I really don't like doing "computery" stuff on more than one machine, and I already have a 32 core desktop workstation for normal work. That will never go away, which means the laptop can't be at all "computery". I want to touch an app with my finger and have the app start up. Every time, no matter what. (And to be fair, the iPad Pro absolutely delivers on that.) To me, a laptop will always be the second fiddle, something I use once a month or so. I find that if I don't screw around with my computer for a month, everything has stopped working -- but with a tablet, it just turns on and all is well. So you just throw the thing into your backpack for a trip, then when you get to the airport it turns on and 4G connects to the cell network, and everything is great. You have a computer, not computer problems.
(Other laptops I've used in the past... Surface Pro 4. Left it turned on on my desk, went to get it ready for a trip... BAM brand new version of Windows and everything was broken. I didn't take it on the trip and just used my phone to browse the Internet at night. Chromebook Pixel: basically no problems, but just as limited as an iPad. Various Linux laptops: honestly, most of my vacation memories involve wpa_supplicant.conf, and a lot of problems 10 minutes before whatever conference talk I was giving. Not sure if conference WiFi or Linux bugs, but it wasn't pleasant.)
Ever since the Mini 4, Apple's set premium pricing on the Mini. This is the most expensive one yet.