iPad Mini: I just returned my Mini and here is why

[Quixotic3]

I so wanted to love the Mini. I pictured myself casually pulling the mini out of a coat pocket at some coffee bar and surfing the web or maybe playing some angry birds. In reality the mini is too big and I had all of the same problems toting it around that I did with the normal size iPad ***but that is Not why I returned it. The screen... well I can honestly say that not having the retina was not a huge deal at first... I am old my eyes aren't what they used to be... but it kept bothering me for some reason... oh yeah, no... I got it ... the price. The reason I buy the best is... to... get... the best and I feel that my MBP retina is hands down the best laptop out there, and I feel that if I called apple support they will have an answer for me ( a company so far that isn't trying to do more with less...) so why Apple did you cheap out on the mini? It could have been the best thing ever just like all of your other products and at the premium that I paid over it's competitors it should have been. It should have had a better screen, better camera that did at least what the iPhone 5 camera does, more ram, and if you couldn't fit it in the size you released then you shouldn't have released it, Steve would not have...

[Binarymix]

Originally Posted by Quixotic3

I so wanted to love the Mini. I pictured myself casually pulling the mini out of a coat pocket at some coffee bar and surfing the web or maybe playing some angry birds. In reality the mini is too big and I had all of the same problems toting it around that I did with the normal size iPad ***but that is Not why I returned it. The screen... well I can honestly say that not having the retina was not a huge deal at first... I am old my eyes aren't what they used to be... but it kept bothering me for some reason... oh yeah, no... I got it ... the price. The reason I buy the best is... to... get... the best and I feel that my MBP retina is hands down the best laptop out there, and I feel that if I called apple support they will have an answer for me ( a company so far that isn't trying to do more with less...) so why Apple did you cheap out on the mini? It could have been the best thing ever just like all of your other products and at the premium that I paid over it's competitors it should have been. It should have had a better screen, better camera that did at least what the iPhone 5 camera does, more ram, and if you couldn't fit it in the size you released then you shouldn't have released it, Steve would not have...

Screen technology, and Apple testing the waters.

If the mini does well, they won't 'off' it and will make a retina version next year hopefully.

I'll be buying it again for sure if it has a retina screen (without any screen issues). It's really the perfect size for typing with my thumbs, and just carrying from place to place.

[syd430]

Originally Posted by Binarymix

Screen technology, and Apple testing the waters.
I'll be buying it again for sure if it has a retina screen (without any screen issues). It's really the perfect size for typing with my thumbs

That's funny because I can type just as fast with my thumbs in portrait mode on the full sized ipad than the ipad Mini. Must have something to do with that split keyboard that nobody here seems to know exists.

[UnknownStudent]

Originally Posted by Binarymix

Screen technology, and Apple testing the waters.

If the mini does well, they won't 'off' it and will make a retina version next year hopefully.

I'll be buying it again for sure if it has a retina screen (without any screen issues). It's really the perfect size for typing with my thumbs, and just carrying from place to place.

As expected once again, Apple is a disappointment to many users up until now. I just don't understand why there seems to be no new innovation towards their new products in their family line of products. The iPad mini turned out to be similar to a compressed version of iPad 2. I honestly don't understand why the iPad mini isn't up to date with the new line of retina display technology, when it is not surprising that they introduce the new retina display 13" Macbook Pro.

But without doubt, I agree with Binarymix that if they do come out with a retina screen and is comparable with my current iPad 3 retina, I would buy it. I would agree that the iPad mini is a lot lighter then my current iPad and it is more easy to carry from place to place. I guess that is the positive side about it.

[Mac... nificent]

Originally Posted by UnknownStudent

The iPad mini turned out to be similar to a compressed version of iPad 2.

That's all it's supposed to be for now. If you're expecting a smaller version of the full sized mini then dream on. Apple did not come out with the mini just to cannibalize full iPad sales. They want new iPad sales.

I honestly don't understand why the iPad mini isn't up to date with the new line of retina display technology

Because they simply do not need it for sales for the initial version. Why should they blow their wad out of the gate? By adding features incrementally they keep sales strong, and that's their main goal.

