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iPad mini Love the Mini

Kostas3000 said:
Today, I had a disappointment though: Pixelmator photo is not available for the mini. I don’t understand why. The processing speed cannot be the reason (the mini 5 is super fast), why did they place such a limitation? Disappointed
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Yes, it is. I have it on mine (and the company specifically confirmed it is compatible with the Mini 5).
 
Kostas3000 said:
Today, I had a disappointment though: Pixelmator photo is not available for the mini. I don’t understand why. The processing speed cannot be the reason (the mini 5 is super fast), why did they place such a limitation? Disappointed
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Are you able to attempt to install the app? Does it not show up in the App Store?
 
Hmm, artists/serious note takers using the mini.. Does the small size make it more annoying or harder going as you don't have somewhere to rest your hand? I use my 9.7" pro for procreate and Comic Draw predominantly, and since finding out the mini has the same resolution as the 9.7" pro but at a higher pixel density makes it seem kind of lovely?

I probably should be looking towards bigger, not smaller iPads but there's something about it that makes its design seem much less compromise-based than the Air 3's.
 
The only big con to me would be ProMotion, I can live without Face ID or big bezels but no ProMotion is a big nope from me.
 
mixel said:
Hmm, artists/serious note takers using the mini.. Does the small size make it more annoying or harder going as you don't have somewhere to rest your hand? I use my 9.7" pro for procreate and Comic Draw predominantly, and since finding out the mini has the same resolution as the 9.7" pro but at a higher pixel density makes it seem kind of lovely?

I probably should be looking towards bigger, not smaller iPads but there's something about it that makes its design seem much less compromise-based than the Air 3's.
Click to expand...

See this:

 
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I just upgraded my ipad mini 2 for the 5. Wow. Even tho there was no radical redesign, there is a HUGE speed difference. And the screen is so much more vibrant. Lovin’ it.

I do also own an 11” ipad pro for all my heavy photo & 4k video editing. Some might say the 12.9” & ipad mini would be a better combo...but i travel a lot. And I prefer the 11” pro over the 12.9” when on the road, and even at home. But when i really want to travel light, I can grab my ipad mini. Just put it in my cargo pants pocket & go! Love the freedom of that. I also use my mini on my bicycle when touring. Place it on a handlebar ram mount, and i can easily monitor my gopro live while riding.

As an artist, i do wish the mini could also use the apple pencil 2 that I got for my 11” iPP. I know there is no practical difference btwn the 1 & 2 for drawing. But the 2 is so much easier to charge. I am never out of juice. While the 1 is kinda awkward & inconvenient to charge.

I could have waited until Apple gave the ipad mini the flat edged design of the pros with face ID, usb-c & apple pencil 2 support...but it was nearly 4 yrs since they last updated it...So who know when...or if they will ever update it again! Plus my mini 2 was dying & badly needed replacing. So no regrets.

I was curious tho. I have an Apple usb-c SD card reader for transferring photos & videos from my gopro & drone to my 11” ipad pro. But the mini uses a lightning connector. I was wondering. Instead of buying a $30 lightning SD card reader for the mini...is there an adaptor I can buy that would enable my usb-c card reader to be plugged into the mini’s lightning port? Thanks!
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Fenhalls said:
See this:

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This guy is always good for reviewing ipads for artists.
 
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Quick question but has anyone tried Civilization on the iPad Mini 5? Curious if its too small for that sort of game. Also are comics too hard to read on the smaller size without zooming?

I've never had a mini myself. Went from 1st gen iPad to iPad Air 2 and I've been toying with upgrading lately. I use my iPad for reading, video, and gaming but not for creative tasks and the current line up has me torn a bit. Mini is powerful and doesn't cost a small fortune like the Pro, Air 3 same as mini just larger and more expensive, Pro is larger, promotion, and quad speakers but it costs a fortune.

Mini is seems the best bang for the buck and it seems like if considering the Air 3 you may as well bump it up to the Pro for the speakers and better screen. If gaming and long term performance wasn't an issue though the 2017 iPad Pro is pretty tasty though.
 
powersurge said:
Quick question but has anyone tried Civilization on the iPad Mini 5? Curious if its too small for that sort of game. Also are comics too hard to read on the smaller size without zooming?

