I’m physically disabled but I love to draw and I’m just glad stuff like this exist now. I’ve seen all kinds of things that are more useful for people who are disabled, small, or in need of portable equipment torn down just for being small or not extremely sturdy. I understand that a lot of people need bigger extremely durable things but something that’s not good for everyone can still be a very good thing.
Hello and thank you for the comment! Digital drawing tools have really grown into an amazing space over the last 5-10 years. In the past I struggled to find portable solutions that actually worked but now they are good enough to essencially replace my desktop setup for 2D drawing! I'm so glad to hear they are working for you as well. Everyone's use case is so differnet, even mine, that I think it is easy to get lost in reviews and feedback on products but really it is most important to test the equipment yourself and find what works for you! Thankfully now we have many options at different price points and I hope to explore more digital creation tools in the future!
Thank you very much for the feedback! I appreciate it and will consider it for an upcoming video. I did do a video on whether it is worth upgrading and that one may help you decide. In general, for 2D illustration the mini 5 and 6 feel very similar to me and it is perfectly reasonable to save some money and get the older version. The main weakness of the mini 5 that is improved upon in the mini 6 would be the usb c port. The camera and apple pencil are nice but not a necessity for most people. Backing up and file transfer on the mini 5 has always been a pain, especially if you don't have a Mac for airdrop. If you don't see yourself backing up or transferring files much then I think the mini 5 is ok! If you do more 3d work or work with large file sizes the mini 6 is probably a better option. Either way I also recommend the 256g option as 64 can go pretty fast....
Well done. I’m sold on the iPad mini’s viability now. Usually it sounds lackluster when other reviews highlight its spec difference from the Pro Series. This felt original, practical and simple :)
Thank you very much for the wonderful comment! At this point with iPads I feel the specs, processor and ram are getting to a point where they are irrelevant. Performance on 2D design apps has been acceptable for some time now, and until apple allows for more desktop like features to be integrated into iPadOS the difference between the mini 6 and my M1 iPad pro feels quite slim. Like I said about the mini 5, I expected to use it as a sketchbook but was surprised to find myself doing all kinds of relatively heavy work while on the go! Even now sometimes I choose to continue working on a mini rather than airdropping work over to the M1 and I don't feel constrained by the performance, just maybe a little by the screen size at home haha I'm so glad you liked it and I will have more videos like this soon!
This was THE review I was waiting for since I saw that new mini would support the second gen Apple Pencil, because I had to think about your wish for apple to add the support haha
Aw thank you so much! I'm sorry it took so long, life has been busy lately. The second gen apple pencil makes things so much more comfortable! No more fishing for the first gen pencil at the bottom of a bag and no more charging awkwardly with lightning. But it does come at a more expensive cost and I do think those who are ok with a little inconvenience can have an excelent budget option in the mini 5!
@@victormutta1115 Hello and thank you for the comment! I stand by my feelings in the video, the mini 6 is an amazing choice as a portable drawing tablet with additional features that make it a better choice for modern creators. If you are mostly looking for a tablet to only draw with, the mini 5 is a great choice at a lower cost!
Awesome video. Had all the right points in it to make a decision. I'm just about to join an M.A programme and needed a perfect note taking, highly portable device that complements my laptop,and to work on, on the go(sometimes). And I'm also getting interested in digital art, this might be a good device to get started with. Thanks for this wonderful, concise video!! My best wishes!
Thank you very much for the wonderful comment and congrats on the MA program!! The mini 6 sounds like an excelent device for your needs! I often use the mini 6 and one note to type/scribble notes and it is a great middle ground between a laptop and phone. If you are a mac user, side car is a great way to be more productive on the go using the mini as a second screen. If you are a windows user, then duet display offers similar functionality at a reasonable yearly subscription cost! Drawing is of course a great expereince but overall the mini is one of the most useful devices to have for a variety of task! If you have any questions please feel free to ask!
My first ipad, has been the 12.9 2017 (2nd Gen), and ive been using that ever since! over the years theres been multiple occasions where i wish i had gone or had a smaller ipad for travel and i guess aesthetic reasons too! haha, i hate carrying large bags/backpacks around i like to travel light if i can wether it be to the cafe or a day out with myself, Not to mention the smaller form factors tend to have cuter cases/covers, so might be time for me to up(down)grade!
Hello and thank you so much for the comment! As a 2021 12.9 inch owner I think I can help here! The mini 5 is just about the size of a multitasking window when you have two equal halves on the 12.9 screen in the horizontal orientation. It gives you a good way to test if the screen size is enough for your work! I’ve also found the weight of the 12.9 with accessories to be pretty heavy so the mini is my go to for anything outside of the house, and even inside when I don’t need the larger screen, but I do think they make a great combination one for traveling one for at home. If you have any other questions please feel free to let me know!
Im still blown away what can be done on a Ipad these days in terms of digital art, currently my daily is a Ipad air 4 and its so nice to be drawing digitally when you have a bit of spare time at work or out and about :)
Thank you so much for the comment! I agree! When the apple pencil and clip studio paint became available I switched over and haven't looked back. It is a compromise compromise, coming from windows with access to many powerful desktop software, but one I am willing to make for portability and ease of use! It's also just fun to use and you can take them just about anywhere without the need for a charger most of the time haha glad to hear you also have a great experience with the iPads I hope you'll look forward to more iPad related videos soon!
Really liked this review and I think it solidified me dropping my 12.9 2018 pro and going with the mini. I love the pro for art at home but I find it really cumbersome to use outside the house and the weight of it has really been messing with my carpal tunnel as of late. Nice to see the mini is a competent art machine still!
