1. The display is a rectangle with rounded corners. The diagonal of this rectangle, excluding roundings, is 12.9 inches (for iPad Pro 12.9 inches) and 11 inches (for iPad Pro 11 inches).
2. The amount of available space is less than stated and depends on various factors. The standard configuration (including iOS 12 and pre-installed apps) takes approximately 10 to 12 GB depending on the device model and settings. Pre-installed applications take up about 4 GB; they can be deleted and downloaded again. The amount of available space may vary depending on the device and software version.
3. Size and weight vary depending on device configuration and manufacturing process.
4. Battery life varies depending on device settings and usage. More details on the page.
5. To use FaceTime, all users must have a FaceTime-enabled device and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability of FaceTime over cellular networks varies by carrier; Data charges may apply.
6. Data plan required. Gigabit Class LTE, 4G LTE Advanced, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi calling are not available in all regions or with all carriers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and may vary depending on local conditions. For more information about LTE support, contact your carrier or visit.
7. Cellular plan must be purchased separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a specific cellular network technology. Contact your carrier for information about your device support and cellular plan availability.
8. Not all carriers support Apple SIM and eSIM cards. Check with your carrier for details. Not available in mainland China. eSIM is supported on the 11-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (7th generation), and iPad mini (5th generation). Apple SIM technology is supported on iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (5th and 6th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 4.

1. The amount of available space is less than stated and depends on various factors. The standard configuration (including iPadOS and pre-installed apps) takes approximately 10 to 13 GB, depending on the device model and settings. Pre-installed applications take up about 4 GB; they can be deleted and downloaded again. The amount of available space may vary depending on the device and software version.
2. Size and weight vary depending on device configuration and manufacturing process.
3. To communicate using FaceTime, both users must have FaceTime-enabled devices and be connected to a Wi-Fi network. Availability of FaceTime over cellular networks varies by carrier; Data charges may apply.
4. Data plan required. Gigabit Class LTE networks and Wi-Fi calling are not available in all regions or with all carriers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and may vary depending on local conditions. For more information about LTE network support, contact your carrier or visit.
5. Cellular plan must be purchased separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a specific cellular network technology. Contact your carrier for cellular plan availability and compatibility.
6. Not all carriers support Apple SIM and eSIM cards. Contact your carrier for more information. Not available in mainland China.
7. Siri may not be available in all languages ​​or regions. Siri capabilities may also vary. Internet access required. Cellular data charges may apply.
8. Testing conducted by Apple in February 2019 using preproduction iPad mini (5th generation) units running pre-production software. Testing included draining the battery completely while performing the following tasks: playing video, playing audio, and browsing websites while connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular data network. The video was a 2 h 23 min repeat film purchased from the iTunes Store. The audio content playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store. Internet browsing via Wi-Fi and cellular data was tested using a dedicated web server and email server, simulating browsing 20 popular web pages and checking email hourly. Default settings were used, except for the following: Wi-Fi connection (enabled, except for surfing the Internet via a cellular data network); request to connect to Wi-Fi networks (disabled); automatic brightness adjustment (disabled); brightness (level set to 50%); WPA2 encryption (enabled). Battery life depends on device settings, usage conditions, and many other factors. Battery testing was conducted on specific iPad test units; actual results may vary.
9. Broadband wireless connection recommended; charges may apply.

• Some features may not be available in all countries or regions. Click

Two years ago we denied the need for a smaller iPad. And now we fully consider it 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 lies next to him. Is this a good tablet? Definitely. Should you change to this one? No options. True, this is not a perfect device.

Apple employs engineers, not magicians. It is always easy to find the advantages of new devices: the euphoria and joy of owning a new toy greatly help with this. But it’s almost impossible to get to the bottom of the real downsides in the first few days. I've been using the new iPad mini with Retina display for three weeks and, in addition to the obvious improvements, I've found a few unexpected ones. negative aspects, many of which were not written about in any popular review. Let's fix the situation, starting with ourselves!

For what?

Is the iPad mini with Retina display really so bad that a separate article is devoted to its disadvantages? Of course, it's not like that at all. Quite the contrary. 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, want to be among the first to shoot a review and slide into banal praise of the device and freely quoting marketing clichés from the pages of apple.com. And their readers are already gossiping about the disadvantages - on forums, with angry responses towards the manufacturer. I think this is wrong. So that you are fully armed, I will walk freely roller for iPad mini with Retina display. Let me make a reservation right away that we will not discuss the advantages in detail.

