iPad Mini Review

iPad Mini Review

Update: The iPad mini has certainly proved a hit with sales rocketing since launch. If you've already got your hands on one, check out our best iPad Mini cases and covers to buy, and if you haven't got one yet, you can win one by voting in the T3 Awards 2013!

As we mused from the Californian Keynote where the new Apple tablet was announced, the iPad Mini reveal didn't win any awards for unexpected launch of the year (that gong went to the third-gen-terminating iPad 4) but in the time we've spent with it, the biggest surprise is how it's surpassed our expectation; not in price, but with regard to the biggest sticking points around tablets: usefulness and purpose.

Right now, Apple claims 100 million iPads are loose in the wild, though speaking to our tech-savvy, early- adopting readers that own them, not many can us what they really use them for. Web browsing, Facebook-checking, newspaper/magazine reading and, from the hundreds of apps that are installed, only around a dozen are regularly engaged.

iPad Mini: Size and build

Let us start by jumping back to the San Jose Keynote for a minute. Apple suggested that the iPad Mini wasn't just a shrunken-down iPad but had been built from the ground up. In reality, it had no option. When the original iPad launched it had no challengers, it was blazing a design trail. The Mini is different. It does have competition, from the biggest tech companies in the world – Google andAmazon.

So apart from brand attache, what's its USP? What makes it different from the other seven-ish inchers? The most blatant trait is design. In typical Apple fashion, the craftsmanship is superb and, in addition to the £269 price tag, clearly sets it apart from its closest competitors: the Google Nexus 7 by Asus and the Kindle Fire HD.

The rounded or 'chamfered' edges take design cues from the iPhone 5 and the acceptably weighty feel (308g WiFi- only model) give it a well-built industrial quality.

It strikes an excellent balance between it being light enough to hold in one hand for extended periods of time and solid enough to take a knock (although a light one considering how those chamfered edges can be easily nicked, a la iPhone 5). The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD feel cheaper in comparison. They are - £80 and £110 respectively.

At 200mm high, 134.7mm wide and 7.2mm deep the Mini is ‘just’ about compact enough to fit in a back pocket and, like most seven-inchers, is the perfect size for school, hand and manbags. The surface area and weight is similar to a paperback (clearly no coincidence) and, because of this, browsing content while on the go is nicer, more private experience than the bigger iPad.

You can read in bed for more than ten minutes before getting hand cramp and nestle yourself away in a corner without feeling you've got a laptop screen for company. In this regard, it’s a competitor to the whole Kindle family, not just the Fire HD.

The side-mounted volume buttons and lock match the metal finish of the chassis, which we like, while the oft- scorned Lightning connector and stereo speakers make the bottom edge feel neater. Thankfully, the headphone socket remains on the top lip meaning no protruding jack when balancing it on your lap.

In short, it feels a cleaner, more manageable design than the existing iPad line and a clear cut above its closest competitors.

iPad Mini: Screen

The iPad Mini's most talked about feature (before and after the launch) is the screen size. Some suggested it should have been smaller. Some that it should have followed the iPhone 5’s widescreen ratio. The most important thing from Apple’s perspective, however, is that its existing gaggle of apps (700k, at the time of writing) work on all iPadS without letterboxing or distortion. Which they do. Well, the 50-odd we looked at did.

Even T3: iPad Edition formats smoothly into the LED-backlit 7.9-inch (163ppi), 1024x768 resolution, which is great news for consumers and developers alike.

The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD both trump it at 1280 x 800 pixels (216 ppi) and, if you’re used to Apple’s Retina displays, then you will notice some pixilation. But, because of the smaller, more condensed screen, blurring isn’t a problem.

We’d say detail was sharper on the iPad Mini than the iPad 2 but nowhere near the clarity that Retina screens of the iPhone 4S, 5 and new iPad offer. Colours and brightness are also comparable to an iPad 2 but, perhaps because you’ve got two less square inches of backlit display beaming at you, reading text for extended periods is more manageable and less tiresome on the eyes.

The home screen offers space for 26 apps - 20 on the main screen, six squidged together on the bottom row - and the viewing angle mirrors that of the latest ‘big’ generation.

