A better, faster, AI processor
The A17 Pro processor means the iPad mini now has a 6-core CPU, which makes for a 30% boost in CPU performance in comparison to the outgoing model. You also get a 25% boost to graphics performance, along with the necessary AI-based computation capability enhancements required to run Apple Intelligence. Of course, the chip is far more capable of handling the kind of professionally focused apps used by designers, pilots, or doctors.
While we all recognize at this stage that Apple’s decision to boost all its products with more powerful chips is because it wants to ensure support for Apple Intelligence, this also means you get better performance for other tasks as well. All the same, it will be interesting to discover the extent to which a far more contextually-capable Siri and the many handy writing assistance tools offered by Apple’s AI will boost existing tablet-based workflows in enterprise, education, and domestic use.
Better for conferencing
If you use your iPad for work, it is likely to be good news that the new iPad mini has a 12-megapixel (MP) back camera and 12MP conferencing camera. While the last-generation model also boasted 12MP cameras, the 5x digital zoom is a welcome enhancement, while the 16-core Neural Engine inside the iPad mini’s chip means those images you do capture are augmented on the fly by AI to improve picture/video quality. Overall, you’ll get better results when taking images or capturing video.