Battery, charging and battery life

From year to year, Apple adds a charger and cable to iPads, denying them an additional pair of headphones. An interesting point: the iPad mini comes not with the new one, but with the old 10-watt one. The manufacturer saves money, but in practice this changes almost nothing: the tablet charges in about 5-6 hours from zero to 100%. If you use it regularly and thoroughly, make it a habit to charge your device every two days - and everything will be fine.

The new mini receives virtually no power from the USB port, except for deep sleep mode. Considering that notifications are constantly coming there, you will gain at most 20-25% throughout the night. Plug it into a power outlet, there is no other option. I warn you right away: with a capacity of less than 10,000 mA, they can barely breathe when connected to a new tablet. These are the realities of using a new display and much more power-hungry hardware.

When playing resource-intensive things like , the tablet discharges faster than the previous generation mini - mine refuses to live after 5 hours of continuous play. But here it’s worth making an important remark: we are talking about the “heaviest” toy for iOS at the moment, which in terms of processor load is even Infinity Blade III. “Lighter” toys will work for around 7-8 hours, and in “naked” surfing mode on Wi-Fi without playing video and with low brightness, you can squeeze out of the tablet not even 10, but as much as 11, or even 12 hours of work . This is 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 physically cannot let you down at the right time (hello, iPhone!).

By the way, I’m so used to the iPad’s long and stable battery life that I constantly forget about the helplessness of iPhones in this regard. There are countless calls and important emails that were missed because I forgot to turn off 3G and disable geolocation. You never need to do this kind of crap with an iPad. Well, if you just want to set records: there are people on Twitter who squeezed 13 hours of continuous work out of a tablet. When to live, eat, sleep? :)

Case, design and heating

The iPad mini with Retina display came in the iPad mini body without the Retina display. We could end here. 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-Mukhra!

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

The old case couldn't withstand the upgrade.

It would seem that in this situation there is no need to think about thickness at all. But no. You may not notice it, but the covers and covers won't get off that easy. The new iPad mini fits noticeably worse into tight-fitting cases for the previous generation - for example, those that have hard plastic clips on the sides. If the clamps are weak, then the new product will not fit there properly at all. And if you are strong, then every time you “undress” you will pray so as not to dent or scratch the sensitive sharpened edges of the tablet.

Not only have the grooves burst, but the lid now doesn’t close completely.

Don't take risks with cases: take your tablet with you, go to the store and try on each option before purchasing. If it fits incredibly tight or doesn’t fit all the way, give up and look for another one. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer has realized 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 lid, if there is one. The protruding piece of the new tablet, timidly peeking out of the case for the previous generation mini, is very frustrating: personally, I will 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 heat conductor, which makes it Apple's favorite material for the legendary MacBook cases. Only Apple mobile gadgets do not have radiators, much less coolers. Therefore, only the housing plays the role of a cooler. You can probably already guess where I'm going with this.

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 so hot that you get burned, but already so hot that you 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 nowhere for the heat to go. Apple knew this very, very well. Why I think so is 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 this easily: we explained it by the limitations of the case and heat dissipation, and then marched in orderly rows to the stores. In 2013, the trick was not repeated: the iPad mini with Retina display has an A7 processor. It also has an A7 processor. 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 iPad mini review

Each A7 processor is different from the one in the other device - be it 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, varying depending on the load on the processor. It is called "throttling": A programmed limit on processor performance that protects the processor from overheating. Throttling is implemented in all processors, from full-fledged computer CPUs to mobile ARM. Thanks to throttling, your iPhone and iPad will not be able to overheat and become damaged from excessive load. I explain this so that no one “rolls a barrel” about the technology itself.

So, the new Apple gadgets - and the limits of throttling - are programmed differently. The iPad Air performs best. Under high load, it very smoothly, almost one megahertz at a time, reduces the processor frequency to 1.3 GHz. This is a very small drop that the average user will not be able to notice. Air is partly lucky: only its design provides .

Graph from iPad Air review on Anandtech

But the iPhone 5s is for real "freaking out", as soon as faced with 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 nothingness 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 throttling is activated naked eye. The toy will simply begin to slow down noticeably. 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 it 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 has the same processor speed as the iPhone 5s. Its throttling parameters are slightly better than those of 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 the new mini-tablet, it quickly gives up a good quarter of its performance for the sake of chip temperature. The A7 turned out to be significantly hotter than previous chips, and therefore Apple had to make similar 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 the tablet's favor. 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 processor processing power:

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 means less load on the hardware. And even an increased throttling threshold cannot change anything.

