Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display
Our biggest criticism of the original Apple
iPad Mini was that its 8in screen, with its low 1024x768- pixel resolution,
wasn't as sharp as rival mini tablets. That’s no longer a problem with this
latest model, which now has a whopping resolution of 2048x1536 pixels.
The new display makes this new iPad Mini
much easier on the eyes. Text is now very sharp, where it was blurry on the
original, while photos and high-definition video are vibrant and detailed.
Colour accuracy is slightly off compared to the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 and
the Asus Nexus 7. In particular, blue skies in landscape photos look a little
washed out, but this is barely noticeable, so it's still a great tablet screen.
Apple
iPad Mini with Retina Display Officially Available
The other big new feature is the A7 1.3GHz
dual-core processor. While the A5 chip in the original iPad Mini was no slouch,
the A7 is even faster and blitzed through our webpage-loading and 3D graphics
benchmark tests, making this Mini the fastest tablet under 10 inches we've
seen.
The super-high resolution screen and fast
processor require a bigger battery than that found in the original Mini, so
this new model is slightly thicker and heavier to accommodate that. The
Wi-Fi-only model weighs 331g, which is 30g more than its predecessor, but it's
still light for a mini tablet. The battery lasted just under 10- and-a-half
hours when playing video continuously, which is in line with Apple's claims.
Although that's two hours less than the original Mini, it's still good.
Design:
A tiny bit heavier and thicker...but you'd never notice
While the metal design feels rigid and
looks classy, the thin border on the left- and right-hand edges of the screen
(when held vertically) makes it somewhat tricky to hold. Although Apple
maintains that the screen can intelligently detect when your thumb is resting
on the screen's edge - rather than actively swiping or tapping - it was a
little unpredictable and in our tests correctly ignored our thumb presses only
75 per cent of the time. A slightly thicker border would be more effective and
make life easier.
Like all iPads, the Mini has access to
Apple's App Store which is full of quality apps designed for its
high-resolution screen. This - along with its long battery life, blistering
performance and sturdy build quality - gives it an edge over the Nexus 7 and
the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. However, all this comes at a price - the cheapest
Wi-Fi-only Mini is $198.06 more expensive than the equivalent Nexus 7. Add 4G
to the mix, and the Mini is $330.10 more expensive than the equivalent Nexus 7
or Kindle Fire HDX. If you're likely to make heavy use of apps then this
premium is worth paying, but if you only want a tablet for watching video and
reading then the Nexus 7 is the one to get.
Text
is much sharper on the new iPad mini
|
Specifications:
·
7.9in 2048x1536 pixel screen ·
1.3CHz Apple A7 dual-core processor ·
1GB memory ·
16GB storage ·
iOS 7»331g«200x135x7.5mm (HxWxD). ·
One-year warranty ·
Verdict: An excellent mini tablet, but its
great design and wide selection of apps come at a high price ·
Alternative: Asus Nexus 7 $328.45
|
The plastic build isn't quite as robust and
the selection of apps is still spotty at best, but it's cheaper with battery
life that's just as long
