Apple 's compact tablet was unveiled just over a week ago, and the Cupertino company has begun sending iPad Mini units to US tech websites for reviews. Given the significant influence of many of these outlets, it's always important for companies to garner positive initial reviews if they want to make a strong entry into the market.
Most of the most influential media outlets in the North American tech scene have already received their iPad Mini units so they can conduct in-depth reviews with the device in hand. Let's take a look at the most significant comments from these websites.
Engadget highlights the screen's good quality despite it not being a Retina display. They say it's a significant improvement over the iPad 2 in terms of color, brightness, clarity, and viewing angles. While the resolution is a bit low, the screen doesn't disappoint at all.
TechCrunch analysts have a slightly different opinion on the matter. They state that the difference compared to Retina displays is noticeable, and while one gets used to using the latter for a while without any problems, when switching back to a higher-resolution display, a significant jump in quality is once again apparent.
The Verge also mentions the iPad mini's screen, although they acknowledge that a higher resolution would obviously have been better. They also highlight the device's incredible design, both in terms of software and hardware, and state that it is by far the most beautiful tablet in its class.
CNET claims it's perhaps the best design in Apple's history (and that's saying something). However, they don't quite see it as a "mobile" device, like the iPhone or iPod; it's more of a gadget to use while sitting or lying down.
The editor of The Loop highlights the good quality of the iPad mini's battery , stating that he currently does not use it for gaming but for everyday tasks and that there is nothing in particular that causes its charge to run out quickly.
SlashGear goes a step further, claiming that the tablet surpasses Apple's battery life estimates. They report exceeding 11 hours of use across various tasks , including browsing, video playback, music, and gaming (including streaming), without the battery showing any signs of running out.
Source: 9TO5Mac.