Отзывы о Планшет Apple iPad mini Wi-Fi

Цена на момент покупки была самая низкая в интернете. Так что покупкой доволен вдвойне. Отличное компактное устройство. Не смотря на то, что экран не Retina на такой диагонали это совсем не раздражает (если совсем к лицу не подносить iPad). Работает долго, весит мало, что еще надо :)

The iPad mini offers you a great option that currently sits between the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPad Air 2 in terms of screen size. This makes it more portable and easier to hold than the Air 2 but gives you more screen real estate than the 6 Plus. The one key downfall is that it has the slowest processor of the 3. However that’s not to say that the A7 processor on the Mini 3 is a slouch. For all intents and purposes, in everyday use, the A7 should fulfill all your tablet computing needs effortlessly. Having used it myself for the last couple weeks, I don’t find myself grinding my teeth due to performance.

New features added to the Mini 3 are a fingerprint scanner and a new gold color option. While the new color option is purely aesthetic and a matter of personal taste, the finger print scanner offers some real functional enhancement. It makes securing and unlocking the device so much easier. Unlike a passcode, your kids can’t just find out what it is and start making in app purchases. And with the new Apple Pay feature, your purchases will be that much more secure. Of course if you don’t really take your iPad out much and no one else has any access to it, this may not be as important. That’s not to say there won’t be future utilizations of this technology that you may want to use. But in its current state, its purpose is limited. Since the iPad doesn’t have an NFC chip, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay to pay for items in a brick and mortar store using your iPad Mini 3.
So, it’s not necessarily the form factor or the feature of the Mini 3 that holds it back. It’s the value proposition it offers in relationship to the other iPad configurations currently available.

As mentioned, the only new features of the iPad 3 are a fingerprint scanner and a gold color option. If those are not on your list of must-haves, there are other options within the iPad family you should consider, especially because the privilege of having those 2 new feature options cost $100. That’s right, because the exact same tablet without the finger print scanner is available in white or space grey for $100 less and it’s called the iPad Mini 2. It’s still fully supported by Apple as a current product and it can still run the latest IOS.

So, let’s explore all your options.

The iPad Mini 3 starting at $399 gets you the finger print scanner and the option to get it in gold.

The iPad Mini 2 starting at $299 gets you the same processor, support, warranty, screen resolution, and OS, just no finger print scanner and only 2 available color options.

The iPad Air for the same price of $399 gives you everything the Mini 2 and 3 has except for the fingerprint scanner or gold color option but you get a bigger 9.7” screen.

The iPad Air 2 for $100 more gets you a larger, higher resolution 9.7” screen, a faster processor, thinner body, faster Wifi and you also still get the Finger Print Scanner and gold color option.

So using the iPad Mini 2 as a base, here is a layout of the options you get and how much more you would pay for these options.
$299 base price gets you:

• 7.9” Retina display
• A7 Chip w/ 64-bit architecture
• IOS 8
• 5 MP Camera

$50 more gets you: (iPad Mini 2 w/ 32GB)

• 32GB of memory vs. 16GB

$100 more gets you either: (iPad Air 1)

• Larger 9.7” Retina display with same resolution

Or (iPad Mini 3)

• Fingerprint scanner
• Gold color option

$150 gets you: (iPad Air 1 w/ 32GB)

• 32GB of memory
• Larger 9.7” Retina screen

$200 gets you either: (iPad Mini 3 w/ 64GB)

• Fingerprint scanner
• Gold color option
• 64 GB of memory (iPad Mini 3 w/ 64GB)

Or (iPad Air 2)

• Faster A8X chip with 64-bit processor and M8 Motion coprocessor
• Improved 8MP iSight Camera
• Larger 9.7”, higher 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution retina display
• Faster Wifi
• Fingerprint scanner
• gold color option

It’s easy to see why many professional reviewers are saying skip the iPad Mini 3 and get either the Mini 2 or the Air 2.

But why did Apple do it this way? Personally, I think Apple learned something when they created the Mini 2. Prior to that model, the Original Mini was based on the specs of the older iPad 2 (not Air) which created a feature gap between that model and their flagship model at the time, the iPad 4. They sold it for $100 cheaper but it was a step down model so people who really wanted a flagship would have to pay the extra $100. When they produced the Mini 2, they gave it all the featu

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device. In terms of value I think it’s better than the replacement, the iPad Mini 3.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Having said that, personally I think the iPad Mini 2 (this model) is better value than the Mini 3. Not convinced the touch ID is worth the extra money.

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------
I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------
* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, bu

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Having said that, personally I think the iPad Mini 2 (this model) is better value than the Mini 3. Not convinced the touch ID is worth the extra money.

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------
I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* T

Incredibly light, fast and beautifully designed. Best tablet available.

This iPad Mini is not quite the most recent model (it’s been upgraded to the "iPad Mini 2 and from October 2014 the iPad Mini 3"), but it’s still an incredibly beautiful device. Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all.

I bought one for my daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (apart from the Google Nexus 7 which is well regarded), but in terms of the Apple tablet line-up:-

iPad mini Size:-

* iPad mini is a lovely tablet. A 7.9 inch screen and astonishingly light and remarkably thin - it feels like a light-weight book.
* iPad mini with retina screen. Again 7.9 inch screen, but with the blazingly fast A7 chip and a “retina” (high definition) screen. Worth the upgrade if you can afford it. The HD screen is amazing, and faster chip means it

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (a

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (a

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (a

Length:: 2:58 Mins

Incredibly light, fast and beautifully designed. Best tablet available.

This iPad Mini is not quite the most recent model (it's been upgraded to the "iPad Mini 2 and from October 2014 the iPad Mini 3"), but it's still an incredibly beautiful device. Oddly enough, it's so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it's almost doesn't feel like a computer at all.

I bought one for my daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who've never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don't read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I'd recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what's all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it'd sit on my lap on the sofa, and I'd use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring "work device". Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most "luddite" of friends have been won over.

It's incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It's size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I'm also paranoid about my password getting "hacked", and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it's "almost impossible" to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it's reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either "FaceTime" (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it's great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It's great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use "mailbox" a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there's a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in "the cloud"
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like "Cut the Rope" to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With "Tune in Radio" you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can't comment about Android tablets (apart from the Google Nexus 7 which is well regarded), but in terms of the Apple tablet line-up:-

iPad mini Size:-

* iPad mini is a lovely tablet. A 7.9 inch screen and astonishingly light and remarkably thin - it feels like a light-weight book.
* iPad mini with retina screen. Again 7.9 inch screen, but with the blazingly fast A7 chip and a "retina" (high definition) screen. Worth the upgrade if you can afford it. The HD screen is amazing, and faster chip means it will be a bit more "future proof".

Full Size iPad options. (much larger screen - makes a huge difference):-

* 1st Generation iPad. Seldom available new - b

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (a

Up until October 2014, this iPad Mini was the most recent model, and it’s an incredibly beautiful device.

