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iPad mini WHY do I want a mini when I do NOT need it?

ssledoux

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,416
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Down south
I bought a mini 4 for one of my younger grandsons from someone on here, got it in Friday, and OMG I wanted to keep it for myself.

Why are they so darn cute?

I have an XR and 11” pro and definitely do not NEED a mini, but now I just HAVE to have one.

I have a problem. I just ordered myself 3 watch bands to try and contain this.

Someone please - I need an intervention.
 
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I'm the same having seen the specs of the Mini 5, geekbench numbers at 11,000+, A12, it will be supported for absolute years and years. I have a 9.7 iPad Pro with Smart keyboard and the gen 3 12.9 with the Gen 2 Pencil. My justification is holiday iPad and a form factor I don't currently have.....
 
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ssledoux said:
I bought a mini 4 for one of my younger grandsons from someone on here, got it in Friday, and OMG I wanted to keep it for myself.

Why are they so darn cute?

I have an XR and 11” pro and definitely do not NEED a mini, but now I just HAVE to have one.

I have a problem. I just ordered myself 3 watch bands to try and contain this.

Someone please - I need an intervention.
Click to expand...

You should listen to this podcast which was posted on another thread by AJB1971.
 
ssledoux said:
I bought a mini 4 for one of my younger grandsons from someone on here, got it in Friday, and OMG I wanted to keep it for myself.

Why are they so darn cute?

I have an XR and 11” pro and definitely do not NEED a mini, but now I just HAVE to have one.

I have a problem. I just ordered myself 3 watch bands to try and contain this.

Someone please - I need an intervention.
Click to expand...
LOL I certainly can understand that. I have found that pre-emptive alternative purchases (like you buying watch bands) doesn't work.

IMO, no iPhone can replace an iPad... even one as nice as the XR. The aspect ratio is all wrong for content consumption and light productivity. It's necessary for use as a phone, but not as a tablet. So in that respect, having an XR doesn't necessarily eliminate the need/want for an iPad Mini.

I much prefer to use something like the Mini when the conditions allow for the use of something larger. If I'm standing in a checkout line, using a phone is better. Sitting in a coffee shop, I'd rather use the Mini. It also helps allow the phone's battery to be available when I need the phone.

Having gotten used to the ultra-high pixel density of the Mini 4, I can't see myself spending top dollar for the latest Pros. Their screens look like a pixelated hot-mess by comparison. Add the smearing of ProMotion and... blecch! (hyperbole works wonders!) :D

Since you have other devices, this wouldn't be a primary device. I don't think waiting for a good sale on the Mini 5 and getting the base model is a bad thing. What happens though is doubt, uncertainty, and fear kick in and causes people to get the higher storage model (uncertainty as to whether or not the base storage is enough), and get AppleCare (fear of damaging the device), which inflates the net cost of the device well beyond what is reasonable.

I'm pretty much set on keeping my 2018 iPad w/Pencil, trading my Mini 4 in for a base 5... and picking up a Logitech Crayon to use with both devices.

Oh, I was supposed to talk you out of it... oops. :eek::D
 
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Actually, that was really helpful!

I’d definitely be getting base model - I have no use for lots of storage. My pro only has 64 gb and I have lots of room (not even using half the space yet).

I do love my pro. I have no complaints there. Certainly the 2018 iPad was doing the job, but I really wanted something a little more top-notch as my main computing device.

I guess what I wonder is if I should have the 12.9 pro as a “desktop” machine, and then the mini as my portable. I think if I would’be known for sure the mini was coming, I might’ve gone that route. I just feel like the 11 is closer to the size of the mini, making it more unnecessary, but it’s actually still about double the size.

I was honestly just thinking of picking up a used mini 4 just to see how much I’d actually use it, and then passing that to the last grandson a few months down the road and getting a 5 if I found I had the need.
 
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ssledoux said:
Actually, that was really helpful!

I’d definitely be getting base model - I have no use for lots of storage. My pro only has 64 gb and I have lots of room (not even using half the space yet).

I do love my pro. I have no complaints there. Certainly the 2018 iPad was doing the job, but I really wanted something a little more top-notch as my main computing device.

