Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad mini Is iPad mini 4 still viable?

Should I get the mini 4 128gb?

  • Yes

    Votes: 43 71.7%

  • No

    Votes: 17 28.3%
  • Total voters
    60
eeqlaehuje

eeqlaehuje

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 12, 2015
25
4
I had the original mini and mini 2, but sold them both. For the last year I was ipad-free. Right now, I'm considering buying another one. I would have liked to get 9.7 pro primarily for True Tone display, but it's just too expensive for me. I'm in between mini 4 and 2017 ipad. For portability and display I'm considering the mini 4, but I'm at two minds about the processing power. How does it work on 10.3.1? By the way my main uses will be browsing, streaming and reading comics. I don't play games too much. So I guess my question is will it be enough? Would anyone recommend it?
 
i use the iPad mini4 for pretty much your uses: browsing, news reading, streaming, email, no gaming. primarily i use it when traveling where its size and weight matter. the earlier minis got sluggish as the iOS updated into 8 so i dumped the earlier mini. no complaints on 10.3.1with the mini 4.

i find the larger iPads cumbersome to hold for any length of time, so far me the mini 4 works great. in the end its all personal preference. many will argue exactly the opposite, try both at an apple store and decide.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iLLUMI, nburwell, colodane and 2 others
eeqlaehuje said:
I had the original mini and mini 2, but sold them both. For the last year I was ipad-free. Right now, I'm considering buying another one. I would have liked to get 9.7 pro primarily for True Tone display, but it's just too expensive for me. I'm in between mini 4 and 2017 ipad. For portability and display I'm considering the mini 4, but I'm at two minds about the processing power. How does it work on 10.3.1? By the way my main uses will be browsing, streaming and reading comics. I don't play games too much. So I guess my question is will it be enough? Would anyone recommend it?
Click to expand...

I would consider the new 9.7 iPad. As you mentioned, your media based needs seems it would be best suited around a larger display with the A9 processor. Mainly you get a larger viewing experience for streaming and and any other media wants.

The biggest advantage for the Mini 4 is mobility. If you travel and a larger display isn't something you are concerned with, the Mini 4 might work best. The drawback being it's not as powerful as the 9.7 iPad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rui no onna, profets, Freakonomics101 and 1 other person
The processor and fingerprint scanner are out of the iPhone 6 so it's pretty old hardware at this point. I would wait for an update or go with the new $329 iPad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eeqlaehuje
If you prefer the smaller form factor, the Mini 4 is still a great tablet. I'm using mine all the time, including right now. As far as "future proofing" goes, the Mini 4 still matches the more current iPads in most specs, with the only notable exception being the processor, which is actually only one generation behind the A9 in the 2017 iPad. So I think that it still has some years to go before it is obsolete.

There also doesn't seem to be any real indication that a Mini 5 is coming in the immediate future.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Math889, Table Top Joe, sracer and 1 other person
joeblow7777 said:
If you prefer the smaller form factor, the Mini 4 is still a great tablet. I'm using mine all the time, including right now. As far as "future proofing" goes, the Mini 4 still matches the more current iPads in most specs, with the only notable exception being the processor, which is actually only one generation behind the A9 in the 2017 iPad. So I think that it still has some years to go before it is obsolete.

There also doesn't seem to be any real indication that a Mini 5 is coming in the immediate future.
Click to expand...
If anything there will be a refreshed "iPad Mini" with a A9 and the body of a Mini 2, it will be a mini version of the budget iPad, as sales of Mini decline I don't expect Apple to give it any special treatment with a "Pro" model
 
  • Like
Reactions: profets
gobikerider said:
If anything there will be a refreshed "iPad Mini" with a A9 and the body of a Mini 2, it will be a mini version of the budget iPad, as sales of Mini decline I don't expect Apple to give it any special treatment with a "Pro" model
Click to expand...

Pencil support could be pretty good, but aside from that, Apple enjoys promoting the iPad Pros as tablets that can replace laptops, and the Mini is too small for that for most people.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ericwn and gobikerider
gobikerider said:
If anything there will be a refreshed "iPad Mini" with a A9 and the body of a Mini 2, it will be a mini version of the budget iPad, as sales of Mini decline I don't expect Apple to give it any special treatment with a "Pro" model
Click to expand...
I don't think they will do that. It's confusing enough to go from iPad Air 2 to just "iPad", but to go from iPad mini 4 back to "iPad mini" just wouldn't make sense.

