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TheRealAlex

macrumors 68040
Original poster
I think Apple will keep the 8" A12 powered iPad Mini for last as a One more thing surprise.

$499 iPad Mini Pro 8" 32GB
$700 iPad Pro 11" 64GB
$849 iPad Pro 13" 64GB

Thats my product line up.

Mini Pro will have some compromises.
Like A12 only not A12X and 3GB RAM not 4GB
Very much the same iPhone XR chipset infact.
 
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I don't think they'll call it a Pro, but I would expect an A10/11 w/ pencil support, starting at $249 with 32GB.
 
I don’t think it will be in the Pro line. I can practically guarantee it won’t be. Can’t support a full-sized keyboard attachment.
 
Perhaps if they go back to the mini 2 screen (non-laminated, 6-bit color). Not saying that wouldn't be a good move...

I am not sure on the 6 bit part, but I would imagine it's a similar screen to the budget iPad, which I believe is non-laminated.
 
I love my iPad Mini, but if the only change is an A10/11 with a non-laminated screen I'm passing. My Mini 4 is plenty fast on iOS 12 for reading, etc. and I wouldn't want to have a slightly thicker device just for pencil support or lower cost. I know the thickeness difference is miniscule but I didn't like it on my previous Mini.

Frankly the Mini is a complete mess. They don't update it so no one buys it so they don't update it ... and so on.

Now if they give it a real update with an A12, keep the laminated screen, add pencil support... Well then they've piqued my interest.

At the very least, if they're not giving it amazing hardware, at least adjust the price to be more reasonable!
 
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I'd be very surprised - pleasantly so - if the iPad mini gained Pencil support. It would be a huge win for digital art, if a tablet that cheap could support the Pencil and run apps like Procreate, but I do wonder if Pencil support will be withheld in the name of a) keeping down costs (the Pencil requires additional sensors, does it not?) and b) making the 2018 iPad and the Pros look more appealing in the product matrix. So the iPad mini is $249, but for only $80 more you get the larger screen and full Pencil functionality and all the benefits that brings. But I hope I'm wrong about this. I would love the mini to stick around and take the Pencil.

I can't see a mini Pro. If only because their lowercase stylisation of "mini" would lead to a product called "iPad mini Pro". I would also question whether the professional use cases they have outlined (pro illustration, forthcoming Photoshop, Premiere Rush/Final Cut? etc) are as feasible on the smaller screen.
 
The last mini update was when 2015? Equivalent to an air gen two.

If they don’t update the line now they never will. But a mini pro? I doubt it.

The iPad at $329 is such a good deal,and for the holidays it may even be on sale.

I know the size, the size but Apple may not see a market for it.
 
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