Each time I attend a press launch occasion, a product briefing, or an interview, I ensure that to hold my Moleskine reporter’s pocket book. It’s an integral a part of what I do, and I’m positive my fellow journalists can relate to this. I typically joke that you just’re not a journalist if you happen to don’t carry a notepad with you. Nevertheless, as a tech journalist writing about private know-how for a residing, I additionally attempt to evaluate new merchandise and incorporate them into my day by day routine to see how I can profit from them. Just lately, I had the chance to check out the brand new iPad mini, and truthfully, what intrigued me greater than the standard options related to the iPad was the concept that I may substitute my pen and pocket book with it.
As I started utilizing the iPad mini nearly day by day, I began to understand the gadget extra. Reporting isn’t nearly observing; it’s additionally about understanding the world round you. Apple’s little pill serves not solely as a device for taking notes but in addition as a dictaphone, an AI assistant, and a digicam, all rolled into one. Maybe an integral a part of my job is to share what I observe, and the iPad mini represents a brand new type of a reporter’s pocket book because it embodies the accountability that comes with being a journalist. Right here’s my evaluate of the iPad mini.
Apple iPad mini worth in India: Rs 49,900 onwards (excludes the price of Apple Pencil Professional)
How I exploit the iPad
I’ve been utilizing the iPad for over a decade now, and I’m pleased to be referred to as a seasoned iPad person. There was a time after I switched to the iPad fully, completely changing my Mac, and that section lasted for a couple of years—till the M1 Mac got here out, at which level I went again to utilizing the Mac. I wouldn’t say I’ve an on-and-off relationship with the iPad. I nonetheless use it so much, however not essentially as a Mac substitute, as a lot as Apple would really like me to. As a substitute, I get pleasure from taking notes on the iPad with the Apple Pencil, recording voice notes throughout product briefings, attending video calls, listening to music on Apple Music, and typically enjoying video games. Truthfully, I neither suggest shopping for the iPad Professional for these actions, nor would I wish to spend that a lot cash simply to stream a Netflix present on it. I’m not into coding or making music, so I don’t see the necessity for the iPad Professional or a premium pill. It took me some time to determine which iPad works for me, and contemplating I already use a Mac for computing duties and the iPhone for phone-related actions, the iPad mini stands out for the issues I wish to do on a pill.
My love for devoted units
Should you ever peek into my tote bag and marvel why I carry so many alternative units: an iPhone, an iPad, an iPod, a Nintendo Swap, a MacBook, a Kindle third era and a Samsung Galaxy digicam. That is who I’m; I’m a bit bizarre—somebody who nonetheless listens to music on an iPod and makes use of wired earbuds. I like devoted units for various functions, and I don’t remorse that selection. I don’t consider a single gadget can substitute each different gadget available on the market. Possibly that’s why I selected the iPad mini over the opposite iPads. It feels totally different, excels in a single or two areas, and appears like what a pill ought to be. That is the one iPad in Apple’s product portfolio that stays true to the unique iPad.
Small and compact
I’m glad that Apple didn’t market the iPad mini as a pc prefer it did with the iPad Air and iPad Professional. The essence of the iPad mini lies in its small, compact footprint and its simplicity as a pill. I’m positive you get that feeling once you decide up the mini. The 8-inch display screen makes it simply the correct measurement for me to carry whereas mendacity on my again in mattress, although I might say it isn’t as gentle as a Kindle. When it comes to measurement, the Mini has been fantastic. It’s sufficiently small that I can tuck it right into a tote bag after I take public transportation or Uber, and it slides into even a stuffed backpack. It’s extraordinarily light-weight (even with a protecting case), which makes it a dream to journey with. That’s what I really like in regards to the iPad mini: you understand it’s a pill, and the Mini’s design and type make that clear. Should you want an iPad for studying eBooks or taking notes, the Mini is the right selection.
I didn’t get the identical feeling after I was utilizing the brand new iPad Air (the one with the 12.9-inch show)—the bulkier exterior keyboard doesn’t actually go well with a tool as small as this. Nevertheless, with the iPad mini, the design is intentional: you understand it doesn’t assist a Magic Keyboard, so that you already perceive its finest use case. In my case, I exploit the Mini as a pocket book substitute and jot down notes with the Apple Pencil. I additionally carry the Mini throughout interviews, preserving it on the desk to document reside transcriptions with Voice Notes. My life is sorted.
The Mini options the flat-sided design of the iPad Professional, which I actually like. That flat facet permits assist for the USB-C Apple Pencil in addition to the Apple Pencil Professional (extra on that later), which attaches magnetically to the facet of the iPad and costs inductively. Nevertheless, there’s no assist for Face ID, as biometric authentication happens by way of Contact ID built-in into the wake/sleep button on the sting of the iPad. The iPad mini presents a barely much less succesful USB-C port and lacks the Thunderbolt port discovered on the iPad Professional. However nothing detracts from how the Mini feels as a tool, as a result of its function is effectively outlined—what a small pill can presumably do.
The appropriate display screen measurement
The display screen show was a giant promoting level for me when switching to the iPad mini. First, the 8.3-inch display screen measurement is good for me—someplace between the iPhone 16 Professional’s 6.3 inches and the MacBook Air’s 13 inches. Second, the display screen measurement permits me to learn eBooks on the go, which I’m not as snug doing on the iPad Air’s 12.9-inch display screen. Lastly, the Mini’s measurement and display screen are excellent for taking notes. Nevertheless, the iPad mini lacks a ProMotion show or an OLED show. I do really feel that Apple may have included a high-refresh-rate show on the Mini. That might have been nice, particularly since many individuals who decide up this gadget possible intend to make use of it as an eBook reader or for gaming.
