iPad mini Whose retuning their iPad 6?

[PinkyMacGodess]

The least surprising part of the story is "ineptitude at the Apple Store"

Man - I hate those places now.
They are such a screaming far cry from how cool and fun they were a decade + ago.

I have had mixed luck, but mostly good, with their support. One thing that irked me was a person that I was dumped to on a phone call over my iTunes crashing, and some music flat out disappearing. He had be blow the library away, and recreate it by ripping all of my CDs over again. Then, when it happened again, another support rep told me to do the same thing. Then I got someone who knew what they were talking about, not that the reload didn't probably help to some extent, but told me that doing a complete reload was a 'waste of time', and 'didn't accomplish much'. He had me do some incantations, and the problem went away. Part of the problem was me editing the xml files iTunes used, but that wasn't the direct cause. It's been so long ago now that it's just a distant, bad, memory, but there are *some* knowledgeable people that you can get that actually know their stuff, but there are many that are just the blind leading the blind. (And nothing is worse than the helpful *cough* idiots that staff (infect?) the standup kiosks at places like Worst Try. (I was banned once for butting into a conversation between a sales droid and a mark, when the droid waxed knowledgeable about how incompatible everything with a Mac was to the 'rest of the world (Windows).

'The data isn't compatible'. No, it *is*.
'Microsoft Office isn't available for the Mac'. No, it *is*.
'The Mac won't work on your existing wifi'. No, it *WILL!!!*

What a doofus... The 'mark' ended up wandering away, headed towards the door. A few minutes later, the droid and a clueless manager walked up to me, and I was 'banned' from Worst Try... I returned the next day, and was just another 'mark', browsing, and mostly ignored like everyone else.

What a mess...

 

[Wolfs]

Sounds like the FW was corrupted requiring the correct Device Firmware Update on the server to do that. There are usually two ways to do this a reset to last OS FW (save data) or a reset to factory settings (wipe everything). One would think they are prepared for DFU to brand new iPads, but I don't want to guess that status. Reminds me of what happen to users that thought they could just do a clean install of a M1 Mac when they first came out, bricked until it was DFU restored. Hope your next one is problem free.

I’m not tech savvy, but I am guessing you are talking about Firmware/updating? And yes, I figure that is what the issue is also. There was just no way to communicate with the device, based on Apple’s current status with the devices, to either wipe it of everything and start fresh, or repair/restore the system. Everything support tried at home and in store just said the required software was not available.

It does make me wonder if maybe they did move the Mini release up to the Apple event to drum up excitement and revenue, even though it maybe wasn’t quite ready, nor did they have replacements ready? 5 days later I am still waiting for the replacement that was sent “Standard Overnight Air” label created Sunday, shipped Tuesday.

 

[turbineseaplane]

(I was banned once for butting into a conversation between a sales droid and a mark, when the droid waxed knowledgeable about how incompatible everything with a Mac was to the 'rest of the world (Windows).

Banned!? Really?
Wow

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I’m not tech savvy, but I am guessing you are talking about Firmware/updating? And yes, I figure that is what the issue is also. There was just no way to communicate with the device, based on Apple’s current status with the devices, to either wipe it of everything and start fresh, or repair/restore the system. Everything support tried at home and in store just said the required software was not available.

It does make me wonder if maybe they did move the Mini release up to the Apple event to drum up excitement and revenue, even though it maybe wasn’t quite ready, nor did they have replacements ready? 5 days later I am still waiting for the replacement that was sent “Standard Overnight Air” label created Sunday, shipped Tuesday.

That was part of the problem I may have been having with mine, possibly.

