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Is the iPad mini brilliant? The OpenForum discusses

When you talk Apple's tiniest tablet with the OpenForum, things can get heated.

"Now...is this thing worth $329?"
"Now...is this thing worth $329?"

This week Senior Apple Editor Jacqui Cheng reviewed the iPad mini, and she found many features to love. But some features, like the display, left a bit to be desired. Ars readers also got their hands on Apple’s new small-form tablet, and the following discussions went into interesting new areas. What features can make the iPad mini a device that can be described as brilliant?

SmoledMan kicks off the thread "Why the iPad Mini is brilliant" with a few key points: "#1 - it destroys the 7" consumer tablet market just like that. #2 - it's the perfect device for enterprise where all you need is light content creation, status & command acknowledgement. Imagine an iPad Mini used for inventory control. It's so light and can host LOB applications."

This thread was posted in the Battlefront forum, which is a place where fiery discussions often take place. G3D responds to the original post: "Thread over, no contention, just your un-justified opinion, well done."

But OrangeCream steps in and continues to nurture the discussion by posting more reasons why the iPad mini triumphs (based on a comparison to the Google Nexus 7): "1) It's thinner and lighter than the N7, 2) It's got a more powerful GPU than the N7, 3) It's got better cameras than the N7, 4) It's got a visually better display than the N7 (brightness, contrast, gamut), 5) It's got better battery life than the N7, 6) It's got better tablet optimized apps than the N7."

In our review we noted that the step back in the iPad mini's screen technology may make consumers think twice. Arcite also weighs in on the issue: "I'll wait for the iPad mini Retina 2 (circa 6 months from now)."

Puppeteer adds analysis on the lack of a retina screen: "The thing is the non retina mini isn't targeted at iPad retina owners, it's for people who don't have iPads. For those people it's still a higher resolution display (by area) than the original iPad, and more importantly, the non tablet they currently don't own."

Other users in the thread, like the_stig_1, cut through some of the industry buzz surrounding the mini and focused in on specific needs and value for dollar: "I have found the relentless spin from Siegler and Gruber dizzying. They parroted the party line about smaller tablets for years before loudly proclaiming that they're switching to the iPad mini. For my own part I use the iPad as a laptop replacement so I don't have a burning need for a smaller-screened device. I'm also not willing to part with the high-DPI screen of the iPad for the mini. It's also too much money. $299 would have been a much better starting point while preserving a healthy 30% margin (if iSuppli's estimates of the mini's BOM is correct) That extra $30 is a huge psychological barrier, IMHO. At the low price of the Nexus 7, I've been tempted to pick one up purely out of curiosity. I can't say the same for the mini."

Many Ars readers in the Openforum choose other tablets and devices. Hinton says: "I read the reviews of both the 7" Android tablets and the iPads prior to purchasing the N7 (I also considered the iPad retina, but decided against it because of size. I wanted something that would fit in my pocket. That's because I am not using my tablet as a desktop replacement). Had the iPad mini been out when I purchased the N7, I'm informed enough to make the same correct decision, even if priced equal, of what I admit, is my subjective view of what a tablet should be used for."

dwell says, "Brought home the mini last night. Wife is getting one now. This device is just as much of a threat to Sony and Nintendo as it is to Amazon and Google. Why get a Vita or Wii U when you can have a killer gaming device plus a fuckton functionality more for just a little bit more? [...] It blows my mind why anyone would want a Sony or Nintendo device."

Hinton thinks the iPad mini may continue to add to Apple’s success in the mobile gaming market: "A company like Nintendo could enter the market with a gaming pack, including their killer game"s" + a holder the tablet could sit in with proper controls, using Bluetooth to communicate with the tablet."

When it comes to the iPad mini, there are many other areas to consider: productivity apps, e-readers, utilities, battery life, wireless, and so on. If you bought an iPad, what are your thoughts on the device? If you’re on the fence or definitely not purchasing one, tell us about the other options you see out there on the marketplace. Share your thoughts with us in the comments or in the OpenForum. Register for an account to participate in the discussion.

Channel Ars Technica