iPad Mini Alternative?

ChatCPT on 04/07/2023 - 16:27
Last edited 04/07/2023 - 16:43

I need a small tablet to take with me when I go overseas

the latest iPad mini 6 is super expensive at $800 retail!
The really old mini 4 is ok at $200 on sale for refurb units

Are there any other cheap alternatives?

For doing the following:
- ebook
- taking on plane
- carrying around overseas to cafes
- inexpensive so if I lose it no probs
- netflix, prime, youtube compatible
- researching/booking tours whilst overseas
- HDMI output support for streaming on hotel TV?

My own research led me to the
Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini 8.4"
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/783047

your thoughts/suggestions?

Electrical & Electronics Tablet

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 04/07/2023 - 16:31

    mini

    do you care about the size?

    • ChatCPT on 04/07/2023 - 16:33

      for travel yes, lightweight, stuff into my backpack with phone, powerbank, passport etc
      one hand operation at cafes helps - basically a kindle sized reader with a bit more functionality (youtube etc)

  • CheapandUsed on 04/07/2023 - 16:33

    Amazon fire tablet with Google play store 'unlocked' could be an option.

  • CodeXD on 04/07/2023 - 16:35
    +3

    the latest iPad mini 6 is super expensive at $800 retail.
    The really old mini 4 is ok at $200 on sale

    ipad mini 5

  • melbourne guy on 04/07/2023 - 16:40

    What is your budget? You can get a refurbished iPad mini 6 wifi only 64gb for $699 from Apple https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/FK7M3X/A/refurbished-i…

  • jv on 04/07/2023 - 16:41
    +4

    I need a small table to take with me when I go overseas

    With or without chairs?

    • ChatCPT on 04/07/2023 - 16:43

      fixed

  • scrimshaw on 04/07/2023 - 16:55
    +1

    apart from the 8 inch Samsung Galaxy tab I think the Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini is actually the best budget option right now. Lenovo's budget tablet offerings aren't great either, SOC is low end and they're quite stingy with the RAM.

  • Tradey on 04/07/2023 - 17:06
    +1

    iPlay 50 Mini - tick, tick, tick and with 4G LTE (B28) and 4 band GPS you won't find better bang for buck. Check AliExpress and Banggood. Managed to get it down to AU$121 with coupons delivered inc GST.

    https://www.alldocube.com/en/products/iplay50mini/

  • JIMB0 on 04/07/2023 - 18:14
    +2

    Cheap android phone. Screens are rather large these days.

    • ChatCPT on 04/07/2023 - 18:53

      hmm thats true. The flagship Max version of phones are as big as early tablets - remember the really popular 7" Asus Google Nexus

  • sumyungguy on 04/07/2023 - 19:12

    I'm still using an iPad mini retina circa 2013 as my lightweight travel companion. A mini 4 would certainly get the job done.

    • kerfuffle on 04/07/2023 - 19:16

      Except for the fact that the 4 doesn't get updates any more.

      • sumyungguy on 04/07/2023 - 20:19

        Good point… mini 5 instead?

      • ChatCPT on 04/07/2023 - 20:59

        hmm i just need to ready books and watch youtube but I guess you still need the latest IOS to support youtube app updates huh?
        Mini 5 price is a very high jump

        • kerfuffle on 04/07/2023 - 21:04
          +2

          I can't answer your question; I upgraded from 4 to 6 the second the 6 was announced (mainly for USB-C)

  • Other on 16/08/2023 - 13:22

    Here are a few notes:

    ~ Lenovo M8 = smallest than most, but bullshit CPU and mem size (3/64GB).

    ~ Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini 8.4" = probably one of the better android tablets (T606, 4GB) but NO android updates ever also can NOT plug it into a screen (unlike apple mini), can use chromecast. Basically 100% faster than Lenovo.
    Only 4,000 Battery - so not really that long. Standard is only 64GB, but sdcards so….

    ~ Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini Pro = apparently coming Oct/Dec - big upgrade.

