Two years ago, we denied the need for a smaller iPad. And now with might and main we consider it to be the best tablet in the world. As soon as Tim Cook confirmed the release, I knew that I would definitely buy it. And here he is next to me. Is this a good tablet? Definitely. Should you change to this one? No options. True, this is not an ideal device.

Apple employs engineers, not wizards. The positives in new devices are always easy to find: the euphoria and joy of owning a new toy helps a lot. But to get to the bottom of the real cons in the first few days is almost impossible. I've been using the new iPad mini with Retina display for three weeks and have found, in addition to the obvious improvements, a few unexpected ones. negative moments, many of which have not been written about in any popular review. Let's fix the situation, starting with ourselves!

For what?

Is the iPad mini with Retina display so bad that a separate article is devoted to its disadvantages? Of course, it's not like that at all. Even vice versa. I am sincerely, objectively delighted with this tablet: it is very fast, very light, very portable and functional. This is exactly the iPad mini we secretly wanted when we bought the previous model.

But, after reading dozens of foreign and a couple of domestic reviews, I was left with mixed feelings: as always, journalists are in a hurry, they want to shoot a review among the first and slide into a banal praising of the device and free quoting of marketing clichés from apple.com pages. And their readers are already talking about the minuses - on the forums, with angry responses towards the manufacturer. I think this is wrong. So that you are fully armed, I will freely walk ice rink on iPad mini with Retina display. Immediately make a reservation that we will not discuss the pros in detail.

Battery, charging and battery life

Year after year, Apple puts a charger and cable to iPads, refusing an extra pair of headphones. An interesting point: the iPad mini is not equipped with a new one, but with an old 10-watt one. The manufacturer saves, but in practice it changes almost nothing: the tablet charges for about 5-6 hours from zero to 100%. If you use it regularly and thoroughly, make it a habit to charge your device once every two days - and everything will be fine.

From the USB port, the new mini is practically not powered, except for the deep sleep mode. Considering that notifications are constantly coming there, you will have 20-25% at most for the whole night. Plug it into an outlet, there is no other option. I immediately warn you: with a capacity of less than 10,000 mA, they barely breathe when connected to a new tablet. These are the realities of using a new display and much more voracious hardware.

When playing resource-intensive things like , the tablet is discharged faster than the previous generation mini - mine refuses to live after 5 hours of continuous play. But here it is worth making an important remark: we are talking about the “heaviest” toy for iOS at the moment, which, in terms of processor load, even does Infinity Blade III. Lighter toys will work around 7-8 hours, and in the “naked” Wi-Fi surfing mode without playing video and with low brightness, you can squeeze out not even 10, but as many as 11, or even 12 hours of work from the tablet . That's more than 99.99% of us need. During the day, you will definitely have the opportunity to find a charger, which means that the iPad simply cannot physically let you down at the right time (hello, iPhone!).

By the way, I'm so used to the long and stable battery life of the iPad that I constantly forget about the helplessness of iPhones in this regard. Countless calls and important emails that were missed because I forgot to turn off 3G and disable geolocation. With the iPad, you never need to deal with such garbage. Well, unless you want to set records: there are people on Twitter who squeezed 13 hours of continuous work out of the tablet. And when to live, eat, sleep? :)

Chassis, design and heating

iPad mini with Retina display comes in an iPad mini without Retina display. This could have ended. But no, Apple made a reservation that the case became thicker by a couple of tenths of a millimeter and heavier by several tens of grams. And now everyone wants to know: has he really become fat and terribly heavy, or can he be patient and somehow survive? Well, you understand, a whole tenth of a millimeter is not for you khukhry-muhry!

No, it is not thick and not heavy at all. The difference with the previous iPad mini is felt only when alternately weighing in the hands. And then all this looks more like a statistical error. In general, we immediately discount the weight.

The old cover did not survive the upgrade.

It would seem that in this situation, one can not think about the thickness at all. But no. You may not notice it, but covers and pads will not get off so easily. The new iPad mini doesn't fit as well into tight-fitting cases from the previous generation, like those with hard plastic clips on the sides. If the clamps are weak, then the novelty will not fit there at all as it should. And if they are strong, then with each “undressing” you will pray not to wrinkle or scratch the sensitive sharpened edges of the tablet.

Not only did the grooves burst, but the lid is now not completely closed.

Don't take chances with cases: take your tablet with you, go to the store and try on each option before buying. If it fits enchantingly tight or not completely, give up and look for another one. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer has heard this, and many of them are willing to say that their old cases are fully compatible with the new iPad mini. In addition to the clamps, pay attention to the cover, if any. The protruding piece of the new tablet, timidly peeking out of the case for the previous generation mini, is very frustrating: I personally have to look for a new case for every day to replace the one I already love.

Warmer

The new iPad mini is almost three to five times more powerful than its predecessor. This could not remain without consequences. Metal is an excellent conductor of heat, making it Apple's favorite material for the legendary MacBook cases. Only in Apple mobile gadgets there are no radiators, let alone coolers. Therefore, only the body plays the role of a cooler. You probably already guess what I'm getting at.

iPad mini with Retina display may become warm. Strongly. About the same as two years ago - and even a little stronger. For example, the game GTA: San Andreas is able to warm up the tablet to an unusual state, when the device is not hot enough to get burned, but already hot enough to really start to worry. Moreover, the heat is felt not only on the back panel, but also on the screen: the gadget is relatively small, and there is especially nowhere for the heat to go. Apple knew this very, very well. Why I think so - below.

Performance, Throttling, and iOS 7

The previous generation iPad mini was a smaller version of the iPad 2 with an outdated processor. Surprisingly, Apple got away with it easily: we attributed this to case limitations and heat dissipation, and then we went to the stores in orderly rows. In 2013, the trick was not repeated: the iPad mini with Retina display is equipped with an A7 processor. The processor is also A7. And in too. And so a reasonable question arises: why do these devices show different levels of performance not only in synthetic tests, but also in games?

Throttling

Graph from Anandtech's iPad mini review

Every A7 processor is different from every other device, whether it's the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, or the new iPad mini. Numerous A7 tests have shown that each of the three gadgets operates at a different frequency, which varies depending on the load on the processor. It is called "throttling": A programmed CPU performance limit to protect it from overheating. Throttling is implemented in all processors, from full-fledged computer CPUs to mobile ARMs. Thanks to throttling, your iPhone and iPad will not be able to overheat and be damaged by excessive load. I explain this so that no one “rolls a barrel” on the technology itself.

So, the new Apple gadgets - and the limits of throttling - are programmed differently. Best of all shows itself iPad Air. Under high load, it very smoothly, almost by one megahertz, reduces the processor frequency to 1.3 GHz. This is a very small drop that the average user will not be able to notice. Partly Air was lucky: only in its design it is provided.

Chart from the iPad Air review at Anandtech

But the iPhone 5s for real "crazy", as soon as it encounters a resource-intensive task. The processor frequency in the "esque" drops sharply from 1.3 GHz to 1 GHz, and then actively jumps up and down, sometimes dropping to 850 MHz - more than a third of the base value. But this is a third of the performance, which disappears into nowhere while your smartphone cools down.

