Every time I attend a press launch event, a product briefing, or an interview, I make sure to carry my Moleskine reporter’s notebook. It’s an integral part of what I do, and I’m sure my fellow journalists can relate to this. I often joke that you’re not a journalist if you don’t carry a notepad with you. However, as a tech journalist writing about personal technology for a living, I also try to review new products and incorporate them into my daily routine to see how I can benefit from them. Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the new iPad mini, and honestly, what intrigued me more than the usual features associated with the iPad was the idea that I could replace my pen and notebook with it.
As I began using the iPad mini almost daily, I started to appreciate the device more. Reporting isn’t just about observing; it’s also about understanding the world around you. Apple’s little tablet serves not only as a tool for taking notes but also as a dictaphone, an AI assistant, and a camera, all rolled into one. Perhaps an integral part of my job is to share what I observe, and the iPad mini represents a new form of a reporter’s notebook as it embodies the accountability that comes with being a journalist. Here’s my review of the iPad mini.
Apple iPad mini price in India: Rs 49,900 onwards (excludes the cost of Apple Pencil Pro)
How I use the iPad
I have been using the iPad for over a decade now, and I’m happy to be called a seasoned iPad user. There was a time when I switched to the iPad completely, totally replacing my Mac, and that phase lasted for a few years—until the M1 Mac came out, at which point I went back to using the Mac. I wouldn’t say I have an on-and-off relationship with the iPad. I still use it a lot, but not necessarily as a Mac replacement, as much as Apple would like me to. Instead, I enjoy taking notes on the iPad with the Apple Pencil, recording voice notes during product briefings, attending video calls, listening to music on Apple Music, and sometimes playing games. Honestly, I neither recommend buying the iPad Pro for these activities, nor would I want to spend that much money just to stream a Netflix show on it. I’m not into coding or making music, so I don’t see the need for the iPad Pro or a premium tablet. It took me a while to figure out which iPad works for me, and considering I already use a Mac for computing tasks and the iPhone for phone-related activities, the iPad mini stands out for the things I want to do on a tablet.
The iPad mini is made for reading and browsing. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
My love for dedicated devices
If you ever peek into my tote bag and wonder why I carry so many different devices: an iPhone, an iPad, an iPod, a Nintendo Switch, a MacBook, a Kindle 3rd generation and a Samsung Galaxy camera. This is who I am; I’m a bit weird—someone who still listens to music on an iPod and uses wired earbuds. I like dedicated devices for different purposes, and I don’t regret that choice. I don’t believe a single device can replace every other device on the market. Maybe that’s why I chose the iPad mini over the other iPads. It feels different, excels in one or two areas, and looks like what a tablet should be. This is the only iPad in Apple’s product portfolio that stays true to the original iPad.
Small and compact
I’m glad that Apple didn’t market the iPad mini as a computer like it did with the iPad Air and iPad Pro. The essence of the iPad mini lies in its small, compact footprint and its simplicity as a tablet. I’m sure you get that feeling when you pick up the mini. The 8-inch screen makes it just the right size for me to hold while lying on my back in bed, though I would say it isn’t as light as a Kindle. In terms of size, the Mini has been wonderful. It’s small enough that I can tuck it into a tote bag when I take public transportation or Uber, and it slides into even a stuffed backpack. It’s extremely lightweight (even with a protective case), which makes it a dream to travel with. That’s what I love about the iPad mini: you know it’s a tablet, and the Mini’s design and form make that clear. If you need an iPad for reading eBooks or taking notes, the Mini is the perfect choice.
The iPad mini is next to the original iPad. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
I didn’t get the same feeling when I was using the new iPad Air (the one with the 12.9-inch display)—the bulkier external keyboard doesn’t really suit a device as small as this. However, with the iPad mini, the design is intentional: you know it doesn’t support a Magic Keyboard, so you already understand its best use case. In my case, I use the Mini as a notebook replacement and jot down notes with the Apple Pencil. I also carry the Mini during interviews, keeping it on the table to record live transcriptions with Voice Notes. My life is sorted.
The Mini features the flat-sided design of the iPad Pro, which I really like. That flat side enables support for the USB-C Apple Pencil as well as the Apple Pencil Pro (more on that later), which attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad and charges inductively. However, there’s no support for Face ID, as biometric authentication occurs via Touch ID integrated into the wake/sleep button on the edge of the iPad. The iPad mini offers a slightly less capable USB-C port and lacks the Thunderbolt port found on the iPad Pro. But nothing detracts from how the Mini feels as a device, because its purpose is well defined—what a small tablet can possibly do.
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The right screen size
The screen display was a big selling point for me when switching to the iPad mini. First, the 8.3-inch screen size is just right for me—somewhere between the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.3 inches and the MacBook Air’s 13 inches. Second, the screen size allows me to read eBooks on the go, which I’m not as comfortable doing on the iPad Air’s 12.9-inch screen. Finally, the Mini’s size and screen are perfect for taking notes. However, the iPad mini lacks a ProMotion display or an OLED display. I do feel that Apple could have included a high-refresh-rate display on the Mini. That would have been great, especially since many people who pick up this device likely intend to use it as an eBook reader or for gaming.
