All iPads iPad mini 6 or iPad Pro 11 M1

[gregpod9]

I'm thinking about rebuying the iPad mini 6 256GB or the base iPad Pro 11 M1. I tried both over a few months ago and they were defectived and had to return them. I'm not going to take it out of the house very often, so I really don't need the cellular function. I'm not going to do intensive work on it since I have a MBA M1. The main usage would be the basic stuff like emails, reading, web browsing, watch YouTube, and play games.
The only thing that's may bother me on both devices are:
1. Jelly Scroll effect (iPad mini)
2. iPad OS unoptimized for the M1 chip

Which iPad is better for my usage?

 

[BigBlur]

Any reason why you aren’t considering the iPad Air, or even the regular iPad? Those are what came to my mind after reading your post. The base model iPad would be more than adequate for your needs (basic stuff like emails, reading, web browsing, watch YouTube, and play games). The iPad Pro would be overkill, unless you’re really wanting Face ID, ProMotion, or some other feature it offers.

 

[ericwn]

All iPads that Apple offers currently are more than capable for these tasks. Pick the screen size that’s most comfortable for you.

 

[sparksd]

I'm thinking about rebuying the iPad mini 6 256GB or the base iPad Pro 11 M1. I tried both over a few months ago and they were defectived and had to return them. I'm not going to take it out of the house very often, so I really don't need the cellular function. I'm not going to do intensive work on it since I have a MBA M1. The main usage would be the basic stuff like emails, reading, web browsing, watch YouTube, and play games.
The only thing that's may bother me on both devices are:
1. Jelly Scroll effect (iPad mini)
2. iPad OS unoptimized for the M1 chip

Which iPad is better for my usage?

Can you look at a Mini 6 in person? I have the Mini 6 (and 2021 12.9) and the jelly scroll is a total non-issue for me - it may or may not be for you. As for OS & chip - not really a problem for your stated uses. Display size difference is very significant though - that would be my main differentiator.

 

[teralpar]

I currently have an M1 MBA, M1 iPad Pro 11" and just purchased an iPad mini 6 about a week ago. I use my Mini the most...the form factor is so convenient, especially for the uses that you mention. My iPad Pro 11" gets used the least. The M1 is overkill for the iPad (in my opinion), especially if you have an M1 Mac.

 

[rui no onna]

2. iPad OS unoptimized for the M1 chip

This is like saying iPadOS is unoptimized for the A15 chip.

iPadOS is not MacOS and it works differently in a lot of ways. That doesn’t mean it’s unoptimized for the chipsets running it.

If Apple named the M1 as A14X/Z, I doubt we’d be seeing this much grief.

 

[dumastudetto]

Always buy iPad Pro you won't regret it.

 

[yabeweb]

If Apple named the M1 as A14X/Z, I doubt we’d be seeing this much grief.

The fact that they did, means they wanted you to "feel" the difference.

If it was just a naming convention, they would most likely have called it A14X, they did not because the M1 chis is a different chip, a laptop chip, which they deliberately put on an iPad to make it more "PRO".

They just forgot to go along with apps and os...

 

[Chaparral02]

For me it easliy be the 11" as the mini screen is just to small for home use

But I do think the mini is a great size for taking out when leaving the house

 

[rui no onna]

The fact that they did, means they wanted you to "feel" the difference.

If it was just a naming convention, they would most likely have called it A14X, they did not because the M1 chis is a different chip, a laptop chip, which they deliberately put on an iPad to make it more "PRO".

They just forgot to go along with apps and os...

Maybe marketing-wise.

Performance-wise, the difference from M1 to A14 is just similar to the difference between A12X/Z to A12, A10X to A10, etc.

The M1 is a major leap over x86 particularly in terms of efficiency but compared to A12X/Z, it’s more of a generational improvement. Likely just more cost efficient to re-use the M1 rather than create a nearly identical performance A14X/Z with the desktop optimizations removed.

 

[Daedalus65]

I'm thinking about rebuying the iPad mini 6 256GB or the base iPad Pro 11 M1. I tried both over a few months ago and they were defectived and had to return them. I'm not going to take it out of the house very often, so I really don't need the cellular function. I'm not going to do intensive work on it since I have a MBA M1. The main usage would be the basic stuff like emails, reading, web browsing, watch YouTube, and play games.
The only thing that's may bother me on both devices are:
1. Jelly Scroll effect (iPad mini)
2. iPad OS unoptimized for the M1 chip

Which iPad is better for my usage?

I may be late to the party, but thought I’d offer my two cents. I have both, and by FAR the M1 sees more uses - not because of the specs, but because of the screen size. And the floating keyboard. Don’t get the pro without it. Just don’t. It has changed the way I used my ipad. It’s great for charging (mag safe like charging), has a great backlit keyboard, nightstand viewing, all around everything. I don’t use the Pencil much on this one (I use my Gen 1 pro specifically for the pencil - online presentation, it’s what I originally bought it for), I’m thinking I might try to use the small one for flying, but right now it really just sits on the nightstand in case I want to grab “a smaller iPad”. But my wife swears by her mini - she has the last gen - I’ve thought about swapping and giving her the specked out new one, just haven’t yet.

In summary, I echo the comments above that say “pick your size”. They are all good based on what you want to hold. (But if you get the Pro, absolutely DO get the floating keyboard!)

 

[Rafterman]

floating keyboard!

AKA, the Magic Keyboard. It is a great accessory and makes the iPad dockable. But at $300, it isn't cheap.