If you are sitting in Safari at this moment, all these fluctuations will not be noticeable. But if you play GTA: San Andreas, you will see the moment when throttling is activated naked eye. The toy will simply start to noticeably slow down. The developers did not take into account the fact of throttling, so the engine loads the poor iPhone as if it had all 1.3 GHz. And there is 850 MHz, on the screen - 15 frames per second, and the back panel is slowly turning into a frying pan. In general, throttling greatly changes the balance of power in resource-intensive applications.

The successes of these devices are important in comparison. The iPad mini with Retina display uses the same frequency processor as the iPhone 5s. The throttling parameters in it are slightly better than in the iPhone: for example, the performance drop stops at about 1 GHz, which is already significantly better. But the main problem remains: as soon as you load a new mini-tablet, it quickly gives up a good quarter of its performance in favor of the temperature of the chip. The A7 turned out to be significantly hotter than previous chips, and therefore Apple had to make such sacrifices.

iPhone 5s is still more powerful

If the previous point is of interest primarily to developers, then the next “minus” can be easily understood by any ordinary user. The difference in actual, effective video performance between the iPhone 5s and iPad mini is not in favor of the tablet. All thanks to the resource intensity of the new Retina display. After all, the processor in the iPhone 5s works on a screen with half the resolution of the 2013 iPad mini display. This is partly confirmed by tests of the processing power of the processor:

But only video chip tests show the real difference:

The difference in effective 3D performance is more than 30 percent in favor of the iPhone 5s. Lower resolution - less load on the hardware. And here even an increased throttling threshold cannot change anything.

What does all this mean for each of us? The simple fact is that the most beautiful and high-quality games of 2014 will not only run slightly better on the iPhone 5s than on the iPad mini with Retina display, but also show a better picture. Next time, Apple should consider adding more powerful processors to its tablets than those that come with the company's miniature smartphones. This has already happened with the iPad 4 and A6x, so why not repeat the trick next year?

Having gone through the features of the processor, I want to note: everything is not at all as bad as it might seem after reading this section. With all the idiosyncratic downsides, performance is the first reason that should make you swap out your old iPad mini for a new one. Fact: not a single mobile game will slow down on this tablet for another year or two. The difference is noticeable to the naked eye: where the old model thinks for six seconds, the new one thinks only for a second and a half. iOS 7 dramatically increased the technical requirements for the device, and the first iPad mini finally ceased to cope with the modern load. Stuttering and stuttering don't exist on the mini with Retina display, except for a few that come from poorly optimized iOS 7.

iOS 7. Version matters

Very good. Especially her idea. Thanks to the seven, Apple devices have finally found not only a second life, but also a completely new vector of software development, which seemed impossible in the language of skeuomorphism. But let's be honest, just for a minute. First, iOS 7 icons are still ugly. We could get used to it, we could stop paying attention, but this cannot cancel the very fact of the soulless wretchedness of most of the icons on the main, home screen. Secondly, none of these icons and none of the official apps reveal the benefits of the gorgeous iPhone and iPad screens. Where there used to be ultra-detailed textures, now lies a two-tone gradient and expansive shapes. Finally, the operation of the system itself often leaves much to be desired.

Thanks to the bare-bones design of iOS 7, the difference between the old iPad mini and the new iPad mini isn't quite as strong as, say, between the iPad 2 and iPad 3 in the days of iOS 5/6. It, at a cursory glance, is dictated only by the desktop wallpaper - now much more detailed. We'll talk more about the screen. The main thing is that the “old man”, that the new product has strange brakes: for example, applications switch with twitches, or they close with a lag when using a five-finger gesture. The A7 processor has nothing to do with it: it’s just that iOS 7 is poorly optimized for new hardware, and Apple will have to work on the Apple system for a long time and hard work.

To really enjoy iPad mini with Retina display, you need to install the latest beta version on it. You cannot do this without registering a UDID, so take care of everything in advance so as not to be left with a brick at a crucial moment. The main advantage of iOS 7.1 is ultra-fast, truly smooth animations for the first time, as well as a clearly increased performance of the system itself. After iOS 7.1, the officially available version seems to be hello to Android OS. Unfortunately, there are rumors that the official , so for now we will have to bet with beta versions.

RAM

A talk about hardware would not be complete without mentioning RAM. Today, all Apple mobile gadgets are strictly 1 gigabyte of RAM. According to the owners of the buckets, this is very little. According to the owners of iDevices, everyone somehow don't care. The gigabyte limit, which applies to all top-end devices, has a good effect on the optimization of third-party games and applications: developers know which "ceiling" they need to focus on for at least the next six months. But it is already clear that the system is “suffocating” within the framework of such an amount of RAM. For example, on iOS 6, the iPad could keep almost 7-10 Safari tabs in memory without requiring them to be reloaded. Today, their number does not exceed 4-5, and sometimes even less (depending on the weight of open pages).

When the second iPad mini with Retina display comes out, Apple will happily announce that the device has more RAM, and we are right! Let's go to the store happily. Keep this in mind when buying the current mini, and mentally prepare for this so that you don’t get offended by the guys from Cupertino later. They need to earn money.

Retina display. Afterglow, contrast issues - huegate

We were genuinely surprised that the technical specifications of the latest full-sized iPad would be the same as those of the mini version. It wasn't exactly Apple style. Somewhere the company had to really save money. Unfortunately, the savings are almost entirely on the Retina display. Most likely, you already know: the screen of the new iPad mini is recognized than that of the recently released iPad Air. The difference is in the depth, variety, and contrast of the colors displayed: the new mini is far more “passive” and cooler in color reproduction than the bright, sharp, and mesmerizing screen of the iPad Air.

The Russian transcription of the phenomenon sounds peculiar, but in the West this “scandal” was dubbed "huegate"- by analogy with Antennagate() and Scuffgate(). As an iPad Air owner with little experience, I can confirm that the colors in the new mini are really not as vibrant as on the larger iPads. The spectrum of displayed colors corresponds to that of the very first mini model. Therefore, we can conclude: the Retina screen of the iPad mini differs from the old display only by double the resolution. And nothing more.

There are two options for how to respond to this minus. If you have been using only a minicom for the last year and did not have a 9.7-inch Retina iPad at hand, then all these scandals and “gates” do not concern you at all. Any difference is known in comparison, and if you compare the new mini with the old, and not with some "fourth" iPad, the previous generation does not no one real advantage. Just take a new model and don't worry.

If you still have not decided which model of the new iPad to take, take a walk to the store and be sure to compare the iPad Air and the new iPad mini. The Air screen will definitely be better in all possible parameters. Excluding, perhaps, the clarity of the picture: the density of pixels per inch, and hence the detail of the image in the new iPad mini is worthy of the highest praise.

Color differences make you think twice about buying an iPad Air over a mini. But remember: whatever the difference in screens, the size of a large iPad still plays a significant role. Fact: mini is always more convenient and easier to take with you, carry in one hand, hide in a bag and so on. And the Air, no matter how light and thin it is, is still 9.7-inch "tray", which is not always comfortable to get in a public place. And even more so something to photograph them. Accordingly, if you are going to take mini, take mini. If you were attracted to the Air and were previously satisfied with full-size iPads, don't trade any further.

