Apple launches new iPad Mini tablet

24^th October 2012

Aimee Latimer

Aimee Latimer

24 October 2012

Apple has launched its new 7.9-inch display iPad Mini to critical acclaim. 

Described by Apple as being as light as a pad of paper and as thin as a pencil, the iPad Mini is 7.2mm (23%) thinner than the original model and 308g (53%) lighter. Priced from £269, the Mini will run any of the 275,000 apps accessible on an old iPad, as well as having features including 1080p HD video recording, ultra-fast wireless and 16 GB storage.

The launch of the iPad Mini has put Apple in the combative small tablet market dominated by the Amazon Kindle Fire (from £159), Google Nexus 7 (from £159) and similar models. Although critics have argued the Mini is too expensively priced in comparison, it is believed Apple’s numerous loyal fans and the high standard of technology used will make the desirable Mini a formidable force in the already competitive tablet market.

The release comes after years of speculation over whether Apple would ever create an iPad with a smaller screen after its late founder Steve Jobs famously described 7-inch tablets as being “too small”. 

When released in 2010, many presumed the original iPad would become little more than a novelty, but after sales of over 100 million and with personal computers down by 8% from last year alone, the future of technology could revolve heavily around efficient and portable tablets. 

iPad Minis can be pre-ordered from 26^th October, or the Wi-Fi model can be bought from 8am in store from 2^nd November. Cellular models will become available in late November.

Aimee Latimer