Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence
Apple’s new iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip is seen as a welcome spec bump—especially for fans of the compact form factor and use cases like reading, note-taking, and aviation apps—but many are underwhelmed by how little else has changed. Commenters criticize the lack of Pro features such as a 120 Hz or OLED display, Stage Manager, better external monitor support, and a landscape camera, while also debating the value of thick bezels and Apple’s premium pricing. The heavy marketing around “Apple Intelligence” draws skepticism, particularly since the AI features are delayed, limited by hardware and RAM tiers, and in some regions (like the EU) not available at all.
Chip, RAM, and “Apple Intelligence”
- New iPad mini gets the A17 Pro (cut-down iPhone 15 Pro chip) and more RAM, widely read as mainly to meet Apple Intelligence requirements.
- Some see this as trickle-down now that iPad Pro uses M‑series; others think it’s a rushed reuse of iPhone hardware.
- Stage Manager remains unavailable on the mini despite A‑series performance that rivals older M1 iPads, frustrating users who want “dockable” desktop-style use.
Display, Jelly Scroll, and Bezels
- Many wanted 120 Hz and/or OLED; several say pencil latency and general smoothness feel inferior to Pro models.
- Others argue 60 Hz is a deliberate product differentiator and that high‑refresh panels and storage are cheap in raw BOM but expensive with “Apple tax.”
- Some reports/rumors suggest internal display changes to reduce the “jelly scrolling” seen on the mini 6, but this is unconfirmed; people debate whether orientation flipping just moves the problem.
- Thick bezels are divisive: critics call them outdated and wasteful; supporters say tablets need bezels to hold without accidental touches and to fit batteries and components.
Form Factor, Use Cases, and Competition
- Strong affection for the mini’s size: ideal for reading, note-taking, cockpit use (ForeFlight), bedside/media, and as a companion to a small phone.
- Many lament the end of small iPhones and see the mini as the last “ultraportable” iOS device; some would prefer a dumbphone + mini setup.
- Several note a lack of serious small-tablet competitors; most Android tablets in this size are low-end.
External Displays and Multitasking
- A‑series minis only mirror displays and cap external resolution; M‑series iPads get full Stage Manager, extended desktops, and better external monitor behavior.
- Users wanting to “laptop-ify” the mini with docks and monitors see this as a major limitation.
Price, Value, and Longevity
- Disagreement over whether iPads are overpriced “commodity” hardware or justified by build quality, long life, and resale value.
- Many advocate buying 1–2 generations old or refurbished; others argue there are cheaper non‑Apple tablets and phones that are “good enough.”
Apple Intelligence Availability and Perception
- In the EU, marketing around Apple Intelligence is mostly absent and features aren’t shipping, making the refresh feel underwhelming.
- Several commenters criticize Apple for aggressively advertising unreleased AI features, compare this to other hype cycles, and question whether on‑device LLMs are ready or useful.
- Others note Apple’s higher bar for reliability and privacy (on‑device vs cloud), which may delay rollout.
Pencil, Math Notes, and Education
- The mini now supports Pencil Pro, but there’s frustration that the cheap USB‑C Pencil lacks pressure sensitivity and that base iPads still push awkward Pencil generations.
- “Math Notes” is intriguing to some but dismissed by others (including practicing mathematicians) as limited, unreliable parsing, and far from CAS‑level capability.
- Debate over whether such tools can “revolutionize” math education versus being just nicer calculators or note apps.