iPad mini Mini 4 ideas (to resist the call of the "5")

[sracer]

It's great to see so much buzz and excitement around the new iPad Mini 5. Most of us who already own a Mini agree that Apple "got it right" with this upgrade. And because the Mini 4 is still very capable, some are trying to be "responsible" and resist the call of the "5".

One way that I've found to ease that pull is to buy some accessories for my current devices to freshen up the ownership experience. Here are some of the things that I've bought to enhance my use of the Mini 4.

Here's my Mini 4 with a (PRODUCT) Red smartcover ($8 new, free shipping, ebay), iCarez matte screen protector, the Adonit Dash 3 powered capacitive stylus, and GoodNotes 4 using my Journal/Project Notebook.

Not pictured: Logitech Keys-to-Go (iOS) keyboard and folding aluminum stand.

For a cheaper option than Keys-to-Go, here's an alternative that I've used on other devices...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GD1BGYO/

Here's the link to the Adonit Dash 3:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YGD37Y/

Here's the iCarez matte screen protector: (applying it is easy and results in a perfect application... no dust, no bubbles)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0159Q78P4/

It's not always possible to get great deals on official Apple Smart Covers, but here is one that I bought (grey version though) before snagging a SC:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP00QY/

And a folding stand... which folds flat for easy transport...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GCR554D/

These are some of mine, what are your favorite accessories for your Mini 4?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks for linking the iPad stand. Just purchased it for my mini.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It's great to see so much buzz and excitement around the new iPad Mini 5. Most of us who already own a Mini agree that Apple "got it right" with this upgrade. And because of that, some are trying to be "responsible" and resist the call of the "5".

One way that I've found to ease that pull is to buy some accessories for my current devices to freshen up the ownership experience. Here are some of the things that I've bought to enhance my use of the Mini 4.

View attachment 830399
Here's my Mini 4 with a (PRODUCT) Red smartcover ($8 new, free shipping, ebay), iCarez matte screen protector, the Adonit Dash 3 powered capacitive stylus, and GoodNotes 4 using my Journal/Project Notebook.

Not pictured: Logitech Keys-to-Go (iOS) keyboard and folding aluminum stand.

For a cheaper option than Keys-to-Go, here's an alternative that I've used on other devices...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GD1BGYO/
View attachment 830400

Here's the link to the Adonit Dash 3:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YGD37Y/
View attachment 830401

Here's the iCarez matte screen protector: (applying it is easy and results in a perfect application... no dust, no bubbles)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0159Q78P4/
View attachment 830402
It's not always possible to get great deals on official Apple Smart Covers, but here is one that I bought (grey version though) before snagging a SC:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJP00QY/
View attachment 830403

And a folding stand... which folds flat for easy transport...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GCR554D/
View attachment 830405

These are some of mine, what are your favorite accessories for your Mini 4?

Still can’t resist…

 

[Ladybug]

That’s an awful lot of iPad accessories to send back once you cave and get the Mini 5.

 

[sracer]

That’s an awful lot of iPad accessories to send back once you cave and get the Mini 5.

"guilt" is part of what helps resist the call of the "5"... it's like the eye of Sauron burning a hole in your soul.

 

[ericwn]

Thanks for sharing your ideas on accessories. The nice thing about an external Bluetooth keyboard and stand in my opinion is that you can use them with potential other devices too.

 

[haruhiko]

I got a very good stand from Taobao for just <$5

And the iPad mini 5 is really great.. you’re basically jumping 4 generations...

 

[sparksd]

Thanks for linking the iPad stand. Just purchased it for my mini.

I have a very similar model that I got as a nightstand for my XS Max phone. It works great for that and also for my 10.5" iPP and 8" Galaxy Tab S2.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F8S18D5

My Bluetooth keyboards also work with all of my devices. I never use the ASK I pad a premium for.

 

[sracer]

And the iPad mini 5 is really great.. you’re basically jumping 4 generations...

As I mentioned in the intro, Mini fans are in agreement, the Mini 5 is great. The point of this thread is to help those who aren't in a position to jump in and get a 5 now, or who ARE but are waiting (that's where I'm at... I'm waiting). There may even be those who receive a Mini 4 as a hand-me-down because someone they know upgraded to the Mini 5.

 

[dantracht]

My mini 4 is still just fine for my needs.

 

[ssledoux]

View attachment 830429
"guilt" is part of what helps resist the call of the "5"... it's like the eye of Sauron burning a hole in your soul.

Didn’t want to quote the main post since it was so long, but can you tell me more about that stylus? What does it work with and how’s the size? Could it work with a 2018 pad? I like the price even more than the Logitech pencil for my grandkids.

Also it obviously works with devices that have no pencil support - how? I could pick that up for the granddaughter that has the 2017 pad also, but would want to know for sure how they could use it on the various pads.

Sorry - another area where I’m clearly illiterate.

