Outrageous Cost of 2024: Why It’s More Expensive Than Ever!

High Hopes for a Small Model

I find the iPad mini 7’s form factor quite appealing. Its compact, lightweight design makes it ultra-portable, perfect for slipping into a bag. Additionally, it serves as an excellent digital sketchpad: ideal for making quick color sketches at a café table, which you can refine later.

Furthermore, it’s compatible with Cupertino’s latest stylus, the Apple Pencil Pro. This tool offers numerous features, especially with my favorite drawing apps like Procreate and Fresco. Always ready for use, it’s perfect for capturing ideas or whipping up spontaneous sketches at any moment.

In these respects, the iPad mini seems hard to beat. But here I’m about to reveal the source of my disappointment. Its screen, though compact, lacks the ProMotion technology. And for someone accustomed to an iPad Pro like myself, the difference is stark: the lack of smoothness in screen refresh is noticeable. This can really detract from the experience, particularly for users who seek optimal precision in their strokes.

This limitation is a well-known characteristic of the iPad mini. You know what you’re getting into when you buy it. However, a little effort from Apple would have been appreciated, especially given the real issue: the price. At 609 euros for the base model with 128 GB of storage, it’s insufficient for demanding applications or if you want to store a few movies, photos, or videos.

For a more comfortable use, count on 739 euros for 256 GB, which is exorbitant (and that’s without including the Apple Pencil Pro priced at 150 euros)! At these rates, we’re approaching the price of some refurbished or even new iPad Pros on sale, which offer much better value for money for creatives. At this price, other improvements such as an M1/M2 chip, WiFi 7, a Thunderbolt port, and increased storage capacities would have been appreciated.

But a Major Disappointment Upon Arrival

In conclusion, I must admit my disappointment with this iPad mini, way too pricey given the scant innovations offered this year. Apple has clearly set the bar too high. Although its format makes it potentially interesting as a sketchbook, the asking price simply doesn’t justify it.

Indeed, its compact size is convenient for mobile use, but it doesn’t make up for the rest. Its dated screen, limited to 60 Hz, sorely lacks smoothness, which is no longer acceptable for a device in this range. The absence of WiFi 7, in an era where advanced connectivity is becoming the norm, reinforces the feeling of a somewhat lagging product.

The biggest problem, therefore, remains its price: far too high for what it offers. For a similar price, other iPad models offer better-quality screens, superior performance, and greater comfort in use. The idea of using it as a digital sketchpad is enticing, but it’s overshadowed by technical concessions that don’t justify such an investment. In summary, the 2024 iPad mini seems more like an overvalued niche product than a truly competitive tool (and that’s unfortunate because it fit so well in my bag).