• Tablet
• power unit
• USB cable
• Documentation
• SIM card ejector (for 4G models)

Updated iPad mini: Retina display, A7 processor, slightly increased thickness, 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, and this is good - I personally really liked the device, although I never became a user of the small iPad. The Air is closer, it’s more convenient to watch movies, websites and do other things, 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’s explanation is very simple: mini is much more convenient to carry with you, and in the cold season it’s generally easy to put it in a jacket pocket. And remembering last winter, I 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 my down jacket. With its help I worked, if you can call it that, checking email, correspondence on Facebook, calls on Facetime. In any case, this won’t work with the Air; it won’t fit into your pocket.

In general, this story with the pocket still works as it worked before. Many advanced people can be easily hooked and caught by saying that this gadget, traditionally large, now, after our improvements, can easily fit into a pocket. Don't you believe it? Well, remember the Sony VAIO P. It would seem, who would need a pocket laptop with such weak characteristics? Well, who will buy it? And there were a lot of buyers then, it was the winter of 2009, sales began at the end of March, and P became one of the most popular new products from Sony. Just a year later the iPad appeared, and the second version of P turned out to be unclaimed. The pocket theme in Sony's work surfaced a little later, when a tablet appeared on Android based 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 classified as a pocket tablet, but it’s 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). At Apple, it seems to me, they also followed thin ice, introducing the iPad mini. Why won’t consumers try it? Why don’t they understand why they should pay a little less and lose diagonal? But consumers got it right, and it turned out that the iPad mini outsold the larger iPad. And many of my colleagues who are involved in retail generally say this: iPad mini killed sales regular tablets Apple. By at least, before the release of Air, the situation was interesting, many stores even stopped ordering cases for iPad 2/3/4 - there was no demand for either accessories or the mentioned models. But the mini was 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 “pocketability”, compactness while maintaining an acceptable display diagonal for a tablet. A regular iPad - only smaller, that's what captivates consumers. By the way, here's another interesting fact: I’m always interested in seeing what fellow journalists use; we meet periodically at presentations, exhibitions and similar events. For example, when you see a Sony RX-100 from several editors of publications about gadgets, this is a sure sign that the camera is worth buying. When we were at IFA, I noticed that almost every second person had an iPad mini (and I also had one in my bag, there was no Air yet), everyone said the same thing: it’s compact. Therefore attractive. The secret of success is very simple. And therefore, no one expected drastic changes from the presentation of the updated model.

The dimensions of the first iPad mini were 200x134.7x7.2 mm, weight - 308 grams (312 grams for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model). The thickness of the new product has changed slightly, 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm, weight - 331 grams (the version with 4G weighs 341 grams). Your old mini case may not be suitable for a new tablet; my colleagues and I tried several cases, but somehow managed to attach only the Vaja model.

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

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

Display

Diagonal IPS display - 7.9 inches, LED backlight, 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 been equalized, and not everyone can understand at first glance at the tablet’s desktop where the Retina display is and where the regular display is. And some even think that the display is simple mini is better. If you look closely, you can see that the icons and signatures are clearer, and the image has more contrast. But the difference, nevertheless, is not too noticeable, it is not striking.

Once you open Safari and any website, you immediately understand why you should choose mini with Retina. The clarity of the image that is familiar from other such products, like cut out letters, wonderful colors, the picture is dense - a sight for sore eyes. The same can be said about games and programs; they all look much better on the Retina display.

But the difference cannot be called amazing, as is the case with 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 turns a little yellow, I didn’t notice it at first, but now I see it. Just look at the white icons for reminders or calendar - a slight, very slight tint is observed, but until someone tells you about it, you will not pay attention.

Performance

It uses an A7 processor with 64-bit architecture plus an M7 coprocessor, this combination has already been talked about more than once - read 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 launching familiar programs, such as a browser, camera, Google Maps and others. Yes, even Facebook works faster.

The case gets noticeably warm at the back when running serious applications like the Infinity Blade - in winter you can use the mini as a small stove. It doesn't burn, but it gets seriously hot.

A 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 turned on, this is due to the appearance of the AirDrop function in iOS7 - I’ll note once again that with Apple computers It won't be possible to exchange information, it's a shame.

