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iPad Seeing a Flood of People Jumping to the iPad Mini 7 From Larger iPads
- Thread starter Pbwallstreet
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So many varying factors with so much overlapping product functions from so many devices. I personally don't know one person that has a Mini but I realize I might not be the norm.
This is what I noticed:
Most I know choose the regular iPad/iPad Air over the mini if they want a device to only function as a tablet due to price, value and features.
Others will choose the 11" or 13" iPad Pro mostly (some do the iPad Air) because they are non-power/light users and don't want a PC/Mac. Most of the older folks in my family do this as well.
Some will have the Max sized iPhone, consider that a Mini tablet on the go (I realize that's not the same) and then have a PC/Mac for heavier tasks, and/or any of the larger iPads. This is more my camp.
Kids in grade 8 or younger, are mostly on regular iPads/iPad Airs in my kids' school. They love FaceTiming to socialize or when playing games like Roblox/Minecraft together as parents want to avoid access to the in game chats for safety reasons. Since most people don't have land lines anymore, younger kids also use this as a means to communicate. School provides take home Chromebooks.
I get the Mini iPad is a beloved form factor for some. Just like the Mini iPhone was/is. But I don't see the same "flood" of people jumping ship in my environment. Personally, I find the 10.2 to 11" form factor of current generation iPads the perfect tablet size depending on your size and weight tolerance especially with no case or with an ultra slim one.
This is what I noticed:
Most I know choose the regular iPad/iPad Air over the mini if they want a device to only function as a tablet due to price, value and features.
Others will choose the 11" or 13" iPad Pro mostly (some do the iPad Air) because they are non-power/light users and don't want a PC/Mac. Most of the older folks in my family do this as well.
Some will have the Max sized iPhone, consider that a Mini tablet on the go (I realize that's not the same) and then have a PC/Mac for heavier tasks, and/or any of the larger iPads. This is more my camp.
Kids in grade 8 or younger, are mostly on regular iPads/iPad Airs in my kids' school. They love FaceTiming to socialize or when playing games like Roblox/Minecraft together as parents want to avoid access to the in game chats for safety reasons. Since most people don't have land lines anymore, younger kids also use this as a means to communicate. School provides take home Chromebooks.
I get the Mini iPad is a beloved form factor for some. Just like the Mini iPhone was/is. But I don't see the same "flood" of people jumping ship in my environment. Personally, I find the 10.2 to 11" form factor of current generation iPads the perfect tablet size depending on your size and weight tolerance especially with no case or with an ultra slim one.
I think you're right. I also think that most people would the happiest if Apple offered just one "regular" size and fewer models. When people are not questioning the existence and purpose of the iPad, they spend the remaining time questioning which size is best.
Report: iPad Pro Popularity Cutting Into iPad Air and iPad Mini Sales
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/08/ipad-pro-quarterly-sales-cirp/
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/08/ipad-pro-quarterly-sales-cirp/
I have iPads in all three sizes (iPad Mini 7, iPad Pro 2020 11"+13") and they all serve somewhat different purposes. So for me, the Mini does not replace any of the larger iPads, but rather complements them. However, if I could choose only one size, I'd probably go for the 11" model since it works best as a general purpose tablet IMO.
OP, it seems like the biggest benefits of the largest-sized iPad are overshadowed by your laptops. Unless you are doing regular illustrating, that 13” iPad is being underutilized I’d bet.
The Mini is essentially a giant iPhone. It’s the ultimate couch device for consumption. If you are looking to fill this niche, it’s the answer. Yes, the screen is a big downgrade, and yes, most adjust to it in a matter of days.
I would encourage you to buy a Mini and try it out during your return window.
The Mini is essentially a giant iPhone. It’s the ultimate couch device for consumption. If you are looking to fill this niche, it’s the answer. Yes, the screen is a big downgrade, and yes, most adjust to it in a matter of days.
I would encourage you to buy a Mini and try it out during your return window.
I think the newest 11 inch iPad Pro is the perfect tablet design.
It’s not even 1/3 of a pound heavier than the Mini, it’s quite a bit thinner than the Mini, but yet still small enough to fit in every pocket in a backpack that’s designed for a mini tablet.
In my opinion, it’s the best of both worlds.
It’s not even 1/3 of a pound heavier than the Mini, it’s quite a bit thinner than the Mini, but yet still small enough to fit in every pocket in a backpack that’s designed for a mini tablet.
In my opinion, it’s the best of both worlds.
It literally all depends on use case.
Someone who has a Mac for very specific purposes with specific applications might not be able to.
Someone who mostly uses their laptop for consumption or very small bits of productivity like notetaking probably can replace their computer with an iPad.
It all depends on the person.
TLDR; you find the 13" iPad Pro too big and awkward and think the iPad mini is the best alternative? I mean looking at your choices, it seems like you like to go all out on all your devices size wise. What makes you think you need the biggest screen on all the models of products you own?
Care to also explain why you went to the Mini as your solution as opposed to the 10 inch Air/11 inch Pro?