What does all this mean for each of us? It's a simple fact: 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 they will also show better images. Next time, Apple should consider installing processors in its tablets that are more powerful 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. Despite all the peculiar disadvantages, performance is the first reason that should make you exchange 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 only thinks for a second and a half. iOS 7 sharply increased the technical requirements for the device, and the first iPad mini finally stopped coping with the modern load. Lag and stuttering are non-existent on the mini with Retina display, with the exception of the one and only ones that appear thanks to the 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 for just one minute. First of all, 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. Second, none of these icons and none of the official apps take advantage of the iPhone and iPad's gorgeous screens. Where once there were super-detailed textures, there are now two-tone gradients and spacious shapes. Finally, the performance of the system itself often leaves much to be desired.

Thanks to the design-naked iOS 7, the difference between the old iPad mini and the new iPad mini is not felt at all as strong as, say, between the iPad 2 and iPad 3 during iOS 5/6. At a quick glance, it is dictated only by the desktop wallpaper - now much more detailed. We'll talk about the screen later. The main thing is that both the “old” and the new have strange problems: for example, applications switch with twitches, or close with a lag when using a five-finger gesture. The A7 processor has nothing to do with it: iOS 7 is simply poorly optimized for the new hardware, and Apple will have to work long and hard on the system.

To truly enjoy the iPad mini with Retina display, you need to install the latest beta version on it. This cannot be done 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 like a hello from Android OS. Unfortunately, there are rumors that it's official, so for now we'll have to make do with beta versions.

RAM

A conversation about hardware wouldn't be complete without mentioning RAM. Today, all Apple mobile gadgets have strictly 1 gigabyte of RAM. According to the bucket owners, this is very little. According to iDevice owners, everyone somehow I don't care. The gigabyte limit, which applies to all top devices, has a good effect on the optimization of third-party games and applications: developers know what “ceiling” they need to target at least in the next six months. But it is already clear that the system is “suffocating” within 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're right! - Let's happily go to the store. Remember this when buying the current mini, and prepare yourself mentally for this so that you don’t get offended by the guys from Cupertino later. They need to earn money.

Retina display. Afterglow, contrast problems – huegate

We were genuinely surprised that the technical specifications of the newest full-size iPad would be the same as those of the mini version. This wasn't exactly Apple's style. Somewhere the company had to really save money. Unfortunately, the savings were almost entirely due to the Retina display. Most likely, you already know: the screen of the new iPad mini is recognized as better than that of the recently released iPad Air. The difference is in the depth, variety and contrast of the displayed colors: the new mini is much more “passive” and cooler in color rendering 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 a short-time owner of an iPad Air, I can confirm that the colors in the new mini are really not as vibrant as on the larger iPads. The range of displayed colors corresponds to that of the very first mini model. Therefore, we can conclude: the iPad mini’s Retina screen differs from the old display solely in its doubled resolution. And nothing more.

There are two options for how to respond to this minus. If you have been using only a Mini 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 learned by comparison, and if you compare the new mini with the old one, and not with some “fourth” iPad, the previous generation does not have no one real advantage. Just take the new model and don't worry.

If you still haven't decided which model of the new iPad you should buy, 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 of better quality in all possible respects. Except, perhaps, for the clarity of the picture: the pixel density per inch, and therefore the detail of the image, in the new iPad mini is worthy of the highest praise.

Differences in color rendering make you think twice about buying an iPad Air instead of a mini. But remember: whatever the screen difference, the size of a large iPad still matters. 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 lightweight and thin it is, still remains 9.7 inches "tray", which is not always comfortable to take out in a public place. And even more so for them to photograph something. Accordingly, if you are going to take a mini, take a mini. If you were attracted to Air and were previously satisfied with full-size iPads, don’t waste your money any further.

With the exception of color reproduction, the new mini's screen is excellent. Huge viewing angles and high brightness make the picture incredibly seamless, as if reproduced on paper. The old model is no longer quoted here at all. Now small text on website pages does not look like a cluster of smeared pixels, and with some dexterity and good eyesight, you can read news on the pages without using zoom. The high clarity of the picture is unusual for those who used the old mini for a long time: I swear, for the first few days I kept seeing pixels and their clearly defined boundaries.

