New iPad Mini Compatible With Final Cut Pro, But Lacks Stage Manager

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Apple last year released Final Cut Pro for iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip and newer, and now we have confirmed that the professional video editing app is also compatible with the new seventh-generation iPad mini.

Apple iPad Final Cut Pro Logic Pro hero feature actual icons
Apple recently updated the App Store listing for Final Cut Pro to indicate the app is now compatible with both M-series chips and the A17 Pro chip in the new iPad mini. Apple's audio editing app Logic Pro is also compatible with the new iPad mini, as that app merely requires any iPad model with an A12 Bionic chip or newer.

However, some Final Cut Pro features are not compatible with the new iPad mini due to hardware or software limitations, as outlined in the app's description.

We have also confirmed that the new iPad mini is not compatible with the Stage Manager feature, which is not very surprising given the device's smaller 8.3-inch display size compared to the larger 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

On supported iPads, Stage Manager allows users to resize apps into overlapping windows for an improved multitasking experience. Stage Manager also fully supports an external display with up to 6K resolution, allowing users to work with up to four apps on the iPad and up to four apps on the external display simultaneously.

The new iPad mini launches this Wednesday.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tags: Final Cut Pro, Stage Manager
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
abatabia
17 months ago

It's really a shame they have intentionally hobbled the device by not giving it at least an M1. No true external display support. no stage manager, lack of access to likely several other major features during its normal lifecycle as all development is focused on M-generation iPads. Also means apps which require an M-series chip aren't going to work either (or at least as well). They patched Final Cut (for now) to run, but it's not the only M-series app.

This is like them dropping a new MacBook with an Intel i3 processor. Sure, it might still get security patches, but the entire focus of development is on M-series chips.

I think they want to kill the Mini so bad but simply can't because of overwhelming corporate usage... so they are trying to keep it fundamentally deficient so it can't be a consumer success (presumably to drive folks to larger more profitable iPads).
So very much this. Could not agree more. I’m so tired of their fragmentation and compromise. The mini is such a great device and IMHO the best iPad and what I see an iPad to be: a great device for consuming content. Apple should either go all out or kill off the mini already. This one step forward two steps back is getting boring.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
specious Avatar
specious
17 months ago
It's really a shame they have intentionally hobbled the device by not giving it at least an M1. No true external display support. no stage manager, lack of access to likely several other major features during its normal lifecycle as all development is focused on M-generation iPads. Also means apps which require an M-series chip aren't going to work either (or at least as well). They patched Final Cut (for now) to run, but it's not the only M-series app.

This is like them dropping a new MacBook with an Intel i3 processor. Sure, it might still get security patches, but the entire focus of development is on M-series chips.

I think they want to kill the Mini (like they did the Mini phone) but simply can't because of overwhelming corporate usage... so they are trying to keep it fundamentally deficient so it can't be a consumer success (presumably to drive folks to larger more profitable iPads).

It's a shame too because I would pay 2x the cost of a maxed out 12.9 Pro (which I also have) for an iPad mini Pro. The form factor is absolutely PERFECT. Being able to travel with just that, a fold out bluetooth keyboard and flat mouse would be a game changer as everything could fit in a jacket pocket.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
Lounge vibes 05
17 months ago

Well the M1 would have technically been a downgrade, as the the previous Mini 6 had the M2 based A15 Chip, so the Mini 7 should have been given the M2 at least. The A17 Pro however is a more advanced chip than the M1/M2 and is fully capable of running Stage Manager via an external extended display, but they purposely disabled it, probably to upsell people to the 11" Air/Pro. Having Final Cut Pro though is a massive bonus, as they could have just not bothered because of the smaller screen.
Yes, and once again, these comments prove that no one seems to get exactly what the “M” chips are.
They aren’t totally different from the “A” chips like a lot of people seem to believe. A lot of people seem to actually believe that if the iPad mini had the “M1” it would be a more capable, faster, longer lasting machine than the “A17”, when that just absolutely is not the case.

The A17 is on a newer process than the M1, has faster RAM than the M1, has a RT capable GPU when the M1 does not, has the newer AV1 decoders which the M1 does not, and will more than likely get three more years of support since it’s three years newer.

Meanwhile, the M1 is basically an A14 with more cores and RAM. Incredible chip, but still four years old, and has the most in common with the same chip from the iPhone 12 then it does the newer “A” chips.

The A17 is most comparable to the M3, but even then it would have made absolutely no sense to put an M3 in the iPad mini, because it’s a tiny thermal envelope with a small battery.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zedsdead Avatar
zedsdead
17 months ago
All the iPads (including the mini) need to have full stage manager and external display support IN CLAMSHELL MODE. This would make a huge difference for a portable workstation, even if stage manager isnt enabled on the mini when not plugged in.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M1Fox Avatar
M1Fox
17 months ago
This feeds the debate that asks if this is a big cellphone or a small tablet. Apple really blurs the line in this device sometimes.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stocklen Avatar
stocklen
17 months ago

It's really a shame they have intentionally hobbled the device by not giving it at least an M1. No true external display support. no stage manager, lack of access to likely several other major features during its normal lifecycle as all development is focused on M-generation iPads. Also means apps which require an M-series chip aren't going to work either (or at least as well). They patched Final Cut (for now) to run, but it's not the only M-series app.

This is like them dropping a new MacBook with an Intel i3 processor. Sure, it might still get security patches, but the entire focus of development is on M-series chips.

I think they want to kill the Mini (like they did the Mini phone) but simply can't because of overwhelming corporate usage... so they are trying to keep it fundamentally deficient so it can't be a consumer success (presumably to drive folks to larger more profitable iPads).

It's a shame too because I would pay 2x the cost of a maxed out 12.9 Pro (which I also have) for an iPad mini Pro. The form factor is absolutely PERFECT. Being able to travel with just that, a fold out bluetooth keyboard and flat mouse would be a game changer as everything could fit in a jacket pocket.
Ive loved my mini 6 for the last 3 years.

never thought I was a 'smaller iPad' kinda guy but it grew on me and ended up being my only iPad.

I was keen waiting for the 7 to see what It was before upgrading, but pre-decided that if it didn't have an improved screen i.e. no jelly scroll (I don't personally care about 60hz it's fine for an iPad being an iPad and not a games machine!) or couldn't run stage manager then I would pass and return to the pro lineup.

So, back to the pro I am.

But, what a shame. The form factor is great - imagine it with an M chip or with stage manager - it doesn't matter that the screen is smaller.... plug it into an external monitor and it could become the ultimate flexible portable computing device.

They dropped the ball here.

So right now the slimmer and significantly more advanced iPad Pro is for me now.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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