Thank you very much for the comment!! I actually was just thinking about this topics (as the owner of a 12.9 ipad pro). Even now as we are getting an update to ipadOS, the mini really shows you how a limited mobile operating system can be so powerful but at the same time those limitations also apply to the larger ipad and at that size and weight and expectation of performance it tends to impress way less than the mini. Maybe something to cover in a future video!
@@tsukepen I’d love to see that discussed. I think it’s very easy to get caught up in the allure of the pro but I don’t think it’s conducive to what I find most people want an iPad for which is a portable sketch pad. I think what really solidified for me that I needed to switch was on my last couple trips I considered leaving it at home which is the polar opposite of why I got it.
Thank you for the feedback! I'll see if I can get some thoughts together for something like that. Yeah, I picked up the m1 ipad pro thinking an OS update would get me the best of both worlds, and I'm sure in future there will be more apple silicon exclusive features, but at the moment the 12.9 doesnt cut it as a laptop but is kind of overkill for a tablet haha. I also tend not to take it out of the house much and instead get a lot of mileage from the mini for drawing and lighter tasks and the GPD win max 2021 for intense tasks like video editing! I think you might find that little laptop to be really interesting and I made a review about it here; ruclips.net/video/Dvy_G_UT5Kg/видео.html
I bought iPad mini 6 because of the form factor and to replace paper notebook for work and recreation. I’ve been watching iPad mini 6 videos on RUclips and found yours is so unique. 👍🏽
Hello and thank you for the question! I think the mini is great for those tasks and im so glad you found the channel! I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement!
Thinking I’m gonna get rid of the m1 pro and going back to my iPad mini roots, felt like I was drawing way more back when I had the mini five that I could pull out of my pocket
Thank you very much for the comment! I also have been thinking of downsizing the m1 iPad pro because it doesn't offer me much more than other older models... And if there is some cross platform compatibility in the future I can pick one up again. The mini 6 or new air might be a good compromise for you!
I just used some christmas money to buy a mini6, pencil 2nd gen, and a smartfolio case. Really excited to try out Procreate and other apps for illustration :)))))
Thank you so much for the follow up! I'm so glad you were able to get it and I think you'll make great use of the mini 6! Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!!
This is the video I was looking for! An honest review from an artist using both the mini 5 and 6. Couldn’t decide which one to keep. The 5 for the better grip because of the borders or the 6 for the double tsp feature of the pencil 2. If the 5 had had stero speakers I think I would have kept the 5, it feels somehow better to hold in hands.
Haha I'm so glad I could help! I still think they both offer a great expereince and the mini 5 does have some benefits, while the mini 6 has a lot of convenience. After I picked up the mini 6, I thought I would sell the mini 5, but I ended up keeping it and use it for filming (to monitor a camera) and other tasks!
@@tsukepen thanks for your answer. I feel I prefer the mini 5 for reading as it holds better in hands but I am forcing myself to use the 6 as it make "more sense overall". Witch one do you take with you when you draw outside on the go? the 5 or 6?
I find the mini 5 also feels a bit slimmer, but the differneces is negligible! I tend to use the mini 6 overall and espeically outside of the house because of the apple pencil 2 and usb c. The performance and capabilities when it comes to drawing doesnt change drastically but the convenience of the mini 6 does drive me to it for most thing. Also the mini 6 smart cover makes it possible to use it as a grip for drawing or other vertical oriented actives which I like to use, trying to do the same thing on the mini 5 will typically end up with the smart cover coming off...
@@tsukepen I had such a hard time to find a good cover for the 6. The smart cover don´t protect it overall so I tried many many covers and ended up with one with a latch holding the pencil when it´s closed and in the bag. Even otterbox who make solid covers didn´t deliver a good one for the 6 (symettry 360 with a strange unstable latch on the side for the pen). Yes the 5 feels slimmer and better to hold but the pencil 2 make the 6 easier to draw. what a headache.. thanks for your replies and support.
Thanks, I was going to get the iPad Pro, but I instead opted to grab an XP-Pen for my laptop. Discovered I hate drawing on large screens, it's tolerable but I miss my screenless drawing tablet, so maybe drawing on a smaller screen might help. I got a laptop with the aim of becoming more mobile as an artist but having so many cords and things I practically need a rucksack to go anywhere. In the future I aim for a mobile life in Trucking, having something I can take with me easily and still produce even just similar work compared to my dedicated set-up is priceless. I have two questions, first what would be the layer limit on this iPad for a 1920x1080 resolution, and second would you choose the cellular version or the wi-fi version?
Hello and thank you for the comment! A drawing tablet with a laptop can still be very mobile, if you have access to a table. For intense work it probably doesnt matter as the iPad works best seated, but as someone who uses public transportation a lot the iPad is one of the best experiences to just draw on the go! If you are a mac user, you also have a lot of integration that is wireless. Windows users can take advantage of Astropads accessories or apps with wireless functionality, but the quality can vary. As far as the layers, the iPad mini 6 with a 1920x1080 canvas should give you plenty of layers to work with. I'm not sure on the actual count, it depends on the app too, but i would suspect over 100 on procreate and clip studio should have no limits. I only have the wifi version but in some cases the cellular could be benificial if you say travel a lot. I hope that helps and feel free to ask any followup questions you may have.
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! It really motivates me to make more videos. I always use a brand called masterpiece (mspc) and absolutely love them. If you search masterpiece bag Japan it should come up!
