iPad mini 7 | Productivity, Dumb Phones, & Slowing Down in 2025

[@MinimalisTech]

Thanks for watching homies - check out some links for the things in this video. Also, please leave me your book recommendations and how YOU might be slowing down in 2025. Check out Paperlike Here! - paperlike.com/mnml/2501 Find the iPad mini 7 Here - geni.us/ipadmini-7 My Dumbphone (Qin F21 Pro) - geni.us/Qin-F21PRO My Dumbphone but a bit bigger and newer - geni.us/TIQ-mini-M5 Grovemade Stuff - bit.ly/3HHPmcU (CODE MINIMALISTECH FOR 10% OFF)

[@fadibaddur2949]

check out those for sci fi: - Red Rising - Neuromancer - Snow Crash

[@MinimalisTech]

Two people mentioned Red Rising in the last 10 minutes! Might really have to start with that one, thank you!

[@prinzexisalowqualityytber]

not sci fi, but the count of mount cristo is a tightly paced masterpiece.

[@MinimalisTech]

Gold! Thank you for the recommendation. Added to my list!

[@SirWonderBeard]

Red Rising!!! Give the first book a chance I think you’ll love it!

[@MinimalisTech]

Second time someone said Red Rising in the last 10 minutes. This might be the one I've gotta read first. Appreciate the suggestion

[@Jimmyfly215]

dude the Dummy phone is such a good idea i did a while ago. i just did not have an iPad at the time. do not think my work would allow me a non iPhone at this point but awesome idea never the less.

[@ProductivePM]

Buddy, I so appreciate your approach to 2025. Great video and AWESOME message. Keep up the great work (brand new subscriber)

[@MinimalisTech]

Appreciate you, stoked to have you on board!

[@chad4503]

As a guy in his mid 30's who just really got into reading in the past couple of years, some of my favorites have been: Greenwood (Michael Cristie), Jurassic Park (Michael Crichton), The House in the Cerulean Sea (TJ Klune), and Disclaimer (Renee Knight). Read a lot of the "classics" too but those can be a bit more work.

[@As-wi-n---ff]

my health has been so much better lately. a few months ago, i was struggling with energy and feeling off, but now i’ve been waking up early, feeling energized, and hitting my workout goals every single day. i didn’t do anything drastic, just started focusing on feeling healthy and strong. i think it has to do with this book, Vibrations of Manifestation by Alex Lane, that i read. it talks about how focusing your energy on your goals really shifts things, and i guess it worked for me.

[@MinimalisTech]

Happy to hear you've had a great shift. I feel like I need this too. Legit gonna hit the gym tomorrow after reading this. I'll have to check out this book, it sounds great.

[@caesuracrossing5473]

With my Ipad mini 6 I use it mainly to do my school reading and I take notes on my Ipad air 13 inch because I can't continuously write on a small screen. I plan on getting the 7 soon, but not at this current moment. I wanted to see if I used my mini i bought 2018 more and i've finally started using it two years ago for reading and consuming media. I find that I like watching things on youtube on a small screen. I can text on my mini and do everything on my phone on my mini. It's like a bigger iphone for me at least. I also read manga on my ipad mini it's great. I do also want to read fantasy books again my attention span has been shot so I want to built that back up again.

[@Jules-y6v]

Ooh you have the atomic habits book! I have been listening the audiobook and so far it's helping a lot. Learning and enjoying so much.

[@MinimalisTech]

nice! It’s actually a really good book. i started (trying to) habit stack. I’ll only listen to the audio book while getting some steps in. I’ve been failing a bit at this, but maybe you’ve given me the nudge to try again lol

[@theAlchemistJ_33]

I can't wait for the Nintendo Switch 2. I love the Setup 💯

[@MinimalisTech]

Same! Pumped to check out the switch 2

[@MrJ978]

Big fan of your content! I relate love my iPad mini and iPhone mini. I did upgrade to 16PM but like you after the dust settles you have this feeling to go back to a 13mini. The pro have the advantages with items such as battery and camera but it’s not by far greater. Day to day the average person isn’t going to use those camera features daily. I will say when you need it or remember you have its great to have.