With the exception of color reproduction, the screen of the new mini is excellent. Huge viewing angles and high brightness make the picture incredibly solid, as if reproduced on paper. The old model here generally ceases to be quoted. Now the small text on the pages of websites does not look like a cluster of smeared pixels, and with a certain skill and good eyesight, you can read the news on the pages without using zoom. High definition picture is unusual for those who have used the old mini for a long time: I swear, the first few days I continued to see pixels and their well-defined borders.

Like that.

Here, however, we have to make an unexpected remark. In the second week after buying the new mini, I discovered a strange new screen feature that I've never seen before on either the iPad or the iPhone. If the screen displays a dark picture for a long time, and then abruptly switches to bright, gray and white colors, then the color reproduction changes significantly. Gray colors, and especially small text, seem to disappear on a white background, and all other shades become brighter - as if they were “burned out”. The essence of the problem is suspiciously reminiscent of . Only in the case of macbooks to all the “internets”, but something is silent about mini. Probably everyone is happy: it's better So than without a Retina screen at all.

Most often I "caught" this problem in the official client YouTube: after watching a long video with a lot of black, I minimized it from full screen mode with a gesture - and for 2-3 seconds I almost didn’t see the description text, comment block, and so on. There is no need to panic: the screen restores the normal balance of colors very quickly, and it is not so easy to achieve such a strange effect. However, this has not happened in previous models of Apple mobile devices. Problems with mini displays that caused Apple to significantly delay the launch of devices for sale were known back in . It is now clear that these were not just rumors. Have you observed such problems on your devices? Share in the comments.

P.S.

The retina display makes the iPad mini a modern device, but does not create a competitor for a full-sized version of the tablet. iPad Air is much better suited for home use: it's more fun to watch movies and surf the Web, because the benefits of a physically larger screen are obvious. But the new iPad mini is a versatile companion in the city and on the road, capable of everything you expect from a tablet. And if you move a lot through life, you are on your way with a minicom.

I didn't want this article to be filled with negativity. But there are never ideal devices - and therefore, in order to make a really right purchase, each of us must know not only the pros, but also the cons. Euphoria is always good, but it tends to fade away, leaving behind purely practical conclusions. Now, when you make a decision and go to the store for iPad mini, you will know for sure that it will not disappoint you. And this is the most important thing.

Impressions of Roman Yuriev from Retina iPad mini

The announcement of the new iPad models was a little unsettling, to be honest. turned out to be MUCH lighter and noticeably more compact than its predecessor, and in terms of power it is not far behind its larger counterpart. What to choose against the background of experience with two tablets at once - and? Everyone has it its advantages, but I still decided not to produce entities and use only one new generation tablet, having sold both predecessors.

iPad Air has a larger display, weighing only 120g, more than the second generation iPad mini, plus better color reproduction. In general, from the color reproduction of the display of the new iPad mini, and this also added its own confusion to the choice. However, 80% of the time I work with the iPad mini and it is always with me, there is even a chic shoulder bag for the gadget, in which the iPad Air will not fit in any way. The fierce shortage of a compact novelty almost became the reason for purchasing the iPad Air, but I still resisted and got hold of the Retina iPad mini, which I do not regret at all. And now, after such a long and dramatic introduction, my first impressions of the new product.

There was no WOW effect, except that it got a little excited from 128 GB of flash memory and the ability to abandon not only 1.5 GB “rips” of films, but also HD versions of 4–5 GB, plus all the software and toys that were previously distributed between the two tablets. Still, a big family and everyone has something on their device. Now it all fits easily into 128 GB and there is still a lot of space left (about 30 GB, to be exact).

That is, the first feeling is that the new iPad mini is exactly the same as the old one, it seems that it has not changed the tablet. So it was the first few days of using the device, when I basically sat on it and watched videos on the train. Although the increased weight of the device was slightly felt, plus the light gray color of the case was unusual.

When I returned home from a business trip (in which I got a new tablet), I began to work more closely with the iPad mini. And here I already felt the whole buzz of the gadget. Firstly, I was glad that I took it, and not the iPad Air. The high-resolution display rocks, and in fact, I got the experience of surfing the web (when you really need picture clarity) like on the iPad 4 before, but in a more compact package. That is, there is no negative experience in connection with the reduced diagonal of the display.

Secondly With no iPad Air handy for direct comparison, I don't see any color issues with the new mini. Gorgeous display and excellent color reproduction. I do not understand the hysteria of the people about this. If you are still in the throes of choosing because of the display, then do not bother yourself with nonsense. Normal in iPad mini LCD matrix.

Thirdly, you begin to understand the whole twist from the clarity of the screen only after a few days of heavy use of the device. Watching YouTube videos, reading books in iBooks, toys - the brain rejoices, the eyes dance in ecstasy. At the same time, I “stuffed” my old iPad mini for a friend, and somehow there were no negative emotions about the display - everything is fine. That's what it means, high-quality adaptation of the OS and software for different resolutions. I picked up the Retina iPad mini again and again began to enthusiastically admire.

Fourth, especially pleased with the increased performance. Faster switching between applications, no more Safari crashes (although obviously there still can be, given that the browser crashes on the iPhone 5s from time to time), editing texts in the WordPress admin panel goes like clockwork, finally the keyboard stopped slowing down when typing comments in the browser, etc.

I didn’t find any special heating of the tablet, although I haven’t played games yet.

So, don't expect some techno-maniac ecstasy from switching from an old iPad mini to a new one. Everything will happen everyday, and only after some time you will begin to realize how cool the novelty is. So the little things add up the overall picture of the ideal tablet. Yes, the Retina iPad mini is the perfect tablet in my opinion. It's the gadget I've been waiting for since I met 10 inches, when I realized that 10 inches is a lot for a travel device that you carry around with you all the time.

The Retina iPad mini is the ultimate no-compromise tablet, with an ultra-clear display, over-the-top powerful hardware, and a chic assortment of software. There are no alternatives for traveling and everyday carrying with you, IMHO.

Impressions of Artur Malosiev from iPad mini with Retina display

I consider my purchase of the second generation iPad mini one of the most useful in the past year. Its great display and resources are enough to solve all my problems. According to past experience, I took only the Wi-Fi version, so as not to produce SIM cards at home, because the iPhone 5s turns into a modem at the touch of a button. In my opinion, this "minicom" turned out to be a good and reliable friend, the power reserve of which will be enough for the next couple of years.

If you have already bought a new mini, feel free to tell us about it. Like? How do you use? Are you going to take Air after? Thanks for reading - and Happy Holidays!

It would seem that the next update of Apple tablets should have gone smoothly, but the company did the impossible: they returned the slightly fading interest in large 10-inch tablets again. The iPad Air is the smallest, lightest device in its category, while the iPad mini is exactly the same.

Now you can choose one or another diagonal without sacrificing functionality, screen quality, processor power or memory size - the two models are the same. In this article I will talk about a miniature tablet, which has been seriously updated compared to its predecessor.