Hello and thank you for the comment! The mini offers a really unique drawing experience being so small but powerful for creators! I do tend to recommend the middle size ipads for those who dont own any drawing tablets, as the mini can be a bit restrictive if it is your only tablet, but if you have something you are already using to draw the mini makes a great companion!
It is high on my list of things to do! Unfortunately I am really busy at the moment and it’s hard to get any videos done in a reasonable time frame, so feel free to ask any questions you might have here! In general, using mirroring apps like astropad, easy canvas or duet display you can connect your iPad to the gpd wirelessly or wired (depending on app and settings). When you do this the iPad becomes a digitizer of sorts for whatever is running on the gpd. The newer gpd models can run photoshop and even premiere pretty well for a little machine so for me it is worth it to have access to that and a tablet all the time. The beauty of the win max is the keyboard is close to a standard layout and the joysticks or buttons can be reprogrammed to shortcuts and other commands. This means you don’t need to bring and extra keyboard to type comfortably, I would do that with the p2max because the layout was something I could never get used to. Any of the modern gpds can feel like overkill just to run paint tool sai but if you must use a desktop app not available on iPadOS then a gpd is probably the way to do it without increasing the size too much. Even the p2 max was cool if you don’t mind the funky layout!
Hi! I would like to know if the ipad mini 6 can be used as a professional? I hesitate a lot between the ipad mini and a bigger ipad, I really like the size of the mini especially since I really like the fact that I can draw everywhere instead of always staying on the desk but I'm afraid to regret my choice because the size will be annoying for a professional use :(
Hello and thank you for the comment! I have touched on this a few times in the past and it probably deserves a video or blog post but my usual advice is; if you dont have a drawing device the middle sized ipads are an excelent balance between performance, size and price! If you do have a drawing device say at your desktop but want something more mobile the mini 6 is probably the best tool for that. In general even with the mini 5 I felt it was capable of taking on profesional 2D work (in my case A4 canvas 300~350 DPI with over 50 layers as a benchmark) and the mini 6 is even more capable. It really depends on your work though, for my style the smaller screen isnt much of a hinderance but for others it can be. I do love taking the mini with me as much as possible but most of the time it is in a bag that can fit the 9.7~11 inch ipads just as well. So you should really consider where and how you want to use it! I hope that helps please let me know if you have any other questions.
@@tsukepen I too had a thought before to drop the iPad Pro 12.9 2018 for the mini 6. As it's nice to cycle device after years and mini has more flexibility and mobile. But again once sitting immerse in the work, drawing, especially with reference on other tab, even 12.9 is still small. And eventually that's going to be the focus. You're right about going the middle sized if not having display tablet yet. And I see how much mini can help to add more productivity in between slight moments in day to day mobile and stack to be something that really counts.
Thank you very much for the compliment and I appreciate hearing others experience on this topic! I get asked the question a lot and I think its about time I made a video on the topic. Generally the middle size offers a great balance of price, performance and portability for just about any artist I can think of. You can do some basic multitasking or pull up a reference of a character for fan art while still having room to draw on a mini 6 sized area. It is also probably more comfortable for begginers! For me personally, I have been drawing digitally for a long time and the smaller sceen doesnt affect me when I get focused, and while I dont do fan art much these days when I need to look up a pose or clothing ideas it is easy enough to do so on my phone and keep the mini dedicated to drawing! That is not something I had covered in the past but will take it into account for a video! Thank you for the inspiration!
@@tsukepen Thanks so much for putting the time to reply, man! Really appreciate it. I agree and you bring very good point. Keep it up, I think this kind of video really helpful. Because there's a lot of people that I think encounter this idea of changing into smaller form factor or choosing between the two. Like for example when the bigger pro ended up not being picked up much often as some having other workstation and 12.9 iPad pro size also heavier to carry around flexibly. Like the weight of the mini and its form factor motivate to just do the task. I support you on the video. It's true, the mini size is enough mostly for beginners or for tasks that don't require much space. I too understand about the focus not bothered especially when we have the ability to adapt and get used to various device. We compromise. I just thought that when focused like that for sure bigger screen is more productive time wise. But again something we compromise. Yes! Combination with phone as reference also very good idea! I thought about it too if picking up mini. I think it depends on what workflow we do. For reference I use Vizref. And managing files and everything in one device is so productive. I also do comic illustration, so to me personally bigger screen helps big time for drawing details and picking up lines (straight lines or so when drawing background from zoom out) to keep the lines aligned. Somehow on small screen it's quite a challenge. For journal, sketching, ideas, character illustrations, portraits, I think it's amazing device. I too wonder how it feels as using clip studio. The ui in small screen. Procreate shines in this I think. Gotta compromise lots of things in drawing aspect but still, comes down to risk of getting small form factor. It helps and support a lot in tight and flexible situations. I work on desktop as well so that's also why was thinking to downgrade the iPad, to change the dynamic and perhaps might maximize the use. Anyway, never thought that tab mate works on iPad! I thought it was not supported back then. I was about to get it but that was what holding me back. Great to know it works! Thanks a lot man!
Thank you very much! I think one of the more modern iPad air models would be a great choices if you want something like the mini 6 but a larger screen. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks man. Just the video i was looking for. However I’m still in doubt whether the ipad mini 6 is good for illustrating childrens’ storybooks. This is mainly the kind of illustrations I’m making. What do you think?
Hello and thank you for the comment! It really depends on your workflow and what you are comfortable with. If you dont use too many layers and are open to changing the way you work the mini can suit many circumstance. The screen size does say limit your space if you feel it is necessary to have character references on the same screen for drawing but other than that I have found the mini hasn't held me back as far as app performance. I hope that helps, in general I do often recommend the middle sized iPads if you don't have alternative devices, as they provide a more comfortable screen size and are still very portable!
