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iPad mini Why iPad Mini?!

For me it was size, the screen, and the faster processor.

This will be more portable (not to mention extremely faster) than my old 3rd gen iPad. And with the faster processor and more memory than the basic iPad, I would think it would get more updates and have a slightly longer useful life.

Plus, I never owned a Mini before and am willing to give the size of it a try. All those factors tipped the scales in the Mini's favor this time around.
 
I absolutely LOVE the size of the mini. The only drawback for me is when I need to use my iPad at a client meeting - I like having a keyboard. The Air 3 gives me that with the ASK. I can’t justify owning both - just not enough usage, but if I could figure out an easy, portable way to have a keyboard with the mini 5, I’d trade my granddaughter my Air 3 for her mini 5 in a heartbeat.
 
lezmace said:
Is there any good keyboard with touchpad for the iPad mini yet?
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Unlikely any good useable keyboard and trackpad combo will show up in that size. All keyboards I came across are way too cramped compared to a full size keyboard.
 
ssledoux said:
I absolutely LOVE the size of the mini. The only drawback for me is when I need to use my iPad at a client meeting - I like having a keyboard. The Air 3 gives me that with the ASK. I can’t justify owning both - just not enough usage, but if I could figure out an easy, portable way to have a keyboard with the mini 5, I’d trade my granddaughter my Air 3 for her mini 5 in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...


Folding Bluetooth Keyboard, Arteck Portable Folding Bluetooth Keyboard Ultra-Slim Mini Wireless Keyboard for iOS Android Windows PC Tablet Smartphone Built in Rechargeable Li-polymer Battery https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015LSEQ28/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_QufNEbDQX9RBR
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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ssledoux said:
I absolutely LOVE the size of the mini. The only drawback for me is when I need to use my iPad at a client meeting - I like having a keyboard. The Air 3 gives me that with the ASK. I can’t justify owning both - just not enough usage, but if I could figure out an easy, portable way to have a keyboard with the mini 5, I’d trade my granddaughter my Air 3 for her mini 5 in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
Brydge 7.9 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad mini (5th Generation)

Brydge 7.9 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad mini 5th Generation - Apple

Apple Store Search Results
store.apple.com
1587304821622.png
 
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ssledoux said:
I absolutely LOVE the size of the mini. The only drawback for me is when I need to use my iPad at a client meeting - I like having a keyboard. The Air 3 gives me that with the ASK. I can’t justify owning both - just not enough usage, but if I could figure out an easy, portable way to have a keyboard with the mini 5, I’d trade my granddaughter my Air 3 for her mini 5 in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

In general I this keyboard looks cool to me in the sense that it seems to be portable enough and yet also big enough. Problem is that to use this you would still have to have some sort of smart folio that can allow you to put the iPad on an angled position. So I am not sure how much this would work for you as it is obviously not a keyboard case.
 
Clix Pix said:
I have a 12.9 iPad Pro (3d generation) and an iPad Mini 5, and both have their purposes. I use the larger iPad when sitting out on my deck in nice weather, and also around the house. The Mini is the one which travels with me around town or out of town, as it fits nicely into purses, bags and pockets. I also take the 12" MacBook on trips as well, and the two devices complement each other very well. The Mini is great for reading in bed, either at home or in a hotel room!
Click to expand...
I also have a mini and a IPP 12. I actually traded in my 10 inch iPP when purchasing the mini as I valued the mini form factor more.

It is a bit of a luxury item and you learn to appreciate the zoom/pinch functions more, but I use the mini for all the uses mentioned in the quoted post, and as an over-glorified, yet weirdly convenient remote for my ATV and UPnP audio when at home.

I can access the majority of the web systems I use for work on the mini, and if necessary, I will also pack either the White Apple Keyboard + Trackpad combo or a laptop (Surface Go or MBA) for multi-night trips. Makes for lighter travel, with most needs covered.
 
secretk said:
In general I this keyboard looks cool to me in the sense that it seems to be portable enough and yet also big enough. Problem is that to use this you would still have to have some sort of smart folio that can allow you to put the iPad on an angled position. So I am not sure how much this would work for you as it is obviously not a keyboard case.
Click to expand...

