Certainly the Z580C is very similar to the Z580CA, but it’s not on the same level. If you’re tablet shopping, just be aware that there are fairly significant differences between the two ZenPad S models. At this time or writing, we are not expecting to see the Z580CA for some time. Thus, prepare your purchase based on the Z580C specs for now.
Let’s first look at the build size and dimensions. The iPad mini 3 is 7.9-inch and the ZenPad Z380c is 8-inch. When we look at which tablet is thinner, the ZenPad is 6.9mm and the iPad mini 3 is 7.5mm. That’s a win for the ZenPad S 8.0 for thinness. When it comes to weight, the iPad mini is 331g and the ZenPad S (Z580C) is 317g. That’s another win for the ZenPad S tablet.
Storage is going to be a bit lopsided because of the microSD slot on the ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580C) that allows for up to an extra 128GB of storage. The iPad mini 3 has no microSD slot. The iPad mini does come with a 128GB version, whereas the Z580C has up to a 32GB storage option. However, buying a 64GB or even 128GB microSD card is a far cheaper option that the extra $110 USD price difference between the 64GB and 128GB iPad mini 3. Also worth mentioning is that the ZenPad S offers a 5GB Asus online cloud storage for life.
Screen resolution and 4:3 ratio are both equal on these tablets.
Camera vs. camera, the megapixel duel has the ZenPad S 8.0 winning out with both tablets having a 5MP rear but the front facing ZenPad camera is 2MP compared to the iPad mini 3’s 1.2MP front facing camera. Now it’s common knowledge that Apple has some superior photo taking mobile devices. Right now it’s hard to say which of these tablets is going to do a better job. I would suggest Apple will likely win out when it comes to the rear camera photo taking ability.
It appears at this point there will not be a 3G or 4G LTE version of the ZenPad S 8.0 tablet(s). For options, the iPad mini 3 does have a cellular enabled model available, so the iPad mini 3 wins out for better choices.
Speakers is a pretty clear win for Asus simply based on the fact that the ZenPad Z580C has two front facing stereo speakers whereas the iPad mini 3 has side mounted speakers. We can debate the sound quality when the time comes, but who’s taking side mounted vs. front mounted? Nobody in their right mind would.
When it comes to processing, the ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580C) comes with 2GB RAM and the iPad mini 3 has but 1GB. Looking at the processors, the ZenPad S 8.0 is running an Atom Z3530 quad-core, 64bit, which runs at 1.33GHz. The iPad mini 3 runs a dual-core 1.3GHz Cyclone processor. So processors is pretty much equal, although the Intel Atom is the newer processor.
Battery life is going to be a likely win by the iPad mini 3, but it’s too early to say by how much. We can say from a spec perspective, the iPad mini 3 sports a 23.8 watt-hour battery but the Z580C only has a 15.2 watt-hour battery.
When it comes to unique features that one tablet has over the other, we should mention that the iPad mini 3 has the fingerprint identity sensor which the ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580C) does not have. Outside of that and the above mentioned features, that pretty much wraps it up.
Oh, do we need to discuss price? It’s quite clear what Asus has been doing with their products. It’s called being price competitive. Asus will price their ZenPad at a substantially lower price than the iPad mini 3. We can say this without know the final price of the Z580C.
So who win? It’s quite clear really. The winner is….
