Pricing Info
The iPad Mini costs $ 329 for 16GB, $ 429 for 32 GB and $ 529 for 64 GB for Wi-Fi devices in the US. With Cellular +Wi-Fi it costs $459 for 16GB, $ 559 for 32 GB and $659 for 64 GB in the US. It is believed that the price range is a little higher as compared to other devices like Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD in the same product range as Apple keeps healthy margins on its products. So in comparison with the other products in this range, price of iPad Mini can be termed as a little on the costlier side.
Tech Specs
The size specifications of the iPad mini are 7.89×5.30×0.28 inches and weight of iPad Mini with Wi-Fi is 0.68 lbs (308 gms) and for iPad Mini with Wi-Fi+ Cellular is 0.69 lbs (312 gms) . The speed for the A5 processor is slower than the iPhone 5. In general even though the speed is good, the users expected slightly more speed than they are currently getting with the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini has a 7.9 inch diagonal multi touch display screen with IPS technology which is impressive as compared to other products in this range. The iPad Mini has 1024×768 resolution display at 163 ppi which is slightly less than Google Nexus 7, its competitor in this category.
Features List: The front facing Camera is 1.2 Mega pixels whereas the rear end camera is 5 Megapixel. It has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB for internet connectivity. As an iOS device it connects to iOS applications, App Store, iTunes Store etc. It has various inbuilt apps that are standard to all iPads.
Design and Color
iPad Mini has a good design and construction and has been appreciated by most of its users. It is designed in such a way that it is 23% thinner and 53% lighter than a regular iPad but does everything that an iPad is required to do. This gives a good option for iPad users as its design competes with the smaller tablets in this range. iPad Mini was designed by keeping in mind to make it the smallest iPad possible that can function in the same way as other iPads. It is available in Black and Slate color, white and silver color. It is the sleekest version of the iPad there is.
Availability
The iPad Mini comes in two options one with Wi-Fi and the other with Wi-Fi + Cellular. The availability of the two options varies from country to country. Both options are now available in most countries. The iPad Mini was initially launched in more than 30 countries and then gradually world over.
Comparison with other Tablets, other Versions and Models
iPad 4th Generation is bigger with retina display and is more powerful than iPad Mini with A6X chip. Android based Google Nexus 7, iPad Mini’s direct competition is more cost effective and has a slightly better resolution but iPad Mini has a better larger screen and slightly lighter in weight compared to the Nexus 7. iPad mini also has rear camera of 5 Megapixel which Nexus does not.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely portable and easy to carry around with you. It is lighter and smaller than an iPad but gives you the same function of a regular iPad.
- Gives the iPad an opportunity to enter the 7 inches tablet product range and gives the company a new set of users who prefer the smaller tablet.
- Its size is between that of Kindle Fire HD, Google Nexus 7 and the regular iPad. This gives an option to the users. This also means that the iPad has a bigger screen than its competition in the small tablet segment.
- It has a good front and back camera with good resolutions.
- It is an apple product so it has the iOS operating system which is at the moment one of the best in the world. No other small tablet has an iOS operating system.
Cons:
- The price is around 40% higher than its competition and this gives it a big disadvantage with the frugal buyers who prefer to buy Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD which is much cheaper than the iPad Mini.
- There is no retina display in the iPad mini.
- Though it is quite fast, the review of users was that they were expecting a better upgrade of the speed of the iPad Mini.
- There is no processor chip upgrade to A6X chip as was expected by many users.
Operating System
The operating system is iOS by Apple and it is the only small tablet in its category to have an iOS operating system. The iPad mini has the iOS 6.0.2 operating system.