Thank you very much! I have made a video on that controller right here ruclips.net/video/kMunyXC6_Eo/видео.html and i would also recommend the tap strap 2 as a controller for iPad artists! I also made s video on that here on the channel!
Is it really worth to buy IPad mini 6 for digital draw in Procreate? I mean not for rough sketch, but for complete art? Or would it better to buy IPad Air? I'm not an Apple fan, but I'm interested in the Procreate program, as it is also used by professionals. But on the other hand, it's expensive, iPad(~$550 for Mini 6/ ~$680 for Air M1) + Pencil(~$150) + Drawing software ($10+). So I'm still looking towards Android - tab s7 FE or tab s8. But I'm still not sure if Android is a worthy alternative for good drawing.
Hello and thank you for the question! As far as iPads and procreate goes, one of the major differneces between models is how many layers you have access to based on the canvas size. Lower end models may not provide enough layers for full colored illustrations, at least that is what I have found for my use. The higher end models now allow a decent amount of layers when it comes to an A4 300dpi sized file. I've seen many professionals use procreate, and it is a very intuitive and natural drawing app for sure! For me, I do enjoy sketching on procreate, but I do not like it for most of my professional work. The UI and tools along with the layers are limited and it makes it diffiuclt for me to work. I often use 60-100 layers and it might not be an option even on the M1 ipad pro. I also need a keyboard for drawing and procreate (at least at the moment) doesnt allow you to change any keyboard commands and their shortcuts are not standard and diffiuclt to learn after many years using photoshop etc. That being said if you feel it can be used for your workflow it is one of the cleanest and smoothest apps out there! When it comes to android drawing devices, there are some very nice drawing apps but I would only sketch on most of them. Clip studio paint is probably the best option (on both platforms in my opinion) but it is a subscription on mobile devices. For me it is well worth the cost but to others they might think otherwise. I hope that helps, if you have any other questions please feel free to ask!
@@tsukepen I myself also use from 50-100 layers on the Huion Tablet H640P, but is it really difficult for the iPad Air M1 with 8 GB of RAM or for the Android analogue? Thank you.
@@kheprago it is not necessarily that it is difficult for the m1 ipads or other newer models to handle a lot of layers I just think procreate prioritizes smooth and stable performance over anything else. Procreate rarely if ever crashes and it has nice always on features like auto save and time lapse. Now on clip studio I can do over 100 layers relatively smoothly even on the mini 5 with the same canvas size. I still have a great experience maybe a few crashes here and there but to me clip studio is a more fully featured app. May I ask what software you are using now?
@@tsukepen I'm using Medibang and Sketchbook(Not a part of Autodesk anymore) on Desktop. I also use Photoshops .psd extension to switch between the programs, for shading as an example.
I see. Medibang and sketchbook I believe are both available on iPadOS and android, so you might be able to continue working in a similar way regardless of the mobile device you go with!
Hi, is photoshop and AI usable and comfortable on the mini? It’ll not my main device for editing as I have a laptop for it. Just that my laptop is too heavy to carry around
Hello and thank you for the question! I haven't used those apps much on the mini 6 but something like clip studio with a dense UI is still very usable on the mini so I assume other apps would be as well. Even Lumafusion for video editing has been a good experience for something so portable. I don't always do the most intense or profesional work on the mini but if you approach it as a more portable solution it shouldn't let you down! I hope that helps sorry I dont have much experience in what you are looking for.
Hello and thank you for the question! It depends on the software and your process but generally I would say the mini 6 is capable of taking on that task. Procreate may be limited if you require many layers but other apps will work well!
Hello and thank you very much for the question. For me it is not too small to draw but I do generally recommend the middle size(air) if you don’t have any other means to draw digitally. The mini is great on the go and is still usable in the house or office, but the middle size probably splits the portability and productivity best if you only have one device. Then again I don’t know exactly what you are looking for. If you want a portable sketchbook to always have with you the mini is fantastic! I hope that helps feel free to ask any questions you might have!
Hello and thank you for the comment! I use clip studio paint for most of my illustrations. Other than that I also frequent procreate and art studio pro but other options like sketchbook, Krita, paint tool sai and even photoshop are great options depending on what platform you use. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask and i also have many videos on drawing apps and even some tutorials you should check out!
Please either speak or play background music, whilst you had some valid points to make, voice over music is incredibly annoying, to the point I was ready to just skip your video completely.
![Наследники. Как живут сыновья Путина и Кабаевой | Фильм центра «Досье» | Putin's kids [English subs]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5Xrskn6lo7k/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m physically disabled but I love to draw and I’m just glad stuff like this exist now. I’ve seen all kinds of things that are more useful for people who are disabled, small, or in need of portable equipment torn down just for being small or not extremely sturdy. I understand that a lot of people need bigger extremely durable things but something that’s not good for everyone can still be a very good thing.
Hello and thank you for the comment! Digital drawing tools have really grown into an amazing space over the last 5-10 years. In the past I struggled to find portable solutions that actually worked but now they are good enough to essencially replace my desktop setup for 2D drawing! I'm so glad to hear they are working for you as well. Everyone's use case is so differnet, even mine, that I think it is easy to get lost in reviews and feedback on products but really it is most important to test the equipment yourself and find what works for you! Thankfully now we have many options at different price points and I hope to explore more digital creation tools in the future!
Doing tutorial videos specifically dealing with the mini’s strengths and weaknesses would be extremely helpful for those on the fence and on a budget.
