What Are Your First Impressions Of The iPad Mini [Let's Talk]

Buster

By now you've had enough time to run to your Apple Store, buy an iPad mini and bring it back to your house in a loving embrace. If not, well you'll get one later today, or whenever the delivery man finally makes his way to your house. We just posted our thoughts on the iPad mini, but we'd love to hear from you guys about what you think.

What are your first impressions of the iPad mini? Is it worth the price? Is the display really as bad as some people are saying? Does portability make a huge difference for a tablet? Let us know what you think are the most important aspects of the iPad mini.

cjsparno

Size and weight are perfect and exactly what I was hoping for. Build quality is very high, no issues (color aberrations, brightness,etc) with the screen. Non-retina display (coming off an iPad 3 and iPhone 4S) is not that big a deal, since the screen is smaller in general. The size makes up for the lack of retina. The device is quite fast, feels as fast as my 3rd Gen iPad when opening and using apps. Pages and Numbers open right away and most tasks feel snappy. Images and video are crisp and enjoyable, photos look awesome. But the big selling point for me is the size. It does not hurt to hold this iPad in one hand and is in fact lighter than my Kindle (current non-paperwhite model). Highly recommend this to those looking for a lighter, smaller tablet that want the best set of apps to run on it).

Drshemming

I love it, carried it in my pocket today and it is so light you don't know it's there.
The screen is definatley it's weakest aspect, but it by no means awful or even plain bad, it's disappointing, but only because Apple have moved onto such fantastic Retina quality displays it makes this one seem inferior. As a standalone screen it is still very usable, and I talk as a man with failing eyesight.

Any misgivings about the screen are more than outweighed by the amazing size and form factor, I have a Smart Cover on mine and this is the perfect combination for almost all uses.

Marks out of ten, eight.

matthewbissell

I like the weight of the device. For me its like an iPod touch 5g but larger. I have an iPod touch 5g, the thing I love about this device is it can run iPad Apps. I would have preferred a retina screen. Lots of people have said why Apple hasn’t included a 10W charger. I’m happy about this is, it’s real hard to find a 10W charger and to charge by the usb port on a computer. 5W chargers are everywhere and cheap. For me I like to have spare chargers around the house and 5W chargers are cheaper then having a 10W charger

helf

I did not think I would like it or need it. and I love the size and weight. The screen is not as bad as being reported. The screen is good and easy to read. I don't think you would notice how big a difference it is unless you hold it up next to a retina display. This is definitely the device I would pick up first if I need a portable device with me. I really didn't think I would like or need this (and I have an iPad3). I think this will definitely fill a niche.

TechShizzle

I have an iPad 4 on order to replace my iPad 3. I was going to skip this version of the mini and wait for a retina display.

After going by the apple store to check out the mini, I'm in love. I bought a 16gb mini to tide me over until the LTE versions are released. I'm going to cancel my iPad 4 preorder and preorder the AT&T 64gb mini.

The display isn't bad, it isn't sluggish at all, and I love the form factor much more than I thought I would.

Apple has a winner in the mini.

susanc

I Pad Mini
So disappointed because I can't get one!
I ordered on Oct 26th. My original order said would be delivered on Nov 2nd.
The order hadn't been processed by today, and had a new arrival date of Nov 16th. Of course the local apple stores are all sold out in minutes this AM.
I called apple customer service and was told to cancel my order and reorder it and then they would expedite my order and I would get it in a few days. Of course the line disconnected and when I called back, they told me they cannot expedite an order and now the new date of arrival is Nov 26th. They told me they are back ordered and not available. So I cancelled everything. This is so disappointing I can hardly stand it. (dramatic I know but really is). I think Apple is lying to us all. How did you all get one already? I had ordered the white 32 Gig wifi version.

mferrara91

I stopped in to the Apple Store just to check it out. I pre-ordered a 4G version but was slightly nervous after reading all the reviews. I have to say the screen isn't nearly as bad as what is being said. It was clear, readable and pictures and videos looked great. Performance was very quick as well. I currently have an iPad 3, and though the mini isn't retina, the display is just fine. People need to realize that Apple needed to be competitive with the other tablets in that size, so a retina display was not going to happen. I'm in love with the mini and can't wait to get mine.

Rhit

Love it. It's like holding a Kindle. Retina, schmetina, it's an awesome display, just like all the iPads.

djfurst5

This is a great device, and the moment I held it in my hand, the moment I understood what Apple really wants this device to be about. This isn't a 7 inch tablet. It's a smaller iPad. Using one of these makes that point remarkably clear. Apple IS going to kill the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire because as people see these, and more importantly, test them, they are going to realize that for only $130 more they can get a whole iPad. Tech reporters need to get with it. So the screen isn't retina? There's so much more offered here that makes it worth it. The screen isn't awful by any sense of the word. Just because we've been spoiled by retina displays for the past few years doesn't make this screen not good. For the past year I've used an iPad as my stand-alone device, and this has quickly replaced my iPad 3rd gen. I'm never going back.

londonstuff

I'm really impressed with it: I was prepared to be disappointed with the display and am a big retina fan - I *hate* the iPad 2's display. But, I was pleasantly surprised and it really doesn't seem like a big issue. I'll be waiting in line tomorrow when they've hopefully got some more in at the Covent Garden store, apparently the biggest in Europe.

mdrips

I've owned each of the first three generations of the iPad and hoped that the mini would be interesting and exciting.

It's not. Only a fanboy or someone who never owned a tablet could love this little turkey. Sorry I wasted my money.

RadTech5000

Going to hold off my judgment until I see one in person this weekend, but I will say my initial thought is if it's not Retina quality I'm not interested in it.

Nilay Shah

Totally love it. So much smaller and easier to hold than the other ipads, I doubt I'll ever leave home without it. I have the black 64 GB version, may have to order the one with wireless as well, and sell this when I get that one for full-time connectivity.

Really is a pleasure to use. I find the screen to be not as good only when using facetime and video with the camera.

Tyler Schumacher

Just played with it at the apple store. Super light and easy to hold. I thought the screen looked good compared to my iPhone 4. But I will keep my iPad 4th gen

tayphi

I'm going from a first gen iPad and it is so much better. I had high expectations and they surpassed what I thought. I hear a lot of negative talk about the screen but personally I haven't had a retina display so this screen looks awesome to me. It's a joy to hold and pleasing to the eyes. I will definitely embrace the iPad mini with open arms.

cuong_economist

Oh, I'm waiting for a iPad mini with LTE, thanks to everybody for judment about screen, I haven't been worry about it, just waiting...

Jeffrey Campbell

Even without the retina display the graphic quality still has it all over the Nexus 7. For those that liked the previous full size iPads but found after a while that it got a bit heavy to hold, this is the tablet for you. It's very light. That lightness also makes it a great e-reader, and unlike the Kindle Fire HD you don't have to jump hoops or do anything illegal with the iPad Mini to get full functionality in Australia. After only a few hours I'm in love.

DuffyMoon

Coming from an iPad 2 the mini is an improvement in every way, from form factor to camera and yes, screen too. I appreciate those used to retina may feel like a backward step but I've never felt my iPad 2 screen was lacking and think the mini display is a step up from that. Was worried on reading your review but thankfully all good for me.