All iPads iPad Air (5th Gen/M1) or iPad Mini 7

[mathiasinthe314]

So - with an influx of Christmas bonus cash of about $500, I want to replace my 2018 iPad. I’m debating between buying an Apple Refurbished 5th Gen iPad Air with an M1 or the new iPad Mini 7.

I want to use an Apple Pencil for sketching and note taking. I’ll also use it for watching sports (wife and daughter hog the tv) and other video content.

I’m trying to maintain Apple Intelligence functionality on a budget.

I know you all have opinions, so let’s hear ‘em…

 

[Heat_Fan89]

My suggestion would be the Mini 7. For note taking the Mini's size can't be beat. Plus it was just released. I have an M2 iPad Air and recently ordered the Mini 7 from Amazon. Up until recently they were selling the latest Mini for $399.

Edit: Apple Intelligence requires 8GB of RAM so that rules out the M1 iPad Air. The Mini 7 has 8GB of RAM and supports AI.

 

[sparksd]

So - with an influx of Christmas bonus cash of about $500, I want to replace my 2018 iPad. I’m debating between buying an Apple Refurbished 5th Gen iPad Air with an M1 or the new iPad Mini 7.

I want to use an Apple Pencil for sketching and note taking. I’ll also use it for watching sports (wife and daughter hog the tv) and other video content.

I’m trying to maintain Apple Intelligence functionality on a budget.

I know you all have opinions, so let’s hear ‘em…

I have the Mini 6 and it is a good size for sketching (I do very little) and note taking but I find the screen to be too small for most video content.

 

[rui no onna]

My suggestion would be the Mini 7. For note taking the Mini's size can't be beat. Plus it was just released. I have an M2 iPad Air and recently ordered the Mini 7 from Amazon. Up until recently they were selling the latest Mini for $399.

Edit: Apple Intelligence requires 8GB of RAM so that rules out the M1 iPad Air. The Mini 7 has 8GB of RAM and supports AI.

The M1 iPad Air does have 8GB RAM.

@mathiasinthe314
Just go with whatever size suits you better.

Personally, if I only had one iPad, I would choose the 11" as the Mini is a bit too small for some tasks. With that said, the Mini is my most used iPad because of its compact size.

 

[geta]

The M1 iPad Air does have 8GB RAM.

@mathiasinthe314
Just go with whatever size suits you better.

Personally, if I only had one iPad, I would choose the 11" as the Mini is a bit too small for some tasks. With that said, the Mini is my most used iPad because of its compact size.

Also Mini 7 have 8GB RAM.

OP - both are fine, it’s all come down to screen size preference. That been said, my choice would be Mini 7.

 

[mathiasinthe314]

Technically the earlier rep still passed the buck they should have been able to provide you with your full tracking number directly the first time. Maybe they just want the supervisor's approval on this request.

Dave

My suggestion would be the Mini 7. For note taking the Mini's size can't be beat. Plus it was just released. I have an M2 iPad Air and recently ordered the Mini 7 from Amazon. Up until recently they were selling the latest Mini for $399.

Edit: Apple Intelligence requires 8GB of RAM so that rules out the M1 iPad Air. The Mini 7 has 8GB of RAM and supports AI.

I have the Mini 6 and it is a good size for sketching (I do very little) and note taking but I find the screen to be too small for most video content.

The M1 iPad Air does have 8GB RAM.

@mathiasinthe314
Just go with whatever size suits you better.

Personally, if I only had one iPad, I would choose the 11" as the Mini is a bit too small for some tasks. With that said, the Mini is my most used iPad because of its compact size.

Also Mini 7 have 8GB RAM.

OP - both are fine, it’s all come down to screen size preference. That been said, my choice would be Mini 7.

Seems like a lot of love for the mini. I’ve leaned that direction too because it’s the newer option, my only reservation is the screen size. Wasn’t sure if I’d end up being disappointed if it felt marginally bigger than my 16PM.

Perhaps a trip to the Apple Store is in order to go hands on.

 

[sparksd]

Seems like a lot of love for the mini. I’ve leaned that direction too because it’s the newer option, my only reservation is the screen size. Wasn’t sure if I’d end up being disappointed if it felt marginally bigger than my 16PM.

Perhaps a trip to the Apple Store is in order to go hands on.

That trip is your best bet, trying the type of content you plan to use it for the most.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

The M1 iPad Air does have 8GB RAM.

Yeah, I forgot about that, silly me. Thanks for the correction!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Seems like a lot of love for the mini.

In its proper setting the Mini is an ideal iPad. It's small enough you can take it with you to a restaurant, coffee shop with WiFi connection and it's bigger than your largest iPhone. It's also the right size when you're reading on the Loo. 💩

Each size iPad has its right application. I'm not an artist, I don't draw but I loved the gigantic 13" iPad Pro for viewing sports scores and having enough space for a separate column for Tweets. It also has a delete and backspace key on the virtual keyboard. Unfortunately the LED screen on the M2 iPad Pro bothered the heck out of me with its backlight ghosting.