And how high does that stand sit your device up off the desk? I have a stand, but I’d like my 11” pro to sit up a little more. Right now I have my stand on top of the thickest Harry Potter hardback book.
[doublepost=1554643773][/doublepost]Oh and I love that Omoton keyboard - it’s what I use for my pro. Can’t beat the price, and it’s a lot like the Apple keyboards.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Didn’t want to quote the main post since it was so long, but can you tell me more about that stylus? What does it work with and how’s the size? Could it work with a 2018 pad? I like the price even more than the Logitech pencil for my grandkids.

Also it obviously works with devices that have no pencil support - how? I could pick that up for the granddaughter that has the 2017 pad also, but would want to know for sure how they could use it on the various pads.

Sorry - another area where I’m clearly illiterate.

And how high does that stand sit your device up off the desk? I have a stand, but I’d like my 11” pro to sit up a little more. Right now I have my stand on top of the thickest Harry Potter hardback book.
[doublepost=1554643773][/doublepost]Oh and I love that Omoton keyboard - it’s what I use for my pro. Can’t beat the price, and it’s a lot like the Apple keyboards.

Depending on viewing angle used, the stand raises the iPad about 3.5 - 4.”

 

[kierennyc]

As Oscar Wilde said, “the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it - I can resist everything but temptation”.

So, I cracked yesterday and bought the mini 5 (to replace my very capable mini 4).

If you’re on the fence - yield! You won’t regret it

 

[sracer]

Didn’t want to quote the main post since it was so long, but can you tell me more about that stylus? What does it work with and how’s the size? Could it work with a 2018 pad? I like the price even more than the Logitech pencil for my grandkids.

The Adonit Dash 3 is one a bunch of powered capacitive styli that work on any capacitive touchscreen device. Because it uses power to generate a capacitive field, it can have a small tip. But essentially, it is the same as those fat-rubber tipped styli. The original Adonit stylus was not powered and had a fine point with a clear disc imitated a finger's touch on the screen.

The circumference of the barrel is slightly larger than a Papermate ballpoint pen, but smaller than the Apple Pencil. Lengthwise, it is approximate 3/4 of the length of the Apple Pencil.

The Dash 3 has a built-in clip to attach to a shirt pocket. On the top is a click button that turns the stylus on and off (no accidental draining) that doubles as a magnetically attachable charging port.

Yes, the Dash 3 will work on the 2018 iPad.

The limitations of this type of stylus are:

• no palm rejection (unless a particular app makes accommodates for a palm rest area)
• no pressure sensitivity
• no pin-point accuracy (depending upon the app, there can be a little bit of an offset)

There are bluetooth-enabled styli that offer a slightly better experience (they can support palm rejection) but the major downside is that the individual applications need to be written to specifically support that particular stylus.

The reason I prefer something like the Dash 3 is that I can use it on ANY application...either for drawing, or simply for tapping screen elements.

Using it on the Mini 4 for note taking is not bad because the screen is small so the need for palm is reduced... and my favorite note taking app, GoodNotes 4, provides palm rejection support for capacitive styli.

Also it obviously works with devices that have no pencil support - how? I could pick that up for the granddaughter that has the 2017 pad also, but would want to know for sure how they could use it on the various pads.

Obviously, I'm a fan of the Apple Pencil and Logitech Crayon. But for iPads that don't support those devices, I am pleased with powered capacitive styli like the Adonit Dash 3 (and prior to that, the DotPen).

I create my own "palm rejection" when using this stylus by using an "art glove". Here's a link for a DIY project... the video is less than a minute, and total cost for 2 gloves = $1.

But having said all of that, I do not recommend this stylus for your grandkids. It will be frustrating for them. The Logitech Crayon is the way to go... if it is out of your budget, maybe it is something that other family members can get for them (especially if they're struggling for gift ideas).

And how high does that stand sit your device up off the desk? I have a stand, but I’d like my 11” pro to sit up a little more. Right now I have my stand on top of the thickest Harry Potter hardback book.

That stand raises the iPad about 3.5-4" from the surface it is placed on. My wife uses this stand with her 1st gen 12.9 Pro and it is surprisingly stable. There are quite a few stands that look identical but are different sizes and so how much it raises the iPad off the surface will differ.

Oh and I love that Omoton keyboard - it’s what I use for my pro. Can’t beat the price, and it’s a lot like the Apple keyboards.

It does. It's a nice companion for an iPad.

 

[VertPin]

As Oscar Wilde said, “the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it - I can resist everything but temptation”.

So, I cracked yesterday and bought the mini 5 (to replace my very capable mini 4).

If you’re on the fence - yield! You won’t regret it

Listen to this smart man.

 

[ssledoux]

Sracer, thanks for your detailed reply! I appreciate all the information.

I’ve been considering that Logitech pencil. It’s not out of my price range, but with multiples to buy, something cheaper that would do the trick would also be nice.

I think my stand is probably about that height. I’d love to find something a bit taller, but for now it looks the The Deathly Hallows will just have to keep up the good work heightening my whole setup.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Still can’t resist…

You could always follow Oscar Wilde’s dictum: “the best way to fight temptation is to give into it”!