iPad mini unboxing: super slim, very light
Apple's new iPad mini takes the company's blockbuster tablet and reduces it down, giving it a more natural weight and size for carrying around.
When the iPad first appeared in 2010, it was derisively mocked by critics for being "just a big iPod touch."
After selling 100 million of them, Apple has now released the iPad mini as something closer to being a "big iPod touch," sharing much in common with the new design of the fifth generation iPod touch, although retaining the "big app" functionality of its full size iPad siblings.
Overall, it seems to fit perfectly in-between the full sized iPad and the iPhone. Unlike "tweener" tablets, it doesn't sacrifice screen area or resolution to do this, nor does it invent a new screen resolution; it's like a scaled down iPad 2.
Because its smaller with the same resolution, some text is small, particularly icon labels and the clock bar at the top of the screen. This isn't a scaled up iPod touch; if you're looking for a big screen iPhone, the iPad mini doesn't deliver that. It's a smaller iPad.
The new iPad mini is 7.2mm thick, the same as the new iPod touch and thinner than the iPhone 4/4S/5 (and significantly thinner than any other iPad).
It ships with a smaller, iPhone-style USB power adapter (the 10-12 watt iPad version charges faster) and a USB-Lightning cable. The Smart Cover is sold separately in a variety of colors.
Critics are comparing the price of the iPad mini to cheaper tablets sold as loss leaders in big to gain market share. Apple clearly didn't design the iPad mini just to reach downward in price. It doesn't feel cheaper than existing iPads; it feels like a more comfortable easily portable size and weight.
It's also significantly thinner. It has the new squared corners and chamfered edge of the iPod touch (and iPhone 5). It shares the Smart Cover design of the larger iPads, but jettisons the former metal hinge for a rubbery joining edge that attaches like a suction cup.
With the Smart Cover on and closed, it looks almost exactly the same size as Amazon's Kindle Fire HD (although it's substantially thinner). Flip the lid open though, and there's a lot more screen, albeit fewer pixels.
Stay tuned for our in depth review of Apple's new iPad mini. Ask any questions about the new product in the comments below and we'll try to address them in the full review.
When the iPad first appeared in 2010, it was derisively mocked by critics for being "just a big iPod touch."
After selling 100 million of them, Apple has now released the iPad mini as something closer to being a "big iPod touch," sharing much in common with the new design of the fifth generation iPod touch, although retaining the "big app" functionality of its full size iPad siblings.
Overall, it seems to fit perfectly in-between the full sized iPad and the iPhone. Unlike "tweener" tablets, it doesn't sacrifice screen area or resolution to do this, nor does it invent a new screen resolution; it's like a scaled down iPad 2.
Because its smaller with the same resolution, some text is small, particularly icon labels and the clock bar at the top of the screen. This isn't a scaled up iPod touch; if you're looking for a big screen iPhone, the iPad mini doesn't deliver that. It's a smaller iPad.
The new iPad mini is 7.2mm thick, the same as the new iPod touch and thinner than the iPhone 4/4S/5 (and significantly thinner than any other iPad).
It ships with a smaller, iPhone-style USB power adapter (the 10-12 watt iPad version charges faster) and a USB-Lightning cable. The Smart Cover is sold separately in a variety of colors.
Critics are comparing the price of the iPad mini to cheaper tablets sold as loss leaders in big to gain market share. Apple clearly didn't design the iPad mini just to reach downward in price. It doesn't feel cheaper than existing iPads; it feels like a more comfortable easily portable size and weight.
It's also significantly thinner. It has the new squared corners and chamfered edge of the iPod touch (and iPhone 5). It shares the Smart Cover design of the larger iPads, but jettisons the former metal hinge for a rubbery joining edge that attaches like a suction cup.
With the Smart Cover on and closed, it looks almost exactly the same size as Amazon's Kindle Fire HD (although it's substantially thinner). Flip the lid open though, and there's a lot more screen, albeit fewer pixels.
Stay tuned for our in depth review of Apple's new iPad mini. Ask any questions about the new product in the comments below and we'll try to address them in the full review.
Comments
Another UNBOXING video ??? I was wondering if they edited all the unboxing videos for Apple products, and made a Blockbuster movie.. would they have 5 million viewers in one weekend??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan King
How does the fonts look like? More like iPad 1/2 or closer to retina?
I was just comparing ipad2 to mini... its much better, but no retina.
Ironically, on the way home, I thought I saw someone using one...until he put it up to his ear.
Nope, I thought.
Just a another silly-looking Galaxy Note user...
Originally Posted by anfboymn
Non retina = piece of cheap shit
Just like the new iMac.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cycomiko
One thing i noticed with mine. it only comes with a 5w charger. Apple should ditch that, 10W or above, all around.
How about a 50w or 100w charger?
Why make it bigger than it needs to be? Most people probably leave their charger plugged in all the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan King
How does the fonts look like? More like iPad 1/2 or closer to retina?
its pretty good but if you have an iPad 3 you will notice pretty quickly its not retina. But the screen looks very good and after a few minutes you forget about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Just like the new iMac.
My 27" iMac is still the best looking screen out there. I guess retina on that size would just be too expensive and the macs are already pretty expensive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by herbapou
My 27" iMac is still the best looking screen out there. I guess retina on that size would just be too expensive and the macs are already pretty expensive.
I think you misunderstood TS. It was his way of saying how ridiculous it is to say the iPad screen is a POS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DESuserIGN
How about a 50w or 100w charger?
Why make it bigger than it needs to be? Most people probably leave their charger plugged in all the time.
So why not provide a 1w charger, as most people probably leave their charger plugged in all the time, why make it bigger than it needs to be?
The main issue with charger size is the slow speed of recharging. My ipad 10w charger, which is identical size to the 5w iphone charger, is far superior. Using a 10w charger on the ipad3/4 is comical. The ipad3/4 has a battery that contains more energy than the 11" Macbook Air (42.5 vs 35), but a charger that provides far slower progress (10w vs 45w).
Not an optimal experience.
But hey, just keep it plugged in, all the time? I am sure that works up the easy coast at the moment.
About the displey. The white is not white. I would say it's gray. Nevertheless I love the new iPad mini and probably I'll wait for 2nd generation with Retina.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anfboymn
Non retina = piece of cheap ****
It's that way, because some people don't need it and in order to do a Retina display and put a better processor with a decent battery, etc., it would cost more to make, it would then have to be thicker, heavier and more expensive. Maybe the Retina version will be out next year if they can figure out how to do the things some people are expecting.
Maybe they are fulfilling some specs for large customers that we don't know about and this will suit them and they figured it was the best of all worlds at this time. Since the resolution is as it is it might also make it easier on the developers with their apps as well, as the way a app would scale down from the 9.7 retina display.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregAlexander
For those who've seen it and want retina - if apple had offered retina screen for $70 more, would that have been an easy decision?
They would have to put a better processor and bigger, thicker, heavier battery as well. Would you still buy it?
Personally, I have the iPad 4 and love it. I can't wait for more high resolution apps to come out to take advantage of the new processor.