I guess what I wonder is if I should have the 12.9 pro as a “desktop” machine, and then the mini as my portable. I think if I would’be known for sure the mini was coming, I might’ve gone that route. I just feel like the 11 is closer to the size of the mini, making it more unnecessary, but it’s actually still about double the size.

I was honestly just thinking of picking up a used mini 4 just to see how much I’d actually use it, and then passing that to the last grandson a few months down the road and getting a 5 if I found I had the need.
Click to expand...

Just get the 5 you know it makes sense! :D
 
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ssledoux said:
I bought a mini 4 for one of my younger grandsons from someone on here, got it in Friday, and OMG I wanted to keep it for myself.

Why are they so darn cute?

I have an XR and 11” pro and definitely do not NEED a mini, but now I just HAVE to have one.

I have a problem. I just ordered myself 3 watch bands to try and contain this.

Someone please - I need an intervention.
Click to expand...
It’s like some sort of infection. Now I want an iPad Mini 5!
 
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I was considering adding the new mini 5 with my 3rd Gen iPad Pro 12.9" until I found the mini 5 only supports the 1st Gen pencil.
I gave away my 1st Gen pencil with my 1st Gen iPad Pro 12.9", so don't fancy having to buy one again..... especially as I now use the 2nd Gen pencil with my new iPad Pro.
 
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You came to the wrong place to get talked out of getting a Mini 5 ;). I have loved (and still love) all my iPP (9.7, 10.5, 11), but the Mini is a more convenient size at night (in bed) and for holding (I have ASKs for all three iPP). I’m just waiting for a sale then I’m going to get a Mini 5 cellular. Not sure which storage, but even my iPP with a bunch of videos on it has only 51G in use so I can probably easily get away with the 64G version.

You know you’re going to end up with a Mini 5 and a new watch band or two.

The flip side is that you should be able to get Mini 4 at good prices for the grands. I checked the Apple offer on mine and it was $135.
 
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I went from a 9.7 Air to the Mini 4 last year, and I haven’t regretted it for a second. However, I did use it so often that I felt I needed a new one with a faster processor. Lo and behold, the Mini 5 makes its surprise debut last week. I debated between getting the Mini 5 and the new Air (even ordered each), but ultimately decided that I couldn’t handle having the 10.5 and no Mini in my life.

I’m all over the Mini 5. There is no other size that I feel as confident to use as frequently as that size. Now, if they came out with a Mini that has a slightly larger display, I’d be okay with that. 9.7 is a fine size, but just slightly too big for me. 10.5 would be massive IMO. I wouldn’t even want anything larger than that unless it’s for very specific uses.

My wife even said she wouldn’t go larger than 9.7 (she has the 9.7 Pro), so who knows, maybe her next iPad will also be a Mini. It’s a truly underrated iPad, and I’m so glad it received a refresh after all these years.
 
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Beards said:
I was considering adding the new mini 5 with my 3rd Gen iPad Pro 12.9" until I found the mini 5 only supports the 1st Gen pencil.
I gave away my 1st Gen pencil with my 1st Gen iPad Pro 12.9", so don't fancy having to buy one again..... especially as I now use the 2nd Gen pencil with my new iPad Pro.
Click to expand...
Having to keep two different pencils is a factor which will dissuade people from buying both.
 
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Although I see the attraction, without the pencil it is the same as the 4 but with much improved performance. Unless there is a real need to use handwritten or sketch notes, I am wavering, as my refurb 4 bought 12 months ago is still working very well, speed on ios12 is not bad and battery is still excellent ... so this is not as straightforward as I was hoping ;)
 
emembee said:
Although I see the attraction, without the pencil it is the same as the 4 but with much improved performance. Unless there is a real need to use handwritten or sketch notes, I am wavering, as my refurb 4 bought 12 months ago is still working very well, speed on ios12 is not bad and battery is still excellent ... so this is not as straightforward as I was hoping ;)
Click to expand...

