The review embargo lifted Tuesday night for Apple's new iPad Mini, and the nation's top gadget critics were split. Most had general praise for the device but were critical of its screen.
In the New York Times,
David Pogue called the Mini "the far classier, more attractive, thinner machine" than its 7-inch rivals, and praised its access to the iOS app ecosystem, although he bemoaned the lack of an HD screen. "You could argue that the iPad Mini is what the iPad always wanted to be," he wrote.
The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg
called the iPad Mini "the perfect solution" for those who think the original iPad is too heavy. But he pointed out that video "looked just fine," thought not as good as on the regular iPad.
On The Verge, Josh Topolsky
rated the Mini a 9.0 out of 10, concluding that while the screen is inferior to some of its smaller rivals, it more than makes up the difference with aesthetics, software and ease of use. He proclaimed it the "best small tablet" available.