I've never had a mini myself. Went from 1st gen iPad to iPad Air 2 and I've been toying with upgrading lately. I use my iPad for reading, video, and gaming but not for creative tasks and the current line up has me torn a bit. Mini is powerful and doesn't cost a small fortune like the Pro, Air 3 same as mini just larger and more expensive, Pro is larger, promotion, and quad speakers but it costs a fortune.

Mini is seems the best bang for the buck and it seems like if considering the Air 3 you may as well bump it up to the Pro for the speakers and better screen. If gaming and long term performance wasn't an issue though the 2017 iPad Pro is pretty tasty though.
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In terms of the particular point you raise about comics and screen size, you might look here at around 7:30 and you'll be able to see how they look on an earlier version of the mini:

 
I have both 11” and 12.9 Pro’s but since getting my mini 5 they have hardly had a look in. The mini is perfect to use when sat watching TV or taking to the office. I’d always notice the extra weight with the Pro’s but don’t notice at all the mini. I got rid of my mini 4 as it was so slow in comparison to the Pro’s but now the mini 5 holds its own. Happy with my purchase.
 
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haruhiko said:
It is the only iPad that I can carry with me with a sling bag.
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I actually usually use a “man bag” that it’s not very big and the mini fits perfectly there. It fits so well that almost seems like they made it thinking to carry the mini, plus the keys, tobacco, sunglasses, wallet of course etc etc etc. I don’t use to carry it a lot there but sometimes it was very convenient!

To the people saying that uses the mini is like use and iPhone XS Max...try it. Really, try it everyday, you will see that one is clearly not like the other, don’t be fooled by the inches os the screen, the mini being 4:3 really separates the two devices.
 
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I tend to overthink but what matters the most is what is my “reflex” move.

Yesterday I went to the coffee shop to spend 3 hours of reading and writing short notes.
I had in front of me the 12.9, the 10.5 and the Mini. I reached for the mini.

Today I am going on a 3 day business trip. I had in front of me to choose the 12.9, the 10.5 and the Mini. I reached for the mini.

Every night I like spending an hour or two browsing the web. I reach for the mini every time.
 
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Kostas3000 said:
I tend to overthink but what matters the most is what is my “reflex” move.

Yesterday I went to the coffee shop to spend 3 hours of reading and writing short notes.
I had in front of me the 12.9, the 10.5 and the Mini. I reached for the mini.

Today I am going on a 3 day business trip. I had in front of me to choose the 12.9, the 10.5 and the Mini. I reached for the mini.

Every night I like spending an hour or two browsing the web. I reach for the mini every time.
Click to expand...

That’s been my exact experience so far although tonight I’m writing this on my 11” Pro as the mini’s on charge. Away on business next Thursday so it’ll be interesting to see which I take with me (probably all 3!)...
 
The Mini is the little engine that could. Depending on what you already have access to, the Mini may or may not make sense. For me, I have the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, which goes with me everywhere. Also have a 14” Lenovo X1C which goes with me on occasions but not often. I can see the Mini taking the place of my 8 Plus, since I currently use the 8 Plus as my go to for anything Internet related, at work. The Mini fits perfectly in my cargo pants, with a bit of extra weight, but the trade off in terms of the whole internet experience compared to the 8 Plus is not even really comparable, blows the 8 Plus out of the water. The Mini is the best tool for the job, given the environment.

The iPad Pro 11” is a monster, but I’ll be paying a hefty sum for something that’s not really as practical for me and overkill. My needs are pretty basic, a portable consumption media device that’s not a phone and not a laptop. There’s something to be said about paying laptop price for a tablet that crosses the line for me personally. For someone who uses the iPad Pro as the primary computing device, it’s a good time to be alive!
 
Kostas3000 said:
I am a big iPad fun and I have bought many models over the years. I currently own 2 12.9 (gen 1 and gen3), a 10.5, a 9.7. I also use an XS max and a 12in MacBook. I had very briefly tried a mini for a few days in the past, but I am afraid I didn’t pay the appropriate attention back then to this marvelous device.


