Most of the full-size-iPad experience in a smaller, lighter package
All existing iPad apps run natively
Wireless capabilities and cameras on par with fourth-generation iPad
Very good performance
Incredibly solid construction and beautiful design
Incredibly fast performance
Lightning connector improves over dock-connector
Better camera performance overall
Cons
No Retina display
Some apps and websites feel a little cramped on the smaller screen
Landscape keyboard is too small for easy touch-typing
Slightly decreased battery life
Lightning accessories still in short supply
At A Glance
Don't confuse the "mini" in "iPad mini" with "lite"--with the exception of a Retina display, this slimmed down iPad gives you the full iPad experience, including access to over 275,000 iPad-optimized apps, in a device that's about half the overall size and weight of the standard iPad. Retina-display purists will (justifiably) balk at the 1024-by-768-pixel screen, but I suspect that most people will be wowed enough by the iPad mini's other features, performance, design, and build quality to accept the screen for what it is--very good, but not Retina.