The performance is very good, and the battery life is as well. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
I paired a keyboard with the Mini
Apple has gotten a lot right with the iPad mini, but there is a caveat I must admit, as a fan of compact devices. The more you use the Mini, the more you realise that the on-screen keyboard isn’t great. The small form factor limits its usability for writing beyond a certain point. The landscape keyboard is cramped, while the portrait keyboard feels too large. Overall, the on-screen keyboard doesn’t provide a satisfying experience. That’s why I paired an external keyboard for typing, which has greatly elevated my writing experience. However, you’ll never be completely satisfied. I have been using a mechanical keyboard with the Mini, and so far, the experience has been great. But I wouldn’t want to completely switch from my Mac. That being said, it doesn’t stop the Mini from being a capable portable writing machine when paired with a great keyboard. I have figured out how to write more effectively on the iPad mini and how to do it. That’s a fun aspect of using the iPad mini, or any iPad in general. I can try new keyboards and accessories to find what works for me. The do-it-yourself (DIY) approach is fantastic because it gives you the freedom to explore new ways of using a device despite certain shortcomings.
I used the iPad mini for writing. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
A powerful processor and support for Apple Intelligence
But the Mini feels like a powerful device with plenty of capability for the tasks it is designed for. The new Mini has been upgraded to the A17 Pro chip (the same one found in the iPhone 15 Pro). Scrolling through LinkedIn, reading newspapers, and visiting websites all worked just fine. I have also used the Mini as an eBook reader by firing up the Kindle app, and the device felt great. I’m not someone who will use the Mini for extraordinary tasks because I have a Mac for that. I know what type of user I am and why I’m so inclined toward the iPad mini. This understanding helps me appreciate the Mini better and see what it can do for me.
The Mini also supports the brand-new Apple Intelligence (I tested a beta version; the public rollout might take a little longer, likely in early 2025 for India) on top of iPadOS. I have been using Apple’s AI system for months since it was announced back in June, and my take on Apple getting into generative artificial intelligence is something I have been saying for a long time: it’s familiar and helpful, but not out of this world. There are some features that are generally useful, such as writing tools that make your emails sound more professional and AI-powered audio transcription in the Voice Memos and Notes apps. I am already using the AI audio transcriptions in Voice Memos, and I can’t tell you how helpful they are. This feature was long overdue and aligns perfectly with the iPad mini more than with any other device.
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Recently, I interviewed a developer on a video call using the iPad mini, recorded the conversation on the device itself, and used the Voice Memos app’s built-in ability to transcribe the entire interview into text. I then pasted the text into Google Docs, writing a copy on the Mini using the external keyboard. That’s my unique use case for the iPad mini.
Apple Intelligence makes things a little smarter, but it doesn’t significantly change how you use the iPad. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The note-taking ability is a standout feature
Perhaps the primary reason I was so enamoured with the iPad mini is its note-taking capability. In my case, the device that comes closest to replacing a Moleskine reporter’s notebook is the iPad mini. Its small size, the quality of the screen, and the ability to use the Apple Pencil Pro (the one I use for taking notes) transform the Mini into a writing and sketching device. My handwriting is awful (and only I can understand it), but I never stopped writing on paper. Sure, I may not be an artist or the best person to review the new Apple Pencil Pro, but I appreciate what Apple has done with this advanced stylus. The pencil’s haptic feedback dramatically improves the double-tap gesture and enhances the new squeeze gesture that brings up a contextual menu. There’s so much to love about the Pencil Pro, but I must say that as I use it more to take notes, I’ve realised just how bad my handwriting is. The good thing is that I still haven’t stopped writing or jotting down notes, and the Pencil Pro is helping me improve my handwriting—just one step at a time.
It’s great that the new Mini supports the new Pencil Pro but the second-gen Apple Pencil isn’t supported. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Mini vs. Pro
I brought up this question for a reason, and the answer lies in a simple fact: the iPad mini is a tablet and thus can’t replace your Mac. The iPad Pro is absolutely a beast and can come close to replacing the Mac, but it all depends on what type of user you are. I never tried to do Mac tasks on the iPad mini because I know it can’t handle them. Instead, the iPad mini shines in the areas that truly define the iPad, complemented by its form factor, screen size, and support for the Apple Pencil.
I prefer a smaller tablet, as I already use my iPhone and Mac. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
That being said, the iPad mini is not perfect, and there’s room for improvement. Perhaps there could be new creative ways to add accessories and enhance the experience without necessarily requiring beefed-up performance, as Apple has done this time. Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence isn’t really a solution to the iPadOS problems. The issues that users typically complain about regarding iPadOS and how devices like the iPad Pro have been held back don’t really apply to the iPad mini. That’s where I feel a distinction needs to be made, and the user interface needs to be reevaluated with the form factor in mind to make iPadOS feel much better and more fluid.
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