Unboxing the Apple iPad mini
iPad 2 goes through a shrinking machine
We've just received our iPad mini and smart cover, so it won't be long until we can give it our appraisal and see if Apple has hit a new sweet spot for tablet size.
Naturally we took extra care to unbox the iPad mini, out of respect for the care and attention taken in packaging it in the first place. And so we could show you all the gory details.
As with any new Apple product, the contents are minimal and there's not much to reveal. iPad mini, check. Power adapter, check. Lightning USB cable, check. Quick user guide and warranty leaflet, check. Two Apple stickers, check. And that's it.
At £349 for the 32GB model, or £449 with the cellular option, the big question is if the iPad mini can compete with the likes of the £239 3G-enabled Nexus 7 (also with 32GB) or the other sub-£200 Android tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble? And what of the emerging devices running Windows RT?
Well, that's for our full review to decide.
The box: Like anything from Apple, it will take some time before you even want to open it
The £35 smart cover; everyone should buy one of these
All of the contents laid out, which didn't take long
Apple would never just slide something into a cellophane bag
Finally it is exposed - so now it is acceptable to turn it on and begin to set it up
Sitting astride the iPad 2, which features the same screen resolution and processor
The difference between 9.7-inch vs 7.9-inch
The iPad mini is far from Retina quality, but will it matter for normal use? We'll let you know.
