After returning iPad Air to Apple Store, I already decided that my new iPad will be iPad mini with Retina Display (iPad mini 2nd generation). Earlier this month, there was no exact date about when this iPad mini is going to be available for purchase.
When Apple suddenly opened online order for iPad mini with Retina Display on 12 Nov 2013, I completed my order within the first few hours of availability. After days of waiting, I got email from Apple that they have shipped my order with estimated delivery on 21 Nov 2013. Based on my years of experience with Apple, this “estimation” is usually accurate (or in few cases, my order arrived a day earlier that the estimated date). And so I began to refresh TNT’s shipment tracking site countless time, only to find out that there’s an unknown delay in Hong Kong. The next day I received apology email from Apple about the “possible delay” of the shipment and readjust the estimated delivery to 22 Nov 2013.
This morning, my order finally arrives! I took the unboxing photos for this post, then plugged it to my iTunes to restore my backup from my first gen iPad mini.
iPad mini with Retina Display is heavier than first gen iPad mini. Since I still have the “old” iPad mini at home, I have the chance of actually comparing these two. Yes, the weight difference IS noticeable. However, the iPad mini with Retina Display is still significantly lighter than my wife’s iPad Air. For my usage pattern, this is a big deal.
If you upgrade from previous model’s full-sized iPad, iPad Air will feel a LOT lighter and more comfortable. But if you upgrade from first gen iPad mini, chances are you will prefer this 2nd gen iPad mini. If you want to feel really sure before buying, go to Apple Store and play around with some demo units there. Make sure you try to hold those iPads with one hand for at least 5 minutes (not just few seconds) to actually feel the difference. For me, holding the 2nd gen iPad mini with one hand for 15-30 minutes still feel comfortable.
My main reason for upgrade is for the sake of 128 GB storage, not for the Retina Display. As expected, Retina Display is stunning. I thought I was happy with my first gen iPad mini’s display, but apparently I couldn’t go back once I get used to the new iPad mini. Some folks at various forums talked about image retention issue in this iPad mini. I tested mine with the usual checker box pattern and yes, it has image retention issue. However, I tested in REAL usage, it never became a problem, so I don’t really care. Just like my Macbook Pro with Retina Display. It has image retention issue when tested using the pattern, but I never once noticed any issue in everyday usage.
iPad mini with Retina Display packs A7 processor and M7 co-processor. This is the same configuration found in iPhone 5S and iPad Air. Since the first gen iPad mini only has A5 processor, this is a two-generation leap. And indeed it shows in real usage performance, especially when I opened apps with serious graphics. Books and comics were loaded significantly faster, even the ones with large file size. And most of all, this iPad mini finally can play my H.264 10-bit movie collection without any conversion (using VLC app).
iPad has the largest number of tablet-optimized apps in AppStore ready to be downloaded. Some of my favorite apps are still not available in other platforms until today. And I’m so glad iPad mini has the same display resolution as full-sized iPad so it automatically can run all those iPad apps perfectly.
Overall, I’m very happy with this purchase. Yes the slightly heavier weight took me few hours to adjust, but it was tolerable compared to the weight jump to iPad Air. I do hope that Apple can make the next generation of iPad mini even lighter than the first gen. Other than this weight issue, everything I expect from a tablet computing device is here.
Leave A Comment