THIS iPad is the ONLY iPad worth Buying in 2024

Everyone I know has an iPad, and almost everyone I know doesn't use it. It's sitting unused in a dusty desk drawer, on a bookshelf, or in a kid's bedroom buried under oceans of cruelly designed plastic toys covered in sticky fingerprints. Even my own flagship 12.9-inch iPad Pro sits mostly unused on my desk, used as a glorified remote control to switch all of my studio lights on. Aside from that, it barely gets any use. But honestly, comment down below if you own an iPad and don't use it, or if you do, what the heck do you use it for?

Last week, I picked up the iPad Mini, and after just a few days, I truly believe that this iPad is the only iPad worth buying in 2024, and here's why.

The iPad Conundrum

If you have any iPad already, you'll mostly understand the issues that arise from having one. With my 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it’s a choice of whether to pick up my MacBook Air, which is fully capable of everything a desktop should be able to do, or to pick up my iPad that's perhaps more fun to use but limited in functionality. The iPad isn't fully desktop-capable, and its battery life doesn't even match the similarly sized MacBook Air. Once you spec up an iPad with a case, a keyboard, and accessories, you're probably spending more than you would on a more capable MacBook Air.

Why the iPad Mini Stands Out

However, the iPad Mini is different for one key reason: its size. The iPad Mini provides the full iPad experience but in a form factor that a laptop can't provide. Yes, it’s not a suitable replacement for a laptop, but that's not what the iPad Mini is trying to be. Unlike the bigger iPads, the iPad Mini aims to be a bigger and perhaps better version of the iPhone. That means it is portable and can even fit in your pockets. This versatility makes it something a large 12.9-inch iPad Pro simply isn't.

Here are five ways that I genuinely use my iPad Mini every single day, without spending hundreds on accessories and cases. The only add-ons I've used are a paper-like screen protector, which enhances the writing and drawing experience, and the Apple Pencil, which attaches to the side and works seamlessly.

5 Uses for the iPad Mini

1. A Handy Assistant

The iPad Mini serves as an essential assistant when making videos. I can connect the camera to start and stop recording and change settings without needing to be behind the camera. I also use this app to control my jib for smooth b-roll shots. Previously, I used my phone for these tasks, which was inconvenient if I needed to take footage using the phone. The iPad Mini's size makes it easy to reach and handle, unlike my ginormous 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

2. Entertainment Device

During lunchtime and in the evenings, I use the iPad Mini to catch up on social media apps or watch content on YouTube or TikTok. Its portability means I can easily carry it in my pocket or bag without adding much weight, even if I'm already carrying around a laptop and other work stuff. It's convenient for downloading TV shows or movies and watching them with a pair of AirPods Max headphones, giving a surround sound experience on the go.

3. Replacement for a Kindle

The iPad Mini is a great alternative to a Kindle. It’s practically the same size, and while its battery life isn’t as extensive as the Kindle’s months-long battery life, it can do a lot more. You can browse, read, highlight books, and download more books directly onto the device, eliminating the need to carry a separate Kindle when traveling.

4. Home Automation Controller

I use my iPad Mini as a home automation controller for my Apple home gadgets. Previously, I mounted the older iPad Mini in my hallway using an overpriced magnetic charger. While it worked well, the cumbersome case made it uncomfortable to use. I found a new magnetic sticker from a company called Moth that allows the iPad to stick to the wall without charging, making it look like it’s floating. This makes the iPad Mini an ideal control panel for lights, locks, and home automations.

5. Note-Taking and Gaming

As a note-taker, the iPad Mini is the perfect notebook-sized device to use with the Apple Pencil, which magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad. The bigger iPads are more awkward to write on, and you might as well bring a similar-sized laptop instead. The iPad Mini is great for quick sketches or keeping kids entertained with games. While it’s perfect for playing Apple Arcade games or other applications, it serves as a fun and engaging device for both kids and adults.

Some Drawbacks

The iPad Mini isn’t perfect. The camera quality is subpar, and you're better off with your phone for photos or videos. Battery life could be improved as well; it’s not terrible but not remarkable either. Despite Apple's confusing lineup of iPads with older models, new models with different camera placements, the iPad Mini stands out. It’s not trying to be something it's not and has a unique place in my daily routine that no other iPad has managed.

Keywords

iPad Mini
Versatility
Portability
Apple Pencil
Home Automation
Kindle Replacement
Note-Taking
Entertainment Device
Handy Assistant

FAQ

Q: Is the iPad Mini a suitable replacement for a laptop? A: No, the iPad Mini is not designed to replace a laptop. Its strength lies in its portability and versatility, rather than full desktop capabilities.

Q: What are the main uses of the iPad Mini? A: The iPad Mini can be used as a handy assistant for video production, an entertainment device for watching videos and social media, a Kindle replacement, a home automation controller, and a notetaking and gaming device.

Q: How does the battery life of the iPad Mini compare to other iPads? A: The battery life of the iPad Mini is decent but not as good as the MacBook Air or a Kindle. It’s satisfactory but could use improvement.

Q: Is the camera on the iPad Mini good? A: The camera on the iPad Mini is not great. For better photo and video quality, it’s recommended to use your phone.

Q: What makes the iPad Mini stand out among other iPads? A: The iPad Mini stands out because of its perfect size, portability, and versatility. It fits easily into pockets or bags and offers a unique user experience that larger iPads cannot provide.