[@YouReallyAreAJem]

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series

[@drakata27]

For me what helped me read more is getting a kindle. I have an ipad mini 6 but it is more comfortable to read on a kindle since it doesnt cause that much eye strain

[@MinimalisTech]

my wife had a kindle, It actually looks so sick, kinda tempted. I just feel like my iPad mini 7 already does it so well. maybe I'll try her kindle too and see

[@Rando88_]

the dresden files by jim butcher is a really great sci fi series. Love it on audiobook and alot of people have told me they are great reads as well.

[@nanithegodlygod]

I really have tried slowing down since last year and one thing im very big on is the idea of “intention”. Most of the things we do are out of convience such as doom strolling. So I try hard to make those addicting apps hard to reach. For example I deleted Instagram off my mobile devices so I wanted to truly be on it I would go alll the way to my laptop! And it would be an intentional action. Just small stuff like that to lower my screen time on my phone specifically. Also I very much enjoyed your video, it was nice to hear a review without all of the specs and more of the experience :)

[@MinimalisTech]

Happy to hear you do something similar to myself. I dumb down my iPhone heavily, but sometimes the extra nudge comes from having that (not so) Dumb phone. I find having less screen time is huge for me as well. Thanks for the comment.

[@awesomeace24]

Glad you have some consistent sponsors!

[@michaelwoolcock5600]

Watching this on my mini 7 which was an upgrade from a mini 4.. I got an Apple Pencil as a Christmas gift so getting used to using that.

[@MinimalisTech]

Massive upgrade from the mini 4! Apple Pencil is awesome too. I don't force myself to use the Pencil, but it's incredibly useful when I do need it

[@TechwithTonyUK]

Instant sub from me before I have even watched the video, just from the vibe of the intro!! Love it Brother.

[@MinimalisTech]

Really appreciate that homie!

[@TechwithTonyUK]

@@MinimalisTech keep up the amazing work my dude! Love it!

[@xxnetravenxx6965]

I’ve been looking at the iPad Mini for reading and comics. I currently use my M1 iPad Pro and don’t want to completely replace my iPad since it’s so useful but I find the form factor of the Mini better as I only use half the screen for reading and the other half for notes or visuals/music. You should try out Altered Carbon for a sci-fi book. It’s a cyberpunk neo-noir detective book, fast paced and good.

[@JuniorUgalde-oq4nb]

I hope you could do more video I have a iPad mini cellular and had a iPhone but now I have a flip phone and iPad equal the best

[@briancrink-tech]

I just wish Apple would optimize the screen real estate for iPadOS. Things like the widget screen, today view, control center - use 1/3 of the screen. Those who have an iPad mini know what I’m referring to

[@kingleo_95]

The Dandelion Dynasty is ELITE. You'd love it

[@MinimalisTech]

ooohhhhh, I've heard of this one already. how do you rate it? Gonna check this one out

[@kingleo_95]

@MinimalisTech 10/10 for sure. Especially if you like world building

[@andyackerman7123]

Dan Jones: Essex Dogs and Wolves of Winter. These are the first two books, of an historical fiction series, by an historical non-fiction author.

[@MinimalisTech]

Added to my list! I’ll have to check it out

[@minusmartin]

very relaxing video! i picked up a supernote nomad for note taking/journaling and idea plotting. it gets delivered today so i am looking forward to seeing how i can incorporate it into my life. I never found the ipad to be a good device due to the fact that my phone could do everything it can, BUT i did like the ipad mini when it came out because of its size. I have a samsung z fold 6 and its fantastic for media consumption due to the foldable style and i love my macbook pro m4 pro. if i find a good deal on an ipad mini 6 or 7, i think ill end up getting it to test it out as a mini do it all device for school.