The iPad comes in several sizes (and prices) now:-

Small (Paperback book sized, but incredibly thin)
* iPad Mini (with standard display)
* iPad Mini 2 - This one. The latest fastest Mini size iPad with an HD display.
* iPad Mini 3. Released October 2014 - with the “Touch ID” - fingerprint reader and faster chip

Larger (Size of an A4 Pad of paper)
* iPad 2, 3 or 4th Generation - Full size iPads (probably best avoided)
* iPad Air - Release November 2013
* iPad Air 2 - Released October 2014. With the A8X chip and “touch id” fingerprint reader and faster chip

Oddly enough, it’s so beautifully easy to use (my one year old daughter loves playing with it), it’s almost doesn’t feel like a computer at all. I bought one for my 10 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. We sold the previous Android tablet as it just sat in a drawer not being used.

A word of warning - this review is written for people who’ve never owned an iPad before - and are wondering what all the fuss is about. Don’t read this if you already own an iPad or Mini and are thinking about an upgrade - I’d recommend you simply buy a mini with Retina or an iPad Air.

Just what’s all the fuss about?
--------------------------------------

I used to own a laptop for work, and (very occasionally), it’d sit on my lap on the sofa, and I’d use it for pleasure (eMail, watching films or playing the odd game). Then I bought my first iPad, and the laptop became redundant, a boring “work device”. Hard to explain, but the fact the iPad is so small and light, and you navigate around with your finger by pointing and gently swiping the screen makes the whole experience a lot easier - a lot more fun.

Even my most “luddite” of friends have been won over.

It’s incredibly simple and easy to use (it only has one main button), and everyone from my one year old daughter to my 85 year old dad have taken to without problems. It’s size and shape also support using it like a book (literally to read a book or web page), but you can also watch TV and films.

Personally I’m also paranoid about my password getting “hacked”, and someone running up a huge Amazon bill or buying stuff with my credit card on eBay. Well one of the benefits of the iPad (and iPhone) is it’s “almost impossible” to get a virus - one of the most common ways to get hacked. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use strong passwords, (both Sony and Adobe got hacked), but it’s reassuring to leave the Windows world behind.

Finally, I love the way these devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Mac), increasingly work together. The fact you can start a Pages document on your Mac and edit it on your iPad, or take photos on the iPhone, and in seconds see them on the iPad or Mac and display them on the Apple TV.

The thing is, "it just works".

What would you use if for?
----------------------------------

* Shopping online. Obviously - you could be reading a review on Amazon about the iPad Air!
* Video Calling. With either “FaceTime” (to another Apple device) or Skype - you can make video calls to other people
* Reading web pages. As you can hold it like a book it’s great to read the news online (my wife loves the Daily Mail Online).
* Reading Books. It’s great for reading books from Amazon Kindle or Apple Books with the benefit of 1,000s of online book reviews
* Navigating web pages. Instead of clicking with a mouse, you gently swipe your fingers on screen to scroll around
* Watching Films. I use it to watch Netflix online videos (with an Apple TV you can send stuff to the telly)
* Watching TV. With the free BBC iPlayer app (in the UK) you can catch up or download BBC programs
* Reading and replying to mail. I use “mailbox” a great free app to read and reply to mails, but there’s a free one included
* Showing and organising photos. Any photos on an iPhone are automatically available within minutes in “the cloud”
* Playing games. From fun puzzle games like “Cut the Rope” to fully fledged first person shooters.
* Listening to the Radio. With “Tune in Radio” you can listen to thousands of radio stations world-wide.
* Listening to music. I stream mine to an Apple TV, but you can also buy portable speakers or just plug into the AUX socket
* The list goes on and on.

Which model should I buy?
----------------------------------

I can’t comment about Android tablets (a

*** Why last year's Mini 2 is better than this year's Mini 3 ***

If you're thinking about buying an iPad Mini, you should strongly consider buying last year's model (the 2013 iPad Mini 2, formerly called iPad Mini with Retina Display) instead of the iPad Mini 3 that came out in Fall 2014.

They are almost identical: EXACT same processor, EXACT same display, EXACT same battery life, EXACT same hardware and dimensions, and they run all the same apps EQUALLY well. The only thing you get with a 2014 Mini 3 that was not on the 2013 Mini 2 is the fingerprint sensor (and a new color option: white front with gold back).

This fingerprint sensor is the same one that's on the iPhone 5S and later models. It has limited usefulness on the iPad; it's more useful on phones, since more and more transactions will be done using phones instead of actual credit cards.

So, if the Mini 3 and the Mini 2 are virtually identical, why buy the 2? Because it's cheaper. Apple still sells the 2 for $100 less than a comparably configured 3. But you can save even more than $100 if you shop around, because many retailers are clearancing their inventory of last year's Mini 2. Two weeks ago, I found a Mini 2 with cellular and 64gb at B.B. for $150 less than a comparably configured Mini 3. I bought two--one for myself and one for a family member for Christmas. Unless you really want the fingerprint sensor or the new white/gold color combo, skip the Mini 3 and save yourself $100 or more by purchasing a Mini 2 instead.

*** iPad Mini compared to iPad Air ***

I bought an iPad Air when it came out in Fall 2013 and love it. It's extremely fast and the thin/light form factor is amazing, especially compared to earlier full-sized iPads. I know the 2014 iPad Air 2 is even better in some ways: a bit thinner, a faster processor, better cameras, and a new display that according to iLounge is slightly improved. But the 2013 iPad Air is so great that this is the first time I've not felt compelled to upgrade.

The iPad Mini 2 (formerly called "iPad Mini with Retina Display") came out last year about the same time as the iPad Air. Unlike the original iPad Mini from 2012, the 2013 Mini 2 is not a crippled iPad; it is virtually as powerful as the 2013 Air. It's essentially a 2013 iPad Air in a smaller package.

While the Air is amazingly thin and light for a 10" tablet, the Mini 2 is noticeably smaller and lighter, which makes it easier to hold in one hand for long periods of time and also much easier to travel with. There are times when the Air's larger screen is important--for example if I'm reading a textbook or a large-format magazine on the device, or editing a giant Excel spreadsheet. But most of the time, I'm equally happy with the Mini's 8" Retina display. The Mini 2 runs processor-intensive games and apps virtually as well as the Air, which is to say very well indeed.

*** iPad Mini compared to Android and Amazon tablets ***

It's true, you can get a 7" or 8" tablet for less money than an iPad Mini. Amazon's own 7" Kindle Fire HDX is very good and much less expensive, as are some Android tablets.

A good Android tablet can do most everything an iPad can do, or even more. While each operating system has its loyal fans, in fact Android and iOS are both very good and, at this point, very mature operating systems with a large catalog of apps. Android OS is much more customizable than Apple's iOS, which is important to many Android fans.

I kind of don't recommend Amazon's own Fire tablets. They are essentially Android tablets with some of the Android features stripped away in order to keep Amazon content in front of the customer. If that doesn't bother you, Amazon Fire tables are very good and affordable, so they are worth your consideration.

I am fortunate that I can afford to spend more to get the device I really want. And to me, it's worth paying more for Apple devices. I prefer iOS to Android and I like the hardware Apple uses and the build quality of iPads. But others prefer Android devices and I can't tell you my opinion is more valid than theirs.

