Do you think we'll see a Mini 5 w/ Pencil support?

[Chupa Chupa]

Now that the 9.7" has been updated next up is the Mini and the 13" Pro -- maybe this fall. The mini has become somewhat of a stepchild with really weak updates the last two rounds. A mini with pencil support would make for a great note taking device for those who don't like to type or don't trust their typing. Do you think Apple will integrate support in the mini this fall? If so do you think they'll jack up the price $100 like the 9.7"? Or do you think the iPad mini is going to get the same treatment as the Mac mini?

 

[OllyW]

If the 9.7" Pro is a bigger seller than the iPad Air 2 I think they would be silly not to add pencil support to the Mini, update the specs and charge a bit extra for it.

If it doesn't outsell the Air 2 then I'm not sure if the Mini will get the Pro treatment. It all depends on whether the customers think the price increase is justified.

 

[profets]

I'm starting to think that perhaps next year we'll see a 7.9" iPad Pro. Feel like they're almost trying to build a family of iPad Pros, but will keep an iPad Air and mini at lower price points with less features.

 

[azentropy]

My gut tells me we won't see it for at least one more generation.

 

[lax28]

its just as likely that the "air" could get dropped, if they do that in the laptop line in the future and just have MacBooks and macbook pros....we may see iPads and iPad pros...ipads being the 7.9 and and 9.7 and pros 9.7 and 12.9. Not sure the "air" line is on the way out just yet, but even if not they may just drop mini and go iPad, iPad air and iPad pro like the current laptop lineup to unify the products name in the respective line....just my 2 cents

 

[MartyCan]

They'll need something new for the whiners to cry about so probably yes. I bet it has a protruding lens too! LOL

 

[masotime]

Why not? It's just a matter of "when" if you ask me.

EDIT: OK if you mean the immediate next generation iPad mini 5? Well, if it comes 2 years later, it's a good chance heh....

 

[ZBoater]

I'd buy one. A mini with pencil support? Sweet.

 

[subjonas]

Some days I think it's an obvious next step to bring uniformity to the entire iPad line. Other days I think Apple wants the Mini to stay a strictly casual device with no "pro" features at all and at the lowest entry point possible for iPad.

I honestly couldn't make a bet if I had to. I think there's a chance though, which is why, even though I'm heavily considering getting a Mini, I'm holding off until the fall to see if it gets Pencil support. I do think if it's going to happen any time soon, it will likely happen this coming generation. I don't see a reason why they would wait, if they have in mind to do it at all. If it doesn't make it in this time, I think it will take another big shake up in the iPad line to finally get it.

 

[TheRealAlex]

Now that the 9.7" has been updated next up is the Mini and the 13" Pro -- maybe this fall. The mini has become somewhat of a stepchild with really weak updates the last two rounds. A mini with pencil support would make for a great note taking device for those who don't like to type or don't trust their typing. Do you think Apple will integrate support in the mini this fall? If so do you think they'll jack up the price $100 like the 9.7"? Or do you think the iPad mini is going to get the same treatment as the Mac mini?

The PRO label is all about top level features and performance. The Mini is about Compromise and it's the one you buy for the kids.

Also you need an X level CPU because it's a PRO device It is unlikely the Mini size can provide enough battery to accommodate an X level CPU.

 

[Kal-037]

I honestly don't care either way because I use the 12.9" for the size. Sure for small quick sketches the mini would be nice but in practical use as an artist, i'd probably pass on it. But I bet Apple will release one in a year or two.


Kallum.

 

[Abazigal]

The PRO label is all about top level features and performance. The Mini is about Compromise and it's the one you buy for the kids.

Also you need an X level CPU because it's a PRO device It is unlikely the Mini size can provide enough battery to accommodate an X level CPU.

I think it's more that the iPad mini is being marketed as the budget offering and so has comparatively weaker specs. 2 gb ram and A8 processor suffices for the majority of apps, and allows for smooth split-scene and PIP. Do you really need an A9x processor to complement the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard? Apps might load a tad faster, but unless you are constantly running processor-intensive tasks such as exporting video on your iPad, you will probably only feel the difference when the next iOS update rolls out.

I do agree that there likely won't be enough space to fit in the stereo speakers. But otherwise, what features can only be done on the A9x processor?

 

[bensisko]

The Mini is about Compromise and it's the one you buy for the kids.

I disagree. From a personal perspective, I don't see many parents buying a new mini for the kids - I've seen the kids get either the parents hand me down, or a used couple generation, either way it's a 9.7" (though I'm sure some parents do look to the mini for kids).

I won't argue that the mini is "budget friendly", I think it serves a different need than just 'cheap' - and that's a pocketable, portable iPad. For me it's the 'take everywhere' iPad and it certainly would benefit from a stylus!

 

[thadoggfather]

Would it get a smart keyboard too you think?