[@MinimalisTech]

Wow, i didn’t even know the nomad existed. Don’t make me spend money plz lmao

[@minusmartin]

@@MinimalisTech lol. i get you! i just received the nomad yesterday and have been messing around with it. It is a legitimate pen and paper replacement. you can do everything and more with the ipad mini and a good note taking app. I see this more of a companion device to go with your ipad or kindle for reading and note jotting. the feeling writing on it feels like a good gel pen on a paper on a glass table. its very smooth. I wrote on it next to my wife's ipad air/pencil combo and its waaaay nicer to write on. the ipad feels like tapping on super slippery glass with a knife lol. you DONT need it unless you already go through piles of paper. otherwise, the ipad is just fine. if you pair this with a laptop and do some note taking or brain blasting for content then its perfect to keep you focused. in the end, though, if you have the discipline to keep working on the ipad without getting distracted by the other apps then you are more than set like that and dont need to spend the money for this shiny new thing.

[@minusmartin]

@@MinimalisTech OH. and if you suffer with eye strain, like i do. zero eye strain when using this item vs looking at the lightbulb of the ipad. even with dark mode, its makes a huge difference.

[@putusuelsudiarsana9712]

What is the specs on your Ipad Mini?

[@christinat21]

apparently Red Rising is a 6/5 star read for the sci-fi community

[@MinimalisTech]

I started it two nights ago! Saw like 15 people say read rising in the comments lol

[@FlavioCastroo]

Great and relaxing video, watching from my 7 mini :) What's the clock on the beginning of the video, pls?

[@MinimalisTech]

Flip clock app! I think it was like 2 bucks or something. I believe there's a free version too

[@FlavioCastroo]

@@MinimalisTech Tks :)

[@sorryitookthisname2]

Old Man’s War series is really good. Same with the Expanse Series.

[@MinimalisTech]

I've heard of Old Man's before! I'll have to check this one out. If I don't get addicted tho, you've failed me haha

[@Amentrasti28]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I read this book every year, it's just a gem.

[@macwalsh83]

I love this! As someone who used a dumb phone and an ipad mini together for a while, I struggled with keeping messaging simple for people who needed to get a hold of me. I found they were confused whether to text my number or my iMessage. How are you handling the two mediums? Just discovered your channel, this is great stuff. Thank you

[@MinimalisTech]

Haha, man, this is 100% my current struggle. Honestly the biggest thing is with RCS now available on iPhone, it closes that gap massively overall. For group chats though, I just use my iCloud account etc. For myself the dumb phone is primarily for disconnecting so im' ok to not get my messages right away. If anything I get more phone calls which I appreciate hearing a voice more frequently. Still an absolute battle which I haven't quite won yet, and still remains the primary reason I ever find myself swapping back to my 13 mini once in a while.

[@deon.zoldyck]

It’ll probably take five years or less before Apple puts the higher display refresh rate on the Mini and Air models. Hopefully it comes to the next generation before 2030 just like the rumored iPhone 17 and 17 Plus models are finally getting the higher display refresh rates. What storage option did you opt for the iPad mini?

[@Nurof3n_]

you should read three-body problem

[@RAMSBR001]

What’s the docking station in the shelf?

[@KiraHerdman]

Book recommendation. The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell. It’s a series of books, also has follow on series as well. The best SiFi/Space series of books I’ve ever read. In fact in the middle of reading them again for the 4th time they are that good. Also Starks War series of books by the same author.

[@MinimalisTech]

Amazing, honestly that’s a good sign. I just bought the first one. I’ve got so many recommendations but this one looks really good

[@KeklePop]

A good SciFi read would be children of time

[@Manuel-rl6um]

Hey man, I'm wondering. Your channel is called the Minimalis Tech but I see you have: - A desktop PC - A gaming laptop - MacBook - iPad Mini - iPad Pro - iPhone 13 Mini - AirPods Pro 2 - Dumb phone - PS5 - PS Portal - PS Earbuds - Xbox Series S - Xbox Series X - Vinyl record player - Retro handheld console No idea about other devices like monitors, headsets/earbuds, other gaming consoles like Switch or Steam Deck? Or other iPhone or Android phone? I know minimalism is not about having the least amount of things possible but what you own seems anything but minimal :D So, I have a question for you. If you had to start over, move somewhere else, and take with you only one suitcase, what devices would you take with you? (you have to take your clothes with you in the suitcase as well of course). Greetings!