Main characteristics

• Operating system: iOS 7.0.3
• Screen: 7.85-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, 324 ppi
• Processor: Apple A7, 2-core Cortex-A9, ARM-v8, 1.3 GHz. PowerVR G6430 Graphics
• Memory: RAM 1 GB, Built-in 16, 32, 64 or 128 GB
• Camera: Front 1.3MP FaceTime, Main iSight F/2.4, 5MP autofocus, 1080p video recording, Face detection
• Data transmission: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). There are models with support for GSM/EDGE/UMTS/LTE and CDMA/GSM/EDGE/UMTS. GPS/GLONASS (LTE version only).
• Connection: Lightning connector
• Battery: 23.8 Wh, up to 10 hours of surfing the Internet via Wi-Fi, watching videos
• Optional: gyroscope, light sensor
• Dimensions: 200 x 134.7 x 7.5mm
• Weight: 331g (341g for LTE versions)
• Price: from 399 euros in Europe, from 399 dollars in the US, from 15,990 in Russia (Wi-Fi model)
• Package contents: cable, charger, brief instructions

Design, convenience

In most cases, when describing Apple devices, this point can be reduced to a couple of words: “nothing has changed.” Indeed, why change something that is already perfect: no one has come close to the exterior and tactile sensations of all-metal, matte cases of Apple tablets. Let me remind you that the new Google Nexus, Samsung GALAXY Note, Nokia Lumia 2520 are all plastic.

The only thing you can notice is that the SIM card slot has moved a third of a centimeter, and another small hole for the microphone has appeared on the insert for the antenna, which the first iPad mini does not have.

In the iPad mini Retina, the color has changed: black has become asphalt gray (Space Grey), similar to the iPhone 5s. This color looks better, fingerprints are not visible on it, the metal texture is clearer. In a word, the change is positive.

As for the dimensions, they are also indistinguishable from the first generation. The length and width match up to tenths of a millimeter - 200 x 134.7, while the thickness has increased by an imperceptible 0.3 mm - up to 7.5 mm. Weight increased by 20 grams (up to 331 g). With these parameters, the tablet remained one of the thinnest in the world, it is the dimensions that attract many buyers to the iPad mini: the share of 10-inch models continues to decline.

Connectors and elements are in place: lightning and stereo speakers at the bottom, the lock button is at the top, and on the right is volume control and silent mode.

Screen

After the introduction of 7-inch Android tablets with Full HD screens, it became clear that Apple would also upgrade its 8-inch tablet to Retina resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels), just like the older iPad Air. Rumors came true, iPad mini acquired a Retina screen and the main limitation of the previous generation was removed - in the first iPad mini, the dot density was 163 ppi - less than all competitors.

Now at this resolution the picture turned out to be very smooth, the density is similar to the iPhone - 324 ppi, the pixels are not noticeable at all. In short, a wonderful tablet screen. Brightness, maximum viewing angles and natural colors are all there. For anyone who wanted a lightweight and miniature Apple tablet, but was stopped by the low screen resolution, the new version is highly recommended for consideration.

Detailed testing of the iPad mini Retina screen was conducted by our expert Mikhail Kuznetsov.

The Apple iPad mini screen has got a Retina screen. With a diagonal of 7.85 inches, the resolution reaches 2048 x 1536, which gives a pixel density of 324 ppi. Fans of counting pixels will be satisfied - with such a density, one can hardly see hints of "pixelization" of the image, the resolution is more than enough.

The margin of brightness is up to 407 cd / m 2 at maximum. The lack of brightness can be felt only in the bright sun, in other cases the stock is enough. The contrast ratio was around 900:1, an improvement over the previous iPad mini (where we measured a ratio of 687:1). The anti-glare screen filter copes well with ambient light and does not allow it to fade or fade in direct light. The viewing angles are quite wide, the shades are slightly distorted, the image remains legible at any reasonable viewing angles.

Gamma has an optimal value of 2.23, and the stability of the indicator is high. All midtones are displayed with the correct brightness, dark and light areas of the image have good detail - this is certainly a plus.

The average color temperature is about 6800K, the image tone is only a bit colder than the reference one. It is worth noting that at maximum brightness, the image shade becomes even colder - the color temperature tends to 7000K.

There is a slight excess of the blue component in the color balance, but the admixture is not so strong. The average Delta E error is about 5.41 units, which indicates a good quality of the factory settings. The main thing is that there is no obvious imbalance - which means that it is easy to get used to the extra shade.

The color gamut of the screen is disappointing. Like the previous version, the Retina screen of the new iPad mini falls short of the sRGB standard. Primary colors are shifted in hue and lack depth. This makes images look washed out and less believable than on sRGB screens such as the Google Nexus 7. And the tint is only half the trouble, as the blues are too bright (+104%, Delta E=17.6). In general, there is an imbalance with individual colors. Hence the rather high Delta E color errors - an average of 7.73 units. Color rendition comes out sloppy, you can usually expect more from Apple devices.

Overall, the Apple iPad mini's screen has received one obvious improvement - the high Retina resolution. A small increase in contrast is also pleasing. At the same time, one of the key drawbacks of the previous generation of iPad mini remained in place - this is a stripped-down color depth, which does not reach sRGB and somewhat distorts the shades. Apparently, in terms of screen, the iPad mini Retina is still one of the weaker devices in Apple's range. The screen is well suited for casual use (surfing and the like), but it will be more pleasant to watch photos or videos on a “full-size” iPad, and not only because of the screen diagonal.

Hardware platform and battery

Prior to the October 22 announcement, many believed that the mini tablet would have a weaker hardware platform than the 10-inch iPad Air. But Apple took a different path: iPad mini is completely similar to its large brother in the line. The most advanced Apple A7 processor (1.3GHz dual-core 64-bit processor, latest ARM v8 architecture). Let me remind you that the new cores are called Cyclone, and the entire Apple A7 chip is manufactured by Samsung using the new 28-nanometer High-K Metal Gate (HKMG) process.

A few words about the 64-bit architecture. Apple chose not the path of thoughtlessly increasing the number of cores, which creates inconvenience for application developers, but the path of unification with other devices - Macbook, iPhone. All Apple devices now have a 64-bit architecture, making it much easier to create cross-platform applications for them. In the Android world, developers focus on averages so that the program works on the maximum number of devices. As a result, in most cases, additional cores in 4- and 8-core devices are simply unused. In the case of Apple, you can create programs for all devices without focusing on differences between them in terms of the number of cores, which saves both time and resources.

In addition, the new platform turned out to be not only faster than multi-core competitors, but also more economical in terms of power consumption: new Apple smartphones and tablets work as long as their predecessors did.

In the case of the iPad mini Retina, the figures are exactly the same: 10 hours of work when watching videos, browsing the Internet via Wi-Fi. Due to the high resolution of the screen, the battery capacity has increased: 23.8 Wh versus 16.3 Wh in the predecessor iPad mini. The thickness of the tablet itself, let me remind you, has increased by only 0.3 mm: from 7.2 to 7.5 mm. I have always wondered how Apple, with the growth of quantitative indicators, maintains its usual dimensions within the same framework, but the fact remains.

The graphics accelerator in the new iPad mini is also on top - a quad-core PowerVR (Series 6) G6430 that supports OpenGL 3.0, DirectX 10 and OpenCL 1.x. This is one of the most powerful mobile graphics chips on the market right now. The amount of RAM in the iPad mini Retina has doubled compared to its predecessor - there is 1 GB, as in the older iPad Air. In addition, a faster version of LPDDR3 is used instead of LPDDR2.