If you decide to buy an iPad, you almost certainly will be happy with your purchase. iPads have a very high owner satisfaction rate and a very low defect rate. Apple customer service is absolutely excellent. The hardware and software are great. The only remaining decision you have is: which iPad?

For me, the iPad Mini 2 is the best choice for the reasons I gave above. It's very powerful and fast, the Retina display is great, the 8" size is light and super convenient, and best of all it's much cheaper than the new Mini 3 despite being virtually the same.

*** Why last year's Mini 2 is better than this year's Mini 3 ***

If you're thinking about buying an iPad Mini, you should strongly consider buying last year's model (the 2013 iPad Mini 2, formerly called iPad Mini with Retina Display) instead of the iPad Mini 3 that came out in Fall 2014.

They are almost identical: EXACT same processor, EXACT same display, EXACT same battery life, EXACT same hardware and dimensions, and they run all the same apps EQUALLY well. The only thing you get with a 2014 Mini 3 that was not on the 2013 Mini 2 is the fingerprint sensor (and a new color option: white front with gold back).

This fingerprint sensor is the same one that's on the iPhone 5S and later models. It has limited usefulness on the iPad; it's more useful on phones, since more and more transactions will be done using phones instead of actual credit cards.

So, if the Mini 3 and the Mini 2 are virtually identical, why buy the 2? Because it's cheaper. Apple still sells the 2 for $100 less than a comparably configured 3. But you can save even more than $100 if you shop around, because many retailers are clearancing their inventory of last year's Mini 2. Two weeks ago, I found a Mini 2 with cellular and 64gb at B.B. for $150 less than a comparably configured Mini 3. I bought two--one for myself and one for a family member for Christmas. Unless you really want the fingerprint sensor or the new white/gold color combo, skip the Mini 3 and save yourself $100 or more by purchasing a Mini 2 instead.

*** iPad Mini compared to iPad Air ***

I bought an iPad Air when it came out in Fall 2013 and love it. It's extremely fast and the thin/light form factor is amazing, especially compared to earlier full-sized iPads. I know the 2014 iPad Air 2 is even better in some ways: a bit thinner, a faster processor, better cameras, and a new display that according to iLounge is slightly improved. But the 2013 iPad Air is so great that this is the first time I've not felt compelled to upgrade.

The iPad Mini 2 (formerly called "iPad Mini with Retina Display") came out last year about the same time as the iPad Air. Unlike the original iPad Mini from 2012, the 2013 Mini 2 is not a crippled iPad; it is virtually as powerful as the 2013 Air. It's essentially a 2013 iPad Air in a smaller package.

While the Air is amazingly thin and light for a 10" tablet, the Mini 2 is noticeably smaller and lighter, which makes it easier to hold in one hand for long periods of time and also much easier to travel with. There are times when the Air's larger screen is important--for example if I'm reading a textbook or a large-format magazine on the device, or editing a giant Excel spreadsheet. But most of the time, I'm equally happy with the Mini's 8" Retina display. The Mini 2 runs processor-intensive games and apps virtually as well as the Air, which is to say very well indeed.

*** iPad Mini compared to Android and Amazon tablets ***

It's true, you can get a 7" or 8" tablet for less money than an iPad Mini. Amazon's own 7" Kindle Fire HDX is very good and much less expensive, as are some Android tablets.

A good Android tablet can do most everything an iPad can do, or even more. While each operating system has its loyal fans, in fact Android and iOS are both very good and, at this point, very mature operating systems with a large catalog of apps. Android OS is much more customizable than Apple's iOS, which is important to many Android fans.

I kind of don't recommend Amazon's own Fire tablets. They are essentially Android tablets with some of the Android features stripped away in order to keep Amazon content in front of the customer. If that doesn't bother you, Amazon Fire tables are very good and affordable, so they are worth your consideration.

I am fortunate that I can afford to spend more to get the device I really want. And to me, it's worth paying more for Apple devices. I prefer iOS to Android and I like the hardware Apple uses and the build quality of iPads. But others prefer Android devices and I can't tell you my opinion is more valid than theirs.

If you decide to buy an iPad, you almost certainly will be happy with your purchase. iPads have a very high owner satisfaction rate and a very low defect rate. Apple customer service is absolutely excellent. The hardware and software are great. The only remaining decision you have is: which iPad?

For me, the iPad Mini 2 is the best choice for the reasons I gave above. It's very powerful and fast, the Retina display is great, the 8" size is light and super convenient, and best of all it's much cheaper than the new Mini 3 despite being virtually the same.

*** Why last year's Mini 2 is better than this year's Mini 3 ***

If you're thinking about buying an iPad Mini, you should strongly consider buying last year's model (the 2013 iPad Mini 2, formerly called iPad Mini with Retina Display) instead of the iPad Mini 3 that came out in Fall 2014.

They are almost identical: EXACT same processor, EXACT same display, EXACT same battery life, EXACT same hardware and dimensions, and they run all the same apps EQUALLY well. The only thing you get with a 2014 Mini 3 that was not on the 2013 Mini 2 is the fingerprint sensor (and a new color option: white front with gold back).

This fingerprint sensor is the same one that's on the iPhone 5S and later models. It has limited usefulness on the iPad; it's more useful on phones, since more and more transactions will be done using phones instead of actual credit cards.

So, if the Mini 3 and the Mini 2 are virtually identical, why buy the 2? Because it's cheaper. Apple still sells the 2 for $100 less than a comparably configured 3. But you can save even more than $100 if you shop around, because many retailers are clearancing their inventory of last year's Mini 2. Two weeks ago, I found a Mini 2 with cellular and 64gb at B.B. for $150 less than a comparably configured Mini 3. I bought two--one for myself and one for a family member for Christmas. Unless you really want the fingerprint sensor or the new white/gold color combo, skip the Mini 3 and save yourself $100 or more by purchasing a Mini 2 instead.

*** iPad Mini compared to iPad Air ***

I bought an iPad Air when it came out in Fall 2013 and love it. It's extremely fast and the thin/light form factor is amazing, especially compared to earlier full-sized iPads. I know the 2014 iPad Air 2 is even better in some ways: a bit thinner, a faster processor, better cameras, and a new display that according to iLounge is slightly improved. But the 2013 iPad Air is so great that this is the first time I've not felt compelled to upgrade.

The iPad Mini 2 (formerly called "iPad Mini with Retina Display") came out last year about the same time as the iPad Air. Unlike the original iPad Mini from 2012, the 2013 Mini 2 is not a crippled iPad; it is virtually as powerful as the 2013 Air. It's essentially a 2013 iPad Air in a smaller package.

While the Air is amazingly thin and light for a 10" tablet, the Mini 2 is noticeably smaller and lighter, which makes it easier to hold in one hand for long periods of time and also much easier to travel with. There are times when the Air's larger screen is important--for example if I'm reading a textbook or a large-format magazine on the device, or editing a giant Excel spreadsheet. But most of the time, I'm equally happy with the Mini's 8" Retina display. The Mini 2 runs processor-intensive games and apps virtually as well as the Air, which is to say very well indeed.

