iPad mini Real thoughts on iPad mini 5?...

[Makayla]

There was a thread about wishlist for the mini and I remember the latest processor, pencil support and the laminated screen were on top of the list.

Shouldn't folks be over the moon right now?

 

[subjonas]

There was a thread about wishlist for the mini and I remember the latest processor, pencil support and the laminated screen were on top of the list.

Shouldn't folks be over the moon right now?

I think those people and most ipad mini fans are satisfied for the most part—it’s just the negative people are always more vocal than the positive.

 

[apolloa]

Real thoughts?

It’s an awesome upgrade, a shame they didn’t change the design at all as it looks a little dull next to the new Pros.
But it’s a compact powerful tablet that will last for years, I was considering one but would probably buy an iPad Pro at the end of the day for its screen and ability to replace a computer.

 

[ayuchan]

I just went to a local apple store to test some of the existing iPad. The pro-motion actually cause dizziness (motion sickness) in me. I think that is just me but I feel that the iPad mini wins in term of form factor (vs the iPad 2018 which is heavier and bulky) and more suitable for the casual users.

 

[Fenhalls]

Real thoughts?

It’s an awesome upgrade, a shame they didn’t change the design at all as it looks a little dull next to the new Pros.
But it’s a compact powerful tablet that will last for years, I was considering one but would probably buy an iPad Pro at the end of the day for its screen and ability to replace a computer.

I've been thinking about that. Narrower bezels would probably have meant a larger screen. In Apple's estimation that might have put it in competition with their bigger devices. In turn that might have meant that people who would have purchased let us say the Air 10.5 and the mini 7.9 would then be convinced to only purchase one. Or it might be that Apple thought a redesign too costly and wouldn't affect sales much anyhow. Or...The thing is that none of us, as far as I know, have the inside track at Apple so all these ideas are purely speculative. I expect they may add something to the gaiety of the forum, but that's it.

But I'm quite happy with the way it looks and the size of the screen. I've finally decided to purchase one, in any event. Just going to wait until my favourite UK department store chain, John Lewis, gets them in stock which hopefully will be in the next few days.
[doublepost=1553337234][/doublepost]

I just went to a local apple store to test some of the existing iPad. The pro-motion actually cause dizziness (motion sickness) in me. I think that is just me but I feel that the iPad mini wins in term of form factor (vs the iPad 2018 which is heavier and bulky) and more suitable for the casual users.

For surfing and other far more serious stuff, I wouldn't be without the larger iPads. For ebooks and listening to music and audiobooks, I'm fairly sure that the mini is going to be my device of choice.

Thanks for the feedback. I find such comments really useful.

 

[apolloa]

I've been thinking about that. Narrower bezels would probably have meant a larger screen. In Apple's estimation that might have put it in competition with their bigger devices. In turn that might have meant that people who would have purchased let us say the Air 10.5 and the mini 7.9 would then be convinced to only purchase one. Or it might be that Apple thought a redesign too costly and wouldn't affect sales much anyhow. Or...The thing is that none of us, as far as I know, have the inside track at Apple so all these ideas are purely speculative. I expect they may add something to the gaiety of the forum, but that's it.

But I'm quite happy with the way it looks and the size of the screen. I've finally decided to purchase one, in any event. Just going to wait until my favourite UK department store chain, John Lewis, gets them in stock which hopefully will be in the next few days.
[doublepost=1553337234][/doublepost]

For surfing and other far more serious stuff, I wouldn't be without the larger iPads. For ebooks and listening to music and audiobooks, I'm fairly sure that the mini is going to be my device of choice.

Thanks for the feedback. I find such comments really useful.

Your like me, because unless it’s an Amazon device, I tend to buy ALL my expensive tech from John Lewis, I got an XR from them and the glass on the screen had a spot that wouldn’t go, called them up and arranged a direct swap for a new phone in my nearest Waitrose! Fantastic service..

They’ll have the new iPads soon enough, it’s a good store to visit to compare tech as they have it all usually, even the Surface Studio that’s rare to find in stores.

 

[Fenhalls]

Your like me, because unless it’s an Amazon device, I tend to buy ALL my expensive tech from John Lewis, I got an XR from them and the glass on the screen had a spot that wouldn’t go, called them up and arranged a direct swap for a new phone in my nearest Waitrose! Fantastic service..

They’ll have the new iPads soon enough, it’s a good store to visit to compare tech as they have it all usually, even the Surface Studio that’s rare to find in stores.

Given they provide a two-year warranty on Amazon stuff, it might be worth considering them for future purchases.

 

[apolloa]

Given they provide a two-year warranty on Amazon stuff, it might be worth considering them for future purchases.

Yeah, but got so used to buying from Amazon and it arrives the next day haha!! JL can take a bit longer.

I may pop to a city next week on my day off and visit the Apple store. No JL there unfortunately, and check out the Mini 5 etc.

