iPad mini -Yes or No?

by ComputersMadeEasy | Oct 31, 2012

The iPad mini is out and we can’t resist talking about it.

We like Apple products. They’re user-friendly, provide awesome displays, and have a general coolness about them.

When the first iPad came out, we LOVED it. The display, the apps, the fun. No wonder it dominated the tablet market.

Now the market is stuffed with tablets large and small. Not to be outdone, Apple had to come out with a smaller tablet. So what do we think of the iPad mini?

This iPad has a 7.9 inch screen.

Its size allows you to use it with just one hand, which is nice. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s thinner and lighter than we expected.

The tablet has the Siri voice assistant.

It runs on the latest Apple mobile operating system—iOS 6.

It has a front and back camera, both of which are pretty decent.

The battery life makes us happy—it goes for 10 hours, maybe more, depending on how you’re using it.

Of course, you get all the apps that go with the Apple products.

The non-Retina display is disappointing. It seems that adding the crispness of such a display to the smaller screen would be a no-brainer.

The iPad mini uses the Lightning connector. Looks like this is something we’ll have to get used to, but it does add expense.

With a starting price of $329 for Wi-Fi only, it is almost in its own category. It’s too expensive to be a true competitor for the other small tablets, and it’s not a competitor for the larger tablets.

If we’re only talking about Apple products, and we already have an iPhone and an iPad, do we really need or want an iPad mini?

Turns out, the answer to that question very much depends on the individual. We have differing opinions in the office and even within our own families.

What do you think? If you already have a smart phone and a large tablet, will you want the iPad mini to round out your collection?

 

By Danny Tehrani