Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad mini How's your iPad Mini 4 doing in 2018?

TomOSeven

TomOSeven

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 4, 2017
571
699
Hi everyone,

I stupidly purchased a Surface Go and sent it back immediately, after only a couple of days of use. It's just a sucky device.

I still want a tablet, mostly for Udemy, Duolingo, as a PDF reader and Netflix machine.

A local online store has one in stock for 360 Euro (at 128 GB / Cellular) and I'm sorely tempted.

So I'm curious, does anyone here still use a Mini, and how well does it do? Will it get the current iOS version?

My iPhone 5 didn't get iOS 11, so I'm assuming Mini will be stuck on 12, because the chip is two generations younger?

Anyways...
 
Ipad mini 4? Ha! I’m typing this on an ipad mini 2! The screen is all cracked and the home button is broken, but it works. That being said, it is annoyingly slow at times. Really looking forward to updating to one of the new pros when they come out.
 
We have an iPad mini 2 that is still a workhorse. Does everything I ask it to do. And the battery life is still amazing. Can’t imagine the 4 to be any less than the 2. Go for it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vivian125
TomOSeven said:
Hi everyone,

I stupidly purchased a Surface Go and sent it back immediately, after only a couple of days of use. It's just a sucky device.

I still want a tablet, mostly for Udemy, Duolingo, as a PDF reader and Netflix machine.

A local online store has one in stock for 360 Euro (at 128 GB / Cellular) and I'm sorely tempted.

So I'm curious, does anyone here still use a Mini, and how well does it do? Will it get the current iOS version?

iPad mini4 problem free and a joy to use. Never use my larger iPad3.
Click to expand...
 
TomOSeven said:
Hi everyone,

I stupidly purchased a Surface Go and sent it back immediately, after only a couple of days of use. It's just a sucky device.

I still want a tablet, mostly for Udemy, Duolingo, as a PDF reader and Netflix machine.

A local online store has one in stock for 360 Euro (at 128 GB / Cellular) and I'm sorely tempted.

So I'm curious, does anyone here still use a Mini, and how well does it do? Will it get the current iOS version?

My iPhone 5 didn't get iOS 11, so I'm assuming Mini will be stuck on 12, because the chip is two generations younger?

Anyways...
Click to expand...


I'm in the same boat. If Apple released a Mini 5 today i'd place an order right away. I'm considering the 4 but I hate the idea of buying older hardware even if it is still capable today.
 
It's fine, basically. Definitely not spectacular performance-wise, but also not bad, just average. It's my daily driver for couch surfing and I rarely have issues with it. I vastly prefer it to all the larger, faster iPads (still haven't found a non-mini iPad I like). If it were to break I'd probably buy another one, knowing full-well I'm paying for a preferred form factor over raw performance.

It's still running iOS 10, FYI. iOS 11 seemed like a mess so I never bothered. Battery life has gotten worse as apps have been updated/optimized for iOS 11, however. Depending on feedback I may give iOS 12 a shot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RickTaylor
TomOSeven said:
Hi everyone,

I stupidly purchased a Surface Go and sent it back immediately, after only a couple of days of use. It's just a sucky device.

I still want a tablet, mostly for Udemy, Duolingo, as a PDF reader and Netflix machine.

A local online store has one in stock for 360 Euro (at 128 GB / Cellular) and I'm sorely tempted.

So I'm curious, does anyone here still use a Mini, and how well does it do? Will it get the current iOS version?

My iPhone 5 didn't get iOS 11, so I'm assuming Mini will be stuck on 12, because the chip is two generations younger?

Anyways...
Click to expand...

Mini 4 is an amazing little device. The surface Go could have been amazing and could have trounced all over the ipad, but it has crappy battery life and that makes all the difference in a small travel tablet. Although I wouldn't mind the kickstand and the keyboard of the Go. But it's still a larger device than the mini 4, so in some sense a different market and meant to compete with the regular ipad. The mini 4 is really unmatched for the size, I believe there are no other competitors at that size, even Samsung dropped out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn007
TomOSeven said:
With a 6.5" iPhone, I doubt we'll ever get an updated iPad Mini.
Click to expand...

Every thread slings in this. Form factors are dramatically different. Take scale drawings of both and print them. It's not really as close as a number can imply.

And an iPad Mini purchase is dramatically less expensive than a iPhone Maxi purchase, both immediately and then in the long ongoing service tail associated with the latter.

To answer the original question: I too am still enjoying an iPad Mini 2. Next iPad is either hoping for a (massive surprise) "5" (update) or buying somewhat old tech in the "4." iPad Mini is a GRRRRREAT iPad IMO. And a mobile that can run iOS AND has a headphone jack is much more gravy than some hindrance to "the future" and/or water intrusion magnet extraordinaire (like water only cares about sneaking into this one kind of hole). Since Macs also cling to "the past", I'm still mostly dongle-free inside the Apple bubble... and outside of it.

By the way, wasn't there a post here within the last month or two that showed iPad purchases by model and that a relatively old Mini was still taking something around about 20% of the iPad market? I don't think that market is just 3 or 30 people... as the "just buy whatever Apple has for sale now" crowd seems to imply (often)... or in conflict with the Apple research spun as implying hardly anyone wants this form factor anymore.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn007
My iPad Mini 4 is great, I use it all the time.