However, the Mini's real screen-differentiating selling point over its competitors is how there’s so much more to see. The 4:3 ratio display gives you loads of viewing space and, combined with the lithe-like side bezels, using it feels like having all of your content and the whole internet in your hand.

Add this to the physical size of the device and we’d say web browsing, photo viewing, Facebooking, reading and general use is a more pleasurable experience on the Mini than any other iPad to date. Obviously Apple needs to leave room for an upgrade path to the iPad Mini with Retina Display in, oh, a year’s time, but we’d say today’s experience is excellent.

iPad Mini: Camera

Taking still shots using either of the iPad’s cameras hasn't ever impressed us and things don’t change with the Mini. For uploading spur-of-the-moment photos to social networking sites, or sharing over email/iMessage, fine, but the 5MP rear camera remains poor in low light and there’s just not enough optical oompf to challenge dedicated cameras or photography focussed smartphones.

Where both cams come into their own is with video , especially compared to the Nexus 7 and Fire HD. The Mini sports 1080p on the back and 720p on the front, allowing video capture and conferencing to be a cut above the rest.

There’s video stabilisation, tap-to-focus, face detection and, because of the Mini’s handy size, it’s more manoeuvrable in the field. We were hoping for an iPhone-like camera shortcut from the lock screen and a HDR mode, but neither are present. Shared Photo Streams and basic photo/video editing are.

iPad Mini: Performance

The Mini houses the same dual-core A5 processor that features in the iPad 2, iPhone 4S and iPod Touch, meaning similar processing power and feature set – Apple TV mirroring, for example. For reference, the iPhone 5 uses an A6 and the latest iPad, an A6X processor.

The Nexus 7 boasts a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 and a dual-core 1.2GHz chip adorns the Kindle Fire HD. In our real-world testing, there’s not a great deal to tell them apart, but the Mini is speedy and powers polygons impressively.

Where gaming is concerned, the Mini could bolster the Touch’s success as a portable plaything, simply down to its size – it’s less cumbersome than the bigger iPad, especially when playing games that take advantage of the accelerometer.

Processor-hungry apps such as iPhoto and interactive media (magazines and newspapers) work well on the Mini; all perfectly usable. It's not as speedy as the latest latest iPad or iPhone 5, but then you wouldn’t expect a Mac Mini to outperform an iMac.

Unlike the Nexus 7, Apple decided to kick storage options off at 16Gb (like the Kindle Fire HD), which is a smart move considering how quickly gigabytes can be gobbled up. Outdoing its two main rivals, the Mini offers solid-state storage up to 64Gb, but then you’re looking at £429 for the Wi-Fi-only version and £529 for the all-singing LTE model.

Apple has equipped the WiFi-only Mini with 802.11a/b/g/n, 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless capability and Bluetooth 4.0. Latching onto networks is fast and range was comparable to a bigger iPad in our testing.

The cellular iPad Mini (out late November) has all of the above plus LTE connectivity – currently only to be used with EE’s network in the UK.

Siri is – well -  Siri and, while iOS 6 has improved things somewhat, we still can’t but think it’s a piece of field research that will be later embedded in iMacs, Macbooks and the new wave of Apple TVs. We still don't instinctively think of using it to open apps, call people or post Facebook messages. We doubt many people do.

Typing on the virtual keyboard is an entirely different experience than the bigger iPad. Because it can be held much easier in one hand, your other digits can tap away pretty quickly without having to hold the other edge, or balance the iPad in your lap. If you have a BFG-type disposition, you’ll be able to type with just one hand. Just.

Audio playback is good through the headphone jack and over AirPlay, although no headphones are included in the box. Stereo speaker quality is comparable to a smartphone.

Like the iPhone 5, we didn’t notice any speed hike with the Lightning connector, but have come to love the smaller, reversible port, which already makes the 30-pin connector look antiquated. We just need a decent range of accessories to go with it.