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 also versions with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + 4G, and there are also two colors. I don’t recommend this to employees of online stores; there are a lot of versions, and there’s a lot of work to be done. In the case of tablets, it’s difficult to say which series to choose; they brought me a 64 GB modification, Wi-Fi + 4G, for testing, in a sense it’s best option, if there are a lot of applications, music, if you like to watch movies on your tablet. In AVplayer you can immediately download several seasons of a series or many, many films. If for you the iPad mini is just a device to replace a laptop at meetings, then 16 GB will be enough. It’s very good that Apple still gives this opportunity to choose.

LTE

LTE works in Moscow, this applies to both Air and iPad mini with Retina. Verified using my colleague’s card - by the way, I recently had a curious incident with the purchase of a 4G SIM card from Euroset, I’ll tell you separately. If you often work anywhere and don’t sit in the office, then it’s worth buying a mini with 4G support, the speed is impressive.

Working hours

The stated operating time is about 10 hours of video playback; in fact, these figures are approximately true. Simply put, even if you fully use the tablet during the day, it will only run out in the evening. It is optimal to use the included power supply for charging; via USB this takes a very, very long time. In general, the food here is in perfect order.

Camera

Not best device for taking photographs, but if you don’t have a smartphone or camera at hand, it will do just fine, especially if you later plan to post the photo on Instagram. Filters will help disguise not the best quality. The camera resolution is 5 MP, the front one is 1.2 MP, it supports HD video recording, autofocus and push-to-focus, face recognition, 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 the iPad mini with Retina next year? I think you can guess it yourself. Firstly, they will work to reduce the weight and size of the device; this body has already served its purpose. Secondly, they will add TouchID, as in the iPhone 5S; the smartphone, as always, acts as a kind of testing platform new technology. Thirdly, they will improve the camera, you can expect at least the same characteristics as the iPhone 5. New processor (A8?), and one more thing. For some, such changes will not be enough - I personally don’t think so.

Even seemingly minimal changes to the iPad mini with Retina have revived interest in this product. Yes, there is no such shortage as with the iPhone 5S, but demand is stable, retail is stocking up on new minis, and in November-December this will be one of the most popular gifts.

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

In general about the device. Did you become better than iPad mini? Yes, instead of a simple Retina screen, a different processor (and the difference in speed is noticeable), a version with 128 GB of memory has appeared. Is it worth upgrading your mini to a new one? Before doing this, I recommend going to the store and evaluating the display yourself. Only those who have already used mini will notice the difference; the rest will be satisfied with the first generation tablet.

Anyway, this is one of the best tablets on the market based on the totality of characteristics, and if you are not satisfied with the size of the iPad Air case, then feel free to buy an iPad mini with Retina.

P.S. We will add a video to the review tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, and by 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 the iPad mini and can tell you a lot of interesting things.

The author expresses gratitude to the Computer Plaza store for providing the device for testing.

Related links

Sergey Kuzmin ()

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 me. 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 time 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.

From USB port new mini practically does not eat, except for deep sleep. 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 attributed it to case limitations and heat dissipation, and then in orderly rows let's go to the shops. 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 same one in another device - be it the iPhone 5s, iPad Air or 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 is 850 MHz, on the screen - 15 frames per second, and back panel slowly turns 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? Simple fact: the most beautiful and quality games 2014 will not only work slightly better on the iPhone 5s than on the iPad mini with Retina display, but also show a higher quality picture. 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 has dramatically increased technical requirements to 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 seven, Apple devices 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 main icons, home screen. Secondly, none of these icons and none of the official applications reveal the benefits of great iPhone screens and iPad. 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 cost strictly 1 gigabyte random access memory. 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 truly surprised that technical specifications The latest full-size iPad will be the same as 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 Last year If you only used Mini 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 it 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. Old model here it ceases to be quoted at all. Now small text on website pages does not look like a cluster of smeared pixels, and with a certain skill and good vision You can read news on pages without zooming. High picture clarity is unusual for those who have used 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 big amount black, I minimized it from full-screen mode using 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 very quickly restores the normal color balance, and achieving such a strange effect is not at all so easy. However, this has never happened in previous models. mobile devices Apple. 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.

Retina display makes iPad mini modern device, but does not create a competitor for the full-size version of the tablet. iPad Air is much better suited for home use: it’s more interesting to watch movies and surf the Internet, because the advantages are physically larger screen 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 with a capacity 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 for different resolution. 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 me. 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 16 GB of storage without module cellular communications. 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. A Wi-Fi points now it’s more than enough, 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

It's still good that Apple got involved Russian market close. 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

iPad mini Retina in terms of physical dimensions and appearance remains virtually the same 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 latest processor A7 - the same as in the iPhone 5s and iPad Air. True, unlike its older brother iPad Air, it clock frequency 100 MHz less. 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 a matter of 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. Applications for this in App Store- a great many. 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 the most important for me best format screen 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.