So the mini-tablet is not inferior to the 10-inch iPad Air in terms of memory and processor power. If last year the first iPad mini was rather weak, now the new generation has taken 2 steps forward. And not only compared to Apple gadgets, but also Android competitors: at the moment, none of the Android manufacturers uses ARM v8 cores (devices with Cortex A53 and Cortex A57 will obviously not appear until next year) or Imagination PowerVR Series 6 graphics. Apple is ahead here.

This fact will once again push many to think about what is better - a standard 10-inch tablet or a miniature 8-inch one. Apple made them identical in terms of hardware platform and screen resolution, camera quality, memory size (built-in and RAM), battery life, so you can only choose the size. A very interesting step: when choosing an iPad mini, you don't have to sacrifice either quality or performance. For example, I prefer a miniature tablet, as it is so compact that it fits in any bag. The arrival of a 128 GB option is also a plus for a miniature device.

Camera

The iSight camera did not change: 5 megapixels, autofocus and spot focus. Despite the rumors, the new Apple tablets did not get 8 megapixel cameras from the iPhone 5, apparently, this is due to the fact that the resolution was not increased in the iPhone 5s either, there are the usual 8 megapixels (albeit with a large pixel size - 1.5 microns). So the quality of shooting remained at the level of its predecessor - quite an adequate level. There is also a module in the front, this is an HD camera, which will be useful for communication sessions via FaceTime. It will also allow you to take a self-portrait.

Software platform

The tablet is running the latest version of iOS 7.0.3. If on the iPad mini the software slowed down a little, now the tablet does not differ in speed from the iPhone 5s, all built-in applications, like third-party ones, “fly”. Also in version 7.0.3, it was possible to turn off animations in most menus, so you can make your tablet or smartphone even faster.

The main change in iOS 7 compared to the 6th version is the control center - a panel where data, network and wireless switches are collected, offline and night modes, player control buttons, as well as several quick applications (such as a calculator and a flashlight) . The control panel is called in the same way as the notification panel, only from the bottom of the screen. Personally, I have been waiting for its appearance for a long time, it was wrong to constantly enter the settings menu to enable the simplest functions, but better late than never.

The panel is not customizable, that is, you can’t remove unnecessary shortcuts (such as a timer) and add new ones, but you can choose whether it will be possible to call the panel on the locked screen or in open applications. The control center has AirDrop and AirPlay icons - wireless transfer of information, multimedia to compatible devices. For example, if there is another user with iOS 7 nearby, you can transfer a file, contact, with one touch.

The notification center (the panel at the top of the screen) has received expanded functionality: it is divided into 3 parts, you can watch either all notifications, or missed ones, or the “Today” screen, where the weather can also be displayed. The weather app has also been updated, with much more weather animations.

Multitasking has been brought to a remarkable form: now there are not only program icons, but also window thumbnails, the information in which is updated in real time. Approximately the same principle as in MeeGo or Blackberry 10. Swipe up to close applications. Branded features have been improved, with Find My iPhone now requiring authorization with an Apple ID and password to disable it. Additional protection of your data, in general. The new version of FaceTime has the ability to use it for voice calls without video.

Well, one of the most important innovations is the browser. The incomprehensible restriction on 8 open tabs has been removed, now you can open an unlimited number of them. The appearance of the windows has also changed, the miniatures have become more visual, larger.

Opinion

iPad mini with Retina screen is completely similar to the older model iPad Air - software, hardware, screen and operating time. You can choose the screen size you are interested in, and that's it - now you don't have to sacrifice anything. Let me remind you that the first generation iPad mini had only 512 MB of RAM, and the screen had a modest resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. The price at the same time increased slightly, from 329 to 399 dollars for the initial configuration. As I said, the tablet will officially appear in Russia at a price of 15,990 rubles for a Wi-Fi configuration (the predecessor started at 13,000). The LTE version will cost 20,990 rubles for 16 GB. This will happen tomorrow, November 15th.

The new iPad mini retains the key virtues of its predecessor: a record-breaking thinness, the same design with narrow bezels and an all-aluminum body, loud stereo speakers, a huge software base and the same battery life. It was a little disappointing that the tablet decided not to use a fingerprint scanner, as in the iPhone 5s (this would have increased the cost), as well as the previous camera, although an 8 megapixel module would have been more appropriate. Otherwise, the tablet left the most pleasant impression, the Android competitors do not have the same combination of dimensions, quality of materials, speed and operating time, for which we can safely recommend the model for purchase.

We thank the company for the provided Apple iPad mini Retina First-Store.ru

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Many reviews have been made of the capabilities of the iPad with Retina. The low resolution display and slow SoC, which were the only two real complaints about the first iPad mini, received enough attention. A bunch of options were listed that Apple could use to promote mini:

“Apple opted for a blatant 4x increase in the number of pixels (2x in each dimension) to create Retina. With a mini display, using a resolution of 1024x768, this would give it a 7.85-inch 2048x1536 panel. This would be the same resolution as the iPad 3/4, but with a much smaller display, giving it a pixel density of 326dpi (versus ~263 for the iPad 3/4). Apple could do that, but it would be the same changes it made to the iPad with Retina. First of all, the introduction of a larger battery and a much larger SoC. A larger battery is needed to run a more powerful backlight, and an X-series SoC is needed to keep the UI up to date and play at such a high resolution. Both of these things would increase the size and cost of the mini, making it a true un-mini."

This quote is from one last year's review and it looks like Apple decided to fix everything this year. The review further concluded:

“None of these options are particularly enticing for Apple, especially given the low (for Apple) iPad mini starting price. If you're expecting a Retina mini next year, don't hold your breath."

That's why I don't like to make predictions.

I didn't expect the display power to drop that much. I didn't think the battery density would be so improved. And I definitely didn't expect Apple to integrate a large 4MB cache on the chip, thereby reducing the need for a super memory interface. The combination of these three things gave the iPad mini a Retina display, which is probably what Apple did this year after all.

The iPad mini with Retina, unlike the iPad Air, is very similar to its predecessor. You can't even see the 4.1% increase in thickness (+0.3mm) or the 7.5% increase in weight (+23g).

From top to bottom: iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina, iPad Air

Retina mini now has a 44% larger battery (23.8Wh). This is almost the same battery capacity as the original iPad (25Wh), but takes up only 1/3 of the space in the chassis. It's also the highest battery capacity we've ever seen in a tablet of this size. The slight impact on weight and thickness is impressive.

The battery powers two features of the new mini: basically Apple's A7 SoC and of course the 7.85-inch 2048x1536 Retina display. An effective solution to the main problem of the original iPad mini, the new mini is significantly faster and comes with a much better display. Mind you, the original mini debuted with the n-1 SoC, making the move to the A7 this year an even more significant upgrade. While regular users will find it hard to tell the difference between the A6 and A7, anyone who actively uses last year's iPad mini will appreciate how much faster the new one is (especially if you've upgraded to iOS 7).