Like that.

Here, however, we will have to make an unexpected remark. The second week after purchasing the new mini, I discovered a strange feature of the new screen that I had never seen before on either an iPad or an iPhone. If the screen displays a dark picture for a long time and then suddenly switches to bright colors, grays and whites, the color rendition 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 for all the “Internet”, but they are 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 using a gesture - and for 2-3 seconds I hardly saw the description text, comment block, and so on. There is no need to panic: the screen very quickly restores the normal color balance, and achieving such a strange effect is not at all so easy. However, this has not yet happened in previous models of Apple mobile devices. Problems with mini displays, which forced Apple to significantly delay the launch of devices for sale, were known back in . It is now obvious that these were not just rumors. Have you seen 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 to the full-size version of the tablet. The iPad Air is much better suited for home use: it is more interesting to watch movies and surf the Web on it, because the advantages of a physically larger screen are obvious. But the new iPad mini is a universal companion in the city and on the road, capable of everything you expect from a tablet. And if you move a lot in life, you are on the right path with a mini.

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

Roman Yuryev's impressions of the Retina iPad mini

The announcement of new iPad models was a little unsettling, to be honest. It turned out to be MUCH lighter and noticeably more compact than its predecessor, and in terms of power it is not particularly behind its larger brother. What to choose given the experience of working 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.

The iPad Air has a larger display, weighing just 120g, more than the second-generation iPad mini, plus better color reproduction. In general, from the color rendition 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, which the iPad Air just won’t fit into. A severe shortage for a compact new product almost became the reason for purchasing an iPad Air, but I still resisted and got hold of a Retina iPad mini, which I don’t 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 I was just a little excited by the 128 GB of flash memory and the ability to download 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. After all, it’s a big family and everyone has something on their device. Now all this easily fits 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 the tablet has not changed. This was the case for the first few days of using the device, when I mostly 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 (during which I got a new tablet), I began working more closely with the iPad mini. And here I already felt the whole thrill of the gadget. Firstly, I was glad that I took it and not the iPad Air. The high resolution of the display rules and in fact I got the same experience when surfing the web (when you actually need picture clarity) as on the iPad 4 before, but in a more compact package. That is, there are no negative experiences due to the reduced display diagonal.

Secondly Without having an iPad Air on hand for direct comparison, I don't see any problems with color reproduction in the new mini. Gorgeous display and excellent color rendition. I don’t understand the people’s hysteria about this. If you are still in the throes of choosing because of the display, then don't bother yourself with nonsense. The iPad mini has a normal LCD matrix.

Third, you begin to understand all the coolness of the clarity of the screen only after a few days of intensive use of the device. Watching videos on YouTube, reading books on 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 was fine. This is what it means: high-quality adaptation of the OS and software to different resolutions. I picked up the Retina iPad mini again and again began to be wildly delighted.

Fourth, I was especially pleased with the increased productivity. Switches between applications more quickly, Safari crashes no longer occur (although they obviously still can, given that the browser crashes from time to time on the iPhone 5s), editing texts in the WordPress admin panel goes like clockwork, and finally the keyboard has stopped lagging when typing comments in the browser, etc.

I didn’t notice any particular heating of the tablet, although I haven’t played a lot of games yet.

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

The Retina iPad mini is the ultimate tablet without compromise, with an ultra-clear display, very powerful hardware to spare, and a great range of software. There are no alternatives for traveling and everyday carrying, IMHO.

Artur Malosiev's impressions of the 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 magnificent display and resources are enough to solve all my problems. Based on past experience, I took exclusively 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 “minivan” turned out to be a good and reliable friend, the power reserve of which will be quite enough for the next couple of years.

If you have already bought a new mini, don’t hesitate to tell us about it. Like? How do you use it? Are you going to take the Air to catch up? Thanks for reading – and happy holidays!

website Two years ago we denied the need for a smaller iPad. And now we fully consider it the best tablet in the world. As soon as Tim Cook confirmed the release of the new iPad mini, I knew I would definitely buy it. And here he lies next to him. Is this a good tablet? Definitely. Should you replace your previous mini with this one? No options. True, this...

The first iPad mini was introduced in the fall of 2012 and became a very popular device. You can blame Apple for following the lead of the market, but no one can deny the success of the iPad mini. Millions of customers have chosen the iPad mini with their wallets, which only confirmed the correctness of Apple's chosen path.

