iPad iPad Pro 11" vs iPad Mini 6

[inimeg81]

Man, I'm running out of return period for both these devices and no clearer picture of what I want to do yet. Let's start with what I currently have:

-MBP 14" - spec above base model
-iPhone 13 Pro Max

I thought by writing out my particular use - cases and then writing the pros and cons of each device would get me a little closer to deciding-- maybe it's in front of my face and I'm not seeing it, hence the post.

Use cases:

-e Book reading (I don't read books often but want to start more)
-in bed consumption device
-occasional side car usage
-MBP 14" companion for writing notes when learning/working
-Traveling (eventually)

here goes:

iPad mini 6 Pros

-Small footprint (perfect "tablet" size), overall form factor
-Cheaper than iPad Pro (at least the model I'm debating against by roughly $400)
-Seems like a great companion to MBP 14 with exception of side car
-Minimal overlap to MBP 14"
-Good note taking size
-Great for travel
-I think of it as an awesome footprint to use as a hotspot device for MBP 14" without wasting battery on my iPhone
-Recently refreshed, next refresh maybe 1-2 years out? if not more/
-Great content consumption, especially in bed
-Better potrait device than iPad Pro 11

iPad mini 6 Cons

-Expensive for what it is.. cellular version basically $813 after taxes
-Some overlap with iPhone 13 Pro Max for certain use cases
-Display 60 hz, just not the best display Apple has
-Poor UI scaling for iPad OS
-Less accessory options, more of a pure tablet
-Good note taking size but not as much surface area for note taking maybe when on a table
-Is it basically just a slightly 'blown up' iPhone 13 Pro Max?

iPad Pro 11 Pros

-Larger screen for note taking
-More future proof with M1 chip
-120 HZ display, easier drawing/writing, smoother
-More accessory options and greater flexibility
-Better landscape device than iPad mini 6
-No JS
-Less overlap with iPhone 13 Pro Max
-Better sidecar experience with MBP 14" but admittingly, probably won't use this feature much

iPad Pro 11 Cons

-More expensive, by the tune of $400 or so since I want the cellular model with either version
-Takes more space in bag
-Overlap in some use cases with MBP 14"
-Not so good in terms of bed device for e-reading, because of size
-Likely to be refreshed semi soon? As early as this year? Mini Led?


That's what I've come up with for now.. and I almost wish I didn't try the Mini. The other thing the Mini has going for it as that I've resold every iPad Pro I've had up until this point, including the iPad Pro M1 I had right after I got the MBP because I didn't think I needed it anymore. Now I want an iPad again as a companion device to my MBP and for use cases listed above.

 

[sparksd]

Score/weight your Pros and Cons and see which wins. We can't tell you what you will like the best.

 

[inimeg81]

Good idea on the scoring

 

[sparksd]

Good idea on the scoring

Yeah, we don't know the relative importance of your pros and cons and it helps you to carefully think through what your priorities are.

 

[Chaparral02]

When i can't make my mind up about things like this i almost always end up just buying both of them ?
Explains why i have both a 11 pro & 12.9 pro ?

 

[rui no onna]

When i can't make my mind up about things like this i almost always end up just buying both of them ?
Explains why i have both a 11 pro & 12.9 pro ?

Lol, same.

I usually alternate years though (e.g. Pro 9.7 in 2016, Pro 12.9 in 2017). I did get both 11 & 12.9 in 2021 so I have the option to stay on iOS 14.

 

[Isengardtom]

All use cases are very personal but I would always choose a pro over a mini especially with your 13 pro max.

For the downsizes you mention the price is an obvious consideration, the potential Mini LED upgrade perhaps as well But that’s only if you’re willing to wait possibly 8-9 months.

i use the 12.9” pro as a consumption device in bed and don’t find it too big and the 11” will be nicer for video

 

[coachingguy]

I've got a similar set up and went with the Mini 6... It's working great for me. YMMV... But I've used for sidecar and everything else you mentioned, and it's much better than the iPhone Pro Max for those things... It's crazy fast... ;-)

Coachingguy

 

[wilberforce]

I have a 14' MBP, 11" IPP, and a Mini 6.

I use the 11" IPP far more than the Mini 6. I think it is better as an iPad. The Mini 6 is a compromise for better portability, IMO.

