I still remember when Apple released the first iPad mini. Before I got my hands on one, I thought to myself, “Why don’t you just use your phone?”
The first time I tried it, I understood. It was easy to type and fit in one hand, two things I can’t say about its full-sized brother, but it has more screen space than the phone.
Now the all-new iPad mini is already on sale, so you can hold all that power in the palm of your hand for a little while.
Amazon
This new generation of compact tablet features Apple Intelligence, the A17 Pro chip and 128GB memory, double the standard base standard.
$450 on Amazon
Why is this a good thing? 💰
A $49 discount may seem small, but whatever A discount on a new Apple device is important, especially when it comes to iPads, which often hold their value. Priced at $450, this iPad mini with 128GB of memory has never been cheaper.
Why do I need this? 🤔
Think this is just a bigger version of your phone? Think again. With a 3:2 aspect ratio compared to the iPhone’s 2:1, the iPad mini is very large and, for those who use their tablets to read, can fit more text and feels more like a book or magazine in your hand. Speaking of fitting in your hand, it’s less bulky than the full-size iPad, making it perfect for traveling or slipping into your travel bag.
As far as features go, the iPad mini is packed. It’s powered by the A17 Bionic chip, so you should see zero lag (which I can’t say for my Kindle). It also has a 12-megapixel camera on the front and back, and also, with its small size, you won’t look funny holding it up to take a picture. The optional (but highly recommended) Apple Pencil Pro can turn this tablet into a professional studio, whether it’s for your photography or digital studio.
This is also the first time that the iPad mini will have Apple Intelligence. What is Apple Intelligence, you ask? It’s Apple’s way of making your device more useful and unique. It learns from your habits and preferences to suggest things like meeting reminders, suggest photos from real events or even suggest text messages as you write, making things go smoother and faster.
Combined with the optional Apple Pencil, the iPad mini becomes a powerful home for the art studio. (Amazon)
What the researchers say 💬
Since this iPad is new, it only has a few ratings on Amazon so far, most of them five-star. Not surprisingly, the previous-generation iPad mini received several five-star ratings – close to ten, in fact, from sellers who say it’s “a compact powerhouse.”
Good for 👍
Portability seems to be one of the main draws, including this five-star reviewer. “I use my iPad to read, stream movies/TV shows, as an organizer, as a color book and sketchbook, and to surf the internet. I also bought an Apple Pencil, second generation, and I bought a Paperlike screen protector – it’s useful. I write easily and smoothly on it. It’s good to take any where and fits in most of my purses.
“I’m coming from a iPad mini 5th generation and wow it’s a huge step up,” said one happy customer. “Very fast. Great feel, quality and awesome camera. Picture quality is unreal. Very portable even with a case on it. Great storage. I have 30GB free even after the new iOS install.”
“I was looking for something to take quick notes at work, edit PDFs for simple things at work and at home, and I was sick of reading on my phone,” shared the final five-star customer. “We have an iPad Pro 10-inch and the new 10th generation Air, and neither of them seem to do better than I do, but the main thing about it that is great for me is that it is small and light, superior. It is easy to carry around, it does not add much weight to my bag.”
Cons 👎
“I will say, the battery life is low, especially compared to my old iPad Pro,” warned one customer. “The 2021 iPad Mini and 2022 iPad Air I have don’t have the best battery life, but they charge quickly with the included USB-C charger. I suspect the new models won’t charge for long. But when I travel, I bring a portable Anker battery, just in case.”
Some users miss the home button, which Apple no longer includes on the iPad mini. “You have to throw things off the screen,” said this user. “If you want that, it might work for you. I don’t. It takes some getting used to, and I don’t think I ever will.”
Amazon
With a 3:2 screen ratio, the iPad mini feels more like a book in your hand than your iPhone.
$450 on Amazon
If you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping, of course. Not a member yet? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews mentioned above reflect the latest versions at the time of publication.
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