In the last couple of months we have seen a wave of activity in the tablet world. Google, Apple and Kindle have all released new tablets in time to cash in on the Christmas sales.
The technology world has been quick to review the products and play them off against each other in order to decide which tablet is the pick of the bunch.
However, for the average consumer, comparing endless specifications and inaccessible geeky jargon can become overwhelming.
This blog aims to clearly state the specification facts and try and conclude the pros and cons of each tablet.
Size
iPad Mini: Height: 200 mm Width: 134.7 mm Depth: 7.2 mm
Kindle Fire HD: Height 193mm Width 137mm Depth: 10.3mm
Nexus 7: Height 198.5mm Width 120mm Depth10.45mm
Thinnest: iPad Mini.
Overall size: This is harder to define. All three are similar height. The iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD almost seem identical size side by side. The Nexus 7 is the smallest in width.
Weight
iPad Mini: 308g
Kindle Fire HD: 395g
Nexus 7: 340g
Lightest: iPad Mini. Even wifi + cellular version still lighter at 312g.
Storage Options
iPad Mini: 16gb, 32gb, 64gb
Kindle Fire HD: 16gb, 32gb
Nexus 7: 16gb, 32gb
Winner: iPad Mini has most size options.
Display Screen
iPad Mini: 7.9 inch
Kindle Fire HD: 7 inch
Nexus 7: 7inch
Biggest display: iPad Mini.
Camera
iPad Mini: Front and rear facing camera.
Kindle Fire HD: Front-facing camera
Nexus 7: Front-facing camera
Winner: iPad Mini – two is better than one right?
Operating system
iPad Mini: IOS 6
Kindle Fire HD: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Nexus 7: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Winner: Android has benefitted from the negative feedback to IOS 6.
Cost
iPad Mini: £269 (16gb) £349 (32gb) £429 (64gb)
Kindle Fire HD: £159 (16gb) £199 (32gb)
Nexus 7: £159 (16gb) £199 (32gb)
Cheapest: Kindle Fire and Nexus 7
From just summarising the specification findings above, you would probably conclude that the iPad Mini wins against its competitors, Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7.
Technology experts who have tested all three products have generally agreed. Although this battle has not been a clear win for Apple and sales figures over the Christmas period will be the real judge. There have been criticisms of the iPad mini and praise for the other two tablets. For example, the changes Apple have made recently to the IOS 6 operating system, including removing Google Maps, has upset a lot of Apple product fans. The price of the iPad mini is significantly more expensive than its competitors, for a product that seems to have similar abilities to the competition.
I think the iPad Mini will be popular. Apple has built a strong sense of brand loyalty, meaning consumers who have already bought into their products, will continue to do so. Apple products seem to be viewed as the ‘best of the bunch,’ with consumers aspiring to own one of their products. This may be why they believe they can price their products higher than their competitors.
On the other hand, consumers are starting to become more tech savvy and asking for more out of their products. By using Android operating systems, the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 are taking a different angle to compete against Apple. I believe this will attract consumers that are not impressed with Apple’s IOS operating system, as well those tired of only being able to use iTunes for music on Apple. The lower price of the Kindle and Nexus will also attract consumers who just want to purchase a tablet and are not bothered about the brand.
What tablet is on your Christmas list? Which one would you want?
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