I have the 11" M1 iPad Pro which I love. I would consider an iPad Mini if...and only if, it gets an M series chip so it can do Stage Manage and have external monitor support.
Blunt, but largely true.
OLED would be a huge advantage for me.
Anti-reflective display would be an advantage.
But the size of the 11" is a big disadvantage (takes up too much space in the cockpit of a Cessna) so I'm sticking with the mini 7.
Agreed. I really, really tried - my iPad Pro M1 12.9" with Magic Keyboard was to be my "Primary Device." And it was, for about a year and a half. But it was a struggle. I had to remote into my Mac mini for SO many things, I may as well have just sat down at it.
Then I got the mini 6 "Secondary" iPad and... it was like a dam burst. I used the iPad Pro less & less, even for Mac-focused tasks I could just use the mini. The only time I'd use the Pro is if I was writing something (real keyboard).
Finally I just got a MacBook Pro, sold the iPad Pro, and when it came out I upgraded to the mini 7 with cellular and more storage.
=====
Everyone's use case is unique, of course. I use my devices in all the common ways, but my specialized uses are Mac for 3D printing (design, slicing, etc) and my iPad for ForeFlight (private pilot). For me, the MacBook Pro + iPad mini 7 + Mac mini is a solution that works.
That article isn't relevant. It was published in August, well before the Mini 7 came out.
Except I can actually use the Mini for productivity. In landscape mode, Apps like Pages and Numbers and even Keynote work surprisingly well. And it does split screen but it's actually a good experience for me.
I am going to keep my 13" M4 iPad Pro. I will use it for certain things. But I will get the Mini and use it for a lot of reading in tablet mode. The other thing for me is I really like using tablets in Portrait mode, and that is awkward with the 13".
The thing about the Mini that I like over every other iPad is how small it is. Yet, it can do most of what every other iPad does.
Why I choose largest screens on other devices: I'm a Product Designer in the software industry. So I have a lot of software I use to design User Interfaces, review designs, work with Jira... it's the most efficient to have a larger screen. But do I like the smaller screen MacBooks? Yes, I do. But they won't be as efficient for me doing work.
Nothing wrong with having all three sizes of iPad. You get flexibility of choice depending on your mood/situation and you get to take advantage of battery life from all 3 - in case one needs to be recharged, you can use another that is already charged.
Probably the "flood of people jumping to the iPad Mini 7 from larger iPads".
These things sell in millions. The folks you see posting on the internet about switching are just a tiny drop in the bucket.
The screen wasn't good enough for me to keep my Mini. I thought I'd be fine with it since the jelly scrolling was largely improved, but it looked plain washed out compared to my OLED Pros. If they do an OLED, 90+ Hz Mini then I'll jump back in.
Fun thing, my son is using an old iPad Pro. Won’t support AI and he’s jealous of me on my iPhone doing the Genmoji and image playground stuff.
So for Christmas we thought getting him a much smaller and reasonable iPad mini would be great. I checked it out in person, decided he’d be better with an air. But at the same time? I couldn’t get my hands off of it so I got it Something about the smaller form factor from my 12.9 inch pro just seemed amazing. I’ve been using it now for over a week and I love it
So for Christmas we thought getting him a much smaller and reasonable iPad mini would be great. I checked it out in person, decided he’d be better with an air. But at the same time? I couldn’t get my hands off of it so I got it Something about the smaller form factor from my 12.9 inch pro just seemed amazing. I’ve been using it now for over a week and I love it
Correct: "iPad OS "and the iPad cannot replace their Mac.
I find the mini a little bit cramped, and the 11” air a bit big. I really wish they made a 10” iPad with the modern form factor
I still have my first gen air 9.7” and it feels great in the hands and the screen size is just right imo. I think Steve nailed it with the screen size on the OG
I still have my first gen air 9.7” and it feels great in the hands and the screen size is just right imo. I think Steve nailed it with the screen size on the OG
Nah, I'm not seeing anyone downgrading from a larger iPad to a mini. Another 'people say' nonsense post.
Op, just do it. Sometimes less is more.
Ipad mini has a perfect keyboard and size for typing. Something that is used more is more valuable than something better but used less.
I have mbp14 collecting dust even though it is twice better than m1 air 13 that i have. I just got to run 2 jobs at a time, so once that need was gone, now it sits as my secondary device to lookup while air 13 m1 is working on my main tasks.
Ipad mini has a perfect keyboard and size for typing. Something that is used more is more valuable than something better but used less.
I have mbp14 collecting dust even though it is twice better than m1 air 13 that i have. I just got to run 2 jobs at a time, so once that need was gone, now it sits as my secondary device to lookup while air 13 m1 is working on my main tasks.
Why you are worried about what people is doing?. If you liked the mini before and do not enjoy the 13 now, I think it's clear the path to follow.
I tried the 13' on the store and realized after 30 seconds that was unusable as a tablet. I took the 11, which even though is on the limit, thanks to how thin it is, is still pretty usable and I don't miss my 9.7 in any sense (my use case is couch usage + app UI design)
Hear. Hear.