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iPad mini So, now the iPad mini is the "ideal" form factor for the iPad

Dolorian

Dolorian

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 25, 2007
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From John Gruber's blog:

"I’ve been asked by several readers why, if this is a seemingly better form factor, Apple didn’t go with this size for the original iPad. I think there are several factors. First, I don’t think they could have, technically. The original iPad in 2010 was pretty thick compared even to the iPad 2. If they couldn’t make it thinner then, I don’t think they could have made it smaller either — not at the same price points.

Second, thinness and weight aside, I think the 9.7-inch size was better to start with conceptually, to establish the iPad in consumers’ minds as something they might want to own."​

I enjoy reading Gruber's posts for the most part but sometimes I find it funny how he always seeks to rationalize everything Apple does. Nevermind Steve Job saying that the 9.7 iPad was the ideal form factor and rejecting the idea of smaller tablets, nevermind Apple being able to build a thin 3.5in smarphone using the same technology as the iPad.

It is quite simple, the market for 7in tablets is hot and growing rapidly and Apple decided to jump into it after realising that they were missing an opportunity. Apple didn't plan ahead to introduce the 9.7in iPad first because it was "better to start with conceptually" only to later introduce the iPad mini.
 
ActionableMango

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
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At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.
 
Aluminum213

Aluminum213

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Mar 16, 2012
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Steve jobs says 10inch was perfect and everyone agrees, now 7.8 is the perfect size


Lol, classic
 
Dolorian

Dolorian

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ActionableMango said:
At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.
Click to expand...

Of course, I agree that it is a matter of personal needs and preferences just like it is with smartphones.
 
Night Spring

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,612
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Aside from whatever John Gruber is saying or what Steve Jobs said, what happened to all the forum posters who were saying 9.7 is the perfect size for them? Did they all change their mind? Or staying quiet? Just buried under the torrent of attention the mini is getting?

I did spend five minutes playing with the mini at an Apple store, and my first impression is that 9.7 is the right size for me, and 7.9 is a bit small, both in terms of viewing area, but also because I found the device size awkward to hold. It seems too big to hold with one hand, but kind of awkward to hold with two. I do love how light it is, though, and am hoping the next iPad (5) will be a lot lighter than the 2/3/4.
 
urkel

urkel

macrumors 68030
Nov 3, 2008
2,795
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ActionableMango said:
At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.
Click to expand...
Try saying that 7 mo ago.

The amount of resistance towards larger phones and smaller iPads has been insane for the last few years because Apple was "perfect" with 3.5in and 9.7in screen choices. But now that Apple finally allowed a new size for both then suddenly everyone is being "open minded" about 4" phones and 7" tablets.
 
M

M87

macrumors 65816
Jul 18, 2009
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I think a 7 inch tablet and a 10 inch tablet are different devices. Yeah, they do pretty much the exact same thing but they feel radically different and lend themselves to different uses. Personally, as far as iPad goes I very much prefer the bigger iPad. As far as small tablets go, I think the Nexus 7 is the winner.
 
W

waltercln

macrumors regular
Jul 27, 2010
154
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Aluminum213 said:
Steve jobs says 10inch was perfect and everyone agrees, now 7.8 is the perfect size


Lol, classic
Click to expand...


That's what you wanted to hear, and blocked everything else out. Lots of people disagreed with this, including tech sites. Only problem was apple was only making one size so iOS fans really had no choice here, and they still enjoyed the experience. Now everyone has a choice and they are taking advantage of it. Has nothing to do with what jobs thinks is good or whatever you want to believe.
 
smoking monkey

smoking monkey

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Mar 5, 2008
2,335
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I HUNGER
urkel said:
Try saying that 7 mo ago.

The amount of resistance towards larger phones and smaller iPads has been insane for the last few years because Apple was "perfect" with 3.5in and 9.7in screen choices. But now that Apple finally allowed a new size for both then suddenly everyone is being "open minded" about 4" phones and 7" tablets.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It's interesting. I've always wanted a bigger iphone screen. But to just make it taller... mmm... I wanted an overall bigger screen to be honest. But that's just because my eyes aren't great.

As for the smaller ipad. I think it might come down to the difference between women and children v men. Blokes don't carry handbags (unless they are poncy F1 drivers from europe) and they have bigger hands - 10 inch ipad is the go. Small hands and better portability need the smaller lighter ipad. Hey, that's a huge generalization but you get the idea.

