iPad mini I’ve almost clicked “buy now” on the mini about 3 times this weekend...

[ssledoux]

But I haven’t done it. I want one so badly, but STILL haven’t been able to make myself buy one.

So, with an iPhone 11, and an iPP 11”, (and of course a Mac), tell me why I should have a mini.

My main reason for wanting one - reading in bed. I don’t want a Kindle because I’ve had them and if I have a reading device, I’d at least like to use it for other things when I want to. In addition, a lot of times I’m reading things online I wouldn’t be able to read from a Kindle.

I’m thinking I’d like it better than the iPP for playing games if I’m sitting on the couch. I still find the 11” pro to be a little much for putting in my lap, and too heavy to hold with one hand.

So? Give me ALL the input - yet again!

 

[mjschabow]

It all comes down to if you can really afford it and if you will actually use it. That’s always been my biggest issues with iPads. They’re great devices, but I never use them.

 

[sracer]

But I haven’t done it. I want one so badly, but STILL haven’t been able to make myself buy one.

So, with an iPhone 11, and an iPP 11”, (and of course a Mac), tell me why I should have a mini.

My main reason for wanting one - reading in bed. I don’t want a Kindle because I’ve had them and if I have a reading device, I’d at least like to use it for other things when I want to. In addition, a lot of times I’m reading things online I wouldn’t be able to read from a Kindle.

I’m thinking I’d like it better than the iPP for playing games if I’m sitting on the couch. I still find the 11” pro to be a little much for putting in my lap, and too heavy to hold with one hand.

So? Give me ALL the input - yet again!

No.


You clearly want one. All of this wrestling is simply trying to come with a reason other than "I want one". "I want one" should be sufficient. All of the agonizing, re-agonizing, and re-re-agonizing over the decision is time and energy better spent elsewhere. Should the purchasing decision of a gadget be an epic struggle? If you want it and you can afford it, get it. Period.

 

[ssledoux]

It all comes down to if you can really afford it and if you will actually use it. That’s always been my biggest issues with iPads. They’re great devices, but I never use them.

Well I use my iPad Pro every, single, day. I haven’t had a mini in years, and when I did, it was my only iPad, so I used it a lot.

I guess I’ve just been battling with whether I’ll get max use out of either one if I have both, but honestly, I wind up using my phone in place of my iPad any time I’m not sitting at the table, so I think I’d use the mini a decent amount. It might be the phone that gets used less overall, but I’d like to get to where I only use it for calls, texts, and alarms/reminders. Even with the larger screen of the 11, it’s a small screen to look at with my older eyes.
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No.


You clearly want one. All of this wrestling is simply trying to come with a reason other than "I want one". "I want one" should be sufficient. All of the agonizing, re-agonizing, and re-re-agonizing over the decision is time and energy better spent elsewhere. Should the purchasing decision of a gadget be an epic struggle? If you want it and you can afford it, get it. Period.

LOL you’re right. It shouldn’t be this much of a struggle. I know if I buy it, I’ll be thrilled once it’s in my hands!

 

[AutomaticApple]

But I haven’t done it. I want one so badly, but STILL haven’t been able to make myself buy one.

So, with an iPhone 11, and an iPP 11”, (and of course a Mac), tell me why I should have a mini.

My main reason for wanting one - reading in bed. I don’t want a Kindle because I’ve had them and if I have a reading device, I’d at least like to use it for other things when I want to. In addition, a lot of times I’m reading things online I wouldn’t be able to read from a Kindle.

I’m thinking I’d like it better than the iPP for playing games if I’m sitting on the couch. I still find the 11” pro to be a little much for putting in my lap, and too heavy to hold with one hand.

So? Give me ALL the input - yet again!

Just do it! Make the jump! It'll be all worth it in the end.

 

[Nacho98]

I wrestled with the same decision before ultimately grabbing a space gray 64 gig wifi mini 5 at Microcenter yesterday for just $319 ($80 off).

I had an Air 2 for four years before selling off last fall. It was my most used device, yet the only Apple device I ever had that I sort of hated. Although I always loved white phones, I grew to hate the white bezels on the iPad. The battery life was never the advertised 10 hours even with settings optimized, and the thing that really made me hate it was it had a curvature to it when looking down the long edge at a 10-15 degree angle. The gen 1 TouchID got old too. After four years I just got tired of bitching about it and sold it in an attempt to simplify my life. I also sold my 2008 Cinema Display around that time too, also as part of that effort. I also sort of got tired propping the iPad up and typing on forums on it.

For the last year, I've just had my MBP and my phone (as well as an iPod classic perma-docked in my car and a 7th gen nano for exercising) and honestly, I didn't really miss the iPad, and liked that my life was simpler. I've been using my beater work computer all around the house, and while a real keyboard is nice, the junk TN panel screen that is ultra washed out has gotten old (I like to keep my MBP pristine and docked most of the time on my desk).

