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sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,403
13,288
where hip is spoken
No fault of the device, just got the itch for it and now have regrets.

My 11" wins for sure.
...and THAT, boys and girls, is how it is done. thumpsup.gif

We can read the "speeds and feeds" spec sheets on a device, and watch numerous video reviews, and kick the tires in the store, and not really know what it can actually do for us until we get it home and use it. I think it would be helpful for others if you could describe why you were interested in it in the first place and what things were like with it after you got it home.
 

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 12, 2014
22,757
15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
...and THAT, boys and girls, is how it is done. View attachment 829803

We can read the "speeds and feeds" spec sheets on a device, and watch numerous video reviews, and kick the tires in the store, and not really know what it can actually do for us until we get it home and use it. I think it would be helpful for others if you could describe why you were interested in it in the first place and what things were like with it after you got it home.

Basically thought it would be useful in the vehicle instead of using my 11" but the screen/keyboard size was a bit more than I want to put up with. Maybe I will find a 10.5 to take it's place.
 

willmtaylor

macrumors G4
Oct 31, 2009
10,314
8,198
Here(-ish)
Basically thought it would be useful in the vehicle instead of using my 11" but the screen/keyboard size was a bit more than I want to put up with. Maybe I will find a 10.5 to take it's place.
I have a 10.5” that I use daily, and for my needs, it’s perfect. It never feels cumbersome, but it’s large enough to be happy with browsing, editing, etc. Camera is really top notch in a pinch as well.
 

DNichter

macrumors G3
Apr 27, 2015
9,385
11,184
Philadelphia, PA
Good call. I have been working to not make as many dumb Apple purchases any longer. iPhone is kind of different as it's paid monthly regardless, but for anything else - I am trying to make better decisions. Skipped Watch 4 and AirPods 2 and will likely hold onto my 11 inch Pro for an extra year also. The hardware is so good right now that it just doesn't make much sense. I wanted a mini because I like the form factor, but I have zero use for it. It'd just be another screen, which I need less of.
 

Fenhalls

macrumors 6502
Mar 20, 2019
282
228
I suppose this "itch" is being encouraged by the obvious excitement exhibited by some members of the forum. Of course, to balance this out, at least partially, there are one or two party poopers issuing forth with the usual jeremiads.
 
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Mackinjosh

Suspended
Aug 21, 2014
1,181
1,697
The Mini is definitely not a good Safari machine to me, and I'm finding that what I want most of all is a great readily available device for web browsing while watching NBA/NFL games. Mini going back, Air coming in. Mini is a great tablet though, and if I was just using it for games, the Mini would be the easy winner. I also found that with the black bars, the available real estate for watching videos was similar to what I already get on my XR.
 

Freakonomics101

macrumors 68030
Nov 6, 2014
2,740
1,799
I think going from an 11” to 7.9” screen is a big change so I’m not surprised you didn’t like the keyboard. The bezels are too gigantic (I am used to the 10.5) on the Mini that they just make it look ugly.

We’re glad you found what fits your needs. :)
 
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Fenhalls

macrumors 6502
Mar 20, 2019
282
228
The Mini is definitely not a good Safari machine to me, and I'm finding that what I want most of all is a great readily available device for web browsing while watching NBA/NFL games. Mini going back, Air coming in. Mini is a great tablet though, and if I was just using it for games, the Mini would be the easy winner. I also found that with the black bars, the available real estate for watching videos was similar to what I already get on my XR.

The mini will be used by me for reading ebooks and listening (via headphones and AirPlay) to locally-stored music and audiobooks, and also radio. That's it.
[doublepost=1554127841][/doublepost]
We need to find the source of this itch. It’s driving me crazy! :mad:

Frank has the same problem:

 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,909
13,237
Good call. I have been working to not make as many dumb Apple purchases any longer. iPhone is kind of different as it's paid monthly regardless, but for anything else - I am trying to make better decisions. Skipped Watch 4 and AirPods 2 and will likely hold onto my 11 inch Pro for an extra year also. The hardware is so good right now that it just doesn't make much sense. I wanted a mini because I like the form factor, but I have zero use for it. It'd just be another screen, which I need less of.
Lol, meanwhile, I'm glad to be rid of monthly phone payments. Granted, my iPhone 7 256GB only cost me $8.33/mo. Admittedly, I splurged more on the storage than what I actually needed because of the iPhone 6 trade-in credit. :)
 
