First Impressions and Hands On with iPad Mini

[aolbites]

One handed usage? Really? Or do you mean you can hold it with one hand. Because I can't really see you using all that much of it using one hand. And I don't see how one handed usage is a selling point if the other selling point is multitouch.

That being said, can someone tell the folks at Anandtech to set their focus and white balance before flipping around a device in front of it?

 

[Renzatic]

The Touch is more for someone who wants a pocket device that does more than just play music, but doesn't want a phone. Again, I would say best for kids where the parents don't want to spring for a smartphone plan for a 10yo.

I can definitely see the phone/ipod being substantially different from the 7/10" tablets. I plan to get a 10" iPad to compliment my phone at some point soon.

This is true. While I won't say the Touch is now completely useless, it is rather redundant at its current price. Right now, it's only got limited amount of appeal in comparison to the Mini. Its the same price, but not as nice. Drop it down by $50-100, and suddenly it becomes a great inbetween device, perfect for the parents wanting to get something for their kids to use (and probably break), or people who want an MP3 player plus a little more.

At the moment, it's like Apple decided to price the Nano for $20 less than the Touch. Why would anyone Nano when they could get something much more capable for just a tiny bit more?

 

[Chrjy]

You notice on the Apple video where the guy on the subway pulled the mini from his jacket pocket?

That was one huge pocket. Sewed on special just for that commercial. I see a new cottage industry springing up. "Custom ipad-mini compatible coats".

Reminds me of the old Sony Vaio P UMPC video, where it "fit" in the back pocket on her blue jeans. right. Why doesn't sony get back in the hand held computer game? They has some good stuff. Of course, they killed themselves when they started pushing out new pocketpc designs every few months.

hmm...

Let's compare it to the N7.

Height
Nexus 7 = 198.5mm
iPad Mini = 200mm
Difference = 1.5mm

Width
Nexus 7 = 120mm
iPad Mini = 134.7mm
Difference = 14.7mm

Depth
Nexus 7 = 10.45mm
iPad Mini = 7.2mm
Difference = -3.25mm

Weight
Nexus 7 = 340 g
iPad Mini = 308 g
Difference = -32 g

It's actually not that much different.

 

[lunaoso]

I wanna get one of these. It'll be a great upgrade from my iPad 1. And for everyone thats saying its specs aren't that great, remember that although it doesn't have the A6, it is running iOS, which the Nexus 7/Kindle Fire do not. This will allow for higher benchmarks, meaning a higher performance. Also, Apple is targeting the average consumer, not people like us who understand all this tech stuff. I bet 80% of America has no idea what a Nexus 7 is. Apple wants these people, who say, "I want an iPad but its too expensive." to see this and say, "Oh I can afford that" and buy it.

 

[WilliamLondon]

there are MUCH better e-readers than this, includin probably your iphone (if its retina... studies are beginning to show not strainin to read small text is ideal. plus weight, etc.)..

Apologies, but I'm not sure to what point this comment is responding, so I can't agree or disagree (though of course I would always want to agree ).

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Brainless zombie.

Common troll!

 

[Chrjy]

I call BS on that.

Many apps like web browsers and book readers aren't size dependent at all, it's easy to scale to any resolution.

And for any that are a specific size, if they went up to 1200x800 anything that can't just be scaled up can be letterboxed. Which they have already done when running iphone apps on ipad. The notion that apps somehow wouldn't "work" is silly.

I agree with you but the apps have been developed for a particular resolution so it's all relative. I don't think Apple are suggesting apps wouldn't work but rather they wouldn't look as good and developers won't need to make any changes.

It's easy to scale a vector image without degradation but png's and jpg's will have some sort of distortion.

But as you say it won't make the difference as to whether an app will work or not...good marketing though and let's not forget Apple is a business.

 

[thetruest]

Apologies, but I'm not sure to what point this comment is responding, so I can't agree or disagree (though of course I would always want to agree ).

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Common troll!

u had a quip about a man readin an ebook being possible. Why do u need this to read an ebook?

 

[WilliamLondon]

I can use the Galaxy Note (1) with one hand.

I can hold the iPad (big) with one hand.

