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royinla14

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 12, 2011
541
145
I love my iPad mini, but noticed I have used it much less over the past couple years mainly because the screen size, while bigger than my pro 15 is still not that much bigger. So I often find myself just using the phone and not the iPad. Looking at the new announcement today, anyone else is thinking to move from Mini to Air or have done so in the past? Cheers
 

*~Kim~*

macrumors 65816
May 6, 2013
1,178
470
UK
I was thinking about it, also because of the way they underspec the Mini. You’d have thought they could have gone to 6GB RAM in 2021 as they must have known 8GB was imminent for the Air (had it been 4GB Mini and 6GB Air 6 months later I wouldn’t have been so annoyed.) I’ve used the Mini less outside since I got a dual sim phone and find myself wanting to use the iPad more for watching content, so buying an Air and keeping the Mini until it dies for other purposes would make sense.

But going from 1 chip behind the Pro to 2 makes the 11 feel meh, and I think the 13 would just be too big.
 

dmr727

macrumors G4
Dec 29, 2007
10,665
5,765
NYC
Nah, the size of the Mini is just about right for me. My 15 Pro isn't as enjoyable to watch content on, and the Mini makes a much better e-reader (the Mini is about as big as I'd like it to be for holding with one hand). Incidentally it's also the perfect size for a small airplane cockpit.

So yeah, I'd love an update to the Mini, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. Fortunately it's still almost perfect for what I'm using it for.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,915
13,259
Nah, the size of the Mini is just about right for me. My 15 Pro isn't as enjoyable to watch content on, and the Mini makes a much better e-reader (the Mini is about as big as I'd like it to be for holding with one hand). Incidentally it's also the perfect size for a small airplane cockpit.

So yeah, I'd love an update to the Mini, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. Fortunately it's still almost perfect for what I'm using it for.

+1. For me, the Mini is a good size and aspect ratio for a portrait mode ebook reader. The 2:1 aspect ratio on most modern phones just feels weird to me for reading.

I also find web browsing on the iPad mini to be better than iPhone Pro Max albeit there are still times I’d reach for a bigger iPad or go on my desktop PC.

I have all iPad sizes anyway so I could just pick the one more suitable/comfortable for the task at hand.
 

rrm74001

macrumors 6502
Nov 11, 2008
292
336
Owned the Mini 1, Mini 3, Mini 5.

Ordered an 11-inch Air today.

Just tired of waiting at this point and willing to bet when (if) they finally update the Mini they are just going to throw an M1 in it. And if they had in fact done that today, I would probably still be strongly considering the Air instead.
 

masotime

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2012
2,865
2,841
San Jose, CA
The iPad Air is pretty compelling mid-range value right now.

Having said that, the mini's form factor is unique. If you need that form factor, you need that form factor. Otherwise buy whatever has the best value spec-wise.
 
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dmr727

macrumors G4
Dec 29, 2007
10,665
5,765
NYC
+1. For me, the Mini is a good size and aspect ratio for a portrait mode ebook reader. The 2:1 aspect ratio on most modern phones just feels weird to me for reading.

I've been trying (and failing) to pinpoint why I don't like reading on a phone - even if it's on something larger like a Pro Max - and that's exactly it. The aspect ratio doesn't feel right. Thank you!
 
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royinla14

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 12, 2011
541
145
This is like asking if you’re thinking about trading in your Honda Accord for a GMC Yukon

The question is sort of nonsensical.

iPad mini users are using it for the size specifically
It was very true for me since I had only iPad minis but also because I used to have iPhone mini, so the size difference was noticeable and I used the iPad mini a lot. Last year I upgraded to the 15pro and noticed that I barely use the mini anymore, mainly because there was no much of a substantial difference anymore for me. I would have loved to get the iPad Pro given how thin it is, but can't justify the price...
 

IJBrekke

macrumors 6502a
Oct 24, 2009
700
877
Long Beach, CA
Personally, I dislike using all iPad sizes other than the Mini. They all feel incredibly clunky in size and weight. I’m not a fan of the unoptimized software the Mini has been forced into the last few years, but overall it is still a better user experience than the larger ones, for me.
 
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masotime

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2012
2,865
2,841
San Jose, CA
Personally, I dislike using all iPad sizes other than the Mini. They all feel incredibly clunky in size and weight. I’m not a fan of the unoptimized software the Mini has been forced into the last few years, but overall it is still a better user experience than the larger ones, for me.
Yeah it’s pretty sad it got no updates. I’d happily pay $800 if it came upgraded with the tandem OLED, Promotion display, M4 processor and slimmer profile.
 
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