iPad mini…

I initially expected the same 1024×768 resolution on the smaller screen would be jarring (with the smaller on-screen text being the biggest thing) but surprisingly, it was a non-issue.  What really stood out was just how much this smaller version feels even more “right” in terms of its size and weight compared to the larger iPad (compared to my 1st gen which is a bit thicker and heavier than the 2nd through 4th generation models).  The full size iPad is already highly portable; the mini takes that portability to a new manageable level.  And just for clarity sakes, this is more of a smaller iPad than a larger iPod touch (the key difference between the iPad and iPod touch/iPhone user interface are certain elements).

Application wise, this smaller form factor will make it even more appealing in certain markets.  For the education market, this smaller version is even more practical.  The biggest issue to larger scale adoption though is price (and the larger issue of content, deployment, and administrative challenges of moving from physical to digital textbooks).  Even though the whole package is light and thin, it doesn’t feel cheap.  The Phone 5 style chamfered/beveled edge adds a nice touch to the form factor.  I’m hoping that Speck comes out with a snap on style clear case like the one I have on my Air since covering it with some of the cases I’ve seen would not do this device justice.

 

While it can be held in one hand, those with smaller hands will find that a bit challenging.  The thinner bezel (on each side in portrait mode) isn’t an issue either since the software does a great job at distinguishing the contact when it is being held.  Having a Retina Display would be nice but the increased pixel density over the iPad/iPad 2 doesn’t detract much from this first version of the mini (yes, I expect Apple will eventually go Retina in a few revisions once the yields for smaller display panels increase plus the chip and battery technology will also improve).

Probably the one negative is the audio when comparing it to my 1st gen iPad.  The 1st generation model has a concave back which also allows the audio to basically sound like it is also coming out from the center of the device (as opposed to mostly from the bottom where the speaker is located).  So I can hold it in any orientation and the audio comes across as balanced to both ears.  With the mini, the majority of its sound comes out from its bottom (as opposed to some of it being dispersed throughout the device).  Thus even though the the mini is the first iPad to include dual speakers, the balance of that stereo audio is towards whichever direction the iPad’s bottom edge is facing.  The effect is more noticable when using it in landscape mode where either your left or right ear will hear more audio.  It’s not a big deal especially if you use headphones and/or connect it to external speakers.

My particular device came off the production line in the 2nd or 3rd week of October.  It still had 89% battery life and after a couple of hours streaming video, I’m only down to 51% (the same usage on my 1st gen would be at least in the mid 40 to upper 30% range.  And there is virtually little heat that is discernible after a few hours of constant usage.  I didn’t really test the camera since I don’t see myself using it for that purpose a whole lot.

Overall, I’m a bit more impressed than I was originally expecting.  I believe this first revision of the mini will end up being something like the 1st version of the iPad; where it will initially appeal to current Apple customers more before a 2nd revision drives the price of the initial one to a lower entry point, where it hits a critical mass of being adopted by those still sitting on the tablet fence or additional creative uses are found for this smaller version.  Yes, I realize the competition in this 7″-8″ space is greater compared to when the 9.7″ iPad launched, and that those 7″ tablets are being priced far more aggressively (with the Fire HD being a loss leader).  Apple’s huge ecosystem especially when it comes to the apps still represents its greatest advantage though.  Apple’s other challenge though is being able to build enough of these to meet the demand, and not losing such potential sales to the competition especially during this holiday quarter.

I previously said that I would look at upgrading my larger iPad when the 5th generation version arrives.  I’m now re-thinking the need for that since I’m finding the mini an extremely capable replacement.  I fully understand that Apple themselves know there will be some cannibalization of both the iPad and Mac portable lines by the mini.  What will be interesting to see is whether or not the mini eventually has the ability to overtake its larger/older sibling (like how the touch eventually surpassed the iPod classic with its iconic click/scroll wheel navigation).

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