As good as the original iPad Mini was, it was a product that required some compromises compared to its big brother, the iPad 4. Foremost, to get the handheld size, you had to accept a slower processor and lower screen resolution.
This time around, with the iPad Mini with Retina Display, all of the compromises have gone and the smaller iPad has exactly the same specs as the iPad Air. That's great news, as it means you can choose the type of iPad you want based on size, comfort and price, but without the worry that you're losing out on something.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY DESIGN
Apple has kept the same design for the iPad Mini with Retina Display, as used on the original Mini and, now, on the iPad Air. That's definitely not a bad thing, as it still looks so fresh. It also makes the most of the available screen space, with the thin side bezel making the 7.9in screen look a lot bigger than it is. That's exactly what you want from tablet, as the touchscreen is the sole way of interacting with it.
The iPad Mini with Retina Display is every bit as gorgeous and well built as previous Apple tablets
Its full glass front looks gorgeous, whether you opt for the Silver (white) or Space Grey models. As usual, the aluminium unibody is fantastic, simultaneously being beautiful and giving the reassuring feeling that the iPad Mini with Retina Display is incredibly tough.
The only minor difference is that this model is 0.3mm thicker than its predecessor. It's a difference you'd never notice and, given the faster processor and better screen on show here, it's impressive that the tablet is still so thin. When it comes to design and build quality, it's fair to say that no tablet from any other manufacturer comes close.
The real beauty of the iPad Mini's design is that it fits so comfortably in one hand. Although the iPad Air slimmed down a lot from the previous full-size iPad, it's still really a two-handed device. If you primarily use the iPad on commutes or other places where two-handed operation isn't so comfortable, this is definitely the model for you.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY DISPLAY
There's no other way to say it: the display is fantastic. With a resolution of 2,048x1,536, the iPad Mini with Retina Display has four times the pixels of its predecessor and the same resolution as the iPad Air. Due to the smaller screen, it has a slightly higher pixel density of 326ppi. That's quite an amazing improvement.
No compromises: the iPad Mini has the same resolution as its big brother, the iPad Air
The obvious benefit is that everything on the screen now looks super sharp, whereas the old iPad Mini looked a little low-res. Technically speaking, the resolution is more than is required for Retina display (the point at which you can't see individual pixels), but we understand why Apple picked it: it means all of the existing iPad apps work without resulting to strange scaling.
When viewed at the same size, the Mini's screen (top) lacks the sharpness of the Mini with Retina Display (bottom)
Compared to the iPad Air, the smaller screen size here means that text and icons are smaller, but not to the point where anything is difficult to read. Apple has picked a high-quality IPS panel, as we've come to expect, which is bright, with vibrant colours and a high contrast ratio.
Compared to other small-screen tablets, such as the Nexus 7, the iPad Mini with Retina Display has the advantage. While 7in is a typical screen size on other tablets, the 4:3 aspect ratio and 7.9in screen size on the iPad Mini means there's quite a bit more display on view and it feels less cramped. In terms of size and resolution, while maintaining a tablet that's handheld, we have to say that Apple has got the balance bang on.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY PERFORMANCE
As with all of Apple's current top-of-the-range products, including the iPad Air andiPhone 5S, the iPad Mini with Retina Display has the dual-core, 64-bit Apple A7 SoC. This chip is still staggeringly fast, completing the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark in just 408ms - the same as the iPhone 5S. The iPad Air is a touch faster, as Apple has clocked its A7 chip to 1.4GHz, while the iPhone 5S and iPad Mini both have 1.3GHz chips. This is likely to be down to thermal headroom inside the case.
Even though it's incredibly thin, the iPad Mini with Retina Display contains a really fast 64-bit processor
It's still the only 64-bit mobile SoC and iOS 7 is still the only 64-bit mobile OS. Apps written to take advantage of the new architecture will run faster, but the A7 has advantages for 32-bit apps, too. As it has more and larger general-purpose registers, apps have to access relatively slow system memory less frequently, giving all apps a speed boost.
Likewise, the graphics performance is fantastic, too. Running the 3DMark Ice Storm test on the tablet, it completely maxed out both the Standard and Extreme tests. In Ice Storm Unlimited, the score of 14,413 is still one of the fastest we've seen, showing that this tablet will cope with any current and future game easily.
Of course, it almost goes without saying that iOS 7 is completely smooth on the iPad Mini with Retina Display. While Android has caught up a lot, iOS is still the benchmark for how to make an OS with smooth transitions.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY M7
Alongside the A7 sits the Apple M7 motion coprocessor, which was introduced with the iPhone 5S. This low-power part monitors the sensors on the iPad, which lets it do some pretty clever things. For example, place the iPad flat on a desk and it knows that it's no longer moving, so there's no point hunting for Wi-Fi or mobile signals, which can help it save power. It can also detect if you move from driving to walking, which means Maps can switch its directions to suit.
