Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad mini IPP 11" M2 to IPM 7?
- Thread starter Jbobby22
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I feel this may or may not rock the boat for you depending on your real use case. Can you get the mini and just try it for two weeks?
The size of the mini is both a pro and a con. It’s easier to lug around but you may find the screen too small for marking up your drawings.
I recommend trying it first before trading in your 11” M2. I bet we’ll see deals during the holiday anyway so if you do decide on the Mini, you can get better pricing if you wait a little.
iPad Pro 11" M1 owner here. I ordered the mini 7 because I wanted something more compact and, importantly, more lightweight.
I'll likely keep the iPad Pro in addition to the mini though. We'll see how I'll split the usage between the two.
If you're unsure just try it for a couple of days.
I'll likely keep the iPad Pro in addition to the mini though. We'll see how I'll split the usage between the two.
If you're unsure just try it for a couple of days.
I'd really, really, really like a M4 11" Pro myself. The OLED display and anti-reflective coating would be great for use in an airplane. I could even justify the cost, even though it's FAR more expensive.
It's just too !@#$ large 😢 and would get in the way in the cockpit of a small plane like a C-182
It's just too !@#$ large 😢 and would get in the way in the cockpit of a small plane like a C-182
Apart from the different sizes, dun u think having 2 iPads will overlapped each other?
Yup! It'll likely turn out that one of them is my clear favorite for home use and the other seeing less frequent use. My iPad Pro is a Wi-Fi only model and I wanted an iPad with cellular so I got the mini with cellular. This will be the one I take on the go.
I just don't feel like selling my Pro to be honest.
If you don't find the 11" big then there's probably no reason to mix things up. If you do find it big, then the only thing you can do is try out the Mini to see how much the better portability benefits you vs having smaller screen real estate. Everyone is different so you just have to see for yourself.
But of course if keeping both is an option, then obviously you won't have to choose. I've had a 12.9" and Mini combo for many years now, as they each fill an important function for me. Mini is used almost entirely at home, for casual consumption, somewhat quick productivity tasks, and communication (phone sits charging, so the Mini is actually my most used device besides my work computer). 12.9" is almost always used with the Magic Keyboard or the Pencil, at home and on trips, for more serious personal productivity (not work work), and for media viewing at places like hotels (at home I always watch on either my Mini or my TV).
But of course if keeping both is an option, then obviously you won't have to choose. I've had a 12.9" and Mini combo for many years now, as they each fill an important function for me. Mini is used almost entirely at home, for casual consumption, somewhat quick productivity tasks, and communication (phone sits charging, so the Mini is actually my most used device besides my work computer). 12.9" is almost always used with the Magic Keyboard or the Pencil, at home and on trips, for more serious personal productivity (not work work), and for media viewing at places like hotels (at home I always watch on either my Mini or my TV).
I don't find the 11" too bulky per se, but it's on the heavier side (~470g, relatively speaking obviously), especially with a Smart Folio (~650g). My theory is that a mini (~300g) even with a Smart Folio (~400g) will be substantially more comfortable to use while holding the device. I was kind of excited that the Pro M4 got thinned down, but it didn't really do much for the 11" in terms of weight savings (it's like 20g lighter or something?).
I'm also trying to optimize backpack weight for traveling, and while saving 250g doesn't sound like much it's just one piece of the puzzle.
The screen is quite a bit smaller, but due to the aspect ratio it's not that big of a deal for content consumption (where most of the stuff is widescreen).
I had the OG 12.9" iPad Pro with a home button and A9X. It did give me that "wow" effect because it was just that huge slate of touch-sensitive glass with a display underneath. I did use it for 4-5 years and it held up very well, but it was so close to a light laptop in terms of size and weight (again with a case so you can stand it up) that I found myself using a laptop more and more instead of the iPad. Wanting an in-between device, I got the 11" Pro (I had an iPad Air 2 before the 12.9" Pro so I knew the form factor) and I find myself using that a lot more. The mini is me trying to go one step further in that direction.
I briefly used a mini here and there many years ago (never owned one for myself though), then it kind of got off my radar but around two years ago I was in a karaoke bar where they gave you an iPad mini (4th gen or something) to search for songs and that reminded me that this form factor is surprisingly very usable.
Then, after recently getting annoyed at myself for not getting my 11" Pro with cellular (my 12.9" Pro was the cellular model) I figured I may as well try a mini. So I had that idea since about July/August, but didn't really feel like spending >= 80% of the MSRP for a 3 year old device and shortly after the rumor mill really got going. So as soon as I was able to order the A17 Pro model, I did.
It just arrived as I'm writing this post, so I'll get my first impressions now 😅
I have the 11” M2 IPP. I bought the IPM 6 last year as a device to be more portable for me to carry around. After about a month, I just didn’t feel the need to have two iPad’s. I ultimately sold the Mini as my 11” IPP pretty much checks all the boxes for my needs. Plus, when I go out, I rather just have my iPhone on me and not carry an iPad with me.