In the fall of 2013, Apple updated its line of tablets, including the iPad mini. The compact tablet received updated hardware and the long-awaited Retina screen, the absence of which in the first generation mini deterred many from purchasing it (including me). Now the iPad mini with a Retina screen is available for sale and I just couldn’t help but buy it for myself. Did the iPad mini with Retina display live up to my expectations and should you buy one for yourself?

Model selection

I already had experience using the “large” iPad 2, but I was not satisfied with its dimensions. This is not to say that full-size iPads are very bulky and heavy, but typing text in landscape orientation of the screen was uncomfortable for me, and carrying a piece of hardware weighing 700 grams in my bag, with the help of which I can’t even fully work with text in some way. I'm just tired of it at the moment. And I sold the iPad 2.

Then I clearly understood that full-size tablets were not my format. A gadget that you constantly carry with you should be compact, lightweight and easy to use. I see the full-size iPad more as a tablet for home use.

I didn’t buy the first iPad mini due to the lack of a Retina screen, and the hardware on it was far from the latest at that time. Therefore, I waited for the second generation iPad mini, which, from the point of view of hardware and screen, “on paper” completely suited me.

I chose the iPad mini with Retina display in Space Gray and 16GB of storage without cellular. Still, while most of our country (including my city) still doesn’t have 4G, I don’t see much point in buying an iPad mini with a cellular module. And now there are more than enough Wi-Fi points, and in extreme cases, an iPhone or even a Mac can act as a router.

The 16 GB version is more than enough for me, because on the iPad I don’t have as many applications and games as on the iPhone, I don’t have a huge photo library, music and movies. If I want to watch or listen to something, I prefer to do it using online services.

Purchase

Still, it’s good that Apple is closely involved in the Russian market. Now you don’t have to wait six months for new devices to officially go on sale. The iPad mini Retina, for example, was available for order in the Apple Online Store on November 15, that is, just a few weeks after the start of sales in the West.

Of course, the iPad mini reached other stores later. I picked up my iPad mini Retina at the end of December and was unable to find it on display for an acceptable (read: officially established) price. It’s good that there are online stores, from one of which I ordered an iPad mini Retina 16 GB for a reasonable 16 thousand rubles. After 3 days, the order had already arrived and I took my long-awaited tablet.

Box and accessories

You shouldn't expect any revelations from the iPad mini Retina box or configuration. Standard box, standard equipment: the tablet itself, lightning cable, Russian plug, documents and stickers. There is nothing else, including headphones.

Case and screen

The iPad mini Retina remains virtually the same in physical size and appearance as the original iPad mini. Rounded corners, a small frame around the screen, screen diagonal - 7.9 inches. The weight of the device has increased only slightly. Holding the tablet in both hands is quite comfortable, but when you work with it with one hand, it still feels a little heavy. I hope that in the future Apple will put its compact tablet on a “diet”, especially since its competitors weigh less.

The location of connectors and speakers on the case remains the same. The body itself is also made of aluminum, its front part is covered with glass.

The iPad mini in Space Gray looks great. After the “faceless” black color in previous models, “Space Gray” looks much more interesting. It is also worth noting that the paint will not peel off, as in the iPhone 5; during the time I was using the tablet, no problems arose. It still looks like new.

The screen diagonal has not changed - 7.9 inches, but the resolution has increased to “Retina” 2048 × 1536 pixels. The pixel density is 326 ppi, just like the iPhone, which is more than the iPad Air (264 ppi). It is worth admitting that you will not notice the difference between the Air and Mini in terms of pixels - they are not visible on both mini and Air. However, the iPad mini's screen is worse than the iPad Air's due to its relatively lackluster color reproduction, brightness, and contrast. Generally speaking, the screen is quite good, but there are not enough stars in the sky.

The screen gets dirty like crazy, you will have to constantly wipe it from dust particles and fingerprints. But it’s hard to call this a specific feature of the iPad mini with a Retina screen. This is a problem with most modern mobile devices.

Another point that catches your eye is that the screen is “deeply” recessed into the body. Apple did not use any special technologies here (a screen without an air gap, for example) and the “depth” between the glass and the display itself is quite noticeable. This does not have a significant effect in everyday use, but I would still like this point to be corrected.

Iron filling and performance

The new iPad mini comes with 1GB of RAM and the latest A7 processor, the same one found in the iPhone 5s and iPad Air. True, unlike its older brother iPad Air, its clock frequency is 100 MHz lower. There's no difference between the Mini and Air when using the iOS interface and most apps, but Apple wouldn't be Apple if there was no difference between them at all. And she is.

