Apple iPad Mini vs Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A
There is a considerable difference between a strategy and the tactics used in a game. Everyone can see the tactics used, but nobody can assume the underlying strategy taken. In a competitive market like tablet market, identifying tactics is also difficult. Sometimes, what we identify as tactics is nothing but a clever diversion to mislead the competition. This is the opinion of an analysts group on Apple’s release of new iPad Mini. However, the first glance at the iPad Mini convinces us that Apple has indeed put significant research in to designing this product which questions the validity of the analysts’ presumption. In any case, it is not our place to question or accept those analysts, but to compare the Apple iPad Mini with another tablet that falls in the same range and help you to decide which might provide a better value for your money. We decided to compare a tablet with similar performance matrices in the market which is manufactured by Lenovo. Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A proves to be a worthy opponent to the much hyped Apple iPad Mini and hence we will take those two tablets for a spin and try to formulate a bottom line.
Apple iPad Mini Review
As predicted, Apple iPad Mini hosts a 7.9 inch IPS capacitive touchscreen display that features a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels at a pixel density of 163ppi. It is smaller, lighter and thinner than Apple new iPad. However, this no way compromises the look and feel Apple’s premium grants you. It will come in several versions, which will be released throughout November 2012. There is also a 4G LTE version which can cost as much as $660. Let us look at what Apple has included in this mini version of their all-time favorite Apple iPad.
Apple iPad Mini is powered by Dual Core A5 processor clocked at 1GHz along with preferably PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU and 512MB of RAM. This is the first reason that worries us about purchasing the iPad Mini given that it features a last generation processor of Apple A5, which went out in circulation two generations before with the introduction of Apple A6X. However, we can’t predict the performance without taking it for a lengthy test run given that Apple can now modify their processors in-house. It seemed to work seamlessly at light tasks, but games seem to take some time to initialize which can be an indication of the performance it can offer.
This miniature version of iPad has dimensions of 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.28 inches that can fit in to your hand very well. Especially the keyboard feels way more comfortable compared to the Apple iPhone line. The basic version only has Wi-Fi connectivity whereas the more expensive and higher end ones offer 4G LTE connectivity as an addition. It will come in different sizes ranging from 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Apple seems to have included a 5MP camera at the back of this miniature version that can capture 1080p HD videos which is a good improvement. The 1.2MP from facing camera can be used with Facetime for video conferencing. As speculated, it uses the new lightening connector and comes in either Black or White.
Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A Review
Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A is a 7 inch tablet that features a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels at a pixel density of 169ppi and is powered by 1GHz dual core processor on MediaTek MTK6575 chipset with PowerVR SGX 531 GPU and 1GB of RAM. The version we are talking about is with the 3G connectivity whereas the Wi-Fi only version has 512MB of RAM. The operating system is Android v4.0.4 ICS, and we hope there will be an upgrade to Jelly Bean soon. It is slender, but a bit to the heftier side of the spectrum scoring a thickness of 11.5mm and dimensions of 192 x 122mm. However, Lenovo has made it refreshingly light at 400g which makes it a pleasure to hold on to its smooth matte back plate.
Lenovo boasts IdeaTab A2107A to have professional level GPS support deeming that it can lock the location in 10 seconds top which may be an attractive option. It comes with a 2MP camera on the back and 0.3MP camera on the front that can be used for video conferencing. In terms of storage, there will be three versions having 4GB, 8GB and 16GB of storage all with the option to expand using microSD card up to 32GB. It is a rugged tablet which is stronger and more resistant to falls and bruises than your regular tab with its roll cage enclosure. It has Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity as well as 3G connectivity enabling you to use internet seamlessly without any connectivity issues. It also has micro USB support and built-in radio element. The tablet aims at 8 hours stretch from a single charge. The battery is said to be 3500mAh but no official indication on that either. Lenovo has been silent about the price and the release information as well although we are hoping the tablet will be released sometime in November 2012.
A Brief Comparison Between Apple iPad Mini and Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A
• Apple iPad Mini is powered by 1GHz Dual Core A5 processor with PowerVR SGX543 GPU and 512MB of RAM while Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A is powered by 1GHz MTK Cortex A9 Dual Core processor with PowerVR SGX 531 and 1GB of RAM.
• Apple iPad Mini has 7.9 inch IPS capacitive touchscreen featuring a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels at a pixel density of 163ppi while Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A has 7 inch capacitive touchscreen featuring a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels at a pixel density of 169ppi.
• Apple iPad Mini runs on Apple iOS 6 while Lenovo IdeaTab 2107A runs on Android OS v4.0.4 ICS.
• Apple iPad Mini has 5MP camera that can capture 1080p HD videos @ 30 fps while Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A has 2MP camera on the back and 0.3MP camera on the front.
• Apple iPad Mini is bigger but thinner and lighter (200 x 134.7 mm / 7.2 mm / 308g) than Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A (192 x 122mm / 11.5mm / 400g).
Conclusion
As we have been saying, it’s really difficult to derive a conclusion based on mere speculations and without concrete factual information like results of benchmarking tests etc. Hence it is wise to wait until we can get the results of comprehensive benchmarking test results for Apple iPad Mini before we make the purchasing decision. However, if you are eager to get an approximation on which is the better; we can help you out, as well. As you can see, both processors are clocked at the same rate and both feature dual cores. However, this is not to say that both would be same in a performance comparison. More often than not, our guess is that Apple iPad Mini is going to outperform the Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A tablet. This is because Apple’s hardware and software fit in nicely and harmoniously while they also have an upper hand on their own in-house design of the processor. The display panel also seems to be better in Apple iPad Mini, and so are the subsequent extra facilities.