 

[Rory76]

I just went to a local apple store to test some of the existing iPad. The pro-motion actually cause dizziness (motion sickness) in me. I think that is just me but I feel that the iPad mini wins in term of form factor (vs the iPad 2018 which is heavier and bulky) and more suitable for the casual users.

Is it possible to turn the promotion off? If so, how?

 

[thadoggfather]

I personally see it way more of a plus than a negative that it’s the “old school” form factor vs the way of the 2018 pro.

It’s pretty much a mini version of 10.5” pro, without promotion or quad speakers and a better processor. That’s fantastic

Especially for as deprived as mini fans have been. Last iteration was a shrunk air2, and 4 processors ago. Fans thought the frigging product line was completely dead

Let’s see this love with se2

 

[Zaft]

Im still on my Air 2 from 2015 which is still fast. I think what apple did with the Mini 5 is
a great internal update, people should be happy apple updated it considering there is like no competition.

Android tablets are complete garbage imo.

 

[Spankey]

In it's current form I'm not sure how much size could be gained. The side bezels are already pretty thin. Only the vertical size can really be increased without changing the form factor. I'm actually ok holding a device this light with the current screen size by a bezel. My hands aren't blocking a smaller screen.

Apple has clearly decided on a new upgrade strategy. Introduce new products with new designs at higher prices ever year. Use current manufacturing and parts the following year to clear out inventory on "stripped down" but similar devices.

I don't expect another Mini refresh for a few years. Unless of course the response to the 5 is somewhat high. That said, this one should get me by pretty well for quite awhile.

 

[mwhals]

Narrower bezels would have made it much more expensive if it was done like the iPad Pros. FaceID would have to be used due to no room for a home button. This would have made the $400 iPad Mini more like a $650 iPad Mini.

 

[Spankey]

In it's current form I'm not sure how much size could be gained. The side bezels are already pretty thin. Only the vertical size can really be increased without changing the form factor. I'm actually ok holding a device this light with the current screen size by a bezel. My hands aren't blocking a smaller screen.

Apple has clearly decided on a new upgrade strategy. Introduce new products with new designs at higher prices ever year. Use current manufacturing and parts the following year to clear out inventory on "stripped down" but similar devices.

I don't expect another Mini refresh for a few years. Unless of course the response to the 5 is somewhat high. That said, this one should get me by pretty well for quite awhile.

Adding one more note. Would a bezel-less mini in the form of the current iPad Pro completely cannibalize 9.7" iPads?

 

[glhiii]

Sorry you are disappointed with the update. From your wish list, I too would have liked 4-speakers and a 12 mp camera. However overall I am pleased with it and plan to get one after they are out and have been scrutinized a bit. It really seemed like Apple was going to just let the mini design die off, so I am happy with what they've done overall with the update.

FaceID works great for me with my iPad Pro 12.9 and Xr. However, I actually very much prefer my 2nd Gen iPad Pro 12.9's form factor - I think it looks and feels better in my hands by a large margin. The home button works fine and doesn't bother me - I am surprised at the level of disdain for it I see expressed on these forums.

So overall I'd say try convince yourself to get a Mini if you've been waiting for one - after waiting so long for a refresh, why wait even longer for something that may not happen or if it does, could again disappoint with what they choose to upgrade or what price point they set it at then.

 

[rui no onna]

Adding one more note. Would a bezel-less mini in the form of the current iPad Pro completely cannibalize 9.7" iPads?

Certainly not at the price Apple will likely charge for one.

 

[NightWingz]

Well, aren't spec updates the norm? I mean, when have they released any updated product without a spec update along with it? I don't think I've ever seen Apple release a new generation of a particular product without some processor update...

Unfortunately, you would be wrong. The iPad mini 2 -> 3 had the same processor (A7), same 1GB RAM and same graphics. Only added Touch ID and was a huge disappointment for many mini fans.

Apple has gimped the iPad mini compared to its bigger brothers from 2 -> 3 -> 4.

Looking at the iPad mini 5’s spec, Apple really threw mini fans a bone here.

I too, like a few here, own the 12.9” iPad Pro and XS Max. Thinking if I should buy the mini as a complementary device. Will I really carry the mini since I have XS Max?

 

[joeblow7777]

Unfortunately, you would be wrong. The iPad mini 2 -> 3 had the same processor (A7), same 1GB RAM and same graphics. Only added Touch ID and was a huge disappointment for many mini fans.

Apple has gimped the iPad mini compared to its bigger brothers from 2 -> 3 -> 4.

Looking at the iPad mini 5’s spec, Apple really threw mini fans a bone here.

I too, like a few here, own the 12.9” iPad Pro and XS Max. Thinking if I should buy the mini as a complementary device. Will I really carry the mini since I have XS Max?

I’d say that only the 1st and 3rd Mini were gimped. The 2 had the same specs as the original Air that came out at the same time, much like the Mini 5 and the new Air.

The Mini 4 was pretty close to the then flagship Air 2, just having an A8 instead of an A8X.