According to the source - http://www.anandtech.com/, the display itself does not need much explanation. The first generation iPad mini had a screen resolution of 1024×768, which was acceptable but not perfect. I had no problem recommending the mini given how good the rest of the experience was, but it's clear it could have been better. The move to a 2048x1536 panel gives the mini not only the right to use the term Retina Display, but also the highest density display in Apple's lineup.

The rest of the body doesn't look much different than the original mini. Apple likes to keep the design of its mobile devices not too different for at least two generations, and the mini is no exception. This is by no means a complaint. I am simply fascinated by the high quality of the mini chassis, just like last year.

The front side of the tablet is characterized by an asymmetrical rim, identical to the iPad Air. The bezels on the sides are narrow, while the top and bottom are wider to physically accommodate the home button and FaceTime HD camera. As before, Apple gives a bit of extra work by rejecting thumbnails placed on either edge of the mini to make up for the missing part of the bezel before the "hold".

The solid aluminum backplate comes in Light Silver or Space (Dark) Gray. As with the iPhone, the silver model gets a white beveled bezel, while the Space Gray one has black trim and bronze bevelled edges. Models with a cellular modem have plastic RF windows along the top edge of the tablet.


Around the edges you'll find: a power on/off button on the top, a volume up/down slider, and a rotation lock/mute volume up/down slider on the right side. If you have a cellular model, you'll find a nano-SIM tray along the right side of the mini.

The bottom edge is home to Apple's light connector, on either side of the speakers. The mini sounds good, though you'll get better bass response on the larger iPad Airs.

iPad mini with Retina features the same 5MP iSight camera (back) and 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera (front) as iPad Air. The addition is the installation of a dual microphone to remove background noise, again, as in the iPad Air.

The Mini is available in exactly the same configuration as the iPad Air. It starts at $399 with 16GB of storage and is available in 32GB and 64/128GB (+$100 for each memory upgrade). Cellular connectivity also adds $130. Like the iPad Air, the Retina mini is only available with LTE support and comes unlocked.

The old mini is still around $299, although like the iPad 2 that's still on sale, you're unlikely to get a recommendation to buy it. Perhaps if you really don't mind a low resolution display, a much slower SoC, and want to save some money, don't give up on iOS. For most people, a mini iPad with Retina is the device they need. If you're using a heavy tablet, the experience is truly like heaven and earth. While the form factor of the iPad Air is something that is defined by its experiential improvement, the mini iPad with Retina relies on the display and crystal to do the same.

Weight and usability

Much of the tablet experience has to do with weight and the distribution of that weight. The iPad Air is proof that this is true. Whereas the iPad Air occupies a position between one-handed and two-handed comfortable use, the mini sits squarely in one-handed territory. Picking up the mini after using the Air for a couple of weeks, it feels like you have nothing in your hands. The Mini is the much more comfortable of the two tablets for lying down. When you're sitting upright, the Air's weight feels like a huge advantage over the mini, but if you're relaxed, the mini feels a lot nicer to hold. You can read more about the comparison of Air and mini tablets in the article “Which tablet do you need? »

The case is quite narrow, it can be held with only one hand and used as a giant smartphone. If you hold the mini with two hands and use it like a smartphone, you can actually do it super fast using just your fingers. While the iPad Air is too big to hold in portrait mode and comfortably wrap around with your fingers, the minis are too small to hold in landscape mode and use like a regular keyboard. When typing long emails, the iPad Air is better, assuming I can walk up to a table or I can sit down. But if I can't do either, then the iPad mini is the best companion.

Apple introduced the LTE model, which, in fact, duplicates most of the functions of a smartphone. With mini LTE, the smartphone stays in your pocket more often, although there are many combinations of small/large, phone/tablet that you can list when trying to figure out the best ratio for today. In many ways, this is similar to the comparison between a small laptop and a PC, a large laptop and a docking station.

The mini's smaller display makes reading content a little harder than the larger iPads. But, given the new Retina display, reading on the mini is pretty good. Small text is always easier to read when it's on a larger display, but as long as you're looking at content that's properly formatted for a tablet, you'll be thrilled with the mini. The impression of reading comics on mini is also very pleasant. The bubbles text was certainly not as easy to read as it was on the iPad Air, but overall the experience was still good. Ultimately, you won't sacrifice much functionality if you choose mini over Air. What you lose, you will certainly gain in portability. The main question is where you are going to use the tablet, this will determine which one to choose.

Cases

Like the iPad Air, the iPad mini is fairly light, and any kind of case adds a decent amount of weight to the device (percentage).

Since the mini hasn't changed much in form factor, the first two batches of cases are pretty similar to what we got last year. Like its older sibling, the mini comes with an optional Smart Cover ($39) or Smart Case ($69) depending on how much protection you need.

Apple offered me a black Smart Cover and a red Smart Case for iPad mini. Both looked great on the Space Gray mini. It is worth noting that the red Smart Case has a less saturated color than the red iPad Air Smart Cover.


The Smart Cover attaches to the left side of the mini with a magnetic loop. If you line up the magnets correctly, the force of attraction is strong enough to support the weight of the mini if ​​you grab it by the lid (although I don't recommend doing that). The magnets on the edge of the lid are away from the sleep/wake signal loop on the tablet itself.

The Smart Case has the same sleep/wake functionality, but instead of connecting with magnets, the mini tablet sits inside a case that protects it from both sides. The Smart Case is preferable for travel, although it is much more difficult to get and stow the tablet, and obviously adds more weight to the device.

Both screen protectors have the same tri-fold design and can be used as a tablet stand. Since the previous mini used the same type of protective cover, the angle of the stand did not change, as was the case with the Air.


The inner surfaces of the protective covers are lined with microfiber, while the outside is covered with either soft polyurethane (Smart Cover) or leather (Smart Cover). Both protect the mini well and show no signs of excessive wear.

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Today at the peak of popularity - tablets from Apple with a retina display. The quality of the picture on such screens is much better than on conventional ones.

Apple iPad with such a display on the market for several versions. Which model is better - our review will show.

The device comes with the following accessories:

• Battery.
• Documentation.
• USB cord.
• Accessory for getting a sim card.

The new iPad mini 2 came out with a Retina display. This model is based on the A7 processor. The thickness of the iPad with the release of the iPad mini 2 device has increased slightly. The black color is gone, replaced by a dark gray gadget. The minimum amount of memory of the gadget has an Apple iPad Wi-Fi 16 GB. The maximum version contains 128 GB of internal memory. And in all other respects, this is the good old mini model from Apple.

Apple iPad design

Of course, the main innovation of this Apple iPad model is the retina display. But the appearance of any device is an important characteristic, so we will present its review as well.

The model has a design, as its review and comparison with previous versions shows, it is no different from the first mini version. And this is considered by most users as a plus.

But still, some prefer the Air model - it is convenient to watch videos on it, access sites via Wi-Fi and much more. The display dimensions allow this.

However, if you look at the sales statistics, the model mini holds a strong lead. One large version accounts for about ten iPad mini A1490 or A1489 iPad mini.

To explain this is quite simple, it is not even necessary to conduct a detailed comparative review of both types of models. And it's not even about the price. It's just that mini is much easier to take with you, putting it in your jacket pocket. You can even not take a bag with you, put the gadget in the pocket of a down jacket. So, while in the city, the user can check the mail, call via FaceTime. And all this thanks to its miniature size and Wi-Fi networks. In any case, this is not possible with Air.

