iPad Mini hands-on review
UPDATE: iPad Mini full review here
iPad Mini hands-on review – overview
An army of mini-er, similarly mighty iPads adorns the demo tables at the San Jose launch event, and we’ve grabbed ten minutes to put one of the troops through its paces. Here are our (early, somewhat jetlag-addled) impressions.
iPad Mini hands-on review – screen
Steve Jobs famously stated that a 10in screen is “the minimum size required to create great tablet apps.” Alternatives are yet to prove otherwise, but they have showed that 7in is ample, and arguably better, for consuming media on the go. So, how does the iPad Mini rate in that regard?
iPad Mini hands-on review – aspect ratio
The Mini’s screen retains the 4:3 aspect ratio of its predecessors, so it’s squarer than elongated Androids such as the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. This means there’s a useful chunk of extra width (an inch, in fact) for reading and browsing in portrait mode, but it’s not optimised for movies – in order to fit widescreen 16:9 content in landscape, you’ll have to but up with the ‘postbox’ black bar effect.
iPad Mini hands-on review – watching films
That said, it’s still a good size for films. Because of the extra 0.9in it enjoys over 7in competitors, you get marginally more space for video even with the black bars in place. Do the trigonometry – it’s an inch wider at the base of the screen than a 16:10-ratio seven-incher (4.71 vs 3.71 inches), and about 0.35 inches longer (6.28 vs 5.94 inches). Still awake? Good. Then we’ll go on.
iPad Mini hands-on review – colour and resolution
No matter the media, it seems to get the basics right – colours are bright and lifelike, and the resolution of the smaller screen is fine – although the iPad 3, with four times the number of pixels (264ppi vs the Mini’s 163ppi), shows it up a bit in that respect.
iPad Mini hands-on review – the app experience
As to how suited the Mini is to running apps with complex interfaces, the jury will remain out until we can get a sample to stick our favourites on. The likes of Korg’s iMS-10 synth use every millimetre of available screen space on the 9.7in iPad, which has 50 per cent more screen estate than the Mini, so whether those knobs and buttons become just too small on the new device remains to be seen. Of course, we’ll let you know.
The Mini’s interface is simply a scaled down version of that of the larger iPad, so app icons and buttons are necessarily shrunken. Fortunately the ones we tried were still large enough to hit with accuracy, and because the device is small and light enough to be held in one manly hand, using a Mini while standing should be easier than it is with the 9.7-incher.
iPad Mini hands-on review – design
Apple has done it again. The iPad Mini is a beautiful little thing, its curved edges rounding swiftly into a silky flat aluminium back. It feels solid right down to the details: the metal volume buttons are totally clatter-free, and the speaker grilles are mini works of art.
iPad Mini hands-on review – size
It actually seems as close in size to a phone as to a tablet, but because the bezel around the screen is so shallow at the sides, you get a good stretch of screen estate to play with. This is one desirable machine, whether you go for the all-black version or the shiny white one.
iPad Mini hands-on review – performance
On the inside the iPad Mini is basically a concentrated iPad 2. The screen has the same resolution, and the same dual-core Apple A5 processor powers the same 275,000-odd dedicated apps. As a result it’s still smooth in operation, and we only noticed any stutter when scrolling into the universal search screen.
iPad Mini hands-on review – camera
The one difference is the 5MP iSight camera. We didn’t get to test it out properly, but it captured shots quickly.
iPad Mini hands-on review – iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7
Pulling a Google device out at an Apple event is like taking a cat to Crufts, so a direct comparison between the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini wasn’t possible in the minutes we had. However, we know it well, and have no doubt that the Mini feels the more premium device. While the iPad Mini’s screen is noticeably lower-res – Retina Display fans will baulk at the Mini’s visible pixels – it beats the Nexus 7’s for brightness and vibrancy, and seems a good deal bigger to boot.
Neither device is obviously faster in operation than the other – lag is so minimal as to be a non-issue in either case – so for most, the determining factors lie beyond the hardware.
iPad Mini hands-on review – Android vs iOS apps
The roster of apps available for the iPad Mini is of a much higher quality than those available for the Nexus. Then again, the Nexus is £70 cheaper (the 16GB model is £200; the 16GB iPad Mini Wi-Fi is £270), it packs next-gen tech (NFC, powerful quad-core Tegra 3 processor) and runs what is arguably a fresher and more innovative OS (Android Jellybean) with widgets that provide live information every time you unlock. On the other hand again, the iPad Mini has a decent rear camera, while the Nexus has none at all.
iPad Mini hands-on review – verdict
Given the importance of apps and screen quality to the tablet experience, we’d suggest the iPad is worth the extra. Have a hold of each and it might even be a no-brainer. It’s a very desirable device, and it’s going to sell like crazy this Christmas.
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Comments
m1kes
29 weeks ago
It is interesting to see how you justified the change to a 16:9 screen on the iphone5 without any problem saying that it was better for watching movies, but now on the ipad mini you seem to be happy with a 4:3 screen again?
Also no mention of the low pixel density of the ipad mini (163ppi) vs the nexus 7 (213ppi) screen when you were otherwise comparing the two. (esp important when reading and rendering text on screen).
As you say yourself you only had 'minutes' with the device, that is hardly enough to credibly write this 'review'. Please stop just re-printing the Apple marketing PR speak with these creepy reviews of any product with the Apple logo stuck on the back of it.