Thank you very much for the feedback! I appreciate it and will consider it for an upcoming video. I did do a video on whether it is worth upgrading and that one may help you decide. In general, for 2D illustration the mini 5 and 6 feel very similar to me and it is perfectly reasonable to save some money and get the older version. The main weakness of the mini 5 that is improved upon in the mini 6 would be the usb c port. The camera and apple pencil are nice but not a necessity for most people. Backing up and file transfer on the mini 5 has always been a pain, especially if you don't have a Mac for airdrop. If you don't see yourself backing up or transferring files much then I think the mini 5 is ok! If you do more 3d work or work with large file sizes the mini 6 is probably a better option. Either way I also recommend the 256g option as 64 can go pretty fast....
Well done. I’m sold on the iPad mini’s viability now. Usually it sounds lackluster when other reviews highlight its spec difference from the Pro Series.
This felt original, practical and simple :)
Thank you very much for the wonderful comment! At this point with iPads I feel the specs, processor and ram are getting to a point where they are irrelevant. Performance on 2D design apps has been acceptable for some time now, and until apple allows for more desktop like features to be integrated into iPadOS the difference between the mini 6 and my M1 iPad pro feels quite slim. Like I said about the mini 5, I expected to use it as a sketchbook but was surprised to find myself doing all kinds of relatively heavy work while on the go! Even now sometimes I choose to continue working on a mini rather than airdropping work over to the M1 and I don't feel constrained by the performance, just maybe a little by the screen size at home haha
I'm so glad you liked it and I will have more videos like this soon!
This was THE review I was waiting for since I saw that new mini would support the second gen Apple Pencil, because I had to think about your wish for apple to add the support haha
Aw thank you so much! I'm sorry it took so long, life has been busy lately. The second gen apple pencil makes things so much more comfortable! No more fishing for the first gen pencil at the bottom of a bag and no more charging awkwardly with lightning. But it does come at a more expensive cost and I do think those who are ok with a little inconvenience can have an excelent budget option in the mini 5!
this review is criminally underated
Aww thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words!
Got sold into buying one 6 days ago, so far, im lovin it. Quickly became my go to art tab.
I’m so glad you like it! It is a awesome tool to always have with you for just about any creative task.
How you feeling about it a month later?
@@victormutta1115 useful, i use it more than my 12.9 m1 ipad pro
@@victormutta1115 Hello and thank you for the comment! I stand by my feelings in the video, the mini 6 is an amazing choice as a portable drawing tablet with additional features that make it a better choice for modern creators. If you are mostly looking for a tablet to only draw with, the mini 5 is a great choice at a lower cost!
Is that really good for drawing?
Awesome video. Had all the right points in it to make a decision. I'm just about to join an M.A programme and needed a perfect note taking, highly portable device that complements my laptop,and to work on, on the go(sometimes). And I'm also getting interested in digital art, this might be a good device to get started with.
Thanks for this wonderful, concise video!! My best wishes!
Thank you very much for the wonderful comment and congrats on the MA program!! The mini 6 sounds like an excelent device for your needs! I often use the mini 6 and one note to type/scribble notes and it is a great middle ground between a laptop and phone. If you are a mac user, side car is a great way to be more productive on the go using the mini as a second screen. If you are a windows user, then duet display offers similar functionality at a reasonable yearly subscription cost! Drawing is of course a great expereince but overall the mini is one of the most useful devices to have for a variety of task! If you have any questions please feel free to ask!
My first ipad, has been the 12.9 2017 (2nd Gen), and ive been using that ever since! over the years theres been multiple occasions where i wish i had gone or had a smaller ipad for travel and i guess aesthetic reasons too! haha, i hate carrying large bags/backpacks around i like to travel light if i can wether it be to the cafe or a day out with myself, Not to mention the smaller form factors tend to have cuter cases/covers, so might be time for me to up(down)grade!
Hello and thank you so much for the comment! As a 2021 12.9 inch owner I think I can help here! The mini 5 is just about the size of a multitasking window when you have two equal halves on the 12.9 screen in the horizontal orientation. It gives you a good way to test if the screen size is enough for your work! I’ve also found the weight of the 12.9 with accessories to be pretty heavy so the mini is my go to for anything outside of the house, and even inside when I don’t need the larger screen, but I do think they make a great combination one for traveling one for at home. If you have any other questions please feel free to let me know!
Im still blown away what can be done on a Ipad these days in terms of digital art, currently my daily is a Ipad air 4 and its so nice to be drawing digitally when you have a bit of spare time at work or out and about :)
Thank you so much for the comment! I agree! When the apple pencil and clip studio paint became available I switched over and haven't looked back. It is a compromise compromise, coming from windows with access to many powerful desktop software, but one I am willing to make for portability and ease of use! It's also just fun to use and you can take them just about anywhere without the need for a charger most of the time haha glad to hear you also have a great experience with the iPads I hope you'll look forward to more iPad related videos soon!
Really liked this review and I think it solidified me dropping my 12.9 2018 pro and going with the mini. I love the pro for art at home but I find it really cumbersome to use outside the house and the weight of it has really been messing with my carpal tunnel as of late. Nice to see the mini is a competent art machine still!
Thank you very much for the comment!! I actually was just thinking about this topics (as the owner of a 12.9 ipad pro). Even now as we are getting an update to ipadOS, the mini really shows you how a limited mobile operating system can be so powerful but at the same time those limitations also apply to the larger ipad and at that size and weight and expectation of performance it tends to impress way less than the mini. Maybe something to cover in a future video!
@@tsukepen I’d love to see that discussed. I think it’s very easy to get caught up in the allure of the pro but I don’t think it’s conducive to what I find most people want an iPad for which is a portable sketch pad. I think what really solidified for me that I needed to switch was on my last couple trips I considered leaving it at home which is the polar opposite of why I got it.
Thank you for the feedback! I'll see if I can get some thoughts together for something like that. Yeah, I picked up the m1 ipad pro thinking an OS update would get me the best of both worlds, and I'm sure in future there will be more apple silicon exclusive features, but at the moment the 12.9 doesnt cut it as a laptop but is kind of overkill for a tablet haha. I also tend not to take it out of the house much and instead get a lot of mileage from the mini for drawing and lighter tasks and the GPD win max 2021 for intense tasks like video editing! I think you might find that little laptop to be really interesting and I made a review about it here; ruclips.net/video/Dvy_G_UT5Kg/видео.html
I bought iPad mini 6 because of the form factor and to replace paper notebook for work and recreation.
I’ve been watching iPad mini 6 videos on RUclips and found yours is so unique. 👍🏽
Hello and thank you for the question! I think the mini is great for those tasks and im so glad you found the channel! I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement!
Thinking I’m gonna get rid of the m1 pro and going back to my iPad mini roots, felt like I was drawing way more back when I had the mini five that I could pull out of my pocket
Thank you very much for the comment! I also have been thinking of downsizing the m1 iPad pro because it doesn't offer me much more than other older models... And if there is some cross platform compatibility in the future I can pick one up again. The mini 6 or new air might be a good compromise for you!
Hey, I was wondering if you did switch to the mini? I'm in a similar situation as you
I just used some christmas money to buy a mini6, pencil 2nd gen, and a smartfolio case. Really excited to try out Procreate and other apps for illustration :)))))
Thank you so much for the follow up! I'm so glad you were able to get it and I think you'll make great use of the mini 6! Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!!
You’re so charismatic bro. God bless 🙏
Aw thank you so much!! I really appreciate the kind words! I should have more videos out soon!
This is the video I was looking for! An honest review from an artist using both the mini 5 and 6. Couldn’t decide which one to keep. The 5 for the better grip because of the borders or the 6 for the double tsp feature of the pencil 2. If the 5 had had stero speakers I think I would have kept the 5, it feels somehow better to hold in hands.
Haha I'm so glad I could help! I still think they both offer a great expereince and the mini 5 does have some benefits, while the mini 6 has a lot of convenience. After I picked up the mini 6, I thought I would sell the mini 5, but I ended up keeping it and use it for filming (to monitor a camera) and other tasks!
@@tsukepen thanks for your answer. I feel I prefer the mini 5 for reading as it holds better in hands but I am forcing myself to use the 6 as it make "more sense overall". Witch one do you take with you when you draw outside on the go? the 5 or 6?
I find the mini 5 also feels a bit slimmer, but the differneces is negligible! I tend to use the mini 6 overall and espeically outside of the house because of the apple pencil 2 and usb c. The performance and capabilities when it comes to drawing doesnt change drastically but the convenience of the mini 6 does drive me to it for most thing. Also the mini 6 smart cover makes it possible to use it as a grip for drawing or other vertical oriented actives which I like to use, trying to do the same thing on the mini 5 will typically end up with the smart cover coming off...
@@tsukepen I had such a hard time to find a good cover for the 6. The smart cover don´t protect it overall so I tried many many covers and ended up with one with a latch holding the pencil when it´s closed and in the bag. Even otterbox who make solid covers didn´t deliver a good one for the 6 (symettry 360 with a strange unstable latch on the side for the pen). Yes the 5 feels slimmer and better to hold but the pencil 2 make the 6 easier to draw. what a headache.. thanks for your replies and support.
@@tsukepen last question, do you use a protective glass or something like a paperlike on your mini? or do you draw directly on glass?
Thanks, I was going to get the iPad Pro, but I instead opted to grab an XP-Pen for my laptop. Discovered I hate drawing on large screens, it's tolerable but I miss my screenless drawing tablet, so maybe drawing on a smaller screen might help. I got a laptop with the aim of becoming more mobile as an artist but having so many cords and things I practically need a rucksack to go anywhere. In the future I aim for a mobile life in Trucking, having something I can take with me easily and still produce even just similar work compared to my dedicated set-up is priceless.
I have two questions, first what would be the layer limit on this iPad for a 1920x1080 resolution, and second would you choose the cellular version or the wi-fi version?
Hello and thank you for the comment! A drawing tablet with a laptop can still be very mobile, if you have access to a table. For intense work it probably doesnt matter as the iPad works best seated, but as someone who uses public transportation a lot the iPad is one of the best experiences to just draw on the go! If you are a mac user, you also have a lot of integration that is wireless. Windows users can take advantage of Astropads accessories or apps with wireless functionality, but the quality can vary.
As far as the layers, the iPad mini 6 with a 1920x1080 canvas should give you plenty of layers to work with. I'm not sure on the actual count, it depends on the app too, but i would suspect over 100 on procreate and clip studio should have no limits. I only have the wifi version but in some cases the cellular could be benificial if you say travel a lot. I hope that helps and feel free to ask any followup questions you may have.
I’m starting to wanted to get an iPad mini😁.
Awesome review! Very helpful.
Thank you very much!! I’m so glad I could help!
Lovee the video, it has all we beed to know👏🏼 also from were is your backpack?
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! It really motivates me to make more videos. I always use a brand called masterpiece (mspc) and absolutely love them. If you search masterpiece bag Japan it should come up!
great review! thanks
Thank you very much for the support!
