iPad mini - what do you think?
I am the proud new owner of an iPad mini. I bought the most basic model 16gb $479 to trial with myself, with students in schools, for my three boys to trial at home and for my 12 year old to trial at school in his BYOD setting.
So what do I think?
I love it for my own use, the smaller size and lighter weight means it will be easier for me to take wherever I go and I do just really love the feel of it. It is more like a book to hold, fitting nicely in one hand and just like when you return home after having a second child and your first born suddenly seems huge, my "old" iPad 2 now seems very heavy and clunky by comparison. It is fast on my home wireless, the battery lasted the advertised 10 hours and the new lightning plug is easy to use and gave an impatient me a fast recharge.
My 12 year old has given it a huge thumbs up, it is a perfect fit for his needs of BYOD at school. Small enough to safely transport to and from school each day and yet a much more useful screen size than his previous iPod. He reports that the camera is easier to use and that apps load faster.
In the classroom I suspect the larger ipad2 and 3 formats will still be preferable for group work and collaboration, particularly in primary schools, but where students are pimarily using it for a personal device this smaller format is great. The camera too is much easier to manage as the device is easier to hold.
The price? Yes only $100 cheaper than an iPad 2 so not much cheaper but that still means you get 6 iPad mini for the price of 5 iPad2s and $100 buys a you a whole lot of apps.
So there are my first impressions, I will take it into schools with me this week and get the feedback from students and teachers.
Who else out there is trialling them? What do you think?
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Read what Glen Davies IT Manager at CORE has to say
The new ipad mini came out yesterday. Christchurch-based IT expert Glen Davies gave it a try.
Add your own views below. : )
Replies
- mary jamieson (View all users posts) 05 Mar 2013 9:50am ()
I purchased the 64gb mini 2 weeks ago and am loving it!!! Not looking forward to spending $70 on vga adapter though. Can you get them cheaper. I have a school where the teachers have all been given ipad minis and am keen to hear how other teachers are getting on with them. Any suggestions for my first time user teachers?
- mary jamieson (View all users posts) 05 Mar 2013 9:57am ()
Oh, and I got a really nice padded fold over cover from JBHi fi for $29. Works great and has correct hole for camera. Size is great for individuals or pairs, anything more and you may want to upsize to ipad. I don't bother with screen protector as I have cover, I also don't like the asthetics of screen protectors. Response time is super quick, camera works really well.
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