Pencil, maybe. I think they'll milk one more gen without to secure margins

 

[jschu22]

I'd also add that the last mini update, was a very good one and arguably had the best iPad screen to date when it was released.

 

[bensisko]

I'

I'd also add that the last mini update, was a very good one and arguably had the best iPad screen to date when it was released.

i'd agree, though it attracts finger smudges like there's no tomorrow!

Personally, I don't care if it's a "Pro" or not - I just want the stylus!

 

[ozaz]

I've been wanting a native stylus for iPad since the iPad 1 for digital note talking. I switched to mini as my preferred iPad size a couple of years ago so I'm still waiting.

But I'm also a Windows PC user, and the recent plethora of laptop/tablet hybrid devices with stylus support has pretty much satisfied my needs. It's also more useful for me to have the stylus support on my main mobile productivity device (hybrid laptop) than on my companion/casual-use device (the iPad).

So whilst i'd still like to see the iPad mini gain Apple pencil support, it's going to be a far less compelling reason for me to upgrade than it would have been a couple of years ago.

 

[sactownbwoy]

I honestly don't care either way because I use the 12.9" for the size. Sure for small quick sketches the mini would be nice but in practical use as an artist, i'd probably pass on it. But I bet Apple will release one in a year or two.


Kallum.

For those of us that aren't artists or care about drawing a mini pro would be nice. I'm a Marine and I carry around a notepad that is about the size of the mini for taking notes during meetings and other stuff. A mini pro would be perfect for me and those that could use it. Why does everyone go to drawing as the only use for the Apple pencil? There are so many other uses and the larger iPads don't fit into those usage needs for everyone.

 

[Abazigal]

Would it get a smart keyboard too you think?

Pencil, maybe. I think they'll milk one more gen without to secure margins

I don't see a Smart Keyboard working for the iPad mini size. It's going to be too cramped to type. Not saying Apple won't release one, but I don't think it will be a good idea.

 

[spiderman0616]

I hope so. After using the Apple Pencil for the last couple of months, I hope every iPad owner of every available form factor can take advantage of it eventually. It is by far the coolest peripheral I've ever bought, and it goes with me any time I take my iPad anywhere.

I think there is a huge market out there for people with smaller iPads using them in conjunction with the Pencil as a portable notepad. In fact, I would consider owning a mini again just for that purpose.

 

[sracer]

I said that Pencil would come to the 9.7 form-factor when most said that it would remain exclusive to the 12.9 Pro. I'm saying now, that Pencil support is coming to the 7.9 form-factor, soon. Don't ask me why.

 

[Michael Goff]

I said that Pencil would come to the 9.7 form-factor when most said that it would remain exclusive to the 12.9 Pro. I'm saying now, that Pencil support is coming to the 7.9 form-factor, soon. Don't ask me why.

The only question is this or next. And that's something only Apple can answer.

 

[sracer]

The only question is this or next. And that's something only Apple can answer.

Maybe for YOU the only question is this or next. (others wonder if it will come at all). It'll be the next generation of of 7.9 form-factor beyond the mini 4.

 

[cast128]

I would also love an iPad mini with pencil support. I'm a physician and the mini is my daily go to iPad because it is light and fits in my suit coat / white coat. It is without a doubt the tool that has improved my practice in regards to safety and effiency. In the hospital, I get alerted when patients' labs come back with abnormal results and when CT/MRI's have been read by the radiologist. I often use it with patients to show them anatomical pictures or when describing an upcoming procedure. I even receive warnings about negative medication interactions when new drugs are added, and get priority alerts when lab, imaging, or a patient conditions are especially worrisome and require prompt action.
Obviously, I'm not a 5 year old playing games on this. It is a professional tool for most of the day. I got an iPad mini even though I hated the original display because of its size. The "iPad mini 2" as they now call it was a huge upgrade for once Gave it the same performance as the larger iPads. Since then, it has been neglected which is a shame. The iPad mini 3 was a complete joke and even the most recent iPad mini 4 should have received a A9 instead of a year old A8 processor. The extra power and ram makes a huge difference at the speed I am able to scroll through imaging.
I'm hoping they will recognize that many people use iPad mini's as a professional tool (especially in the medical field). I bought a 9.7" iPad Pro mainly because of the pencil support, but I have only been using it occasionally because it's just a little to big. I don't like to set it down every time I go into a hospital room instead of just slipping it into my pocket and still use the mini about 50%-60% of the time. Here's hoping for a more significant upgrade later this year, but my expectations are pretty low at this point.

 

[joeblow7777]

The PRO label is all about top level features and performance. The Mini is about Compromise and it's the one you buy for the kids.

Why would you think that? The Mini 4 is a full featured iPad almost on par with the Air 2 (and priced the same). It lacks the features of the Pro simply because he came out earlier, and yes, for the time being some sacrifices in raw power probably have to be made due to the smaller form. But I won't be surprised if we see a Mini with Pencil support.