iPad mini Came back to the Mini 7 from M4 Pro

[FattiesGoneWild]

Traded in my mini 6 for 256gb M4 iPad Pro. Returned said M4 Pro for 128gb mini 7. It came down to consumption and size. The mini 7 just fits the bill for me and I missed it. I am nuts! Worker was even surprised I was downgrading. Specs is not everything. I kept my Apple Pencil Pro for it. I passed on 256gb with this mini 7 since it’s just my media tablet.

 

[Cosmo M3]

I have both and I use both as they both have their use cases. If I had to get only one iPad though, it would be the Mini for sure.

 

[Johnny365]

That's...certainly a rollercoaster ride of a jump you did, OP

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I feel you @FattiesGoneWild. I debated A LOT between the 11” M4 and the mini 7 to replace my 64GB Wi-Fi only mini 6. OLED would have been great for outdoor use, both book reading and in the cockpit of my Cessna running ForeFlight. But in the end the size of the M4 is just too big for the Cessna, so I went with a mini 7 cellular. Reading on the beach this week is “okay” but certainly could be better… but the cost of the M4 wouldn’t make sense if I couldn’t use it in the airplane.

 

[Pezimak]

I think I’ve settled on a 256GB Mini 7 WiFi. I have an M1 11” Pro that’s got a Battery that’s good but won’t last me a day anymore. So time to update. Since getting my M3 Mac 14” MacBook Pro that’s a frankly ludicrous power house, I have no need for an iPad as my main device. I was thinking of the M4 it’s nice, screen is stunning, but a grand and up cost is tough to swallow when it’s used for media consumption and I don’t use a keyboard cover, and the Pro’s are designed to be used with that keyboard cover, it’s uncomfortable to hold otherwise.

Of course this is dependant on me seeing an iPad Mini in person and using it in the store.

 

[ctjack]

I think I’ve settled on a 256GB Mini 7 WiFi. I have an M1 11” Pro that’s got a Battery that’s good but won’t last me a day anymore. So time to update. Since getting my M3 Mac 14” MacBook Pro that’s a frankly ludicrous power house, I have no need for an iPad as my main device. I was thinking of the M4 it’s nice, screen is stunning, but a grand and up cost is tough to swallow when it’s used for media consumption and I don’t use a keyboard cover, and the Pro’s are designed to be used with that keyboard cover, it’s uncomfortable to hold otherwise.

Of course this is dependant on me seeing an iPad Mini in person and using it in the store.

I am probably one of the most hyped up people about mini 7. I absolutely do not need the Pro for the size and power.

Vacuum cleaner broke today and ran to replace it in the evening at bestbuy. While there, decided to check out the ipads.

First I got the 11" M4 Pro - wow, despite the 1lb specs, on hand feels very light and thin. Display is gorgeous and the ad screen was swiped up with no lags. 120hz shines here.

Picked up 13" M4 Pro - wow, it is not that bigger than 11" and display for some reason feels even faster. Maybe just the illusion of bigger screen and 120hz. Hopefully smn can confirm that 13" feels more fluid than 11".

Mini 7 - ad screen minimized with lags. For some reason swiping desktops felt very slow - maybe i got too much used to my Iphone 15 pro? However I don't think twice about using my 60hz Air laptop versus MBP 14, but I just couldn't be convinced with the screen. I said okay, this is pocketable and one handed - it is actually from 1 tips to another tips of my fingers. I mean i can hold it one handed to move places, but not like holding one hand and actually doing something. It was comfortably 2 handed device. The weight surprisingly didn't feel that much lower than the Pros - if any it felt on par or heavier cause of the dense body (thicker, smaller footprint).