As a reader e-books I use Marvin. 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 see tablets as devices for full-fledged work, but despite this it was still interesting to see the iPad mini Retina in action. At work I tinker with texts a lot, I constantly look through email, social media, I 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 final version 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.

Announced October 22 Apple iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display went on sale at different times. The Air became available in select countries on November 1st, while the mini is just now available. In Russia, official sales began simultaneously, on November 15th. Thus, the difference has narrowed again; only 2 weeks have passed since the start in other countries. A good sign: maybe soon Russia will be in the first wave of launches of all devices, who knows. But let's return to tablets.

It would seem that the next update of Apple tablets should have gone smoothly, but the company did the impossible: they again brought back the slightly fading interest in large 10-inch tablets. The iPad Air turned out to be the smallest, lightest device in its category, while the iPad mini turned out to be completely similar to it in terms of characteristics.

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

Main characteristics

• Operating system: iOS 7.0.3
• Screen: IPS display with a diagonal of 7.85 inches and 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 1.3 MP FaceTime, main iSight F/2.4, 5 MP with autofocus, 1080p video recording, face recognition function
• 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 browsing the Internet via Wi-Fi, watching videos
• Additionally: gyroscope, light sensor
• Dimensions: 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm
• Weight: 331 g (341 g - versions with LTE support)
• Price: from 399 euros in Europe, from 399 dollars in the USA, from 15,990 in Russia (Wi-Fi model)
• 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 the all-metal, matte cases of Apple tablets. Let me remind you that new Google Nexus, Samsung GALAXY Note, Nokia Lumia 2520 - 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 a microphone has appeared on the antenna insert; the first iPad mini does not have it.

The iPad mini Retina color has changed: black has become asphalt gray (Space Grey), similar to the iPhone 5s. This color looks better, does not show fingerprints, and the texture of the metal 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 are the same to tenths of a millimeter - 200 x 134.7, while the thickness has increased by an imperceptible 0.3 mm - to 7.5 mm. Weight increased by 20 grams (to 331 g). With these parameters, the tablet remains 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.

The connectors and elements are in their places: lightning and stereo speakers are at the bottom, the lock button is at the top, and on the right is the volume control and silent mode.

Screen

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

Now at this resolution the picture turns out to be very smooth, the density is similar to the iPhone - 324 ppi, the pixels are completely invisible. In a word, a wonderful tablet screen. Brightness, maximum viewing angles and natural colors are all present. 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 iPad mini Retina screen
conducted by our expert Mikhail Kuznetsov.

The Apple iPad mini now has a Retina display. With a diagonal of 7.85 inches, the resolution reaches 2048 x 1536, which gives a pixel density of 324 ppi. Those who like to count pixels will be pleased - with such a density you can hardly see any hints of “pixelation” of the image; the resolution is more than enough.

The brightness reserve is up to 407 cd/m2 at maximum. The lack of brightness can only be felt in bright sun; in other cases, the reserve is quite sufficient. The contrast ratio was about 900:1, an increase from the previous iPad mini (where we measured a ratio of 687:1). The screen's anti-glare filter copes well with external light and prevents it from fading or fading in direct light. Viewing angles are quite wide, shades are slightly distorted, and the image remains legible at any reasonable viewing angle.

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 definitely a plus.

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

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

The color gamut of the screen was disappointing. Like the previous version, the Retina screen of the new iPad mini does not reach the sRGB standard. Primary colors are offset in hue and lack depth. This makes images appear washed out and less true to life than on sRGB screens such as the Google Nexus 7. And the shades aren't so bad, since the blue light is way too bright (+104%, Delta E=17.6). In general, there is an imbalance with individual colors. Hence the rather high color rendering errors Delta E - an average of 7.73 units. Color reproduction is sloppy; you can usually expect more from Apple devices.

Overall, the Apple iPad mini's screen has one obvious improvement - its high Retina resolution. The slight increase in contrast is also pleasing. At the same time, one of the key drawbacks of the previous generation iPad mini remains in place - the reduced color depth, which does not reach sRGB and somewhat distorts the shades. Apparently, from the point of view of the screen, the iPad mini Retina is still one of the weaker devices in the Apple range. The screen is well suited for casual use (surfing and the like), but looking at photos or videos on a “full-size” iPad will be more pleasant, and not only because of the screen diagonal.

