Here's were we compare the established 7.9-inch iPad mini and the new 7-inch Tesco Hudl tablet. Keep reading this iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl comparison review to find out more about the differences between the two popular small-screened two tablets.
The most obvious difference between the iPad mini and the Tesco Hudl is the price. The Apple tablet costs £269 inc VAT for the entry level 16GB model, while the Tesco tablet – which only comes with the one storage option of 16GB – is less than half the price at £119 inc VAT. See also: The top 10 best tablets: What's the best tablet you can buy in 2013?
iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl: Display
The Tesco Hudl is punching well about is weight in terms of its screen, boasting very impressive 1440 x 900 pixels its 7-inch display, this works out at 242 ppi. The pixel count absolutely creams the iPad minis stats, which is a lowly 162 ppi from 769 x 1024 pixels on its 7.9-inch screen. Take a look at our Kindle Fire HD vs Tesco Hudl tablet comparison review too.
The problem is that we don't live in a specs-only world, and while the Hudl's screen is good for its price, it's still not without its faults. The Hudl's touchscreen was sometimes unresponsive to the touch and while the viewing angles of the display were very impressive, brightness has to be constantly set to full. There is also pretty substantial amount of bezel on show too, which is something that makes the Hudl's screen feel pretty small in comparison to the overall size of the device. That said, the overall quality of the Hudl's screen clarity was good.
The iPad mini on the other hand has minimal bezel on show, meaning the extra 7.2 x 5.9mm of height and width on offer on the Apple tablet is put to use a lot more effectively, giving the impression of a much bigger screen, when in reality there is only an extra 0.9-inches diagonally.
In terms of reading text and looking at images/videos on the iPad mini, its relatively low ppi count isn't really an issue. You wouldn't describe website text on the mini as pin-sharp, but the overall brightness and viewing angles quality – which are better than the Hudl's - of the screen go a long way to making up for this.
In our opinion, the bigger display of the iPad mini edges this round. The iPad mini's screen size, brightness, viewing angles and responsiveness cannot be ignored. Credit should be given to the Hudl's screen for its pluckiness and clarity though, but its small size and unresponsiveness lets it down.
iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl: Specifications and performance
We were pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Tesco Hudl, we certainly didn't expect it to be as snappy as it was given its £119 price tag. The only issues we had with its overall performance was that browsing the web was a little on the slow side and (as we mentioned before) its screen was sometimes unresponsive. Other than that, the Tesco Hudl was pretty nippy at carrying out all the usual tablet tasks.
Under the hood of the Tesco Hudl is 1GB of RAM, with a 1.5 GHz quad-core A9 processor and 16GB of storage (12GB available to the user), with a microSD card slot available that allows you to expand the tablet's storage by 42GB.
The iPad mini only has 512MB of RAM and a 1 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor; it comes with either 16/32/64GB storage with no expandable storage slot.
The iPad mini is in a league above with its overall performance; it opens and closes apps in double-quick times, while navigating around apps and the home screen is performed with no noticeable lag. We have minimal complaints about its general performance.
iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl: Cameras
Both the iPad mini and the Tesco Hudl have front and rear-facing cameras on offer, but none of the cameras on offer here should be considered for any serious kind of photography. The iPad mini has a rear-facing 5 Mp camera with 1080p video capture @30fps, as well as a 1.2 Mp front facing camera with video recording and 720p @30fps.
The Tesco Hudl is a couple of tiers bellow the iPad mini in terms of its main camera, with only 3 Mp on offer. Its front facing camera is slightly better though, with 0.8 more megapixels, making for improved Skype/video chat clarity.
In real-world tests the iPad mini's primary camera wipes the floor with the Hudl's. The iPad mini takes sharp pictures, even in low-light conditions, whereas the Hudl has trouble focusing even in full daylight.
iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl: Software
This one is down to personal preference. Some people love Apple's iOS, while some people simply can't stand Apple's way of doing things. The same can be said for Google and its open platform Android operating system.
What we can say with confidence is that these are the two most user friendly and popular operating systems on the market. Both of which have a wealth of apps, songs, films, TV shows, magazines and books to chose from, with very content available at very similar prices.
While some other tablets that are produced by retailers – such as the Amazon Kindle Fire – run heavily customized versions of Google Android, the Tesco Hudl running a surprisingly vanilla version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The major “bloatware” (if you can call it that) that Tesco have included is a T button located in the bottom left of the screen which is a shortcut to the supermarket chain's Clubcard TV and Blinkbox services among others. Something that you can't really complain about given the remarkably cheap £119 price tag.
The iPad mini comes with iO7 installed, which on the whole has received positive reviews as an upgrade from iOS 6, once people have got used to the different colour scheme and theme. Note: If you buy an iPad mini, it may be part of the older stock that has iOS 6 preinstalled as its operating system. Don't panic though, the hardware is exactly the same as those with iOS 7 installed, you simply need to update the software once you get it, which is free to do. Take a look at our iOS 7 review to find out more about the iPad mini's software and features.
iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl: Design and build
This is one category where the iPad mini is a clear winner. Its look, feel, weight and materials used are all superior to that of the Tesco Hudl.