I leave some doubts to the display models lagging - when i saw 15 Pro and Pro max iphones, they were very sluggish probably because of being overheated, constant charging and running the ads screen. So i gave a discount on that and picked up my 15 Pro - it was much smoother in person. Hopefully mini 7 was lagging only because of that phenomenon, but it didn't stop the Pros from being absolutely fast at scrolling/swiping.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Traded in my mini 6 for 256gb M4 iPad Pro. Returned said M4 Pro for 128gb mini 7. It came down to consumption and size. The mini 7 just fits the bill for me and I missed it. I am nuts! Worker was even surprised I was downgrading. Specs is not everything. I kept my Apple Pencil Pro for it. I passed on 256gb with this mini 7 since it’s just my media tablet.

Crazy!!!

 

[Johnny365]

I am probably one of the most hyped up people about mini 7. I absolutely do not need the Pro for the size and power.

Vacuum cleaner broke today and ran to replace it in the evening at bestbuy. While there, decided to check out the ipads.

First I got the 11" M4 Pro - wow, despite the 1lb specs, on hand feels very light and thin. Display is gorgeous and the ad screen was swiped up with no lags. 120hz shines here.

Picked up 13" M4 Pro - wow, it is not that bigger than 11" and display for some reason feels even faster. Maybe just the illusion of bigger screen and 120hz. Hopefully smn can confirm that 13" feels more fluid than 11".

Mini 7 - ad screen minimized with lags. For some reason swiping desktops felt very slow - maybe i got too much used to my Iphone 15 pro? However I don't think twice about using my 60hz Air laptop versus MBP 14, but I just couldn't be convinced with the screen. I said okay, this is pocketable and one handed - it is actually from 1 tips to another tips of my fingers. I mean i can hold it one handed to move places, but not like holding one hand and actually doing something. It was comfortably 2 handed device. The weight surprisingly didn't feel that much lower than the Pros - if any it felt on par or heavier cause of the dense body (thicker, smaller footprint).

I leave some doubts to the display models lagging - when i saw 15 Pro and Pro max iphones, they were very sluggish probably because of being overheated, constant charging and running the ads screen. So i gave a discount on that and picked up my 15 Pro - it was much smoother in person. Hopefully mini 7 was lagging only because of that phenomenon, but it didn't stop the Pros from being absolutely fast at scrolling/swiping.

It probably was the display model, because my Mini 7 is garlic butter smooth!

 

[Pezimak]

I am probably one of the most hyped up people about mini 7. I absolutely do not need the Pro for the size and power.

Vacuum cleaner broke today and ran to replace it in the evening at bestbuy. While there, decided to check out the ipads.

First I got the 11" M4 Pro - wow, despite the 1lb specs, on hand feels very light and thin. Display is gorgeous and the ad screen was swiped up with no lags. 120hz shines here.

Picked up 13" M4 Pro - wow, it is not that bigger than 11" and display for some reason feels even faster. Maybe just the illusion of bigger screen and 120hz. Hopefully smn can confirm that 13" feels more fluid than 11".

Mini 7 - ad screen minimized with lags. For some reason swiping desktops felt very slow - maybe i got too much used to my Iphone 15 pro? However I don't think twice about using my 60hz Air laptop versus MBP 14, but I just couldn't be convinced with the screen. I said okay, this is pocketable and one handed - it is actually from 1 tips to another tips of my fingers. I mean i can hold it one handed to move places, but not like holding one hand and actually doing something. It was comfortably 2 handed device. The weight surprisingly didn't feel that much lower than the Pros - if any it felt on par or heavier cause of the dense body (thicker, smaller footprint).

I leave some doubts to the display models lagging - when i saw 15 Pro and Pro max iphones, they were very sluggish probably because of being overheated, constant charging and running the ads screen. So i gave a discount on that and picked up my 15 Pro - it was much smoother in person. Hopefully mini 7 was lagging only because of that phenomenon, but it didn't stop the Pros from being absolutely fast at scrolling/swiping.

Well people say that A17 runs hot, and on all day everyday in a store is probably heating it up a bit? The M4 and bigger Pro models do handle the heat extremely well though.

 

[Pezimak]

I am probably one of the most hyped up people about mini 7. I absolutely do not need the Pro for the size and power.

