Electronics

[Cha1k]

I received the Mini this afternoon and have charged it up, and synced the apps I already own to it. I didn't sync all apps I have purchased in the last 2.5 years (I moved just over 100 of them), but the ones I chose to move to the Mini synced perfectly and look great. The reason I didn't move them all is because I just got the 16 GB Mini…..I may very well regret that decision.

For those who aren't familiar with my posts on this board, be forewarned that I am an Apple fangirl having used their products for over 30 years so my opinion is not unbiased.

About the display, since that seems to be the feature that is most in question:

1. I have my work iPad 2 at home -- resolution on the Mini is much better than on the iPad 2. My niece is here and we laid them side by side to stream the same movie to both. The Mini display is sharper and crisper than the iPad 2 which was a shock to me since neither of them have a retina display. There was not any difference in the playback -- no lag or stuttering on either.

2. I have an iPad 3 for personal use. We did the same side-by-side comparison with it. There was a very slight difference between the retina display on the iPad 3 and the Mini. If you didn't have them side-by-side OR if you have never owned a retina device, I don't think you could tell the difference. My niece is only 13 and she couldn't tell any difference. I have read some reviews that noted an obvious difference between the Mini and a retina display iPad, but I just don't see it. My suggestion is that anyone considering an iPad Mini to go in person to see it with your very own eyes.

3. Books --- this is where I noticed the biggest difference. Not in the sharpness of the text, but in the background color. I have the brightness set to the highest on both the iPad 3 and Mini. The Mini has more of a golden cast….not as bright white. Again, if they weren't side-by-side it would not be discernible. The slightly golden tint, and I mean slight, might be the particular Mini that was sent to me. The difference reminds me of the color variation in paper used in hard cover books. Some paper is a more golden color.

When an ebook is open on the iPad 2 and the Mini side-by-side, there is a difference in the sharpness. I wasn't expecting that either since neither of them is a retina display. The Mini is sharper than the iPad 2 and appears as sharp to me as the retina display on the iPad 3 when it comes to text.

If I had never used a device with a retina display, I wouldn't notice the resolution on the Mini.

Now, on to other initial impressions...

This baby is light! On first blush I thought it's too light, but when I think about how I'll use it --- in my purse for carrying when I'm out or traveling, in bed where holding the big iPad can be a nuisance, I think the lightweight Mini will be perfect. You can hold it very easily in one hand. I've ordered a case to give it more heft, but it won't be here for another week.

I have used several smaller tablets. Most of them are made of plastic and feel flimsy as a result. The iPad Mini has the same aluminum back and Gorilla Glass front as the regular iPad. It feels substantial.

I'm very pleased with the Mini and I have to say that I wasn't really sure I'd made a good decision after reading some of the 'proessional' reviews. All of those doubts have been laid to rest now that I have it in my hot little hands.

For those who think a 10 inch tablet is too big, but you'd like to try the Apple format and take advantage of the vast array of apps available for it, the iPad Mini might suit you just fine.....but go look at it first! It will probably be availble at WalMart soon.

I plan to use it in an iPad workshop I'm teaching on Thursday. I anticipate that teachers will really like the lightness in weight. When you're carrying an iPad in one hand while walking around the room teaching a class, the Mini will be much easier to manipulate, especially if using a case that has an elastic hand strap to secure it. We'll see if it performs as well as I expect it to….