I hold the iPhone with 1/2 hand. Sadly, the other 1/2 remains unused, so the iPhone is a 1/2 useful product.

 

[phpmaven]

The quote from the Verge is of particular interest to me:



I mean I'm bummed out that it isn't a "retina" display, but after reading that, it's quite nice it actually uses the same resolution as the iPad 2 and they didn't drop the number, which sorta makes this a semi-retina display to me.

Basically it's still sharper than the iPad 2. Interesting

Yes, I'm already getting sick of all the "if it's not retina, I'm not buying it" nonsense. I have all three ipads in my house hold and honestly, although the iPad 3 is obviously a nicer screen, it's not that much better to most people.

I've tried to show the difference to my family and others and when I rhapsodize about how much better the resolution and color is, they just don't see it. I then have to get them to look very closely at an icon and help them to see the pixels on the iPad 2 and then look at the 3 and they are like "OK..."

With the same number of pixels as the 9.7 inch compressed down to 7.9 inch, I think it will be "semi-retina" for most people. Of course there are quite a few posters here who will complain no matter what.

 

[iabacus]

I'll wait a year

When they double the resolution, it will match the iPhone ppi. Along with a faster processor and double the storage; it will be worth every penny!

This year? Not so much

 

[Renzatic]

Why doesn't sony get back in the hand held computer game? They has some good stuff. Of course, they killed themselves when they started pushing out new pocketpc designs every few months.

They released the Playstation Vita earlier this year, if that's what you mean.

 

[furi0usbee]

Was hearing rumors at $329... thought for sure for that price we get retina display. Not so. Not buying. I was waiting to pick one up, had money for Apple.. guess I'll wait until iPad mini II for the retina. Sucks. I'm going to NYC next month and it would have been great having one of these, although I don't know if I'd have it by then... but the point is that I'd really wish this was retina. I have the 15" rMBP, and I could never go back to non-retina displays.

Maybe next time Apple you will take my money.

 

[Galatian]

Perhaps this has already been covered by why is it that the iPad Mini has Siri and the iPad 2 does not? Am I missing something here?

I keep wondering that myself. Was it with the new iPad 4th Gen that they said they included new ISPs to the A6x or was that with the A5 of the iPad mini? If the latter that might be your answer.

 

[phpmaven]

The quote from the Verge is of particular interest to me:



I mean I'm bummed out that it isn't a "retina" display, but after reading that, it's quite nice it actually uses the same resolution as the iPad 2 and they didn't drop the number, which sorta makes this a semi-retina display to me.

Basically it's still sharper than the iPad 2. Interesting

Yes, I'm already getting sick of all the "if it's not retina, I'm not buying it" nonsense. I have all three ipads in my house hold and honestly, although the iPad 3 is obviously a nicer screen, it's not that much better to most people.

I've tried to show the difference to my family and others and when I rhapsodize about how much better the resolution and color is, they just don't see it. I then have to get them to look very closely at an icon and help them to see the pixels on the iPad 2 and then look at the 3 and they are like "OK..."

With the same number of pixels as the 9.7 inch compressed down to 7.9 inch, I think it will be "semi-retina" for most people.

Then you have the price complainers. "It should have been $299, it's a no go for me at $329" It's $30 stinkin' bucks people! It's a cheap dinner out. If $30 is going to keep you from buying it, you shouldn't be buying a non-essential luxury item like this in the first place.

 

[furi0usbee]

Yes, I'm already getting sick of all the "if it's not retina, I'm not buying it" nonsense. I have all three ipads in my house hold and honestly, although the iPad 3 is obviously a nicer screen, it's not that much better to most people.

Do you have 20/20 vision? I've owned the original iPad, used the iPad 2, use a friend's iPad 3 daily and own the retina MacBook Pro. I also use, on occasion, a 27" Thunderbolt Display and non-retina 15" MBP.

Let me be clear, anyone who can't tell the difference is either lying or doesn't have on their glasses. It's not even close for me.

 

[Chrjy]

Yes, I'm already getting sick of all the "if it's not retina, I'm not buying it" nonsense. I have all three ipads in my house hold and honestly, although the iPad 3 is obviously a nicer screen, it's not that much better to most people.