Awesome stuff! Thank you!
Thanks my man!! Always appreciate it!
I’m starting to wanted to get an iPad mini😁
Hello and thank you for the comment! The mini offers a really unique drawing experience being so small but powerful for creators! I do tend to recommend the middle size ipads for those who dont own any drawing tablets, as the mini can be a bit restrictive if it is your only tablet, but if you have something you are already using to draw the mini makes a great companion!
😎👍🏼
Could make a short video how you use the gpd with the ipad? And is it even worth it? Thanks!
It is high on my list of things to do! Unfortunately I am really busy at the moment and it’s hard to get any videos done in a reasonable time frame, so feel free to ask any questions you might have here! In general, using mirroring apps like astropad, easy canvas or duet display you can connect your iPad to the gpd wirelessly or wired (depending on app and settings). When you do this the iPad becomes a digitizer of sorts for whatever is running on the gpd. The newer gpd models can run photoshop and even premiere pretty well for a little machine so for me it is worth it to have access to that and a tablet all the time. The beauty of the win max is the keyboard is close to a standard layout and the joysticks or buttons can be reprogrammed to shortcuts and other commands. This means you don’t need to bring and extra keyboard to type comfortably, I would do that with the p2max because the layout was something I could never get used to. Any of the modern gpds can feel like overkill just to run paint tool sai but if you must use a desktop app not available on iPadOS then a gpd is probably the way to do it without increasing the size too much. Even the p2 max was cool if you don’t mind the funky layout!
Awesome review!
Nice to hear from you!! Thank you very much I’m so glad you liked it!
It's the weight
Hi! I would like to know if the ipad mini 6 can be used as a professional? I hesitate a lot between the ipad mini and a bigger ipad, I really like the size of the mini especially since I really like the fact that I can draw everywhere instead of always staying on the desk but I'm afraid to regret my choice because the size will be annoying for a professional use :(
Hello and thank you for the comment! I have touched on this a few times in the past and it probably deserves a video or blog post but my usual advice is; if you dont have a drawing device the middle sized ipads are an excelent balance between performance, size and price! If you do have a drawing device say at your desktop but want something more mobile the mini 6 is probably the best tool for that. In general even with the mini 5 I felt it was capable of taking on profesional 2D work (in my case A4 canvas 300~350 DPI with over 50 layers as a benchmark) and the mini 6 is even more capable. It really depends on your work though, for my style the smaller screen isnt much of a hinderance but for others it can be. I do love taking the mini with me as much as possible but most of the time it is in a bag that can fit the 9.7~11 inch ipads just as well. So you should really consider where and how you want to use it! I hope that helps please let me know if you have any other questions.
@@tsukepen I too had a thought before to drop the iPad Pro 12.9 2018 for the mini 6. As it's nice to cycle device after years and mini has more flexibility and mobile. But again once sitting immerse in the work, drawing, especially with reference on other tab, even 12.9 is still small. And eventually that's going to be the focus. You're right about going the middle sized if not having display tablet yet. And I see how much mini can help to add more productivity in between slight moments in day to day mobile and stack to be something that really counts.
@@tsukepen Btw nice video man!
Thank you very much for the compliment and I appreciate hearing others experience on this topic! I get asked the question a lot and I think its about time I made a video on the topic. Generally the middle size offers a great balance of price, performance and portability for just about any artist I can think of. You can do some basic multitasking or pull up a reference of a character for fan art while still having room to draw on a mini 6 sized area. It is also probably more comfortable for begginers! For me personally, I have been drawing digitally for a long time and the smaller sceen doesnt affect me when I get focused, and while I dont do fan art much these days when I need to look up a pose or clothing ideas it is easy enough to do so on my phone and keep the mini dedicated to drawing! That is not something I had covered in the past but will take it into account for a video! Thank you for the inspiration!
@@tsukepen Thanks so much for putting the time to reply, man! Really appreciate it. I agree and you bring very good point. Keep it up, I think this kind of video really helpful. Because there's a lot of people that I think encounter this idea of changing into smaller form factor or choosing between the two. Like for example when the bigger pro ended up not being picked up much often as some having other workstation and 12.9 iPad pro size also heavier to carry around flexibly. Like the weight of the mini and its form factor motivate to just do the task. I support you on the video. It's true, the mini size is enough mostly for beginners or for tasks that don't require much space. I too understand about the focus not bothered especially when we have the ability to adapt and get used to various device. We compromise. I just thought that when focused like that for sure bigger screen is more productive time wise. But again something we compromise. Yes! Combination with phone as reference also very good idea! I thought about it too if picking up mini. I think it depends on what workflow we do. For reference I use Vizref. And managing files and everything in one device is so productive. I also do comic illustration, so to me personally bigger screen helps big time for drawing details and picking up lines (straight lines or so when drawing background from zoom out) to keep the lines aligned. Somehow on small screen it's quite a challenge. For journal, sketching, ideas, character illustrations, portraits, I think it's amazing device. I too wonder how it feels as using clip studio. The ui in small screen. Procreate shines in this I think. Gotta compromise lots of things in drawing aspect but still, comes down to risk of getting small form factor. It helps and support a lot in tight and flexible situations. I work on desktop as well so that's also why was thinking to downgrade the iPad, to change the dynamic and perhaps might maximize the use. Anyway, never thought that tab mate works on iPad! I thought it was not supported back then. I was about to get it but that was what holding me back. Great to know it works! Thanks a lot man!
