Apple Launches iPad Mini: Read Spec Details

Applehas finally unveiled its long awaited iPad Mini - taking it into the fiercely competitive smaller tablet market.

The computer giant's latest device can be held comfortably in one hand - as demonstrated by Apple exec Phil Schiller here - and weighs just 300g. It has a 200mm (7.9in) screen and is 7.2mm thick.

It has the same resolution as the iPad 2, it powered by an Apple A5 chip and its features include a five megapixel camera for pictures and video. Battery life is 10 hours.

Only US prices had been revealed at the time of writing, and these were $329 (£206.40) for the 16GB version, and $459 (£287.97) for the 4G version.

Some customers are likely to be disappointed the prices are not lower, while others will be pleased that the device is not WiFi only - as had been reported.

Schiller, the senior vice-president of worldwide marketing for the company, said: "Others have tried to make tablets smaller than the iPad and they have failed miserably.

"The technology inside is equal to, if not better to, the iPad 2 in every way."