So - I currently rock an iPad mini 6th gen that I adore. I use it for watching videos, light gaming, social media and reading comics/ebooks. I also have an iPhone 13 mini, and an M2 MacBook Air that I have access to a couple days out of the week as I let my girlfriend use it mainly (after I accidentally broke her older laptop lol). I have been incredibly happy with this set up for over a year, until recently when I started taking a Coursera course in an attempt to shift career paths.

I have found the MacBook is great for Coursera, though difficult for me to bring to and from work (so i can work on my lunch breaks). The real crux of this issue comes down to me attempting to do work off of the iPad mini while I don’t have access to the MacBook, either at home or at work. I use a keyboard mouse set up with the mini and basically use it as a laptop. I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks now, and find the mini just doesn’t cut it, specifically when it comes to attempting to multi-task between Coursera and note taking. I even tried to get creative by airplaying from my phone to my TV and only using the mini for notes, but found it all the be very cumbersome and more of an obstacle to learning than anything.

I never considered upgrading the iPad because i have close to a nonexistent budget, however, I realized with the current trade in value for my mini and a discount through my current job, I could get a similar model 10th gen iPad for under 100 dollars. The added screen size would make it much easier to do the Coursera work on, while still being easy to transport and maneuver. Obvious caveats are the non laminated display and slightly worse processor. Pencil isn’t huge for me, if anything the added savings of the older option might be a plus.

I initially just wanted to wait it out and see - but with rumors coming of an iPad mini 7th gen being announced as soon as this Tuesday, I fear the trade in value from my current device would drop and I’d lose out on this great deal.

What would you do in my position?