I've tried to show the difference to my family and others and when I rhapsodize about how much better the resolution and color is, they just don't see it. I then have to get them to look very closely at an icon and help them to see the pixels on the iPad 2 and then look at the 3 and they are like "OK..."

With the same number of pixels as the 9.7 inch compressed down to 7.9 inch, I think it will be "semi-retina" for most people. Of course there are quite a few posters here who will complain no matter what.

I agree, most people don't notice, I know I definitely do but that's just me.

I show my girlfriend and she goes "Nah, not seeing it", I show her HD TV she goes "Nah, not seeing it"

What amazes me most is that Retina Displays haven't been out that long and now people are like "Oh well, if it doesn't have retina it must be sh**"!

I wonder what people would be saying if there was no such thing as retina displays?

 

[seajewel]

The weight and size are amazing, and I understand that to get there, along with the battery life, sacrifices had to be made. Not being retina is a huge disappointment for me personally, but I'm also concerned about the report that the iPad mini is "choppier and more stuttery than I’ve experienced on any other iOS device" when pinching and zooming in Maps.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/10/hands-on-ipad-mini/

I'll still check the mini out in person in a store, but retina would have made it a "must pre-order immediately" whereas now I'm pretty sure I won't be getting it. It would just feel sad when next year there's an A6 retina iPad mini out. Still I can see this selling well, it's so thin and light and still has a large screen.

 

[milo]

It's not just "retina", it's the fact that it's lower resolution than other devices that are much cheaper.

And Apple has only themselves to blame, they can't expect to hype retina as a major selling point then somehow expect people to accept not retina as just as good.

 

[furi0usbee]

I wonder what people would be saying if there was no such thing as the retina displays?

I'll tell you. Literally, on a Monday, I had last year's 15" MBP, and I thought it was the best display I've used. On Tuesday, I had a retina display, and side by side, I couldn't believe my eyes. The non-retina was that bad. Granted, I work on a computer, do web design, illustration, etc. so I'm more aware than the average user. But just use a retina display for say a week, then go back. I couldn't even use non-retina apps after the first week.

 

[WilliamLondon]

u had a quip about a man readin an ebook being possible. Why do u need this to read an ebook?

wut v tokkin boout?

Seriously, I've no idea what your comment regards.

 

[rhett7660]

I want to feel how heavy or light depending on the mood of the day it really is. That will determine if I get this one or not.

 

[seajewel]

I agree, most people don't notice, I know I definitely do but that's just me.

I show my girlfriend and she goes "Nah, not seeing it", I show her HD TV she goes "Nah, not seeing it"

What amazes me most is that Retina Displays haven't been out that long and now people are like "Oh well, if it doesn't have retina it must be sh**"!

I wonder what people would be saying if there was no such thing as retina displays?

I always wanted higher resolution when buying laptops or displays to utilize more screen space even before iPhone 4. also.. Apple introduced retina displays and have been updating their product line to include it as much as possible. So of course if that didn't happen we wouldn't notice non-retina as much.. but it did, so what "if there was no such thing as retina displays"?

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I'll tell you. Literally, on a Monday, I had last year's 15" MBP, and I thought it was the best display I've used. On Tuesday, I had a retina display, and side by side, I couldn't believe my eyes. The non-retina was that bad. Granted, I work on a computer, do web design, illustration, etc. so I'm more aware than the average user. But just use a retina display for say a week, then go back. I couldn't even use non-retina apps after the first week.

It's definitely more noticeable side-by-side. The crispness of the font is what really gets to me as a book reader. Non-retina just doesn't compare and it is very easy to spot the difference once you know what you're looking for (font sharpness).

 

[Rogifan]

It seems to me they didn't go retina because it would have required the device to be heavier and thicker, it would have been even more expensive and possibly they just aren't able to manufacture enough retina displays in this size.

 

[T4R06]

this is perfect controlling my 2 apple TV's

 

[TVreporter]

Watch them roll out the iPad Mini 2 with retina and A6 to make this one obsolete in 6 months.