iPad Mini – what we wanted, what we got

23 Oct 2012

UPDATE: iPad Mini full review

The iPad Mini has arrived. As the Google Nexus 7 quivers and the Amazon Kindle Fire chokes in fear let’s see if Apple’s smaller tablet is a big a threat as we expected.

ipad-mini

iPad Mini – screen

Wanted: A Retina Display quality 7.85in display that offers Apple’s typical balanced colours and bright clarity.
Got: A 7.9in display with a 1024x768 rsolution giving us 162ppi. Not mind blowing but plenty good for the size.

ipad-Mini-hand

iPad Mini – connectivity

Wanted: A SIM slot for 4G or at least 3G connectivity so it can be used on the move at high speeds
Got: Yes it comes with 4G. A pleasant surprise but that does explain the painful price.

iPad_mini_side

iPad Mini – power

Wanted: The A5 dual-core processor but maybe even the A6 dual-core of the iPhone 5 if we’re lucky.
Got: Yup it's an A5 sadly, not matching up to the iPad A6X powerhouse, but good enough for the price.

iad-mini-cover

iPad Mini – battery

Wanted: Apple usually sticks to the 10 hour mark so if this is maintained we’d be happy.
Got: Yup as expected its the standard Apple 10 hours – pretty good considering that includes some 4G usage.

iPad Mini – price

Wanted: Around the £250 mark but a £200 option certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Got: Slightly more than expected at £280, but the build quality is great. Still for the 7in market this is way above the others on offer.

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Comments

  1. Puncher

    29 weeks ago

    "162ppi. Not mind blowing but plenty good for the size."
    Please remember this when comparing/berating competition to Apple's Retina displays.
    "it comes with 4G. A pleasant surprise but that does explain the painful price".
    No it doesn't - they're still way too expensive without 4G and the 4G will only work on the EE network in the UK (as with the iPhone 5 - something you have ommited to mention in ALL your iPhone5 articles).

    It is just too expensive compared to the Nexus.

    Stufftv - biased, biased , biased!!!

  2. jinkaz

    29 weeks ago

    I simply got paid $6784 operating off my laptop computer this month. And if you think that that is cool, my single friend has twin toddlers and remodeled $9k her 1st month. It feels therefore smart creating most cash once others have to be compelled to work for therefore much less. this can be what I do, lap10 . c 0 m

  3. rarinrob

    29 weeks ago

    I agree with Puncher. Loads of bias from Stuff, as usual. The iPad Mini prices are stupidly high. Nexus 7 all the way for me.

  4. grant.smith

    29 weeks ago

    How does $329 translate to £269? $329 is £205, thats a £64 living outside of the US tax.

    I've been awaiting the mini as I can't really justify the cost of a full iPad, thinking the mini would be around £200.

    May have to not bother with the mini now, don't really want a Fire or Nexus as they just look crap in comparison.

  5. paskinmj

    29 weeks ago

    Would've been tempted. But not at this price. In fact it's totally polarized my view entirely re tablets. I'll just stick to my phone and Mac Book Pro.

  6. michodge

    29 weeks ago

    At that price Underwhelmed!

  7. lee.hammond69

    29 weeks ago

    US prices do not include TAX

  8. lee.hammond69

    29 weeks ago

    i cant believe people are winging about the price, its only £20 more than the iPod Touch & £60 less than the Ipad2.

  9. lee.hammond69

    29 weeks ago

    US prices don't include TAX

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