News & Reviews:   Xiaomi MiPad

Xiaomi Malaysia have finally brought in the Xiaomi Mi Pad tablet for Chinese New Year 2015 (it was announced in May 2014). Retailing for RM799, this Android-based tablet is powered by an NVIDIA K1 Tegra processor and offers tech specs that include 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 7.9-inch display with 2014 x 1536 pixel resolution. Featuring a colourful Apple iPad mini like casing the Mi Pad will be launched for sale on 10 February 2015. However, Xiaomi Malaysia are currently giving away some Mi Pad tablets to fans who share the news from their Facebook page. Check out the full tech specs and features below:

• 2.2GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor (192-core Kepler GPU)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB / 64GB storage + up to 128GB microSD
• 7.9-inch display (IPS, 2014 x 1536 pixel resolution, 324 ppi)
• 8MP rear camera (Sony sensor, f/2.0) + 5MP front camera (f/2.0)
• Supports 802.11ac WiFi, MIMO antenna, WiFi Direct, BlueTooth 4.0
• 202.1 x 135.4 x 8.5mm | 360g
• 6700 mAh battery

The upcoming Xiaomi MiPad 2 tablet has had a number of rumours about it crop up, not least of which include tech specs and features. While the previous MiPad packed in a 2.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, the MiPad 2 could come with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor instead. We expect this to be partly becaue that Intel Atom processor is 64-bit and also because Intel is making it really easy for manufacturers to get their mobile processors. Other tech specs and features include a 7.9-inch display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution along with 2GB RAM and Android 4.4.4. Leaked pictures indicate that the MiPad 2 will have a less rounded corners look but will still be thin and slim. No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but the Xiaomi MiPad 2 is expected during CES 2015 so we shouldn't have to wait very long.

While Xiaomi Malaysia have knocked down the price of their Xiaomi Mi-3 smartphone down to RM769, it looks like the smartphone a step below the Mi-3 could be coming to Malaysia soon. This smartphone is the Xiaomi Redmi 1S, which Xiaomi Malaysia have said will be coming in June but didn't say much about when exactly. While it may be a step below, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S is no slouch and offers tech specs and features which include:

• 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage + microSD
• 4.7-inch display (IPS, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution)
• 8MP rear camera (LED flash)
• 2000 mAh battery
• MIUI V5 (Android 4.3)

While it had a rather soft landing when it was first announced, Xiaomi Malaysia officially launched today with a bang. On top of news that they will begin selling their Xiaomi Mi 3 smartphone for RM889 and Mi Power Bank for RM36 tomorrow, they also revealed that the Mi 3 will be made available via DiGi, Celcom and Maxis. The current version of the MIUI interface running on the Mi 3 has been revealed to be Android 4.3 with news that the Android 4.4 Kitkat version is coming soon as well. In preparation for the upcoming deluge of Xiaomi users, Xiaomi Malaysia will open 4 service centers in Malaysia, with a centre in Kelantan, Perak, Pulau Pinang and Selangor for now.

While the recently unveiled Xiaomi MiPad looks to be the only tablet to be using the NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and chipset, the Tegra K1 apparently made the benchmarking rounds recently. While it isn't with the 3GB RAM MiPad, it is a device running the Tegra K1 with 4GB RAM. Apart from the 192-core Kepler GPU graphics, the Tegra K1 comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Running through AnTuTu, 3DMark, Basemark X and every other benchmark available the Tegra K1 beat the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 and NVIDIA's own Tegra 4 by a long shot. Check out the benchmarks for yourself:

Xiaomi has officially announced their tablet called the Xiaomi MiPad and it is currently the world's first Android tablet to use an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and chipset. Gunning for the Apple iPad mini, the MiPad features a 7.9-inch display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, making it on par with the Retina Display on the iPad mini. Unlike the iPad mini, the MiPad goes for 6 trendy pastel colours including blue, green, pink and yellow. The overall design is a slim 8.5mm thin tablet with rounded corners and thin bezels while a polycarbonate backside keeps it tough and durable. Other notable tech specs and features for the Xiaomi MiPad include the following:

• 2.2GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor (192-core Kepler GPU)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB / 64GB storage + up to 128GB microSD
• 7.9-inch display (IPS, 2014 x 1536 pixel resolution, 324 ppi)
• 8MP rear camera (Sony sensor, f/2.0) + 5MP front camera (f/2.0)
• Supports 802.11ac WiFi, MIMO antenna, WiFi Direct, BlueTooth 4.0
• 202.1 x 135.4 x 8.5mm | 360g
• 6700 mAh battery