I have a iPhone 6s Plus and find it enough when I am out and about but at home use a iPad 9.7 inch.
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iPad Mini vs. iPad Pros?
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I have a iPhone 6s Plus and find it enough when I am out and about but at home use a iPad 9.7 inch.
I'm squarely in this camp too. More and more the mini has become my go to device, like my phone it's always with me. I love the size, thumb typing in portrait mode. It's great for reading and browsing and with a Bluetooth keyboard it makes a fantastic portable terminal and focused writing machine
I've thought, and thought, and thought about getting a pro but i know that I'd miss the portability of the mini. The pro is laptop size but without laptop productivity.
I've thought, and thought, and thought about getting a pro but i know that I'd miss the portability of the mini. The pro is laptop size but without laptop productivity.
I think that the new iPhone 6se is great for what it is. They introduced a small phone with great specs for its size. There is and will be a good market for that smartphone I believe. Performance,size and price is good for the iPhone 6se from Apple but I honestly believe (personal opinion here) that they could have and should have offered more RAM on the new iPad Pro due to size and price. I mean when one shells out $900-1000 (for a larger pro design) they should get a little more RAM than what cheaper models offer or at least allow the customer the option of having this with the 128gb or 256gb cell models.
You're a person after my own heart. I desperately wish that the mini had phone support or at least a stand alone Apple Watch so that the watch and the mini would be my only devices. It'll never happen, but oh how I wish.
I have an iPad Pro 12.9 that I used for sketching and an iPad Mini 2 that I use as my main and portable iPad.
I find the 9.7 is too much of a compromise. It's not small enough to take places with you yet not large enough to comfortably sketch on or even consume media at home.
I find the 9.7 is too much of a compromise. It's not small enough to take places with you yet not large enough to comfortably sketch on or even consume media at home.
I'm sure you know this, but size is SUCH a personal preference that depends entirely on how an individual wants to use their device(s), because we all use our devices very differently. And each size of iOS device--iPhone or iPad--has its unique balance of portability vs. screen real estate and features. The difficulty in making a decision really comes in deciding exactly how you want to use your device(s), and what is important to you--eg. price, one-handed use, easy pocketabilty, big screen for movies and tv, shopping in bed, e-reading on a bus, font size, big keyboard typing, 3D touch, sketching, hand writing--the list goes on and on. No one device covers everything, yet some choose one device to cover as many of their needs as possible (probably the 5.5" iphone). Others use 2, 3, or even 4 devices to specialize in specific needs or cover a greater range of needs. The disadvantage with using more devices is, of course, higher price and the fact that you have to keep track of multiple devices. And to complicate matters there are tons of third party solutions to cover many of the things Apple devices don't provide. Yet with all this variety, it's still very likely you won't find the absolute perfect solution to all your needs, depending on how unique your needs are. There will be compromise. It's just a matter of finding the least amount of compromise for you.
As for me, I am currently using an iPad Pro 12.9" in addition to my iPhone 5s. I've tried other combinations including two different iPad Mini models and an iPhone 6s+, and so far this has been the winning combination for my needs. The 6s+ was way too big as a phone for me and it was an even worse tablet with its relatively small screen, 16:9 aspect ratio, and especially its lack of support for either portrait or landscape mode in many apps, requiring me to constantly pick up the "tablet" while it was docked to turn it. I found the Mini a good casual tablet (although I preferred it to be a TAD smaller so I could palm it comfortably or put it in a pocket--tad smaller, not 6s+ size which is 60% smaller), but as a creative professional I opted for the 12.9" iPP with the Apple Pencil. It has been a GREAT tablet for creativity, productivity, and consumption in all the contexts that matter to me. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to use it casually because of its size, but I found with the right stands and arm mounts in the right places around the home, it can even be used casually in place of an iPad Mini--even better because I don't have to hold it. The few scenarios in which it is too big, such as perhaps reading on a bus, happens so rarely for me that I'm fine using my 4" phone in those cases. Those are the compromises I'm ok with. It's all about personal preference.
