iPad mini Ipad mini 4 performance for Web browsing?

[gdourado]

Hello,
I am wondering how is the performance of the ipad mini 4 for use with Web browsing using multiple tabs and just general browsing of ebay app, YouTube, Tapatalk.
I know it has the A8 chip but not the X that is in the air 2.
How does it stack up in 2019?
Also, anyone who has one, why do you prefer the mini formfactor?

Cheers

 

[HarryWild]

Hello,
I am wondering how is the performance of the ipad mini 4 for use with Web browsing using multiple tabs and just general browsing of ebay app, YouTube, Tapatalk.
I know it has the A8 chip but not the X that is in the air 2.
How does it stack up in 2019?
Also, anyone who has one, why do you prefer the mini formfactor?

Cheers

Very good! I would suggest going into an Apple or Best Buy store and testing it yourself! I have just purchased two Mini 4s and been happy with the porformance even with 10-12 tabs open. It just suspends the webpage and releases the RAM if it needs to and the page is stored on the flash drive.
But I would not say it is future proof since the current cutting edge models have double the RAM at 4-5 GB and Mini only has 2GB. Plus it only has an A8 SoC too! But for now, Mini 4 works well.

 

[HarryWild]

If you buy one at either places, you have 14 days to try it out on your own, to see if you like the speed and quality of the Mini 4. You can decide on your own.

 

[dazz87]

NO issues the extra 1gb ram helps out.......... having more Ram does matter....

 

[subjonas]

Usingg min4 noW. Typ ing is nt. gooo D.

Just kidding. The mini 4 is not bad. I have it on iOS 12. It’s not the fastest device, and I get some weird quirks when typing once in awhile, but other than that it’s fine. Very usable. That said, I don’t think I’d buy it now that we’ve been hearing more rumors of an upcoming refresh. I get a feeling we’re going to see it updated in March, but that’s one opinion.

As for why I prefer the size—it’s the easiest iPad to pick up and start using while going about my business at home, and I like to hold it one-handed for long periods of casual reading/browsing (with the help of a pop socket). Basically, I find it the best iPad for the combination of quick tasks + long casual reading.

 

[sracer]

Hello,
I am wondering how is the performance of the ipad mini 4 for use with Web browsing using multiple tabs and just general browsing of ebay app, YouTube, Tapatalk.
I know it has the A8 chip but not the X that is in the air 2.
How does it stack up in 2019?
Also, anyone who has one, why do you prefer the mini formfactor?

Cheers

I have a Mini 4 among my many devices. I have kept it on iOS 10.x because I have 32-bit apps that aren't supported in later versions of iOS. Performance for the tasks you've outlined are quite adequate. I've heard that iOS 12 on it is pretty good.

I have a 2015 12.9 iPad Pro (which after using it for 8 months caused me to get the Mini 4) and 2018 9.7 iPad as well, but I find that the Mini 4 is a great form factor for reading and casual gaming on the go. The Mini 4 has the highest dpi screen of any other iPad... including the 2018 iPad Pros. This coupled with the size make it terrific for reading.

I think it is terrific, but I would not recommend paying anywhere near MSRP now for it. There are deals to be had if you look around. I would have no problem recommending buying it at $200.

As for the rumors of an updated Mini coming this year. It is helpful to keep in mind that there were rumors that a Mini update was coming in March 2018... it didn't. Then it was rumored for June 2018... that didn't happen. Then it was rumored for October 2018... zip on that too. People who were waiting for the update, missed out on some very aggressive deals.

The other thing to consider is that even if there is an update this year, there is no guarantee that it would be an "upgrade" in the truest sense of each of the components. If it were a Mini 1 chassis and screen with updated processor and more RAM would that really be the upgrade that people would want? What if it doesn't have a headphone jack? What if it costs $500? Those are examples, and they might not matter, but things like this should be taken into consideration.

 

[newellj]

Hello,
I am wondering how is the performance of the ipad mini 4 for use with Web browsing using multiple tabs and just general browsing of ebay app, YouTube, Tapatalk.
I know it has the A8 chip but not the X that is in the air 2.
How does it stack up in 2019?
Also, anyone who has one, why do you prefer the mini formfactor?

Cheers

Still highly usable and runs better on 12 than it did on 10 or 11 (but there is the 32 bit app limitation in 12).

For me, the Mini 4 is the perfect virtual keyboard. I can easily reach more than halfway across the keyboard with both thumbs holding it in landscape mode, and the keys are big enough that I don't get mistakes. The 9.7" and larger iPads are a little to big for that, and all of the phones (well, haven't tried an Xs Max) are too small.

 

[IJBrekke]

For me, the Mini 4 is the perfect virtual keyboard. I can easily reach more than halfway across the keyboard with both thumbs holding it in landscape mode, and the keys are big enough that I don't get mistakes. The 9.7" and larger iPads are a little to big for that, and all of the phones (well, haven't tried an Xs Max) are too small.

100% agree. The best iOS typing experience available.

The Mini is such a reasonable size because it’s more or less identical to a standard book. The size of books has gone through hundreds of years of testing, so it makes sense that a similarly-sized tablet would just feel “right” to some of us for reading and consumption purposes. It’s also probably why landscape mode on the Mini isn’t used nearly as much.

 

[sracer]

100% agree. The best iOS typing experience available.

The Mini is such a reasonable size because it’s more or less identical to a standard book. The size of books has gone through hundreds of years of testing, so it makes sense that a similarly-sized tablet would just feel “right” to some of us for reading and consumption purposes. It’s also probably why landscape mode on the Mini isn’t used nearly as much.

Spot on.

If your Mini 4 is still running iOS 10.x, then the widget screen in landscape is 2 columns. With iOS 11 and later, Apple changed it so that all widget screens are only a single column. When I'm not "actively" using my Mini 4, I'll leave it in landscape mode on the widget screen as an "info center".

Here's the 12.9 iPad Pro on iOS 12 (landscape)



Here's my Mini 4 on iOS 10.x (landscape)

 

[jterp7]

for light use it is fine. But even with latest ios it is definitely not the snappy thing it used to be. Of course in my case it may not be fair since i compare it to my xs max lol.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

I am very pleased with the mini 4. I think that you will be too.

For me, the price was right. I got given it as a gift from an older relative who wasn’t using it. Had it checked at Apple. Battery life still 100%. I like the space grey with the black front. It looks great.

It is the perfect size for gaming. And the perfect size for typing. Landscape typing on the next size up is painful after a while. Mini is perfect!

 

[newellj]

100% agree. The best iOS typing experience available.

The Mini is such a reasonable size because it’s more or less identical to a standard book. The size of books has gone through hundreds of years of testing, so it makes sense that a similarly-sized tablet would just feel “right” to some of us for reading and consumption purposes. It’s also probably why landscape mode on the Mini isn’t used nearly as much.

Oh yes - forgot to mention (agreeing with you) that the Mini is my ideal e-book reader. I still have a Kindle Voyage for times when battery life trumps everything else, but the Mini is my favorite for books.

 

[gdourado]

How different is the performance of the air 2?
From what I can tell, most specs are the same except the soc. With the mini having the A8 and the air the a8x.