iPad Seeing a Flood of People Jumping to the iPad Mini 7 From Larger iPads

[dawnrazor]

I tried to replace my 2019 MBP with a 2021 IPP 12.9” M1 and it replaced about 90% of the stuff I did… but there was still that 10% of tasks that I just could not do on the laptop for a number of reasons… so when the 2019 MBP was getting old I bought a refurbished M3Pro MBP 13” and it’s been awesome. I really enjoy using it which is crazy but that Intel 2019 MBP was tired and slow… but then my 12.9” M1 IPP was looking a bit redundant… too similar in size to the MBP and no real USP to justify having two devices with such a similar spec…

Also the battery on the 2021 IPP was 84%… so I decided to trade the 12.9 IPP in against a new 2024 11” IPP and magic keyboard… and it’s been a great change, the 11” IPP is super handy and even with the magic keyboard almost doubling the weight its still a very light package and can be thrown in a bag without any worry… even coupled with the 13” MBP it doesnt add a noticeable amount of weight to my bag…

It reminds me of the old 11” MBA from years ago…

 

[Radeon85]

Nah, I'm not seeing anyone downgrading from a larger iPad to a mini. Another 'people say' nonsense post.

Well, I swapped from the 12.9 iPad Pro M1 that I had from launch day. Now using the Mini 7, and overall I’m very happy with it. Just wish it had a higher refresh rate, OLED, and Face ID.

My larger one just wasn’t getting much use, and I wanted a smaller tablet.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

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.

I have never seen so many well known reviewers and people on other sites all saying the same thing about dumping their larger iPad. It’s a valid sample set that can have conclusions drawn from it.

Of course it’s not definitive.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I have never seen so many well known reviewers and people on other sites all saying the same thing about dumping their larger iPad. It’s a valid sample set that can have conclusions drawn from it.

Of course it’s not definitive.

Happens every time Apple releases a newer device. 2-3 months later this forum is filled with regret rants for buying iPad Pro/mini or what ever, followed by dumping of the new device. Apple releases M5 ipad Pro, you will see posts about dumping mini for a iPad Pro. FOMO is real, mind plays all games about others to justify those fears/wants.

 

[James Godfrey]

Personally I think every iPad other than the mini is trying to be something that it is not…. A computer replacement. I think the market has now accepted that the iPad cannot replace a computer (at least until the OS has been majorly refreshed).

Don’t get me wrong, yes an iPad Air/Pro or even the basic iPad can do enough to replace a computer for some people… but… with the advent of Apple silicon and yearly refreshes of the M series chips, the Mac is becoming really affordable for a really decent machine. The M1 MacBook Air you can pick up now for less than £500 renewed which is cheaper but yet more capable than the cheapest iPad currently offered with a keyboard.

I think the mini does everything that the general person wants an iPad to do without the bulk.

 

[Digitalguy]

Most of the reviews/comments I have seen are from people that were trying to replace a laptop with their iPad pro and are now moving to a mini. Those people should have bought the mini instead of the pro in the first place, because they see the smaller size as an advantage, and only went with a larger one to replace a laptop.
Personally I am not trying to replace anything, and I am happy with the pros. I have a mini 5 but I use it much less than a pro and it could never be my main iPad (and I don't even plan on upgrading it until it physically dies). Smaller size is better for me only in some niche cases. That's the first iPad I would give up if I had to give up one.
I actually use the 13" more than the 11". To each their preferences, but again, those people made a wrong purchase to begin with.

 

[TheWraith]

Whether it's people on Reddit, here, or reviewers on YouTube, etc.

You know this, but this is just noise. I'm sure if you went back in time to this spring, you'd have people all switching to the m4 ipad pro—I remember seeing a flurry of that. We need more data, or any really, before declaring that a big shift is underway.

And it is true—people on these forums loved the iphone mini, and were absolutely blindsided that it wasn't popular.

The question of what YOU should do is a totally different one.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I prefer large tablets but the iPad Mini has its place. I recently purchased an 11" Air and the Mini 7. What I like about the Mini is that it is very portable. You can take it with you when going out to eat or lying in bed. It's a nice size for reading.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Most of the reviews/comments I have seen are from people that were trying to replace a laptop with their iPad pro and are now moving to a mini. Those people should have bought the mini instead of the pro in the first place, because they see the smaller size as an advantage, and only went with a larger one to replace a laptop.
Personally I am not trying to replace anything, and I am happy with the pros. I have a mini 5 but I use it much less than a pro and it could never be my main iPad (and I don't even plan on upgrading it until it physically dies). Smaller size is better for me only in some niche cases. That's the first iPad I would give up if I had to give up one.
I actually use the 13" more than the 11". To each their preferences, but again, those people made a wrong purchase to begin with.

I had the original mini when I had the tiny iPhone 4s. It was the most used device at that time. It got less use after I upgraded to 7 plus. I don’t see any point in mini with my iPhone 13 PM. iPad Pro is my most used device for past few years. Can’t imagine ever going back to mini.
When a new shiny iPad Pro is released in future, mini suddenly becomes less desirable and people move to iPad Pro. It’s like clockwork here, can’t miss the new shiny toy.

 

[Markgnyc2]

Traveled for a quick 3 night getaway weekend, and took my new Mini 7 instead of a laptop or my iPad Air. It was great, even on the plane you could hold it on takeoff and landing because it wasn't a laptop sized device. Very convenient and was able to do whatever I needed to do on it. Of course I wasn't "working" but watched Netflix shows on the plane that I downloaded in advance, got online, email, texts etc. Great travel device.

 

[SpotOnT]

I think the iPads are pretty much useless in general.

I could see having an iPad mini as a comfortable reader, since the aspect ratio is just so much more useful than the iPhone, though.

