nice for studying and gaming, however not a lot else

After spending the previous couple of weeks with Apple’s 7th generation iPad mini (2024), I’ve determined it is not for me. The pill is nice for studying, enjoying video games, and watching video content material on platforms like Netflix and YouTube (so long as you’ll be able to cope with its lackluster 60Hz show), however its 8.3-inch display is just too small to do the rest comfortably, like enhancing images, writing, or multitasking — all duties I typically use my iPad for.

Within the truest sense of the time period, the iPad mini (2024) aims to be a companion deviceyou utilize alongside your cellphone. However in a world the place most smartphones function 6-inch to 7-inch shows, it is not straightforward to justify dropping $500 on a tiny pill. These contemplating upgrading from the sixth era iPad mini will not discover a lot to get enthusiastic about right here, both. Positive, the A17 is lots highly effective, and Apple Pencil Professional assist is welcome, however until you propose to play AAA video games or draw on the iPad mini 7, there is not a lot of an improve right here over the iPad mini (2021). These chunky bezels are additionally nonetheless there.

Associated

5 features I’d like to see in an iPad mini Pro

Small measurement does not need to imply compromised specs.

Worth, availability, and specs

The iPad mini 7 is on the market now for $500. The smallest pill in Apple’s iPad lineup options an 8.3-inch 2266 x 1488 pixel decision LCD show. Storage configurations embrace 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The pill’s entrance digicam is a 12-megapixel ultra-wide shooter, and its rear digicam is a 12-megapixel broad digicam.

Relating to dimensions, the iPad mini (2022) is available in at 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25-inches (195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm). The Wi-Fi model of the machine weighs 0.65lbs (293g) and the mobile model weighs 0.66lbs (297g). Colours embrace house grey, starlight, purple, and blue.

Associated

Who is Apple’s new iPad mini even for?

The brand new mini is a probably glorious iPad that is caught in limbo.

The pill is nice for studying and enjoying video games

Whereas I have been fairly destructive about Apple’s tiny pill to date, there’s quite a bit to love in regards to the new iPad mini. First off, I am a giant fan of the dimensions — however just for particular functions. 8.3-inches feels cramped for something moreover internet looking, studying, and enjoying video games. Making an attempt to do any work on the small display, even easy photograph enhancing in Adobe Lightroom CC, feels constrained and has me shortly eager for a much bigger show, whether or not I am utilizing it in panorama or portrait mode. Nonetheless, there’s one thing good about shortly tucking the tiny iPad mini 7 away in a bag simply after catching up on studying whereas on the prepare.

On that be aware, it is nice to see Apple assist the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple Pencil Professional for the iPad mini (2024), although it sadly does not assist the 2nd era Apple Pencil. Whereas I do not see myself utilizing the iPad mini (2024) with a stylus fairly often, the very fact the choice is there’s nice.

What I’ve used the iPad mini for essentially the most over the previous couple of weeks is looking the web and studying content material I’ve saved in Pocket. I like e-readers, primarily the Kobo Libra Colour, however it’s typically good to have a look at the web sites I go to ceaselessly in a regular browser (Pocket will be lower than stellar on a Kobo). That mentioned, this additionally means I am simply distracted by notifications and the aimless Threads scrolling that always captures my consideration once I’m making an attempt to concentrate on studying. Nonetheless, as an all-in-one studying machine, the iPad mini is strong. Its measurement is ideal for that goal, and it is extra succesful than an e-reader because of iPadOS.

I nonetheless favor single-use, centered gadgets just like the Libra Color for studying, however I perceive the iPad mini’s all-in-one attraction and why that may work higher for some folks. It may be your major studying machine, and a succesful pill.

It is value noting that, regardless of not that includes an M-series chip, the A17 Professional — which was included in final yr’s iPhone 15 Professional — stays highly effective and might even play high-end video games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage comparatively easily. In fact, now that iOS 18.1 is on the market, the iPad mini helps Apple Intelligence options like Clear-Up, which helps you to take away objects from photos, questionably helpful notification Summaries, and a extra conversational Siri.

Extra options are coming with iOS 18.2, together with ChatGPT integration, Siri being conscious of what is in your display, and Visible Intelligence, which analyzes what’s within the pictures you snap.

May Apple Intelligence be a key iPad mini 7 promoting function down the road? I am nonetheless skeptical, however perhaps. Hopefully, iOS 18.2 modifications that.

Associated

Apple iPad mini 7th gen vs 6th gen: What’s the difference?

Apple has lastly introduced the iPad mini into the AI period — here is how the all-new iPad mini 7 compares with the outgoing mini 6.

In a world of large smartphones with spectacular screens, the iPad mini 7’s show is disappointing

What I’ve discovered most stunning in regards to the iPad mini (2021) is how dated it appears to be like. The bezels are chunky and a throwback to iPads from a number of years in the past (after all, not together with the entry-level iPad), and its LCD LED show does not evaluate to the iPad Air, iPad Professional, and even the entry-level iPad display.

I do know that in all probability is not a wholly honest comparability (particularly the OLED iPad Professional), however I am coming from these costlier gadgets. And even for a $500 8.3-inch pill, I anticipated extra. The actual fact the display is 60Hz and nonetheless appears to have a little bit of the “jelly scrolling” the 2021 version of the iPad mini suffered from, does not bode effectively. Even the colours on the pill’s display really feel muted and low-key in comparison with different LED LCD iPads in Apple’s lineup.

Associated

Why there’s never been a good time to get an iPad Pro

Regardless of its highly effective {hardware}, the iPad Professional is difficult to justify — it is personal working system is holding it again.

Relating to jelly scrolling particularly, it does not appear to be one thing everybody notices. I see it generally when scrolling; elements of internet sites will stick and drag oddly, however in different conditions, it is simply not there. It is an odd situation, however the issue appears to have vastly improved over the iPad mini (2021), the place I seen this situation almost on a regular basis. It is the type of downside that in the event you do discover it, you’ll be able to’t not see, so if it does not exist for you, contemplate your self fortunate.

With this in thoughts, in the event you’re not used to higher-end shows of the mini LED and OLED selection, the iPad mini’s lackluster show will possible be adequate for you. For me, although? I would like extra from a tool I take advantage of virtually completely for enjoying video games and watching content material, particularly at $500. At this level, Apple must carry no less than a 90Hz show to most of its iPad lineup, together with the iPad mini.

Associated

I underestimated nano-texture screens until I tried the M4 iPad Pro outside

I have been completely flawed about nano-texture show know-how.

It is among the best round in the event you’re a one-stop-shop media client

Until you are in search of an all-in-one media consumption companion pill and do not thoughts a lackluster show, most individuals shall be higher off consuming content material on their smartphone over the iPad mini (2024). This does not essentially make it a foul pill, however it’s designed with a particular kind of iPad consumer in thoughts.

Most individuals are higher off utilizing their smartphone as a substitute of shelling out the money for an iPad mini. In any case, in case you have an iPhone or a latest Android machine, the show is probably going OLED, incorporates a greater refresh charge, and is almost the identical measurement as Apple’s tiny pill. So far as I am involved, Apple’s greater iPads are the place it is at.

Associated

The best e-readers of 2024 for every lifestyle

Out there for a brand new e-reader? These are the perfect we have tried and examined in 2024.