Review of the tablet Apple iPad mini 2 with Retina display

Apple iPad mini 2

After the release of the Apple iPad mini tablet computer, many fans of Apple products were indignant that a device with such interesting weight and dimensions had an outdated hardware platform display with a resolution of only 1024 x 768 pixels. The developers took into account all the comments and suggestions, after which, along with the new iPad Air model, an improved modification of the Apple iPad mini - the Apple iPad mini 2 tablet was presented. The Apple iPad mini 2 model received a 7.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and a new hardware Apple A7 platform. What else is notable about the Apple iPad mini 2 tablet, this review will help you figure it out.

Contents of delivery

The Apple iPad mini 2 tablet is delivered in a rather large white cardboard box, on which the tablet itself is drawn and its technical characteristics are written. You can distinguish the Apple iPad mini 2 from the Apple iPad mini without opening the box by the characteristic icons of the iOS7 interface on the main screen of the tablet shown on the front of the box, or by finding the numbers A1489 or A1490, which are assigned to various modifications of the Apple iPad mini 2.

The tablet, packed in a protective film, is placed at the top of the box, underneath is a cardboard pallet with compartments for the power supply, documentation and a cable with a proprietary Lightning connector. It is worth paying special attention to the fact that the Apple iPad mini model came with a small five W power supply, and the new Apple iPad mini 2 comes with a more powerful and, accordingly, a larger ten W power supply.

Just like last year's model, the Apple iPad mini 2 is available in two body colors - Space Gray and Silver. Also, the Apple iPad mini 2 model has different modifications depending on the capacity of the built-in storage, which can have a capacity of 16, 32, 64 or 128 gigabytes. As in the case of the iPad Air model, the iPad mini 2 tablets differ in the set of built-in wireless modules, there are modifications that have only built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, and there are modifications that additionally have a built-in LTE modem and a GPS receiver.

The branded Smart Cover and Smart Case have also been presented. The first case protects only the front panel of the tablet and is made of polyurethane, while the second is completely made of genuine leather and protects both the front and the back of the Apple iPad mini 2. Both cases are presented in six bright colors, can be transformed into a stand, and also have built-in magnets that interact with the tablet, and at the moment of opening the cover of the case, they unlock the device. Apple iPad mini covers fit the Apple iPad mini 2 with Retina display.

Appearance

The Apple iPad mini 2 is almost identical to the Apple iPad mini. The only difference between the tablets is the thickness of the case, weight, colors of the case materials and a set of microphones.

The Apple iPad mini 2 is 0.3 millimeters thicker than the Apple iPad mini and slightly heavier. The Silver colors are identical in both models, but the dark Black and Slate colors have been replaced by Space Gray, which has a lighter color palette. Most likely, this is how the company is struggling with the appearance of scratches and chips on the corners of the case, in particular on the chamfers. Well, it should be noted that the tablet has acquired an additional microphone, which the developers have placed on the back of the tablet. The first microphone is also located on the upper side edge. The second microphone is designed for noise reduction and stereo sound recording during video shooting.

Most of the front panel of the Apple iPad mini 2 is a 7.9-inch touchscreen display. Along the perimeter of the front panel there is a proprietary bevel, the same can be seen in iPhone smartphones. Under the display, in a small characteristic depression, there is a proprietary Home button.Above the display is a front-facing 1.2-megapixel camera and an ambient light sensor. The entire front panel is covered with a tempered protective glass that protects the display from damage. The side frames of the display are narrow, but, despite this, it is convenient to hold the tablet with one hand, since the system of active counteraction to accidental clicks around the perimeter of the screen works.

The back panel and sides of the Apple iPad mini 2 are made of a solid aluminum plate with a matte surface to the touch. There is a power button on the right side of the top side edge, a microphone hole is located in the center of the top side edge, and a standard 3.5 mm audio output is located on the left side of the top side edge. On the right side edge there is a sound blocking slider, as well as two oblong and unmarked volume control buttons for the multimedia speaker. The left side face is empty. On the bottom side is the Lightning port, on the sides of which are the perforations of the two multimedia speakers.