As for me, I am currently using an iPad Pro 12.9" in addition to my iPhone 5s. I've tried other combinations including two different iPad Mini models and an iPhone 6s+, and so far this has been the winning combination for my needs. The 6s+ was way too big as a phone for me and it was an even worse tablet with its relatively small screen, 16:9 aspect ratio, and especially its lack of support for either portrait or landscape mode in many apps, requiring me to constantly pick up the "tablet" while it was docked to turn it. I found the Mini a good casual tablet (although I preferred it to be a TAD smaller so I could palm it comfortably or put it in a pocket--tad smaller, not 6s+ size which is 60% smaller), but as a creative professional I opted for the 12.9" iPP with the Apple Pencil. It has been a GREAT tablet for creativity, productivity, and consumption in all the contexts that matter to me. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to use it casually because of its size, but I found with the right stands and arm mounts in the right places around the home, it can even be used casually in place of an iPad Mini--even better because I don't have to hold it. The few scenarios in which it is too big, such as perhaps reading on a bus, happens so rarely for me that I'm fine using my 4" phone in those cases. Those are the compromises I'm ok with. It's all about personal preference.
The speed of the Mini 4 makes it my go to device not to mention I love the split screen. its just as fast as the 9.7 air.
Im always attracted to the iPad mini, its perfect for reading on the train or bus. Im more tempted by the mini 4 than the iPad pro for this reason while I have an Air 2. Ive even thought about picking up the iPad mini 2 since its just 260 dollars and as a reader device it can probably last at least another two years.
I now have the iPad mini 2 and the new iPad Pro 9.7". I like the speakers on the new one but much prefer the size of the older Mini 2 iPad. The older one believe it or not seems to also scroll much smoother when compared to the newer one I just got. I thought the newer one would be much smother to scroll on Safari websites but this is not the case. Also I have found that quite often the pages on the newer iPad Pro 9.7" using Safari still reload.
There is either a software bug/glitch,RAM issue or hardware issue of which I hope it is not hardware related as I bought mine in Hong Kong and they only have a 2 week return policy. Can not fly back out there again to return a freakin iPad.
There is either a software bug/glitch,RAM issue or hardware issue of which I hope it is not hardware related as I bought mine in Hong Kong and they only have a 2 week return policy. Can not fly back out there again to return a freakin iPad.
Return a device bought in another country? I doubt that can be done. I think you can get it serviced/ exchanged under warranty, though.
I returned an iPone 6 Plus that had a faulty button to Apple that I bought in another shop. Not another country but I'd still give it a go. Apple are pretty good CS wise.
I just bought a used iPad Mini 4 to supplement my collection: IPP 12.9", iPhone 6s+, and 13" rMBP. For me this is the perfect combo at the moment. I use my rMBP hooked up to a monitor and my iPP is more like my laptop because it is what I bring to school to take notes with the ASK and pencil. I'm hoping the mini will be able to be more of a portable device to take with me during clinical rotations in my medical program. I plan to use it for reading ebooks in bed more comfortably. If I did not have the money to spend on two iPads, I would choose the IPP 12.9" without hesitation.
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I love my iPad mini 4 and my 12.9 iPad pro.
I love my iPad mini for the reasons you gave. I keep as many of my books on it as I can, together with notes, documents, and it goes everywhere with me. It also makes a great GPS. Yes it's a little cramped, but for me the portability is more than worth that compromise.
I got my Ipad pro for my work, teaching. I use it as a virtual whiteboard. I also use it as a math notebook. It's a little cumbersome, but I still prefer the larger device because my handwriting is not that great, and I can write neater if I write larger. It's also great for watching movies and such (though I wouldn't have gotten it for that alone).