I plugged it in, and eventually got a notice that 'there is an update for your system to support future devices' or some such notice, and then after a few seconds an ominous message that the 'install failed'. The two reps I was conversing with had no idea what was attempted to install, and no idea if it was to support the Mini. Eventually, a day or so later, an update did want to be installed, and it actually installed fully. So was it an update that included the Mini? Since it was triggered by the connection of the Mini, I'd assume yes. Since it installed later, I'd assume that issues connecteding the Mini won't happen again. Why those people didn't know about the mysterious support update is no all that surprising, but it would have been nice if they had *some* knowledge, or access to the answer. *shrug*

 

[Wolfs]

I have had that happen before. I was surprised, and didn't know if it was gas lighting, flattery, or honest ignorance of the 'new hotness'. I found all of it rather annoying, as the 'genius' proceeded to examine every square millimeter of the device and ooo and ah over it. He said he had 'never seen one in person yet', even though it was currently for sale. I assumed that there was some kind of memo regarding the new hotness, and maybe this person skipped it, OR they were searching for a way to deny helping me. I was left wondering as to their motive.

Yes, while nobody “oohed” and “ahhed” over it they all did mention that they had not seen one before. I’m guessing if I walked over to the iPad table there would have been at least one set up and running for the unwashed masses to fondle.

My thought was that if you haven’t seen one, don’t know how to fix one, and don’t have a replacement, then you are unprepared to sell a product.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Banned!? Really?
Wow

It was a 'soft ban', but the mangler did use the words and made the intent that I was not to come back. I'm sure it was 'don't come back and correct our employees'. I neglected to say that I informed the mangler about what the droid was saying, and I'm sure there were (hope there were) some words after I left...

But this was a few years ago. I actually had a few of their sales people as friends who would occasionally ask me questions that customers had asked. I stopped lurking there 5 or 6 years ago. Now, when I go in, I don't even see salespeople anymore. It's worse than it ever was, but understandably why.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

My thought was that if you haven’t seen one, don’t know how to fix one, and don’t have a replacement, then you are unprepared to sell a product.

Exactly. I would assume that the people that are to actually sell and support something *should* have some knowledge of the new hotness. However, I worked retail quite a number of years ago, and the 'training' was usually an email that was a scan of a 'sell sheet', and it was hard to read, and largely just marketing speak, and made a lot of lofty statements and sometimes stated features that were 'due in the future', or were killed prior to shipping. I just stopped reading them, and would rely on a display unit, or slipping back into the returns area and look at one that was returned. Some stuff didn't have a display unit, or the unit was a dummy with a rock inside to fake the weight of the real thing (BOOO!!!!). Heck, we sales people loved playing with some of the demo/display units as much, or more than customers.

 

[imdog]

I’ve decided I’m keeping it

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’ve decided I’m keeping it

What?
lol.

I thought you were opening a class action lawsuit?

I think we need some explanation here...
Tell us more

 

[TQT]

I will return my iPad mini 256gb, wifi + cellular, not because of jelly Screen, but because I have to reboot the mini every couple of days, because the screen stays dimmed for a few seconds after waking up the screen. And it is really annoying after a while. I am not willing to wait until I know whether it was a hardware or software issue. Also at this price point I expect 120hz or oled screen (even a Nintendo Switch has oled for $349). The mini has nether one of these features. I will stay with my iPad Pro 12.9" (2020) until the next iPad Pro 11" hopefully with miniLED or maybe oled comes out. Unfortunately too many compromises for an otherwise great little device with a much needed form factor.

 

[tpfang56]

I found the 11 wasn't that much bigger or heavier than the Mini 6. A small portable iPad, with all the power of the 12.9.

I would hardly call an 11in ipad "small". It's small for a psuedo-laptop, but not for a tablet. I can barely even palm the mini, so a bigger ipad is out of the question for me in terms of weight/portability.

I’ve decided I’m keeping it

Lol what? You repeatedly call the mini 6 "junk", but are now deciding it's good enough for you?

Talk about a heel face turn.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@imdog

There's a bit of crow to eat and some explaining to do my friend...particularly leaning in so hard on bashing the Mini 6.