Speaking of which, the Smart Cover is an essential add-on; not only as a protector and kick-stand but making the Mini feel like a book that can be quickly opened and content consumed, just like a Kindle that, incidentally, is almost identical in size and weight when its official leather cover is attached. (You might also be interested in our rundown of Apple iPad Mini cases and covers and ouriPad Mini vs Nexus 7 feature).

iPad Mini: Battery

The third generation iPad’s battery life was its Achilles' heel; no doubt drained by the high-maintenance Retina screen. However, the iPad Mini's is the best we’ve seen on an iPad to date. 

Things might not be so rosy when the Retina version doubtless arrives next year, but for now you can expect it to last for the majority of a working day when in frequent use. It goes for days in standby without needing a recharge.

It's comparable with the Nexus 7’s excellent longevity – around 10 hours decent use. Bear in mind that our review model was WiFi-only. On a cellular network, we’d expect it to drain much faster.

Charging via USB takes around four hours to reach 100% and Apple supplies an iPhone/iPod-esque 5W plug, rather than the bigger 12W version that comes with the new iPad.

iPad Mini: Verdict

Summing up Apple products can seem like déjà vu, as many of our opinions remain whether we’re looking at a Macbook or an iPhone. Like BMW or Dyson, you’re paying for the research, design, craftsmanship and brand association when handing over money for an iThing.

For some, this is seen as non-sensical (as are the fools that buy into it). For others, the idea of not investing in such products and brand is heresy. It comes down to what you value most in a product and what you're willing to pay for it.

With the regard to the iPad Mini, it’s unquestionably the nicest-looking, best built and most premium compact tablet on the market. For the price, it should be. In terms of raw power, there’s nothing to really separate it from the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD. In real-life tablet use, all three motor along splendidly, have decent battery life and, apart from the app count, have a very similar feature set.

The Mini is thinner and lighter, yet has a screen almost an inch bigger than its two main rivals. The Nexus 7 has NFC, the others don’t. The Kindle Fire HD has a mini HDMI, the others need additional accessories. All have half-decent cloud services and, while Apple’s app store is streets ahead of Google Market, the gap continues to close and Amazon's expansive digital library shouldn't be underestimated.

We will say this, though: the iPad Mini is the best iPad Apple has ever created. Not because of its feature set, power, hardware or design but, because at this size, a greater number of consumers will be able to see an actual purpose for it; reading books, slipping it into a bag, browsing the web on the move, all without feeling like they’re using a laptop.

At £269, it's also the cheapest iPad you can buy – the iPad 2 starts at £329, the new iPad: £399. This fact alone will mean it adorning many a Christmas stocking this year. This isn’t to say that the bigger iPad doesn’t have a place, it does - at home. But in the wild and in positions that require you to hold it unaided for longer periods of time, the Mini steals the show.

Whether you buy this over a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD comes down to your perception of value and image. But, with all considered, we’d say it was the best of its breed.

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

iPad Mini

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

 Yesterday we reported on rumors of the possibility of a $99 Nexus 7 from Google. This magic price point is seen, from a marketing point of view, as a sweet spot which will drive the further consumerization of tablets. At the moment the lowest priced big brand tablet is the Amazon Kindle Fire which costs $159 (with special offers and sponsored screensavers displayed on the  lock screen). It is also possible to get single core, 7 inch Chinese tablets for as little as $79. However it is worth noting that in most countries a sales tax needs to be paid to customs when you get your tablet  delivered. This can push the actual price to around $95.

What this means is that sub $100 single core, 1Ghz, 7 inch tablets with Android 4.0 or 4.1 (depending on the manufacturer)  do exist today and it is possible to make them for that price. However once you add profit margins, R&D costs and corporate overheads it does become a bit more tricky.

If Google really is trying to create a budget tablet it will likely start a new “race to the bottom”. Although traditionally used as a  socio-economic term to describe the taxation policies of countries or states, the concept can be equally applied to building cheaper and cheaper consumer devices to boost sales. The problem with the race to the bottom is something needs to be sacrificed to reach the low costs. In economics, work force regulations, wages and taxes are offered on the altar to attract businesses to a given area. In consumer electronics what is sacrificed is quality, features and usability.