*** iPad Mini compared to Android and Amazon tablets ***

It's true, you can get a 7" or 8" tablet for less money than an iPad Mini. Amazon's own 7" Kindle Fire HDX is very good and much less expensive, as are some Android tablets.

A good Android tablet can do most everything an iPad can do, or even more. While each operating system has its loyal fans, in fact Android and iOS are both very good and, at this point, very mature operating systems with a large catalog of apps. Android OS is much more customizable than Apple's iOS, which is important to many Android fans.

I kind of don't recommend Amazon's own Fire tablets. They are essentially Android tablets with some of the Android features stripped away in order to keep Amazon content in front of the customer. If that doesn't bother you, Amazon Fire tables are very good and affordable, so they are worth your consideration.

I am fortunate that I can afford to spend more to get the device I really want. And to me, it's worth paying more for Apple devices. I prefer iOS to Android and I like the hardware Apple uses and the build quality of iPads. But others prefer Android devices and I can't tell you my opinion is more valid than theirs.

If you decide to buy an iPad, you almost certainly will be happy with your purchase. iPads have a very high owner satisfaction rate and a very low defect rate. Apple customer service is absolutely excellent. The hardware and software are great. The only remaining decision you have is: which iPad?

For me, the iPad Mini 2 is the best choice for the reasons I gave above. It's very powerful and fast, the Retina display is great, the 8" size is light and super convenient, and best of all it's much cheaper than the new Mini 3 despite being virtually the same.

If you're thinking about buying an iPad Mini, you should strongly consider buying last year's model (the 2013 iPad Mini 2, formerly called iPad Mini with Retina Display) instead of the iPad Mini 3 that came out in Fall 2014.

They are almost identical: EXACT same processor, EXACT same display, EXACT same battery life, EXACT same hardware and dimensions, and they run all the same apps EQUALLY well. The only thing you get with a 2014 Mini 3 that was not on the 2013 Mini 2 is the fingerprint sensor (and a new color option: white front with gold back).

This fingerprint sensor is the same one that's on the iPhone 5S and later models. It has limited usefulness on the iPad; it's more useful on phones, since more and more transactions will be done using phones instead of actual credit cards.

So, if the Mini 3 and the Mini 2 are virtually identical, why buy the 2? Because it's cheaper. Apple still sells the 2 for $100 less than a comparably configured 3. But you can save even more than $100 if you shop around, because many retailers are clearancing their inventory of last year's Mini 2. Two weeks ago, I found a Mini 2 with cellular and 64gb at B.B. for $150 less than a comparably configured Mini 3. I bought two--one for myself and one for a family member for Christmas. Unless you really want the fingerprint sensor or the new white/gold color combo, skip the Mini 3 and save yourself $100 or more by purchasing a Mini 2 instead.

*** iPad Mini compared to iPad Air ***

I bought an iPad Air when it came out in Fall 2013 and love it. It's extremely fast and the thin/light form factor is amazing, especially compared to earlier full-sized iPads. I know the 2014 iPad Air 2 is even better in some ways: a bit thinner, a faster processor, better cameras, and a new display that according to iLounge is slightly improved. But the 2013 iPad Air is so great that this is the first time I've not felt compelled to upgrade.

The iPad Mini 2 (formerly called "iPad Mini with Retina Display") came out last year about the same time as the iPad Air. Unlike the original iPad Mini from 2012, the 2013 Mini 2 is not a crippled iPad; it is virtually as powerful as the 2013 Air. It's essentially a 2013 iPad Air in a smaller package.

While the Air is amazingly thin and light for a 10" tablet, the Mini 2 is noticeably smaller and lighter, which makes it easier to hold in one hand for long periods of time and also much easier to travel with. There are times when the Air's larger screen is important--for example if I'm reading a textbook or a large-format magazine on the device, or editing a giant Excel spreadsheet. But most of the time, I'm equally happy with the Mini's 8" Retina display. The Mini 2 runs processor-intensive games and apps virtually as well as the Air, which is to say very well indeed.

*** iPad Mini compared to Android and Amazon tablets ***

It's true, you can get a 7" or 8" tablet for less money than an iPad Mini. Amazon's own 7" Kindle Fire HDX is very good and much less expensive, as are some Android tablets.

A good Android tablet can do most everything an iPad can do, or even more. While each operating system has its loyal fans, in fact Android and iOS are both very good and, at this point, very mature operating systems with a large catalog of apps. Android OS is much more customizable than Apple's iOS, which is important to many Android fans.

I kind of don't recommend Amazon's own Fire tablets. They are essentially Android tablets with some of the Android features stripped away in order to keep Amazon content in front of the customer. If that doesn't bother you, Amazon Fire tables are very good and affordable, so they are worth your consideration.

I am fortunate that I can afford to spend more to get the device I really want. And to me, it's worth paying more for Apple devices. I prefer iOS to Android and I like the hardware Apple uses and the build quality of iPads. But others prefer Android devices and I can't tell you my opinion is more valid than theirs.

If you decide to buy an iPad, you almost certainly will be happy with your purchase. iPads have a very high owner satisfaction rate and a very low defect rate. Apple customer service is absolutely excellent. The hardware and software are great. The only remaining decision you have is: which iPad?

For me, the iPad Mini 2 is the best choice for the reasons I gave above. It's very powerful and fast, the Retina display is great, the 8" size is light and super convenient, and best of all it's much cheaper than the new Mini 3 despite being virtually the same.

Love this iPad mini.3. It is a perfect size for me.
Specs:
Height: 7.87 inches (200 mm)
Width: 5.3 inches (134.7 mm)
Depth: 0.29 inch (7.5 mm)
Weight: 0.73 pound (331 g)

Retina display
7.9-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
2048-by-1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi)
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

A7 chip with 64‑bit architecture
M7 motion coprocessor

iSight Camera
5MP iSight camera
Autofocus
Face detection
Backside illumination
Five-element lens
Hybrid IR filter
ƒ/2.4 aperture
Tap to focus video or still images
Tap to control exposure for video or still images
Photo and video geotagging
HDR photos
Timer mode
Panorama

Touch ID: Fingerprint identity sensor built into the Home button

Wi‑Fi (802.11a/​b/​g/​n); dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and MIMO
Bluetooth 4.0 technology

Location: Wi‑Fi
Digital compass
iBeacon microlocation

FaceTime video
iPad mini to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi‑Fi

FaceTime audio
iPad mini to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi‑Fi

Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
User-configurable maximum volume limit

AirPlay Mirroring, photos, audio, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later)
Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 1080p through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)
Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 1080p, 60 frames per second, High Profile level 4.2 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Siri — Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more
Use hands-free
Listen and identify songs
Built-in 23.8-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi, watching video, or listening to music
Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Touch ID
Three-axis gyro
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor

iOS 8
With amazing new capabilities and updates to features you use every day, iOS 8 is the biggest iOS release ever. Learn more about iOS 8

iOS 8 includes:

•AirDrop
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Operating ambient temperature: 32

I've had the full sized Apple iPad with Retina Display for about a year and a half and have found that both my wife and I use it so frequently that getting a second iPad made sense. Plus, I got a great deal at B*st B*y and that was all it took to convince me to purchase this iPad mini.

