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dawnrazor

macrumors 6502
Jan 16, 2008
422
310
Auckland New Zealand
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

macrumors 65816
Mar 16, 2012
1,171
2,195
South Wales, UK
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.
 
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Pbwallstreet

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 15, 2024
37
63
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

macrumors 68030
Oct 15, 2022
2,597
4,103
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

macrumors 68020
Oct 13, 2011
2,068
1,708
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.
 
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Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,640
4,468
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.
 
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TheWraith

macrumors regular
Feb 20, 2024
133
299
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

macrumors 68030
Feb 23, 2016
2,920
3,804
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

macrumors 68030
Oct 15, 2022
2,597
4,103
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.
 
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Markgnyc2

macrumors 6502
Nov 17, 2013
390
726
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

macrumors 65816
Dec 7, 2016
1,028
2,173
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

macrumors newbie
Sep 14, 2023
5
8
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.
 
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Heat_Fan89

macrumors 68030
Feb 23, 2016
2,920
3,804
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

macrumors 6502a
Oct 27, 2012
991
323
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.
 
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SpotOnT

macrumors 65816
Dec 7, 2016
1,028
2,173
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.
 
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Pezimak

macrumors 68040
May 1, 2021
3,438
3,832
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

macrumors 68030
Feb 23, 2016
2,920
3,804
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

macrumors 6502
Aug 31, 2007
279
238
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!
 
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