iPad mini Using new iPad mini for heavy note taking

[SSD-GUY]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

I think it’d work out.

 

[Whoakapi]

Icons and text size is smaller on the Mini compared to the regular iPads. So it shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Going from a 2018 iPad 6th gen to the 10.5 pro was a night and day difference with the Apple Pencil. I didn’t think it would be but it is. The 120 refresh rate and laminated screen makes a huge difference if you’re using the Apple Pencil a lot.

 

[Avenger]

Going from a 2018 iPad 6th gen to the 10.5 pro was a night and day difference with the Apple Pencil. I didn’t think it would be but it is. The 120 refresh rate and laminated screen makes a huge difference if you’re using the Apple Pencil a lot.

The new mini has a laminated screen but the 120 hz may make things less laggy. Personally, I tried both versions in the store an didn't notice a difference with normal writing. Ergonomically, the Pencil 2 is better because it has a matte finish and a flat edge.

 

[emembee]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

A smaller screen is nice for portability but handwritten notes will not be as easy as on the 10.5. I noticed quite a difference going from 12.9 down too. Best to try it in store if you can.

 

[Freakonomics101]

A smaller screen is nice for portability but handwritten notes will not be as easy as on the 10.5. I noticed quite a difference going from 12.9 down too. Best to try it in store if you can.

I have to agree on this one. You will find yourself moving your hand and wrist around a lot. I have a 10.5 and it’s perfect. I write in my journal on a daily basis and I love it. Coloring is good on it too.

 

[LibbyLA]

Buy it from a retailer with a good return policy, use the heck out of it when you get it so that you will know whether it works for you or not. I suspect that I will use the pencil more with the Mini 5 than I have with any of my three iPad PRos. I think the small size will make it more like a small notebook or sketch pad for me.

 

[bensisko]

I’ve been using a Dell 8” Windows 10 tablet with OneNote for “pocketable” Notes and have used the Mini 4 with 3rd party fine point stylus in the past.

It depends on the types of notes you’re doing. If it’s handwritten notes, bulletpoints, small diagrams, and such, then you’ll be fine with the Mini 5. If you’re mapping out larger ideas, have long form equations and complex diagrams, you will notice the screen size difference, but if it’s an issue or not will depend entirely on how much scrolling and zooming bothers you.

 

[Fenhalls]

Yes, things are harder to see on the smaller tablet, but, on the other hand, that tablet is easier to use, and surely is more likely to be picked up and worked on as you move around. Thus, for example, you are watching TV, and something important occurs to you about a project you are working on. You grab the mini and pencil and start jotting your thoughts down. Almost absent-mindedly you walk to the kitchen to grab a coffee, working as you go. Holding the tablet in one hand while you look at the screen, you pour the coffee with the other. And so on. I really don't see you accomplishing the same tasks, or at least with such ease, with a larger tablet. Or, if you will, imagine the mini as a paperback and the larger tablet as a hardcover book, and think how you would use them differently.

 

[Farrellcollie]

I use the apple pencil on my first gen. ipad pro a lot. I just ordered a new mini because of its ability to use the apple pencil I already have. I use the 8 x 5 lined notepads quite often and have no issues. The mini is about that same size with the screen real estate being a bit smaller. I would suggest trying an 8 x 5 notepad and see if you find it tedious or fine.

 

[sracer]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

I use my 2018 iPad with Apple Pencil every day, nearly all day, primarily as a digital notebook, planner, journal, and sketchbook. That works extremely well and I'm delighted with the flexibility of apps like GoodNotes 4 to be able to custom-make a digital notebook that meshes well with my workflow.

Prior to this, I had been using my Mini 4 with the DotPen to take handwritten notes. That worked reasonably well, but I did find myself frequently pinch-zooming to write/read my notes.

I was initially going to trade in both my Mini 4 and 2018 iPad and get a Mini 5. But the more I reflect on how I use my devices, I'm thinking that I'll only trade in my Mini 4 for the 5 and keep the 9.7 iPad.

