Original iPad Mini From 2012 Now Considered 'Vintage' by Apple

[MacRumors]

Apple today updated its list of Vintage and Obsolete products to add the original 7.9-inch iPad mini, which was first released in 2012.

Apple's vintage products list includes devices that have not been sold for more than five and less than seven years ago, while the obsolete list includes products whose sales were discontinued more than seven years ago.

Devices on the vintage list are able to continue to receive hardware service from Apple and Apple service providers, subject to the availability of repair components and where required by law. Obsolete products, meanwhile, have no hardware service available with no exceptions.

The first iPad mini, Apple's smallest tablet released to date, was replaced in 2013 when the second-generation iPad mini was released, but Apple continued to sell it until 2015. Since then, there have been third, fourth, and fifth-generation iPad mini models made available, with a sixth-generation version with a mini-LED display said to be coming in the not too distant future.

Apple's original iPad mini featured an A5 chip, 512MB RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and a 1024 x 768 display, which was not considered Retina. The iPad mini has not seen many design changes since it was launched, and the current release version continues to feature thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button.

In addition to adding the original iPad mini to the vintage list, Apple today also added the late 2011 21.5-inch iMac to its obsolete list.

Article Link: Original iPad Mini From 2012 Now Considered 'Vintage' by Apple

 

[MacFather]

Still using the original mini with iOS 6.1.3 on it, mainly for Spotify. The old UI is so much better than the current one.

View attachment 939322

 

[Andres Cantu]

It was a good device back when it launched, way better deal at $329 than the $399 iPad 2 they keep selling for years later.

 

[TheAustrianGuy]

512GB RAM? Wow!

 

[FSMBP]

512GB RAM? Wow!

Yeah, you could have 299 tabs in Safari open at once (kind like my grandma inadvertently keeps doing)

 

[quatermass]

Mine still works fine. Battery life is a bit... limited, but that's to be expected. Lots of stuff still works on it, but can't be updated. Love that little thing!

 

[cliffster82]

My 4 year old watches videos on the original mini, it keeps on ticking. My 2011 iMac 21.5 crashed in 2019. So yes, it's definitely obsolete ? (loving the 27" upgrade though).

 

[Rychiar]

we had one at work. glitchiest apple device I've ever used. just threw it out last year

 

[Homme]

EDIT: nevermind

 

[Westside guy]

Loved my old iPad Mini - I actually still have it, but nowadays my Mini 4 is my "daily driver".

I still think it's the perfect iPad form factor... I held off buying an iPad until they released the Mini.

 

[melican]

Does "vintage" mean it's valuable again?

 

[MacFather]

The original iPad mini from 2012 has slimmer top and bottom bezels than the 2019 5th Generation. What a shame.

View attachment 939452

 

[JosephAW]

It better be labeled vintage since they labeled my MBP and desktop computers vintage.

 

[Deliro]

Well if that’s the identifier 1/2 my wardrobe is vintage now ! Finally street cred with hipsters. But I gotta get my hands on one of these 512GB ram minis ASAP !!

 

[Rocko99991]

When the updates meant to improve your device have caused your device to take 60 seconds to open Safari-it's considered vintage.

 

[n-cholas]

It was unofficially classified as ‘useless’ a long time ago.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Who would buy an iPad Pro when you can get a used mini with 512GB of RAM for less?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Vintage means no longer supported. You need to buy a newer model.
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Who would buy an iPad Pro when you can get a used mini with 512GB of RAM for less?

I had the mini 5 (64GB cellular) for a little over a year and upgraded to the iPad Pro 11 128GB cellular a month ago.

 

[Realityck]

Glad Apple released the iPad mini for the masses in 2012. Because it can be held in one hand its size allow it to be more versatile when traveling.

 

[MattMJB0188]

Still using the original mini with iOS 6.1.3 on it, mainly for Spotify. The old UI is so much better than the current one.

Yes it is! I've been saying this for years wishing they would bring it back but always get flack for it.

 

[entropi]

well, it works fine being used as the tv-source for my projector.

 

[ignatius345]

The iPad mini has not seen many design changes since it was launched, and the current release version continues to feature thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button.

Jesus, calm down about the bezels. It's a tablet. You need somewhere to hold onto it that isn't an active touch surface.

TouchID still works quite nicely, thanks, in the dark and at any device orientation. And if it contributes to a lower cost for the device in question, I'm all for it.

 

[ignatius345]

It was unofficially classified as ‘useless’ a long time ago.

Except by all the people in this very thread who have listed specific uses for it.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

512GB RAM? Wow!

Yeah Apple is definitely going downhill, considering there exorbitant price they're charging just for 128GB on the Mac Pro .

 

[DaveN]

This comment posted using my now 'vintage' iPad mini. Thanks Apple for making products last a long time. The battery doesn't last as long as it used to and they operating system is laggy but it still works!