 

[froglego]

I switched from the 11” M4 Pro to the mini 7. I find the smaller size is a better fit for reading and taking notes, which is what I primarily use the iPad for. I found the larger iPads to be a bit too cumbersome and I don’t want to carry a backpack everywhere. I already have a MacBook Pro for getting work done or tasks that benefit from a larger screen.

 

[sparksd]

I think the iPads are pretty much useless in general.

I could see having an iPad mini as a comfortable reader, since the aspect ratio is just so much more useful than the iPhone, though.

Useless for you but I hardly find mine to be useless - my 13" Pro and Mini 6 are quite useful.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I think the iPads are pretty much useless in general.

I could see having an iPad mini as a comfortable reader, since the aspect ratio is just so much more useful than the iPhone, though.

Perhaps for you but not for me. I can do most of the basics on my iPad laying down instead of getting up and going to my Mac. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[swandy]

I started off the iPads with the original. Moved to the Mini when they were released - but I use it mainly for watching videos in bed and reading (prefer it to reading on my iPhone). I just replaced my Mini 6 with the Mini 7 (partially to give the 6 to my wife - replacing her mini 5 and to have something to play with Apple Intelligence and want to check out some of the games that need the faster chips). I thought about moving my photography work to an iPad and bought one of the Pro models (forget the size) and felt on a desktop with a keyboard it was great - but then again so is my M3 iMac - and to use as a tablet (again primarily for web searching, some videos and mainly reading) it was just too big and heavy.

 

[SpotOnT]

Perhaps for you but not for me. I can do most of the basics on my iPad laying down instead of getting up and going to my Mac. Different strokes for different folks.

Ya I know.
I just personally can’t get nearly as much done as fast with a touch screen as I can with a keyboard…and I just have no interest in a device that I only use for content consumption.

I mean I also have no problem laying in bed flat on my back with a laptop either.

 

[Pezimak]

Don't take this the wrong way but I call boloney on that one.

I know 2 people working in the Apple Store in Brussels and they both say that even with the mini 7, they've seen no change in disinterest in the mini. That people keep buying the regular iPad with the Pro and Air also being popular but less so.

Now this is what they see in the Brussels Apple Store, but I can't imagine it would be much different in other locations.

Apple do state the bigger iPads are the best selling. For me I think the Mini is a fantastic device, but I do use split screen and my eyes appreciate the bigger 11” size for that, and I love pro motion so yeah Pro 11”.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Ya I know.
I just personally can’t get nearly as much done as fast with a touch screen as I can with a keyboard…and I just have no interest in a device that I only use for content consumption.

I mean I also have no problem laying in bed flat on my back with a laptop either.

And tbh, i've tried using a laptop in bed and the Mini is still my preferred choice. It's much smaller, lighter and takes up less space.

 

[casjohnr]

I picked up a Mini 7 today after playing with one in the Apple Store last week whilst waiting to collect my Mac Mini and thinking how convenient it would be to carry around and how lightweight it is

My last Mini was the original first gen version!

 

[johnmed]

I damaged my iPad Mini 6 and would’ve bought the 7 to replace it as a screen for my drone and for general use at home, but it still had the outdated screen. It’s not bright enough outdoors, still and the cost does not reflect the outdated spec. Using the 6 felt like a step back from my iPhone 15 PM, mostly due to the screen.

I went for an 11” M4, and yes I’d have preferred a smaller form factor, but the screen is wowza. I’ve used the M4 more than I’ve ever used the mini. Almost never used my MBA anymore.

 

[phrehdd]

Has anyone used their iPad for art programs with an iPad app or use the iPad as a "tablet" akin to intuos with a Mac running an art/photo program. I will sooner or later get a Mini to use with my entertainment center and as a center for homekit like devices.

 

[turbineseaplane]

None of this is surprising to me as I switched to the mini line after my iPad Pro 9.7 inch which spec size wise is nearly identical to the 11 inch pro

All of this just makes me wish they would make a mini pro because the one thing about the larger iPads is the specs (display in particular) are so much better

 

[Pbwallstreet]

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)

I'm not worried about what other people are doing. I've been around a long time and what I'm seeing is what I myself am going through. I haven't seen it like this before. Before, many people would argue at length how the bigger iPads are better and how they can replace Macs. The sentiment now... with the M4 is a pattern of people realizing and stating what I have known for a long time: iPads can't replace Macs for many of us. And that the smaller tablet form factors are useful.

I remember how popular the first batch of Samsung Android tablets were... I think they had around a 7" screen.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I'm not worried about what other people are doing. I've been around a long time and what I'm seeing is what I myself am going through. I haven't seen it like this before. Before, many people would argue at length how the bigger iPads are better and how they can replace Macs. The sentiment now... with the M4 is a pattern of people realizing and stating what I have known for a long time: iPads can't replace Macs for many of us. And that the smaller tablet form factors are useful.

I remember how popular the first batch of Samsung Android tablets were... I think they had around a 7" screen.

They can't. It can come close but it doesn't give you the same experience as using a Mac. I tried a keyboard with touchpad on my 11" M2 iPad Air and while I thought the experience was nicer having a keyboard and touchpad, it doesn't equal the experience I get from using my Mac.

 

[ctjack]

They can't. It can come close but it doesn't give you the same experience as using a Mac. I tried a keyboard with touchpad on my 11" M2 iPad Air and while I thought the experience was nicer having a keyboard and touchpad, it doesn't equal the experience I get from using my Mac.

That is just a divide in generations. Folks that grew up with no laptop and only phone, look at an ipad like logical evolution to their phone experience.

While for laptop users, it feels hindered. Files on ipad pros just learned to move files at 1gb per second, while this was something very casual for laptop users.