Vacuum cleaner broke today and ran to replace it in the evening at bestbuy. While there, decided to check out the ipads.

First I got the 11" M4 Pro - wow, despite the 1lb specs, on hand feels very light and thin. Display is gorgeous and the ad screen was swiped up with no lags. 120hz shines here.

Picked up 13" M4 Pro - wow, it is not that bigger than 11" and display for some reason feels even faster. Maybe just the illusion of bigger screen and 120hz. Hopefully smn can confirm that 13" feels more fluid than 11".

Mini 7 - ad screen minimized with lags. For some reason swiping desktops felt very slow - maybe i got too much used to my Iphone 15 pro? However I don't think twice about using my 60hz Air laptop versus MBP 14, but I just couldn't be convinced with the screen. I said okay, this is pocketable and one handed - it is actually from 1 tips to another tips of my fingers. I mean i can hold it one handed to move places, but not like holding one hand and actually doing something. It was comfortably 2 handed device. The weight surprisingly didn't feel that much lower than the Pros - if any it felt on par or heavier cause of the dense body (thicker, smaller footprint).

I leave some doubts to the display models lagging - when i saw 15 Pro and Pro max iphones, they were very sluggish probably because of being overheated, constant charging and running the ads screen. So i gave a discount on that and picked up my 15 Pro - it was much smoother in person. Hopefully mini 7 was lagging only because of that phenomenon, but it didn't stop the Pros from being absolutely fast at scrolling/swiping.

This is the problem I know I'll have next year when I look to change. Because whilst I'll want that iPad Mini size, I'll look at that stunning OLED screen and then think of all that power and know it'll last ages and ages. And I'll be confused again lol. Even though I say it there is no point convincing myself of anything at the moment. A black M4 Pro 11"
With a white keyboard case and another case option could be pretty special. And expensive.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Enjoy your new mini. It’s a big move.

 

[ericwn]

I’ve said it often on here, I’d always start at the screen size that’s convenient for you and start there. Enjoy your new device!

 

[Zapski]

I use a 13” M4 iPad for most things, but just got the Mini 7 for mostly reading. I spend hours a day reading, and while the iPhone Pro Max is good for that, it’s just a little small for extended sessions. The M4 is fine for that but sometimes I wanted something right in between and the Mini just hits that sweet spot for me.

It’s pretty much a Goldilocks form factor. And yes, I’d like a ProMotion display, but it’s not that big a deal

 

[ctjack]

This is the problem I know I'll have next year when I look to change. Because whilst I'll want that iPad Mini size, I'll look at that stunning OLED screen and then think of all that power and know it'll last ages and ages. And I'll be confused again lol. Even though I say it there is no point convincing myself of anything at the moment. A black M4 Pro 11"
With a white keyboard case and another case option could be pretty special. And expensive.

I fell out of the loop of recent tech updates, so currently was spending time to catch up. While doing so, probably got too interested in new ipads. I think i solved this question for now until next year by following way:

1) Ipad mini - has 34ms slow screen, the benchmarks show that it sits at M1 levels in gpu/cpu milticore and single core is on par with 15Pro. Overall good buy maybe at some point with a discount. Good point is that high hz of screen so less PWM.

Verdict: personally me waiting for one of the following - 1) heavy discount 2) new mini 8 refresh 3) or at least be done with my backlog of switch and xbox series x before buying new tech.

2) Ipad Pro M4 - it is all great for now if one needs a device. But ifixit reveals these have 12GB of Ram but are locked so it only reports 8GB. Screen is fast at 1ms refresh speed (34 for mini7). Unfortunately low frequency related to PWM - 74% of screens have better PWM characteristics. On the bright note, M4 ipads already 100% and 60% faster in various benchmarks than mini7 - so it is the future is already now device. Historical benchmarks show that mini 7 is only catching up with the M1 Pro ipads. So buying M4 kind of future proofs it.