Display

In addition to rich functionality, Wi-Fi support and other advantages, full-screen versions are equipped with an excellent display. The diagonal of the IPS element is 7.9 inches. There is an LED backlight. The resolution is 2048x1536 pixels. The element is protected by an oleophobic coating.

By comparison, the first mini had a resolution of only 1024x768 pixels. However, the difference at first examination is not noticeable. Because of the "OS" version 7, the capabilities of gadgets of different models are equalized. Therefore, not every user at the first examination of the display will notice whether it functions on Retina or not. It seems to a number of users that the picture on a small tablet is even more spectacular. If you look closely, the icons are indeed clearer and more contrasting. But the differences are nonetheless not impressive.

However, as soon as you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot and launch Safari, the advantages of mini with Retina become obvious:

• Super clear picture.
• Drawn characters.
• Lovely colors.
• High density image.
• Great pictures when using the software.

But even with these advantages, the difference cannot be called very significant, as is the case with laptops or PCs. Users, of course, expected more. But still, the developer did his best and threw a good product on the market. Obviously, the matter is in a decent diagonal and thin fonts of the “OS” version 7. The first users immediately noticed that yellow prevails among the colors. And later it was confirmed. But the shade of yellow is very light and invisible to many. Until someone draws your attention to this fact, most likely you will not notice it.

Performance

The full-screen version is based on the A7 processor. Architecture 64 bit. There is an M7 coprocessor. All these parameters together show excellent results. You can read more about it online. The tablet works much faster than the usual mini, and the difference is most noticeable in the process of launching regular software. We are talking about the camera, browser, maps and the like. And even social networks like Facebook just “fly”.

When heavy software like Infinity Blade is launched, the back of the device heats up. And the heat is very noticeable. So in cold seasons, mini can replace the stove. Of course, the gadget will not burn your hands, but it will transfer a sufficient amount of heat.

The device includes a standard list of wireless elements, Wi-Fi, supports 2 bands 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, Bluetooth fourth format. By default, it is always active. And perhaps this is due to the AirDrop function introduced into the OS 7. But note that with computers from Apple, the exchange of information is not possible, which is a little frustrating.

Features of iOS 7

As was the case with the Air version, the small model came out in 4 versions - 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB. But, besides this, there are versions with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 4G. There are only two color options.

Thus, the buyer has a decent choice. It's hard to stop at just one. Many choose the "golden mean" - a version with 64 GB on board and Wi-Fi + 4G. This is the best option. If the user plans to store a decent amount of music, games, content on the device.

Many movies are allowed to be uploaded directly to AVplayer. But if the iPad for the user is just a replacement for a laptop, it will completely cost a tablet with 16 GB. It's great that the company still gives the user a choice in this regard.

Camera

Of course, photography is one of the additional functions of the tablet. But far from being the main one. Therefore, the quality of the frames is not ideal. But if at the moment the iPhone or the camera is not available, it will do. Of course, the photographs will not pull the title of professional, but they are quite suitable for posting on social networks.

There are filters that allow you to mask not very good quality photos. The camera has a resolution of 5 MP. Selfie element - 1.2 MP.

conclusions

Predicting what may happen with the iPad mini Retina next year, we can assume the following. Surely, the company will work to reduce the size and weight of the device. Touch ID and an improved camera will likely be added.

As for prices, their range depending on the specific characteristics of the gadget is very large. So, the most inexpensive tablet costs about 20,000 rubles. The cost of expensive devices reaches 35,000 rubles. The version with 64 GB on board and 4 G costs about 29,000-30,000 rubles. If you don’t need 4G technology, great, enjoy the saved 4-5 thousand.

The most popular models in the future will be gadgets with a memory of 16 and 32 GB. Probably. They will be in high demand.

And speaking in general, has the Pad mini on Retina become much better? Certainly yes. And it's not just the display. The model has a different processor, a variation with 128 GB of memory has appeared. It's better to go to the store and see for yourself. But those who have not used mini before will not see the difference. They are quite satisfied with the tablets of the first generation.

All in all, the small tablet is one of the best on the market, all things considered. And if the big Air model, despite the beauty of the large display, does not suit you, feel free to get this one.

• Tablet
• Power Supply
• USB cable
• Documentation
• SIM eject tool (for 4G models)

Updated iPad mini: Retina display, A7 processor, slightly thicker, dark gray body instead of black, version with 128 GB of memory, but otherwise it's still the same familiar mini.

Design

The design is practically no different from the first mini, which is good - I personally really liked the device, although I never became a user of a small iPad. Closer to Air, it is more convenient to watch movies, websites and do other things on it, the screen size decides. But when I look at those people with whom I often communicate, the situation there is completely different. For one large iPad, there are a dozen small ones. And everyone has a very simple explanation: mini is much more convenient to carry with you, but in the cold season it is generally easy to put it in a jacket pocket. And I, remembering last winter, can confirm these words. I often left the house without a bag at all, taking only a mini with me - it just fit into the inner pocket of a down jacket. With his help, he worked, if you can call it that, checking mail, correspondence on Facebook, calls to Facetime. In any case, this will not work with Air, it will not fit into your pocket.

In general, this story with a pocket still works, as it worked before. Many advanced people can be easily hooked and caught by saying that this gadget, which is traditionally large, now, after our improvements, easily fits in your pocket. You don't believe in it? Well, remember the Sony VAIO P. It would seem, well, who needs a pocket laptop with such poor performance? Well, who will buy it? And then there were a lot of buyers, it was the winter of 2009, sales began at the end of March, and P became one of the most sought-after new products from Sony. Just a year later, the iPad appeared, and the second version of P was unclaimed. The pocket theme in Sony's work surfaced a little later, when an Android-based tablet appeared with the corresponding abbreviation, P - but only this P turned out to be of no use to anyone (almost no one, meager sales). To some extent, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra can be attributed to pocket tablets, but it is hardly worth comparing with the iPad mini, each of these gadgets has its own purpose - by the way, I still like the Z Ultra, one of the best devices in the company's line (in general, among all other devices). Apple, it seems to me, also walked on thin ice, introducing the iPad mini. Why don't consumers try it? Well, how can they not understand why they should pay a little less and lose the diagonal? But consumers got it right, and it turned out that the iPad mini outsold the big iPad. And many of my colleagues who are connected with retail say so in general: iPad mini killed sales of regular Apple tablets. At least, before the release of Air, the situation was interesting, many stores even stopped ordering cases for the iPad 2/3/4 - there was no demand for accessories or for the models mentioned. But mini was sold and is being sold, as if it were the only tablet in the company's line. Why? The answer is simple, it's all about the more than once mentioned "pocket", compactness while maintaining an acceptable display diagonal for a tablet. The regular iPad is only smaller, and that's what captivates consumers. By the way, here's another interesting fact: I'm always interested in seeing what my fellow journalists use, we periodically meet at presentations, exhibitions and similar events. Say, when you see several editors of publications about Sony RX-100 gadgets, this is a sure sign that the camera is worth buying. When I was at IFA, I noticed that almost every second iPad mini (and I also had it in my bag, then there was no Air), everyone says one thing: it is compact. Therefore attractive. The secret of success is very simple. And therefore, no one expected cardinal changes from the presentation of the updated model.

