New iPad Mini 5 Could Support Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

[G5isAlive]

All I want is an iPad Pro Mini. But just as with iPhones, it's too much too ask for. I'm sick of getting smaller form factors at the cost of features. Unfortunately in Apple's mind it's "bigger is always better". Guess what, it's not. Maybe they should put some women in charge...

You are one of the few that I have heard say apple is obsessed with bigger LOL. Usually people complain that Apple is obsessed with too thin.

But you have a point. People don't come in just one size, so there is a case to be made for an easier to hold smaller Pro. Unfortunately, a lot of 'Pro' features need screen real estate (size) thats just not possible in a mini. There is a limit to what the eye can see comfortably.

 

[Mac 128]

The question is: will they cleanup the mess they have with 2 Apple Pencil's now? For some reason I don't see them adding the magnetic mounting to the 'cheap' iPads... but it's ****** having 2 different active Apple Pencils that don't work across devices.

Doubtful. Unless they update all the current iPad models to support the Pencil 2, then they are not likely to update the mini which is likely targeting a price point. Since the mini is not likely to be used for serious graphics projects, the additional controls are likely unnecessary as well. And it will likely retain Lightning as well rather than USB-C.

While it does seem somewhat confusing, there's a lot of iPads out there that need the Pencil 1, and will for a while as long as they continue selling the current iPads, including 1st Gen Pro users. Pro users aren't likely to share their toys with anybody else anyway, so it's probably a moot point. The people it hurts the most are those who are stepping up to the new iPads and Pencils. The fact the original Pencil is not compatible with new iPPs is kind of ridiculous. But other than that reasonable.

 

[code-m]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

Possibly remarketing the mini for educational purposes, discontinue the 9.7” and drop the pro moniker on the the 11” and 12.9”. Just hope all gain FaceID, however not sure at this point, too much variety and choice for something that was geared towards simplicity.

 

[G5isAlive]

I've swapped to doing all my reading on a kindle. I used to use my iPad Mini (1st Gen) for ALL the reading I did, but it's gotten old and sluggish. My iPhone is way too small for prolonged reading.

We recently got a 10" iPad Pro and for me it's just too big. I don't like to use it because I can't hold it comfortably and if I have to put it down all the time, what's the point? May as well use my MBP, then.

Well sure, the iPad mini 1 is ancient, low resolution screen and slow processor, but why go to kindle and not trying upgrading to what is already available? ... my mini 4 is getting a tad slow for games, but not for reading or casual web browsing. And it has a much better screen than the mini 1. I bet you could get some really good bargains on the 4 now. Why wait for the 5?

 

[Chrjy]

A bezel-less mini of e.g. 7“ and a $299 prize point could be the ultimate iPod/iPad crossover

I've only just stopped laughing!

 

[now i see it]

iPad mini w Promotion 120 Hz scrolling & Retna LCD would be nice.

 

[richinaus]

Just give me an iPad mini in a similar body to the new pros, with pencil support and it is an instant buy for me.

I have been tempted to get the galaxy note because of the pen function, as I always need to sketch out ideas.

 

[Falhófnir]

Pencil certainly makes sense - why deprive themselves of the opportunity to sell a $100 accessory by omitting this functionality?

 

[NT1440]

If true, sold. Sight unseen. If it’s anything like the last mini AND supports the pencil, I’m in. I’ve owned a mini in the past before buying the 1st gen IPP. I truly miss the mini form factor for reading, it’s basically the perfect paperback AND an iPad to boot.

 

[boston04and07]

This is exactly the type of iPad I’ve been wanting for a while now - a mini with Pencil support.

 

[Rafterman]

A Mini with TouchID and not FaceID would be disappointing.

 

[NT1440]

A Mini with TouchID and not FaceID would be disappointing.

I’d prefer the full screen of the current IPP’s, but I’ll still buy if it retains the touchID. You just CAN’T beat the mini’s form factor.