If cost is an issue, consider a refurb 2018 11" IPP. Except for some niche use cases, the 2018 11" is essentially functionally the same as an M1 11" IPP. The M1 chip is wasted in the iPad, given the rather lame iPadOS. Then upgrade when the MiniLED version of the 11" comes out (maybe this year?)

 

[1rottenapple]

I have both 11 and 6 mini. If I could only keep one I’d keep the 11. It’s simply more versatile as a note taking device vs the mini 6th gen. Mini is great as a big phone but for work, noted, school…
11 is the best size.

 

[muasachi]

Just returned my 11" today.
About to go for Mini 6 but I couldn't find any in Thailand now.

I'm using 16" MBP with iPhone 13 Pro and I think weight is my primary concern, I'd like to keep it small for mobile devices (except laptop as powerhouse machine).
I don't use Apple Pencil at all, so I think Mini is the best choice for me.
I wouldn't have to doubt it at all, if only Mini has 120 hz display.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Keep the Mini 6, save the money for when you buy a Mini LED 11” Pro in 2022. Then enjoy the best of both worlds.

 

[benobi]

I have an M1 MacBook Air and an iPad mini 6. Gave away my M1 iPad Pro 11. I love the Pro 11, great device with awesome tech, but I value portability a great deal with my job (film and tv). Mini is really the perfect form factor to be able to read scripts, annotate scripts, draw diagrams, reference photos/videos, and make notes while on set or on the go. Fits in my jacket pocket so I don’t have to carry around a bag or have it hanging awkwardly on a shoulder strap as I’m running around. It is always on me. As much as i love FaceId, ToucH ID is simply more convenient in this Covid world where everyone wears masks on set. My work is obviously a very specific use case, but i have found it the perfect director’s companion. Very convenient little power house.

 

[spiderman0616]

I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPad mini 6. I also have a work MacBook and a personal MacBook. A lot of people would think this is a lot of overkill in my setup, but I find it quite useful.

I don't look at the 13 Pro Max and mini 6 as just small iPhone/big iPhone. I've also never liked the iPad mini form factor a whole lot in general. There is simply a new level of usefulness added to this form factor when you add in the Pencil 2, the best A-series chip, and USB-C compatibility. Pencil 2 speaks for itself, but I feel USB-C and the SoC turn this machine more into a Pro mini for me. Granted, I have some money invested in peripherals to make it into that "robotic core" type device, but I'm just really pleased with it in a way that is unique to this model. Can't quite put my finger on how to describe it.

 

[jdb8167]

I have both a 11" 2020 iPad Pro (A12Z) and an iPad mini 6. When I got my M1 MacBook Air most of the use cases that I had previously for the iPad Pro went away. The M1 MBA is such a powerhouse with great battery life and silent operation, I found myself only using the iPad Pro for consumption—reading ebooks and the web mostly. When the iPad mini 6 came out with such great specs, I decided that I would switch to that to see if I could get by with a smaller non-pro iPad.

The answer is that I haven't powered on my iPad Pro since the last OS update and I haven't used it for anything real since I got the mini. The biggest problem with the iPad Pro is the lack of actual pro updates for iPadOS. The Mac just does more and with the introduction of the M1, all of the problems with the Intel Macs are gone. I see no reason to try and make the iPad Pro work around all the limitations of iPadOS when MacOS so much more powerful.

With the iPad mini 6 I get all the features that make an iPad a useful companion to a Mac. Very portable (pocketable in some cases), Pencil 2 integration, touch screen UI, and the huge library of iPadOS apps make it just about perfect for my needs. I should probably sell my iPad Pro before its value drops much further.

 

[blairh]

Get an iPad mini and the cheap iPad.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Keep the Mini 6, save the money for when you buy a Mini LED 11” Pro in 2022. Then enjoy the best of both worlds.

Hey, that’s what I’m likely to do! I may go for the 12.9”, but that would have a lot of overlap with my 14” MBP. But the 11” might have too much overlap with my mini. HmmMmmMmm

 

[SoYoung]

If you have a 13 pro max, I don't see the point of having an iPad mini. The 11 pro is a more complete product with better performance and a screen that can easily replace a laptop for many things and its almost as portable as the mini.

The 13 pro max will serve you the exact same way an iPad mini will. I could only recommend a mini if someone prefer smaller phones, other than that, its a waste of money IMO.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Hey, that’s what I’m likely to do! I may go for the 12.9”, but that would have a lot of overlap with my 14” MBP. But the 11” might have too much overlap with my mini. HmmMmmMmm

My set-up is 12.9 M1 Pro and Mini 6 and really really love both and not having to compromise on anything.

