iPad mini 2019

[Diane B]

Mini update: Found Amazon was able to deliver before last trip so bought from them. I've found it a great companion to my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 like Twerpoet I use it for notetaking all the time both in Notability app and Notes. I can throw it in a bag for easy carry and know notes or anything else will be synced with my Pro-or Mac for that matter. And horrors of horrors, I've even used it split screen-but primarily for dragging a photo or tweet over to Messages. (I "live"in split screen most of the time on the 12.9).

I'm using the newish Google keyboard (sort of like Swift) because I'm a touch typist and the keyboard is small so the slide on the Gboard is nice and so much better than I remember this type keyboard.

I considered the Apple cover but know iPads are slippy to hold so bought a Soke trifold-very light at 5.6 oz, protects corners and offers everything one wants in a cover including a loop for my gen 1 Pencil (which I charge on the case with an inches long cable meant for Pencil charging).

I have had a Kindle for years so wondered about reading outside but in the South I'm usually under shelter while reading and it's fine-and glare seems controlled sufficiently for me.

So-very glad my Kindle was dying at same time Mini 5 came out. It was a very good device purchase-i setup from my Pro but then deleted apps unlikely to be used on the Mini-like advanced photo apps and some others. It's with me all the time-as is my phone but I'm much more likely to use the Mini for most things and having the ability to use the Pencil (or Crayon) is a real plus over the phone.

 

[amyberta]

I decided, I’m going to get the new mini. The iPad I have now has 3g which I never use. I don’t know if I should get the mini with 3g. If I go away I think most hotels have free WiFi?

 

[scifan57]

One advantage of the 3G iPads is that they have GPS if that’s important to you.

 

[giradman]

I decided, I’m going to get the new mini. The iPad I have now has 3g which I never use. I don’t know if I should get the mini with 3g. If I go away I think most hotels have free WiFi?

Hi Amyberta - as already stated, do you need GPS or 4G LTE (more info HERE) cellular on your 'new' iPad? Since 2011, wife & I have owned a half dozen iPads - I've always bought just the Wi-Fi models mainly because where we travel and stay, Wi-Fi is always available; however, if you need to be on the internet (or have to use GPS on an iPad) w/o Wi-Fi, then a consideration (of course at the cost of a data plan). If you never use your current 3G, then why pay for the service? The newer Mini model has 4G as described in the link given - take look and decide - I just upgraded to the newest iPad Pro w/ only Wi-Fi; wife has the Mini 4 and if we upgrade hers to the new Mini, then will pick Wi-Fi only - but a personal choice that only you can make. Good luck - Dave

 

[jkingrph]

I had an iPad Air with 3G or whatever. It was nice except for paying for the plan. After my phone carrier started offering free wi fil hotspot via the phone I cancelled it. My new iPad Mini is wi fi only.. You might check and see if your cell phone carrier has free hotspots.

 

[giradman]

I had an iPad Air with 3G or whatever. It was nice except for paying for the plan. After my phone carrier started offering free wi fil hotspot via the phone I cancelled it. My new iPad Mini is wi fi only.. You might check and see if your cell phone carrier has free hotspots.

Yes, a good point and a potential issue w/ Wi-Fi only iPads even if Wi-Fi is available, i.e. the Wi-Fi offered may be of such low bandwidth to be useless for many purposes except maybe simple email - we just returned from the Tennessee (TN) mountains (Gatlinburg area) and stayed in a wonderful cabin w/ spectacular mountain views (described in my travelogue on East TN) - the satellite Wi-Fi had a data limit that allowed a measly 1-2 Mbps DL (about the same UL) speeds - could get email but web browsing and posting pics was impossible (quote below from my travelogue).

We were w/ our IT son who setup his iPhone as a Wi-Fi hotspot (can be an extra and costly fee from your cellular provider, but his was part of a company plan and virtually 'free') - when I connected to his 'hot spot', my DL speeds increased to 30-40 Mbps and allowed me to post to the form. SO, an alternate option if Wi-Fi reception is poor - BUT, I must say that in years of traveling and staying at places that offer Wi-Fi, this has been an extreme rarity in my experience. Dave

Woes of Wi-Fi in our mountain cabin -
My posts have been delayed a day or so because we determined that our satellite Wi-Fi router had a 'data cap' which permitted only 1-2 Mbps DL & UL speeds, insufficient to do much more that check our email, and certainly not adequate to upload and download multiple large images or to even browse the web at a decent rate.
SO, our IT son setup his iPhone as a 'hot spot' and I've been on his 'network' for the last few days, and was able to just place a couple of posts (getting about 30-40 Mbps DL speeds on his network) - we do not have that choice on Susan's iPhone, and his company pays his expenses. Felt like I was back in the dial-up modem days -
He called the rental office and they are 'checking into the satellite service' but I'm sure the rates are set in stone - this cabin can easily accommodate a dozen people, who together could have at least 2 dozen Wi-Fi gizmos - now that's a LOT of bandwidth - really the first time lately that I've had an issue w/ broadband wireless in a rental place, either condo or hotel. BUT - we've brought along a bunch of DVDs/BDs and have been enjoying that entertainment room shown earlier! Dave

 

[amyberta]

Thanks all, I think I’m going to get the WiFi only this time. When I have been away I was able to use the free WiFi with no problem. I’m getting it because my iPad has become to heavy and I want something lighter.

 

[jkingrph]

Yes, a good point and a potential issue w/ Wi-Fi only iPads even if Wi-Fi is available, i.e. the Wi-Fi offered may be of such low bandwidth to be useless for many purposes except maybe simple email - we just returned from the Tennessee (TN) mountains (Gatlinburg area) and stayed in a wonderful cabin w/ spectacular mountain views (described in my travelogue on East TN) - the satellite Wi-Fi had a data limit that allowed a measly 1-2 Mbps DL (about the same UL) speeds - could get email but web browsing and posting pics was impossible (quote below from my travelogue).

We were w/ our IT son who setup his iPhone as a Wi-Fi hotspot (can be an extra and costly fee from your cellular provider, but his was part of a company plan and virtually 'free') - when I connected to his 'hot spot', my DL speeds increased to 30-40 Mbps and allowed me to post to the form. SO, an alternate option if Wi-Fi reception is poor - BUT, I must say that in years of traveling and staying at places that offer Wi-Fi, this has been an extreme rarity in my experience. Dave

I agree about watching for the extra fees. When I first learned about cell phones being able o provide a hotspot, I checked with Verizon and it was a costly fee, That's when I got a simm card and set my iPad air up for 3 or 4 G, cannot remember which, but it was cheaper at the time than a hotspot. Then a few years later I was doing something on my iPhone and noticed the hotspot feature. I called Verizon and said I had not subscribed for that and to please remove it. Their reply was that they had upgraded their system and it was now part of their basic plan., That's when I dropped the 3-4G on my ipad. Nice thing about the hotspot is that I can connect the laptop I am using now when I am out of town at my parents old house where we do not have internet access or wi fi