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iPad mini Inclined to buy ... the iPad mini

grandM

grandM

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 14, 2013
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In my country prices are as follows
- iPad 389 with only 32 GB storage
- iPad mini 459
- iPad air 669
- iPad pro 899

There is a discount selling the mini now at 360.
Never owned an iPad but somehow the mini seems easier to hold?

Your thoughts?
 
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*~Kim~*

macrumors 65816
May 6, 2013
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UK
The Mini is rumoured to update in the next 6 months or so. It is expected to get the same treatment as the Air, meaning the finish of the Air but for less money and more comfortable to hold due to the smaller size.

At this point I’d wait it out as it will mean you can save some cash on the current gen, or get a device that you like more that isn’t a 7 year old design. The discount is tempting, but it shouldn’t be a one time only deal as there will be old stock to clear out eventually.
 
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nothingtoseehere

nothingtoseehere

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Jun 3, 2020
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I have an iPadPro 12.9 (1st gen) and an iPad mini 5. Not exactly interchangeable, at least in my case.
Do you want/need a keyboard in addition to the iPad? Then a bigger model makes sense.
Indeed the mini is much lighter. IPP 12.9 is for your lap/desk, mini can be hold.
For making notes with the Pencil, a bigger size is better (for me).

So if you have a specific use case, this could help for the decision. If it is rather for testing the device type "iPad", it might make sense not to spend too much money.
 
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filu_

filu_

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May 30, 2020
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I had a mini 5 and was very happy with it. Light and handy, it was perfect for surfing the web and writing emails on the couch. Perfect for travel. I did other things on the desktop.

Unfortunately, I decided to try to be iPad Only. Fortunately, I shook myself before I got into the iPad Pro (completely unjustified for my needs).

It ended with the iPad Air and the Logitech keyboard. I stopped using it (it is detachable) because I prefer to still work on the desktop. On the iPad Air, he writes on the on-screen keyboard, unfortunately the Logitech keyboard case is heavy.

In conclusion - I still do on Air what I did on the mini. I spent money unnecessarily, and the Air is not as comfortable on the couch as the mini;)

As colleagues wrote, it is important what you want to do.
 
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G5isAlive

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Aug 28, 2003
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As others have said, not all iPads serve the same purpose. I happen to have the mini and the pro. The mini is great, maybe even the best, for just sitting on the couch and casually browsing the web. Easily held. great for reading a book in bed. It's fine for games. It also supports the Apple Pencil. And yes, will let you dip your toe in to see if you like the interface.

However, I find the screen too small to put on a desk with a keyboard. Also, a lot of the split screen options, and running two apps at once, just don't happen on that small screen. For that I use my iPad Pro 11.

It's a good price. You will enjoy it. You might find it addictive and start looking at a second, larger iPad.
 
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grandM

grandM

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I'd use it for some light browsing, gaming, reading in IT books, watching some TV in bed.
Testing self-made apps too.
 
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grandM

grandM

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I also want a laminated display. The regular iPad is no option so.
 
MiniApple

MiniApple

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Sep 3, 2020
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grandM said:
I'd use it for some light browsing, gaming, reading in IT books, watching some TV in bed.
Testing self-made apps too.
Click to expand...

IMO the Mini is much more comfortable to hold due to its size and being light.
I often browse the web, watch or read something in bed on my 5.

Seems to me your use cases are covered well with a Mini.
Not that they couldn't be covered with larger ones, but their heavier/less practical to hold IMO
 
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sracer

sracer

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Apr 9, 2010
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grandM said:
I'd use it for some light browsing, gaming, reading in IT books, watching some TV in bed.
Testing self-made apps too.
Click to expand...
As others have said, the Mini will do those things just fine. Over the past 5 years, I've gone from the 1st gen 12.9 iPad Pro, to 6th gen iPad, to the Mini 5... and with each change, I'm using the iPad more than before.

When I owned the 12.9 Pro, I ended up getting a Mini 4 to use for those times when the 12.9 was too large. I replaced the 12.9 Pro with the 6th gen iPad because I heavily use the Apple Pencil and the 9.7" iPad was a better size for using it as a digital notebook.

I then traded in the 6th gen and Mini 4 for the 5 because I was using the Mini more than the iPad and needed Pencil support. The Mini 5 is the same size as the paper padfolio that I used (1/2 US letter size)

I use it as an ereader (books, comics, vintage catalogs and magazines), music player, DJ mixing, onboard video playback and streaming TV, digital notebook, mini chromebook, puzzle games, zoom conferencing, and a ton of other stuff.

It's a beastly little device.
 
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filu_

filu_

macrumors regular
May 30, 2020
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I would consider mini or Air. Both support a pen (if you need - you can buy a cheaper alternative Logitech Crayon), Air has a Smart Connector that allows you to connect the keyboard magnetically, although you can connect the keyboard via BT to both.

Although the Air with the keyboard has not changed my use - instead of slouching over the tablet I still use the desktop, and the Air on the couch, but it's not as comfortable as the mini.

If you can - go to the store and watch, possibly order and return if it does not meet your expectations.
 
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Crow_Servo

Crow_Servo

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Feb 17, 2018
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I’m a member of the Mini fan club, so that’s my vote too. The price is right (IMO), considering its features and its versatile size. I love it the way it is, and recommend it to others, but there will likely be a refresh around the corner (beyond the holidays), so if you’re able to hold off, it might be worth the extra wait. If waiting isn’t an option, you still won’t be disappointed (unless it turns out to be too small for you). The Mini is definitely the easiest to hold. All the others are a little too big and too heavy for my taste. But that’s me.
 
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grandM

grandM

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 14, 2013
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The next gen mini is tempting. I am a bit scared though it will be priced 465 against the 360 now
 
grandM

grandM

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 14, 2013
1,520
302
The mechanical button and 2 speakers are a disappointment though.
 
filu_

filu_

macrumors regular
May 30, 2020
160
76
I prefer the button :) I have it in iP 8 (which I will change to SE 2020), I had it in mini, I have it in Air. It is OK.

As for the speakers, I will agree. This is a weak point in entertainment applications ....
 
sracer

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,405
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where hip is spoken
grandM said:
The next gen mini is tempting. I am a bit scared though it will be priced 465 against the 360 now
Click to expand...
I highly doubt that the next gen Mini will see a price increase. I know that I sound repetitious on this but it is worth repeating, the general consumer is not the target audience for the Mini. (yes, general consumers buy them, but they're not what drives the feature-set of the Mini) Vertical markets are... doctors, nurses, warehouse workers, Point-of-Sale devices, pilots, researchers, etc. These groups aren't interested in bezel-less devices, Face ID, or the other features of the Pro-level iPads.

These markets purchase the Mini in bulk so any price increase will be magnified.

There is a better chance, IMO, of Apple producing a Mini Pro with those features to be available alongside the current Mini 5.
 
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