ZDNET’s key takeaways.
- Although the iPad Mini 7 costs $500, it is currently $100 cheaper.
- I’ve taken the iPad Mini 7 everywhere with me over the past week. It fits easily into purses and bags without adding weight.
- Aside for the more powerful A17 Pro processor, the iPad Mini 7, especially for 6th-gen users, isn’t a big upgrade. Plus its display only supports 60Hz.
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I’ve used many tablets but never considered getting aniPad Mini 7 at Amazon. The lowest amount is $399. This deal is valid for all three storage options.
Despite using many tablets, I’ve never considered buying an. iPad Mini. The small 8.3-inch tablets have always been the first choice for my nieces, and I didn’t see the need for a smaller tablet since I already had a 6.7″ iPhone 14 Pro Max.
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My perception changed after I started using the iPad Mini 7. I have always loved large displays on tablets, but I underestimated how convenient a small iPad would be for my daily life. I’ve been carrying the iPad Mini 7 around with me for the past month. It fits easily into my bag without weighing it down or sticking out.
Also: The 35+ best Amazon Spring Sale Apple deals are still available across retailers.
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Unfortunately that’s where iPad Mini 7 reaches its limits: entertainment. This small tablet won’t be a remote worker or power user’s go-anywhere solution. It’s easier to use my cheaper iPad Mini 7 is $500, so it’s difficult to justify a tablet whose main purpose is to play games and consume media.
I like the larger screen of the iPad 10th Generation because it gives me more space to edit photos and videos. There are also many keyboard options that allow me to write and edit documents. The iPad 10th generation does not support the Apple Pencil Pro
Apple IntelligenceThe iPad Calculator’s Math Notes will make calculations for you and tell you when you make a mistake (in red).
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The iPad Mini 7 features the A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, and is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.
I tried Apple Intelligence features in the iPad Mini 7 as soon as iPadOS 18.1 was released and ever since. This software update included Writing Tools, the redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos. More updates have added extra tools, like ChatGPT in Siri, and I really like having text conversations with the virtual assistant now.
Also: The Apple Pencil Pro is still down to $99 during Amazon’s Spring Sale
I found more glitches in Apple’s Game Mode than I did using Apple Intelligence, but I wasn’t wowed by the iPad Mini’s generative AI features. In the iPad Mini’s defense, the Game Mode glitches appear to be an iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 issue rather than a device-specific issue. I’ve encountered the same ones in my iPhone 14 Pro Max since updating to iOS 18.
As someone who uses ChatGPT and other generative AI tools daily, I find the Apple Intelligence features need to be more polished and further developed. This isn’t all that surprising since Apple has notoriously fallen behind in the AI race, but I, like many other Apple users, was hoping for more.
Also: This $80 off iPad deal is a steal – and it’s the model I recommend to most people
For this reason, I would not recommend buying an iPad Mini 7 simply because of the AI features. But I recommend it to someone looking for a future-proofed entertainment tablet that can go almost anywhere. And I do like that I can generate emojis and images with AI and then use them in my iPhone 14 Pro Max, which doesn’t support Apple Intelligence.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The TheiPad Mini 7 is compact, fast and has a processor built by Apple to last years. It’s a great companion tablet for Apple customers looking for a device that goes with them. It’s also great for quick tasks, such as editing a video. CapCut or a post on social media inPS Express ()
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Apple seems to be steadfast about making Apple Intelligence the future of the company, but there have been many obstacles and stumbles on the road. Apple promises a great set of generative AI toolsets, but the company is currently juggling a lot. If you’re unsure, buy the iPad mini 7 for what it is – an entertainment tablet – and not for what Apple says it could be. If you are a power user who is looking for a tablet with more capabilities, you should look elsewhere.
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