Thinking about the Mini 6 | MacRumors Forums

Let me state up front that I am platform agnostic. I use a Windows laptop (Thinkpad), an Android phone (S21 Ultra), and the IPad 11 Pro 2020. My primary operational connective software platform is Microsoft in the sense that I rely very heavily on Office 365 (including heavy use of OneNote).

Second, a few words about my use of these gadgets and related software is warranted. I work in an environment which requires a lot…and I mean a lot…of reading and writing. I read (estimating conservatively) over 100 journal articles (average length 8-9k words) and around 20 scholarly monographs per year in addition to web-centric research and news articles, casual browsing (in which I include Reddit etc). I also write a lot averaging about 100k words a year.

My choice of devices reflects this. The Thinkpad serves me well for the typing and work-related web work (in addition to watching movies when I get the time), the iPad serves me for my reading and writing (using the Pencil) mainly in OneNote, and my phone serves me for my communications (Discord, Telegram etc), and social media. I also use it heavily for YT (Android being more convenient for this in terms of ad-free experience).

Till date I have resisted the lure of the Mini given that as a reading device, the IPP has never faltered. I use the Books app for ePub, PDF Expert, and the Kindle app extensively. Holding it for long periods of time is also not really an issue.

But, that said, I have often noticed that when I am engaged in a sustained amount of focused reading, I take notes in two ways. I highlight and write in the margins of the text (mainly on PDF Expert) and I write in OneNote. Sometimes, I read on the iPad and type in OneNote using my laptop. I say sometimes because it is cumbersome at times.

This brings me to the Mini 6. I do like the form factor and the design aesthetics. But, more importantly, I m thinking about the possibility of using it primarily as a digital notepad. This would mean (1) I can read on my 11 IPP while writing - by hand - in OneNote on the Mini (2) I could also use the Mini to read books - mainly in the Kindle app - and (3) on the rare occasion that I use iPads to watch YT videos, I could use the Mini for the same.

The real doubt I have is about reading on the Mini. I don’t think I would read extensively on it because I think it would be too cramped. Also, I may not be able to jot down notes in the margins, which is important to me. The Kindle app may be an exception for just reading purposes but again, I am not sure.

In the eventuality that I opt for the Mini, I will not be getting anything more than the 64GB version and I will certainly restrict myself to the wifi model.

Yet, I remain ambivalent about picking it up. I wonder about two specific things: (1) about the redundancy factor by which I mean, am I trying to make a case for a new gadget or could I really leverage the Mini? (2) While I am relatively sure about the note taking aspect (limited to OneNote), I am very wary of the reading experience on the Mini. I try to avoid zooming in and out of texts especially when my reading is work related.

Given the above, what are your views on the matter? My thanks to you in advance.