Deals: Apple's iPad Mini 6 Available for Best-Ever Price of $399.99 on Amazon

[BipedalOS]

Nice price. Wish I could afford it this year.

 

[imola.zhp]

Dang, would have picked up a black one for my better half, only starlight available now without LTE.

 

[jaydisc]

I don’t think I’ve ever been more angered with an Apple purchase. I’ve always loved the Mini form factor. Had the first. Eagerly bought the six a few months after release, only to be informed by Apple a couple months later, that this BRAND NEW DEVICE would not support the features in the operating system expected to be released in three months. Eff that. That’s the last iPad I’m ever buying.

 

[mac98aop]

That sounds like the perfect addition to your set up. Cheers!

Ok, thanks again.
You’ve seriously got me pondering!
I’m a little miffed as the recent price hike since the new iPad 10 launched makes it an less attractive punt. All refurb options have increased by the same percentage!

But, I’m sorely tempted. And freeform app especially, plus sidecar, really appeals.

I’ll keep you posted and many thanks again for such a decent and detailed couple of posts.

Happy Christmas!
Adam

Ok, so you convinced me albeit I went refurb on eBay from a guy with warranty remaining. I’ll keep you posted but pretty excited for sure!

 

[lazyrighteye]

Ok, so you convinced me albeit I went refurb on eBay from a guy with warranty remaining. I’ll keep you posted but pretty excited for sure!

Oh nice! Interested to learn how it fits into your workflow, or not. Have fun.

 

[mac98aop]

There is nothing quite like a lamy/moleskine pairing. Thus, if you go in expecting iPad mini 6 and Pencil 2 will be that, you may walk away disappointed. Btu if you can go in, open to evolving that experience, you may walk away surprised. I sure was.

What drove my purchase was a deep curiosity. Could an iPad mini 6 + Pencil 2 replace the piles of Field Notes, notebooks, napkins, random scrap pieces of paper, and the organizational mess that yielded? I was stunned both at how easily it did and what digitizing that part of my workflow afforded (better organization, search, sharing, undo, copy/paste, different brushes, infinite color palettes, etc.). For me, it has been a complete game changer, enhancing my workflow more than anticipated. Very used to it. Plus, if I ever want, I can break out. sweet pencil and sketch book and go to town - but I find I'm doing that less.

There are third parties, like PenTips, that offer iPad screen covers that allegedly feel more like paper when you drag your Pencil across them. Not one to cover my screen with additional films, I'm more interested in their Pen Tips. They have either nubs that slip over your existing Pencil tip or complete Pencil tip replacements that apparently offer similar feedback as the screen protectors.

Finally, it's worth noting that Notes is a fantastically capable note-taking/sketching app. Next to Messages, Mail and Safari, it's probably the iOS app I leverage most. Makes me pretty curious about Freeform. That said, for $10, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more robust iPad creation tool than the aptly named Procreate. Highly recommended.

Good luck. Please post your thoughts should you head down that path. I'd be curious to hear what you think - and I'm sure I'm not alone. Cheers.

As requested, updating you since I took the plunge!
It’s a great device albeit I still constantly flip flop between whether pen/paper is more my style!
I did get a paper like protector and find that much nicer to use and really enjoying Good Notes and ProCreate for my workflow and fun.
The jelly scroll is noticeable and a shame, but I can live with it as a compromise.
And all wrapped in a Smart Folio and it’s a very nice size and weight to carry hold and use. Thanks again for your encouragement!

 

[lazyrighteye]

As requested, updating you since I took the plunge!
It’s a great device albeit I still constantly flip flop between whether pen/paper is more my style!
I did get a paper like protector and find that much nicer to use and really enjoying Good Notes and ProCreate for my workflow and fun.
The jelly scroll is noticeable and a shame, but I can live with it as a compromise.
And all wrapped in a Smart Folio and it’s a very nice size and weight to carry hold and use. Thanks again for your encouragement!

Oh wow... LOVE the follow up @mac98aop!

I totally understand said flip flopping. Heading in, my thinking was so binary in that regard. So it was refreshing to realize, what seems obvious in hindsight, that it didn't have to be a one or the other approach but that it could actually be a one and the other approach. Both could co-exist. There are times when pen/pencil + paper are preferred. Just as there are times when Pencil + iPad work best. That said, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to adjust to digitizing that part of my workflow and the capabilities it unlocked.