I paired a keyboard with the Mini
Apple has gotten so much proper with the iPad mini, however there’s a caveat I need to admit, as a fan of compact units. The extra you utilize the Mini, the extra you realise that the on-screen keyboard isn’t nice. The small type issue limits its usability for writing past a sure level. The panorama keyboard is cramped, whereas the portrait keyboard feels too massive. Total, the on-screen keyboard doesn’t present a satisfying expertise. That’s why I paired an exterior keyboard for typing, which has tremendously elevated my writing expertise. Nevertheless, you’ll by no means be fully glad. I’ve been utilizing a mechanical keyboard with the Mini, and to this point, the expertise has been nice. However I wouldn’t wish to fully swap from my Mac. That being stated, it doesn’t cease the Mini from being a succesful moveable writing machine when paired with an amazing keyboard. I’ve found out the way to write extra successfully on the iPad mini and the way to do it. That’s a enjoyable facet of utilizing the iPad mini, or any iPad basically. I can strive new keyboards and equipment to search out what works for me. The do-it-yourself (DIY) strategy is implausible as a result of it provides you the liberty to discover new methods of utilizing a tool regardless of sure shortcomings.
A robust processor and assist for Apple Intelligence
However the Mini seems like a strong gadget with loads of functionality for the duties it’s designed for. The brand new Mini has been upgraded to the A17 Professional chip (the identical one discovered within the iPhone 15 Professional). Scrolling via LinkedIn, studying newspapers, and visiting web sites all labored simply fantastic. I’ve additionally used the Mini as an eBook reader by firing up the Kindle app, and the gadget felt nice. I’m not somebody who will use the Mini for extraordinary duties as a result of I’ve a Mac for that. I do know what kind of person I’m and why I’m so inclined towards the iPad mini. This understanding helps me admire the Mini higher and see what it could actually do for me.
The Mini additionally helps the brand-new Apple Intelligence (I examined a beta model; the general public rollout may take a bit longer, possible in early 2025 for India) on high of iPadOS. I’ve been utilizing Apple’s AI system for months because it was introduced again in June, and my tackle Apple moving into generative synthetic intelligence is one thing I’ve been saying for a very long time: it’s acquainted and useful, however not out of this world. There are some options which might be usually helpful, akin to writing instruments that make your emails sound extra skilled and AI-powered audio transcription within the Voice Memos and Notes apps. I’m already utilizing the AI audio transcriptions in Voice Memos, and I can’t inform you how useful they’re. This characteristic was lengthy overdue and aligns completely with the iPad mini greater than with some other gadget.
Just lately, I interviewed a developer on a video name utilizing the iPad mini, recorded the dialog on the gadget itself, and used the Voice Memos app’s built-in skill to transcribe all the interview into textual content. I then pasted the textual content into Google Docs, writing a replica on the Mini utilizing the exterior keyboard. That’s my distinctive use case for the iPad mini.
The note-taking skill is a standout characteristic
Maybe the first motive I used to be so enamoured with the iPad mini is its note-taking functionality. In my case, the gadget that comes closest to changing a Moleskine reporter’s pocket book is the iPad mini. Its small measurement, the standard of the display screen, and the flexibility to make use of the Apple Pencil Professional (the one I exploit for taking notes) remodel the Mini right into a writing and sketching gadget. My handwriting is terrible (and solely I can perceive it), however I by no means stopped writing on paper. Positive, I will not be an artist or the very best particular person to evaluate the brand new Apple Pencil Professional, however I admire what Apple has carried out with this superior stylus. The pencil’s haptic suggestions dramatically improves the double-tap gesture and enhances the brand new squeeze gesture that brings up a contextual menu. There’s a lot to like in regards to the Pencil Professional, however I need to say that as I exploit it extra to take notes, I’ve realised simply how unhealthy my handwriting is. The great factor is that I nonetheless haven’t stopped writing or jotting down notes, and the Pencil Professional helps me enhance my handwriting—only one step at a time.
Mini vs. Professional
I introduced up this query for a motive, and the reply lies in a easy truth: the iPad mini is a pill and thus can’t substitute your Mac. The iPad Professional is completely a beast and might come near changing the Mac, but it surely all will depend on what kind of person you might be. I by no means tried to do Mac duties on the iPad mini as a result of I do know it could actually’t deal with them. As a substitute, the iPad mini shines within the areas that actually outline the iPad, complemented by its type issue, display screen measurement, and assist for the Apple Pencil.
That being stated, the iPad mini isn’t excellent, and there’s room for enchancment. Maybe there might be new artistic methods so as to add equipment and improve the expertise with out essentially requiring beefed-up efficiency, as Apple has carried out this time. Sadly, Apple Intelligence isn’t actually an answer to the iPadOS issues. The problems that customers sometimes complain about concerning iPadOS and the way units just like the iPad Professional have been held again don’t actually apply to the iPad mini. That’s the place I really feel a distinction must be made, and the person interface must be reevaluated with the shape think about thoughts to make iPadOS really feel a lot better and extra fluid.
