I bought the 11 - in iPad Air 4 before long after its launch in 2020 . But the excitement wore off after a few day . I keep it in the draftsman and only used it for testing Modern iPadOS developer builds for the next three years . I could n’t find a enjoyment cause for a tablet in ecumenical — that is until I switch to the 7th - generationiPad Mini .
Six month after launch , the raw iPad Mini remains my change of location companion for shop and on - the - go entertainment . It ’s thebest iPadfor me .
A complete iPad experience without any accessories
I opt the iPad Mini for its size and the fact I do n’t need any extra accouterment to make the most of it . I jaunt frequently and want the most portable gimmick for graze and version on the go . Many might contend that a Kindle would serve me better and last longer on each charge , but my reading is n’t limited to ebooks . I read a lot of articles online — browsing the World Wide Web and Substack to observe and save stories offline for in - flying reading . I would n’t be capable to use a web internet browser on the Kindle as handily as I do on the iPad Mini . Plus , a color LCD screen is way better for take comics than an vitamin E - ink display .
I ’ve tried using my 11 - column inch iPad Air for the same use cases , but it ’s just too cock-a-hoop for indication and too small to get any considerable amount of work done . It ’s grownup enough to tote up a keyboard and make it a portable productivity political machine , but it feels too minor for that consumption grammatical case . I do n’t heed carrying a base iPad ( it ’s cheaper , after all ) for just reading and no productiveness , but that size is n’t convenient for my needs .
With the iPad Mini ’s 8.3 - column inch display , I can expend it as a smart home hub , an on - the - go media consumption machine , an tocopherol - reader , and for online shopping — without needing an extra keyboard or Apple Pencil accessory . It ’s a complete gadget in itself — just add a leaf case , and you ’re good to go . You do n’t need to expend money on any other accouterment to go through its good use cases . It make the Mini a better time value for money than the new 11th - gen iPad , which really needs you to buy a keyboard pillowcase to utilize it in full .
The most portable powerful tablet
The iPad Mini is unlike anything else on the marketplace . It is thin and light enough to tally in my backpack alongside my laptop computer without feeling hefty . At 293 grams , it ’s less than 80 grams heavier than most flagship phones in 2025 . By contrast , an eleventh - gen iPad or11 - column inch iPad Airwould set you back around 480 grams and 460 grams , respectively . There ’s no similar gimmick on the Android side either .
A small size does n’t mean you have to resolve for median functioning . The latest iPad Mini is n’t as powerful as the M3 iPad Air , but it is powered by the flagship A17 Pro chipset , which is strong enough to run Lightroom ( and Apple Intelligence ) . It gets ardent to the tactual sensation after about 20 minutes of editing when link up to an SSD , but nothing to worry about . I sway a 1 TB Samsung SSD and connect it to my iPad Mini for on - the - go light photo editing .
Apple also doubled the storage last year to offer up a 128 GB base variant , mean you could download more content offline to watch later . Plus , there ’s support for the Apple Pencil Pro for a better editing and note - taking experience , but I recommend kick the bucket for a 13 - column inch iPad Air or Pro as the bigger slates offer a good Pencil experience .
While the iPad Mini is my best-loved tab , it ’s not without defect . Apple ’s anti - brooding coating is n’t the best — it smutch well , and I have to clean it smartly when using in verbatim sunlight ( I look the same issue with myiPhone 16 Pro ) . You also do n’t get an OLED blind to really raise visual content – but these are pocket-size points which do n’t detract from the iPad Mini ’s overall temptingness .
I recommend it over the base iPad, and it’s $100 off right now
I ’m currently using the new 13 - inch M3 iPad Air for review , and I can see myself shifting to it for other utilization case like heavy exposure and video editing , doubling as a second screen door , and more . However , the iPad Mini ’s portability and appliance remain unmatched . While I ’d pick the 13 - inch iPad Air for productivity , the iPad Mini would be my plectron for a substance consumption - focused pad . Yes , I ’d pick it above the 11th - gen iPad .
I recommend purchase the iPad Mini over the eleventh - gen iPad despite the swelled $ 180 price difference . And if you ’re face to buy one the right way now , you ’re in hazard because Amazon ’s Spring sale bring down that price difference to just $ 80 . The iPad Mini isavailable for$399 instead of $ 499 .
aside from being more portable , the iPad Mini is also more potent than the new iPad . As mention above , it run on Apple ’s A17 Pro chipset , while the $ 329 iPad comes with an A16 processor — the same functioning gap as the iPhone 14 andiPhone 15 Pro . As a resultant , it ’s more future - proof than the 11th - gen iPad , which does n’t support Apple Intelligence . While Apple ’s AI feature are n’t biz - changing yet , it ’s better to have the option to run them on your twist . They are n’t going anywhere , and I urge spending on a machine that confirm them instead of a new pad with limited functionality .
The iPad Mini is n’t like other pad that compromise on timbre for versatility . It does n’t endeavor to be an all - in - one machine but delivers a focused feature of speech stage set . The 8.3 - inch cover size is perfect for browse and reading without bestow any bulk to your rucksack . It also double up as a reliable portable video use of goods and services machine when needed ( in - flight of steps amusement ) . If you ’re a traveler and want a new iPad for on - the - go medium consumption without adding a considerable amount of weight to your back pack , the iPad Mini is for you .