While there is some overlap between a 14” MBP and the 12.9 Pro, you can get them working really well together. Set up your iPad Pro for side car and use it as an extra monitor for your Mac, really enjoy that extra work area for your open files.

 

[sparksd]

If you have a 13 pro max, I don't see the point of having an iPad mini. The 11 pro is a more complete product with better performance and a screen that can easily replace a laptop for many things and its almost as portable as the mini.

The 13 pro max will serve you the exact same way an iPad mini will. I could only recommend a mini if someone prefer smaller phones, other than that, its a waste of money IMO.

I have the 12 PM and 5G Mini 6 and far prefer using the Mini over the phone when out and about, to the extent that the 12 now only sees use as a phone and for shooting 4K video.

 

[SoYoung]

I have the 12 PM and 5G Mini 6 and far prefer using the Mini over the phone when out and about, to the extent that the 12 now only sees use as a phone and for shooting 4K video.

Its a matter of opinion I guess. For me, both the mini and 11' aren't portable enough to carry with me all the time like my phone when I'm out without a bag for it so for ultra portability needs, I still prefer my phone. With a 6,7 inch screen, I think its more than suitable for this kind of stuff.
My M1 11' pro is also a cellular model and its perfect for longer trips. In my opinion, if I want an iPad, I just prefer to have a much better one in term of performance (especially for RAM) than my phone. The mini could be worth it if its cheaper, but for the price it ask and the fact its even not as good as my phone in term of performance is a big "no thanks" for me.

 

[sparksd]

Its a matter of opinion I guess. For me, both the mini and 11' aren't portable enough to carry with me all the time like my phone when I'm out without a bag for it so for ultra portability needs, I still prefer my phone. With a 6,7 inch screen, I think its more than suitable for this kind of stuff.
My M1 11' pro is also a cellular model and its perfect for longer trips. In my opinion, if I want an iPad, I just prefer to have a much better one in term of performance (especially for RAM) than my phone. The mini could be worth it if its cheaper, but for the price it ask and the fact its even not as good as my phone in term of performance is a big "no thanks" for me.

Yeah, this is completely a subjective matter of personal preference and the OP will get a hundred varieties of recommendations.

 

[UltimateSyn]

My set-up is 12.9 M1 Pro and Mini 6 and really really love both and not having to compromise on anything.

While there is some overlap between a 14” MBP and the 12.9 Pro, you can get them working really well together. Set up your iPad Pro for side car and use it as an extra monitor for your Mac, really enjoy that extra work area for your open files.

A great point! They could act harmoniously together. I had owned a 12.9” iPad Pro since they were first released, but sold and didn’t replace my last one when I decided to go with the 14” MBP over the 16”. I was thinking I couldn’t justify both AND the iPad mini, which I knew I was going to want.

That being said I am kind of missing my 12.9”. As for the 11” I go back and forth between thinking it’s a perfect middle child and it’s an awkward middle child. I do know the 11” is the perfect size for economy airplane tray tables. Maybe too much of a niche use case for a $1500 purchase.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I have an M1 MacBook Air and an iPad mini 6. Gave away my M1 iPad Pro 11. I love the Pro 11, great device with awesome tech, but I value portability a great deal with my job (film and tv). Mini is really the perfect form factor to be able to read scripts, annotate scripts, draw diagrams, reference photos/videos, and make notes while on set or on the go. Fits in my jacket pocket so I don’t have to carry around a bag or have it hanging awkwardly on a shoulder strap as I’m running around. It is always on me. As much as i love FaceId, ToucH ID is simply more convenient in this Covid world where everyone wears masks on set. My work is obviously a very specific use case, but i have found it the perfect director’s companion. Very convenient little power house.

Would love to see what you're working on - set.
Script synopsis?

Great use case.
Also has me considering either as well.

portability - I plan to ride my new bike, a LOT this summer, so if a sweater or shirt with a back pouch + zipper can be had then the iPad mini could go in there (I'm thinking Mirrors Edge PS3/PS4 game where the girl has such a shirt, I think, but I want to be that agile without using a bag).

Bed use - reading I'm thinking a headboard magnetic mount (there is one for MagSafe iPhones). This way it's over your head and you don't have to hold the 11' iPP.

 

[benobi]

Would love to see what you're working on - set.
Script synopsis?

Directing an episode of TV right now!