That’s roughly the way I see it.
I wanted to use a Mini with the Pencil but seeing as it only supports the 1st generation Pencil there is no way I will get the Mini 5.
I may as well get a cheaper Mini 4 and if I still need a pencil I’d probably look at the Logitech Crayon.
 
LibbyLA said:
You came to the wrong place to get talked out of getting a Mini 5 ;). I have loved (and still love) all my iPP (9.7, 10.5, 11), but the Mini is a more convenient size at night (in bed) and for holding (I have ASKs for all three iPP). I’m just waiting for a sale then I’m going to get a Mini 5 cellular. Not sure which storage, but even my iPP with a bunch of videos on it has only 51G in use so I can probably easily get away with the 64G version.

You know you’re going to end up with a Mini 5 and a new watch band or two.

The flip side is that you should be able to get Mini 4 at good prices for the grands. I checked the Apple offer on mine and it was $135.
Click to expand...

I was mainly considering one for reading in bed. The phone is just too small for actually reading, but I don't want to hold the iPP up when I'm lying down either.

Honestly, I think the mini 4 might work for me for now because of what I want it for. You wanna sell me yours? ;-p
 
I love my IPP 10.5.. but the size of the Mini is just so perfect for reading. My son had an old one that he eventually broke but I really enjoyed how big it wasn’t.

I don’t think I could give up my IPP 10.5 for one but could see buying one .. just no rush.
 
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Avenger said:
Having to keep two different pencils is a factor which will dissuade people from buying both.
Click to expand...

I have a pencil 1 that I bought with my iPP 9.7 and used some with the iPP 10.5. I have a pencil 2 for my iPP 11. For me, two pencils is a feature, not a bug. I will keep the pencil 2 with the iPP 11 and the pencil 1 with the Mini 5.

I can see that it would be a downside for people who have a pencil 2 and don’t already have a pencil 1, though.
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ssledoux said:
I was mainly considering one for reading in bed. The phone is just too small for actually reading, but I don't want to hold the iPP up when I'm lying down either.

Honestly, I think the mini 4 might work for me for now because of what I want it for. You wanna sell me yours? ;-p
Click to expand...

I think we both live in LA (the state, not the city) but I’ve already offered mine to a friend who likes getting my “old” tech. Otherwise, I’d be willing.

You might be able to pick up a used one at not much over what Apple is offering as a trade. My friend like my old stuff because everything has a case, a screen protector installed before I even use it the first time, and a sleeve. I use my things a lot but I’m not especially hard on them.
 
LibbyLA said:
I have a pencil 1 that I bought with my iPP 9.7 and used some with the iPP 10.5. I have a pencil 2 for my iPP 11. For me, two pencils is a feature, not a bug. I will keep the pencil 2 with the iPP 11 and the pencil 1 with the Mini 5.

I can see that it would be a downside for people who have a pencil 2 and don’t already have a pencil 1, though.
[doublepost=1553627584][/doublepost]

I think we both live in LA (the state, not the city) but I’ve already offered mine to a friend who likes getting my “old” tech. Otherwise, I’d be willing.

You might be able to pick up a used one at not much over what Apple is offering as a trade. My friend like my old stuff because everything has a case, a screen protector installed before I even use it the first time, and a sleeve. I use my things a lot but I’m not especially hard on them.
Click to expand...

Same here. My stuff is always protected from day 1!
 
I had a Mini 4 before the iPad 6 (2018) I have now. I really enjoyed how easy it was to hold, it really helped with wrist fatigue. The only reason I got the 6 was my wife cracked the screen on her Mini 4 and offered to buy me the new iPad when she was getting hers. How could I say no?
 
I’ve never had a mini, and I do have 12.9 and 10.5 pros, so I definitely don’t NEED a mini, but have decided to get one, wifi and cellular, 256 storage, space grey. Because, I think it will last a good while and has headphone jack, which I need, and Touch ID which I prefer, and i love the portability of it


When my 10.5 dies I won’t replace that, i’ll Just have 12.9 and the mini, great combination. And I doubt I’ll ever be able to get another 12.9 with headphone jack and Touch ID.

Justifying it because I recently bought an SE instead of the XR, so saved most of the cost of the mini.
 
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