Apple iPad Mini
The iPad Mini's light, thin design and extra screen real estate compared to other 7-inch tablets is both a blessing and a screen-resolution curse. Still, it's the cheapest way to get the iPad experience.
The good: The iPad Mini's ultrathin and light design is far more intimate and booklike than the larger iPad, and its cameras, storage capacities, optional LTE antenna, and general functionality offer a full iPad experience. The screen's dimensions elegantly display larger-format magazines and apps.
The bad: The iPad Mini costs too much, especially considering the lower resolution of its 7.9-inch non-Retina Display. The A5 processor isn't as robust as the one in the fourth-gen iPad and iPhone 5. Typing on the smaller screen is not quite as comfy.
The bottom line: If you want the full, polished Apple tablet experience in a smaller package, the iPad Mini is worth the premium price. Otherwise, good alternatives are available for less money.
October 31, 2012 9:37 PM PDT
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