Hardware platform and battery

Before the announcement on October 22, many believed that the mini-tablet would have a weaker hardware platform compared to the 10-inch iPad Air. But Apple took a different path: the iPad mini is completely similar to its larger brother in the line. The most advanced Apple A7 processor (64-bit processor with two main cores clocked at 1.3 GHz, the 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 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 64-bit architecture, creating cross-platform applications for them has become much easier. 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 the differences between them in 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 energy efficient: the new Apple smartphone and tablets work as long as their predecessors did.

In the case of the iPad mini Retina, the indicators are exactly the same: 10 hours of operation when watching videos, Internet browsing via Wi-Fi. Due to high resolution screen battery capacity has increased: 23.8 Wh versus 16.3 Wh in the predecessor iPad mini. Let me remind you that the thickness of the tablet itself increased by only 0.3 mm: from 7.2 to 7.5 mm. I’ve always been surprised how Apple, while increasing its quantitative indicators, maintains its usual dimensions within the same limits, but the fact remains a fact.

The graphics accelerator in the new iPad mini is also excellent - 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 at the moment. The amount of RAM in the iPad mini Retina has doubled compared to its predecessor - it is 1 GB, as in the older iPad Air. In addition, the faster LPDDR3 variant is used instead of LPDDR2.

So the mini-tablet is not inferior to the 10-inch iPad Air in terms of memory and processing power. If last year the first iPad mini was rather weak, now the new generation has taken 2 steps forward. And not only in comparison with Apple gadgets, but also Android competitors: at the moment, none of the Android manufacturers use ARM v8 cores (devices with Cortex A53 and Cortex A57 will clearly appear no earlier than 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 has made them identical in terms of hardware platform and screen resolution, camera quality, amount of memory (built-in and RAM), operating time, so you can only choose the size. A very interesting step: when choosing an iPad mini doesn't have to sacrifice quality or performance. For example, I prefer a miniature tablet, as it is so compact that it fits in any bag. The appearance of a 128 GB option is also a plus for a miniature device.

Camera

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

Software platform

The tablet is controlled by itself latest version iOS 7.0.3. If on the iPad mini the software slowed down a little, now the tablet is no different in speed from the iPhone 5s, all built-in applications, as well as third-party ones, “fly”. Also in version 7.0.3 it became possible to disable animation 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 transfer, network and wireless connections, autonomous and night modes, player control buttons, as well as several fast applications(such as a calculator and a flashlight). The control panel is called up 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; constantly going into the settings menu to enable the simplest functions was wrong, but better late than never.

The panel is not customizable, that is, you cannot remove unnecessary shortcuts (such as a timer) or add new ones, but you can choose whether it will be possible to call the panel on a locked screen or in open applications. In the control center there are AirDrop and AirPlay icons - wireless transmission information, multimedia to compatible devices. For example, if there is another user nearby with iOS 7, you can transfer a file or 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 view either all notifications, or missed ones, or the “Today” screen, where the weather can be displayed. The weather application has also been updated, with much more animation of weather conditions.

Multitasking has been brought into a wonderful 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. Applications are closed by swiping up. Branded features have been improved: the Find My iPhone feature will now require authorization through an Apple ID and password to disable it. Additional protection of your data, in general. IN new version FaceTime now allows you to use it for voice calls without video.

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

Opinion Hi-Tech.Mail.ru

Apple's mini-tablet has passed one generation: everyone was expecting a simplified version of the 10-inch model, with a processor from the iPhone 5, with limitations on memory capacity, but what they got was the most modern and powerful set: the top-end Apple A7 processor, an option with 128 GB of memory, Retina -a screen with a pixel density of 324 ppi (as in the iPhone 5s), a one and a half times more capacious battery with almost unchanged thickness and weight of the tablet.

The iPad mini with Retina screen is completely similar to the older iPad Air model - 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 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 the Wi-Fi configuration (the predecessor started at 13 thousand). The LTE version will cost 20,990 rubles for 16 GB. This will happen tomorrow, November 15th.

