Pretty sure theres no stage manager, hard pass. Sticking to my 6.
Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
81–90 of 528 posts
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#82The mini is the absolute sweet spot for me - enough portability that I don’t mind the many restrictions of iPad OS. But the A-line chips and low-quality screen are problems, and not being able to properly dock it at a monitor is a real hinderance. None of those are addressed here, unfortunately.
> and not being able to properly dock it at a monitor is a real hinderance Can you expand on that? It seems to support DisplayPort over USB-C, and there are a number of 1st and 3rd party adapters that have DP out, power in, and a USB2.0 plug for your other devices. What does “properly” docking it look like?
The A-series chips only support screen mirroring; with the M-class iPads you can have stage manager and multiple windows across two displays; and the main display runs at native resolution. It’s a far better (though still flawed) experience.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#83I wish they had improved the screen a little bit as well. It makes sense to update the model with apple intelligence but that might not be enough for a lot of people to upgrade. Perhaps we're looking at a device that simply will be out of lineup soon (next few years). I do like this form factor a lot though, well, eventually we'll get foldable phones to become mainstream I hope.
> It makes sense to update the model with apple intelligence but that might not be enough for a lot of people to upgrade.
that's fine? it's a very mature segment - medium-price small screen tablet. it hasn't even really been updated since 2021, and that was basically new case+usb-c.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#84I still remember the Steve Jobs era when people would praise Apple for having a simple lineup of devices, in contrast to Android, which had some crazy amount of variants of every device. How times have changed.
What other large brand has a simpler lineup? Samsung released 22 phones just in 2024 with memorable names like C55 and M05.
Although I wouldn't mind if they got rid of one or two iPhone variants, or at least gave them more meaningful names. I have no idea what the difference between Plus, Pro and Max is. I only know that Pro doesn't mean pro, and that doesn't make it any easier.
Edit: also Steve Jobs was still alive when you could choose between four different iPod variants.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#85Nice choice, always been my favorite size. Surprised though that they don't have an option with cellular so you can have always-on data access (i.e., with a data-only plan). Updated: my bad, it does come with cellular -- it's just not advertised on the main product page
Do you still need to buy the cellular version to get a GPS chip?
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
She basically wants to draw notes and do some doodling, so it is not like it would make much difference and the price delta is huge between the base iPad and the iPad Air.
It depends on her storage needs. If she’s making files she’ll probably not want the 64GB version. So you’d be looking at the 256GB base for $500 or the 128GB 11” Air for $600. That’s not that big a jump for the added utility. I agree with the other poster; maybe look at refurb and a 2nd gen pencil. Or just don’t get one. But it sounds like this is on the short list to buy for you two.
She lived with an iPhone 64GB up until last week and I expect that her tablet storage needs to be even smaller (e.g.: no photos). So yes, 64GB is fine.
> Or just don’t get one.
This is actually what I am going to do: wait until there is a better base iPad version. Unless I can get an older iPad Pro for a cheap price, but it is unlikely here in EU.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#87I wish they had improved the screen a little bit as well. It makes sense to update the model with apple intelligence but that might not be enough for a lot of people to upgrade. Perhaps we're looking at a device that simply will be out of lineup soon (next few years). I do like this form factor a lot though, well, eventually we'll get foldable phones to become mainstream I hope.
> I wish they had improved the screen a little bit as well.
What do you mean, the iPad mini has a higher ppi (326) vs iPad Air (264).
I think the issue is that, iPad OS is scaling the display to a weird resolution.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#88The mini is the absolute sweet spot for me - enough portability that I don’t mind the many restrictions of iPad OS. But the A-line chips and low-quality screen are problems, and not being able to properly dock it at a monitor is a real hinderance. None of those are addressed here, unfortunately.
> and not being able to properly dock it at a monitor is a real hinderance Can you expand on that? It seems to support DisplayPort over USB-C, and there are a number of 1st and 3rd party adapters that have DP out, power in, and a USB2.0 plug for your other devices. What does “properly” docking it look like?
There are a bunch of UX differences between an iPad and a laptop while connected to a docking station that make using an iPad in that manner not quite satisfactory. For example, the iPad's screen always has to be on - while you can choose to either mirror or extend your desktop environment, you can't use only the external monitors and shut your case like you can with a laptop.
Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#89I wish they had improved the screen a little bit as well. It makes sense to update the model with apple intelligence but that might not be enough for a lot of people to upgrade. Perhaps we're looking at a device that simply will be out of lineup soon (next few years). I do like this form factor a lot though, well, eventually we'll get foldable phones to become mainstream I hope.
There was some chatter on Macrumors that they flipped the orientation of the controller board so that the Jelly scrolling will be gone when used in portrait mode. That was the #1 display complaint on the outgoing model, so if its true then I’d count that as a win on improving the screen.
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Re: Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
#90Ugh, that bezel. Will full coverage screens with a software driven, virtual bezel every be a thing?
I don't get why some people get so worked up about bezels. I like being able to hold my devices without accidental inputs, and to me they look better anyway. I wouldn't mind 3cm wide bezels and accordingly larger batteries.
Virtual bezels and let the user choosing.