If next week, when Google are expected to announce the 32Gb version of the Nexus7 for £199, you could try to produce a more balanced comparison of the two (side by side) in a more informative and dare I suggest unbiased review.
lunchplease
29 weeks ago
I have signed up to Stuff online simply to add my support to M1kes spot on comments..I am an avid reader of stuff, but am sick to death of your(and you are not alone) narcassistic coverage of anything Apple...it is bl**dy sickening to see everyone fornicating over a system that is essentially overpriced, and a totally closed system that might 'just work'but thats about it...lack of compatibility, lack of ownership over things 'purchased'from the app store...why spend that much money on something when there are prob almost a 1/2 dozen android tablets out there available at a fraction of the price..hell I still have the Asus transformer TF101 and I would never give that flexibility up for this rubbish
Ah, I feel better now
Rich_Bown
29 weeks ago
Couldn't agree more with m1kes and lunchpleases comments. Stuff is so far up apples a*** it's now embarrasing.
"Pulling a Google device out at an Apple event is like taking a cat to Crufts" and yet you were going to an ipad mini launch and didn't think to take the competition for direct comparison? Poor, poor.
Here's an idea, get your android guys to review apple and apple guys to review android for a change - that'd be a hands-on (and this isn't a review!!) I'd read.
How are it's environmental specs? Battery still glued in place with no way a user could repair one as per usual?
Every apple review is written with the iBlinkers on, any subjectivity when it comes to them is a joke!
24bit_192khz_music
29 weeks ago
I agree with Mikes review and enjoyed reading his comments far more than the actual Stuff Review.
However if I wish to watch film I use my plasma TV not some silly small hand phone or iPad device.
The mini iPad will allow someone like me to be able to run my small new business at a far more affordable price. Which is good news for me.
Storage is always something I have never understood in this day and age why offering 16GB is something Apple believe is acceptable. I'm just glad Dropbox has come of age.
The question is "Do we not pay for quality any more"? and Apple is full of quality is it not! so please why do we still feel the need to compare devices and kid ourselves that this device must be compared to that device based on size or price or both.
Apple have set the bench mark high and sales prove that they offer a quality product with over 70% of the market.
I for one will like to own the mini iPad and would be using it for invoice, reports and reading. So the mini screen ratio is no concern to me.
Peace.Love.
jnolan
29 weeks ago
I'm amused by some of the comments re Apple V Andriod etc.....If you like Apple products or a particular Apple product then buy it, If you prefer something else then buy that. Nobody is putting a gun to anyones head and forcing them to buy a particular brand.
I read a good many reviews on Stuff be it Apple or whatever and find them helpful etc....
Some might find that the Apple reviews show a bias towards them but the simple fact is that Apple make very good product and consistently push the boundaries for us all.
Whatever your into be happy about it. If Apple bashing is all your worried about then you have very little to worry about.....so stop getting your knickers in a twist about something you or I have no control over.
Rather sit back and enjoy the technology !!!
Coffee......:-))
jhonpetar
29 weeks ago
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abcgk
29 weeks ago
I see the usual naysayers on again...with the same old dull stuff. The iPad-mini looks like a useful addition to Apple's offerings. Lets be honest if you go into an Apple store there is not a huge variety of products on display - they tend to keep their product range quite tight - so a new look product is always welcome. I love my iPad 3 so I wont be mini-mising but I can see there is a market for it - and clearly so do Apple - and as their dominant position in this market shows - they aren't often wrong! BTW I love the new iMacs as well - now one of those is on my radar!!
ben3korbel
29 weeks ago
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blimeysi
29 weeks ago
Love the Ives video where he tells us this is not just an iPad made smaller.
It is just an iPad made smaller.
joshgoblin
29 weeks ago
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Puncher
29 weeks ago
It's quite amazing that on the day the Surface RT launches, the lead story on Stuff.Tv is still about the iPad mini!!
The Surface is a device (along with the soon to follow Surface Pro) that makes the iPad family look like toys in Corporate/Enterprise land!
At last a tablet/keyboard to DO stuff rather than play with!!!
Home tableters need take no offence!!
HelenS70
29 weeks ago
I agree with jnolan, there is always going to be a fan club for android and apple, haters will hate but this chick is a major Apple fan and have put my order in for an iPad mini, if only I had the money to upgrade my 27" iMac and get an iBook too then my Apple collection will be complete, I am still loving my iPhone. I love the design and the technology, the customer service is excellent! Personally I love them!
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29 weeks ago
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29 weeks ago
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LowFi
29 weeks ago
I agree with you , seems to me that some people still cannot grasp the very simple basic concept of individual choice. I will never understand Apple this , Android that, mine does this and your's doesn't etc etc .
Any person who has purchased a product has made their choice , possibly following recommendations or personal research. Along comes Mr keyboard warrior who obviously cannot grasp that choice is for all to criticise others for choosing something different from them.
These are consumable items no matter what they do and how much they cost. Getting personal and abusive really shows that some folk do have issues that need addressing elsewhere , these forums are not the place for such things!
By all means lets see products from all companies given equal coverage, that surely is the how it's supposed to work. Hopefully this will stop keeping certain people awake at night , amen ;)
mowgs
29 weeks ago
i wont be investing in the 4. my ipad 2 is just the right size to carry my portfolio for work on and show clients. the mini would not do it justice! why go so small !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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29 weeks ago
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