All iPads So how much longer is a mini 5 gonna be supported over iPad 7th gen?

[ssledoux]

I need to pick up a new iPad for one of my granddaughters. I'm really struggling with the $$ difference in getting her a mini over a 7th gen. I can get a new 7th gen for $250 pretty much all day long, whereas a refurb mini 5 is gonna run me $339 from Apple.

I think there are a lot of pros to the mini, but I know those aren't gonna matter to a 4yo. I just know I want her to be able to have it a while, and that's what has me torn.

How long is that A10 in the regular iPad gonna perform well compared to the processor in the mini?

We are playing musical iPads over here lately...

 

[rui no onna]

Performance, reckon at least 2-3 years extra. For me, 32GB is too small for comfort as well. Ok for streaming and cloud-centric use. Not so nice if your granddaughter needs to store big games and some media on the device.

That said, consider wear and tear and changing usage during the lifespan of the device. Would an iPad that lasts 6 years instead of 4 really be a better fit? Will the size still suit her as she grows older?

 

[ssledoux]

Performance, reckon at least 2-3 years extra. For me, 32GB is too small for comfort as well. Ok for streaming and cloud-centric use. Not so nice if your granddaughter needs to store big games and some media on the device.

That said, consider wear and tear and changing usage during the lifespan of the device. Would an iPad that lasts 6 years instead of 4 really be a better fit? Will the size still suit her as she grows older?

Well considering my 7yo granddaughter just chose to go to a mini from a 6th gen instead of another regular size iPad, I think the size would suit her for years to come. The wear and tear is a non-issue, as this dd is very particular about how her kids' things are taken care of. Their daily screen time is limited, so it's not like the iPads are getting used hours upon hours daily. The only time they ever see more than an hour or so's worth of use daily is if they are traveling.

We also keep all the kids' iPads in thick, rubber cases and put screen protectors on them from day 1, and if they are bought new, they have the monthly AppleCare added as well.

I think you have a solid point about the 32 gb going forward - they like keeping movies on their iPads for travel, and tend to store some larger educational games as well.

 

[Beerstalker]

I personally would stick to the 7th gen (or give her the other granddaughter's hand me down 6th gen if you still have it).

Both devices are plenty powerful for what a kid that age is going to be using them for, and they are much cheaper to replace or fix if something happens.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I personally would stick to the 7th gen (or give her the other granddaughter's hand me down 6th gen if you still have it).

Both devices are plenty powerful for what a kid that age is going to be using them for, and they are much cheaper to replace or fix if something happens.

Cheaper regarding the screens?

 

[ericwn]

I would probably go for the mini. It’s very popular with kids due to its smaller and more manageable size, which makes it easier to handle if you’re small.

 

[Beerstalker]

Correct, from what I understand the screen is cheaper/easier to replace on them compared to the Mini.

They are also cheaper to replace period, if someone doesn't want to bother repairing them, or if they are damaged beyond repair. Right now he might be able to get a refurbed 5th gen mini for $330, but you can't always count on that. If a year or two from now the kid breaks the iPad you will probably be looking at $330 or less to replace it with the new cheap model at that time, or $500+ to replace it with a new mini.

Size/weight isn't really much of an issue with kids in my experience. They tend to use them laying on the floor, sitting on a chair or couch with it on their lap, sitting at a table or desk, etc. They aren't really carrying them around trying to hold them in one hand and use them with the other like many professionals do that like the size of the mini.

I've got 3.5 and 6.5 year old daughters and they mostly used our hand me down 1st gen, 3rd gen, and 4th gen iPads. My 6.5 year old finally got her own new 6th gen when they came out. Size and weight has never been an issue for us, and they have always had otterbox defender cases on them making it even bulkier/heavier than normal.

 

[ssledoux]

Correct, from what I understand the screen is cheaper/easier to replace on them compared to the Mini.

They are also cheaper to replace period, if someone doesn't want to bother repairing them, or if they are damaged beyond repair. Right now he might be able to get a refurbed 5th gen mini for $330, but you can't always count on that. If a year or two from now the kid breaks the iPad you will probably be looking at $330 or less to replace it with the new cheap model at that time, or $500+ to replace it with a new mini.

Size/weight isn't really much of an issue with kids in my experience. They tend to use them laying on the floor, sitting on a chair or couch with it on their lap, sitting at a table or desk, etc. They aren't really carrying them around trying to hold them in one hand and use them with the other like many professionals do that like the size of the mini.

I've got 3.5 and 6.5 year old daughters and they mostly used our hand me down 1st gen, 3rd gen, and 4th gen iPads. My 6.5 year old finally got her own new 6th gen when they came out. Size and weight has never been an issue for us, and they have always had otterbox defender cases on them making it even bulkier/heavier than normal.

My daughter will be putting AppleCare on it, so I think we're gonna go with the mini for longevity. They use them a lot in the car, and she said she'd like the smaller one.