With this ability built into the iPad, other apps can start to make use of the M7 and we doubt that we've seen it used to its maximum ability yet.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY BATTERY LIFE
Despite the power of the A7 and the higher-resolution screen, battery life is still just as good as on the original iPad Mini. Apple quotes a battery life of 10-hours of web browsing. In our video-playback test, the iPad Mini with Retina Display lasted 11h 40m, which is slightly longer than the original iPad Mini lasted.
This is hugely impressive, especially considering the improvements everywhere else and means that you've got enough juice for a long-haul flight or an entire day's-worth of use.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY CAMERA
Apple hasn't upgraded the camera in the iPad Mini with Retina Display, sticking with the same 5-megapixel model as used in the iPad Air, iPad 4 and previous iPad Mini. Considering the resolution, the camera's not too bad. Exposure and colour was pretty good throughout the frame in our test shot.
Compared side-by-side with the iPad Mini, with both photos taken at the same time, the iPad Mini with Retina Display produces the slightly better shot. Colours are marginally better and there's more dynamic range. Plus, the photo is a little sharper throughout. In both cases, the resolution means that there's not much detail when you zoom in, although the photos are fine for sharing on YouTube. Pictures start to get a lot noisier in low-light, and there's no flash to help illuminate things.
The sensor size may be the same, but the Mini with Retina Display (bottom) produces sharper photos than the original Mini (top)
Video can be shot at a resolution of 1,920x1,080 with a Full HD resolution. Quality is pretty good in brightly-lit areas with a decent amount of detail in the frame. In darker conditions the sensor's limitations show up and noise creeps into the picture. Still, for occasional use, the Mini is perfectly acceptable.
On the front is 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, which can shoot footage at 720p for video calls. For its intended purpose it's pretty good and the resolution means that the person you're talking too can easily work out what's going on.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY iOS 7
Apple installs iOS 7 by default with the iPad Mini. With the faster processor and better graphics, it's fair to say that this model runs the OS better than the original, with perfectly smooth transitions and app switching.
Now we've had iOS 7 for a good amount of time and have got used to it, we have to say that we really like it. It leaves the familiar iOS launcher and interface that people are used to, but adds in some handy short-cuts that make life easier. We love the pull-up Control Centre menu, which you can access from any app and lets you toggle Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do-not disturb and the rotation lock. It also gives you media playback controls.
The new pull-down Today screen is great, too, showing you what you've got on today at a glance. This menu also gives you your notifications in one easy-to-use place, too. In short, iOS 7 cuts out the annoying steps you used to have to take in order to make simple changes. We won't say a lot more here as our iOS 7 reviewhas everything that you need to know.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY 4G
If you use your iPad out and about a lot, there's a 4G Wi-Fi + Cellular version, which costs £100 more than the standard Wi-Fi-only model. The 4G chip has been upgraded from the previous version, so the iPad Mini will work on all 4G networks in the UK. When 4G roaming comes in, the iPad Mini with Retina Display will work on networks around Europe, too.
The Mini with Retina also ships as a 4G version
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY VERSIONS
You get a choice of all the storage options you get with the full-size iPad Air. The iPad Mini with Retina Display costs £319 for 16GB, £399 for 32GB, £479 for 64GB and £559 for 128GB. That's £50 more per model than the iPad Mini cost, but given the much faster processor and the higher-resolution screen, it's worth paying.
More importantly, the iPad Mini with Retina Display is £80 cheaper than the equivalent iPad Air, making it something of bargain if you want all the same specs, but in a smaller package.
iPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY CONCLUSION
There's no doubt in our mind that the iPad Mini with Retina Display is the best small tablet. It perfectly balances screen resolution and size with portability, with Apple producing a tablet that fits comfortably in one hand. Build quality is excellent, too, putting this tablet above the cheaper, but still great, Google Nexus 7.
Most importantly, with this model Apple has removed any compromise between this and the iPad Air. Personally, we slightly prefer the larger screen of the Air, especially as that tablet doesn't feel a lot bigger than the Mini. Still, if you want to save a bit of money or need a tablet that can be used comfortably in one hand, the iPad Mini is a brilliant choice.
Basic Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Part Code | iPad Mini with Retina Display |
| Review Date | 3 Feb 2014 |
| Rating | |
| Processor | Apple A7 |
| Processor clock speed | 1.3GHz |
| Memory | 1.00GB |
| Maximum memory | 1GB |
| Size | 200x135x7.5mm |
| Weight | 331g |
| Pointing device | touchscreen |
Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewable size | 7.9 in |
| Native resolution | 2,048x1,536 |
| Graphics Processor | Apple A7 |
| Graphics/video ports | none |
Storage | |
|---|---|
| Total storage capacity | 16GB |
| Optical drive type | none |
Ports and Expansion | |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth |  |
| Wired network ports | 0 |
| Wireless networking support | 802.11n (dual-band) |
| PC Card slots | 0 |
| Supported memory cards | none |
| Other ports | Lightning |
Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Carrying case |  |
| Operating system | Apple iOS 7 |
| Operating system restore option | restore partition |
| Software included | N/A |
| Optional extras | N/A |
Buying Information | |
|---|---|
| Warranty | one year RTB |
| Price | £319 |
| Details | www.apple.com |
| Supplier | http://www.apple.com |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment