Even after all these years, it’s clear that the iPad mini is the most misunderstood iPad in the lineup among buyers.
iPad mini is Not a Smaller iPad Air or iPad Pro – it’s a Completely Different Device for Casual Things
Regardless of screen size, we believe all iPads serve the exact same purpose. That is simply not true. When you move to a larger screen size, the head-room for productivity increases and the ‘fun’ element slightly diminishes because you lose portability.
On s smaller iPad mini, it’s the opposite.
When we look at iPad mini, we want to treat it like a full-size iPad, but in smaller package. Sure, that’s exactly what it is, but how you use the iPad drastically changes when the screen size changes, too.
The iPad mini is meant for reading. It is meant to take notes with Apple Pencil while you hold iPad mini with the other hand. It is meant for playing games using on-screen controls. It is a sketchbook with unlimited pages. It is meant to casually edit that spectacular photo you took using your iPhone and more.
But, the bigger iPad does that, too.
Sure, it does. However, it does not fit in your pocket nor you can hold it for extended periods of time in one hand. The latter is such a huge deal for buyers, but comes at a cost of lesser productivity value.
The smaller iPad is not meant for typing an entire novel. It’s meant to be an extremely casual computing device to check your emails, catch up on social media, have fun texting your friends on a slightly larger display, plan out your vacation or ask Siri silly questions.
iPad mini is not meant for demanding productivity tasks. If you have to fight the tablet to get something done, it’s not meant to do what you want it to do, it’s as simple as that.
My point is a simple one – iPad mini does not replace something like an iPad Pro or iPad Air. It is an iPad in its own league that is meant to be used as a companion device to your iPhone for times when you need that extra bit of screen for reading, enjoying or creating content casually.
For everything else it’s the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Don’t forget how the Air and Pro can be laptop replacements, too. iPad mini? Not at all.
If you really want to exploit the full potential of iPadOS, a larger iPad is the way to go, not iPad mini. And when I say large, just one step up – the 11-inch model whether it’s the Air or the Pro.
I would love to know how you’re treating your iPad mini. Drop me an email or leave a comment on the website or social media.
At the time of writing, I can’t recommend the tenth-generation iPad for one simple reason – it doesn’t have a bright future until the next one comes out.
