Honest and unbiased answers about the specs plz....

**XENOPHOS** · 11-30-2012, 06:34 AM

Hey all,

I am a prospective buyer of the iPad Mini. However, I am a little confused with the specs. So some questions I would like to ask:

What is the RAM on the Mini?

What is the GPU and processor used?

As compared to the iPad 2, which one do you think is better?

And lastly, does the Nexus 7 really beat the Mini? (Please answer this with utmost honesty)

Lastly, performance-wise, I love my dad's iPad2 a lot....will the Mini be better or even the same as the iPad2?

Thanks for reading!

**j_benj** · 11-30-2012, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by X 0 N 0 D E

Hey all,

I am a prospective buyer of the iPad Mini. However, I am a little confused with the specs. So some questions I would like to ask:

What is the RAM on the Mini?

What is the GPU and processor used?

As compared to the iPad 2, which one do you think is better?

And lastly, does the Nexus 7 really beat the Mini? (Please answer this with utmost honesty)

Lastly, performance-wise, I love my dad's iPad2 a lot....will the Mini be better or even the same as the iPad2?

Thanks for reading!

Responding to this from my iPad mini

RAM = 512MB
GPU is the same as iPad 2 (I believe)

I've owned both the iPad 2 and the mini and I prefer the mini. It's really hard to put into words why.. Saying "it's smaller" doesn't quite work... It's just all around better. I think the form factor and weight are perfect. Thumb typing on the mini is awesome for me, so much faster than the larger iPad. It's way lighter so it's much better for being out and about.

Nexus 7 : it's really a matter of opinion. Specs on an iPad can't be directly compared to non-apple devices so you can't really go by that. Personally I like the iOS ecosystem. Tons of apps available for every purpose and they're usually highly polished. Plus Apple's support is top notch. I love that I can simply walk into an apple store if I have a problem and walk out with a replacement unit.

Performance : the mini seems to perform exactly the same as my GF's iPad 2. Battery life is better on the mini for sure. The thing that shocked me was that the mini is sometimes smoother than my iPad 3!!

**Fausty82** · 11-30-2012, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by X 0 N 0 D E

Hey all,

I am a prospective buyer of the iPad Mini. However, I am a little confused with the specs. So some questions I would like to ask:

What is the RAM on the Mini?

What is the GPU and processor used?

As compared to the iPad 2, which one do you think is better?

And lastly, does the Nexus 7 really beat the Mini? (Please answer this with utmost honesty)

Lastly, performance-wise, I love my dad's iPad2 a lot....will the Mini be better or even the same as the iPad2?

Thanks for reading!

According to the chart in Wikipedia (, see below), the specs between the iPad 2 and the iPad Mini are almost identical. They key difference is the physical size, and the effective resolution differences caused by the same resolution on a smaller screen.

Both have 512 MB of RAM.
Both use the Apple A5 SoC
Both use the 1GHZ dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU
Both use the PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU

When compared to the Nexus 7, the key differences are the form factor (iPad Mini is 4:3 compared to the 16:9 form factor of the Nexus 7) and the screen resolution (Nexus 7 is retina or near retina, vs the 163 PPI resolution of the iPad Mini). But the key difference, IMHO, is software. There are many more apps for the iPad Mini (upwards of 275,000), including the vast majority of them are designed specifically for the tablet device as opposed to the Nexus 7 running "phone" apps - and less of them are available.

Model
Status		Discontinued	Available	Discontinued	Available	Available
Announcement date		January 27, 2010	March 2, 2011	March 7, 2012	October 23, 2012	October 23, 2012
Release date		April 3, 2010	March 11, 2011	March 16, 2012	November 2, 2012	November 2, 2012
Discontinued		March 2, 2011	32, 64 GB: March 7, 2012 16 GB: In production	October 23, 2012	In production	In production
		9.7 inches (250 mm) display with backlighting and a fingerprint and scratch-resistant coating				7.9 inches (200 mm) display
1,024 × 768 at 132		2,048 × 1,536 pixels at 264 ppi (Retina Display)		1,024 × 768 pixels at 163 ppi

		1 GHz	1 GHz dual-core	1 GHz dual-core	1.4 GHz dual-core Swift	1 GHz dual-core
		PowerVR SGX535	PowerVR SGX543MP2	PowerVR SGX543MP4	PowerVR SGX554MP4	PowerVR SGX543MP2
Memory		256 MB DDR RAM built into Apple A4 package	512 MB (1066 Mbit/s ) RAM built into Apple A5 package	1024 MB DDR2	1024 MB DDR2	512 MB DDR2 RAM built into Apple A5 package
		16, 32, or 64
	Wi-Fi	(),		(),
Wi-Fi+3G/4G	In addition to above: 3G cellular , 2G cellular on 3G models		In addition to above and left: 3G transitional on 4G model
	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Apple location databases
Wi-Fi+3G/4G	, Apple databases,		Additionally:
Environmental		, ,	Additionally:

		Built-in ;(10 hours (Wi-Fi), 9 hours (3G or LTE) browsing; 10 hours video; 140 hours audio; 1 month standby)
Weight		Wi-Fi model: 1.5 lb (680 g) 3G model: 1.6 lb (730 g)	Wi-Fi model: 1.325 lb (601 g) GSM 3G (AT&T) model: 1.351 lb (613 g) CDMA 3G (Verizon) model: 1.338 lb (607 g)	Wi-Fi model: 1.44 lb (650 g) LTE model: 1.46 lb (660 g)		Wi-Fi model: 0.68 lb (310 g) LTE model: 0.69 lb (310 g)
Dimensions		9.56×7.47×0.528 in (243×190×13.4 mm)	9.5×7.31×0.346 in (240×186×8.8 mm)	9.5×7.31×0.37 in (240×186×9.4 mm)		7.87×5.3×0.28 in (200×130×7.1 mm)
Mechanical keys		Home, sleep, volume rocker, variable function switch (originally screen rotation lock, mute in iOS 4.2, either in 4.3 and later)
Camera	Back	N/A	still and video camera 0.7 , 30 and 5× digital zoom	HD still and video camera 5 MP, 30fps and 5× digital zoom
Front	N/A	-quality still and videocamera, 0.3 MP		1.2 MP still, 720p video
Greenhouse gas emissions		130 kg CO₂e	105 kg CO₂e	180 kg CO₂e	170 kg CO₂e	95 kg CO₂e

**XENOPHOS** · 11-30-2012, 08:29 AM

Thank you both, Fausty82 & j_benj. Firstly, I much appreciate the fact I wasn't attacked for asking about the Nexus 7 directly. Secondly, my concern was the resolution of the two. I mean, for example, how different will a HD game differ on the two? Which would look/feel better?
And apart from the games, the overall OS is smoother should be better on the iPad Mini right?

My dad's iPad 2 is just sooooo smooth it's not funny. Lately, I have taken to eMagazines. My primary purpose would be reading (both novels and magazines) and games, but not as much as reading.

Also, which one is better while commuting in a semi-crowded to almost empty train? I mean, overall holding the device in a moving locomotive etc..

Again, much appreciate your replies...

**Alli** · 11-30-2012, 09:19 AM

If your primary goal is reading, go for the mini. I have the 2 and also own a Kindle for reading because I find the 2 too unwieldy for reading (although many disagree with me on this point).

As for how HD looks on a non HD screen - looks great. It's the other way around that things may not look good (nonHD on an HD screen).

**Fausty82** · 11-30-2012, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by X 0 N 0 D E

Thank you both, Fausty82 & j_benj. Firstly, I much appreciate the fact I wasn't attacked for asking about the Nexus 7 directly. Secondly, my concern was the resolution of the two. I mean, for example, how different will a HD game differ on the two? Which would look/feel better?
And apart from the games, the overall OS is smoother should be better on the iPad Mini right?

My dad's iPad 2 is just sooooo smooth it's not funny. Lately, I have taken to eMagazines. My primary purpose would be reading (both novels and magazines) and games, but not as much as reading.

Also, which one is better while commuting in a semi-crowded to almost empty train? I mean, overall holding the device in a moving locomotive etc..

Again, much appreciate your replies...

I understand, but cannot answer, as I don’t own a Nexus device and have only seen one for a few minutes.

According to the internet, the Nexus 7 is 240 PPI and the iPad Mini is 163 PPI... so the resolution of the Nexus 7 is 50% higher... I can’t say what that may mean in actual use.

**XENOPHOS** · 11-30-2012, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Alli

If your primary goal is reading, go for the mini. I have the 2 and also own a Kindle for reading because I find the 2 too unwieldy for reading (although many disagree with me on this point).

As for how HD looks on a non HD screen - looks great. It's the other way around that things may not look good (nonHD on an HD screen).

Nice...so, in short, iPad Mini wins. Did I mention browsing? But that's a given right? Browsing tech websites, articles etc...not much of a gamer though, so whatever is available I am happy.
Also, with identical specs, I am guessing it will be just as smooth as the iPad 2, if not better. Or is it?

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

**Irish Rose** · 11-30-2012, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by X 0 N 0 D E

Nice...so, in short, iPad Mini wins. Did I mention browsing? But that's a given right? Browsing tech websites, articles etc...not much of a gamer though, so whatever is available I am happy.
Also, with identical specs, I am guessing it will be just as smooth as the iPad 2, if not better. Or is it?

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

I had the iPad 2 when it came out and now have the Mini. The browsing experience on my iPad Mini is just as smooth as it was on my 2 if not better. I have no issues with Safari closing or restarting due to having multiple tabs open at one time. Don't have the checkerboard issue like I had on my iPad 2, so that is a nice improvement for me. I mostly use my iPad Mini for reading books and browsing the web and I am 100% happy with the experience thus far. YMMV.

