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

[John.B.Sirius]

You’re not alone. I have

iPad mini 4 (to be disposed soon)
iPad mini 5 LTE (car GPS fixture)
iPad mini 5 LTE (portable iPad)
iPad Pro 9.7”
iPad Pro 11”
iPad Pro 12.9”

And like I tell my bewildered friends, "a dedicated iPad for each bathroom of the house!"

I really wanted to use the Mini 2 and another iOS device as a video intercom between the house and detached workshop, but couldn't find a reliable, instant-on solution, as my devices would eventually crash even if left plugged in to a 12W adapter...

Since the LTE iPads have GPS radios... do they connect to the satellites and allow you to use Maps to navigate WITHOUT a full-time data plan? I presumed yes for my retired iPhones, but they insisted I connect to a cell or WiFi network in order to navigate via GPS. Anyway, moot point for me since I found a good deal on a Pioneer CarPlay receiver for the 4Runner...

 

[masotime]

Since the LTE iPads have GPS radios... do they connect to the satellites and allow you to use Maps to navigate WITHOUT a full-time data plan? I presumed yes for my retired iPhones, but they insisted I connect to a cell or WiFi network in order to navigate via GPS. Anyway, moot point for me since I found a good deal on a Pioneer CarPlay receiver for the 4Runner...

While on road trips, it's not uncommon to be outside of cellular data range - I make it a point to download offline maps in Google Maps so having available maps is rarely an issue - you just have to keep them up to date, and with GPS support it acts really well - more so than dedicated GPS devices because searching for a destination using Google Map's database is a very smooth experience, even offline.

With cellular data, I often switch the view to satellite view to check for places to park / parking lots - this is an under-appreciated functionality I think.

 

[geekiemac]

You’re not alone. I have

iPad mini 4 (to be disposed soon)
iPad mini 5 LTE (car GPS fixture)
iPad mini 5 LTE (portable iPad)
iPad Pro 9.7”
iPad Pro 11”
iPad Pro 12.9”

Wow, and I felt "guilty" of having treated myself to two iPads! The Air 2019, because I wanted something bigger and better than my Air 2 (which will go to my sister). The mini, well... because of this topic and I like the idea of having a small, "carry-on" device on small trips where taking the iPad Air does not make sense.
Got both devices delivered yesterday.
I started using the new Air at work today and I'm already in love with the Pencil.
I still have to figure out the iPad mini, though. I guess its real test will be when I go on a short trip. In the meantime, I've offloaded onto it all the games I carry on my 64-gig iPhone X, as well as tons of e-books. I guess this mini will be great as a portable playing device and e-reader.
Battery life is great, too! on both iPads. Especially on the Air.

 

[JXulo]

Because they are simply awesome, and by far the best size/form factor! Shrink an 11” pro down to this size and keep all the pixels!

I will buy it in a heartbeat and sell my 10.5’ Pro.

 

[John.B.Sirius]

I still have to figure out the iPad mini, though. I guess its real test will be when I go on a short trip. In the meantime, I've offloaded onto it all the games I carry on my 64-gig iPhone X, as well as tons of e-books. I guess this mini will be great as a portable playing device and e-reader.
Battery life is great, too! on both iPads. Especially on the Air.

I figured out the Mini years ago after getting one for my wife: we have two very active toddlers and we alternate being part-time stay-at-home parents. I’d much rather expose the less expensive and less critical Mini than my lifeline(literally, no landline) iPhone to the daily tours in the Battle of the Babies. I noticed my wife hardly touches her phone while she’s at Home.
Between the Apple Watch and now a pocketable iPad, I don’t think I’ll need to use my phone often at all. Plus, I’ve been trying to teach my oldest how to write and a stylus on an Air 2 was frustrating for her so we’ll see how the Logitech Crayon and Mini 5 fare.

I’ve only ever bought WiFi iPads, and I second guessed my decision to get a non-LTE Pro 11”.... But now I’m seriously debating exchanging the Mini 5 for an LTE model. Tethering is fine, but sometimes getting more than 1 device to connect via iPhone hotspot can be tricky while on the road. If I had an LTE iPad Mini, that could seriously save my phone battery as well....

 

[geekiemac]

I’ve only ever bought WiFi iPads, and I second guessed my decision to get a non-LTE Pro 11”.... But now I’m seriously debating exchanging the Mini 5 for an LTE model. Tethering is fine, but sometimes getting more than 1 device to connect via iPhone hotspot can be tricky while on the road. If I had an LTE iPad Mini, that could seriously save my phone battery as well....

I had a LTE iPad once, that was a long time ago. My first iPad actually was an iPad 2 LTE. I almost never used the LTE part. I think I'll be OK with tethering as most of my usage on either iPads is offline (I use my iPad a lot when traveling by plane).

 

[Fenhalls]

I figured out the Mini years ago after getting one for my wife: we have two very active toddlers

There are inactive toddlers?

 

[John.B.Sirius]

There are inactive toddlers?

Hahaha yeah it’s redundant isn’t it? My wife and I used to rock climb a lot and while she was pregnant with our with our daughter, until the Doc said it was no longer safe. At 7 months of age our daughter could do a pull-up on the edge of my desk, from extended arms to chin above fists -proper. Bear in mind she couldn’t walk yet... Our youngest is a sweetie though and may be the exception. He’s the kind of guy that just wants to plop down and read a book. I hope he toughens up if only to survive his sister hahaha. He’s the lover, she’s the fighter...

 

[Fenhalls]

Hahaha yeah it’s redundant isn’t it? My wife and I used to rock climb a lot and while she was pregnant with our with our daughter, until the Doc said it was no longer safe. At 7 months of age our daughter could do a pull-up on the edge of my desk, from extended arms to chin above fists -proper. Bear in mind she couldn’t walk yet... Our youngest is a sweetie though and may be the exception. He’s the kind of guy that just wants to plop down and read a book. I hope he toughens up if only to survive his sister hahaha. He’s the lover, she’s the fighter...

They once did an experiment: Olympic athlete vs. toddler. The latter wore out the former in nothing flat. True story.

Your son sounds like a dreamer/thinker. Don't knock it. He might be the next Dylan or Aristotle.