 

[dogslobber]

I hope the forthcoming iPod Touch can use the Apple keyboard and Magic Pencil, too!

 

[Spytap]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

Well, for my use, it's kinda perfect. My current computer is a 2012 MacBook Air. However, over the past six years my needs have changed, and I now need a lot more power and a much larger screen to handle both my work and my hobbies. So I'm switching to a Mini with a 34" ultra wide screen for much of my computing needs, but I'd still like something portable where I can take notes, check email, etc. I have an iPhone, and that'll work some of the time, but not for everything. A new MBA or MBP don't exactly fit my needs either, but a Mini + iPad mini + Pencil are genuinely perfect for all scenarios, and will still cost less than making a compromise of buying a maxed out MBP + Ultrawide screen. So yeah, I can see myself buying one of these.

 

[dominiongamma]

Agree to that.
[doublepost=1548792217][/doublepost]
They make iPads a lot smaller than the 12.9.

Honestly even the 10 inch is pretty big. I get people want to use them work and productivity which is cool and people need larger screens but for the people who wants the basics the mini is great

 

[Unity451]

"It'll exclusively support the Apple Pencil Mini which is similar to our full size pencil but smaller. Also... iPad Mini is not compatible with either full sized Pencils." - Timmy

 

[The Game 161]

Makes sense to include pencil and keyboard with any future iPad.

 

[NT1440]

"It'll exclusively support the Apple Pencil Mini which is similar to our full size pencil but smaller. Also... iPad Mini is not compatible with either full sized Pencils." - Timmy

Frankly, the pencil could do with some slimming down. I’m sure that would result in a hit on battery life but I think it would be well worth the compromise given how quickly they charge. I just want it to be a little bit shorter.

 

[theOmega]

I hope they drop the old iPad form factor as they did with the iPhone, stick Touch ID on the bezels or top button, although I’d rather see it go as well, if they keep the old Apple Pencil would be weird too, hope they don’t screw the lineup now

 

[code-m]

I’d prefer the full screen of the current IPP’s, but I’ll still buy if it retains the touchID. You just CAN’T beat the mini’s form factor.

Imagine a near bezel-less mini with a 9.2” display, it would easily replace the 9.7” model and have a very portable size for the edu market. However I suspect Apple may shirnk the physical size and offer a 8.5” instead to align with paper size (for publication consumption and creation):

8.5” (present 7.9”)
11” (previous 9.7” and 10.5”)
14” (present 12.9”)

 

[bpeeps]

The keyboard would be way too small, especially if they reduce the bezel size

My guess is the screen size would increase to the size of the bezel like the 10.5 to 11".

 

[LinusR]

Seems Apple regards the iPad mini the same as a 4" iPhone. There is sizable interest for both, yet are relegated to the products that they'll work on when they get around to it. Its a shame really

Personally, I'd be delighted about a new iPad mini (especially a new form factor and Apple pencil support would make me think about getting one). I'm not sure there is sizeable demand for either, though. I'm genuinely interested, do you have any data to back this up? (MacRumors is always slightly biased in favour of 4" iPhones in particular methinks. I have yet to speak to someone in real life who has complained about "too" large phones.)

 

[mrr]

Please Apple give me Apple Pencil support in the next iPhone.

 

[cppguy]

Seems like the iPad mini is a very good form factor. It's ideal for gaming, because it's big enough to see everything, yet small enough to hold it in the hand. For the same reason, it's great for reading, sketching, note taking -- unless you are painting an art masterpiece, or writing wall-to-wall equations. It's also great for navigation. Even the iPhone XS Max is too small to read, yet the iPad Pro is too hard to hold in the hand for extended periods of time. Also, Microsoft Office requires a subscription for the iPad Pro, but it's free for the Mini.

 

[alexandr]

that would be nice. my current mini is barely holding up. and i'm not about to shell out what they want for the pro.