In the upper left corner of the back panel of the Apple iPad mini 2 is the lens of the main 5-megapixel camera. In the middle of the rear panel there is a large manufacturer's logo, and in the lower part of the rear panel - service information.

The advantages of the tablet's ergonomics include the compact dimensions of the case and the low weight of the device. Of course, the Apple iPad mini 2 tablet does not fit into any pocket of clothes, but there is always a place for it both in a small women's bag and in a men's diplomat or backpack.

Due to its low weight, the device is easy to hold for a long time with one hand. The increase in thickness in the Apple iPad mini 2 (compared to the Apple iPad mini) is so small that it is very difficult to notice it without any special measuring devices such as a ruler or scales, especially during everyday use.

The disadvantages of the Apple iPad mini 2 include the forced scaling of content on a relatively small 7.9-inch display. In some cases (reading books and browsing) the result of scaling is invisible, the user can zoom in on the content, making it readable. In other cases, for example, when gaming, watching videos or layout of magazines, the small size of the image elements, nevertheless, negatively affects the comfort of use.

Screen

Apple iPad mini 2 features a 7.9-inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels (Retina). Accordingly, the pixel density is equal to 326 ppi. It is not possible to see individual pixels with the naked eye. This is the pixel density found in the display matrix of the iPhone 5S. The older model iPad Air has a pixel density of 264 ppi, due to the larger display diagonal at the same resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. For example, the 7-inch Google Nexus 7 tablet from 2013 has a pixel density of 323 PPI, and the 8.9-inch tablet Kindle Fire HDX has 339 PPI.

There is an air gap between the IPS-matrix of the display and the protective tempered glass, which in turn has both pros and cons. The image quality suffers a little due to the fact that the display and the protective glass are not one whole, but replacing the protective glass in case of breakage, or the matrix in case of malfunctions with it, is an easier operation.

The brightness of the display backlight can be adjusted either manually or automatically by means of a light sensor. The minimum display brightness is 6.5 cd / m2, and the maximum brightness is 340 cd / m2. The minimum brightness is comfortable for working in complete darkness, and the maximum brightness for working in bright ambient light (the display does not "fade" and remains readable). There are no complaints about the viewing angles of the tablet screen, the image is of the same quality from whatever angle the user looks at the display of the device.

Hardware platform

The Apple iPad mini 2 has the same hardware platform as the iPad Air. The device is based on the 64-bit 1.3 GHz Apple A7 processor (Cyclone), the Apple M7 coprocessor and the PowerVR G6430 quad-core graphics chip. The Apple iPad mini 2 has one gigabyte of RAM.

The Apple A7 processor and Retina display, of course, heat the metal body of the tablet, more significantly than in the case of the Apple iPad mini, but still not much. Heating of the case does not cause any inconvenience during operation.

The basic configuration of the Apple iPad mini 2 is equipped with a Wi-Fi 802.11n module, which is capable of working in dual bands, and supports MIMO technology, as well as a Bluetooth 4.0 module. Optionally (in appropriate configurations) iPad mini 2 is equipped with an LTE modem and a hardware GPS module.

Autonomy of work

While the battery capacity from the Apple iPad mini was 16.5 Wh, the Apple iPad mini 2 has a 23.8 Wh battery. Last but not least, the need to increase the battery capacity was due to the increased energy requirements of the new, higher-performance hardware platform of the tablet and its new display, which has four times the resolution of its predecessor.

Battery charging time / progress:

The manufacturer claims that with medium-intensity workload, the Apple iPad mini 2, as before, can work up to ten hours continuously. In fact, one battery charge is enough for eight hours of active use and eleven hours of standby time. Fully charging the battery (from 0% to 100%) with a standard mains charger takes a little less than four hours.

conclusions

The Apple iPad mini 2 is an improved version of the Apple iPad mini. The improvements are significant. The tablet PC has got a display with Retina resolution and the latest high-performance platform, while remaining as light and compact. If you need a high-quality, high-performance tablet with a colorful display and small dimensions, then you should definitely pay attention to the Apple iPad mini 2 model.