Mini tablets - how they stack up

Since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, the world has gone crazy for this innovative type of technology, despite the first tablet officially released more than ten years earlier.

Microsoft may have been the first to break into the tablet market, but Apple has become one of the strongest performers in the field, setting the pace with technology trends.

The iPad mini is the company's latest release that has the world talking, but how does it stack up against its rivals?

With so many different tablets of this size on the market now, we've put together a list of our favourites to help you decipher the best from the rest.

iPad mini

Ranging in price from $329 to $529 - plus more for cellular capability - in Australian stores, the iPad mini is pricier than some of its competitors, but Apple fans will be used to forking out more for its products.

There's no doubt about it, this tablet is impressive for its size. With a screen size of 7.9 inches diagonally, and resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels, it is one of the best for a tablet of this size. It also weighs just 308 grams, has a ten-hour battery and superfast 4G wireless broadband capability.

Criticisms of the iPad mini are minimal, but if there had to be something it would be the inability to expand its data storage with memory cards.

Google Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 is attractively priced from $199 and boasts a screen size of seven inches, and eight hour battery life and a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels.

Fitted with Google's Android system, this mini tablet gives users access to games, software and other programs that are designed for Android devices.

Its camera isn't the highest quality at 1.2 megapixels, and the Google Play store isn't rated as highly Apple's iTunes and App store.

Amazon Kindle Fire - regular

This tablet boasts the lowest price point of $159, but with just 8GB of storage, it can only hold a limited amount of data, which can't be expanded with memory cards.

The Amazon Kindle Fire is ideal for those who want a no-fuss tablet that does the basics. It has a screen size of seven inches diagonally, resolution of 1,024 x 600 pixels and battery life of 8.5 hours.

It also doesn't have its own camera or microphone, and just a small range of third-party applications that are available from Amazon.