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After unveiling its new ridiculously thin iMac, and the smaller version of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Apple revealed what everyone was already anticipating: the iPad Mini. Not only that, Apple did what no one expected and dropped a brand new regular iPad as well. Confused as to what's what? We've compiled all the info on both new tablets into one place.
The iPad is Faster, Slimmer, Same Price
Well, that was quick. Less than six months after releasing the "new iPad," Apple today unveiled the new fourth generation iPad, which it's officially calling "iPad with Retina Display." It looks exactly the same as the previous model, and sports the same dimensions. The big news concerns the tablet's guts.
The new iPad has a new processor: the A6X which apple claims runs twice as fast as the A5X in the previous iPad. It also has a new graphics processing unit that runs twice as fast as the GPU in the previous model. Falling in line with the iPhone 5, the new iPad ditches the 30-pin connector for Apple's new Lightning connector.
The 9.7-inch 264 PPI Retina Display is still there, as is the price. The entry-level iPad with Retina Display will cost $499, while models with LTE connectivity will run $630. Also newsworthy is the fact that customers will finally be able to get an iPad on Sprint. That's at least one bright spot during the carrier's cloudy times.
No Retina Display
There's a reason why Apple is now calling it's high-end iPad "iPad with Retina Display." It's because the company is going to continue selling the iPad 2, which doesn't have a Retina Display, and the iPad Mini, which also doesn't have a Retina Display.
The iPad Mini's has a 7.9-inch display that pushes a 1024x768 resolution—the same as the iPad 2. Apple claims it found the 7.9-inch to be ideal for recreating the iPad experience in a smaller form. Since it has the same resolution as the iPad 2, app developers won't need to reconfigure their apps for the new device. Every existing iPad app will work with the iPad Mini.
Internals Shared with iPad 2
The iPad Mini has more in common with the iPad 2 than just screen resolution. It's powered by the same A5 processor at the heart of the iPad 2. And the the iPhone 4S. For those keeping score at home, that means the new iPad Mini has a slower processor than the new iPad with Retina Display (A6X) and the iPhone 5 (A6).
It's Very Thin, Very Light
Apple's new tablet certainly lives up to its name. It's mini in every way. With a thickness of 7.2mm, it's 23% thinker than the iPad. Judging from the demo, it's easy to hold in one hand and will be easy to slip into a coat pocket. For those of you living in a major city, you won't look silly when you pull one out of your bag on the subway or bus. It's also very light. Barely nudging the scales at 0.68 lbs, the iPad Mini is 53% lighter than the regular-sized iPad. In this regard, the iPad bests its competitors, the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD.
Aluminum Unibody Design
Remember when we said the iPad Mini would be a mixture of the new iPod Touch and the iPad? Turns out the new tablet is a mixture of the iPad 2, the new iPod Touch and the iPhone 5. It's got the all-aluminum construction that rounds off like the iPod Touch. And it's also got the diamond-cut chamfer from the iPhone 5. Looks like everything Apple's done in the mobile space has led to this product.
5 MP iSight Camera Can Shoot 1080p Video
Like the iPad and the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini sports two cameras: a "FaceTime HD Camera" in front that's able to shoot 1.2 MP photos and shoot 720 HD video. In the back there's a 5 MP shooter with autofocus, face detection, and the ability to shoot full 1080p HD video.
It Comes with Lightning Connector. Duh.
This was a no-brainer. The exactingly small dimensions of the iPad Mini made the use of Apple's new connector all the more necessary. What's weird, at least to us, is that Apple is keeping the iPad 2 around, which has basically the same specs but still rocks the old 30-pin connector.
It Gets its Own Smart Cover
For the iPad Mini, Apple reengineered its Smart Cover to take up less space. It works in the same exact manner, it's loaded with magnets, and turns off and wakes up your tablet. Upon launch it will come in five colors including a special (PRODUCT) RED model.
It Starts at $329
The toughest pill to swallow when it comes to the iPad Mini is its price. Nudged below the iPad 2, which starts at $399, the Mini will start at $329 for 16 GB with wi-fi. That places it well above the price of the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, both of which are 7-inch tablets that start at $200 for a configuration with 16 GB of storage. We'll have to wait to use one before determining if it's worth the extra coin.
The iPad Mini wil be available for pre-order on October 26 and available in stores on November 2. Models with wi-fi and cellular will be available from AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. Glad to see Sprint getting so much love from Apple these days.
