iPad iPad Air M2 11" vs iPad Mini 6

[dmk1974]

Looking to upgrade my Mother in Law from her old iPad mini 4. i'm sure she will be fine with either my current iPad Mini 6 or a new iPad Air M2 11". But I guess the question may be more for ME if I want to keep the Mini 6 or go for the larger new Air.

Aside from the obvious being the screen size, what other key differneces are there between the two? Figure mainly the chip speed, 2x storage (64 v 128) and 6E radio in the Air? Thanks!

 

[ericwn]

I think you have the core differences already figured out you really get the mini if you want that form factor. There is nothing else like it.

 

[rui no onna]

I think you have the core differences already figured out you really get the mini if you want that form factor. There is nothing else like it.

I miss my Nexus 7 (2013).

 

[sparksd]

I miss my Nexus 7 (2013).

Still have mine (both versions 1 & 2) ... somewhere. Same place where my Motorola Xoom, Galaxy Tab S2, Asus Transformer Infinity TF700T, and Amazon Fire are at, somewhere in a box.

 

[scupking]

Truthfully getting a pro M1 or M2 is a better device over the air m2. I would never recommend an air.. Either get the 10th gen (good for most people) or a m1 or m2 pro.

 

[locksmack]

RAM is double in the Air, and it also supports stage manager.

 

[rui no onna]

Still have mine (both versions 1 & 2) ... somewhere. Same place where my Motorola Xoom, Galaxy Tab S2, Asus Transformer Infinity TF700T, and Amazon Fire are at, somewhere in a box.

Lol, I still have mine, too in a box somewhere along with the Nexus 7 (2012), Transformer TF700T, Toshiba 8” OLED and a bunch of Chinese-branded tablets plus several Windows tablets and netbooks.

Iirc, the v1 Nexus 7 had lower resolution, was a bit heavy for its size and didn’t perform all that well. Among the non-iPad tablets I’ve used, the v2 Nexus 7 was the only one I genuinely liked. Too bad Google stopped making small tablets after that.

Oh well, despite iPadOS limitations, I’m glad to have different size options for iPads. For a pure tablet experience, I find iPads work best for my usage. I’m looking forward to upgrading to an iPad mini with more RAM.

 

[*~Kim~*]

Looking to upgrade my Mother in Law from her old iPad mini 4. i'm sure she will be fine with either my current iPad Mini 6 or a new iPad Air M2 11". But I guess the question may be more for ME if I want to keep the Mini 6 or go for the larger new Air.

Aside from the obvious being the screen size, what other key differneces are there between the two? Figure mainly the chip speed, 2x storage (64 v 128) and 6E radio in the Air? Thanks!

The Mini 7 is likely to be launched this year so could she wait a little longer, as it would be likely to last her a few years longer given that the Mini usually has a bigger gap between updates.

Or you could give her your Mini 6 now and wait until the Mini 7 comes to see whether you prefer the Mini 7 or Air 6 for yourself.

 

[dmk1974]

The Mini 7 is likely to be launched this year so could she wait a little longer, as it would be likely to last her a few years longer given that the Mini usually has a bigger gap between updates.

Or you could give her your Mini 6 now and wait until the Mini 7 comes to see whether you prefer the Mini 7 or Air 6 for yourself.

For me, I know I love the Mini form factor. If Mini 7 was available today with same non-screen sixe specs as the latest Air, I'd get it right now. I've had that size for the past 10-11 years as my primary. On the plane watching shows while traveling for work, the Mini isn't too bad really, but with my eyes getting a little older now being 50, I wouldn't mind a larger screen sometimes.

She will be in town for the next week which means I need to upgrade her (and from her iPhone 12 Mini) while she's here. I'm deemed her tech support person and need to make sure everything works fine from 1700 miles away. But like you suggested, I think she'll be going back home next week with either the new 11" air or my Mini 6. And then when the Mini 7 comes out, I may well upgrade to that from either (unless I find I now really like the larger 11" form factor).

 

[*~Kim~*]

For me, I know I love the Mini form factor. If Mini 7 was available today with same non-screen sixe specs as the latest Air, I'd get it right now. I've had that size for the past 10-11 years as my primary. On the plane watching shows while traveling for work, the Mini isn't too bad really, but with my eyes getting a little older now being 50, I wouldn't mind a larger screen sometimes.

She will be in town for the next week which means I need to upgrade her (and from her iPhone 12 Mini) while she's here. I'm deemed her tech support person and need to make sure everything works fine from 1700 miles away. But like you suggested, I think she'll be going back home next week with either the new 11" air or my Mini 6. And then when the Mini 7 comes out, I may well upgrade to that from either (unless I find I now really like the larger 11" form factor).

Another option would be a Apple Certified Refurbished Mini 6 for her. If the desired config is available, that could be delivered/available for collection in the required time. It’s as good as new given that Apple change the battery and external shell of all units and other parts as necessary. I wouldn’t get a brand Mini 6 at full price at this point given that it is nearly 3 years old.

AppleCare+ is available on Apple refurbs if desired.

 

[TripleP]

Best Buy is selling both the current iPad Mini and the 5th generation iPad Air for $399.

 

[dmk1974]

I wound up getting the current 11" Air effectvely for $450 (after $100 GC) from the Apple Back to School deal on their Education site (I have 2 kids in college right now...no guilt). Figured good deal on that vs $400 for the Mini 6 WiFi that has half the storage. We'll see which one is my primary in a week

 

[Momof9]

I have the mini 6 as well. I am 60, I read on it at night.... But if I really want to "see" anything without my glasses - I prefer my 12.9". I am really considering an 11" again, my daughter got mine awhile back when I upgraded to the M1....

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have the mini 6 as well. I am 60, I read on it at night.... But if I really want to "see" anything without my glasses - I prefer my 12.9". I am really considering an 11" again, my daughter got mine awhile back when I upgraded to the M1....

I was thinking the same but got the 13” and I am glad I did. It is a big difference indeed.