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

Anton Spiridonov, [email protected]

Retina screen, A7 64-bit processor, Silver and Space Gray colors... I've already heard this somewhere. And not even just once. Frantically thinking about what to write about the iPad Mini second generation, I realized clearly and clearly that apart from an endless string of comparisons with last year’s eight-inch iPad, with the recently reviewed iPad Air, with the iPhone 5s, with all the other iPads, I have nothing special to say. Except personal impressions. And even those are blurred by too short the period of use. With the realization of this fact, sadness came over me. How is it? A wonderful device on review, but there’s nothing to write about it. Maybe it’s not the new iPad, but it’s late autumn. However, since Apple doesn’t care about bored reviewers, they’re bored. reviewers will take care of themselves and write a short review to the point.

Specifications iPad Mini 2 Retina

Apple iPad mini 2 Retina
operating system	Apple iOS 7
Display	7.9 inches, IPS, Retina (2048x1536 pixels), 16 million colors, 10 simultaneous touches
CPU	Apple A7, two Apple Cyclon cores (ARMv8 A32/A64), clock frequency 1.3 GHz; M7 coprocessor, one ARM Cortex-M3 core, PowerVR G6430 video accelerator
RAM	1 GB
Flash memory	16, 32, 64 or 128 GB
Camera	5 MP, autofocus, 1080p video recording; front camera for video calls (1.2 MP)
Wireless technologies	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0, 3G (optional)
Battery	non-removable, lithium polymer, 23.8 Wh
Navigation	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Interfaces	Apple Lightning, 3.5 mm headphone output
Dimensions and weight	200x135x7.5 mm, 331 grams

Box

No surprises. She's white. With a photo of the device, indicating which version we have: Black, without 4G/LTE, memory capacity 32 gigabytes. It can be less: 16. But it can also be more: 64 and 128 GB.

There is an envelope with papers and stickers, but without iPaper, since our version does not have a slot for 3G cards. There is a Lightning-USB cable and an unimaginable folding plug, perhaps the least elegant complete thing I have ever seen. We probably got the Hong Kong build. Naturally, you will have to purchase an adapter for a European socket separately.

Design

Here he is, beautiful-faced, in front of me. Black (black) turned out to be the same Space Gray (“space gray” or “wet asphalt”) from the back. Black color is concentrated in the frame around the screen. It is exactly the same in thickness as the first-generation iPad Mini, and has the same proportions as the iPad Air. Let me remind you that before the Air, ten-inch iPads had thicker frames, especially on the “long” sides. Our Mini did not have a plastic strip at the top; it is typical only for 3G models.

The iPad Mini Retina is good-looking, thin, light, elegant... But there was no Wow effect from communicating with it. Let's say Air, I was more impressed. Like last year Mini model, being the first of its kind, earned tons of touching reviews like “look, what a nice little IP!” In the second generation, the eight-inch iPad became 23 grams heavier than the “nice little iPad” and as much as 0.3 millimeters thicker. That is, its mass is 331 grams. Not bad for an eight-inch tablet - small, but not 478 grams of a ten-inch Air.

However, this does not make the iPad Mini 2 any worse, and the new one - dark gray - is perhaps the color I like more than others: it is discreet and noble. Although perhaps the novelty factor comes into play.

This is the bottom line. There are stereo speakers and a Lightning connector.

The left side is empty, on the right there are volume buttons and a sound on/off toggle switch. At the top there is an audio jack and a power button, and also microphone holes.

Actually, here are photos of two generations of small iPads lying side by side. The design and placement of connectors and buttons are exactly the same (as with the Air).

Most readers already know the main differences: hardware and screen. Let's move on to the last one.

Display

At first a person rejoices in good things. Then he perceives it as the norm. Afterwards, he begins to look for shortcomings. This was the case with my perception of the iPad Mini 2 screen. In principle, no one doubted that the second generation Mini would be equipped with a Retina display. There was no surprise. Nevertheless, the pixel density of 326 ppi is amazing (will it really become hopelessly archaic in just a couple of years, and our trained eyes will meticulously peer into individual pixels on a 7.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels?). Although, to be honest, I didn’t notice the increased smoothness of the picture in comparison with the iPad Air, which shocked me a little earlier (the Air has the same resolution, but the pixel density is lower due to the larger screen size: 264 ppi). But what I noticed even by eye was a slightly lower color, confirmed by a colorimeter: it does not reach sRGB. Dark and light shades practically do not differ in temperature and are only slightly above the norm of 65K. But for some reason the image feels warm. The maximum brightness of white color was 343 cd/m2 (versus 364 for Air). The difference is felt at its maximum: in the case of the Air, the screen seemed too bright (although this is not a record), and I mostly worked at about 60%, in the case of the Mini 2 - somewhere around 80%.

