ZDNET's key takeaways The iPad Mini 7 is available for $499 but is currently $100 off.
The compact iPad Mini 7 has gone everywhere with me this past week, fitting easily into bags and purses without weighing them down.
Aside from the more powerful A17 Pro chip, the iPad Mini 7 isn't much of an upgrade (especially for 6th-gen users), plus its display tops out at 60Hz. $399 at Amazon $499 at Apple $499 at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices
The iPad Mini 7 is currently $100 off at Amazon, starting at $399. This deal applies to all three storage options.
I've used many tablets but never considered getting an iPad Mini. Because of its size, the small 8.3-inch tablet has always been the go-to for my nieces and nephews, and I never really saw a need for a small tablet when I already have a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
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However, my perception changed when I began using the latest iPad Mini 7. I've always loved a big display on a tablet, but I underestimated just how convenient a compact iPad would be in my daily life. I've taken the iPad Mini 7 everywhere the past month, able to slip the 8.3-inch device into my purse without it weighing down -- or sticking out of -- my bag.
As a result, I've used the iPad Mini in different situations where I've found myself looking for entertainment, including during long medical infusions that required me to sit in a chair for nearly five hours.
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Unfortunately, that's where the iPad Mini 7 hits its limits: entertainment. This small tablet isn't a power user's dream or a remote worker's take-anywhere solution. Truthfully, it's easier to work on my cheaper iPad 10th Generation than on the $500 iPad Mini 7, so it's hard to justify the price for a tablet that's mostly good for playing games and consuming media.
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