Apple iPad mini with Retina Display: Reviewed
by Anand Lal Shimpi on November 16, 2013 8:00 AM ESTFinal Words
When I concluded our iPad Air review I assumed the iPad mini with Retina Display was a true no-compromise, smaller alternative to the iPad Air. In many senses that’s true. Wireless connectivity is identical between the models, battery life is pretty much the same as well. Peak performance is close and you no longer have to accept a lower resolution display. Last year’s iPad mini was easy to recommend, and this year’s is even easier. To my surprise however, the iPad Air continues to hold some advantages that may resonate well with some users.
The biggest in my eyes is the iPad Air’s wider gamut display with full sRGB coverage. The mini’s Retina Display is good, the Air’s is just better. There’s also more thermal headroom on the iPad Air, which can come in handy if you’re doing compute intensive work on it. If neither of those things matters to you, then the decision becomes one of usage model and portability. I believe the iPad Air does a better job of approximating a primary computing device, particularly in its ability to give you a reasonable sized virtual keyboard to work on. The iPad mini on the other hand is substantially more portable. Although the iPad Air is light enough to come along with me more than any prior iPad, the mini’s form factor makes it even more likely that’ll I’ll bring it with me (the best tablet is the one you have with you?).
As much as I prefer the iPad Air’s display and as much as I love having more performance, I’d probably lean towards the mini personally. The lower weight and smaller form factor are just tough to give up. Apple could’ve made the decision a lot easier by giving the mini true display parity with the Air though.
The mini with Retina Display sits at an interesting point in Apple's iPad lineup. Priced at $399, the higher-end mini is priced identically to the iPad 2 - which Apple continues to sell. I honestly can't see a situation outside of having poor vision where I'd recommend the iPad 2 over the iPad mini with Retina Display.
If you're on the fence about upgrading from an older iPad (or even the first gen mini), the iPad mini with Retina Display is a tempting target. Compared to virtually all previous iPads you're going to notice a substantial increase in performance thanks to Apple's A7 SoC. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the performance improvement over the previous generation mini (featuring Apple's A5) can be just as noticeable of an uprade as the display. The new mini is a leap forward in performance compared to its predecessor.
While Apple has the 10-inch tablet market more or less locked up with the iPad Air, the mini faces stiff competition. The biggest comes from Google with the $229 2013 Nexus 7. You get an incredibly affordable device and a display with full sRGB gamut. What the mini offers is a faster SoC, a wider display (a Nexus 8 would be nice) and of course, iOS. I’ve heard varying opinions on iOS vs. Android when talking about tablet or smartphone use. Some users prefer Android on one and iOS on the other, vice versa or find themselves exclusively in one camp. This one is best left up to personal preference. At $229 the Nexus 7 is a great option. If you prefer iOS however, the iPad mini with Retina Display is quite nice. The price hike vs. the standard mini can be a tough pill to swallow, but the A7 and display are definitely worth it.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
345 Comments
View All Comments
Graag - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
The Ars review has a good image of the compromises you make using a nexus vs. a mini for web browsing in landscape; there are some significant disadvantages to a 16:10 aspect in a 7" device in that context.lilo777 - Sunday, November 17, 2013 - link
But do they have a good image of the totally unacceptable compromises you make watching videos on iPad tablets?p_giguere1 - Sunday, November 17, 2013 - link
It's mathematically impossible for a letterboxed video to appear smaller on an iPad mini (7.9" 4:3) than on a 7" 16:9 tablet like the Nexus 7, no matter the aspect ratio.A 16:9 video for example would have a 7.251" diagonal on an iPad mini and 6.815" diagonal on a Nexus 7.
ws3 - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
There's a lot more to a display than PPI, isn't there?socio-statistical - Monday, November 18, 2013 - link
Ya gotta love the softball, rhetorical questions.gorskiegangsta - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
Can't possibly be because Apple actually makes good, solid products, can it? No. It has to be due to a wider "Apple love" conspiracy. /sHonestly, irrational-Apple-hate syndrome is just as bad as an irrational-Apple-love one, and the former is what you seem to have.
Graag - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
>Honestly, irrational-Apple-hate syndrome is just as bad as an irrational-Apple-love one, and the former is what you seem to have.Not, it's worse. With irrational Apple love, at least your are irrationally loving a device *that you own*.
With irrational Apple hate, you are irrationally hating a device that other people own.
IOW, while it might be somewhat annoying for someone to go on and on about how much they love their car, phone, cat, etc., it is much less obnoxious than someone going on about how much they hate your car, phone, or cat.
Puberticus - Saturday, November 16, 2013 - link
So what makes an Apple fan?I'll tell you: product reliability-at least for me.
My mac has been cranking along since 2006. Other than updating the hard drive I've never had a problem. Nor has it ever ever crashed. I have no virus software installed -yet I have never, ever had a malware problem. I honestly cannot say the same for my Windows system at work.
Your mileage may vary of course, but it's been my experience that if you buy an Apple gadget it works consistently and for a long time.
Brakken - Sunday, November 17, 2013 - link
I was really disappointed last year when I first looked at the Mini: crappy screen and slow, slow processor. But then I ended up getting one, and was so impressed! A friend got the N1 v.1 and it was a great chance to compare.WHAT A JOKE!! I've owned three non-Apple devices and the N7 was more of the same, but wrapped in more hype. Thick, plasticy and cheap. Many go for the sales point, but after being there and doing that, I've had enough!
N7 started running like it had a 386 in a few months, apps didn't scale up - just stretched out. Stock widgets were dull and let's state facts: Google vanilla has fewer functions than a skin from HTC or Samsung. No-no! You have to buy anything extra that's provided for free with a skin! Or download it from someone who wants full access to your contacts for a weather widget.
Apple love is 11 outta 10 for reasons that will always remain outside of Fandroid perceptual filters due to the price. If you wish to buy a Chevvy, that's your deal. It really isn't up to you to trash someone who decides to buy a Honda. Or a Tesla.
stevesup - Sunday, November 17, 2013 - link
10/10. Didn't happen here. That will come from Wired UK, which just gave the iPad Air 10/10. The retina Mini just might have to be an 11.