It’s true that Apple’s latest iPad remains an excellent value, especially when it’s on sale for $299. However, if you want features like Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro support without spending a fortune on an iPad Pro, the latest iPad Mini might be the better option. That’s especially true now given Apple’s smallest tablet is matching its all-time low at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, where you can grab the base configuration with Wi-Fi starting at around $399 ($100 off).
As Apple’s smallest iPad, the 8.3-inch Mini is more portable than its larger siblings, making it a great travel companion. It’s easy to hold with one hand and offers all-day battery life, rendering it an even better value if you read a lot. It also delivers good performance courtesy of its A17 Pro chip, so you can stream Netflix, shoot emails, play games, and even make video calls with ease (even if the camera is still awkwardly placed while using the tablet in landscape mode).
What’s more, if you own an Apple Pencil Pro, you can play around with a host of creative features that aren’t available on the entry-level Apple Pencil with USB-C, like double-tap tool switching. You can also leverage FindMy support, should you ever misplace your stylus, and solve math problems by writing them out. That’s in addition to a host of other iPadOS 18 features, the bulk of which don’t require a stylus.
