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iPad mini How practical is the Mini as a "bring everywhere" device?

xAnthony said:
I'm looking for either a messenger bag or a sling style bag. Preferably something on the smaller end. If you have any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate your response!
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Well, I'm actually looking for a sling bag myself, as the one I have now is starting to fall apart. The mini will fit in almost any sling bag -- it'd have to be a tiny sling bag to be too small for the mini. Tom Bhin used to make a small shoulder bag that I was eyeing, but I couldn't find it when I searched their website just now. :( Their smallest bags might be something you want to consider, however. Timbuk2's smallest messenger bags are also nice. But the thing about the mini is that it does fit in surprisingly small bags. So it's more like, consider what else you want to carry, pick a bag that fits them, and the mini will probably also fit. I've found that bags that I bought to carry my keys, wallet, glasses, and address book (this was before PDAs and smartphones) can fit the mini.
 
I have a windbreaker with zip up pockets that the iPad Mini fits into ... just barely. The mini 2 was actually slightly more portable in this respect since the thickness isn't the issue, it's the overall height and width of the front face. I don't carry the mini with me all the time any more since the iPhone 6 Plus came out, but I do still bring it along if I think I will be waiting around a lot more than moving around. No bag needed.
 
maflynn said:
I found the Mini is very portable, and I think its great for commuting into work. In an odd juxtaposition of my needs and wants, I've grown out of my mini and I'm thinking of the iPad Pro - talk about a massive change ;)
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Really? Weren't you saying you'll get the iPP for your wife and kids, but you'll stick with the Surface? What changed?
 
Night Spring said:
Really? Weren't you saying you'll get the iPP for your wife and kids, but you'll stick with the Surface? What changed?
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Yes, and that is still the case. I still will be using the SP3 as my main mobile device but if I'm buying the IPP for the family, that includes my wanting to use it.
 
maflynn said:
Yes, and that is still the case. I still will be using the SP3 as my main mobile device but if I'm buying the IPP for the family, that includes my wanting to use it.
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Ah, ok. So what about the mini? You aren't using it much anymore? Did it get replaced by the larger iPhone (6, 6s, 6+, 6s+) or something else?
 
Medz1 said:
I've thought about switching my reading device from Kindle to the mini. Do you read books on your mini?
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I like having a small tablet for many reasons, but for reading books, a dedicated e-ink reader is much better. Their battery life is measured in weeks, not hours, and their displays are designed to be much more like reading off an actual page, and thus much easier on the eyes during hours of reading than a backlit LCD tablet display.
 
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Night Spring said:
Ah, ok. So what about the mini? You aren't using it much anymore? Did it get replaced by the larger iPhone (6, 6s, 6+, 6s+) or something else?
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The 6 plus has taken over much of the stuff on the mini. I still use the mini for reading however. Its showing its age, as some of the games that I have on the plus are kind of slow on the mini
 
Shawn Llewellyn said:
?? How In the World do you fit an iPad Mini in your front pocket ??
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Like this:

IMG_20160225_180505075~2.jpg
 
I wear a suit jacket with me most of the time. The ipad Mini fits perfectly in the front pocket and goes nearly everywhere with me. If I'm standing in a line, bored, no need to fish in a bag, I slip a hand in my suit jacket pocket and its out in a second or two. When I get to the front of the light, I put it back in place just as quick and easily. I don't use my phone except for phone calls and music. for anything where display size makes a difference, I use the mini.
 
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joeblow7777 said:
I like having a small tablet for many reasons, but for reading books, a dedicated e-ink reader is much better. Their battery life is measured in weeks, not hours, and their displays are designed to be much more like reading off an actual page, and thus much easier on the eyes during hours of reading than a backlit LCD tablet display.
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I actually disagree. Tablets like the iPad have much better contrast and, aside from outdoors, are much easier to read. I've tried to do the e-ink thing, but have given up every single time.

The mini is a great "bring everywhere" device. Yeah, there are places where it won't be as convenient as just simply carrying a phone, but in most situations it's fine.
 
RickTaylor said:
I wear a suit jacket with me most of the time. The ipad Mini fits perfectly in the front pocket and goes nearly everywhere with me. If I'm standing in a line, bored, no need to fish in a bag, I slip a hand in my suit jacket pocket and its out in a second or two. When I get to the front of the light, I put it back in place just as quick and easily. I don't use my phone except for phone calls and music. for anything where display size makes a difference, I use the mini.
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Do you use a case with the mini or not?
 
I love my iPad mini. I find it extremely portable. Fits perfectly into my cargo pants pocket, or the inside of any jacket pocket. I'm grandfathered in on the unlimited ATT data plan from the very first iPad, and now use it on my mini. So it's almost like having a slightly larger iPhone 6plus with me all the time.
 
Channan said:
Jealous
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I remember back in 2010 when the iPad first came out, I didn't have a smartphone at the time, so I got the cellular iPad with the unlimited data plan from att. Little did I know they'd get rid of unlimited just a few months later. Really glad I kept it. At first I was worried that I wouldn't be able to transfer it to a new iPad once my first iPad became obsolete. But luckily that was not the case. I do notice that ATT does try to throttle speed every now & then. Otherwise, I am happy and definitely won't be giving up my plan.
 
MacDarcy said:
I remember back in 2010 when the iPad first came out, I didn't have a smartphone at the time, so I got the cellular iPad with the unlimited data plan from att. Little did I know they'd get rid of unlimited just a few months later. Really glad I kept it. At first I was worried that I wouldn't be able to transfer it to a new iPad once my first iPad became obsolete. But luckily that was not the case. I do notice that ATT does try to throttle speed every now & then. Otherwise, I am happy and definitely won't be giving up my plan.
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Not even months. The unlimited plan was available for barely over a month. I didn't see the appeal at the time. I had unlimited data on my iPhone, which was jailbroken so I had unlimited tethering as well. Why pay $30/month for something I can already get for free? Now I wish I would have snagged one of those up, especially now that I know I could have popped the SIM in a phone and used Hangouts/Google Voice to effectively have unlimited everything on AT&T for only $30/month. Man, if only I would have known back then.

And your plan shouldn't be throttled at all. Maybe you're just experiencing congestion, where everyone is getting slow speeds in your area when that happens.
 
For me it's impractical without a jacket, coat, or backpack. It just looks silly if I try to pocket it. For people that carry purses everywhere I think it would be very practical to carry around all the time.
 
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Ive used both the 9.7 inch ipad as well as the 7.9 mini. The mini was fantastic for bringing out and about. However using it at home I felt the size was lacking. I just wanted more space for home use. I have not tried the ipad pro but im guessing its awesome for at home use and the mini is great for portability. Plus if your ipad mini gets stolen when your out its much less of a loss then having a ipad pro stolen.
 
I take my mini a lot more places with me than I used to take my Air. It fits in the kangaroo pockets of most of my hoodies, and for the times it doesn't, I have a Swiss Gear bag I put it in. (I also keep my bluetooth keyboard and cables in that bag.)

Most of the time though, I just carry it around with a clear back cover and a smart cover on it.
 
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