The new iPad mini became available globally earlier this week, so let’s take a look at the price and some alternatives.
The Apple iPad mini (2024) now has 128 GB of storage in its base configuration and 8 GB of RAM. The latter is paired with an A17 Pro chipset downgraded to support Apple Intelligence. This AI feature is coming soon as part of the iPadOS 18.1 update (and is initially limited to the US). There are other improvements over the old mini, such as faster Wi-Fi 6E and USB-C connectivity (10Gbps, up from 5Gbps). But you’ll still get an 8.3-inch 60Hz IPS LCD, although this chip handles the iPhone 15 Pro’s 120Hz display just fine.
The older iPad mini (2021) is still available and cheaper. The base storage of 64GB is hard to recommend as it will be very limited between iPadOS and app updates, not to mention file storage. You can look at the 256GB model, but for that price you can also get a 2024 tablet.
Apple Intelligence is available on devices with Apple A Pro chipsets and M series chips, such as the new iPad Pro. It’s still the only device with an Apple M4 chip, and the performance improvements over the old M2-based iPad Pro are huge.
We linked the 256 GB (also available with 512 GB storage) and 1 TB (and 2 TB) (2024) versions of the iPad Pro, and they’re different. The lower capacity model has 8 GB RAM and a 9 core CPU, while the higher capacity model has 16 GB RAM and a 10 core CPU. Only higher-capacity tablets have the option of nanostructured glass, but keep in mind that this is an expensive upgrade.
Moving on to tablets, the new Apple AirPods 4 are also available in two variants: without ANC and with ANC. Active noise cancellation is more expensive, but you’ll find it useful when traveling or working in a noisy office. The ANC-enabled model also features wireless charging (you can use an Apple Watch or MagSafe charger), and a small speaker helps you find the case.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner and lighter than previous models, and also has the largest screen of any Apple smartwatch. It’s a kind of mini-Ultra with a depth meter that can track your dives down to 20 feet (and there’s a water temperature sensor, too). Apple also updated the speaker, allowing you to listen to music or podcasts directly from the watch, without needing headphones.
You can still get the old Apple Watch Series 9. It gets a sleep apnea monitoring feature as an update with watchOS 11. It has an ECG sensor and heart rate monitoring, but keep in mind that the Series 9 and 10 watches (and the Ultra 2 watch) have blood oxygen sensors disabled in the United States.
Lastly, the 2023 Apple Mac mini is getting attractive discounts with the help of coupons. It’s powered by the Apple M2 chip (a more expensive version with the M2 Pro is also available) and has two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility. It’s not fanless but it’s very quiet. macOS is also getting some Apple Intelligence.
Gaming Hub
A gaming hub can refer to a central platform or space dedicated to gaming, where players can access games, interact with other gamers, and enjoy related content.