TrueTone display and higher resolution FaceTime camera. Your selfies will look better (or it will be easier to pick out spinach from your teeth when you use it as an electronic mirror).
iPad mini: It's alive!!!
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flyingcheesehead
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If you think yours is performing well enough, keep it. I have a Mini 2 and it's painfully slow when doing certain things. ForeFlight takes a pretty long time to launch (just measured - 26 seconds!
) and if I don't pause after every fix I enter in the flight plan and wait for it to look up the fix in the database and add it, the keyboard will drop the next 1-3 characters and mess up the next fix.I think the biggest argument for upgrading right now is that it's been four years since the iPad Mini 4 came out. I haven't bought a Mini 4 because by the time my Mini 2 got slow, I didn't feel it was worth the investment to buy already-outdated tech. If they wait 4 more years before the next upgrade, I want to have gotten plenty of use out of it in the meantime!
JOhnH
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If Leslie had a 4, she would probably be satisfied too. But her 2 is getting really slow bringing up things like Foreflight and Aviationweather.gov. Plus she has bumped into the memory restriction a few times and had to delete some stuff. Hopefully with 256 GB, she won't have to do that any time soon. And now she has a drone that needs immediate response and makes it easier for her to take more photos and videos.
James331
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I already have the Retina display, (love how autocorrect just capitalized that lol) real world is this going to make my charts or Netflix $600 more vivid
I've noticed the battery on my mini 4 doesn't hold the charge as long as it used to. In the airplane, it's plugged into USB power (the Appaero panel mount) so I don't notice the power drain. But if it's running on battery, it can lose 20% in 15 min when online.
Grum.Man
En-Route
If you think yours is performing well enough, keep it. I have a Mini 2 and it's painfully slow when doing certain things. ForeFlight takes a pretty long time to launch (just measured - 26 seconds!
I think the biggest argument for upgrading right now is that it's been four years since the iPad Mini 4 came out. I haven't bought a Mini 4 because by the time my Mini 2 got slow, I didn't feel it was worth the investment to buy already-outdated tech. If they wait 4 more years before the next upgrade, I want to have gotten plenty of use out of it in the meantime!
My mini 2 is all but unusable anymore. It can struggle through foreflight but internet browsing all but the most basic sites completely kills it.
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Apple has naming practices that are somtimes, well... Interesting.
The original full-sized iPad was just the iPad. The next one was called the iPad 2. Then, the 3rd generation was the "new iPad" and the 4th gen was the "iPad with Retina Display." Most of us just call them 1, 2, 3, 4 but at one point in time the previous-generation iPad was still officially called the "new iPad."
That gaffe aside, Apple has made a practice of not using model numbers since about 1998 when the original iMac came out, for a pretty smart reason: Non-techie types (that tend to like Macs for their ease of use) talking to each other might say how much they really like their new iMac, and have a friend go buy one. That doesn't work when you have the "Power Macintosh 7200" or the "Quadra 950" or any other model number that goes away when the next generation comes out.
James331
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$39.99
https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPad/iPad-mini-Battery/IF122-023?o=2
Between a battery and being careful about iOS updates, shy of damage or needing more space
I mean not having more screen, using stainless, DLC, glass, seems like a real letdown when you compare to the iPhone X and Xs, if that’s where YOU (apple) set YOUR OWN bar, just think it’s disappointing the new mini doesn’t meet said bar.
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Yeah, I pretty much quit using it for anything but flying-related stuff. ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot (for updating the GTN databases), and the GTN and TXi Trainer apps.
Otherwise known as the "iPad Mini anniversary."
How magenta does your magenta line need to be?
They say it's 25% brighter so that could be an advantage in sunlight.
I’ve been wanting an upgrade for my mini 2 for over a year now, expecting them to roll out a replacement any day... which they have but it sure took them long enough. The 2 has been barely usable for a while but I’m getting by. The worst thing for ForeFlight is random freezes and crashes plus just generally slow response.
From what I know about the 4, I imagine they’ll be sufficient for some time to come. But for anyone needing an upgrade now the new one is certainly far better.
From what I know about the 4, I imagine they’ll be sufficient for some time to come. But for anyone needing an upgrade now the new one is certainly far better.
FastEddieB
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My Mini 2 is still perfectly usable. I use it when in TN since we have no internet and it’s how I get online via cellular. At home in GA I use an iPad Air 2, which is admittedly a tad faster, but was bought sans cellular.
But a cellular Mini 5 is definitely on my wish list. I love the form factor. I’m a bit disappointed, having hoped for a bezel-less design for more screen real estate, maybe combined with FaceID. But it will sure be an improvement over my 2.
But a cellular Mini 5 is definitely on my wish list. I love the form factor. I’m a bit disappointed, having hoped for a bezel-less design for more screen real estate, maybe combined with FaceID. But it will sure be an improvement over my 2.
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flyingcheesehead
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I wouldn't bother with a Mini 4. They're still $419 on the refurb site - the only model left available is the gold 128GB w/cellular. There were silver ones as well this morning, so I guess some people are buying the 4s up.
IMO, the difference in performance is going to be far greater than the difference in price. Get the new mini (aka the "5").
German guy
Cleared for Takeoff
...and GPS still only for the cellular version. WTF!?
Morgan3820
Ejection Handle Pulled
Amazingly, My old mini 2 still works fine. But if I can get enough on the trade-in to move up to the five I will do it. I have a mini 4 as a primary pad and the mini 2 as a back up and home surfer.
Anymouse
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Total Stud Bush Pilot
If it's still working for you, keep using it. I don't think anyone is twisting arms here. At least, not until you get into the Apple Store.