Oh I LOVE that - looks so much like the ASK, which I love! Looks like they have something that fits it that you can stand your phone in, but IDK if you could put a mini in that. I’d love to be able to have it on something and use it with the keyboard, but then just grab it for when I want to sit and play games or read, and not have to have all the extra bulk attached.
 
ssledoux said:
Oh I LOVE that - looks so much like the ASK, which I love! Looks like they have something that fits it that you can stand your phone in, but IDK if you could put a mini in that. I’d love to be able to have it on something and use it with the keyboard, but then just grab it for when I want to sit and play games or read, and not have to have all the extra bulk attached.
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I get what you mean. There is Logitech keyboard that has slot for phones/tablets but it is not that portable and it was an old model and I am not sure if they still sell it. Let me try to find it. Is this one -> https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?crid=1221. I have seen it life. You can definitely fit in there iPad Mini (in both portrait or landscape mode) but it is not that portable. This is more of a solution for sort of desktop if you get what I mean.
 
secretk said:
I get what you mean. There is Logitech keyboard that has slot for phones/tablets but it is not that portable and it was an old model and I am not sure if they still sell it. Let me try to find it. Is this one -> https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?crid=1221. I have seen it life. You can definitely fit in there iPad Mini (in both portrait or landscape mode) but it is not that portable. This is more of a solution for sort of desktop if you get what I mean.
Click to expand...

Actually the Apple site has the flat Logitech one posted above, and it looks like it comes with something that will hold the iPad in place.
 
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ssledoux said:
Actually the Apple site has the flat Logitech one posted above, and it looks like it comes with something that will hold the iPad in place.
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Oh if it comes with this then this looks quite good actually. Worth checking IMO. I mean you decide but I i have to admit that I like the design - seems good size in terms of typing experience but also portable enough.
 
secretk said:
Oh if it comes with this then this looks quite good actually. Worth checking IMO. I mean you decide but I i have to admit that I like the design - seems good size in terms of typing experience but also portable enough.
Click to expand...

I agree! And honestly, it’s rare I would need to take it from my house with that - I like that I could use it at a desk when I needed to type a lot (like here on the forums and stuff like that), but grab it up to use in my lap without all the bulk.
 
ssledoux said:
I agree! And honestly, it’s rare I would need to take it from my house with that - I like that I could use it at a desk when I needed to type a lot (like here on the forums and stuff like that), but grab it up to use in my lap without all the bulk.
Click to expand...

Yep, pretty much and the price is not that high. I mean considering you know Apple keyboards this is an acceptable price. When it comes to mini (but also IMO for the 9.7 inch iPads) a keyboard case is not a good option. The keyboard is not big enough to allow you good typing experience. This Logitech one is a bit bigger (similar to say 13/14 inch laptops) and allows you better typing experience and is not super heavy. Plus let's be honest you would not want to carry on the mini outside with you for the typing experience.
 
secretk said:
Yep, pretty much and the price is not that high. I mean considering you know Apple keyboards this is an acceptable price. When it comes to mini (but also IMO for the 9.7 inch iPads) a keyboard case is not a good option. The keyboard is not big enough to allow you good typing experience. This Logitech one is a bit bigger (similar to say 13/14 inch laptops) and allows you better typing experience and is not super heavy. Plus let's be honest you would not want to carry on the mini outside with you for the typing experience.
Click to expand...

I completely agree about the keyboard case experience for the 9.7” one. It’s just not good enough to be used as a case. That’s why I bought a small external keyboard that I used to type on if I needed. Hardly use that anymore to be honest.
 
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Honestly, when I was using my 6th gen between pros, I used a $13 bluetooth keyboard from Amazon with a stand that I really like (gave the iPad some height on the desk). I’d do that again if it weren’t for needing it to be portable on occasion.
 
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ssledoux said:
Has anyone ever used this? How difficult to type on it?
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I have it and it’s so good that you can type virtually as fast as a full size keyboard. I can type faster on this than on the 9.7 Apple Smart Keyboard. Lots of travel and great key feel.. But it makes your iPad almost as heavy as an iPad 9.7/10.5 with a Smart Keyboard....
 
Digitalguy said:
I have it and it’s so good that you can type virtually as fast as a full size keyboard. I can type faster on this than on the 9.7 Apple Smart Keyboard. Lots of travel and great key feel.. But it makes your iPad almost as heavy as an iPad 9.7/10.5 with a Smart Keyboard....
Click to expand...

Dang that’s awesome. So it’s something that’s gonna stay attached?
 
Digitalguy said:
yes, but it's easy to detach. It's slightly heavier than the iPad Mini itself but you can adjust it to virtually any angle. And it's backlit.
Click to expand...

Okay but what I can’t tell by the picture is whether it completely detaches, or if a case stays on the back, or what.

Looking at it on the Apple site it looks like it just slips into the little “clips.” That might work well for me because when I DO need to take the mini somewhere, it would be attached and could fold over like a little laptop, but at home I could just slip it in and out of the keyboard.

Dang - can’t decide whether I think I’d like that or the little thin, flat one, but I think one of these could seal the deal for trading iPads with my granddaughter and having her mini 5. ;-p
 
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