iPad mini Review vs Nexus 7 & Kindle Fire HD - Best Deals

iPad mini Review of Reviews by Wireless and Mobile News

The  iPad mini is a scaled-down version of the iPad 2 or enlarged iPod Touch, intended to for the book reading market and is pure Apple with some compromises which Apple Fans won't mind.  We distilled several of the top reviews to find a consensus and rating.

• Best-Liked Features of iPad mini:  great design, good quality cameras, apps, fast Wi-Fi, elegant screen, lightness and excellent battery life.
• Least-Liked Features of iPad mini:  expensive $329, wide, slippery to hold,  lacks water protection coating and lacks parental controls
• Overall Average Ranking: 4 out of 5.
• Networks:  Wi-Fi, AT&T, Sprint(limited LTE) , Verizon Wireless.

This is the first time in a long time that reviewers are not drooling over the latest Apple product because there is much more competition in this 7" realm of tablets. Reviewers wonder if it worth paying a $130 "Mac Tax" to be able to use iOS software. The iPad mini in many ways does what an iPad does but loses some things in the size translation,

Reviewers liked the slick light design and that thumbs on the side didn't trigger touchscreen actions because the screen goes all the way to edge.  One reviewer found typing difficult on the screen, while another found it to be easy.

Reviewers all liked the loud speakers and noted that the cameras are excellent and good enough for general use. Dual Band Wi-Fi connections were excellent and fast.

One reviewer found the iPad mini easy to hold while another found it slippery and too wide. Another reviewer praised the iPad mini for carrying around on trains, buses and planes because it doesn't require two hands to hold.

All reviewers were disappointed that the iPad mini does not come with latest fastest processor and Retina display. The iPad mini resolution at 1024x768 it doesn't come close to the Kindle Fire HD or Nexus 7 which are much less expensive. The aspect ratio is wide wide but is great for books.  For video viewing the 4:3 aspect ratio turns the video into a lower resolution.

One reviewer noted that the iPad mini does not have parental controls like the Kindle Fire HD. We also noticed that it has no nano coating form some water protection.

The iPad mini uses a Dual core A5 processor that has been out since 2011 with 511MB RAM, which means things load fine but they are not blazing fast. It features a 7'6" touchscreen, front camera, rear 5MP camera and ten hours of battery life. The iPad mini includes a Lightning cable and an AC adapter but no earbuds.

Reviewers all thought that Apple fans wouldn't mind the price and would love this different style iPod/iPad with the Apple logo. In fact, most kids prefer Apple products.

Compare iPad mini to Kindle Fire HD or Nexus 7.  Read iPad mini buying tips 4G LTE model from carriers,  including AT&T ($100 off with contract).

Buy from  Target. On Thanksgiving and Black Friday if you buy an Apple iPad you  get a $60 Target Card - 11/22-11/24 only.