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lezmace

macrumors regular
Jul 26, 2011
134
90
2021 12.9 & Mini 6 here - works great for me.


I have the 12 Pro Max and much prefer the screen size of the Mini 6.
But don't you feel that the ProMotion on the 12 Max is much more comfortable for your eyes?
I have the iPad mini 5 and the iPhone 13 Pro and I prefer often the iPhone just because of the better screen.
 

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
9,996
34,289
Seattle WA
But don't you feel that the ProMotion on the 12 Max is much more comfortable for your eyes?
I have the iPad mini 5 and the iPhone 13 Pro and I prefer often the iPhone just because of the better screen.

No, not at all. I'll pick up the Mini 6 over the 12 PM the majority of the time.
 

Fraserh02

macrumors regular
Jun 18, 2017
116
429
So, I’m trying to decide between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5 for a complimentary device to my 2021 M1 12.9 iPad Pro. I am honestly leaning towards the iPad mini since I want something smaller and less expensive that I can take to bed with me. If you have the M1 12.9 iPad Pro or any iPad Pro, what did you go for as far as a secondary device between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5?

Thanks for the help! 🙂
I ended up selling my 12.9 because I found it wasn’t good as a tablet. It was too big for me to use comfortably so I ended up using it more as a laptop replacement. Then I found that it wasn’t very good as a laptop replacement so I’ve recently ended up selling it and use a MacBook Pro as a laptop and an iPad Mini as a tablet. Couldn’t be happier! I also last year changed from a 12 Pro to a Mini iPhone and again find it better. I use my MacBook as my portable computer, iMac as my home office computer, iPhone just for calls and when out and about, iPad mini for everything at home and when travelling. Best decisions I’ve made!
 
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Coolpher

macrumors 6502
May 8, 2008
334
147
Seattle,WA
So, I’m trying to decide between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5 for a complimentary device to my 2021 M1 12.9 iPad Pro. I am honestly leaning towards the iPad mini since I want something smaller and less expensive that I can take to bed with me. If you have the M1 12.9 iPad Pro or any iPad Pro, what did you go for as far as a secondary device between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5?

Thanks for the help! 🙂
Well, I’ve always only had the 12.9 inch. I use it in bed and at my desk and everywhere 2018 till 2020. I had the 11 inch iPad Pro just to experience the smaller screen, but I like the full-size keyboard and now the new features of the 2021,12.9.
 
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ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,021
2,897
We have all sizes in the house and I have to say I could easily justify a use-case for them all!

I've been using a Mini as a digital notepad this last while with GoodNotes and the Apple Pencil, but ironically I prefer a larger screen for note-taking. Its great as an e-reader, but because I'm not using it on the move, its tiny size isn't as much of a positive as I thought it would be. If you're used to a Pro screen, you'll notice the lesser quality screen on the Mini, I can guarantee it.

The 10-11" iPads are the best all round tablet sizes for most people and most tablet/consumption tasks. Stick a keyboard on one and you have a great ultra-portable tablet/computer as well. iPad Pro 11" is my favourite one. Again, if you have access to another Pro, I find I get really used to FaceID and the screen, to the point where I miss them on a regular or Air.

Its interesting to see others saying that they use their 12.9" everywhere. Once you get used to the size, it really does make for a great device in all situations - even for browsing the web, reading, watching movies etc on the sofa and bed if you don't want to have a laptop there.
 

Ryan0751

macrumors regular
Nov 4, 2013
184
164
I have a 12.9” and the 11” M1 iPad Pros. It’s expensive, but I use them both all the time. The difference between the 11 and the 12.9” is pretty substantial.

I tried a mini 6, and just couldn’t get over the screen quality. I might consider that size again if they come out with a model with Pro Motion.
 
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profets

macrumors 603
Mar 18, 2009
5,165
6,313
I have a 12.9” and the 11” M1 iPad Pros. It’s expensive, but I use them both all the time. The difference between the 11 and the 12.9” is pretty substantial.

I tried a mini 6, and just couldn’t get over the screen quality. I might consider that size again if they come out with a model with Pro Motion.

This is exactly how I feel. I’ve been using the 12.9 for 5 years, but miss the more portable, more traditional tablet feel of the 10-11” size. I just had the mindset that having two would be wasteful. The mini 6 felt amazing to hold and seemed like the perfect companion but I can’t get past the lack of 120Hz and shrunken UI. I should have grabbed an M1 11” last year to pair with my 2018 12.9”.
 
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Homme

macrumors 6502a
Jun 17, 2014
951
869
Sydney
I really wanted to like the mini 6, especially to complement my 12.9", but boy does 60Hz feel jarring after using 120Hz on the iPad and iPhone.

though 60hz is better on a smaller screen than a bigger one, 60hz on the Air 4 is bad but on the 12.9 inch first gen pro it’s painful 😄
 
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profets

macrumors 603
Mar 18, 2009
5,165
6,313
though 60hz is better on a smaller screen than a bigger one, 60hz on the Air 4 is bad but on the 12.9 inch first gen pro it’s painful 😄

It’s crazy. Before we had 120Hz it didn’t seem like a big deal. But now that we even have it on the iPhone, using a device without it just looks so wrong.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,027
5,488
192.168.1.1
IMHO, there's no point going with an 11" iPad Pro (or 10.9" Air) if you've already got a 12.9" iPad Pro. The 11" isn't really any easier to carry than the 12.9".

