The first reviews of the Apple’s iPad Mini are in. Apple has hand-picked some journalists and supplied the product to them for the review. Here’s what the top tech blog’s and reviewers have to say, regarding Apple’s scaled down version of iPad.
Walt Mossberg of the WSJ and AllThingsD has been testing the iPad mini for several days, and says that it brings the same iPad experience to a smaller device. All apps that run on the full sized iPad run on this smaller iPad and this device can be used one-handed. However, he is not impressed by the screen resolution as it is a step downwards from the current Retina display. He also compares the iPad mini with rivals such as the Kindle Fire HD and the Google Nexus 7 and says that Apple is attracting those who want lower size and weight, and not those who want affordable device.
In shrinking the iconic iPad, Apple has pulled off an impressive feat. It has managed to create a tablet that’s notably thinner and lighter than the leading small competitors with 7-inch screens, while squeezing in a significantly roomier 7.9-inch display.
MG Siegler, of TechCrunch, really loved Apple’s latest iOS device. He says that iPad mini is not perfect but it is very close to his ideal device. He also says that if there is a weakness of this device, then it’s the screen as it is non-Retina display.
Apple isn’t looking at this as $329 versus $199. They’re looking at this as an impossibly small iPad 2 sold at the most affordable price for an iPad yet. In other words, they’re not looking at the tablet competition. This isn’t a tablet. It’s an iPad. People love these things.
Joshua Topolsky, of TheVerge, gave the iPad mini a score of 9.0 out of 10. Joshua really likes the design, build quality and great battery life in this device, whereas he also mentions the minus points, such as low screen resolution, that it is slightly awkward to hold, and more expensive than the rival tablets. He concludes by saying:
The iPad mini hasn’t wrapped up the “cheapest tablet” market by any stretch of the imagination. But the “best small tablet” market? Consider it captured.
So overall, it can be said that most all the reviewers complain about the non-Retina display and low screen resolution of the device. Other than that, it is thinner, lighter, can be comfortably held by one hand, runs on iOS 6, and works without any lag.
Now only time will tell how the mini will compete with its two rivals – the Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD.
