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1The Pricing Is High
2The Nexus 7 Is a Winner
Google’s Nexus 7 is arguably the iPad Mini’s best competitor. After all, that device comes with a 7-inch screen, has a powerful processor and a nice design. Plus, it starts out at $199, making it far more affordable than Apple’s iPad. In many ways, the Nexus 7 delivers what the iPad Mini does for a fraction of the price.
3The Kindle Fire HD Is Also Solid
Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD is a fine option for consumers who want something other than an iPad. The device comes in the customer’s choice of 7- or 8.9-inch displays, and starts at $199, making it nicely affordable. Combine that with Amazon’s solid operating system and built-in applications, and it’s clear why so many people like the company’s slates.
4What About the Larger iPad?
5Have Issues With iOS? Move Along
6There’s No Retina Display
7The A5 Chip Is Unbearably Slow
8Will It Be Replaced Soon?
There was a time when Apple customers could buy the company’s products without fear of seeing them replaced within the next 12 months. But as the fourth-generation iPad has proven, that’s no longer the case. In that instance, Apple launched an update to the “new iPad” less than eight months after that tablet had launched. Who knows if the iPad Mini won’t be replaced with a better processor soon?
9The Lightning Port
Consumers who have accessories with docks that are compatible with the old 30-pin connector found in Apple’s iPhones and iPads might not like what they find in the Mini. That tablet comes with the Lightning connector, a new port that only has nine pins. What that means is customers won’t be able to plug the iPad Mini into connector cables and docks that support the 30-pin flavor unless they buy an adapter. That adapter is available for $29 from Apple.
10Where Are All the Extras?
When examining the iPad Mini’s spec sheet, it looks pretty much like a bare-bones tablet. The device doesn’t come with near-field communication and lacks a high-definition display. Plus, its rear-facing camera is just 5 megapixels and its front is 1.2 megapixels. There’s also no USB port or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. Granted, the iPad Mini is designed to be a cheaper Apple tablet, but couldn’t Apple have added some popular (less costly) industry standards?