 

[coops]

In it's current form I'm not sure how much size could be gained. The side bezels are already pretty thin. Only the vertical size can really be increased without changing the form factor.

Even without reducing the side bezel width, increasing the vertical by using FaceID would make a huge difference when watching widescreen content by making the black letterbox bars top and bottom much narrower.

My iPad mini4 when I watch Fargo for instance, is screen content of ~158mmx79mm with black letterbox bars of ~23mm top & bottom.
This = a diagonal screen size of ~ 178mm or 7 inches.

Allowing for a generous 8mm of total bezel top & bottom with Face Id, that gives a possible screen width of 192mm (not including any notch, mind you).
At the same viewing ratio, this equates to 96mm height on screen with the black bars now being ~ 15mm top & bottom...

And a diagonal screen dimension of 215mm = ~ 8 1/2" inches

Now, yes, the TouchID Mini is great, but I'd be happy to pay more for a 'Pro' version - I think you can imagine how much a difference going from 7 to 8 1/2 inches when watching a movie etc would be wonderful in the same small (just right) chassis size.

 

[haruhiko]

I just went to a local apple store to test some of the existing iPad. The pro-motion actually cause dizziness (motion sickness) in me. I think that is just me but I feel that the iPad mini wins in term of form factor (vs the iPad 2018 which is heavier and bulky) and more suitable for the casual users.

Yours eyes have even higher refresh rate than 120Hz. All that natural promotion must be killing you.

I think having a high refresh rate monitor doesn't mean that you always have to scroll webpages like crazy to test it.

 

[subjonas]

I too, like a few here, own the 12.9” iPad Pro and XS Max. Thinking if I should buy the mini as a complementary device. Will I really carry the mini since I have XS Max?

I have a 12.9 and SE and the mini complements them extremely well. It’s my dedicated casual consumption device—much more ideal for the task than my other devices. But for me, the mini is a home device, because 1) I don’t really consume outside of home, and 2) I find it much too big to be a “carry around” device.
Some people apparently do carry around their minis, but I assume they live in cooler climates than me and always have a decent coat pocket to put it in, or they always carry around a bag.
[doublepost=1553409209][/doublepost]

Even without reducing the side bezel width, increasing the vertical by using FaceID would make a huge difference when watching widescreen content by making the black letterbox bars top and bottom much narrower.

My iPad mini4 when I watch Fargo for instance, is screen content of ~158mmx79mm with black letterbox bars of ~23mm top & bottom.
This = a diagonal screen size of ~ 178mm or 7 inches.

Allowing for a generous 8mm of total bezel top & bottom with Face Id, that gives a possible screen width of 192mm (not including any notch, mind you).
At the same viewing ratio, this equates to 96mm height on screen with the black bars now being ~ 15mm top & bottom...

And a diagonal screen dimension of 215mm = ~ 8 1/2" inches

Now, yes, the TouchID Mini is great, but I'd be happy to pay more for a 'Pro' version - I think you can imagine how much a difference going from 7 to 8 1/2 inches when watching a movie etc would be wonderful in the same small (just right) chassis size.

Sure, it’s good for videos but for everything else I think the current 4:3 aspect ratio is better.

 

[Fenhalls]

Yours eyes have even higher refresh rate than 120Hz. All that natural promotion must be killing you.

Yes, but his eyes are utilising a natural process that surely is more efficient than the one employed by Apple. I suppose it is at least possible that that is what is causing the discomfort.

 

[IJBrekke]

The Mini 4 was pretty close to the then flagship Air 2, just having an A8 instead of an A8X.

Didn’t the Mini 4 come out a full year after the Air 2 though? It was a dated device the day it was released. As you alluded to, the only time Apple has put the Mini on equal (and simultaneous) footing was the release of the 2nd gen...and now the 5th gen.

 

[Fenhalls]

I have a 12.9 and SE and the mini complements them extremely well. It’s my dedicated casual consumption device—much more ideal for the task than my other devices. But for me, the mini is a home device, because 1) I don’t really consume outside of home, and 2) I find it much too big to be a “carry around” device.
Some people apparently do carry around their minis, but I assume they live in cooler climates than me and always have a decent coat pocket to put it in, or they always carry around a bag.
[doublepost=1553409209][/doublepost]
Sure, it’s good for videos but for everything else I think the current 4:3 aspect ratio is better.

At least going by my experience with a couple of similar-sized HDX 7s a few years ago, I would agree with you regarding the point of it being more ideal for casual consumption. I don't even think it's down to a difference in weight so much as the fact that smaller devices are so much easier to use just in terms of picking up and carrying around.

I'm really looking forward to getting my new mini.

 

[kindaichi81]

I think people's expectation never end. Initially iPad mini was rumoured to be dead. Now Apple has revived it and sincerely gives it the latest hardware and again now people expects to pay the same price but get
pro level hardware and design which is quite ridiculous.

I am sure for any mini lovers who are still using mini 2 and earlier devices will be happy to upgrade it to this new iPad mini now.