User Based Review iPad Mini vs iPad and Nexus 7: Apple has launched currently only Wi-Fi version, the new versions of its popular ‘Tablet’: iPad Mini Fourth Generation. In Peristaltic had a chance to test and we decided to put them next to each other to be sensitive to the differences between the two devices. Moreover, we also face the mini version of the iPad with the Google Nexus 7 and Asus, one of the ‘tablets’ leading 7-inch format.
Although at the time the late Steve Jobs said the ideal format for a ‘tablet’ was the 9.7 inches of your device, which created a popular category by which all manufacturers are betting today and many consumers, time took away the right. The ‘tablets’ smaller, 7-inch in most cases, have succeeded and have good sales, as evidenced by the Amazon Kindle Fire or even the Nexus 7.
The fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini coming to market at the same time. Given that the first improvement aspects such as the processor, but that essentially offers the same feel as the previous iPad, here we will focus on the iPad mini commenting, real change in Apple’s strategy. Because the company has acknowledged tacitly that the ‘tablets’ smaller works and what it claims is now also dominate in this area.
The design of the device is excellent and is closer to the company’s latest phone or iPod Touch to the 9.7-inch iPad.
The line taken in these devices is imposed on the iPad mini, with the same oblique edge cut diamond, which also features the latest iPod Touch. The housing is a single piece of aluminum, as in the iPad 9.7, but again the following buttons of the telephone line (for example, aluminum has two buttons for volume, instead of a single piece of plastic black). Furthermore, as with all the latest devices launched by the company, Lightning has a port rather than the previous 30-pin.
Dimensions that impress: It is also interesting that the home button is slightly smaller than that used in both the iPhone, like the original iPad. The reason probably is because Apple wants the iPad mini store ideal proportions to fit the new frame bottom. For it is at this point that, of course, more worthwhile stopping to talk about the design of the new iPad mini: the dimensions and weight.
The company has cut the edges to the minimum bet and 7.9 inches instead of the usual 7 ‘tablets’ more compact. The result is a display that gives the impression of being quite large despite the compactness that is the ‘tablet’ (200 x 134.7 x 7.2 mm).
When compared directly with the Nexus 7 (198.5 x 120 x 10.45 mm), can be seen at a glance that is slightly longer and wider, but thinner and lighter. The ‘tablet’ of Apple (in its Wi-Fi only) weighs 308 grams compared with 340 of grams Nexus 7.
We consider worthwhile gain those 1.5 inches high and almost wide, in exchange for a larger screen, which offers a better experience. Furthermore, weighs 32 grams less and is thinner, so the general feeling is to hold and manage it definitely nicer. Apple has hit the mark with its design, probably the best in a ‘tablet’ small size.
THE DEFINITION OF THE SCREEN: Another issue is the screen resolution (1024 x 768 pixels), the company has reduced considerably compared to iPad 9.7, which is currently at 2048 x 1536 pixels (264 dots per inch). Also below the Nexus 7 with 1208 x 800 pixels (216 dpi). The feeling in this regard is that it is a step backwards.
Fortunately, although the iPad mini has the same resolution as the original iPad, the smaller size of the screen makes the pixel density has increased from 132 to 163 dpi. Thus, those with an iPad of first or second generation, they will notice an improvement in image definition if done with a mini iPad.
Due to the good feel of the ‘hardware’ as iOS born ready to run on a 3.5-inch screen, the operating system works like a charm on the iPad mini. So smooth and manageable as ever and so limited for some things as usual, but that’s another story. Furthermore, the size of the screen also enhances the experience when typing on the virtual keyboard, which obviously does not reach the level of the original iPad due to less space, but it is better than the ‘tablets’ usual 7 inches.
In addition, the company has incorporated a change is imperceptible to gauge whether the user has made inadvertent touches on the screen in certain applications and discriminate. The reason is that when holding the iPad mini with one hand, usually happens to touch the screen because it is thinner than the edge. Taking into account factors such as time of press, the area covered by the hand or the most common areas to make mistakes, the ‘tablet’ interpretation is not a desired touch and does not perform any action. At least with eBooks, works well.
That does not mean for that to be a team that uses the A5 chip that Apple used in its second-generation iPad and that lags behind the iPad A6X quarter. In contrast, the Nexus 7 and other ‘tablets’ Android take hold of quad-core processors more powerful. Although the operating system behaves perfectly on the iPad mini will have to see the limitations suffered by the ‘tablet’ in future applications (especially games) very demanding, designed for the latest generation of Apple processors.
We can not comment on the Smart Cover version specifically designed for the iPad mini. Apple has surpassed in this respect. No manufacturer has improved the company who created the cover for your iPad and this version falls short.
The mini iPad Smart Cover attaches the same way in the left corner, but has three blades instead of four. This forces instead of the last fold on the first plate, the edges are glued. It is a magnetic union becomes “trapped” by the weight of ‘tablet’ to be supported, so it is impossible to separate while watching a movie or write. The only minor inconvenience is that the iPad mini catch behind, if we put his fingers inside the case if it is folded, the folds tend to separate. But there is something that interferes during use or put in danger the device.
CONCLUSION: Unlike what happened with the iPhone 5, which was hardly surprising to those accustomed to the iPhone 4/4S, iPad mini itself draws much attention from the first contact. And it does because it offers a truly compact design (it collides light and thin it is), in aluminum, with very little frame, giving the feeling that everything is displayed. Give a size similar to other 7-inch devices, but is lighter and offers even 1 inch. And it shows. We believe that at this point, Apple has improved what they were offering other manufacturers.
But although the design of the device itself has conquistador, Apple has not done everything perfectly. Definitely the best weapon of the short version of ‘tablet’ Apple is an excellent design, but playing against cuts like the screen resolution and power. And of course, the price as 329 euros in the Wi-Fi version of the iPad 16GB mini 199 euros contrast with the Nexus 7, with the same memory space and also Wi-Fi only.
As with many other Apple products, it is a matter of deciding if you want to pay for a better design with more limited features. The problem is that the gap has widened between specifications and the price difference too. For example, the fourth-generation iPad is technically pointer and costs 100 euros more than the Nexus 10. The iPad Mini, by contrast, is priced at 130 euros higher than Nexus 7. And that can be pulled back to many for whom the design does not have the last word.