Personally, I use a 12.9" iPad Pro M1, an iPad mini 6 and an iPhone 13 mini.
 
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Biting_TheApple

macrumors newbie
Mar 18, 2022
2
1
Warwickshire, England
So, I’m trying to decide between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5 for a complimentary device to my 2021 M1 12.9 iPad Pro. I am honestly leaning towards the iPad mini since I want something smaller and less expensive that I can take to bed with me. If you have the M1 12.9 iPad Pro or any iPad Pro, what did you go for as far as a secondary device between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad Air 5?

Thanks for the help! 🙂
I used to have 12.9" iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard, 16" MacBook Pro (Intel), 5th gen iPad mini.

Migrated to 13.3" MacBook Air M1 (lighter and better battery life that the 12.9" iPad Pro), and a 6th Gen iPad mini. Quite simply the best set of productivity tools I have. iPad mini is the perfect note taking machine, highly mobile, 5G etc, and the minute I had the MacBook Air I didn't even switch on the iPad Pro.

I think two iPads limiting, unless you really can do everything on an iPad. Even with Stage Manager, I don't think the iPad Pro will be as productive as a full Mac for quite a time. The battery life on the MacBook Air M1 is simply stunning
 
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cwosigns

macrumors 68020
Jul 8, 2008
2,266
2,744
Columbus,OH
I've had my 2020 12.9 iPad Pro for a couple of years, but it sucks as a one-handed eReader and content consumption device. I got a mini 6 to complement it, and it's the best of both worlds. I love the mini 6 for readying and web browsing. The iPP is a great secondary work machine to my 16" MacBook Pro (Intel) and 24" M1 iMac.
 
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thv

macrumors regular
May 12, 2022
185
212
If OP needs a book reader, Kindle is cheaper and more comfortable. I assume OP already has iPhone anyway.
To be fair I don't think OP needs one iPad let alone two. This is a thread about what'd be nice to have. I've tried a relative's Kindle (multiple versions, multiple books read) and didn't like the experience. I also have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Mini 6 is a much more pleasant reading (and gaming) experience for me, to the point where I probably wouldn't entirely hate having a smaller phone in the future. It feels much lighter and nice amount of screen for longer reading, bigger but easy to hold in one (small) hand.

I personally wouldn't pick an Air and an iPad Pro, too similar in size and I don't see myself holding the Air in bed a lot. I haven't been bothered at all by the mini screen. I'm basically switching from the 4th 12.9 Pro to the Air, gave the pro to a family member, but my Mini stays. I eyed it for ages thinking it'd be silly to have that and a bigger iPad and a phone. yes of course it's frivolous but I use it constantly, and actually take it out unlike my pro
 

Dealmans

Suspended
Mar 12, 2022
1,405
1,213
To be fair I don't think OP needs one iPad let alone two. This is a thread about what'd be nice to have. I've tried a relative's Kindle (multiple versions, multiple books read) and didn't like the experience. I also have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Mini 6 is a much more pleasant reading (and gaming) experience for me, to the point where I probably wouldn't entirely hate having a smaller phone in the future. It feels much lighter and nice amount of screen for longer reading, bigger but easy to hold in one (small) hand.

I personally wouldn't pick an Air and an iPad Pro, too similar in size and I don't see myself holding the Air in bed a lot. I haven't been bothered at all by the mini screen. I'm basically switching from the 4th 12.9 Pro to the Air, gave the pro to a family member, but my Mini stays. I eyed it for ages thinking it'd be silly to have that and a bigger iPad and a phone. yes of course it's frivolous but I use it constantly, and actually take it out unlike my pro
Try reading your mini in the sun
 

thv

macrumors regular
May 12, 2022
185
212
Try reading your mini in the sun
No need, I went thru chemo and sitting out in the sun makes me feel dizzy :cool:

Wasn't trying to say the mini screen is flawless, I can see the jelly scrolling at times, not the other issue but not calling it fake. Just saying it's still one of my fave devices and they don't bother me or else I would have returned it. OP said they wanted something for bed.
 

Alias3800

macrumors newbie
May 31, 2015
29
43
I’d shoot for another M1 device, and a Mac if it makes sense. A baseline MacBook Air would be great because you could use the iPad as a second screen when you’re getting things done, and then use the iPad for everything else when you’re done with work.

If not, from what I’ve read of other people, the iPad mini seems to work really well as a complementary device. The jelly scrolling is a bit of a downside though. Something to consider.
 
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nightlong

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2012
864
168
Australia
I have 12.9 Pro with a mini 5 and a iPad Pro 10.5. These sizes are the perfect combination for me, but if I only had two it would be 12.9 and mini, which I take everywhere, very light, slips in my shoulder bag. I don’t notice the scrolling difference, i just accept that it has different capabilities.
 
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