In the GeekBench 3 test, the iPad mini scores about 2,500 points, which is slightly lower than the iPad Air, but this is not due to synthetic numbers. When working with resource-intensive games, such as GTA: San Andreas, Real Racing 3, the frame rate sags unpleasantly, which has not been observed before. Apparently this is also due to the fact that most applications are not optimized for the 64-bit architecture of the A7 processor. Or maybe those same 100 MHz frequencies played their fatal role?

It is worth noting that many applications on the iPad mini Retina work the same or even worse (!) than on the iPhone 5, which has an A6 processor. Here the high screen resolution and unoptimized software (especially for the iPad) make themselves felt.

iOS 7 on the iPad mini Retina with a 64-bit processor works... far from perfect. The animation often jerks, and changing the screen orientation does not always happen smoothly. I hope that with the release of iOS 7.1 Apple will cover up this shame, because there is absolutely no desire to endure constant resprings and freezing. This is not Android, this is iOS - a system that has made a name for itself thanks to its stable operation. And iOS 7 has big problems with this very stable operation.

Camera

The iPad mini Retina has a camera, it is capable of taking pictures of very average quality, but for a tablet this can be considered a good indicator. The video is recorded in good quality; naturally, there is no slo-mo mode, as in the iPhone 5s.

Photo taken with the main camera. Quality is very average

But the front camera pleased me. In good lighting conditions, the pictures are quite good (as good as they can be on the front camera). More than enough for selfshots and video calls on Skype.

Vitality

Traditionally, Apple promises 10 hours of battery life for its tablets. With the iPad mini Retina, in practice it turns out a little less. With active use (browser (half an hour to an hour a day), email (an hour a day), social networks (an hour a day), games (2-3 hours a day), videos (half an hour to an hour a day), books (an hour a day) day)) the tablet lasts for 1-1.5 days or 8-9 hours of continuous work. If you moderate your ardor, you can achieve 2-2.5 days. Again, everyone's usage patterns are different and these numbers may vary depending on your preferences.

In any case, the iPad mini Retina remains a very durable device - you won’t worry about the battery and keep looking at the battery charge indicator. You can charge your iPad mini and easily take it with you for the whole working day - the battery will definitely last you. The iPad mini Retina charges from the mains in about 4-5 hours. With my usage pattern, I charge it about 4 times a week - quite a good result.

How I've been using my iPad all this time

Reading articles from the web

The iPad mini is a great reading gadget. Books, articles from the Web, RSS - the iPad mini Retina easily copes with all these tasks. There are a great many applications for this in the App Store. I'll tell you which ones I use.

As an RSS reader I use Digg Reader. I used to prefer Feedly, but I found Digg more convenient. Actually, its functionality is standard - you can subscribe to streams directly in the application, distribute subscriptions into folders, quickly share articles on social networks or postpone them “for later”. This is quite enough for me.

To keep track of news on topics that interest me, I use Zite. Unlike Flipboard, it matches my preferences much better, although, of course, it loses in design. You add all the topics that interest you to Zite once and enjoy promptly arriving news.

To delay reading articles I use Pocket. Still, nothing better has yet been invented for iOS, despite the fact that Readability and Instapaper are also very good services. But Pocket has 3 big advantages: it is supported by hundreds of applications, it has the ability to “save for later” not only text articles, but also videos and links. And third, of course, tags. They help organize all articles into categories and maintain order in the repository.

Books and magazines

You can read e-books and magazines on your iPad without any problems. I would especially like to note that for the iPad there are many interactive magazines that are made specifically for the tablet. For example, this is how I read Slon.ru and Esquire magazines. Unlike paper versions, they have all sorts of interactive elements: graphics, animations, videos, and in some places even mini-games. If this doesn’t turn everything upside down, it certainly transforms the experience of reading periodicals.

The iPad mini Retina is also quite suitable for reading PDF magazines and books. In the vast majority of cases, the font size is quite optimal so as not to squint or zoom in.

But with regular e-books, things are not so simple. I admit that when I bought the iPad mini Retina, I even thought that it could replace my Kindle reader. But this did not happen. E-ink remains for me the best screen format for reading large books. But here who likes what more.

I can’t help but remember the dimensions of the iPad mini Retina. On the one hand, the display diagonal is higher than on the Kindle, which means that more content can fit on the screen. But here this difference is not so critical.

