iPad Does anyone own both the 11" iPad Pro and the iPad Mini? Is it worth it?

[atownguy]

I'm thinking about getting the Mini mostly to use as an e-reader and thinking I could use it for general media consumption as well, but I already own an 11" iPP as my main computer. Wondering if it's ridiculously redundant to own both. Technically I could read on my Pro as well (even if it's not as comfortable) and seeing as it's currently my main computing device, I already do all my media consumption on my Pro. I feel like the Mini/Pro combo is easier to justify with the larger 12.9" Pro. Maybe I should mention that I own an iPhone X as well...

Just looking to get some thoughts on whether the 11"/Mini combo is worth it from anyone that has them both. How do you use them?

 

[weeesss]

I have been debating the same thing for weeks now. I have the 11" but also have a Surface Pro 6. My Surface is used most often and the Pro is used for media in my bedroom. For me, the Mini would allow me to stop using my phone for games and texts while at home, as even though I have the XR, I always find myself zooming in. I debated too long and missed the sale from a few weeks ago, but think I will jump on it if another sale comes soon.

 

[rui no onna]

Boils down to personal preference. This is one of those things you won't really know how well you like the setup until you try it.

Personally, nowadays I find the Mini too small as an iPad, and too big and heavy as a one-handed ereader (I prefer 200g or lighter).

 

[0128672]

I think it will feel redundant to have both. I had the mini with a Zagg rugged book keyboard case (which I used daily for a year) alongside a 12.9 for a couple of weeks, and didn't reach for the mini once. My eyes wanted all that gorgeous space on the 12.9 for reading and everything else, so I sold the mini. It's a great little rig but would be an expensive e-reader. I would guess too you would find yourself preferring the 11's pro advantages for media consumption.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'm thinking about getting the Mini mostly to use as an e-reader and thinking I could use it for general media consumption as well, but I already own an 11" iPP as my main computer. Wondering if it's ridiculously redundant to own both. Technically I could read on my Pro as well (even if it's not as comfortable) and seeing as it's currently my main computing device, I already do all my media consumption on my Pro. I feel like the Mini/Pro combo is easier to justify with the larger 12.9" Pro. Maybe I should mention that I own an iPhone X as well...

Just looking to get some thoughts on whether the 11"/Mini combo is worth it from anyone that has them both. How do you use them?

Buy the iPad mini. If you dont like it after a few days, return it before the 14-day return period ends.

 

[aZZaneko]

For e-books and articles an e-ink reader like Kindle or Kobo would be cheaper, lighter, more comfortable to hold, much easier on the eyes, readable under the direct sunlight and distraction-free. For web reading and PDF you wouldn’t want a screen much smaller than 11” anyway.

I do own a Mini and, as loved as it used to be, I hardly find any use for it nowadays. My kindle is a way better e-reader, my iPhone Max has the same size for video and a way better screen, both devices are way more portable too. And about everything else is just better on a bigger screen.

 

[dazz87]

Yes, i came from a mini 4 and it’s worth it. Im starting to use the 11” in portrait mode more than landscape. Just love the way the 11” feels in my hand.....Kinda has that small form factor. And then you throw the speakers and 120hz........SOLD.

 

[sracer]

I'm thinking about getting the Mini mostly to use as an e-reader and thinking I could use it for general media consumption as well, but I already own an 11" iPP as my main computer. Wondering if it's ridiculously redundant to own both. Technically I could read on my Pro as well (even if it's not as comfortable) and seeing as it's currently my main computing device, I already do all my media consumption on my Pro. I feel like the Mini/Pro combo is easier to justify with the larger 12.9" Pro. Maybe I should mention that I own an iPhone X as well...

Just looking to get some thoughts on whether the 11"/Mini combo is worth it from anyone that has them both. How do you use them?

Back when I owned a 12.9 iPad Pro and it was my main mobile device, I took it everywhere and tried to use it everywhere. But it became quickly evident, that it isn't great in some situations... particularly air travel. I picked up a Mini 4 to complement the larger Pro. It turned out to be far more useful that I originally thought. And even though that 12.9 Pro is long gone and the 9.7 iPad 6th gen is my main tablet, I still use the Mini 4 extensively.