For me, I've been waiting on this. I'm still using a 2nd generation iPad for my Stateside flying and the battery doesn't last long at all. It's time for an upgrade.
FastEddieB
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Fast Eddie B
OOPS! Sorry guys, I meant Mini 5. Went back and changed my post.
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
I don't think I would expect anything different at this point. ?
KaiGywer
Line Up and Wait
I’m so happy about this. It kept the home button, which I like, and updated the guts. Although I’m ironically typing this on my Mini 2, it is slow with Foreflight. Now to see how long before AT&T gets it on their monthly plan (otherwise I’ll just buy it from Apple)
I'm dithering. My current 4 has 64GB and I've got 22GB unused. The 64GB version seems to be a good choice, considering the $150 difference with the 256GB. Plus I can get $140 for a trade-in on the 4, which brings the total price down to less than $300.
Dither dither dither.
Just called Barclay---the deferred interest offer is available on my current card.
The kicker is that I need a new Mac, too. My mac mini is 2010 and painful with only 8 GB memory.
Dither dither dither.
Just called Barclay---the deferred interest offer is available on my current card.
The kicker is that I need a new Mac, too. My mac mini is 2010 and painful with only 8 GB memory.
As near as I can tell, it is still AGPS, where data lookups from the cellular towers, and WiFi SSIDs present help jumpstart the location, and many calculations are handed off to remote servers. So it can’t really get started without data service, and is always happier with data service. The energy budget on a handheld GPS and an iPad are surprisingly similar, and on the iPad, the GPS is expected to be a minor function, probably less than 10% of the energy budget. Corners have to be cut somewhere.
Flocker
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Does anyone know how much a fully loaded mini 4 will garner on the Apple GiveBack program?
FastEddieB
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Someone on COPA said they got $175 trade in for their Mini 4.
Quite likely do better selling on eBay or Gazelle.
Quite likely do better selling on eBay or Gazelle.
Radar Contact
Pattern Altitude
I'm excited. This is the only size that works for where I prefer to keep my iPad while flying. I have a the 4 right now and it's doing fine but when it starts slipping, I'll grab a new 5. Glad to know that it will fit in the same mount (thanks @flyingcheesehead )!
Flocker
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I just got quoted $135.
FastEddieB
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What I usually do with old iPhones or iPads is lock in an offer from Gazelle, then put them on eBay with a reserve about 10% higher than the Gazelle offer. I have yet to have eBay not yield a higher price, even after fees.
I doubt my Mini 2 is worth much at all.
I doubt my Mini 2 is worth much at all.
BrianNC
En-Route
I got quoted a little over $300 for my Pro 10.5 which is less than two years old. If I remember correctly it cost me over $800. That isn't enough. I could probably get at least a few hundred more selling it myself. But if I didn't trade it in I probably wouldn't sell it, use it as a backup.
My quote was $135. iPad 4, 64GB, wifi & GPS, everything works, no damage.
I use the RAM X mount for 7 in tablet.
KaiGywer
Line Up and Wait
I turned off cell data on mine since I never use it outside of Wifi and if need be I can use my phone as a hotspot. My GPS is still active even when flying far away from any Wifi signal
I use the RAM clip on with a yoke claw. I also have a suction cup mount for the RAM, but it doesn't like the Mooney windows.
I was offered $76 for mine
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
For my Mini 2, Apple quoted me $76, Gazelle $55. Recent eBay sold transactions are showing $160-$180, but those were pretty much all before the 5 was announced, so I would expect that to drop. To what, we'll have to wait and see.
FastEddieB
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At some price level it might make sense to repurpose an old, almost worthless iPad to something creative.
Like a digital picture frame, a dedicated AppleTV remote, whatever.
An aquarium might be a reach, though!
Like a digital picture frame, a dedicated AppleTV remote, whatever.
An aquarium might be a reach, though!
jkgoblue
Pre-takeoff checklist
So my case for the Mini4 will work on the Mini 5?
KaiGywer
Line Up and Wait
Those would need to be some really skinny fish
It looks that way, but I don't think anyone knows for sure until it's physically released.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...ew-ipad-mini-and-ipad-air-without-compromises
Some info on cases, seems they’re not exactly the same
Some info on cases, seems they’re not exactly the same
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
At some price level it might make sense to repurpose an old, almost worthless iPad to something creative.
Like a digital picture frame, a dedicated AppleTV remote, whatever.
An aquarium might be a reach, though!
Ah, the Macquarium!
I remember reading the initial article on how to build one. It was pretty funny. I wish it was out there on the interwebz somewhere, but I couldn't find it. I just remember it was capped off with "And if you get bored, plug in the power cord for an instant fish fry!"
KaiGywer
Line Up and Wait
Luckily the only "case" I care about is my RAM mount, and looks like it will (and microphone and volume buttons won't be an issue). I'll just buy a new case for daily use. Awesome!
Huckster79
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Anyone use the mini on a knee mount? I fly a C140, love her but very tight cabin so not a lot of mounting options- I dislike yoke mounts.
Now that a new ones out I may get one again, just didn’t want to buy a 4 when I knew it must be getting replaced soon.
I thought my iPhone 6 would work for FF in a small cabin but it’s too tiny, a plus may have cut it but if I can kneee mount it comfortably I may spring for one of these new rigs
Now that a new ones out I may get one again, just didn’t want to buy a 4 when I knew it must be getting replaced soon.
I thought my iPhone 6 would work for FF in a small cabin but it’s too tiny, a plus may have cut it but if I can kneee mount it comfortably I may spring for one of these new rigs