But holding a Kindle reader in one hand is much more convenient and this played a decisive role for me. Amazon was able to find the optimal balance between the amount of text on the screen and ease of use. It’s not surprising, because for the iPad mini, reading books is just one of the tasks, and for the Kindle it’s actually the only one. But for small publications and the iPad mini Retina is quite suitable.

I use Marvin as an e-book reader. It has everything you need to read books comfortably.

Working with text and notes

iPad mini Retina is good for taking short text notes and viewing documents. Don't forget that there are plenty of handwritten note-taking apps for the iPad, like INKredible or Skitch, that can help you jot down ideas at a work meeting or educational event.

To work with text, I use Pages, iAWriter and SimpleNote. Despite the difference in functionality, the essence of using these programs on the iPad is absolutely the same for me - to write a short text. I don’t have the nerves to fully work with text on the iPad, which I’ll talk about below :-)

Fun time

I bought the iPad mini Retina largely with the expectation that it would be my main gaming gadget. I’ll say right away that I was right in my choice, despite the problems with some games.

As I said, the same GTA: San Andreas on the iPad mini Retina behaves strangely: the frame rate is low, everything slows down unpleasantly. At the same time, on the iPhone 5 the game practically did not freeze for me.

But my favorite Modern Combat 4 behaves very well 95% of the time. Even when you play online with a large number of players, MD4 practically does not slow down, only occasionally small “lags” occur. At the same time, the tablet practically does not heat up.

Simple games like Flappy Bird, Dungeon Highway, Angry Birds are eaten up by the iPad mini Retina, which is, in general, quite expected.

It's an hour

I don't think of tablets as full-time work devices, but despite this, it was still interesting to see the iPad mini Retina in action. At work, I tinker a lot with texts, constantly look at email, social networks, and work with the WordPress admin.

A miracle did not happen - the iPad mini Retina, in my opinion, is completely unsuitable for constant work. But in order to quickly write a post, correct the text or sketch out a plan for a post, it is quite suitable.

Firstly, there is a real lack of a physical keyboard, which makes typing much more convenient. Secondly, there is no normal WordPress application for iOS that will not confuse the publication time and accidentally post articles to the site (which has happened to me several times). And thirdly, iOS itself is simply not suitable for such things. On a MacBook you can simultaneously write text and look at its English original, but on an iPad you constantly switch between applications, and this, again, is an inconvenience.

This idea has been said by everyone, it is banal and obvious, but it is worth noting again: the iPad mini is an ideal device for consuming content, not for creating it. Although, if you really want to, you can dodge it by buying an external keyboard. But this will not solve the software problem.

iPad mini is the perfect device for consuming content, not creating it

Air or mini?

Despite some differences in specifications, the only significant difference between the Air and mini Retina is the size of the tablet. IN You must clearly answer the question - which size is preferable for you? Because there is practically no difference in the other capabilities of tablets. If you like full-size tablets, take the iPad Air; if you like compact ones, take the iPad mini Retina. Our infographics will help you make your choice.

conclusions

Despite all the disadvantages and shortcomings of the iPad mini Retina, I was more than satisfied with my purchase. The iPad mini Retina is a pleasant and easy-to-use tablet that, in the vast majority of cases, copes with its tasks with a bang. Many shortcomings are associated with the unstable operation of iOS 7 itself, which will be corrected very soon in the final version of iOS 7.1.

The iPad is still a great device for consuming content, but not a great device for creating it. But as I said above, it is capable of solving simple work tasks.

iPad mini with Retina display

Small miracle.

The iPad mini is great, no matter how you look at it. And the stunning Retina display is just the beginning. iPad mini with Retina display comes with a new A7 processor, advanced wireless technology, and powerful apps built into iOS 7, giving you more options than you ever imagined. It looks like the iPad Air in every way. Except for the ultra-portable design that fits easily in one hand.

7.9-inch Retina display.

Four times more pixels.

Same size.

Now iPad mini looks even more brilliant in your hand. The Retina display has over 3.1 million pixels, which is one million more than an HDTV screen. It has a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is four times that of the previous generation iPad mini. The pixels are so close that they cannot be distinguished by the eye. So videos, photos and text all look incredibly clear. After all, the best pixels are those that are not visible.

Thin and light body.

Filled with lots of technology.

And still fits in one hand.