But that’s just me. YMMV
But that’s just me. YMMV
I find the redundancy helpful.
Also, I rarely travel with my laptop anymore. Having an iPad with a bigger viewport (esp. with More Space) is useful for some websites that don’t play nice with the Mini’s small display.
NO lol. I personally have 5 iPads LOL. So I do have an old iPad mini 5 - I was sort of using it for a monitor on my old Mac mini - but with the MacBook it is so easy to switch to the Mac mini, which I rarely use. I have 2 12.9" iPad Pro's - graphic design... in evenings I will play games on one and when hubby goes to sleep early, I will watch videos on it. My most recent is 11" iPad Air 2024, I really like to do drawing on it without the case. It is so lightweight and I got it more for the pencil pro. I did try the new pro's and couldn't use it because of the screen and migraines.... Then my iPad mini 6 I use when I want to take an iPad shopping. I use it every Sunday / Wednesday for taking notes at church. Every night, I use it to read on the kindle app. I needed the larger screen - was using my iPhone before that. Sometimes I will watch something on it in the evenings - but those are mostly rain videos to help me sleep....
So they all have a unique reason for why I use them. I also could not get the value out of them, if I needed to give one to one of my children. I have done that several times.
Yup, my 12.9" iPP 2017 collects dust since it feels old in the tooth and I cant justify upgrading it to a newer iPP 13" or Air 13" based on my lack of usage of it. Instead my Mini 6 and my Surface Pro 9 get used, with the Mini 6 taking the lead on screen each day. I dont feel like selling or trading in the old Pro though.
Gave my 12.9” 2017 to my mom. It’s been great for watching videos in the background while cooking or in bed when she doesn’t want the TV glare bothering my dad.
We do have a bunch of old iPads that I’ll be giving away to relatives next time we visit the Philippines.
How was your 2017 12.9" holding up? Admittedly one of the reasons i don't use mine much anymore is it developed touch screen sensitivity issues again. I had replaced it under AC+ twice in the course of its lifetime for that reason but have since let AC+ lapse and am letting the iPP collect dust now. I hesitate to give it to someone and have it frustrate them with poor screen touch response.
My main iPad is an 11" Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad Pro M2, but I got the iPad mini (A17 Pro) to complement it (mainly for reading books, watching videos, and playing games, while I do more serious work on the M2 iPad Pro)...
It’s been holding up quite well. It was replaced in 2019 just a couple of months before AC+ expired (took a spill in the bath tub). Didn’t experience any touch screen issues. *knock on wood*
mine is opposite... im thinking of getting Ipad pro 11 m4 in replacement of my 3yr old ipad mini 6 (sold this already) ..
my used case are for google sheet and i just started forex trading bigger screen is helpful when analyzing charts.
i love the mini 6 size for portability i hate the fingerprint sensor because easily gets wobbly im using it frequently for sleep wake function i find it getting stuck sometimes after 3 yrs of usage.. i wish all ipads are faceid unlocked easier.
my used case are for google sheet and i just started forex trading bigger screen is helpful when analyzing charts.
i love the mini 6 size for portability i hate the fingerprint sensor because easily gets wobbly im using it frequently for sleep wake function i find it getting stuck sometimes after 3 yrs of usage.. i wish all ipads are faceid unlocked easier.
Not sure if you thought I was responding to you or if you were just chiming in. I was actually responding to OP, but no matter.
I think the weight difference of the Mini is very substantial compared to any of the larger iPads. When the first 9.7” iPad came out, I held it and instantly thought it was too big and heavy for casual consumption. It wasn’t until the Mini was released that I took interest and got one. Since then, it’s been my most used device and I’ve never wanted anything larger (for casual consumption).
My interest was piqued again when the larger 12.9” Pro with Pencil and Smart Keyboard were released, and I got those, but this time for drawing and productivity, not casual consumption, and I’ve been very happy with that as well. The 12.9 is a very different beast. It’s a very intentional device, like a laptop, whereas the Mini is very casual, almost like a phone. But a phone with a humongous screen that makes it comfortable to do much more.
I agree a 12.9” makes less sense if you have a light laptop. My work laptop is heavy (16” MBP), so a 12.9” iPad does make sense for me. But also because I draw. Honestly if I didn’t draw, I would have just gotten a 13” MBA, because if my 12.9” isn’t being used for drawing, it’s always on a keyboard stand. And touch is really not important to me on a device that I don’t hold in my hands.
You may end up preferring the Mini, you may not. Many people like the middle size iPads, but for me they’re in a no man’s land between casual and intentional. I suppose I’m a man of extremes. But everyone is different.