I picked up a Zagg keyboard case for it that I use on occasion and it is quite the little netbook when I need it to be. So much so, that I'm seriously considering upgrading to the largest capacity Mini 5. (since they have identical bodies, I can continue to use the keyboard cover)

I have applied a high quality matte screen protector which is a dramatic improvement (wrt screen glare and fingerprint smudges) that it makes it quite enjoyable to use as an ereader.

But that's me.

 

[TravelsInBlue]

Yeah I have this setup.

To be honest, I use the mini more than the pro, since IMO it’s a better form factor for reading and browsing.

I initially used my pro more when studying for cert exams since you can multitask and type with the keyboard, but it was a PITA compared to a MacBook so I ended up just using that.

 

[Biscotti]

I have both the 11" and the Mini 5. I actually love using the iPad mini in bed (which is where is usually stays) for reading ebooks, and video at night.

The iPP stays outside the bedroom usually, and I use it as a DD and/or media consumption or games. I will take the mini 5 traveling if I don't need to work instead of the iPP.

This for me is the best combo for fun, games, and also separating work from home and bed life.

 

[Moyapilot]

Mini 4/5 are the perfect size for one handed reading for me. I can use it all day and my hand or wrist doesn’t get tired, unlike my 11, which is great too, but need constant hand switching so fatigue doesn’t set in.

Without a case, the Mini is probably the most joyful piece of tech to hold in my hand ever I think.

 

[SurferJoes]

I'm thinking about getting the Mini mostly to use as an e-reader and thinking I could use it for general media consumption as well, but I already own an 11" iPP as my main computer. Wondering if it's ridiculously redundant to own both. Technically I could read on my Pro as well (even if it's not as comfortable) and seeing as it's currently my main computing device, I already do all my media consumption on my Pro. I feel like the Mini/Pro combo is easier to justify with the larger 12.9" Pro. Maybe I should mention that I own an iPhone X as well...

Just looking to get some thoughts on whether the 11"/Mini combo is worth it from anyone that has them both. How do you use them?

When i had a 11" pro i also tried a mini 5 for your reasons, it's a big downgrade and not worth it if you already have a 11". My reasons and imo.

no promotion
horrible home button
risk of getting pink/magenta screen, i did
bezels
video quality not as good
speakers not as good

get a kindle for e-reading, smaller, lighter, no glare, works in sun, no distractions.

or buy books lol

After all that i am tempted to try another mini as i have no iPad now, for in bed use and a bit bigger screen for photos for work, the 11 pro iPhone is a bit small for showing clients photos.

 

[Moyapilot]

When i had a 11" pro i also tried a mini 5 for your reasons, it's a big downgrade and not worth it if you already have a 11". My reasons and imo.

no promotion
horrible home button
risk of getting pink/magenta screen, i did
bezels
video quality not as good
speakers not as good

get a kindle for e-reading, smaller, lighter, no glare, works in sun, no distractions.

or buy books lol

And don’t forget...half the price and weight

You can’t expect pro features for the price. The Mini 5 has an A12 that is nearly as fast as the the 11pro (imperceptable difference)

Promotion is good...not always needed on small screen. The $1k+ iphones don’t have it.

Speakers are fine. Use headphones if you need high quality sound. Much better sound than the mini4 (I have compared).

Video quality/screen is just as good as Pro11. Just smaller. Higher pixel density so you can hold it closer to your face if you like.

Bezels...who cares! Not me

 

[SurferJoes]

What's best for the mini 5 price/purchase, bigger storage and just wifi, i have 110gb photos/video, or 64gb 4g and use iCloud which i have 2TB. i have a data plan on old 11" i can use but runs out in December so would probably use hotspot to my iPhone 11 pro anyway.

Both similar price and iCloud is a bit annoying waiting for photos to be clear if not on device.

 

[rkuo]

If you need to do a lot of creation / typing with your iPad, I think the mini is out. As a straight content consumption device, I love it. For all the years the iPad’s didn’t have keyboards, I switched to the mini and never looked back.

Now that phones are bigger and the bigger iPad’s have keyboards ... well, I still love the form factor, but find it too redundant for me at this point in time. I used to carry around the iPad mini (and, in fact, the iPad before the mini came out) as a vastly better web browsing and internet machine. In the year 2020, I find that apps have adapted well enough to phones, and phones have gotten big enough with enough battery life, that I don’t mind carrying just my phone around.