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Rafterman

Contributor
Apr 23, 2010
7,267
8,809
The 11 is a superior machine, but after holding it for an hour reading, it becomes not so superior. Plus, most people don't need "superior". Many look for a Kindle type replacement, or companies use them for data use - warehouses, medical staff, etc. Like Montgomery Scott once said "the right tool for the right job, laddie!"
 

Fenhalls

macrumors 6502
Mar 20, 2019
282
228
The 11 is a superior machine, but after holding it for an hour reading, it becomes not so superior. Plus, most people don't need "superior". Many look for a Kindle type replacement, or companies use them for data use - warehouses, medical staff, etc. Like Montgomery Scott once said "the right tool for the right job, laddie!"

Ditto the 9.7 Pro and the 10.5 Pro, and I read a lot of ebooks. I do need a tablet, though, and the Kindle for certain reasons doesn't cut it for me.
 
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Ladybug

macrumors 68000
Apr 13, 2006
1,874
1,014
No fault of the device, just got the itch for it and now have regrets.

My 11" wins for sure.

No point keeping something that you are not thrilled with. In your situation I believe you made the right choice.

I love my Mini and I’m keeping it. It will be my take everywhere device. My 10.5 can remain home where there is less risk of damaging it.
 

DNichter

macrumors G3
Apr 27, 2015
9,385
11,184
Philadelphia, PA
Lol, meanwhile, I'm glad to be rid of monthly phone payments. Granted, my iPhone 7 256GB only cost me $8.33/mo. Admittedly, I splurged more on the storage than what I actually needed because of the iPhone 6 trade-in credit. :)

Makes sense. I personally had to move on from the old design, but there is no wrong choice. I am comfortable with a monthly for my phone, but I will be downsizing this fall.
 

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 12, 2014
22,757
15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
I have a 10.5” that I use daily, and for my needs, it’s perfect. It never feels cumbersome, but it’s large enough to be happy with browsing, editing, etc. Camera is really top notch in a pinch as well.

Yep, the Mini will simply not do for me. Very nice hardware but these fingers have got to love the larger keyboards.

For those who got one or are getting the Mini, it should not disappoint.
 

Fenhalls

macrumors 6502
Mar 20, 2019
282
228
I have zero itch.

My phone is portable and convenient.

My 10.5” Pro is a great size for video, browsing, etc. while still being lightweight.

For me, the Mini is a compromise on both accounts.

1) For me, a phone is too small for reading ebooks.

2) I spend much time tagging my music, and many of those tags are really long. A larger screen enables me to see them better. Nicer also for viewing my album art scans.

3) Audiobooks often contain a large number of chapters and/or parts. Once again, I can see what is going on better on a larger screen.

4) For radio, it really doesn't make any difference.

----------

Update

I use Cs Music Player for listening to my locally stored music on iPads. I find it great for pretty much everything (inter alia, viewing tags and album art and sorting). From my point of view, at any rate, it is streets of ahead of the default music app in terms of functionality and looks.
 
Last edited:

Josieb1

macrumors 6502
Nov 3, 2013
317
190
London
Yep, the Mini will simply not do for me. Very nice hardware but these fingers have got to love the larger keyboards.

For those who got one or are getting the Mini, it should not disappoint.

I’m the target market for the mini. I just can’t use a normal sized iPad anymore. I’ve been using a Mini as my only iPad for the last five years. My Mac is a 13”. I do like a large phone though and have the 6s+.

The large phones aren’t a patch on the mini though.
 

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 12, 2014
22,757
15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
I’m the target market for the mini. I just can’t use a normal sized iPad anymore. I’ve been using a Mini as my only iPad for the last five years. My Mac is a 13”. I do like a large phone though and have the 6s+.

The large phones aren’t a patch on the mini though.

If you decide to get it you will love the Mini 5!
 
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