The Asus ZenPad S 8.0 is a tablet that appears very similar to the iPad Mini series, offering similar performance at a much cheaper price tag.

The ZenPad is not a budget tablet, and it offers more storage than the base model of the iPad Mini 2, CNet reports.

The device also has a screen that is just as sharp as the iPad Mini 2. Both tablets have a 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution on their screens. The ZenPad S 8.0 has an 8-inch screen, while the iPad Mini 2 has a 7.9-inch screen.

A big difference between the two tablets is storage space. The entry-level iPad Mini 2 starts at 16GB and does not allow for expandable storage. The ZenPad S 8.0 comes equipped with 32GB of storage space, and with microSD cards, it can be expanded all the way to 128GB. Additionally, the ZenPad S 8.0 offers twice as much RAM at 4GB, compared to just 2GB from the iPad Mini 2.

The ZenPad is both thinner and lighter than the iPad Mini 2 as well. The ZenPad s 6.6mm thick, compared to the iPad Mini 2's thickness of 7.5mm. For weight, the ZenPad clocks in at 298 grams, compared to the iPad Mini 2 at 341 grams.

With the ZenPad S 8.0, users can customize their viewing experience with the Asus Splendid app, which allows them to optimize the color balance, sharpness, color settings and more. These settings are similar to those found on a computer monitor.

Not everything is perfect with Asus' new device. One issues comes with the speakers. When watching videos at high volumes, the sound through the dual front speakers comes out tinny. The iPad Mini 2 uses a single rear-facing speaker.

Still, with several advantages over the iPad Mini 2, the ZenPad S 8.0 from Asus is the first big competitor to the Apple tablet.

The $200 price tag makes the ZenPad a tempting option. Apple sells the iPad Mini 2 for $270, and besides the brand name, it does not offer much to compete with the ZenPad S 8.0.