However, I'd be really uncomfortable buying a 3-year old iPad only 1 month before an iPad event. Even though it is low risk because the iPad Mini is not on the list of rumors, I would just feel colossally stupid if it were indeed updated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrennanWDavis
TomOSeven said:
Hi everyone,

I stupidly purchased a Surface Go and sent it back immediately, after only a couple of days of use. It's just a sucky device.

I still want a tablet, mostly for Udemy, Duolingo, as a PDF reader and Netflix machine.

A local online store has one in stock for 360 Euro (at 128 GB / Cellular) and I'm sorely tempted.

So I'm curious, does anyone here still use a Mini, and how well does it do? Will it get the current iOS version?

My iPhone 5 didn't get iOS 11, so I'm assuming Mini will be stuck on 12, because the chip is two generations younger?

Anyways...
Click to expand...

My iPad Mini 4 is doing just fine and does what I need it to do!
 
It's doing great, no performance problems and minimal tab-refreshing. The battery doesn't last as long as I'd prefer, but it still lasts for a reasonable amount of time. I'm still on ios 10.3 which helps performance, but I'm optimistic about ios 12 and will probably upgrade. I upgraded to the Mini 4 from a Mini 2 a little over a year ago after getting fed up with waiting for a new release and it was definitely worth the upgrade.

It's unlikely the mini will get updated, but I'd still recommend waiting another month since the iPad event should be soon. There is a risk it will get discontinued like the iPhone SE, but if you buy one within two weeks of the event you can return it if a new one is announced.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn007
Nah, I just sniped the cellular iPad Mini 4 at 160 Euros.

I reckon it'll do fine as an e-reader and a maps tool for travel.

The storage is a joke at 16 GB, but it should be fine for KhanAcademy, Duolingo and even the occasional Udemy course.
 
I’m sorry, i just can’t see myself buying a 3 yr old ipad mini with only 16 gigs. Even just as a web surfer, ereader or email writer. As much as i love the ipad mini form factor, my 64 gig 5 yr old ipad mini 2 is annoyingly slow & buggy doing all those things. And it’s only 2 yrs older than the mini 4. I just don’t think it’s a wise investment. Apple should at least give it a spec bump. To keep on selling it alongside the current crop of ipads is embarressing.
 
I use my mini 4 all the time and it's my go to screen when at home. Even though i have a plus sized phone, there is no comparison about what device is better around the home.

My only concern about buying a mini 4 now is that is a 3 year old device, so as long as the price reflects that i'd go for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan110 and LiveM
TomOSeven said:
Nah, I just sniped the cellular iPad Mini 4 at 160 Euros.

I reckon it'll do fine as an e-reader and a maps tool for travel.

The storage is a joke at 16 GB, but it should be fine for KhanAcademy, Duolingo and even the occasional Udemy course.
Click to expand...
You are lucky. Of course this is considered now old technology, but I bought mine (cellular, 16 GB capacity like yours) almost three years ago for the full price of 530 euros :eek:.

Despite its age, I think that it is still the best iPad for travel. I have many geography applications on mine (maps, route tracking, topography) and several other applications and utilities, useful in travel and in general. Everything works very well. My only regret is that I did not buy the 64 GB model.
 
mine has a dent in the back :eek:( but otherwise doing just fine! wish I had bought one with more storage....
 
Horses for courses. I just got a Surface Go and after I got the kinks worked out with upgrading to Windows 10 Pro and turning the Office nag screen off, I’ve been happy as can be with it, but it’s for teaching class, running Windows software, etc. I wish the battery life were longer, but it’s more than adequate for my needs.

My iPads (iPP 9.7, iPP 10.5, Mini 4) are still my primary media consumption devices. For web surfing, the ASK on the two iPPs work fine and I don’t mind having to touch the screen often.

I like my Mini 4 a lot, but the big problem for me is the slow i/o with the SD card reader. I love the weight and size for viewing imported photos, but it takes the Mini 4 about 5 times as long to import 4-5K photos as it does one of my iPad Pros (over 70 minutes vs. under 15) and that’s almost a deal breaker. My primary use for the Mini 4 was photo viewing an import.

I’d buy a Mini 5 in a heartbeat if it had faster i/o.
 
I had to dig up my password to log in just to jump on this band wagon.
I purchased my iPad Mini 4 the day it was released. I have used it heavily every day since.
I love my iPad Mini 4, I'd replace it with another if it broke or was lost. I really
hope that Apple comes out with a newer iPad in same ideal size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan110 and LiveM
I've had 64 GB Mini 4 since shortly after their release in 2015 and honestly it has been the most reliable Apple product I've ever owned with great battery life and solid performance going on 3 years now. Admittedly I don't do anything too demanding with it as it's mostly used for reading/surfing on the couch or watching movies or playing a game or two on a flight, but it's just right for that use case.

I'm hoping to get another couple good years out of it. I honestly wouldn't pay Apple's current price for what amounts to 4 year old technology, but if I lost or broke mine I'd probably try to find another Mini 4 for a good bargain. I hope Apple keeps this line alive, but I won't hold my breath at this point.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
And an iPad Mini purchase is dramatically less expensive than a iPhone Maxi purchase, both immediately and then in the long ongoing service tail associated with the latter.
Click to expand...

You're making my point for me.

If Apple can point to a device that costs three times as much and say 'get this instead', that's a sweet situation for them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back