The dimensions of the first iPad mini were 200 x 134.7 x 7.2 mm and weighed 308 grams (312 grams for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model). The thickness of the novelty has slightly changed, 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm, weight - 331 grams (the 4G version weighs 341 grams). Your old mini case may not be suitable for a new tablet, we tried several cases with colleagues, we managed to somehow attach only Vaja models.

The case is the same as the first mini, made of aluminum, made with love, it's nice to hold in your hands. The product, despite its size, is not perceived as some kind of toy, it is a pebble in the garden of plastic Galaxy - they may be good in terms of characteristics, but outwardly they look like tablets for children. You can’t say the same about mini, it’s a thing with a capital letter. The model with 4G has a plastic antenna cap on the back, with a microphone hole on it, and a camera lens next to it. On the upper end there is a power button, on the right is the usual set: mute lever, volume control buttons. Below is the Lightning connector, next to the perforation. By the way, mini with Retina is very loud, you can watch a movie without using speakers, it literally yells - you can listen to music in the bathroom while you take a shower, and you can hear quite well. The 4G model has a SIM tray on the right side, nanoSIM is used. The 3.5 mm jack is on the top left, in the center is another microphone hole.

The color has changed, instead of black it is now branded dark gray, it looks great. Girls will like the silvery tablet, the frame around the display is white, while dark gray has a black one. I hope nothing will happen to the coating, on my black mini the paint peeled off in some places, although the tablet was exploited mercilessly.

Display

Diagonal IPS-display - 7.9 inches, LED-backlit, resolution - 2048x1536 pixels, oleophobic coating on the display protection. The first mini had a resolution of 1024x768 pixels. If you expect that you will immediately see the difference, I hasten to disappoint you: thanks to iOS 7, the chances have evened out, and not everyone can understand where Retina is and where the regular display is at first glance at the tablet desktop. And some even think that the display of a simple mini is better. If you look closely, you can see that the icons, signatures are clearer, the image is more contrasting. But the difference, nevertheless, is not too noticeable, not striking.

As soon as you open Safari and any site, you immediately understand why you should choose mini with Retina. Accustomed to other such products, the clarity of the image, like cut out letters, wonderful colors, the picture is dense - a feast for the eyes. The same can be said about games and programs, it all looks much better on the Retina display.

But the difference is not striking, as in the case of laptops or large iPads, I personally expected more, but it turned out just fine. Apparently, it's all about the display diagonal and thin iOS7 fonts. They say that the display is a little yellow, at first I didn’t notice, now I see it. Just look at the white reminder or calendar icons - a slight, very slight tint is observed, but until someone tells you about it, you will not pay attention.

Performance

The A7 processor with 64-bit architecture plus the M7 coprocessor is used, this bundle has been talked about more than once - read the reviews of the iPhone 5S, iPad Air. The results of testing in the Geekbench 3 program can be seen in the photographs. The tablet works faster than a simple mini, this is especially noticeable when running familiar programs, such as a browser, camera, Google Maps and others. Yes, even Facebook is faster.

The case heats up noticeably from the back while running serious applications like Infinity Blade - in winter you can use the mini as a small stove. Doesn't burn, but heats up seriously.

The traditional set of wireless interfaces, Wi-Fi (802.11 a / b / g / n), support for two bands 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, Bluetooth 4.0. By default, Bluetooth is enabled, this is due to the appearance of the AirDrop function in iOS7 - I note once again that it will not be possible to exchange information with Apple computers, it's a pity.

iOS7 is used, you can find an overview of the operating system on the website.

Memory, modifications

As with the iPad Air, there are four versions: 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB, and there are versions with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + 4G, and there are also two colors. I do not advise employees of online stores, there are a lot of versions, there is a lot of work to be done. In the case of tablets, it’s hard to say which series to choose, they brought me a 64 GB modification, Wi-Fi + 4G for testing, in a sense, this is the best option if there are a lot of applications, music, if you like to watch movies on a tablet. In AVplayer, you can immediately download several seasons of the series or many, many films. If for you the iPad mini is just a laptop replacement device for meetings, then 16 GB is enough. It's great that Apple still gives you that choice.

LTE

In Moscow, LTE works, this applies to both Air and iPad mini with Retina. Checked with the help of my colleague's card - by the way, I recently had a curious incident with the purchase of a 4G SIM card in Euroset, I will tell you separately. If you often work where you have to, do not sit in the office, then you should buy a mini with 4G support, the speed is impressive.

Working hours

The claimed operating time is about 10 hours of video playback, in fact, these figures are approximately true. Simply put, even if you use the tablet to the fullest during the day, it will sit down only in the evening. It is optimal to use the power supply from the kit for charging, via USB it takes a very, very long time. In general, food is in order here.

Camera

Not the best device for photography, but if you don’t have a smartphone or camera at hand, it will do, especially if you are going to upload photos to Instagram later. Filters will help mask not the best quality. Camera resolution - 5 MP, front - 1.2 MP, video recording is supported in HD, there is autofocus and focus by pressing, face detection, geotargeting, HDR. I really want to believe that the next iPad will have a camera at least like the iPhone 5.

conclusions

What will happen to iPad mini with Retina next year? I think you can guess yourself. Firstly, they will work on reducing the weight and size of the device, this body has already worked its way. Secondly, they will add TouchID, as in the iPhone 5S, the smartphone, as always, acts as a kind of platform for testing new technology. Thirdly, they will improve the camera, we can expect at least the same characteristics as the iPhone 5. A new processor (A8?), Well, and one more thing. For some, such changes will not be enough - I personally do not think so.

Even seemingly minimal changes to the iPad mini with Retina have revived interest in this product. Yes, such a shortage as with the iPhone 5S is not observed, but the demand is stable, new minis are stocked in retail, in November-December this will be one of the most sought-after gifts.

You can see the prices in the official Apple store in the screenshot, the cheapest tablet costs 15,990 rubles, the most expensive - 32,990 rubles. For myself, I chose a version with 64 GB of memory and 4G support, such a mini costs 28,990 rubles. If you don't need 4G, you can save five thousand, not bad. The most popular will be tablets with Wi-Fi 16/32 GB, already now we can assume a shortage in the coming months.

In general, about the device. Has the iPad mini gotten any better? Yes, instead of a simple Retina screen, a different processor (and the difference in speed is noticeable), there is a version with 128 GB of memory. Should I upgrade my mini to a new one? Before that, I recommend that you go to the store and evaluate the display yourself. Only those who have already used mini will notice the difference, the rest will be satisfied with the first generation tablet.

In any case, this is one of the best tablets on the market in terms of features, and if you are not satisfied with the size of the iPad Air, then feel free to buy iPad mini with Retina.

P.S. We will add a video to the review tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, before the end of the year we will try to publish the operating experience - if Artem has time, he will write this material. I know that Artem loves iPad mini and can tell you a lot of interesting things.

The author expresses gratitude to the store "Computer Plaza" for the device provided for the test.

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Sergey Kuzmin ()