I selected the iPad mini version this time because I felt that the smaller size would be nice, and with the retina display I knew that the display quality would be excellent. It is also quite a bit less expensive (than the full size iPad) and for an impulse buy, that helps.

Briefly stated this is a superb small tablet. If you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem then the apps you already own will load right up and it operates identically to your other devices. I'm not going to try to make the case for the Apple devices vs. Android tablets. I think they are both good, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. I've been using an iPhone for several years, as well as the larger iPad, so staying with Apple is a big advantage for me. That is what they want, of course, but it is also fine with me because I love the products.

Pros:

- The size and weight of this device is wonderful - this iPad mini is less than 50% of the weight of my full size iPad, which is a huge difference. The difference in weight is enough to make it much more comfortable to hold for any extended period.
- The display is still large enough to web surf and read documents comfortably. It has the same display resolution as my full size iPad (2048-by-1536), with a higher 326 pixels per inch pixel density than the larger model. In other words, the two displays will show the same identical content, the mini simply a smaller version. The display is just crystal clear and sharp.
- It comes with a charger and USB cable, which are all you need to get started.
- It's compatible with all other Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad apps, works seamlessly with my iMac computer, and is easy to set up right out of the box.

Cons:

- the smaller display is of course slightly less suitable, compared to the full size iPad, for doing some things such as watching video. The speakers are also smaller and do not project the same volume of sound as the larger iPad.
- as with all Apple products, not cheap

Comments:

- The 16GB size is the most affordable and is what I selected. It does mean that you are limited in what can be loaded on to the iPad. Many users, those who have large numbers of apps or keep many photos or music or video files on their device, will want the 32GB or even 64GB sizes. My needs are more modest. I use it more for streaming and web surfing, and other less memory intensive applications. The 16GB is therefore very sufficient for me, but it is at the low extreme for devices of this type today. I realize and accept that it may eventually limit me in what I can do with the device, that it means less ability to grow and for future needs.
- Physically, this iPad mini is just slightly larger than Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display. The iPad display is somewhat larger than the 1920x1200 pixel Kindle display. The iPad is about half an inch taller, quarter of an inch wider, and is slightly thinner. They are just about the same weight. The iPad mini was just fifty dollars more expensive than the Kindle at the sale price I paid. The Kindle HDX would have been my alternate choice - I like Amazon's Kindle products, but again there is the issue of app compatibility with other iOS devices I already own. And the iPad works just fine in reading the books that I have in my Kindle library, using the Kindle app that I have installed.

This is the wi-fi only version. My needs are only for a device for use at home and I have no desire or need to use this away from wi-fi networks or on my phone data plan.

When the iPad mini was first introduced, my wife and I looked at one at the Apple store, and we had mixed feelings about whether or not we'd want the smaller size. And that was the original mini, before it had the retina display. Now that the mini has the retina display, and I have one myself and I've used it for several weeks, I'm not at all dissatisfied with the size. In fact, it has become the iPad that I use every day, while my wife continues to use the larger iPad (which she does prefer, but she also has not had much opportunity to use the mini because I've pretty much monopolized it). For a two-iPad family I think that having one of each size is a good way to go.

For my purposes this is perfect.

I have an Amazon Kindle e-book reader (the screen is e-ink 6 inches) and a Samsung galaxy tab 3 (8 inch version). These will be referred to as the Kindle and the Samsung tablet hereafter (unless noted).

Reading-centric:
I am assuming reading-centric apps require longer time to hold the device and usually in one hand (that is how i read an ebook or paper). If you want to read books in daylight, get the kindle. If you want to read books at night AND you like white colors on black background, then the samsung tablet is much more comfortable to hold than the ipad mini (while the mini is only a little bit better in viewing text). The Samsung is 0.62 inches narrower and one ounce lighter than the mini and yes that makes a huge difference and I have XL hands. If you are not going to read with white font on black then stick with the kindle. Mine does not have the back light so maybe the kindle with the light is even better for night reading, I do not know. The iPad mini does technically have the higher resolution (better?) screen and fonts but this difference (against my samsung tablet) is insignificant against the annoyance from the increased weight and width in the mini. These are engineering trade-offs, if you want a bit barely noticeable text improvement with a noticeable weight increase and willing to put up with a wider less comfortable grip, then go with the ipad mini (i am talking as a reading device). for me, that is the wrong choice. It is so not fun to read on the ipad just because of the form factor. Do not just hold it in the store, make sure you can return it and sit down and try to finish a chapter of a book, then youll know what I am talking about. The best thing for reading is a kindle (eink variety). The samsung tablet is second best for that only if you are reading at night and want the dark background.
I tried the samsung 7 inch (a bit lighter and narrower than the 8 i have) but the screen was too small for me but the choice there may be more personal. I also tried a google nexus with high res screen and hated it. Even though it was higher in resolution than my samsung 8 inch, the 8 inch galaxy screen looked and felt so much better.

Non-reading-centric:
What I mentioned for reading uses generally applies for gaming and other apps. I was unable to hold the mini comfortably even with both hands for more than shorter periods of time. This may not apply to you. You may find a way to grip it well, maybe with both hands. I could not. My discomfort could stem from the fact that it is thicker than my Galaxy which I got used to, it could be because there is not a place to hold it right or the way the back curves to the front. Who knows. But then even when I used two hands, it is just not comfortable. The screen benefit you get from the higher resolution is even not noticeable visually with games and apps (it is noticeable for reading but as i said before: barely). The quality of the tab8 screen is excellent, and way brighter than the mini. I find myself trying to increase brightness on the ipad more than the max but nowhere to go. I bought a few premium games and the tablet does not benefit from a higher resolution screen for the type of games one would like to play on a mobile device. The only thing such a screen adds to the gaming experience is discomfort due to increased weight (over screens with less resolution that are typically lighter). Get a sony Vita for mobile gaming or stick with the phone. The iphone is so much more fun for gaming than the ipad mini for what you need is really a game that has a high playability factor not more graphics. Again the mini's screen is also less responsive to touch than the tab-8.

Apple and Their Support:
I had problems with my ipad mini trying to download too many apps at the same time they all get stuck "waiting" (for a whole day) before they are able to continue downloading. Apple support was not good. Almost mediocre. They had a "first tier" support person make me reboot and reset so many times even tried to make me change my fully working router firmware! The problem is with apple of course as I tried already so many connections. They later handed me over to another "senior" support person who had me do the same lengthy and obvious steps instead of file a bug. A waste of time. So I would say apple support is average. I say this realizing that support from all companies is now like this. Except I am paying a premium price with Apple and not getting a good service. Eventually I "solved" the issue on my own in an ad-hoc, limpy-along way. The apple store and software are also not more compelling over android (while not less either). I am willing to pay premium on whatever platform (for fair value). Developers need to say no to the 30% extortion Apple charges to sell and police their (developers) products. I know they can because of all the sheep-consumers out there including those down rating non-positive review

I've had the full sized Apple iPad with Retina Display for about a year and a half and have found that both my wife and I use it so frequently that getting a second iPad made sense. Plus, I got a great deal at B*st B*y and that was all it took to convince me to purchase this iPad mini.