I use my ipad for teaching in small groups and the 7inch just isn't big enough for that.
 
S

Spungoflex

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2012
388
488
pooleman said:
That's what she said.
Click to expand...

10 inches is overkill. Trust me.

----------
urkel said:
Try saying that 7 mo ago.

The amount of resistance towards larger phones and smaller iPads has been insane for the last few years because Apple was "perfect" with 3.5in and 9.7in screen choices. But now that Apple finally allowed a new size for both then suddenly everyone is being "open minded" about 4" phones and 7" tablets.
Click to expand...

Weren't you the guy who said apple would NEVER release an ipad mini? There were tons of people saying that on this forum as late as last month, despite it being crystal clear that it would be released.
 
S

Spungoflex

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2012
388
488
smoking monkey said:
Yeah. It's interesting. I've always wanted a bigger iphone screen. But to just make it taller... mmm... I wanted an overall bigger screen to be honest. But that's just because my eyes aren't great.

As for the smaller ipad. I think it might come down to the difference between women and children v men. Blokes don't carry handbags (unless they are poncy F1 drivers from europe) and they have bigger hands - 10 inch ipad is the go. Small hands and better portability need the smaller lighter ipad. Hey, that's a huge generalization but you get the idea.

I use my ipad for teaching in small groups and the 7inch just isn't big enough for that.
Click to expand...

I'm a big tough man and I found the full-sized ipad too bulky to use comfortably for long periods of time. It felt like I was carrying around a laptop instead of a tablet. Maybe it's because my first tablet was a playbook, but the mini hits the sweet spot for me. Anything bigger (and more importantly, heavier) is just too much.
 
Z

zauze

macrumors newbie
Jul 15, 2012
22
0
He's basically right though - a small iPad woulda been kinda useless if it was all thick and clunky. If you have to use two hands to hold it, it might as well be a decent size for two hands to use. But once you have the ability to make it that thin and light and usable with one hand, then to me it becomes a much more useful product.
 
R

raccoonboy

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2012
918
5
Ipad mini is ugly. The thinner bezel made it ugly. Tablets should leave space for you to put your thumb on, even at 7 or 8 inch not everyone can palm it.
 
haruhiko

haruhiko

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Sep 29, 2009
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John Gruber said the screen was bad before, so he "needs" to publish a positive post to balance it. His blog can't be negative to Apple. :D
 
K

kappaknight

macrumors 68000
Mar 5, 2009
1,595
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Atlanta, GA
9.7 inches is the ideal viewing size because we are used to the size of a standard piece of paper and many things are designed to fit in that proportion. If that tablet weighed as much as a sheet of paper, it would be perfect. (Tablet or electronic paper as depicted in the show Caprica.)

I'm not sure if 7.9 inches is the ideal viewing window but for now, it's weight is more ideal than a full sized iPad. Either way, I trust Apple (and hopefully other companies) are working on making things thinner and lighter so we'll get there at some point.
 
haruhiko

haruhiko

macrumors 604
Sep 29, 2009
6,529
5,874
kappaknight said:
9.7 inches is the ideal viewing size because we are used to the size of a standard piece of paper and many things are designed to fit in that proportion. If that tablet weighed as much as a sheet of paper, it would be perfect. (Tablet or electronic paper as depicted in the show Caprica.)

I'm not sure if 7.9 inches is the ideal viewing window but for now, it's weight is more ideal than a full sized iPad. Either way, I trust Apple (and hopefully other companies) are working on making things thinner and lighter so we'll get there at some point.
Click to expand...

I think the only problem with the big iPad is that it's too heavy. If Apple finds out a way to reduce its weight then it will be the perfect size and weight. I have tons of PDFs in GoodReader. Most of them are originally for A4 size so 9.7" is closer to that size and is pleasant to my eyes.
 
Dolorian

Dolorian

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 25, 2007
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racoonboy said:
Ipad mini is ugly. The thinner bezel made it ugly. Tablets should leave space for you to put your thumb on, even at 7 or 8 inch not everyone can palm it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I don't like the design of the iPad mini for the same reasons you point out. With such a thin bezel on the sides it just looks weird to me.
 
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