Verdict: personally me waiting for one of the following - since i am in no urgent need to get a device, then the next refresh could bring 12GB (24GB for 1TB) of RAM and battery enhancements. OLED display might get higher pwm Hz to reduce the PWM to do at least better than being worse than 74% of population.
It is either Samsung/LG holding back the latest tech or Apple is not paying the price. As a pioneers in oled, samsung ages ago reduced PWM in their S series smartphones to be less of that in iphone.

I was probably just looking for "be excited, buy and settle" device. Back in the day i was excited for M1 Air, tested and swapped my gaming windows laptop and never looked back for a new one.

 

[kp98077]

Traded in my mini 6 for 256gb M4 iPad Pro. Returned said M4 Pro for 128gb mini 7. It came down to consumption and size. The mini 7 just fits the bill for me and I missed it. I am nuts! Worker was even surprised I was downgrading. Specs is not everything. I kept my Apple Pencil Pro for it. I passed on 256gb with this mini 7 since it’s just my media tablet.

hard to imagine i love my ipad m4 11 pro!!! its THE perfect size!

 

[Zest28]

I checked the iPad Mini 7 to see what the iPad Mini hype is all about, and every time, the conclusion is the same, I just prefer my iPhone 15 Pro Max over the iPad Mini.

The iPad Mini is just so slow and laggy, even with the new chip. And it seems that iPadOS is not even designed for the iPad Mini as it is running iPadOS but everything shrunking down to fit on a small display.

In any case, congrats on saving alot of money as the iPad Mini is alot cheaper than an iPhone and iPad Pro.

 

[ctjack]

The iPad Mini is just so slow and laggy, even with the new chip. And it seems that iPadOS is not even designed for the iPad Mini as it is running iPadOS but everything shrunking down on a small display.

I actually liked shrunken down effect as i find 15 Pro Max wastes space by not offering more icons or grids over the regular iphones, whereas the mini is able to jam a lot of items on 1 screen.

 

[Realityck]

The iPad Mini is just so slow and laggy, even with the new chip. And it seems that iPadOS is not even designed for the iPad Mini as it is running iPadOS but everything shrunking down to fit on a small display.

Not a slouch per this 10/28 review, showing multiple games running with settings shown.

 

[FranApple]

I am probably one of the most hyped up people about mini 7. I absolutely do not need the Pro for the size and power.

Vacuum cleaner broke today and ran to replace it in the evening at bestbuy. While there, decided to check out the ipads.

First I got the 11" M4 Pro - wow, despite the 1lb specs, on hand feels very light and thin. Display is gorgeous and the ad screen was swiped up with no lags. 120hz shines here.

Picked up 13" M4 Pro - wow, it is not that bigger than 11" and display for some reason feels even faster. Maybe just the illusion of bigger screen and 120hz. Hopefully smn can confirm that 13" feels more fluid than 11".

Mini 7 - ad screen minimized with lags. For some reason swiping desktops felt very slow - maybe i got too much used to my Iphone 15 pro? However I don't think twice about using my 60hz Air laptop versus MBP 14, but I just couldn't be convinced with the screen. I said okay, this is pocketable and one handed - it is actually from 1 tips to another tips of my fingers. I mean i can hold it one handed to move places, but not like holding one hand and actually doing something. It was comfortably 2 handed device. The weight surprisingly didn't feel that much lower than the Pros - if any it felt on par or heavier cause of the dense body (thicker, smaller footprint).

I leave some doubts to the display models lagging - when i saw 15 Pro and Pro max iphones, they were very sluggish probably because of being overheated, constant charging and running the ads screen. So i gave a discount on that and picked up my 15 Pro - it was much smoother in person. Hopefully mini 7 was lagging only because of that phenomenon, but it didn't stop the Pros from being absolutely fast at scrolling/swiping.

It lags. It’s because the mini 7 isn’t an OLED screen.

 

[froglego]

Traded in my mini 6 for 256gb M4 iPad Pro. Returned said M4 Pro for 128gb mini 7. It came down to consumption and size. The mini 7 just fits the bill for me and I missed it. I am nuts! Worker was even surprised I was downgrading. Specs is not everything. I kept my Apple Pencil Pro for it. I passed on 256gb with this mini 7 since it’s just my media tablet.

