“The iPad mini has long had a rather odd position in the model lineup, but things got weirder still with the new iPad mini launched today,” Ben Lovejoy writes for 9to5Mac.
“In updating it, there were two routes Apple could have taken: [1] Make the iPad mini a cheaper version of the entry-level iPad; [2] Make it an ultra-portable iPad Pro,” Lovejoy writes. “The former route would have required pricing at around the $299 level, with specs equivalent to the 9.7-inch iPad. The latter approach would have been creating a true premium model in ultra-portable form – which would have included near-bezel-free design with Face ID, and support for the Apple Pencil 2.”
“The model Apple announced today is some odd in-between device. Price-wise, it’s still more expensive than the 9.7-inch iPad, ranging from $399 to $679. Spec-wise, you get some of the iPad Pro features, but not all,” Lovejoy writes. “So … who is this model for? If you’re buying on price, and are happy with basic features, you’ll buy the 9.7-inch model. But if you want an iPad Pro in 7.9-inch format, you’re out of luck.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re perplexed, but, then again, we’ve never been in the market for an iPad mini. We could definitely see how a low-price, entry-level iPad mini would be attractive as devices for kids. If you pushed the specs up to “Pro” level, we’d remain unconvinced as 7.9-inches is just too small for most pro-level work.
It’ll be interesting to see if the new iPad mini sells or if this is the last iPad mini we’ll ever see.
Do you want the new 7.9-inch iPad mini? If so, why would you choose it over the 9.7-inch iPad or the new 10.5-inch iPad Air?
SEE ALSO:
Apple launches all-new, A12 Bionic-powered 10.5-inch iPad Air and 7.9-inch iPad mini – March 18, 2019
Grrrrrrr….and still, waiting for the iMac!!, could care less about the iPad announcements. Just saying!!
me too!
At WWDC… just a few monhs away …..
Hopefully with “Bionic inside”!
The iPad Mini is perfect for flying. I keep two in my cockpit; one on the panel, the other on a kneeboard.
The iPad Mini is used by a lot of retail establishments to play their music although you could do that with an iPod.
Someone who prefers the original Apple Pencil compared to the new one. I really can’t believe that Apple released a new product where only the old Apple Pencil works. I find it ridiculous that they did something so stupid. This is yet another example of the mess Tim Cook has made
It’s also, greedy, as it will force anyone buying the original pencil to have to upgrade it sooner than the pencil2 will likely require. Perhaps Apple has some extra pencil1 inventory?!?!
Per Pencil not working…yes, and the farking thing is premium-ly priced. Paying top-dollar for an item is in-line, IF said item “just works” and customers aren’t left bewildered like this.
Mr. Schiller; are you reading?
My son has always preferred the mini … got himself a new one last year. This will not cause him to update.
I agree that I would NEVER buy one but I have an older family member who LOVES the form factor and will def be getting one of these for her birthday. I also suspect that a lot of businesses use them like an iPod Touch PLUSs. Playing music, providing access to software, etc – more of a general utility machine.
Markets: Pilots, Doctors, Nurses, Building inspectors, Fire departments. There are many more. Just because you don’t need one, your imagination should not be limited. Sometimes size does matter.
It is the perfect size for people who read books. The rest of you will never underdtand.
They probably can’t read. 😉
The rest are probably very satisfied with their e-ink Kindles, nooks, etc. for long bouts of reading w/o having to plug in.
For me. Thank you Apple.
Me too. I want a smaller iPad, not the huge pro. I just use my MacBook Pro if I want something that big. I travel a lot…
I have an iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd Gen) and will be adding one of these to the mix.
My pref would have been to go all in with the latest as in the new Ipad Pros, but this is a great improvement.
Kids. Seems like I’m missing something, but if pro level features wouldn’t make sense on a mini, then this is the most premium you can get in a mini. Seems to be the best fit for kids at the highest level of features that should exist at that form factor.
And 5-10 year olds can port around a mini in their bags, handles them better, etc etc.
Been waiting years since iPad mini 2 for this model. But now that I have a XsMax with 512GB storage seems like I no longer need a slightly larger mini with only 256GB of storage.
It’s not just for kids, silly rabbit.
My wife carries a mini 2 with her in her purse. She wanted a new one for Christmas but I told her to hold off as there were rumors that an upgrade was coming. It’s here, so she’ll probably get it.