I've used OneNote on both iPads and ON on the Mini 4 is a bit cramped... but since we're all different, I recommend picking up a Mini 5 and testing it hard with OneNote for a week or so to see how well it suits YOU.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

Well, everything is subjective & personal of course. But i can say this, i absolutely LOVE the ipad mini. I currently own an ipad mini 2 that I plan to upgrade to the mini 5. Like you, i also have a bigger ipad(the 11” iPP) that i use for all my main creative work. But i have always owned an ipad mini to compliment my main computer. For me, the iPad mini is the perfect combo of portability & productivity. The screen is so much more enjoyable to do work on than even the biggest iphone, and I can easily slip it into my cargo pants pocket without feeling I am carrying a load.

I currently use my ipad pro for note taking with the apple pencil 2, but i am looking forward to taking notes on the mini as well. Of course, i will have to buy the first gen Apple pencil since the #2 won’t work on it - which honestly, kinda sucks for me. But i am sure the writing experience will be amazing on the mini.

My hope is that someday, Apple will give the ipad mini the flat edged design & Apple pencil 2 support that it deserves. To me, that would absolutely make it the perfect travel ipad. But i need to update my 5yr old mini now, and can’t wait for a redesign that may never come. Perhaps if enough people buy the mini 5, it will.

 

[dgdosen]

Hi all,

I currently have an iPad Pro 10.5 that I use for note taking on the weekends as I try to upskill/learn various things. Now I really like the new mini as it’s a perfect size for commuting and taking with me to work, and has the added benefit of Apple Pencil support.

My question therefore is, would the mini be on to use for 4/5 hours on the weekend to take a lot of hand written notes on OneNote? Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use? I’ve never had a mini before so I’m not too sure about this.

Thanks

I'm in the same boat - using Goodnotes 4 to handwrite notes... I've been a big fan in the past of Arc/Tul paper-based systems, but have a ton of loose-leaf papers that aren't very easy to organize. Moving to Goodnotes on an iPad Pro has been great. I'm hoping I can ditch the big iPad and get it all done on the mini, which is my preferred form factor.

With respect to using the mini, I'm thinking it might work well in landscape mode with Goodnotes or Notabillity...

I also kind of think One Note has too much meta to be a good alternative on the iPad.

 

[bensisko]

I was initially going to trade in both my Mini 4 and 2018 iPad and get a Mini 5.

Where were you thinking about doing that? Apple and Best Buy only allow one device trade-in per device purchased (though Apple said you can get around that by buying an accessory).

 

[sracer]

Where were you thinking about doing that? Apple and Best Buy only allow one device trade-in per device purchased (though Apple said you can get around that by buying an accessory).

Best Buy. Best Buy only limits 1 trade-in per purchase when participating in one of their trade-in "X" to get "Y" promotions. When I trade in my devices at Best Buy (I regularly watch trade-in values and act when there's a momentary up-tick on a value), they give me a gift card for each device that I trade in.

current Best Buy values are: $110 for 32GB Mini 4 Space Gray, $160 for 128GB 2018 iPad Space Gray.

 

[Ravi_MR]

I use Mini 4 almost every day along with Adonit Dash 3 for taking notes at work during meetings/presentations etc; But I've never used it for extended notes taking as in attending a class/lecture - except perhaps for occasional workshops.

That said, I feel you will find it a bit cramped and also might get finger fatigue (due to the way you will have to adjust your hands) if you use mini for extended notes taking.

9.7" or 10.5" would be much better fit for that; But as Sracer said, try it out!
I am going to get the mini 5 but it may not be for you...

 

[SSD-GUY]

I use Mini 4 almost every day along with Adonit Dash 3 for taking notes at work during meetings/presentations etc; But I've never used it for extended notes taking as in attending a class/lecture - except perhaps for occasional workshops.

