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iPad mini New to me, iPad Mini 1st Gen

That's was my first ever iPad (and tablet). It born already underpowered, with and iPad 2 processor that was 1 year old already on launch. It was a nice form factor but already with iOS 7 the performance impact was noticeable.
Good that you can find a good use for it!
 
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eyoungren said:
So, after a false start, I finally got an eBay vendor that delivered a Black/Slate WiFi+Cellular 32GB iPad Mini (1st Gen). Unlocked, and now on my carrier.

Sole purpose for this Mini is to serve on the dash of my car as GPS/NAV. It's an older version of Google Maps, but it works. Mini is on iOS 9.3.6.

View attachment 2602675View attachment 2602674

For those who might bring up security, there is/will be nothing sensitive done with this iPad. I can't even login to Google with it for nav. I have to use Google Maps with no account. Streaming music in the car is already handled by another device, which is good because trying to get some of my streaming apps to work yesterday wasn't working.
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Welcome to the club!

I always thought the slate gray was/is beautiful. I'm still using a 16gb WiFi model, in B&W mode, as an e-reader in bed. I also play music as I get ready in the morning via TuneIn or Radio Box, or the standard Music app (from an iTunes sync). And in a pinch, if I don't want to get out of bed, I use an old version of Dolphin or the Puffin browser to look something up on the web (though Reddit thinks Puffin is a bot).

Mine is also on iOS 9. I wish I'd never upgraded from 8, but you can improve performance slightly if you Increase Contrast (Reduce Transparency) and Reduce Motion under General > Accessibility.

Enjoy!
 
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Ctrlos said:
From someone who has used these in the past the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen is night and day.
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If money wasn't tight at the moment, I probably would have gone for a newer Mini. But for $50, all I need it to do is run one app periodically for a couple hours in the car. That's all it is getting used for. I have a bunch of other iPhones and a 6th gen iPad that cover everything else I need devices for.

Typically my 6th gen iPad spends the day streaming Prime TV and Pluto TV on my desk at work. Not something I'd ask the Mini to do. Both my 11 Pro Max and my 6s+ cover streaming music, the 6s+ in the car.

So, I hear you - but for what I am asking the Mini to do, it's sufficient.
 
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mcalict said:
Welcome to the club!

I always thought the slate gray was/is beautiful. I'm still using a 16gb WiFi model, in B&W mode, as an e-reader in bed. I also play music as I get ready in the morning via TuneIn or Radio Box, or the standard Music app (from an iTunes sync). And in a pinch, if I don't want to get out of bed, I use an old version of Dolphin or the Puffin browser to look something up on the web (though Reddit thinks Puffin is a bot).

Mine is also on iOS 9. I wish I'd never upgraded from 8, but you can improve performance slightly if you Increase Contrast (Reduce Transparency) and Reduce Motion under General > Accessibility.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
My Mini matches my Black/Slate iPhone 5, LOL! Only my 5 is on iOS 10, so there's that. 🙂
 
eyoungren said:
So, after a false start, I finally got an eBay vendor that delivered a Black/Slate WiFi+Cellular 32GB iPad Mini (1st Gen). Unlocked, and now on my carrier.

Sole purpose for this Mini is to serve on the dash of my car as GPS/NAV. It's an older version of Google Maps, but it works. Mini is on iOS 9.3.6.

View attachment 2602666View attachment 2602675View attachment 2602674

For those who might bring up security, there is/will be nothing sensitive done with this iPad. I can't even login to Google with it for nav. I have to use Google Maps with no account. Streaming music in the car is already handled by another device, which is good because trying to get some of my streaming apps to work yesterday wasn't working.
Click to expand...
I am definitely in the minority here but I will forever love the original iPad Mini form factor. The current 8.3" is a fine size and I use my iPad Mini 6 all the time, but that 7.9" chunky bezel beaut was perfect for taking notes and other reading/media consumption back in my college days. I wish I still had mine! Best of luck with yours as a dedicated GPS/SatNav, I'm sure it will do a wonderful job. 👍
 
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Gloomy said:
I am definitely in the minority here but I will forever love the original iPad Mini form factor. The current 8.3" is a fine size and I use my iPad Mini 6 all the time, but that 7.9" chunky bezel beaut was perfect for taking notes and other reading/media consumption back in my college days. I wish I still had mine! Best of luck with yours as a dedicated GPS/SatNav, I'm sure it will do a wonderful job. 👍
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It has been handling the job beautifully. And the best thing is that at half the weight of my 6th gen iPad, the arm it sits on has no problem with it. Three times now the suction cup has come undone because the car bounced and the weight of the 6th gen iPad caused it to come undone. Not the Mini (so far).

I also decided on the Mini for this because it's smaller size means that I can see more out the windshield.
 
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adrianlondon said:
I'm after usage tips! What do you do with yours?
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Well if it's single use case, it can really excel.
Old games, PDF reader, picture frame (especially connected with a HDMI adapter), MP3 and basic media player, email system, baby monitor.
Can go even more simple, just log in iCloud and make it a dedicated Contacts app address book.
 
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