(Yes - I include myself in that camp - absolutely -- but I didn't suddenly go out and buy a 6 to replace my 5 either..If I did, I would fully expect to need to explain my massive change of heart. It's only fair)

 

[wilberforce]

I have to reboot the mini every couple of days, because the screen stays dimmed for a few seconds after waking up the screen.

I also have noticed this annoyance occasionally. For me it is about 1 second, and I have seen it about 3 times. I don't recall anyone else mentioning this, but just to let you know that you are not alone.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@imdog

So what changed your mind?

 

[tpfang56]

@imdog

So what changed your mind?

I have a strong inkling imdog is trolling. The lawsuit post is a dead giveaway.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have a strong inkling imdog is trolling. The lawsuit post is a dead giveaway.

Must be - I guess?
Odd for sure.. oh well

 

[Rafterman]

@imdog

There's a bit of crow to eat and some explaining to do my friend...particularly leaning in so hard on bashing the Mini 6.

(Yes - I include myself in that camp - absolutely -- but I didn't suddenly go out and buy a 6 to replace my 5 either..If I did, I would fully expect to need to explain my massive change of heart. It's only fair)

People...the poster has been trolling since day one.

 

[Wolfs]

My replacement iPad mini finally arrrived at 4:30 today. Hopefully this one lasts longer than a week!

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don’t think he’s going to enlighten us

 

[imdog]

Sorry I’ve been very busy, tomorrow I’ll write out my thesis on this device. It’s going to be a tough decision. One revelation has been how because of the form factor and how close you hold it I’m able to use it in bed when I’ve taken my contact lenses out. You hold the larger iPad further away and I’d have to put on glasses. If I do indeed keep it it will be somewhat begrudgingly

 

[Realityck]

Sorry I’ve been very busy, tomorrow I’ll write out my thesis on this device. It’s going to be a tough decision. One revelation has been how because of the form factor and how close you hold it I’m able to use it in bed when I’ve taken my contact lenses out. You hold the larger iPad further away and I’d have to put on glasses. If I do indeed keep it it will be somewhat begrudgingly

If your near sighted, certainly the mini 6 when being looked at very close to ones face offers decent video watching with the wider aspect ratio. I noticed today that with 15.1 beta 3 that I am having a much tougher time seeing that portrait screen text bounce issue any more, no joke using Safari. Also really liking stereo speakers arrangement, along the spatial audio effects using AirPods Pros when not want to disturb others.

 

[twynne]

I also have noticed this annoyance occasionally. For me it is about 1 second, and I have seen it about 3 times. I don't recall anyone else mentioning this, but just to let you know that you are not alone.

Same here. Returned mine in the end and got the iPad Pro 11. Happy so far!

 

[evorc]

If your near sighted, certainly the mini 6 when being looked at very close to ones face offers decent video watching with the wider aspect ratio. I noticed today that with 15.1 beta 3 that I am having a much tougher time seeing that portrait screen text bounce issue any more, no joke using Safari. Also really liking stereo speakers arrangement, along the spatial audio effects using AirPods Pros when not want to disturb others.

So you’re saying with the latest beta it’s possible Apple made some adjustments to scrolling? Is the jelly less noticeable now?

 

[Realityck]

So you’re saying with the latest beta it’s possible Apple made some adjustments to scrolling? Is the jelly less noticeable now?

I'm just finding it presently difficult to see this scrolling issue under iPadOS 15.1 beta 3 as much as iPadOS 15 it shipped with looking at the Mini 6 both in light and dark modes, using text format that MacRumors uses as well as some other web sites that would be good test cases. I was eliciting others to see if others concur.

 

[evorc]

I'm just finding it presently difficult to see this scrolling issue under iPadOS 15.1 beta 3 as much as iPadOS 15 it shipped with looking at the Mini 6 both in light and dark modes, using text format that MacRumors uses as well as some other web sites that would be good test cases. I was eliciting others to see if others concur.

That’s great news if that’s the case. I’m assuming you noticed it more in the previous version of the os?