Is the iPad mini 7 good for reading and note-taking?

Yes. The 8.5-inch screen and 255-gram body make it easy to hold one-handed for long reading sessions. It is small for handwriting-heavy work, so a larger iPad suits dense note-taking better.

How does it compare with the iPad Air?

The mini is far more portable and easier to hold, while the Air gives a much larger canvas for split-screen apps, drawing and keyboard use. Pick the mini if size matters most; pick the Air for productivity.

Do I need the 5G version?

Only if you often work away from Wi-Fi. The cellular model keeps maps, messages and cloud apps online on the move; otherwise the Wi-Fi model does the same jobs at home and in the office.

For most people, yes. Apps, photos and streamed media fit comfortably; heavy video editors and offline game libraries may want more, and there is no memory card slot.