Ipad mini 4 vs Ipad mini 5 (2019)

Thinking about getting a Ipad mini mainly for use with Logos (mobile courses, personal devotions, sermon prep, topic studies)

I can get a Ipad mini 4 used - or go for a brand new 2019 model.

Seems like the processor is much better in the new model - plus the possibility to use the Ipad Pencil.

But the screen seems the same.

What are you're thoughts?

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Comments

Levi Durfey

Hi! Welcome to the forums.

Either would run Logos fine. But I would go for the iPad Mini 5 for two reasons:

One, you would be able to use it longer. The IPad Mini 4 came out in 2015, so it's already four years old. The iPad Mini 5 came out this year, so you could expect many years of use.

Two, I like the Apple Pencil. No, the Logos app isn't set up for it, but I use the pencil extensively to mark up my sermons in Pages.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1059340#Comment_1059340

Agree with Levi. They time out. So, I use 2 .. a '1' and a '4'.

Also apps tend to design to the larger format (faster), and so, several of my apps (large scale media, maps, etc) tend to (seriously) drag. I'd assume over time, worse. Of couse, the FL apps are fairly thin, depending more on net access.

Pencil-wise, I've been using smart styli since '1'. I'm probably 99% stylus, 1% text.

Mike Binks

Greetings Per and welcome to the forums.

Don't forget to look at Apple's own refurbishment offers you can pick up some almost up-to-date models with a discount.

All guaranteed to be 'as good as new'.

David Wanat

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1059357#Comment_1059357

I have a Mini 4, 128gb. It serves my needs well. Of course I bought mine new (it’s about 2 years old). If you’re getting an old one, you’ll need to worry about lifespan.

Tony Walker

I'll echo everyone. I'm not an expert, but I did work at an Apple store for about a year and still keep up with them nearly daily.

if price allows, find a new one on sale. Ask Best Buy to price match. Rakuten (?) had them on sale new for 331 few weeks ago. keep youy eyes open. b&H is currently 384.

As the others said, the 4 is already old. So in years to come the 4 might max out at ios 14 or 15 or whatever, and the ipad mini 5 will probably have 2-3-4 or so years of additional ipadOS relases that it will work with.

Also, the pencil as you mentioned. Even if you dont know how you would use it, it is nice to have that option. And since it uses the gen 1 pencil instead of the gen 2, getting a refurbished pencil from somwhere for $50 or whatever would be eaiser to splurge on instead of the $129 gen 2 pencil.

lastly, the 5 has true tone display. one of those things that you dont enjoy until you get used to it and then you notice when you use something that doesnt have it.

Per Bradley

Thank you for all your replies!

You're right - the Ipad mini 4 is already old - so I will most probably go for a mini 5.

Guess I will get back the extra cost in longer life span.

Thanks again for all good input.

Scott Youngman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1059468#Comment_1059468

One additional consideration in choosing between the iPad mini 4 and mini 5 is the processors. The mini 5's A12 processor is reported to be three times faster than the mini 4's A8 processor. Is the A12 a noticeable improvement in using Logos, or is the A8 plenty fast enough on an iPad?

David Wanat

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074254#Comment_1074254

One additional consideration in choosing between the iPad mini 4 and mini 5 is the processors. The mini 5's A12 processor is reported to be three times faster than the mini 4's A8 processor. Is the A12 a noticeable improvement in using Logos, or is the A8 plenty fast enough on an iPad?

i find the Mini 4 fast enough. Keep in mind that I do precisely what Faithlife warns against by having over 3000 books on in storage (about 19.5gb on a 128gb drive). People with less on it might see it go faster

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074295#Comment_1074295

I do precisely what Faithlife warns against by having over 3000 books on in storage

FL has recently changed their public position on this.

People with less on it might see it go faster

Under most circumstance, the amount of books stored should not have an impact upon the speed of the app. More won't slow it down, less won't speed it up.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074370#Comment_1074370

FL has recently changed their public position on this.

Interesting. Have a link? I missed this.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074379#Comment_1074379

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/185932/1073599.aspx#1073599

Kevin A. Purcell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074382#Comment_1074382

I've owned both.

If you can afford the 5 get it. It's much faster. The 4 seems like one generation older, but it's really a few generations older because the 4 came out in 2015 and the 5 this year.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074382#Comment_1074382

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/185932/1073599.aspx#1073599

So that's not even a week old. I feel a lot better...thought I'd missed something big, for a long time.

T-Bone

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074458#Comment_1074458

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/185932/1073599.aspx#1073599

So that's not even a week old. I feel a lot better...thought I'd missed something big, for a long time.

This issue was fixed 9 months ago: https://wiki.logos.com/iOS_Reader_8.1.1.0002

Trigger automatic resource updates when app finishes launching

T-Bone

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1074420#Comment_1074420

I've owned both.

If you can afford the 5 get it. It's much faster. The 4 seems like one generation older, but it's really a few generations older because the 4 came out in 2015 and the 5 this year.

I completely agree with Kevin. Please do not purchase an iPad 4 Mini unless you are planning on purchasing a new iPad in the next year or two.