Now that the iPad mini is being delivered to the people around the globe by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), we are finding more details about this smaller tablet. We already know that this is a shrunken down iPad 2, but now thanks to Chipworks, we have more inside details about this tablet.
Chipworks have discovered that the iPad mini is powered by the same A5 chip that powers the iPad 2, and it is of the 32nm version. When the iPad 2 was launched, it came with the 45nm part but then later on, Apple updated the iPad 2 and Apple TV with 32nm part.
Chipworks points out that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is not used to share such minor details about the device and Apple wants their products not to be evaluated on technical specifications, but with the overall experience of the device.
Remember the past, when Apple launched the Apple A5X to great fanfare? When the A5X launched, Apple also snuck in a change to the process generation in their A5 chip by putting a new 32 nm version inside the iPad2 and Apple TV3. Apple (likely) plays it this way because they don’t want people evaluating their products based on “commodity” technical specifications, but based on the overall experience with the device.
The plus point of using 32nm part is that it uses less power as well as generates less heat, when compared to the 45nm part. When we take a closer look at the iPad mini, then we can see that it is really mini and there is really very little room for air circulation in there. Therefore in such a device, Apple has rightly used the A5 chip to reduce the heat output.
The chip looks identical to the one used in the iPad 2 which means that Samsung is still producing the chip. It was rumored that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been trying to move the production of the chip away from Samsung but that has yet to happen.
This tablet is going to be on sale from today, Friday 2nd November and pre-orders on the Apple’s website are suggesting a 2 week wait time for new orders. So, are you going to grab the iPad mini? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