Then, the cable company jacked up my TV service cost, so I cut the cable abruptly this past week, and am about to sign up for Hulu live. The idea of watching TV on an iPad anywhere in the house has some appeal, so with the Microcenter sale I just went ahead and grabbed a mini since one and only one came in stock in space gray.

I set it up last night and I pared it down to as little as possible and kept it as simple as possible. I only installed 2 apps (facebook/Netflix, will install Hulu), and deleted nearly every stock app.

It's a pretty nice little device for $320. I don't care for the mechanical home button whatsoever (was expecting it to be a solid state button) and the design is tired and boring. You'd also think they could toss in a cheap-ass flash with the camera - I've had three iPads and never has one had a flash. The screen is pretty nice, despite not the world's greatest viewing angles, but that's a non-issue for me.

Right now I'm debating if I like the fact that I have complicated my life with +1 device, and debating whether or not to keep it - I know it will be my most used device. But it's a nice device that finally has a respectable screen, and the price is right at $320. My wife used to have a mini 2 and that had the most washed out screen I've ever seen come from Apple, so this seems worlds better.

 

[ssledoux]

Well, for me it’s like having an additional device with more gigs of LTE data I can use. And I am thinking I can separate my apps to have certain ones on certain devices that make the most sense. I would also remove most of the stock apps, and put the ones only the ones I know I’d want to use on it.

Of course, an LTE model is a pricier option, but honestly, it’s worth it to have another device I can take anywhere.

 

[icloud]

Well, for me it’s like having an additional device with more gigs of LTE data I can use. And I am thinking I can separate my apps to have certain ones on certain devices that make the most sense. I would also remove most of the stock apps, and put the ones only the ones I know I’d want to use on it.

Of course, an LTE model is a pricier option, but honestly, it’s worth it to have another device I can take anywhere.

I happen to have a mini 5 alongside my iPad Pro/iPhone. It has fit wonderfully into my workflow as a dedicated News+ & eBook reader.

 

[Johnny365]

It's a harder trigger pull when you have an iPad already that takes up the room. Trying to justify a use case for an iPad Mini is harder, but obviously if you are constantly thinking about it, just buy it and worry about where it fits in your device lineup later.

 

[alien3dx]

ipad mini small and powerfull.Im in the bad writing this. Sometimes i kinda lazy to sit and watch movie on mac,so ipad mini is the usage. With apple pencil and nebo apps i can easily write note when i meet customer and can be a second laptop on emengency

 

[GBNova]

I personally can’t watch a movie on the mini in bed in the dark with those huge black bars which are very grey being an LCD. With my iPhone 11 with very little to no bars it’s doable. It does some things very well though. If you are having a hard time pulling the trigger it’s probably because something is telling you that you don’t need it and shouldn’t spend the cash on it.

 

[Crow_Servo]

Get it if you think you’ll use it and you won’t neglect your other devices. IMO, it’s a little excessive to have a phone and two iPads, but if money is no object, why not? I know I wouldn’t turn down a larger iPad if someone gifted it to me, but I couldn’t justify spending money on one knowing full well I already have a perfectly good iPad already. Then again, that iPad I have is a Mini, and I love it, so I do endorse the Mini 100%.

 

[jeremydc]

I've been working abroad for several years and travel with my 2018 MacBook pro. Recently, I've been debating whether or not to pick up a mini. Spent a week on eBay scouring listings and stumbled upon a maxed out 256gb with cellular (cases, pencil, and powerbeats 3 included). Total ending up being 585 (more than I wanted to spend but still cheaper than the device itself new). Excited to finally be apart of the mini fam!

 

[*~Kim~*]

I’m not convinced about iPad OS on such a small screen and am keeping mine on iOS 12 for the time being. That it would have iPad OS might be a reason not to buy. Yet to see much about the iPad OS experience on the Mini.

 

[dcpmark]

I take my unlimited LTE Mini 5 wherever I go, using my cell just for calls, texts, and CarPlay. At home my cell phone just sits in a dock in the kitchen while my Mini goes everywhere in my house. Now, having said that, there is honestly not THAT much difference between my Mini 4 and my Mini 5, so if you want to save some money and still enjoy a Mini, pick up a used Mini 4.

 

[ssledoux]

I’m not convinced about iPad OS on such a small screen and am keeping mine on iOS 12 for the time being. That it would have iPad OS might be a reason not to buy. Yet to see much about the iPad OS experience on the Mini.

I don’t feel like iPad OS is a whole lot different on my iPP; at least not what I’ve noticed/used so far.

 

[muzzy996]

I don’t feel like iPad OS is a whole lot different on my iPP; at least not what I’ve noticed/used so far.