[@akhwrangsabrahma1654]

damn😂

[@MinimalisTech]

LOL, I frequently say I'm a wannabe minimalist, it's hard while reviewing tech etc. Packing ONE suitcase tho I'd go. - m2 MacBook Air - 13 mini - PS5 - AirPods Pro 2 - iPad mini 7 My poor vinyls tho! they'd be left behind haha

[@Manuel-rl6um]

@ hahahaha I see why it’s hard when you are reviewing tech. Awesome list. Thanks for taking the time!

[@adamsmith7079]

The Terminal List - Jack Carr

[@kendricduve4044]

Stormlight archive series. Brandon Sanderson

[@TheMreargasm]

Is there any way to protect the apple pencil tip from getting eroded after a period of time writing on ipad covered with paperlike. I bought a silicone tip cover but it is incovenient to use it while writing on the ipad. Please help me

[@MinimalisTech]

Hey! there's no way to prevent that unfortunately, even if you don't use paper like screen protectors, the tip will wear down. That said, they're actually able to be screwed off and replaced. I think apple sells a pack of 3 tips for like 20 bucks or something. They actually last super long, so it's pretty affordable to replace them! Cheers

[@Ambereigh]

I bought like a pack of ten from Amazon for like 5 bucks years ago. I’ve only changed it once maybe twice in five years. They last pretty long.

[@riccia888]

Man you should try japanese keitai flip phones

[@MinimalisTech]

Bro WHAT? These exist? I’m going down a rabbit hole now lol. Thanks for this

[@donneratze]

Nice Video, which App do you use for coloring?

[@MinimalisTech]

Thanks! Final Cut Pro - This was actually just the Eterna Cinema film sim on my Fuji X-H2S. I did bump the saturation a tad tho

[@kvy-yyyy]

I cant stand the apps on iPads when they're just black bars on the side lol at least from when I had my iPad mini 6 I traded that for the tab s9

[@MinimalisTech]

I agree, it's kinda lame. Instagram is the worst offender haha

[@kaizel2264]

I'd actually rather have an IPad Mini 7 and A Really Powerful laptop like A Zephyrus G14 as A productivity device and a Steam Deck Oled as A Gaming Only Device rather than a really powerful computer that would cost $3000 along with the monitor, Mouse and keyboard etc. Of course nothing would ever make me abandon My Phone S10e✨️ All in all this set up is About $2,300

[@lorem37]

I believe you’re absolutely in love with the iPad Mini because you're an avid reader. And for reading, the Mini offers the best experience-compact, lightweight, and easy to hold for long periods. However, beyond reading, the Mini feels too small for most other tasks. For those who don’t read much, the 11” Air or Pro are far better all-around choices, offering a more balanced experience for browsing, media consumption, and productivity. Moreover, not buying a keyboard on the 11” Air or Pro reinforces the pure tablet experience, which is ideal for users who already own a MacBook and don’t need another keyboard-based device. So, in my opinion: yes to the Mini-if and only if reading is a big part of your life! Greetings from Montréal ! Truly love your channel !

[@MinimalisTech]

Thank you! Haha, if not for my iPad mini I probably wouldn't read, absolutely love it.

[@andrew1haddad]

Do androids dream of electric sheep

[@adamsmith7079]

Project Hail Mary (Sci Fi)

[@jamfin6644]

give me 120hz promotion and ill "downgrade" to a ipad pro mini. i have a m1 12.9" that rarely gets used these days but everytime i do pick it up i wonder why i dont use it before remembering. its too damn big.

[@MinimalisTech]

Oh man. 120hz on an iPad mini would be the dream

[@haru_1997]

the thumbnail looks like tatsuki's

[@BigNickPro]

Dude awesome video! I really want to try it out and snag one off ebay soon. I just started my KZbin Tech video journey! Any love helps! :)

[@xXLARzXx]

After Nov 5th. 2024, my family and I are slowing down and not buying sh!t for the next 5 years. just banking money since we're debt free (house and both cars paid for) and hopefully everybody will still be alive by then.

[@Sociology_Tube]

DUNE

[@MinimalisTech]

Heard the book is stellar. Apparently the movie is great too!