Very helpful. What exact model ipad do I look at if want this but with a larger screen size ? (thanks, from Tasmania !)
Thank you very much! I think one of the more modern iPad air models would be a great choices if you want something like the mini 6 but a larger screen. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks man. Just the video i was looking for. However I’m still in doubt whether the ipad mini 6 is good for illustrating childrens’ storybooks. This is mainly the kind of illustrations I’m making. What do you think?
Hello and thank you for the comment! It really depends on your workflow and what you are comfortable with. If you dont use too many layers and are open to changing the way you work the mini can suit many circumstance. The screen size does say limit your space if you feel it is necessary to have character references on the same screen for drawing but other than that I have found the mini hasn't held me back as far as app performance. I hope that helps, in general I do often recommend the middle sized iPads if you don't have alternative devices, as they provide a more comfortable screen size and are still very portable!
Great video! Could you please more inform about your bluetooth controller? It is very hard for me to find a specific model for an artist.
Thank you very much! I have made a video on that controller right here ruclips.net/video/kMunyXC6_Eo/видео.html and i would also recommend the tap strap 2 as a controller for iPad artists! I also made s video on that here on the channel!
@@tsukepen Fantastic!!! Thank you so much!! This helped me a lot!
Is it really worth to buy IPad mini 6 for digital draw in Procreate? I mean not for rough sketch, but for complete art? Or would it better to buy IPad Air? I'm not an Apple fan, but I'm interested in the Procreate program, as it is also used by professionals. But on the other hand, it's expensive, iPad(~$550 for Mini 6/ ~$680 for Air M1) + Pencil(~$150) + Drawing software ($10+). So I'm still looking towards Android - tab s7 FE or tab s8. But I'm still not sure if Android is a worthy alternative for good drawing.
Hello and thank you for the question! As far as iPads and procreate goes, one of the major differneces between models is how many layers you have access to based on the canvas size. Lower end models may not provide enough layers for full colored illustrations, at least that is what I have found for my use. The higher end models now allow a decent amount of layers when it comes to an A4 300dpi sized file. I've seen many professionals use procreate, and it is a very intuitive and natural drawing app for sure! For me, I do enjoy sketching on procreate, but I do not like it for most of my professional work. The UI and tools along with the layers are limited and it makes it diffiuclt for me to work. I often use 60-100 layers and it might not be an option even on the M1 ipad pro. I also need a keyboard for drawing and procreate (at least at the moment) doesnt allow you to change any keyboard commands and their shortcuts are not standard and diffiuclt to learn after many years using photoshop etc. That being said if you feel it can be used for your workflow it is one of the cleanest and smoothest apps out there! When it comes to android drawing devices, there are some very nice drawing apps but I would only sketch on most of them. Clip studio paint is probably the best option (on both platforms in my opinion) but it is a subscription on mobile devices. For me it is well worth the cost but to others they might think otherwise. I hope that helps, if you have any other questions please feel free to ask!
@@tsukepen I myself also use from 50-100 layers on the Huion Tablet H640P, but is it really difficult for the iPad Air M1 with 8 GB of RAM or for the Android analogue?
Thank you.
@@kheprago it is not necessarily that it is difficult for the m1 ipads or other newer models to handle a lot of layers I just think procreate prioritizes smooth and stable performance over anything else. Procreate rarely if ever crashes and it has nice always on features like auto save and time lapse. Now on clip studio I can do over 100 layers relatively smoothly even on the mini 5 with the same canvas size. I still have a great experience maybe a few crashes here and there but to me clip studio is a more fully featured app. May I ask what software you are using now?
@@tsukepen I'm using Medibang and Sketchbook(Not a part of Autodesk anymore) on Desktop. I also use Photoshops .psd extension to switch between the programs, for shading as an example.
I see. Medibang and sketchbook I believe are both available on iPadOS and android, so you might be able to continue working in a similar way regardless of the mobile device you go with!
Hi, is photoshop and AI usable and comfortable on the mini? It’ll not my main device for editing as I have a laptop for it. Just that my laptop is too heavy to carry around
Hello and thank you for the question! I haven't used those apps much on the mini 6 but something like clip studio with a dense UI is still very usable on the mini so I assume other apps would be as well. Even Lumafusion for video editing has been a good experience for something so portable. I don't always do the most intense or profesional work on the mini but if you approach it as a more portable solution it shouldn't let you down! I hope that helps sorry I dont have much experience in what you are looking for.
Sooooo is it okay for making not so complicated illustrations at 4000x4000 pixels? I make single character illustrations for example
Hello and thank you for the question! It depends on the software and your process but generally I would say the mini 6 is capable of taking on that task. Procreate may be limited if you require many layers but other apps will work well!
Is the iPad mini too small for drawing? This is the only reason making me lean over to the air
Hello and thank you very much for the question. For me it is not too small to draw but I do generally recommend the middle size(air) if you don’t have any other means to draw digitally. The mini is great on the go and is still usable in the house or office, but the middle size probably splits the portability and productivity best if you only have one device. Then again I don’t know exactly what you are looking for. If you want a portable sketchbook to always have with you the mini is fantastic! I hope that helps feel free to ask any questions you might have!
Please what app do you use for drawing?
Hello and thank you for the comment! I use clip studio paint for most of my illustrations. Other than that I also frequent procreate and art studio pro but other options like sketchbook, Krita, paint tool sai and even photoshop are great options depending on what platform you use. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask and i also have many videos on drawing apps and even some tutorials you should check out!
Please either speak or play background music, whilst you had some valid points to make, voice over music is incredibly annoying, to the point I was ready to just skip your video completely.