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

 

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

 

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

Best Cheap Android Tablet PC

          

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Sometimes creating a device which takes a product category to the extreme causes consumers to stay away. Then on other occasions manufacturers capture the imagination of many and the product flourishes, one such device in recent times was the Galaxy Note. Look at it as a massive smartphone, or maybe as a tiny tablet... it really was somewhere in between... but whatever the device was it sold very well for Samsung. Certainly much better than many would have assumed. In fact it would be fair to say that of all the smartphones we have reviewed in the last year or so it was the Note which allowed us to be most productive on the move. Clearly the success of the Galaxy Note as a brand inspired Samsung and despite having a well-established Tab range (of Android Tablets) their latest device goes with the alternative title which helps identify its key feature, a high functionality stylus. Today we have the Galaxy Note 10.1 on our test bench and will establish whether it has what it takes to compete with the likes of ASUS Transformer Pad, the alternative productivity tablet.

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

Computer Tablet

              

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Tablets with 10-inch screens offer an experience that is closer to a laptop than a smartphone. Web pages display at their natural size. Movies and games are more immersive. Apps can be designed without the constraints of the smartphone's pocket-size screen.

The Apple iPad is the best known among the 10-inch tablets, and its success is drawing many imitators. Several manufacturers that initially competed against the iPad with 7-inch devices have changed their strategy to focus on the increasingly dominant 10-inch format.  

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

Best 10 Inch Android Tablet

 

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

With the Nexus 7 now available, Android tablets are no longer poor iPad copycats. They're real, banging for your buck affordable and most importantly, really good. But to make it even better, you'll need to get some apps. Here are the best Android tablet apps.

Plume: Sadly, the official Twitter app isn't exactly tablet friendly. Luckily, Plume, a highly customizable Twitter app, works well enough on Android tablets so you won't miss Twitter on your Android tablet.

Friendcaster: Friendcaster for Facebook is a much better tablet app than the official Facebook app, as it gives you real time Facebook notifications and includes all your most-used Facebook features like status updates, photos, messages, events, groups, checkins and more.

IM+: Optimized for tablets, IM+ is an IM app that lets you chat with your friends on AIM, Google Talk, Skype, MSN, Yahoo, Facebook chat and others. Free.

Netflix: All the joys of Netflix in your pocket, all the time-including the power to battle that always growing Watch Instantly queue. Streaming's silky smooth over Wi-Fi, less so over 3G, but the app itself is indispensable. Free.

MXPlayer: MXPlayer is quite possibly the best video player for Android tablets because it packs a ton of features and can play a bunch of different video file formats (avi, mkv, divx, etc.) under the sun.

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

Best Tablet Apps

     

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

It's time for our weekly roundup of the best new Android apps for smartphones and tablets, drawn from a mixture of Google Play digging, press releases and submissions from developers.

Games aren't included – they get a separate roundup which has plenty of Android games this week. The weekly iOS apps roundup will be published later in the day.

Here's this week's Android selection:

PizzaExpress

Fancy a pizza? UK chain Pizza Express' innovative app has been ported from iOS to Android, enabling customers to book tables, and then pay for their bill using PayPal at the end of their meals. The app will also provide regular offer codes, and it ties in with the chain's Click & Collect takeaway-ordering service too.

Via.me

Pitching itself as a "social storyboard", Via.me is an app for sharing photos, videos, audio and text on a standalone social network, as well as through Facebook and Twitter. That means photo filters, feeds of friends' activity – assuming they're on it, of course – and notifications aplenty.

White House

The official White House app has been out for a little while, but what's new this week is a version for Android tablets, just as the US presidential election gets into swing. Expect news, photos and videos from the White House, including live video streams of events featuring the president himself, and his officials.

Quora

Lots of people in Silicon Valley have been getting excited about Q&A service Quora for a while now, thanks to plenty of tech executives giving candid views on their industry. Can it become more mainstream through mobile apps? The new Android version is a step in that direction, providing a usable window into Quora, and lots of Android-specific widgetry and features.

Richard and Judy Book Club

Out on iOS a couple of weeks ago, WHSmith's official app for this year's Richard and Judy Book Club initiative is the latest example of branded augmented reality. Using HP subsidiary Aurasma's AR technology, it encourages readers to scan covers of participating books to watch reviews and other videos.

 Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet

Best Apps for Android Tablet