I selected the iPad mini version this time because I felt that the smaller size would be nice, and with the retina display I knew that the display quality would be excellent. It is also quite a bit less expensive (than the full size iPad) and for an impulse buy, that helps.

Briefly stated this is a superb small tablet. If you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem then the apps you already own will load right up and it operates identically to your other devices. I'm not going to try to make the case for the Apple devices vs. Android tablets. I think they are both good, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. I've been using an iPhone for several years, as well as the larger iPad, so staying with Apple is a big advantage for me. That is what they want, of course, but it is also fine with me because I love the products.

Pros:

- The size and weight of this device is wonderful - this iPad mini is less than 50% of the weight of my full size iPad, which is a huge difference. The difference in weight is enough to make it much more comfortable to hold for any extended period.
- The display is still large enough to web surf and read documents comfortably. It has the same display resolution as my full size iPad (2048-by-1536), with a higher 326 pixels per inch pixel density than the larger model. In other words, the two displays will show the same identical content, the mini simply a smaller version. The display is just crystal clear and sharp.
- It comes with a charger and USB cable, which are all you need to get started.
- It's compatible with all other Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad apps, works seamlessly with my iMac computer, and is easy to set up right out of the box.

Cons:

- the smaller display is of course slightly less suitable, compared to the full size iPad, for doing some things such as watching video. The speakers are also smaller and do not project the same volume of sound as the larger iPad.
- as with all Apple products, not cheap

Comments:

- The 16GB size is the most affordable and is what I selected. It does mean that you are limited in what can be loaded on to the iPad. Many users, those who have large numbers of apps or keep many photos or music or video files on their device, will want the 32GB or even 64GB sizes. My needs are more modest. I use it more for streaming and web surfing, and other less memory intensive applications. The 16GB is therefore very sufficient for me, but it is at the low extreme for devices of this type today. I realize and accept that it may eventually limit me in what I can do with the device, that it means less ability to grow and for future needs.
- Physically, this iPad mini is just slightly larger than Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display. The iPad display is somewhat larger than the 1920x1200 pixel Kindle display. The iPad is about half an inch taller, quarter of an inch wider, and is slightly thinner. They are just about the same weight. The iPad mini was just fifty dollars more expensive than the Kindle at the sale price I paid. The Kindle HDX would have been my alternate choice - I like Amazon's Kindle products, but again there is the issue of app compatibility with other iOS devices I already own. And the iPad works just fine in reading the books that I have in my Kindle library, using the Kindle app that I have installed.

This is the wi-fi only version. My needs are only for a device for use at home and I have no desire or need to use this away from wi-fi networks or on my phone data plan.

When the iPad mini was first introduced, my wife and I looked at one at the Apple store, and we had mixed feelings about whether or not we'd want the smaller size. And that was the original mini, before it had the retina display. Now that the mini has the retina display, and I have one myself and I've used it for several weeks, I'm not at all dissatisfied with the size. In fact, it has become the iPad that I use every day, while my wife continues to use the larger iPad (which she does prefer, but she also has not had much opportunity to use the mini because I've pretty much monopolized it). For a two-iPad family I think that having one of each size is a good way to go.

For my purposes this is perfect.

Update 5 - (Amazon deleted the news link.)
Mercury News - "Wolverton: Despite upgrades, iPad mini not worth Apple's premium"

If you are ...
Poor - You should not be playing around and just buy a $350 laptop. Money is tight and you need a full function PC for daily needs.

Working with little cash - You may want to consider the original Mini as it is $299 and with gift cards, but you should save your money for emergency car repairs & etc. Use the money to buy a smartphone as it has the same functions.

Working with a lot of disposable income - Go buy it at the Apple Store or Best Buy.

Rich - What are you doing here? Go fly to the Big Apple and buy it from the Apple Store.

Lemming 17 - the cat is finally out of the bag. You must be a 3rd reseller.

Lemming 18 -
Some basic facts about the 2nd generation Nexus 7
- 7" is the perfect size tablet for an adult to hold in one hand from the sides. The iPad Mini is a drop hazard and carrying the iPad is much harder than you think.
- If Chrome crashes, install Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer or Firefox on it, but I highly doubt it crashes as much as you say. Keyboard? The virtual keyboard is great and very responsive. 3rd party keyboards are garbage, they might be garbage but you don't need a keyboard when you are using a tablet.
- iPad Mini vs Nexus 7 - world's apart? Both are good tablets that work with apps.

I find your post negligent in facts and with exaggerations. If you need to sell your Nexus 7 to buy the iPad Mini with Retina Display, you may want to buy the original Mini as it is $100 cheaper and includes gift cards from several national retailers.

If you are new to tablets, you need to understand what it is capable of. Tablets can use light office applications like for spreadsheet, typing and etc., surfing the internet, camera, Wi-Fi chat, cellular signal chat, & apps. Tablets does most things poorly, but it excels at apps. The apps are very specific applications that does everything from playing games to find words in a dictionary to finding the latest sport scores and etc. Do you need it? Probably not. I already have a smartphone & Windows 8.1 for my apps. If I want to surf the net, I have my ultrabook laptop which excels at web surfing, software applications, typing, adding on accessories like a mouse, charging my smartphone, music transfer to my smartphone, & etc.

Did you get confused on how Apple is referring to color on the back and not the front? I am rooting for Apple to come up with more backward strategies. Retina display. Silver & dark grey because Apple is referring to the color on the back of the iPad Mini and not to the front color. $39 cover. $99 Applecare that covers internal damage wires as stated by the Applestore guy, but not drops like Square Trade.

The iPad Mini with Retina Display - I reiterate the 1 star rating.
1. The original Mini is $100 cheaper, with gift cards give away. When playing with apps, it makes little difference with better resolution as it just animated colors and lines.
2. The Nexus 7 2nd generation is $200 cheaper, higher resolution screen, better at holding with one hand, Android apps are just as abundant as Apple store apps, takes just 5 minutes to erase and make your Android like new.
3. Kindle Fire HDX is $180 cheaper, higher resolution screen, has "Mayday" button for help immediately, a ton of free videos with Amazon Prime membership.
4. Microsoft Surface 2 has Office RT, Excel, Notes, Word, Power Point, & Outlook, 1080p resolution, a lot of ports, and super neat keyboard cover.

When compared to other devices, the Mini with Retina Display gets 1 star. When you don't compare to any device and rate it stand alone, the iPad Mini with Retina Display gets 4.5 stars. Not comparing it to anything doesn't make sense and so 1 star stands.
.
.
Update 4
What? If your Apple product is so great, go put up a review at the Apple store. Can't put one? Go talk to Tim Cook about it.

Lemming 16 - $39 Apple MacBook Air stand and gives 5 stars for a piece for matching plastic. You might want to make a donation to the Apple shrine or Apple temple. Laptop manufacturers have never created a vertical dock/stand because it is not a good idea. Heat disbursement is concentrated at an unintended area. I hope your MacBook Air is fanless, but no matter as you can easily afford to buy 2 o 3 more if your vertical MacBook Air gets knocked to the floor by your unintended hands. You may want to email Apple about when you can buy a decent pair of iHeadphone and an iCar. Selling iHeadphones for $299 would be easy as selling hot cakes. Selling iCars for $100K would be a piece of cake. Tell Tim Cook to buy Tesla for $20 billion, rename it Apple, and call the models iCars.