I too have been eyeing both Paperlike and PenTips 2, and like the idea (at least) of the tip over the screen protector - mainly because I have never been a film-on-my-screens kind of guy. IDK, sticking things to my screens makes me think A) air bubbles, B) residue and C) duller image quality - neither of which get me excited. So I'm more likely to try PenTips 2 (I like the actual tip replacement vs. just a tip cover).

It's been a while since I tried Good Notes and never does so on an iPad. May have to revisit.

Yeah... Jelly scroll... It's a thing. For me, though, it remains a complete non-issue as (apparently) I very rarely read paragraphs of copy in vertical orientation. Of course, I'd rather there be no jelly roll effect, but it is there. Just gives me reason to consider an upgrade should they remedy via a display update.

Yeah... The size, weight and overall form factor (build quality) are some of my favorite aspects of the mini 6. The Smart Folio, Pencil 2 magnetic attachment/charging - it's a pretty tight, capable, scenario.

Congrats on taking the plunge. Knowing what you now know, would you do it again? 😉

 

[imola.zhp]

I've found a lightly used 256gb mini locally with apple pencil 2, paper-like protector installed and smart folio for $450 (no tax). I think I'm going to take the plunge. Seller says he picked it up in October of 2022.

 

[mac98aop]

I've found a lightly used 256gb mini locally with apple pencil 2, paper-like protector installed and smart folio for $450 (no tax). I think I'm going to take the plunge. Seller says he picked it up in October of 2022.

I did the same and given the recent new price hike, that’s a bargain and worth a punt as still under warranty so if you don’t like you’ll likely resell for similar.

 

[mac98aop]

Oh wow... LOVE the follow up @mac98aop!

I totally understand said flip flopping. Heading in, my thinking was so binary in that regard. So it was refreshing to realize, what seems obvious in hindsight, that it didn't have to be a one or the other approach but that it could actually be a one and the other approach. Both could co-exist. There are times when pen/pencil + paper are preferred. Just as there are times when Pencil + iPad work best. That said, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to adjust to digitizing that part of my workflow and the capabilities it unlocked.

I too have been eyeing both Paperlike and PenTips 2, and like the idea (at least) of the tip over the screen protector - mainly because I have never been a film-on-my-screens kind of guy. IDK, sticking things to my screens makes me think A) air bubbles, B) residue and C) duller image quality - neither of which get me excited. So I'm more likely to try PenTips 2 (I like the actual tip replacement vs. just a tip cover).

It's been a while since I tried Good Notes and never does so on an iPad. May have to revisit.

Yeah... Jelly scroll... It's a thing. For me, though, it remains a complete non-issue as (apparently) I very rarely read paragraphs of copy in vertical orientation. Of course, I'd rather there be no jelly roll effect, but it is there. Just gives me reason to consider an upgrade should they remedy via a display update.

Yeah... The size, weight and overall form factor (build quality) are some of my favorite aspects of the mini 6. The Smart Folio, Pencil 2 magnetic attachment/charging - it's a pretty tight, capable, scenario.

Congrats on taking the plunge. Knowing what you now know, would you do it again? 😉

I think so!?
I think the recent price hike for new makes it trickier but I bought used.
The screen protector defo makes it a fraction less sharp/bright/saturated. Which is less ideal for movies, but I hardly use it for content and much prefer it with matte screen protector for general reading and note taking/pro create.

Good Notes is a joy to use on iPad in that form factor.

And yes, it’s not either or but both and I’m enjoying the new world that iPad and pencil introduces me too, especially digital art (I’m a total art beginner) but using countless tutorials online and knowing it’s that bit easier than getting out the paints and easel, am really enjoying the flexible fun.

But I’m old school and still prefer the tactile feel, smell, sound and interaction of fountain pen and moleskine, but it’s not that I’ve binned them. They serve other uses now. I just fear the replacement price of iPad and pencil in a few years time!

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions and comments!

 

[imola.zhp]

I did the same and given the recent new price hike, that’s a bargain and worth a punt as still under warranty so if you don’t like you’ll likely resell for similar.

Picked it up Thursday evening, I really like it. Trying to go paperless at work, I really like this paper-like screen cover.

 

[mac98aop]

Picked it up Thursday evening, I really like it. Trying to go paperless at work, I really like this paper-like screen cover.

Well done and congrats! I think depending on usage the paper screen protectors are a game changer. I really don’t enjoy writing and drawing on glass but really enjoy it through said cover. It almost feels like pen and paper, with some lovely additions being digital. If nothing else it helps my handwriting become legible again!
And it really makes sketching and painting fun and tactile.

Enjoy!