. To me, the higher resolution display wasn't worth it.