Starting on December 17th - ends probab

What I Love About it:

- Very tight integration with software and hardware. Apps launch quickly and are optimized for this tablet.
- Screen is extremely responsive and colors look accurate, whites look white, brightness is good. The retina screen makes text and icons very crisp and sharp.
- The 8" size makes it easy to tote around, not to mention it was $100 cheaper than the Air.
- The side switch can lock orientation which really comes in handy.
- Safari is a treat to use with multiple tabs being easier to navigate with the latest update. Love the fact that Bookmarks get added to my iPad automatically when I add them via my iPhone or my iMac.
- Love the fact that the Settings menus is optimized for tablet and laid out in an easy to use way rather than hidden like on the iPhone.

Cons
- Maybe it's just my unit but I've been experiencing an awful lot of crashes. Maybe I should reboot mine or something? It will crash when I am running a certain video in Safari or running a game seemingly at random. This is why I docked it 1 Star. The crashes have happened enough to the point where I got the impression that the software is not stable enough.
- Takes a long time to fully recharge, at least several hours.
- Typing on the touch screen is kind of tough in landscape mode. Would have been nice if they could split the keyboard into halves so I didn't have so much area to cover.
- I'm aware of the lack of color gamut compared to the iPad Air, I don't care, the screen still looks smashing!
- Sound could be a bit louder. The loudest setting is quite audible on Youtube and other music and videos but it seems to me like the loudest setting should sound loud.

Other Thoughts

I got the official Apple Case for it (not Cover). I love it. It is really light in weight, holds the tablet snugly, and looks really good too. It also turns the screen on and off when you open and close it. I got the black case because I noticed other cases might get dirty and it shows and doesn't look so good. Black will never look dirty. It feels kind of soft, like pleather. It's a nice feel. Using the cover as a stand isn't the greatest, it's a bit unstable but is useable.

I decided on Space Gray because the white models have a thin black line that goes round the screen. It's subtle and most won't even notice it, but I notice little things like this. The black bezel also allows me to focus more on what's on the screen so it gives a more uniform and professional appearance.

Also got the 64GB model because 16GB is just not enough for a tablet. Some games are 1GB in size and I wanted to put movies on mine as well. I wanted the TMobile LTE model but it's nearly $130 more and I didn't want to spend. Got mine from Best Buy before the holiday rush. Feel sorry for those who want one now and can't get it.

Rushed to get this tablet. Originally had the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" (first gen) which could actually make calls. It was basically just a big Android cell phone. Never used it, but have used my iPad religiously, even taking it to my trip to San Francisco. It held up fine and provided some great entertainment for me and others. IMO this is the best tablet out there regardless of size. App and game selection can't be beat. Waiting on dedicated game controller to use with it. :)

*****UPDATE 1/16/14*****

Love my iPad! Took it 3 weeks trip to Taiwan and Japan. Could slip it into my backpack or fanny pack with ease. Also slipped into the front pouch on the airplane without making it bulge. Battery life is good enough so I can charge it overnight and use it most of the day. Use it with Origami case and Apple bluetooth keyboard as a standalone workstation. Works very effectively to type long passages. Pair it with Oontz bluetooth speaker because the speaker is just not loud enough. I use the keyboard to control the volume.

I still use my iPad every day pretty much. Tried putting one of those stickers over the home button but it didn't fit. Maybe the home button is slightly smaller than the iPhone? Then tried another sticker and I was unable to close the case properly so out went that. Bought a dual USB plug for higher amps (tablet) so I can charge my iPhone simultaneously.

Tried the keyboard trick suggested by the commenter and thanks. It really works but the keyboard kind of small, kind of hard to type on. Don't like the placement of the letter "b", it should be on the left side, not right. I keep reaching for it instinctively and it's not there. Every keyboard I've ever used that was split (Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard and others) has the letter "b" on the left side.

I LOVE my iPad mini. I upgraded from the original iPad 1 and so the differences of these two devices are truly night and day.
I remember when I first got my iPad 1, thinking it was so lightweight and portable and now it just seems so oversized and bulky. However, that original iPad is still kicking! If it weren't for the lack of updates and preventing from using a lot of the current apps AND the fact that I had a strip where I had messed up the pixels I probably owuld have been content to carry on with the original iPad.

The iPad mini is just truly a breath of fresh air. I had contemplated getting a bigger screen, but really found that I didn't feel I needed a huge screen to perform the tasks I needed on a daily basis. The iPad mini is truly so much easier to slide in your purse and use on the go. The weight of this device is almost like carrying air. It's just so easy and trust me I have this device in my hands almost every second of everyday. It literally is glued to me at all times.

The camera isn't the BEST, but it's better than you'll find on similar devices like the Fire. It's much clearer and crisper than what you would expect a tablet to have.

I have the 16 GB and honestly, it was fine for awhile, however with how often iOS updates I would recommend never purchasing below 32 GB. I had a 32 GB on my original iPad and still managed to run out of space (Don't even think of having movies stored on your devices each movie is at least 1 GB and that seriously is a huge chunk of storage space).

The screen is just so bright and clear. I didn't think it could get better than the original ipad and man, technology just keeps making things better and better and better. It's amazing the thigns you can see when you zoom in with your camera because of the high definition of the screen.

I love the multitasking on the ipad. Just everything about the iPad is top notch to me. I purchased a Samsung Galaxy 3 7" tablet last year and was so disappointed at how slow it was and how it just didn't perform well and was always crashing.

The iPad mini has crashed more often than I experienced in the early days of the iPad original, I'm not really sure why that is... However, iOS is still a much more stable system than androids are. I am so much more confident of my information being safe and secure than I am on any other operating system. I just don't seem to have the same issues with iOS devices as I do with android or windows.

If you are wanting a tablet to use as your primary internet device, than I definitely recommend iOS and the iPads because they just truly peform better than anything out there. Fire tablets are nice, but you are so limited as to what you can do on them and they just don't even come close to being on the same playing field as the iPad.

The ONE thing that I am not so crazy about is the charging cable that iPads use now. I never had any issues with my cables on the iPad Original, the bigger charger just seemed to be more stable than the lightening one is. I've gone through about 7 cords this year. I don't know what the deal is with them.

I am a happy Apple fan. I have a MacBookPro & an iPhone 4S, 16 GB. A priority for me is having products that do what I want understandably, reliably & w convenient, knowledgable & quick tech support if needed. I have found Apple products are that way so didn't even consider any other brands.

I find that the specs for this & the iPhone 4S are somewhat similar--processor, camera, etc & I got the 16 GB version for both.

I was using my MacBookPro for business & to show a presentation at the table. But, while very light for a laptop, it still was big to carry around.

I find that now I don't even turn on my Mac every day. I can browse email & the web & a lot of apps just fine on it.

