What's good
- Beautiful retina display
- Fast performance
- Useful pre-installed apps
- Solid design
What's bad
- Price
- Mediocre camera
This latest release from Apple addresses one of the biggest concerns of the original iPad Mini. By adding a Retina display to the device, you can now enjoy the true iPad experience in a portable, smaller format. Tech Radar notes that the display upgrade is “perhaps the most obvious difference to the tablet” and goes on to say that “its easily a match for the display on the new Google Nexus 7, but we prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad mini’s screen, which makes it a more comfortable to browse web pages on.”
However, the display is just the start of what the tablet has to offer. Stuart Miles of Pocket Lint noted that compared to the iPad mini, it is “noticeably faster than its predecessor. It's more powerful than the old iPad 4, getting innards closer to the iPhone 5S.”
Whether you are looking for a new tablet or simply upgrading an existing device, reviews agree that the new Mini 2 will be at the top of the charts for some time.
Patrick Goss of Tech Radar says that it is “faster, prettier and more featured, the new iPad mini is everything we hoped it would be” and Jonathan Bray of PC Pro notes that “for people upgrading from the original, it should be an immediate and visible boost to the way in which the mini handles.”
The latest model is more than an incremental update to the original. Most hardware has been upgraded or completely replaced. Powered by the same A7 chipset in the iPad Air, reviews show that the Mini 2 performs fluidly and offers plenty of power for the most graphic intensive apps and games. PC Pro notes that they were able to “whizz around iOS 7 and launch apps without experiencing any undue delay or stuttering.”
There are a couple of things to keep in mind about the device.
The first is the camera. While it has received an upgrade from the original, boasting a 5-megapixel sensor, many reviews note that it still takes pictures that are just average. Patrick Goss of Tech Radar said that it “isn't going to (nor should it) replace your primary camera, but for every-day quick snaps it's a step up from the original iPad mini and perfectly acceptable.”
The other consideration is the price. This latest edition has some stiff competition from other manufacturers at much lower price points. However, before you balk at the price, consider that the device comes with iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynotes pre-installed. For anyone already using a Mac this provides plenty of options to make the most of your new device and integrated seamlessly with your desktop’s programs as well.
Pocket Lint sums up the new Mini well when it states “We always liked the iPad mini because of the size and convenience: it was the iPad experience that you really could slip into your pocket. But now it's all of that and more and although it will cost you to get the cheapest model, a fair hitch-up over the original.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Xiomara Blanco, CnetIt lacks the features and speed of a cutting-edge iPad, but the Mini 2 is still a solid tablet for basics, especially if you can buy it at a discount.
- Darren Yates, APCThe iPad mini wins when you combine speed, screen resolution, battery life and weight.The battery life of 10hrs 15mins from a tiny 23-watt-hour battery is quite remarkable, particularly given the performance the A7 is capable of.Throw in the low 330-gram weight for the Wi-Fi only version and this is...
- Monish Kumar, Fone ArenaOverall, the iPad Mini with Retina display is a great upgrade over the original iPad Mini. The iPad Mini with Retina display comes with one of the best processors from Apple – A7 and combines it with M7 co-processor. On the performance front, it is definitely on par with the iPad Air although...
- Madeline Bennett, The InquirerThe addition of the Retina screen is a real boost to the 8in tablet range from Apple, and it's impressive that this extra-high quality display and faster processor haven't dented battery life. We'd definitely award the iPad Mini 2 our highest score if it wasn't for the even higher starting price now...
- David Ludlow, Expert ReviewsThere'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, bu...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Apple iPad mini 2 Manual (PDF)
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