    ~ fpad = 20-30% faster than Alldocube tablet (T616), 5,000 Battery, 128GB, similar size. 13MP Camera.

    ~ Samsung = very disappointing range (2019 release!) or too BIG (8.7inch).

    ~ ipad mini 6 = ipad mini 6 will drop in price big time (3-5months after release). Big beezles, so eh.

    ~ ipad mini 7 = To be released in Sept 2023. Good points is you can connect the USB C to a external monitor.
    Useful if your laptop breaks (especially if you need to work). Mainly just a CPU update from ipad mini 6. Probably will be A17 CPU.

    • kerfuffle on 16/08/2023 - 13:30

      ipad mini 6 = ipad mini 6 will drop in price big time (3-5months after release). Big beezles, so eh.

      ipad mini 7 = To be released in Sept 2023. Good points is you can connect the USB C to a external monitor.
      Useful if your laptop breaks (especially if you need to work). Mainly just a CPU update from ipad mini 6. Probably will be A17 CPU.

      iPad mini 6 went up in price. Not down. iPad mini 7 release is not confirmed and I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t come out this year. Next year is more likely.

      • Other on 16/08/2023 - 16:17
        -1

        ipad mini 6 was released on 24 September 2021, so I would expect apple to either release same date or in Q1'2024. As Apple releases them every 2 years, 24 Sept is probably the more accurate date:

        As per apple leaker -
        Apple products rumored to launch this Fall.
        - iPhone 15 & 15 Pro series
        - AirPods Pro 2 w/ USB-C
        - iPad mini 7
        - iPad 11
        - M3 MacBook Air
        - M3 iMac
        - M3 13” MacBook Pro
        - Apple Watch S9

        Obviously when Apple ipad mini 6 released it was $100 higher than ipad mini 5, but there was a lot more exciting features than this release which is really just a CPU bump apparently.
        (It should be gettin A17 (same as iphone 15)), as such I would find it hard for Apple to justify a higher price than $499 for pretty much the exact same tablet.
        If it was bezel less then that would be exciting but I doubt they will do that.
        As such ipad mini 6 will have to fall in price (especially people upgrading a 2 year old product).

        • kerfuffle on 16/08/2023 - 16:20

          You misread my comment. iPad mini 6 went up in price after it was released. It was $749 for the cheapest one in September 2021. It's now $829 for the same one. So your ' ipad mini 6 will drop in price big time (3-5months after release)' comment is incorrect.

          • Other on 16/08/2023 - 16:38
            -1

            @kerfuffle: apple mini in the usa is still 499usd. And it seems never to of changed price during that time.
            So I assume they will release here for the same $829, and that will drop ipad mini 6 price.

            I am guessing that they changed the pricing mainly due to currency appreciation - 499usd = 771aud, which is higher than $749 it was originally released at.

            (of course Apple is gouging customers, but the (main) excuse is currency appreciation, as they are hardly going to take a -$20 loss on the usa rrp).

            • sumyungguy on 16/08/2023 - 16:42
              +1

              @Other: US$499 is ex-tax

              • Other on 16/08/2023 - 17:06

                @sumyungguy: Well when you add GST to it, it equals $848aud, so I guess they are losing -$20 on usa rrp (BEFORE us state specific sales tax)

                • Other on 18/08/2023 - 04:51
                  -1

                  @Other: Well it seems I > might< be correct about the ipad mini 6.

                  A thai big retailer (big C, like big W) has dropped their price from 19,900baht to 16,450baht.
                  So from $560usd to $462usd.
                  Which is BELOW the retail price sold in the US.
                  I would say a $100usd price drop is quite big (as I predicted).

                  Thailand has traditionally been Always higher than the US for apple products,
                  so I reckon that the new Apple ipad mini 7 will be on sale on 24th September or around that date.

  • INDYVADER on 03/12/2023 - 21:20

    Kuo - Apple leaker (analyst/advisor) mentioned that the iPad Mini 7 won't be released until the 2nd half of 2024.

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