While we think the iPad mini has the better design and general appeal of the two tablets, we are still impressed with what the Tesco Hudl offers. If feels secure in your hands and it plastic rear-cover – available in Black, Purple, Red and Blue – offers plenty of grip, although it does collect some rather oily fingerprints. The micro-HDMI port that the Hudl offers and the iPad does not should not be overlooked either, as it allows you to connect your tablet to your TV and watch certain content purchased via the Google Play store in all it's full screen glory.
The iPad mini is only slightly bigger in terms of height and width than the Tesco Hudl, but importantly it is thinner – 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm plays the 192.8 x 128.8 x 9.85mm of the Hudl – the iPad also has a bigger screen by 0.9-inches, and weighing 308g it is also 62g lighter.
Comments
Matt Egan said: No need to be embarassed Our intent was only to compare a couple of products between which people might be choosing As it turns out the Hudl is a very good deal
qpw3141 said: Sorry Matt I was misinterpreting your intent I read another site quite a bit and they insist on comparing every product to some apple sometimes vague equivalent and coming down in favour of the apple version I mistakenly assumed you were doing that so maybe I wasnt quite clever enough to read the article properly ltembarrassed gringtltembarrassedgt
Matt Egan said: Shameless self promotion heres my verdict - httpwwwpcadvisorcoukbuy
Matt Egan said: We always try to compare based on real purchasing decisions and this is one in which Tescos subsidy like that of Google with the Nexus 7 last year has really changed the game My opinion on the result is the same as yours indeed I just wrote an op ed saying exactly that But we always try to explain clearly both sides of the argument and let consumers make up their own minds
Alan Murphy said: Potentially a bit of both Most just compare like for like price brackets which is usually useful as many will be looking to buy the best to a certain budget I think comparing in this way is a nice change but there needed to be a conclusion - in my opinion that would be that the iPad really isnt twice plus the tablet that the Hudl isLooking for a tablet for my 8 year old daughter having already got an iPad and a Samsung Tab 101 in the house it certainly gives me confidence that she wont be let down by the Hudl and that there can be one or two more stocking fillers left in the budget
Matt Egan said: I agree with the second bit of your comment but I dont understand the first Are you criticising us for writing the piece or for not praising the Hudl enough or both
Alan Murphy said: Matt you are rightly defensive because you have failed to summise Comparing the two is brave and as i was reading it i too thought it was like comparing a supercar to an everyday car You have failed to state that the Hudl has done very well to better the spec of a premium product at such a reasonable price - the only reasons anyone should buy the iPad mini is if they are already locked into the Apple eco-system or they are so insecure as to need to be seen with the premium device
Matt Egan said: No No Im not
Matt Egan said: Thats exactly the point - the iPad mini is only slightly better at best And its more than twice the price And that is quite interesting Clearly you think not Guess that makes you a clever clogs
qpw3141 said: Breaking newsSite compares 119 product with product costing well over twice as muchSHOCK RESULT More expensive product slightly better
Sir Harry Plunket-Greene said: I think you are missing his point Apple fanboys and girls like to brag about how they spend more on Apple technology because of its supposed better look and feel It gives them a feeling of superiority despite their general ignorance of technology and its potential uses
Sir Harry Plunket-Greene said: Either you need a GPS or you dontIf you dont need a GPS go with the 270 iPadIf you need a GPS oh andor a HDMI connector as well as a faster quad core processor unfettered Android supporting OTG connections to flash drives wired internet serial via USB then go with the 119 Hudl 60 with Club card vouchersThe choice couldnt be simpler
Matt Egan said: Youre missing the point why would you spend 300 if you could get a similar product for less than half The comparison is intended to test whether or not the much cheaper device is comparable it is Also - if you think the comparison is pointless why did you read it And if you didnt read it why comment
Stockyboi said: Fairly pointless comparison of two products with two different markets Either you can afford and want to spend 270 on a tablet or not
Rob In Dutchland said: As long as the premium experience doesnt include anything that needs navigation because of course the premium priced ipad mini doesnt even have GPS whereas the Hudl does
Matt Egan said: Hmmm I feel that your comment is a load if tosh A purchasing decision between two products doesnt come down to a single sentence Life is more nuanced than that And the author has addressed the performance of both devices in some detail
Frustrated iPhone user said: What a load if tosh Poor review not committing to any overall verdict so as not to upset appleApple mini browser is not quick by todays standards Chrome on android beats it Hands down but no mention of thatThe author should have just included the last paragraph and saved time
Ant.. said: Rules governing any purchase- cost to get in- cost to stay in- cost to get out
Hudl User said: Of course the iPad mini is better look at the price This article is a bit like comparing a Bentley to a DaciaGenerally the overall satisfaction is higher with hudl users than iPad usersDont take my word for it check out what other people think at the Hudl User Group wwwhudlusercom
stallionleah321 said: my Aunty Samantha just got a nearly new yellowAudi S4 by working part-time at home navigate to these guys Jam20om