Welcome to another issue of Spec Tech. I hope everyone voted Tuesday! In this issue I review the iPad Mini.

First off, this looks like a small iPad but also a big iPod Touch.  It is super light at 0.68 pounds and as thin as a pen or pencil.  Videos online do not justify just how thin and light it is.  It is truly a sight to behold– and to hold.

Something I dislike though is that it was difficult to hit the volume buttons.  They are separate instead of together like a normal iPad.  The device also slid in my hand as I turned it.  I think a smart cover on the back would stop that, but I did not have one available.

So how does a small iPad work? Well, it is difficult to type on.  I liked using it in portrait mode, but I typed very slowly.  In landscape the keyboard is not long enough for me to type comfortably.  I had to use one finger to find all the keys like a 5- year- old.

The 7.9-inch screen is nicer than the iPad 2, but it is not Retina Display.  Movies and text do look clearer–but not much.  It still has a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The cameras on both sides are very good.  I was impressed at how good the FaceTime HD camera was since it was the first time I’ve seen one,

I’m not sure how to rate this tablet because it is good, but not for the price point.  I’m not even sure who Apple wants to buy this.  The iPod Touch is now essentially an iPad, but even smaller.  If you are looking for a great, cheap tablet–this is not it.

You can pick up the 16GB iPad Mini for $329.  I think Apple missed the price point.  If this was either $200 or $250, it would have destroyed the competition, but for that price you might as well wait to buy a regular iPad or for next year’s iPad Mini update.

If you want a 7-inch tablet, get the 16GB Nexus 7 for $199. It is better than the iPad Mini except for a smaller screen size.

That’s it for this week readers. I hope you have a great weekend. Only two weeks till Thanksgiving!

Question: What are your thoughts about the iPad Mini? Email your answers to smsetser@valdosta.edu