Since I'm new to the iPad, I wasn't sure just how useful it would be. Well it is. It makes a good e-book reader. Although only have a couple so far. I got the Kindle app since one e-book I wanted needed that format.

I also is a very nice size to carry around w me. I got a new purse that is not large but has a pocket on the outside into which the iPad mini in its case just fits.

I also like that I can do iMessages on all 3 of my devices & while I can do things on the iPhone, the iPad mini is much easier to read & type on.

I bought the Belkin case at BestBuy that looks like a pad folio w snap in holder for the iPad. So its not totally obvious that its an iPad, looks nice & both protects & provides a nice stand for it that works well on table or on my lap.

I'm also using my iPad mini rather than a hard cover bible for church, using the YouVersion app. The combo is agile enough to jump around to different passages & easier to carry.

As one who is a touch typist, I was concerned about whether I would need an external keyboard, but have found that I can type pretty well on it. Not quite usual fingering--more like several finger typing but have been able to use it to take notes at seminars & meetings. This using the Pages app. I also have purchased the Keynote Ap thinking I would use it, but really use the free Slide Shark to handle a co presentation. I'm thinking of purchasing the Numbers app. Need to review how to sync the Apple apps between the mini & my Mac.

As far as connectors, don't have the myriad of Apple accessories that some are concerned about. I had previously gotten the InCase car charger from the Apple store for my iPhone (after the one I got at Walmart quit working after 8 mo). This is the kind that is in 2 pieces so one plugs into the car power outlet & then any usb plug can plug into it. So if my iPad Mini needs charging, I can use its cord to plug into the outlet & charge in the car.

Also, I bought it at the Apple Store & since I had One to One through my Mac, I could use it to learn my iPhone & my iPad. Unfortunately having recently moved to Portland, OR, the Apple Store is way across town so not as convenient as I was used to. Haven't been there yet. I need to go as sometimes I tap to close a Safari window or click on a link w no response. So should get the touch screen checked (as I did w the touchpad on my previous MacBookPro where they find certain portions not responsive & fixed it, quickly.

Speaking of the Apple Store, I like the fact that I have that resource--even though now its less convenient than it was. This is 1 reason that I like Apple products. If there is an issue, I remember w other devices (Windows computers & Windows phone) where the service was not very good. My windows phone had major issues (couldn't properly handle daylight savings time & other issues). Verizon people were nice but didn't really help so got runaround & some never did get answers. They knew a lot of basic stuff, but now w smart phones, they can't know all of them well.

Also previously w a device from 1 co & OS from another & then other apps, I have gotten the run around w each blaming the other & being caught between them. Or maybe not even blaming the other but having to make multiple contacts to get an answer.

I have found Apple Stores to be on top of things & their service turn around time is very fast--several times faster than they had promised.

The other thing w Apple products that I have found is that they just work. I've had hardware & software failures w other computers & phones. I got my iPad Mini I think in early March. Working fine. My iPhone 4S is 22 mo old & working fine (they had to do a reset & upgrade to iOS6 1 time, quickly taken care of at the Apple Store).

So for me, having products that do what I want, reliably & w tech support that quickly takes care of any issues that may arise is very important. I had not found that level of reliability & tech support w other products. I expect the same level of continued reliability & service if needed w my iPad Mini.

The iPad Mini manufactured by Apple has been the best purchase I have made so far in electronics. A 7.9 inch display touch screen, my iPad Mini is white but it is also available in black glass from and a aluminum back. It has cameras built in the front & back. The way it sounds when it plays music its great, its very loud but it also has an headphones jack build in so when you want to listen to music just to yourself. This device is so easy to carry around it only weights 10.9 ounces compared to other device that is very lite, its almost like your caring just a lite reading book. It has other great features like over 275,000 apps to download from the app store, Face Time where you can video call someone from any other Apple device and much more.
Compared to other tablets like the Galaxy Tablet 2, Kindle Fire and even the iPad 2 that's manufactured by the same company I think the iPad Mini is the best. Starting with the Galaxy tablet, it has some features that are the same as the iPad Mini but not all. The Galaxy Tablet 2 is manufactured by Samsung it has a 10.1 screen, its a black colored tablet, weights 1.28 lbs that's 0.59 pounds more than the iPad mini. The only good thing it might have better than an iPad mini it is its battery lifetime, an iPad mini can hold up to 10 hours and an Galaxy Tablet 2 holds up to 14 hours. Every other feature the iPad has better.
Second tablet to compare the iPad Mini to is the Kindle Fire. The Kindle is a 8.9 in display screen, it weights 20 ounces, storage varies on amount you want from 16GB to 32 GB. While iPad had an storage amount that goes from 16GB to 64GB this shows that the iPad has more storage available than the Kindle. Yes it has a few similarities as the iPad mini but the app store in the kindle is not the best, it has a few selections to choice from. Another thing to know about the Kindle is that this tablet is more of a online book reading tablet.
Third tablet to compare it to is the iPad 2, a tablet that was made by the same manufacturer. An iPad mini is better than the iPad two in many different ways. One example is its weight the iPad mini weights 10 ounces while the iPad 2 is weighting at 1.22 pounds. Less weight is always better, you don't want to carry a device that's to big because then you'll get tired faster. The manufacturer comes up with an improvement in their tablets for a reason. The iPad mini came out after the iPad 2 but was a better success. Another example is Sire If you don't know what that is Siri is a feature that lets you use your voice tell it to do things like send messages, place phone call and other things. Size was a big change in the manufactures design in the iPad mini, they made it smaller and more portable for the buyers. As you can tell the iPad mini is a better and improved tablet that apple manufacture has build after iPad 2.
I have purchased the iPad mini and I'm so happy that I've purchased such a wonderful device. I've had such bad experience with tablets. They either are too big, heavy and there aren't much apps to choose from. But I've had best experience with this device it is so easy to work, I have many apps to choose from and its very lite to carry. I totally love the camera pixels, my pictures and videos are so clear. I paid a little bit over $300 dollars for my iPad mini but it was worth every penny. I recommend anybody that is going to buy a tablet to get an iPad mini. I know for a fact they will not regret it because I don't.
This iPad mini is with me at all times and it's useful. I take it with me to class, its features let me take notes and save them when I don't feel like writing them on paper or when I don't have a utensil to write with. When it comes to me to remembering things I'm not the best at. But being able to use the iPad mini's Calendar is useful, I can type in reminders of events or anything that needs to be done on a certain day to remind me. There is so much that you can do with the iPad mini that its so amazing. I remember when I was running to class late I was rushing putting things in my backpack not realizing that I had forgot the most important thing for that class, the reading book. I arrived to class, I sat down I began taking out my things that's when I realized that I forgot my book on my bed. I didn't know what to do the teacher was very strict on being prepared for class, she didn't like people sharing books. As I was pulling my iPad mini I thought about an idea. I turned on my WiFi and began to browse the internet looking for an online book I was able to find one. I was so happy the iPad mini saved me. If it wasn't for that iPad mini I would have been lost in class and the teacher would have made me look like a fool in front of the class if she would have seen me not participating and not having a book. Thank you iPad mini.