It’s basically just an evolution of things right. The core elements are the same but a bit more polish and features are added. For me there’s value added with things like dark mode, additional gestures, pencil kit in notes, home screen widget, files app w/ external drive support and additional multitasking features like slideover improvements.

 

[ssledoux]

It’s basically just an evolution of things right. The core elements are the same but a bit more polish and features are added. For me there’s value added with things like dark mode, additional gestures, pencil kit in notes, home screen widget, files app w/ external drive support and additional multitasking features like slideover improvements.

Yeah and I’ve used some of those things, but just don’t see how those things wouldn’t work just the same on a mini.

 

[muzzy996]

Yeah and I’ve used some of those things, but just don’t see how those things wouldn’t work just the same on a mini.

Totally agree. They should, its just a matter of whether or not someone uses them.

Skip to 3:20 in this video:

 

[Wokis]

On topic: I would say yes given that despite my newly bought IPP 10.5 being awesome, the 7.9” still becomes the go-to for me given it’s so easy to bring with and is capable of all iPad features (sans keyboard connector), making it still feel like a serious device. I’m so glad they gave us a spec bump!

I’m not convinced about iPad OS on such a small screen and am keeping mine on iOS 12 for the time being. That it would have iPad OS might be a reason not to buy. Yet to see much about the iPad OS experience on the Mini.

Ok. Just so you know, the home screen for the mini looks by default the same in iPadOS as it was in iOS12. You choose yourself in settings if you want the new stuff crammed in there. Other UI changes hardly impact the experience differently on a small vs big iPad. Personally I enabled the new homescreen in a heartbeat.

 

[ssledoux]

On topic: I would say yes given that despite my newly bought IPP 10.5 being awesome, the 7.9” still becomes the go-to for me given it’s so easy to bring with and is capable of all iPad features (sans keyboard connector), making it still feel like a serious device. I’m so glad they gave us a spec bump!


Ok. Just so you know, the home screen for the mini looks by default the same in iPadOS as it was in iOS12. You choose yourself in settings if you want the new stuff crammed in there. Other UI changes hardly impact the experience differently on a small vs big iPad. Personally I enabled the new homescreen in a heartbeat.

That’s kinda what I’m thinking. I love my phone, but it’s just too small for doing lengthy reading. I love my 11” pro, but it’s too big for holding comfortably in one hand for reading. I think the mini is just the right size.

Honestly, when new pros come out, I may bump from the 11” back to a 12.9. I got an 11 thinking I’d use it as a more portable device, but with a keyboard folio on it, I just don’t. I mean yeah it’s great to take to meetings with clients because having that keyboard for typing is fantastic, but I don’t wind up taking it off the desk or table at home.

 

[ssledoux]

Get it if you think you’ll use it and you won’t neglect your other devices. IMO, it’s a little excessive to have a phone and two iPads, but if money is no object, why not? I know I wouldn’t turn down a larger iPad if someone gifted it to me, but I couldn’t justify spending money on one knowing full well I already have a perfectly good iPad already. Then again, that iPad I have is a Mini, and I love it, so I do endorse the Mini 100%.

I don’t think I’ll neglect my iPP because I have the keyboard attached, so there are things I’m gonna do on the pro that I wouldn’t consider on a mini. I also have all my digital planners and stuff on my pro, and do most of my writing on it because I have the matte screen protector that makes writing so awesome.

My phone will obviously still get used a good bit, since it’s always with me when I leave the house.

I think the mini will just fill a nice little void for me, and it’ll also be a great travel device when I know I won’t need to be working and using my keyboard. I’m gonna load it up with reading material, games, podcasts, stuff like that for using at night, if I’m on a plane, in a hotel, etc.

 

[ssledoux]

FYI, I did it - finally! I clicked the “buy” button. SO excited!

 

[Johnny365]

Time to check out all the Youtube videos on the Mini 5, comparisons, reviews, unboxings, until it arrives!

 

[Jim Higgins]

But I haven’t done it. I want one so badly, but STILL haven’t been able to make myself buy one.

So, with an iPhone 11, and an iPP 11”, (and of course a Mac), tell me why I should have a mini.

My main reason for wanting one - reading in bed. I don’t want a Kindle because I’ve had them and if I have a reading device, I’d at least like to use it for other things when I want to. In addition, a lot of times I’m reading things online I wouldn’t be able to read from a Kindle.

I’m thinking I’d like it better than the iPP for playing games if I’m sitting on the couch. I still find the 11” pro to be a little much for putting in my lap, and too heavy to hold with one hand.

So? Give me ALL the input - yet again!

Buy the Mini 5 256GB but DO NOT "UPGRADE" TO CATALINA on your Mac. DO NOT GO TO Catalina.