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iPad mini 2 and its best alternatives

posted by Nick T. / Nov 12, 2013, 3:28 AM

Ever since the first model's introduction, Apple has been selling iPads by the truckloads, and the latest models are likely to be in high demand as well. The iPad mini 2, in particular, is expected to land in the hands of millions of buyers once it is released. What makes Apple's smaller slate so sought after? Well, brand recognition and image aside, the iPad mini 2 is definitely shaping as one of the best small-sized tablets under the sun. It doesn't only look great. The iPad mini 2 has been blessed with a gorgeous Retina display, while the beefed up hardware under its hood makes the tablet just as capable as its larger sibling.

But as is often the case with smartphones and tablets, there's a number of alternatives one should take into account before spending $400 on a second-gen iPad mini. And the best among them can be found right here, in the slideshow we've compiled below.

iPad mini 2 alternatives

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.5

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.4

Based on 7 Reviews

Display 7.9" 2048 x 1536 pixels

Camera 5 MP / 1.2 MP front

Processor Apple A7, Dual-core, 1300 MHz

Storage 128 GB

Battery 6471 mAh

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32 Comments

1. Sainiwinchester

Posts: 3; Member since: Jul 22, 2013

nothing beats ipad.....in tablet segment....././looking forward.....

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:14 AM 10

3. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Note 10.1 (2014) > iPad Air

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:16 AM 18

17. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Xperia Tablet Z > Ipad Air.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 9:50 AM 12

26. criticism

Posts: 46; Member since: Sep 12, 2013

In 10-inch range, there are many rivals for iPad Air. But I cannot see any tablet comparable with iPad mini!

posted on Nov 12, 2013, 4:01 AM 1

27. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

Nexus 7 HD is good alternative, however iPad Mini is more powerfull compared to last year model my prediction it would consume iPad Air sales...

posted on Nov 12, 2013, 4:22 AM 1

5. YuLeven

Posts: 50; Member since: May 14, 2013

The iPad is a well built, beautiful and fast tablet. Plenty of that 'smothness' that everyone seems to go nuts after nowadays. The constrained operating systems, bad aspect ratio for videos and having to use bloody iTunes for every single file transfer (not to mention having to spend hours converting videos) plus the hefty price hardly make it a no brainer for me. Not to mention that having 7.9" of screen and being forced to do only one thing at once is quite boring, at least for me. I think Apple should implement some form of multitasking. After all, with all it's powerful apps and stuff, I still do a lot more on a Windows tablet, even though being forced to use the browser to counter the lack of apps on it.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:27 AM 5

29. mc1191

Posts: 40; Member since: Sep 08, 2012

No need for converting videos anymore. There are many apps out there that you can use by simply dragging and dropping files.

posted on Nov 12, 2013, 8:50 AM 0

15. taikucing unregistered

nothing beats ipad.... except some random Chinese tablets

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 8:19 AM 3

24. TechCrazyedBoy

Posts: 129; Member since: Nov 12, 2013

u got that right..

posted on Nov 12, 2013, 3:39 AM 0

19. kabhijeet.16

Posts: 892; Member since: Dec 05, 2012

Xperia Z> ipad air Nexus 7 (2013) $229 > iPad air & mini 2 ($ so much)

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 12:30 PM 2

20. gixxerrider311

Posts: 25; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

I totally agree with you, while Android and Windows are great platforms for productivity, in the tablet segment the iPad is the only tablet that provides a tablet like experience and the best for entertainment imo if I might add. It's sad that all these Android fanboys are close minded and can't admit that Apple is good in some of their products. I have an HTC One which I upgraded from an iPhone 4S (just got tired of the small display) but if I was to choose a tablet, the iPad Air or iPad Mini would definitely be my choice.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 1:20 PM 0

2. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

Nexus 7 (2013) and the G Pad are the only worthy options.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:15 AM 7

4. HalaMadrid

Posts: 92; Member since: Sep 04, 2013

iPad Mini 2 beats all.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:18 AM 3

6. hmd74

Posts: 540; Member since: Jan 31, 2013

Nexus 7 for me :)

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:29 AM 8

7. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

Silly phone arena, the best tablets for the money are the $300-$400 ones with quad core baytrails. Z3740D No SSD but its 8" http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Venue-BELL8-1818BLK-8-Inch-Tablet/dp/B00FFVYV4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382531055&sr=8-1&keywords=Dell+Venue+8+Pro Has a SSD but its 10.1" convertible http://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T100TA-C1-GR-10-1-Inch-Convertible-Touchscreen/dp/B00FFJ0HUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382531107&sr=8-1&keywords=Z3740D Just wait a little longer, these cpus are pretty new but they run it way better than the dual core atoms did. There are no benchmarks yet since no devices running android have one but http://ark.intel.com/products/76759/ It should be more powerful in cpu than the ipad mini, if you want a better gpu you will have to find a tablet with a dedicated Power VR GPU.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:29 AM 0

8. moslondon

Posts: 40; Member since: Mar 07, 2013

What about hisense sero 7 pro???? It has great specs for $129 at walmart or even less on ebay.....

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:42 AM 1

9. pongkie

Posts: 663; Member since: Aug 20, 2011

i'll rather have the venue 8 pro from dell even its not in the list

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:43 AM 1

10. fistigons

Posts: 368; Member since: Feb 11, 2012

I guess there are no Windows 8.1 tablets worth buying.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:46 AM 0

13. pongkie

Posts: 663; Member since: Aug 20, 2011

its kinda weird that PA put all android in the while Tim Cook bashes MS in his keynote

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:58 AM 1

11. fistigons

Posts: 368; Member since: Feb 11, 2012

I guess there are no Windows 8.1 tablets worth buying.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:46 AM 0

12. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

All windows 8 tablets can be updated to 8.1 for free if you were unaware of that.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 7:48 AM 0

14. JRodrigues16

Posts: 2; Member since: Sep 06, 2013

I have a nexus 7 (2013) and its the best thing i ever bought =))

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 8:08 AM 0

16. PhoneCritic

Posts: 1354; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

Want to get the wife and yourself a gift for Christmas? You can either buy two Nexus 2013 for the price of 1 iPad mini 2. But, If you have the money then buying two iPad mini is right for you. However, If you are like most Americans who don't have the money and are looking to make your limited funds go further then I think the two Nexus 2013 option is for you.

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 9:10 AM 1

31. TechCrazyedBoy

Posts: 129; Member since: Nov 12, 2013

Or two LG G Pad 8.3..

posted on Nov 12, 2013, 6:01 PM 0

18. HarryWild

Posts: 60; Member since: Oct 18, 2012

If I had to have tablet it would be an Apple iPad Mini Retina. The cost is only $150 more and you get better hardware and apps to go along with it! But I usually buy the top of the line model so in my case that would be $829.00!

posted on Oct 23, 2013, 11:32 AM 0

21. LG_is_the_best unregistered

The price pretty much sealed the deal that I won't be getting the iPad mini 2. So what should I get the LG G Pad 8.3, Nexus 7 2013... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed! I like the 7-8in screen size, I want nothing lower than a quad-core processor (lag drives me crazy), and I really like the high ppi screens. I'm open to windows too. Any help is appreciated!