I started writing about the Apple iPad back in May of 2010, shortly after the first iPad model went on sale. Since then, Apple has sold over 100,000,000 (one hundred million) iPads. On October 23, Apple CEO Tim Cook & company announced the latest iPad models, the 4th generation iPad and the new iPad mini. The new iPad mini has a 7.9 inch screen, larger than any major competitor. That means the iPad mini has about 35% more screen area than competing models. The entry level Wi-Fi model sells for $329.00. The general consensus of pundits and reviewers is that the iPad mini is as beautiful and functional as any iPad but many (including me) expected less than $300 as an entry level price. The screen isn’t Retina quality. This means you’ll notice the difference in resolution if you have a 3rd generation iPad. Otherwise, the iPad mini screen is every bit as sharp as the iPad 2 model. The full size iPad has a 9.7 inch screen while the iPad mini has a 7.9 inch screen (9.7 vs 7.9 is easy to remember).

Is the 4th generation iPad a good buy? Should you upgrade to the “iPad 4” model? I’ll address that in my next post.