Together with some other eight-inch tablet, with a first-generation iPad Mini rejection screen

The 3:4 screen aspect ratio is a topic that has caused controversy in the comments to iPad review Air. I will repeat in this review: I really like these proportions; they are well perceived when performing the vast majority of tasks performed on the tablet. In my opinion, it’s not at all scary if, when watching a 16:9 movie, the screen frame at the top and bottom visually becomes slightly larger due to the black bars. But websites, most toys and books look great (the difference is especially visible if you compare the fonts).

System and performance

About operating system We read about iOS 7 in the iPhone 5c review, and about the architecture in the iPhone 5s review. Here we talk about the differences and features. “Just” (according to many Android OS fans) a dual-core 64-bit A7 processor and 1 GB of RAM, an M7 coprocessor and quad-core PowerVR G6430 graphics. The filling is the same as that of the Air or iPhone 5s, with the only difference being that the first core operates at a frequency of 1.4 GHz, the second - 1 GHz, but the hero of this review has a frequency of each core of 1.3 GHz. Thus, it is just a little slower than the iPad Air. Benchmarks see this, but not people. I didn't notice any difference in speed.

You can briefly describe the work of the iPad Mini 2 without numbers: it is smooth, fast, and for all the games that are in the AppStore, it is more than sufficient, no matter what Apple haters say, those of them who do not believe in benchmarks and software optimization, but sacredly reveres four cores and 2 GB of RAM. I would also like to draw your attention to one pleasant feature: when you first launched the AppStore, the store kindly offered to download a number of free applications, among which were products for creating, viewing and editing office documents Numbers, Pages and Keynote, designed, respectively, for working with spreadsheets, texts and presentations. To be honest, I don’t know if this happened on other iPads.

Camera

No one doubts that a camera for shooting in a tablet is not the main thing. However, if shooting with a ten-inch is completely inconvenient, then with the eight-inch version everything is not so bad. However, Apple decided not to develop the direction of tablet photography for now, and put in the Mini 2 the same five-megapixel sensor with autofocus and without flash, which we can see in both the Air and the first small iPad. If something happens, you can capture some things in good lighting. But not more. Front-camera 1.2 megapixel, designed primarily for Skype communication, copes with its function perfectly.

Autonomy, sound, heating

The declared autonomy is 10 hours, as in the iPad Air. Two days of our communication with the iPad Mini 2 after a full charge passed without touching the outlet. These days I played games on it for about an hour, watched a movie (the same amount), surfed the Internet, listened to music, and ran tests. In a word, it was a decent load. It seemed to me that the Mini got a little hotter than the Air: during games or running tests, the entire right half of the tablet was warm. The sound from the speakers feels cleaner than the first generation Mini and is about the same in volume. But with a landscape grip, the speakers are much easier to cover with your hand than with the larger Air. I’ll say more: it’s hard not to block them.

Bottom line

Last year some lovers Apple technology They regretted that the new small iPad was equipped with somewhat outdated hardware from the iPad 2 and the same display as its one, only small. Nevertheless, the experiment with the transition to a compact form factor was a success. This is confirmed not only by the successful sales of the first one, but also by the appearance of a new device. A device that no longer plays a catch-up role, but is on the same level as its older brother iPad Air, having almost the same hardware and screen resolution. Actually, it is the Air that is a competitor to the Mini 2. On the older side - a little best screen, the younger one takes advantage of its compactness. As with the iPad Air, there will always be people who will consider the changes to the iPad Mini Retina to be unimportant and unworthy of the premium segment. However, the sixfold acceleration of work can hardly be considered as such graphics system between generations and a fourfold increase in processing power. And, of course, the screen resolution: there are also four times more dots on it than on the iPad Mini of 2012. And all this without a decrease in battery life and practically without an increase in weight and size characteristics. In short, everything has become much better, in line with the generation, and in our opinion, this tablet is the best in its form factor. This is the verdict gg .

8 reasons to buy an iPad Mini 2 Retina

• Great screen;
• compact size, light weight;
• good design;
• high speed;
• battery life;
• you love Apple and don't have an iPad;
• you love Apple and have an old iPad;
• you love Apple and want an iPad, but the Air is too big for you;

3 reasons not to buy an iPad Mini 2 Retina

• You don't like Apple and/or prefer Android;
• you love Apple but want Air;
• you don't need a tablet.