I also switched from the 12.9" M2 Pro, to the 11" M4 Pro, to the Mini 7. I found the Mini to be a better fit for what I primarily use the iPad for: reading books, note taking, and language learning on the go. I found the larger iPads to be too heavy, and the additional power of the M4 to be wasted on iPad OS. I do miss the OLED screen on the M4.

Apple wouldn't let me trade in the M4 so I'm trying to find a place to sell it now.

 

[ctjack]

It lags. It’s because the mini 7 isn’t an OLED screen.

It may even not lag in terms of the CPU, but display response time is 34 ms.

My MacBook air at 60hz feels totally fine in comparison. I looked it up and it has 31ms response time. Ok maybe macos renders swipes better? Or am i able to pick up 3ms difference?

Then pro 11 - less than 2 ms.
Pro 13 - less than 1ms. No wonder why pro 13 felt even smoother than the 11 inch.

 

[Pezimak]

I fell out of the loop of recent tech updates, so currently was spending time to catch up. While doing so, probably got too interested in new ipads. I think i solved this question for now until next year by following way:

1) Ipad mini - has 34ms slow screen, the benchmarks show that it sits at M1 levels in gpu/cpu milticore and single core is on par with 15Pro. Overall good buy maybe at some point with a discount. Good point is that high hz of screen so less PWM.

Verdict: personally me waiting for one of the following - 1) heavy discount 2) new mini 8 refresh 3) or at least be done with my backlog of switch and xbox series x before buying new tech.

2) Ipad Pro M4 - it is all great for now if one needs a device. But ifixit reveals these have 12GB of Ram but are locked so it only reports 8GB. Screen is fast at 1ms refresh speed (34 for mini7). Unfortunately low frequency related to PWM - 74% of screens have better PWM characteristics. On the bright note, M4 ipads already 100% and 60% faster in various benchmarks than mini7 - so it is the future is already now device. Historical benchmarks show that mini 7 is only catching up with the M1 Pro ipads. So buying M4 kind of future proofs it.

Verdict: personally me waiting for one of the following - since i am in no urgent need to get a device, then the next refresh could bring 12GB (24GB for 1TB) of RAM and battery enhancements. OLED display might get higher pwm Hz to reduce the PWM to do at least better than being worse than 74% of population.
It is either Samsung/LG holding back the latest tech or Apple is not paying the price. As a pioneers in oled, samsung ages ago reduced PWM in their S series smartphones to be less of that in iphone.

I was probably just looking for "be excited, buy and settle" device. Back in the day i was excited for M1 Air, tested and swapped my gaming windows laptop and never looked back for a new one.

I need to go hands on with the new Minis but at this point I’m set on one, or least as a 11” base iPad Pro M4 with pencil and keyboard case is £1430! It looks nice and will be very fast, but having my new MB Pro it ain’t worth that much! The idea of getting one of those controllers to play games on the Mini is very appealing to me.

 

[Zest28]

Not a slouch per this 10/28 review, showing multiple games running with settings shown.

I was simply scrolling and going page by page, it's much smoother and faster on my iPhone 15 Pro Max in comparison.

Maybe it's the 60hz vs 120hz what I was experiencing.

 

[leifp]

I have the M4 11” and have been debating that switch even before the mini 7 was announced. But I’m a very visual person and the downgrades from the ProMotion OLED to the lesser mini would absolutely bother me. Besides, for now I use the Pro with a keyboard case as a work device when I travel. If I can reduce my dependency on that requirement, the mini becomes very attractive indeed for me…

 

[ericwn]

I was simply scrolling and going page by page, it's much smoother and faster on my iPhone 15 Pro Max in comparison.

Maybe it's the 60hz vs 120hz what I was experiencing.

That very certainly is a direct result of the higher hz rating of the way more advanced screen in the iPhone.