Apple iPad mini 8.3" 2021 6 8.3-inch Review

The iPad mini is the perfect tablet for one specific person: someone who wants a super portable screen for reading and watching videos. It's not a laptop replacement, and it's definitely not for serious work. The gorgeous 8.3-inch display and compact size make it a joy to hold, but that 1GB of RAM is a massive red flag that holds everything back.

The A15 Bionic chip should make this thing fly, but that 1GB of RAM is a huge bottleneck. It lands in the 1st percentile for memory, which is just embarrassing for an Apple product. You'll notice apps refreshing constantly if you try to do more than one thing at a time. It's fast in short bursts, but it can't keep up with any real multitasking.

At $314, it's a tough sell. You're paying for the Apple logo and a nice screen, but you're getting a device with a critical, performance-killing flaw (that RAM). For pure media consumption on the go, it's fine, but there are better values out there.

Don't compare this to an iPad Pro or a Surface Pro—those are real computers. The real question is whether you need an iPad at all. A standard 10-inch Android tablet at this price will almost certainly have more RAM and storage, making it feel smoother for daily use. If you're locked into the Apple ecosystem and just want a tiny video player, this is your only option. Otherwise, look at a Samsung Galaxy Tab or even a used regular iPad for more capability.

I can only recommend the iPad mini if your absolute top priority is a super small, high-quality screen for books and videos, and you don't care about doing anything else with it. For everyone else, that 1GB of RAM is a deal-breaker. Skip it unless you find it for a deep, deep discount.