Apple iPad mini Review

Performance Usually with every new Apple device that's released, we usually expect faster performance. Unfortunately for the iPad mini, this is definitely not the case. The iPad mini is powered by the iPad 2's A5 processor that came out a year and a half ago. Apple iPad miniWhen using this tablet in comparison with the third-generation iPad, there is a difference in feel on how fast the apps launch and how they run. The difference is much more clear when you compare this with the latest iPad when playing graphics-intensive games such as NOVA 3 and Modern Combat. They both work fine on the iPad mini, but you will experience slower load times, and they don't run as smoothly. Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja both work perfectly on the Mini. In terms of real world, day-to-day usage, it's not that big of a deal -- despite some people are crying bloody murder. If you are mainly using the iPad mini to go online, read books or check Facebook, then you probably won't even notice a difference. Navigating through the OS and switching in between apps and screens was as snappy and responsive as the Retina iPads.

Cameras I don't really use the camera features on tablets. Even with the vast improvements Apple made to the cameras on the third-generation iPad, the camera was seldom used. I think it's weird when I see people take photos with their iPads in a museum, but taking photos with tablets seems to be a trend these days. Apple iPad miniThe smaller form factor of the iPad mini makes taking pictures on a tablet less awkward looking than it does on larger tablets. Powered by a 5MP rear-facing camera, the Mini does very well for a tablet in capturing photos and videos at 1080p. It's no iPhone 5, and doesn't have a built-in flash, but it does take decent pictures even in low light situations. The front-facing camera is something that I do use on the tablet. In order to conserve the battery on my iPhone, I sometimes resort to FaceTime on an iPad. Being as small as the Mini is, it's a great device for video chat, and it helps even more having a FaceTime HD camera for video chatting. Battery Life Like all the other iPads, the mini has fantastic battery performance. I took the iPad off the charger on Friday morning and have used it excessively through the weekend in writing this review, surfing the Web, watching videos, Facebook, Twitter, listening to music, and talking to some relatives in Hong Kong. It's Monday afternoon right now and I still have 20% battery life left without even charging it. Apple claims that the iPad mini will last 10 hours and I totally believe it based on what I've seen so far.