Teardown of Retina iPad Mini Reveals A7 Chip, LG Display, Larger Battery

[darkslide29]

Honestly, I've never heard any one says those words out loud.

What! Have you never heard of people using iPads to do music and video production? Is the A7 chip no good for music and video production on the iPad? I don't understand why you think that is an odd thing for me to say that I need the slightly better A7 chip for video and music production on the iPad.:roll eyes:

Obviously, if I want to do serious music and video production I'll use my Mac but the iPad and A7 chip is handy for on the move.

I think they meant that since you admit for serious production you'll use a Mac, and will use an iPad for on the move, then the A7 difference between the iPads shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Meaning, the 7-10% gain the 1.4ghz vs 1.3ghz A7 produces shouldn't make or break getting an iPad Mini or Air. Since you said it is for on the move, convenience work, the other differentiators (just the size of the screen, really) should be the deciding factor for what works best for you.

But we don't know your individual situation. Perhaps that extra bit of speed is critical to your work. Just don't think that the iPad Mini A7 is a slouch.

 

[Artmuzz]

I think they meant that since you admit for serious production you'll use a Mac, and will use an iPad for on the move, then the A7 difference between the iPads shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Meaning, the 7-10% gain the 1.4ghz vs 1.3ghz A7 produces shouldn't make or break getting an iPad Mini or Air. Since you said it is for on the move, convenience work, the other differentiators (just the size of the screen, really) should be the deciding factor for what works best for you.

But we don't know your individual situation. Perhaps that extra bit of speed is critical to your work. Just don't think that the iPad Mini A7 is a slouch.

I read that the slight difference in the A7 speed on the Air is beneficial when doing video production work so hence I believed the hype. I really needed a faster iPad when doing work with music and video so logically I chose the iPad Air even though my heart was set on the Mini Retina Display model.

As I mentioned before, the serious music and video production is done on my Mac quad core using the brilliant Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live and Final Cut Pro. That hardware and the software obviously pisses over any iPad.

 

[darkslide29]

I read that the slight difference in the A7 speed on the Air is beneficial when doing video production work so hence I believed the hype. I really needed a faster iPad when doing work with music and video so logically I chose the iPad Air even though my heart was set on the Mini Retina Display model.

As I mentioned before, the serious music and video production is done on my Mac quad core using the brilliant Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live and Final Cut Pro. That hardware and the software obviously pisses over any iPad.

I understand. I don't know that I would call the extra speed on the Air A7 as "needed" versus to simply say that it would require a demanding application (such as video or music apps) to even notice the speed difference on a side by side test.

I think this means that the iPad Mini is still very capable of running those apps, to the point where you would not even notice a difference much. If you absolutely must have the best, then by all means the Air will technically win out. But since it is for on the move stuff, the A7 on the mini won't mess up your work flow.

Think of it this way - the iPad 4th gen running the A6 (I believe it is the A6?) is half as powerful as the A7. However, the A6 iPad will still have no problem running any of the music or video apps out there. The mini A7 will still of course beat out any a5 or a6, hands down.

But I am just speculating as well, as I am still waiting for my mini to arrive in the mail.

 

[osx11]

I'm gonna go with the air, got bigger display and battery.

Bigger Display: Yes
Bigger Battery: Well, Yes, it needs the bigger battery to achieve the same results as the mini.

 

[Carmenia83]

Also a little bummed about no Touch ID. I am coming off an iPad 3, and for the life of me could not decide if I wanted to try a mini or stick with the full size. Or wait for Touch ID.

I decided to get the mini to get a taste of what it's like. If I hate it, I can get the touch ID air next year, (or upgrade to the mini and get cellular too!).

I am fascinated by the fact that most people I know who went mini don't want to go back to full size. Granted, small sample of a few people I know, but still interesting to me.

I went from 3 to mini and I love it. The air is nice but I don't have a need to go back to the larger screen. I fly a lot and the mini fits nicely on the tray table without taking up much room. (And I don't even have to shut it off for takeoff and landing now! Thanks FAA!)

 

[citi]

What! Have you never heard of people using iPads to do music and video production? Is the A7 chip no good for music and video production on the iPad? I don't understand why you think that is an odd thing for me to say that I need the slightly better A7 chip for video and music production on the iPad.:roll eyes:

Obviously, if I want to do serious music and video production I'll use my Mac but the iPad and A7 chip is handy for on the move.

Don't get too offended. What I meant was I haven't heard anyone move to the A7 because of their need for enhanced audio and video production. Most people, like myself, will use a Macbook for any serious Video and Music work. Especially for video. When I mess with iPad apps, it's more for hobby or brainstorming.

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I read that the slight difference in the A7 speed on the Air is beneficial when doing video production work so hence I believed the hype. I really needed a faster iPad when doing work with music and video so logically I chose the iPad Air even though my heart was set on the Mini Retina Display model.

As I mentioned before, the serious music and video production is done on my Mac quad core using the brilliant Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live and Final Cut Pro. That hardware and the software obviously pisses over any iPad.

What apps are you using for audio and video work on the iPad? I'm curious.

 

[Artmuzz]

Don't get too offended. What I meant was I haven't heard anyone move to the A7 because of their need for enhanced audio and video production. Most people, like myself, will use a Macbook for any serious Video and Music work. Especially for video. When I mess with iPad apps, it's more for hobby or brainstorming.

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What apps are you using for audio and video work on the iPad? I'm curious.

I am using Cubasis and Beatmaker 2 with audiobus and a number of synth apps like iMini and nLog Pro. The thing about the iPad is that there are a lot of damn good music apps being made for iOS and I think they are brilliant and great for recording and then transferring to Ableton Live. The iPad is great for getting song ideas on the move.

I may buy the iPad mini retina display model later but I am really digging the new A7 chip for layering synths on audiobus.

 

[Shanpdx]

Charging Time

Anyone knows how long it takes to charge from 0 to 100%?

Still waiting for anandtech review. they usually list it.

Thanks.

 

[fertilized-egg]

Anyone knows how long it takes to charge from 0 to 100%?

Still waiting for anandtech review. they usually list it.

Thanks.

It's up!

http://anandtech.com/show/7519/apple-ipad-mini-with-retina-display-reviewed/5

I am surprised the Mini now has a battery almost as big as the original iPad's. It's pretty impressive they kept the weight almost identical to the last year's version despite it. I wish they move to a better display soon though. Not that it's bad by any means but the competition - at least the ones who don't care about hardware margins - have really great display as with the Air.

 

[Shanpdx]

It's up!

Thanks, looks like charging times are similar to the original iPad mini.

 

[Dim John]

Larger battery is awesome

iPad Mini carry a larger battery is awesome, now I have bought a portable charger named Kinkoo to charge my iPad, it has 8000 capacity and fast charging speed, I find it is useful. I can't wait to charge my iPad to full power, so I can play games all the time. haha...