If they do launch an iPad mini 5, they're gonna try to squeeze margins by offering it at $399 and above. They don't want to offer cheaper iPads because it decreases the average cost per unit (and they know they can get people to pay more for the mini form-factor).
 
Andres Cantu said:
I don't think they will do that. It's confusing enough to go from iPad Air 2 to just "iPad", but to go from iPad mini 4 back to "iPad mini" just wouldn't make sense.

If they do launch an iPad mini 5, they're gonna try to squeeze margins by offering it at $399 and above. They don't want to offer cheaper iPads because it decreases the average cost per unit (and they know they can get people to pay more for the mini form-factor).
Click to expand...
I find it hard to see Apple keeping the Mini # scheme as they seem to be simplyfying the naming scheme across the lineup, it would be odd to have a Mini 5 and everything else not numbered, I think Apple's late 2017 iPad lineup will be two simple categories
*iPad and iPad Mini (Basic iPads for people that don't need bells and whistles)
*iPad Pro (top of the line, latest technologies for people that want the iPad to be their ultimate mobile computing device)
 
  • Like
Reactions: profets
gobikerider said:
I find it hard to see Apple keeping the Mini # scheme as they seem to be simplyfying the naming scheme across the lineup, it would be odd to have a Mini 5 and everything else not numbered, I think Apple's late 2017 iPad lineup will be two simple categories
*iPad and iPad Mini (Basic iPads for people that don't need bells and whistles)
*iPad Pro (top of the line, latest technologies for people that want the iPad to be their ultimate mobile computing device)
Click to expand...
That's fair, we are taking about the company that brought us "The New iPad" and "iPad with Retina Display", so anything is possible I guess :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neodym and gobikerider
mossme89 said:
Get the $329 iPad. Or wait for an update, which might be soon.
Click to expand...

If an April refresh is imminent, I imagine it will be in the next week or so, with the invites being sent a week prior. I still think A late Fall Release for the new iPad is more likely, which would be around the two year anniversary of the 12.9 iPad in November.
 
  • Like
Reactions: profets
Relentless Power said:
If an April refresh is imminent, I imagine it will be in the next week or so, with the invites being sent a week prior. I still think A late Fall Release for the new iPad is more likely, which would be around the two year anniversary of the 12.9 iPad in November.
Click to expand...
I think invites this week, event next week. Something is going to happen I promise
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shark5150
If portability is the prime factor, then given the choice between 9.7 iPads I would recommend a refurb Air 2 over the "new" iPad, considering the Air 2 is thinner and lighter (and has a better screen)

Obviously the Mini 4 is more portable than either.
 
Andres Cantu said:
I don't think they will do that. It's confusing enough to go from iPad Air 2 to just "iPad", but to go from iPad mini 4 back to "iPad mini" just wouldn't make sense.

If they do launch an iPad mini 5, they're gonna try to squeeze margins by offering it at $399 and above. They don't want to offer cheaper iPads because it decreases the average cost per unit (and they know they can get people to pay more for the mini form-factor).
Click to expand...

gobikerider said:
I find it hard to see Apple keeping the Mini # scheme as they seem to be simplyfying the naming scheme across the lineup, it would be odd to have a Mini 5 and everything else not numbered, I think Apple's late 2017 iPad lineup will be two simple categories
*iPad and iPad Mini (Basic iPads for people that don't need bells and whistles)
*iPad Pro (top of the line, latest technologies for people that want the iPad to be their ultimate mobile computing device)
Click to expand...

I think if they do care about the mini form factor, then they'll simplify the line up even more and just call it iPad (7.9 and 9.7) and iPad Pro (10.5 and 12.9). But I feel like they're treating the mini more of a niche product and are just going to let it linger with an update every few years, a la iPod touch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider
What size smartphone do you have? If you already an iPhone Plus or similar, then go 9.7.
 
Dunbar said:
The processor and fingerprint scanner are out of the iPhone 6 so it's pretty old hardware at this point. I would wait for an update or go with the new $329 iPad.
Click to expand...


This is what I did and it is a great buy for the money unless the size is not to your liking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gobikerider
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back