iPad Air or iPad Mini to compliment iPad 12.9

[Clix Pix]

My current setup as of last week is the iPad Pro 12.9 3rd generation with Apple Pencil gen 2 and iPad Mini 5 with the first-generation Apple Pencil (handed down from my former iPad Pro 12.9). This combo works nicely at home, and the Mini 5 is the one which goes places with me around my area or when traveling out of town. On trips I use the iPad Mini 5 and my 12" MacBook. In the past, prior to the Mini 5 I had a 10.5 iPad Pro, which was the one which went on trips either alone or in conjunction with the MB, but I found that it really was redundant much of the time, especially around home.. The smaller iPad mini fits in all my bags, too, which makes it much more transportable. The 12.9 iPad Pro gets the most use at home, either out on my deck in nice weather or just generally around the house. Both devices have cellular data plans, which is useful in the event of power outages or if I am somewhere and there is not good WiFi service. I also have the iPhone XS, which is primarily used as a phone (imagine that!) and also I often shoot photos with it when I see something interesting and don't have a camera with me.

 

[ssledoux]

My current setup as of last week is the iPad Pro 12.9 3rd generation with Apple Pencil gen 2 and iPad Mini 5 with the first-generation Apple Pencil (handed down from my former iPad Pro 12.9). This combo works nicely at home, and the Mini 5 is the one which goes places with me around my area or when traveling out of town. On trips I use the iPad Mini 5 and my 12" MacBook. In the past, prior to the Mini 5 I had a 10.5 iPad Pro, which was the one which went on trips either alone or in conjunction with the MB, but I found that it really was redundant much of the time, especially around home.. The smaller iPad mini fits in all my bags, too, which makes it much more transportable. The 12.9 iPad Pro gets the most use at home, either out on my deck in nice weather or just generally around the house. Both devices have cellular data plans, which is useful in the event of power outages or if I am somewhere and there is not good WiFi service. I also have the iPhone XS, which is primarily used as a phone (imagine that!) and also I often shoot photos with it when I see something interesting and don't have a camera with me.

I know if I get a mini, it'll cut down on my phone usage. I think it would be good for me though, since trying to read on the phone strains my eyes these days, even with my readers on. I also have cellular on all my devices. Since we have satellite internet, it's really important for me to have that backup LTE during bad weather (I work 2 p/t jobs from home).

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yeah that's what I thought when I got my 11" pro - more minimalist. Then the dang mini came out, and I wound up buying the iMac. I can be minimalist with so many things, but Apple goodies get me every time.
[doublepost=1558190390][/doublepost]

So would you share how you use them? When does the mini make more sense? I really need to find a way to fit that mini into my life.

Well, my 11” ipad pro is my main content creation tool. I use it for video & photo editing in addition to drawing. I also use it around the house as my main media consumption device. I travel a lot, and will take my 11” ipad pro with me when i am going on long trips to create content...but i got the ipad mini for when i wanna travel really light. Like when I leave the house on short trips and don’t want to bring a backpack. I just stick the ipad mini in my cargo pants pocket and go. The mini is super portable...but the screen is still bigger than any phone and more enjoyable to work on.

 

[AutomaticApple]

You are not helping my cause at all. I have been trying to convince myself that a mini is too close to the size of an 11" and I don't need one. Now you're saying it's a perfect combo. I totally need that 12-step program. ;-p

I also need that 12-step program.

 

[Clix Pix]

I know if I get a mini, it'll cut down on my phone usage. I think it would be good for me though, since trying to read on the phone strains my eyes these days, even with my readers on. I also have cellular on all my devices. Since we have satellite internet, it's really important for me to have that backup LTE during bad weather (I work 2 p/t jobs from home).

Yes, I find it difficult to read on my iPhone, and I also prefer viewing forums on the larger screen, too, and using the regular web view as opposed to mobile view. Typing is also easier on the iPad Mini than it is on the iPhone, especially if I am responding to a text or email.

 

[davidinva]

I have the 10.5. Saving up for a Mini 5 256GB for on-the-go photo editing. I have an 8+ and a small point and shoot (for zoom mostly) and with Pencil support, my first gen Pencil will work just fine. Also like having a headphone jack. Had a Mini 4 and liked the portability.

 

[bevsb2]

So would you share how you use them? When does the mini make more sense? I really need to find a way to fit that mini into my life.

I have the iPad Pro 11 and the Mini 5. There is a big difference in size and weight. I love the Pro, but most times I find myself grabbing the Mini now that it is fast and has a great screen. It just is so comfortable to hold on the sofa and so easy to carry in a purse when out, that it is getting more use than the Pro.

 

[newellj]

A quick update. Mini is lovely. Don’t care about the bezels. Can stay in my handbag all the time and I will leave 12.9 at home unless needed on the go and I’ll use a bigger bag. The Air is too close in size to the larger pros, and will only fit in larger handbags, so the mini suits my needs. Screen is lovely and it’s so light and excellent for ebooks too. Thanks for all your help everyone!

I've had almost every version of the 9.7"+ iPad/iPad Pro. I love them, but none of them offer enough display area to work on two documents or spreadsheets at a time, and on the other hand (literally) I never felt like that size was really very usable one-handed for more than a short while. The Mini is super-portable and easy hold one-handed. It also has (for me) the fastest two-hand thumb typing keyboard due to its size.

Glad it's working out well for you!

 

[albertfallickwa]

I own both the 1 tb version of the iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd gen and the 256 gb version of the iPad Mini 5th gen. Great combo with my iPhone XR and Samsung G Note 9.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don’t have a 12.9 iPad Pro only the 10.5 Pro which is the same size as the iPad Air 3. I find the 10.5 inch to be too big to take outside. The 12.9 would be even more of an issue for me to carry around. If I had my 10.5 inch pro and the 12.9 both would be relegated to home use only. I have a mini 5 and before that I had a mini 4. I find that the mini complements my 10.5 inch pro really well. I can take it anywhere with me. It’s so light and small I just put it in my bag. I also have the Xs max and the mini has a significantly more screen real estate.

 

[ssledoux]

You people aren’t helping to talk me out of a mini purchase. ;-p

I was just updating my grandson’s mini 4 yesterday (most of the grandkids have the 2018s, but he’s only a year and has a mini because they are military and travel a lot - I made videos of myself reading books to him to watch on the road), and I was thinking how awesome it was in terms of size/lightness, and the darn thing is in a bulky, rubber, kid-proof case too!

I’m gonna have to get me one soon!

 

[AutomaticApple]

You people aren’t helping to talk me out of a mini purchase. ;-p

I was just updating my grandson’s mini 4 yesterday (most of the grandkids have the 2018s, but he’s only a year and has a mini because they are military and travel a lot - I made videos of myself reading books to him to watch on the road), and I was thinking how awesome it was in terms of size/lightness, and the darn thing is in a bulky, rubber, kid-proof case too!

I’m gonna have to get me one soon!

The iPad Mini 5 is a much better buy.