I have an XS Max and it’s still not quite big enough for reading. I’ll probably get a base mini WiFi model to replace my Kindle. My Air 1 is a bit unwieldy for quick stashing during my commute.
I think the mini is the ideal size, it’s so manageable, for so many things, I actually prefer it to the larger iPads and it can fit in a jacket pocket.
I will definitely be buying one, I have a 1st Gen 2012 iPad mini 1 which still provides sterling service, which I have purposely not upgraded whilst waiting for Apple to launch a worthwhile update to the mini 4.
I loved my second-generation iPad mini! While I still worked in an office job, it made a great lunchtime book reader. Also came in handy on the weekends in the office if I was stuck working overtime but wanted to have a ballgame on with my iPad propped up on my desk.
It fit in my lunchbox, too – making it completely inconspicuous.
Seems very straightforward. For those that want a very portable tablet…
iPhone Plus/XS Max devices that people do NOT want to wield as their primary phone device every moment of the day. But want to stick with their smaller display iPhones (many still want the SE size back – or are keeping theirs).
Have the iPad Mini that can be easily pulled and and used for larger than iPhone use cases.
Elderly, or even 40+ “elderly” who’s eye sight is going, and these small 2pt fonts no longer work for them on iPhones for long periods of use.
Price point, kids, education, ready device, again larger font sizes due to a great display that is larger than an iPhone.
Lots of use cases. It may “perplex” some, but Apple didn’t do this because they are not selling mini’s or didn’t see a buyer for them. Rather, Apple launched this, because they know there is a market for them.
The media continues to baffle me. “Uh, if we wouldn’t use it, we don’t get it.” Look beyond self people… I know, hard to do in such a narcissistic digital age.
Too late Apple, at least for initial users who warned themselves off of the mini, because of its ridiculously outdated hardware. I’ve adapted with my iPhone X and while the mini was once my got to device, I wouldn’t by it again. Had Apple updated it like 2 years ago it might have been a different story.
iPad mini is perfect for the dash of a car. I have all my map and navigation apps on it.
Drone pilots and kids.
Healthcare professionals is who use/need a current technology iPad mini.
why not, it has a good size, larger than an iPhone. And it fits better in bags. We are still using mini1, now it is time for an upgrade.
It is the same discussion as “who wants a new iPhone Se?”. We do, because of the small size, it used to be perfect since iphone1…
Not odd at all… iPad mini is ideal for use in K-12 schools, as the standardized device school provides to students. It’s also ideal at the workplace for use in less-glamorous functions like retail and inventory control. Apple can offer a discount for bulk purchases, because it’s NOT super fancy with expensive parts. By keeping same formfactor, a mix of previous and new models can be easily deployed. It’s a workhorse that’ll be in lineup for at least 3-4 years, like previous model.
The “old” iPad mini model is still very usable (doesn’t feel old and slow) for most uses. I have one AND a 10.5-inch iPad Pro. I use the mini just as much, for typical things like Instagram, music, reading, and email. People who “don’t get” iPad mini haven’t used one regularly; it’s so much lighter and easier to handle, especially when l’m laying down and holding it above my head. I can grip it firmly with one hand if needed. The size is ideal for thumb-typing with onscreen keyboard (in vertical orientation).
I like that the new one still has a headphones Jack, and I’m comfortable with having a home button. I’m probably getting one, some time after next iOS release. Until then, my current iPad mini is working fine, and if it’s fine with next iOS and newest software, I’ll delay upgrade.
The mini would be an awesome personal little couch/bed iPad if Apple would slice those bezels off. It’s in dire need of an edge-to-edge screen design upgrade. Maybe even shrink the screen a tad to make it easier to hold one-handed. Then Apple has the closing thing to a Kindle for iBooks, but one that does a boatload of other stuff.
All things being equal, if I were to get an iPad for myself, I would want a mini just for the convenience factor. But what matters most to me is how I can get a good price for it to do what I need it to do.
A lazy pair of iPad updates these are, making for a bit of confusing lineup.
I was really hoping for something exciting, all screen iPad 9.7 and mini etc.
Anyone thinking of getting the Air should be aware the 10.5 Pro on-sale all over for $499 (same price as new Air). But being Pro you get Pro-motion, quad speakers, 4GB RAM and very good CPU in the A10X (and better for Metal apps) A10X CPU. Even though its a 2017 model the A10X is a beast and I bet just as future proof as the new Air with A12.