That said, I feel you will find it a bit cramped and also might get finger fatigue (due to the way you will have to adjust your hands) if you use mini for extended notes taking.

9.7" or 10.5" would be much better fit for that; But as Sracer said, try it out!
I am going to get the mini 5 but it may not be for you...

Interesting, so you have an iPad Pro 10.5 and an iPad mini.

I'm thinking I may keep the iPad Pro 10.5 at home for my learning on the weekends for note taking (and potentially a few meetings/workshops when I know the writing is going to be heavy), and use the Mini 5 for commuting and quick notes in one note throughout the day in meetings etc.

Do you use your iPads in a similar fashion to what I've written above?

 

[Ravi_MR]

Interesting, so you have an iPad Pro 10.5 and an iPad mini.

I'm thinking I may keep the iPad Pro 10.5 at home for my learning on the weekends for note taking (and potentially a few meetings/workshops when I know the writing is going to be heavy), and use the Mini 5 for commuting and quick notes in one note throughout the day in meetings etc.

Do you use your iPads in a similar fashion to what I've written above?

Yep, I do use them that way; Heavy writing reserved for the ipad pro 10.5;
But it's the mini 4 I carry to-from work each day; It's so handy (you can have it in one hand with coffee on the other).
Read on it(Kindle/ibooks) without hands getting tired and it doesn't take too much space carrying around.

 

[rowspaxe]

Or is the small screen a bit cumbersome after a few hours of continuous use?

This is all about hand size and writing style. Time to get to the Apple store, open one note and
do some writing

 

[roxette]

Hello
I started my paperless business life in 2015 with the first generation iPad Pro 12.9 with Apple Pencil.
During a long distance flight I had to admit that the 12.9 iPad is too big to use it when the seat in front of you is totally reclined. That was the time when Apple introduced the 10.5 iPad Pro.
Since then I am very happy with my iPad Pro 10.5 and do all my notes during business meetings and during a study at university on my iPad.
But now Apple introduced the use of Apple Pencil on the iPad Mini.

I am very interested to hear first tests of people using the Apple Pencil on an iPad Mini.
Is the screen big enough?
My app for all my handwritten notes is OneNote.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is the screen big enough?

Yeah, it’s definitely big enough.

 

[sracer]

I use Mini 4 almost every day along with Adonit Dash 3 for taking notes at work during meetings/presentations etc; But I've never used it for extended notes taking as in attending a class/lecture - except perhaps for occasional workshops.

That said, I feel you will find it a bit cramped and also might get finger fatigue (due to the way you will have to adjust your hands) if you use mini for extended notes taking.

9.7" or 10.5" would be much better fit for that; But as Sracer said, try it out!
I am going to get the mini 5 but it may not be for you...

Thank you for mentioning the Adonit Dash 3. I have a few powered capacitive styli and the non-powered Adonit classic that I use with my Mini 4. Based on your mention, i bought it on Amazon, it arrived today, and I've been playing around with it. It's the best of the bunch! It works extremely well with GoodNotes and it'll be a nice supplementary companion to my 2018 iPad+Pencil until I get around to getting a Mini 5.

 

[Ravi_MR]

Thank you for mentioning the Adonit Dash 3. I have a few powered capacitive styli and the non-powered Adonit classic that I use with my Mini 4. Based on your mention, i bought it on Amazon, it arrived today, and I've been playing around with it. It's the best of the bunch! It works extremely well with GoodNotes and it'll be a nice supplementary companion to my 2018 iPad+Pencil until I get around to getting a Mini 5.

I did try quite a few before settling on Adonit dash 3
Glad you find it useful.
Also, for my purposes, I find the 'Noteshelf 2' app the best - the handwriting seems better and has some good features from both good notes and notability.. But all 3 are great.

 

[bensisko]

Received my Mini 5 yesterday and i’m LOVING it! It may not be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be - it absolutely fits perfectly into the need I have for it!