Sent from my LTE iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD.

**j_benj** · 11-30-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by X 0 N 0 D E

Thank you both, Fausty82 & j_benj. Firstly, I much appreciate the fact I wasn't attacked for asking about the Nexus 7 directly. Secondly, my concern was the resolution of the two. I mean, for example, how different will a HD game differ on the two? Which would look/feel better?
And apart from the games, the overall OS is smoother should be better on the iPad Mini right?

My dad's iPad 2 is just sooooo smooth it's not funny. Lately, I have taken to eMagazines. My primary purpose would be reading (both novels and magazines) and games, but not as much as reading.

Also, which one is better while commuting in a semi-crowded to almost empty train? I mean, overall holding the device in a moving locomotive etc..

Again, much appreciate your replies...

I, too, cannot comment on the Nexus (or other higher resolution tablet) when it comes to how games compare. What I can say is that I do own a retina iPad 3 as well as the mini. Games look great and play just as well on the mini. The lower resolution seems much more forgiving when it comes to gaming, I don't notice much pixelation.

I would think the mini would be great for commuting. I use mine as a media player when I'm at my desk at work every day.

**Rocket_Girl** · 11-30-2012, 12:37 PM

Specs can only tell you so much: like a car or a girlfriend - one can look great on paper, yet just not feel right in real life. You have the numbers - can put them into a matrix calculate a weighted score - run them every which way. That still won'lt answer your question -- time to try them. Go to a store. Pick them up. Go someplace that sells both mini and Nexus. Try the same game on both side by side. See what works best FOR YOU. The numbers can be anything - they only matter if its the device you LIKE. They may have similar specs, yet they are different experiences.

Just call it - see what fits best for you. You would test drive a car (or a girlfriend), right? The numbers won't make your choice right or wrong - YOU will. What's best for you will differ from the next guy and the guy after that. In the end, you like what you like - and you will only know THAT when you get out of the spreadsheets and into the store.

**XENOPHOS** · 11-30-2012, 10:48 PM

A friend would be visiting the US soon. Can I ask her to get it from there? I want a Wifi-only model anyways. Will it need activation of any sort when it comes here in India?

Thanks!

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

**X 0 N 0 D E** · 12-01-2012, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by Rocket_Girl

Specs can only tell you so much: like a car or a girlfriend - one can look great on paper, yet just not feel right in real life. You have the numbers - can put them into a matrix calculate a weighted score - run them every which way. That still won'lt answer your question -- time to try them. Go to a store. Pick them up. Go someplace that sells both mini and Nexus. Try the same game on both side by side. See what works best FOR YOU. The numbers can be anything - they only matter if its the device you LIKE. They may have similar specs, yet they are different experiences.

Just call it - see what fits best for you. You would test drive a car (or a girlfriend), right? The numbers won't make your choice right or wrong - YOU will. What's best for you will differ from the next guy and the guy after that. In the end, you like what you like - and you will only know THAT when you get out of the spreadsheets and into the store.

Absolutely agree. I saw the neXus 7 today and guess what? The attendant said the iPad Mini will be coming the next week. Now just waiting for the price of the mini...but i am mostly buying it for sure...

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

**Karenkcoulter** · 12-01-2012, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by XENOPHOS

A friend would be visiting the US soon. Can I ask her to get it from there? I want a Wifi-only model anyways. Will it need activation of any sort when it comes here in India?

Thanks!

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

The wifi only model would be fine to purchase in the US. It does need activation but that can be done via wifi or plugged into a computer running iTunes.

**Irish Rose** · 12-02-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Karenkcoulter

The wifi only model would be fine to purchase in the US. It does need activation but that can be done via wifi or plugged into a computer running iTunes.

Agreed, there shouldn't be any problems activating the WiFi Mini via iTunes.

Sent from my LTE iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD.

**X 0 N 0 D E** · 12-02-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Irish Rose

Agreed, there shouldn't be any problems activating the WiFi Mini via iTunes.

Sent from my LTE iPad Mini using Tapatalk HD.

But is that supposed to be done here (India) or where my friend buys it from?

Sent from my RaZr on MIUI.

**rednocturne307** · 12-04-2012, 08:13 PM

Although the ipad mini and ipad 2 processors are both a5's, not all a5's (or processors in general) are created equal. The ipad mini's a5 is actually a smaller, newer generation of the processor that is much more efficient, leading to noticeably better battery life.

**raremage** · 12-06-2012, 02:40 AM

I have an original Nexus 7. I bought it specifically because i wanted a tablet i could easily take with me everywhere, which my larger iPad is too big to do with.

It's sit idle since I got the mini. Perfect size, screen is perfectly usable, no issues at all going from the higher Rez N7 to the Mini. Your mileage may vary, as I'm simply more interested in features and ecosystem than some of the visual detail perhaps. But for me it's a no brainier, the Mini is vastly superior.