iPad Mini with its big brother.

There have been many reviews of the iPad Mini lately.

I wanted to use the device for a week to see how the Mini fit into my daily workflow.

The traditional iPad has been a part of my work tools since it was released.

(See here, here and even here.)

So, how does the iPad Mini measure up?

iPad Mini Is Mini.

The iPad Mini is small.

The picture above doesn’t really give you a sense of the difference between the Mini and the regular iPad.

It is half the weight. It is thinner. And it just feels great in your hand.

There has been some great analysis on whether or not this is the size that the iPad should have always been.

In many ways, Apple is repeating the same path they took with the iPod, where the iPod Mini eventually took over the product line.

I could see this happening with the iPad, as well.

What I love:

• The size just screams to be held. It is crazy light. You just want to pick it up and use it. You can hold it easily in one hand.
• It goes places the iPad doesn’t go. The Mini fits in large pockets, jackets, purses, and many places that its bigger brother doesn’t go.
• The speed is great. The iPad Mini does not have the latest processor that the iPhone 5 or iPad 4 has. However, you won’t notice. I didn’t experience any lag doing work or playing.
• I like to use it in portrait. I tend to use the full-sized iPad in landscape orientation. However, with the Mini, I tend to hold in portrait, which also makes it easier to type on for me.
• The construction is amazing. – The build quality of the iPad Mini has to beheld to be appreciated. It is to iPads, what the iPhone 5 is to iPhones.
• This is not a big iPhone. People used to joke that the iPad was just a big iPhone. However, once the apps caught up with the larger screen real estate, the iPad really separated itself in capability. The Mini runs the same iPad apps that its big brother does.
• Lightning connector – I have been very happy with the new lightning connector that Apple rolled out recently. While there has been some transition, the new connector is much better than the old one.
• Battery life – The battery life of the Mini exceeded my expectations. I used it all day without getting anywhere near needing a charge. A few days, I skipped charging all together.

Cons:

• Screen – You probably want me to complain about the screen. I am not sure I can. It is a good screen for a small device. It works well for the form factor. I have no doubts that it will be upgraded in future models to the magical Retina screen. (If you are not familiar with this term, then you won’t even miss it.)

Small in Size, Big on Productivity.

iPad Mini just begs to go places that the traditional iPad doesn’t go.

I think it will find uses in business, academic, and medical environments very soon.

I found myself using the iPad Mini in situations where I would have been hesitant to pull the full size iPad out of my bag.

It has all of the productivity of the iPad in a smaller package.

This device will replace many people’s day-planner, laptop… and of course, full-sized iPad.

iPad Mini is Going to be Big.

If you are looking for an iPad to carry with you on the go, the Mini is perfect.

My 9-year old instantly picked it over the larger iPad. (Kids love the smaller size.)

I love my iPad with LTE service. However, if I had to choose between the two…

I think I am going with the iPad Mini.

Question: Will you be choosing the iPad Mini for your productivity device?