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An iPhone, even the plus, could not replace my mini for what I use it for. I original bought it for reading books. That would be cumbersome on a phone, especially for those in pdf format that can't be easily reformatted for a smaller screen. And while the iPhone can be used as a GPS, I prefer my mini for that, as it shows more of the map.
I love my iPad mini for the reasons you gave. I keep as many of my books on it as I can, together with notes, documents, and it goes everywhere with me. It also makes a great GPS. Yes it's a little cramped, but for me the portability is more than worth that compromise.
I got my Ipad pro for my work, teaching. I use it as a virtual whiteboard. I also use it as a math notebook. It's a little cumbersome, but I still prefer the larger device because my handwriting is not that great, and I can write neater if I write larger. It's also great for watching movies and such (though I wouldn't have gotten it for that alone).
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An iPhone, even the plus, could not replace my mini for what I use it for. I original bought it for reading books. That would be cumbersome on a phone, especially for those in pdf format that can't be easily reformatted for a smaller screen. And while the iPhone can be used as a GPS, I prefer my mini for that, as it shows more of the map.
Agree--I will never understand that mentality. The iPad mini is literally the size of a large paperback book. I'm not sure why people think the 6/6s Plus are good substitutes for that.
I still find myself grabbing the mini 3 I gave to my wife a few weeks ago when I got my 9.7" Pro just to see if I still like it. I still LOVE the form factor. So great for reading. But not for much else anymore for me personally. I love the idea of having an iPad that's also my computer.
I read a user review that said the iPad Pro 12.9 was an experience like no ther iPad. I'd agree. I've had an iPad 2 > iPad Air > mini 1 > mini 2. Often shuffling devices I have sold and rebought the iPad Air the most and I have had a couple of mini 2's.
Long winded way of saying after all these the iPad Pro 12.9 feels more Mac than iPad. I do 'normal' stuff not work on any computing device. The reasons for booting up a laptop are almost gone. I did use my laptop when I had the 9.7" models.
I sometimes contemplate a Mac again but I'd do the same as I do on this. Heck if it was the 12' Mac I'd be looking at a smaller screen. If it weren't for RAW photo editing and iPod loading I would have no use for a laptop. Oh and downloading series and movies, loading to my Nexus 7 for night shift entertainment. A device I can cope with breaking.
I think this is the combo for me as well. I recently bought the 12.9 Pro and I was going to buy a mini 4 at the same time, but I decided to hold off and see if the pro could do it all (I hate having overly redundant devices). The pro can almost pull it off. It's super light for its size, and does great in pretty much all sitting situations, but lying down it can become a strain to use. So I actually got some arm mounts for it--one by my bed, and one at my desk (because of my lack of desk space). It allows me to lie/sit back and read or watch with complete ease. So the only issues I see now are trying to use it inconspicuously in certain settings (eg. on a bus--pretty much any place you wouldn't use a laptop), and using it lying down anywhere other than my bed (where I use my mount), such as a hotel. Mini would be perfect in those situations. However these days I actually don't run into those scenarios often, so I'll continue to hold off buying the mini until then. Or maybe until I see a crazy deal on one.
This is very similar to my own set up, except I have an iPhone 6s instead of an iPhone 6s+. With the iPad mini, I don't feel a need for a larger phone.
It's a great set up either way! I definitely don't see much of a need for my larger iPhone now and will think about getting a smaller screen size when the new one comes out. But for now, it works!
[doublepost=1461549253][/doublepost]subjonas: Yep. This is exactly why I bought the mini too. I found a good deal on eBay for $260. I much prefer reading in bed with the mini than my iPhone or iPad Pro.
Been using my new iPad Pro for about a week now. I prefer the size of my older iPad Mini over my new iPad Pro 9.7"
What I prefer on the new iPad Pro 9.7" over my older iPad Mini are the newer specs and camera along with the 4 speakers it comes with.
What I prefer on the new iPad Pro 9.7" over my older iPad Mini are the newer specs and camera along with the 4 speakers it comes with.