Out of my love for anything iPad, I decided to buy the new mini and give it a try. I had very low expectations and I was expecting to reach a decision to return it soon. But my experience made me realize that I have been missing a lot but not owning an iPad mini all these years. So here is my experience.


I like the iPad mini:

  • very light to hold it one handed
  • I like the bezels because they allow easy holding of the iPad
  • in reading text (scientific articles and textbooks) you can see the whole page for an overview and by double tapping you zoom in at a perfect column width (for two column articles). XS max still shows narrow columns, unsustainable for long reading. 12.9 still requires zoom in to get to mini’s width (I.e. you don’t avoid having to zoom in, despite the larger screen).
  • No protruding camera, does not feel that it needs any kind of cover (front or back) and due to the more compact design it feels stronger. The absence of need for a cover makes really easy to just grab it and turn it on, compared with larger iPads that require cases for protection, thus making them more cumbersome
  • Best size forportable thumb typing. There is no other iPad that I can type while holding it.
  • Best pixel density compared to any other iPad. The only iPad I can use close to key eyes without getting annoyed by seeing the pixels. For some reason my worst experience has been with the 10.5
  • It fits in jacket pockets, even in some trouser pockets! No need to carry it on hand or bring a bag for it
...
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Glad to read that your happy with your mini and all the observations you’ve made. It’s refreshing to to read a post that’s not a complaining about inconsequential things.
I started with an iPad 2, then moved on to the Mini, both of which I loved. The form factor of the Mini was ideal and the bezels, I personally find them useful for better holding without getting your grip on the screen and possible unintended actions.
For eye purposes I moved on to a 12.9" Pro. It’s great for reading full page magazines and the screen acreage is beautiful for photo editing and composition with more robust applications.
It’s strange though. Despite moving up to the 12.9", I still frequently will use my Xs Max for quick reading and smaller photo editing using simpler applications.
Good luck!
 
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I love the mini too. My first iPad mini was the original mini and I’ve had been every generation of iPad mini since. I upgraded from the 4 to the 5 this weekend. Still putting it through it’s paces but so far I’ve noticed that the Touch ID sensor is faster, the display is better and it’s just generally faster including web browsing and download speeds.
 
Mackinjosh said:
The XS Max could never perform the role of the mini due to the fact that the mini has a better aspect ratio, larger screen, and supports the pen. The aspect ratio and significantly larger screen makes it more conducive to reading books or the web as well as playing games.
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I thought this too but I have an iPad mini 4 (Same screen size as the 5) and a XS Max. The phone screen can't compare because it's narrow and tall compared to the wider iPad mini screen. The numbers don't give it justice.
 
I used to love the mini out of all iPads. Now I have an iPhone XS Max so I went to the apple store to play with a mini. 30 seconds is all it took for me to realise i don’t love it or need it anymore as my Xs Max does everything I need. I have my max set to zoomed mode and the text shrunk down a notch or two maybe three. Doing this gives me larger text in safari.

iPad mini is dead to me.

iPhone XS Max killed it.
 
I need to quit reading posts about the mini! I must resist the temptation.

I definitely don't NEED it, but I am seriously wanting one for reading - my XR is too small, and has gotten to where even reading basic stuff in bed is tough on my eyes. My iPP 11" is too big to hold comfortably in bed to read.

Do I seriously need an iPad JUST for reading and maybe a couple games?

I know I could do a Kindle for a LOT less money, but I never wind up really using those because it bothers my husband for me to read with a light on.
 
ssledoux said:
I need to quit reading posts about the mini! I must resist the temptation.

I definitely don't NEED it, but I am seriously wanting one for reading - my XR is too small, and has gotten to where even reading basic stuff in bed is tough on my eyes. My iPP 11" is too big to hold comfortably in bed to read.

Do I seriously need an iPad JUST for reading and maybe a couple games?

I know I could do a Kindle for a LOT less money, but I never wind up really using those because it bothers my husband for me to read with a light on.
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Can you get a Kindle Paperwhite where you are? They have a backlight. As does the all new Kindle apparently.
 
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