“The new iPad Mini starts at $399, or $70 more than last year’s model. For that price, you get a leap forward in power, speed and display,” Anick Jesdanun reports for The Associated Press. “There are plenty of cheaper choices out there, including tablets for just $229 from Google and Amazon. None of them match Apple’s iPads in app selection, design and cachet.”
“The starting price of last year’s Mini has been cut to $299. In both cases, versions with cellular access are available for $130 more,” Jesdanun reports. “While last year’s iPad Mini used the same A5 processing chip as the 2011 iPad 2, this year’s model shares the speedy, A7 chip found in the iPad Air as well as the new iPhone 5S. Apple says graphics are up to eight times faster than last year’s model and other tasks are up to four times as speedy.”
“If you’re looking for a top-notch experience, you can’t go wrong with the new Mini, even with the higher price tag. Several leading apps come to Apple devices first, and they are more likely than Android apps to be adapted for tablet screens. With many Android apps, you simply get a blown-up version of the phone app. You’ll appreciate using those apps on the new Mini’s improved display,” Jesdanun reports. “In a sense, if price isn’t an issue, the bigger question will be whether to pay $399 for the Mini or $499 for the Air, which has a 9.7-inch screen. Size is the main difference between the two models, whereas there were greater differences in display and speed last year. The new device has caught up to the point that it deserves to be called a Mini version of the full-size iPad.”
Read more in the full review here.
Related articles:
Dalrymple reviews Retina iPad mini: ‘As much as I love the Air, I still find myself reaching for the iPad mini’ – November 12, 2013
Apple starts online sales of iPad mini with Retina display, no in-store pickup available – November 12, 2013
Dang it. don’t need it but i’m drawn to buy one anyway
Didn’t help the stock price any.
Never does.
Ordered. Thanks to MDN for the earlier alert that I could order.
Yep ordered. Thanks for the heads up MDN.
But what about Consumer Report? That is the only review that matters.
Love the sarcasm! Keep it up!
My guess is they will give the iPad the highest score in every single category, but still somehow give the overall recommendation to a Shamsung.
I’m waiting for Anand to review it. He is the only one in the tech media industry who knows how to write a proper review. Everyone else just regurgitates the same information.
Mine delivers Monday the 18th. Snappy!
My mini is being delivered on Tuesday next, November 19