The 11” iPad Pro is about the smallest size with a keyboard I can imagine using as a makeshift notebook replacement when I’m out and about. I don’t think the mini is going to fill that gap for me either.

 

[Moyapilot]

What's best for the mini 5 price/purchase, bigger storage and just wifi, i have 110gb photos/video, or 64gb 4g and use iCloud which i have 2TB. i have a data plan on old 11" i can use but runs out in December so would probably use hotspot to my iPhone 11 pro anyway.

Both similar price and iCloud is a bit annoying waiting for photos to be clear if not on device.

Seems like the 128gb wifi version might be best for you. There are deals on Mini5 ever couple of months, so you should be able to get the 128gb for the price of a 64gb if you just keep on the lookout.

 

[0128672]

Seems like the 128gb wifi version might be best for you. There are deals on Mini5 ever couple of months, so you should be able to get the 128gb for the price of a 64gb if you just keep on the lookout.

Actually the Mini 5 storage is only available in 64 and 256. There are often Mini 5 64s in the refurb store, but occasionally there are 256 Minis there too, $339 and $439, respectively. Four times the storage for $100 more? Nice.

 

[LibbyLA]

I have an iPP 11, an iPP 10.5 (backup, and I do use it and the 11 when grading papers), and a Mini 5. I use both the iPP 11 and the Mini 5 daily.

I also have a Surface Go 2 (just came in today), Surface Go (has been my “go to“ Windows portable until now), and a Surface 3. (Plus a couple of Android tablets, a Galaxy Note 9 as my phone, and an iPhone 6S Plus to use for taking screen shots of an app I work with).

Horses for courses, and I have a lot of different courses. The iPP 11 (with keyboard folio) is my workhorse web surfing, email, etc., but the Mini 5 is my traveling/out and about/bedtime iPad. The latest Surface (as of today, the Go 2) is my Windows portable workhorse because I teach and use software that only runs on Windows.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I wonder, how many people have a MacBook Air and a 16" MacBook Pro? 🤔

 

[kamikazeeMC]

I came from a mini 2 to the 11 pro and fine the pro too big for reading books (I read laying down before I sleep), the mini was perfect but I also could read for hours on an iPhone 5. Now I just use my iPhone X to read books and the pro for all other content types (manga, video).

 

[subjonas]

I have a 12.9” and mini, and the combination is great. But as you alluded, it matters what your other devices are too. It's the entire device ecosystem that one has to consider.

This is my device usage breakdown:
- SE 4”. Used everywhere except at home. Serves all my miscellaneous needs should they arise while I’m out and about daily, in the most non obtrusive form factor possible.
- iPad mini. Used only at home—unless I know I’m going to do a significant amount of casual reading when out of the home, which is very rare. This basically replaces my phone at home, because I like a small phone when I’m out, but a huge phone when I’m home. Handles all my miscellaneous needs, but especially messaging, e-reading, casual browsing, and playing unimportant or non-cinematic video. At home, the mini is by far the device I use the most (unless I’m working from home). (Note- this sounds minor, but it’s important to me: I need to use the mini with a pop socket. It turns out I don’t really like using it without one. This is because I like handling the mini one-handed, which I find difficult on its own.)
- iPad Pro 12.9”. Used at home, at work (as a secondary device), and when traveling. It is my main personal productivity device (usually with keyboard), and handles some light work including mobile drawing. It is used for entertainment (casual reading, video) when traveling only, so that I don’t have to also bring my usual preferred entertainment devices (iPad mini and TV).
- MBP 15”. Used at home, and if needed when traveling. Heavy work, file and media hub, digital library management, and time machine backups.
- TV. Used at home, obviously. This is exclusively where I watch any long-form video that I care about.

The mini won’t fit into everyone’s device ecosystem well. This is the particular device setup that serves me the best, and the mini has a star role in terms of enjoyment and percentage of time used. So based on your needs, consider which devices in your ecosystem are the mainstays, and build off those. Since you have a larger phone and a smaller iPad Pro than I do (if those are mainstays), the mini’s value is less cut and dry for you than for me. Only you would know based on your usage, but it’s definitely still possible that there is room for a mini in there.