The new iPad mini brings together many great new features. Stunning Retina display, incredibly powerful A7 processor, advanced wireless technology, and more. But it is still the same “mini”: thin and light. Its thickness is only 0.74 cm, and its weight is less than a third of a kilogram. You have even more options at your fingertips, but you won't feel the slightest increase in weight.

Incredible performance.

The Mini is getting more powerful.

The new Apple-designed A7 processor brings desktop-class 64-bit architecture to iPad. This means its processor is up to 4x faster and its graphics performance is up to 8x faster to get the job done. And you still have up to 10 hours on a single charge - for studying, working, gaming, creating and whatever else you love.

A7 processor

The A7 processor takes iPad to new heights of power and speed. The A7 processor makes apps run faster. Game responsiveness improves. Everything about the iPad mini feels faster. Because he really got faster. Up to four times faster, to be exact. But that is not all. It supports the OpenGL ES standard version 3.0 - this provides graphics detail and visual effects previously only available on desktop computers and game consoles. And the 64-bit architecture of the A7 processor opens the door to even more complex and powerful applications. This means you have even more options with iPad mini.

M7 Motion Coprocessor

iPad mini is designed for a dynamic life. This is why the M7 coprocessor is so important. It measures the movement of your iPad mini by getting data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. Therefore, many applications become even more realistic. The A7 processor could also perform this task. But the M7 handles it more efficiently and saves energy.

Still a long-lasting battery

iPad mini is designed to be powerful yet energy efficient. Although it's up to four times faster than the previous generation iPad mini, it still lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge.1 That's because the A7 is not only a powerful processor, but an efficient one, too. Wherever you go with iPad mini, you'll always have enough battery to go further.

Advanced wireless technologies.

Strengthen connections everywhere.

Your favorite app, book or movie. Your FaceTime conversation or iMessage. With superfast wireless, everything you love is always close to you on iPad mini. It's easier than ever to stay informed and connected.

Superfast Wi-Fi

On iPad mini, Wi-Fi connection speeds are up to two times faster thanks to two antennas and MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology. With dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and MIMO support, download speeds can reach up to 300 Mbps - twice as fast as the previous generation iPad mini. Now, whenever you want to download a movie, send documents or photos via AirDrop, or simply open a website, the connection will be even faster.

More ranges

iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular lets you connect to the Internet even where there's no Wi-Fi signal. iPad mini supports even more bands and even more cellular data networks around the world.2 Now you can connect at truly fast speeds in most places—in some cases, faster than a broadband connection. And with flexible pricing plans, you don't have to sign a long-term contract.

Great apps for free.

Ready for work and rest.

iPad mini is the perfect everyday companion. Because it comes preloaded with apps that will make your daily tasks—like checking your email or calling your parents on FaceTime—a pleasure. And now you can download iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for free on iPad mini.3 You can write a great novel, create a great presentation, and score your home movie—right on iPad mini. All these applications are optimized for 64-bit architecture. That's why they work quickly and smoothly, giving you even more features on iPad mini. From the moment you turned it on.

FaceTime and iSight cameras.

Even more reasons to smile.

FaceTime HD Camera

Sometimes you want to talk face to face. FaceTime video calls on iPad mini make your communication even better. Start a video call over Wi-Fi or cellular - and share everything on a stunning display.4 The FaceTime HD camera now features the latest light sensor with more pixels. It brightens up all your FaceTime conversations, self-portraits, and group Photo Booth shots—even in low light.

5MP iSight camera

Dual microphones

iPad mini hears which side you're talking from. After all, he has two microphones. They don't just capture more sound - they work together to capture better quality sound and suppress sound from sources you don't point them at. This way, you can hear your FaceTime callers better due to the lack of background noise. And the sound on video recordings becomes even clearer.

iPad mini and iOS 7.

Together they reveal their best sides.

iOS 7 is designed for iPad mini, so it looks and performs great. iOS 7 comes with great new features like improved multitasking, AirDrop, and Control Center. With them it will be easier and more pleasant for you to cope with everyday activities. Everything you love about iOS. With improvements you'll love even more.

iCloud.

All that is needed.

Wherever you need it.

iCloud syncs content across all your devices - automatically. The service is integrated with your devices, so you can create a document in Pages on your Mac and then edit it on your iPad mini. Photos you take on iPhone appear instantly on your iPad mini with iCloud Photo Sharing. Or start watching a movie on iPad mini on the train and pick up where you left off at home on Apple TV.