Sracer - I always enjoy your informed comments. Please share model information on your current tablet. Thanks, DougAs the swallows returning to Capistrano, so too the cries about base storage in iPads with every new iPad release.
The reason why Apple does this is because... it works. FOMO is a strong motivator to get people to bump up to the higher storage capacity. Even the mythical "future-proofing" causes people to part with more of their money.
Complaining will not get Apple to change. It's perfectly fine to vent, but the only thing Apple will respond to is... money.
For a long time people wanted a mini iPad. Steve Jobs said that it wasn't a good size. What caused him/Apple to change their minds? The alarming early growth of 7"-8" Android tablets. Apple didn't respond to customers pleas, but they DID respond to sales to competitors.
A phone or tablet would have to be amazing for me to buy one that doesn't have support for removable media. My current smartphone and full-size tablet both offer that support. It's terrific to have that.
My tablet has 6GB RAM, quad speakers, 128GB built-in storage and support for 1TB microSD cards. I bought a 256GB high speed microSD card for $25. Although future-proofing is a myth, should I run out of space with 256GB, I can spend another $50 for a 512GB card.
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iPad mini Absurd 64GB vs 256GB
- Thread starter tokyodesigner
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Kids who use the iPad for relatively lightweight games (my kids' games comfortably fit in 64 GB), those using the iPad as a note-taking or e-reading device, those using it for a dedicated use such as media controller, credit card reader, etc.), or those using it mostly for streaming video or web browsing. I think 64 GB will be fine for quite a few iPad mini buyers, actually.
If you don't have an iPad already, a regular size iPad is much more value and usability for the money (I have both the mini and 11").
The iPad Mini is much more a niche product, for when portability is paramount over everything else.
Often when I have not been able to "pull the trigger" on something, I find it actually a relief: as if I know in my gut that it is not right for me. Come back after a month and see what you think. I have often found that my initial excitement has worn off, and I am glad I did not get caught up in the frenzy.
Definitely wise thinking. For me, as a teacher, I think it would work to walk around with a mini for notes and looking up students work, but I’ve already tried that with the iPad Pro 11” 2018 and found the software limited. Especially working with google apps. The mini would be more of the same I’d imagine.
Thanks for the kind words. I don't want to derail this thread, so I'll keep it brief.
I still use my iPad Mini 5 daily... heavily as an ereader, digital notebook/planner/journal, and a chromebook-like device.
For my heavy tablet uses, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. It's an amazing device... but if I didn't get it at a steal of a price ($329 new, book cover keyboard for $45) I would've gone for the iPad 8th gen (or 9th gen now) with smartcover, and smartcover keyboard.
Yeah, it's really cruel of them!! I want to get the mini, but having struggled with 64 GB storage on my pro-2018, I know it's not even an option anymore. I have to get the 256 GB, and I'm mad about that cause it's very close to the price of the 11-inch Pro
I think the worst aspect of this is how much room the OS takes up. I've seen the OS balloon up to 25-30gb at times on my mini. If it wasn't for this then 64gb might be fairly reasonable.
Edit: Just to add, it's my personal opinion that hard drive capability on installed/sold devices should only be allowed to market/advertise the space that isn't taken up by the OS. So the 64gb mini should really be advertised as a 34gb mini. I just feel like the OS is part of the device and the device won't run without it.
Edit: Just to add, it's my personal opinion that hard drive capability on installed/sold devices should only be allowed to market/advertise the space that isn't taken up by the OS. So the 64gb mini should really be advertised as a 34gb mini. I just feel like the OS is part of the device and the device won't run without it.
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Coming from a 2nd generation mini (haven't used it myself, in years - it's a cellular model so the kids take it when they're going out, etc) I think the 6th gen mini is fantastic. 256GB is my sweet spot for storage (I'd love 1TB for storing my iCloud Photo Library locally, but it's ridiculously overpriced) and the size/weight is great. I do wish it had a ProMotion display, and could handle HDR better, but overall I'm quite happy with my purchase.
I caved and picked up a 64gb for a travel/sketchbook/media consumption type thing. I plan on just leaning on my cloud storage for this and relying on my iPad Pro for any actual work. It’s possible I’ll return it if I find it egregiously redundant or not enough storage. I loaded it up with every app I think I’ll use and I’m at 30% so I should have 40 gigs or so for making stuff. 256 would be way too much for my intent so I’m almost glad I wasn’t tempted to upgrade to a 128, it’s this or nothing for me
I can tell you that in the education sector (which buys a lot of ipads) the lowest capacity option is usually more than sufficient, because there's no need to store a lot of media or large apps like games, and most files are stored on the cloud rather than locally. For example, while on my personal iPad I'm currently using about 137GB of storage, on my school issued iPad which I use strictly for work and I've been using extensively since the start of the pandemic, I'm using only 18GB.
In regards to the low-end 64GB model that is now offered (in place of the old 32GB model), this is to provide a low cost option that I understand satisfies objectives such as:
- Satisfies the needs for the Education market in regards to BYO devices purchased by parents, especially for their younger children that do not have the needs for larger storage
- Satisfies the needs for the Education market in regards to high volume purchases made by education institutions
- Satisfies the needs for the consumer market for a low-end, basic capability device for mail, web browsing, maybe some streaming, etc.
- Satisfies Apple's needs to minimise the number of models to manufacture
"In simple words, it means that the user will have the best possible option, as the device is continuously trying to find one that suits most, with least difficulties. Such a planet is colloquially called a "Goldilocks Planet"."
golidlocks like maybe 128gb for 550 and the 64gb was $50-75 cheaper.
Nearly everything can be deleted on iPadOS. Garageband is a large culprit on my iPad mini. The answer is yes: Numbers, Pages, and Keynote can be deleted.
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I did not check it right out of the box.
But the system takes up 8GB, and the default apps about 5GB.
You can figure on having about 50GB for your own apps and data.
Note that the amount used by the system can vary greatly, due to caching etc. For example, my iPad Pro is currently using an additional 5GB for "system data."
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Well, I never stream video or music on my Mini or my Pro, so I don't think I agree with the "most" people use it that way. My family doesn't either, the rest of them do email, texting, and games, on their iPads. We have about 10 iPads all told...
That said, I really don't need a 512G version, 256 is enough for me, as I have a lot of external storage on my home LAN. (over 30TB)
I'd have liked a 512GB but it's softened by the switch to USB-C - I have a couple of small SSD's with 1.5TB between them.