[The Catalyst]

Originally Posted by Mac... nificent

That's all it's supposed to be for now. If you're expecting a smaller version of the full sized mini then dream on. Apple did not come out with the mini just to cannibalize full iPad sales. They want new iPad sales.

...

Because they simply do not need it for sales for the initial version. Why should they blow their wad out of the gate? By adding features incrementally they keep sales strong, and that's their main goal.

Exactly.

Releasing a bare bones mini was purely a profit move on their part (and a good one at that). Apple know they'll sell a ton of these, then they'll sell a ton on more when they give it a minor speed bump at WWDC next Summer. I doubt we'll see a retina mini before next holiday season, at the earliest.

[AppleRobert]

Originally Posted by The Catalyst

Exactly.

Releasing a bare bones mini was purely a profit move on their part (and a good one at that). Apple know they'll sell a ton of these, then they'll sell a ton on more when they give it a minor speed bump at WWDC next Summer. I doubt we'll see a retina mini before next holiday season, at the earliest.

Glad I decided to jump on the iPad 4 at Black Friday price. It screamed bargain versus the Mini and I'll decide in the future if I'll go for the Mini depending on its price and specs. Right now a no go and I returned it.

I just don't get all these people going for the Mini that owned prior iPads and liked them a lot with no concern on size and weight and all of a sudden it is a BIG issue. The 4 is easily a better device especially at Black Friday price. Whatever, my Mini rant is over!

[Mac... nificent]

Originally Posted by The Catalyst

Releasing a bare bones mini was purely a profit move on their part (and a good one at that).

Correct. I read that 88% of all tablet sales on black friday were iPads. Even iPad 2 sales were strong, which surprised me. Apple knows what it's doing. People just need to relax and let Apple run Apple. If the mini doesn't live up to your personal specs, then simply don't buy it. Sooner or later it will get a Retina screen and faster processor, ect. and then you can all buy your dream tablet

[gatearray]

All this talk about "last year's tech" really bothers me. If you note the benchmarks, the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad Mini all bench around 770 or so. The iPad 3 came out in March of this year and was the cutting edge until Apple surprised us with a new revision.

If the iPad 4 wasn't released 5-6 months early, would we even be having this conversation?

The fact is, the A5 is a chip being sold in several current Apple devices and the iPad Mini has plenty of power for iOS 6. It has similar benchmarks to the iPad 3 and all old and new iPad apps work perfectly on it.

For $329 it's an affordable entry into the iPad ecosystem, so what's the problem?

[lianlua]

Originally Posted by Mac... nificent

The the A5 processor is one big difference

In what way?

but there are other differences between the two like the mini has two speakers, and the unibody shell is more rounded on the back and edges.

Sure, but that goes against the argument of the iPad mini "lacking" in comparison.

There are other differences but they are small (pun intended) like SIM card size.

How is this either a quality or feature difference? There are obviously differences, but the question I am asking is what is the basis of claiming that the iPad mini under-delivers compared to any other iPad?

Originally Posted by gatearray

All this talk about "last year's tech" really bothers me. If you note the benchmarks, the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad Mini all bench around 770 or so.

Yep. Until November 2, the A5 was the best-performing Apple tablet SOC. The part number isn't even 9 months old yet.

[AppleRobert]

Geez Louise!

Some folks are returning the Mini for the 3rd or 4th gen. If one thinks it is just because of the screen I really don't know what to say to that truly.

[Mac... nificent]

Originally Posted by lianlua

In what way?

In the obvious way that the iPad4 has the A6 The mini will get the A6 too once they add the Retina screen, but it IS a difference which is what you asked for.

Sure, but that goes against the argument of the iPad mini "lacking" in comparison.

I agree with you, and as I said before, I think screen and processor aside, the mini is the real winner.

How is this either a quality or feature difference?

If you're referring to the new shape then this is no small thing. Hold both in your hands for 30 minutes and you'll soon see that the iPad4 feels more awkward and the mini still feels completely natural. Apple did a great job with the minis shape. I see this as a big improvement over the full sized tablet, which was already good. The mini is hands down the most comfortable tablet on the market.

[Awakener]

Originally Posted by gatearray

All this talk about "last year's tech" really bothers me. If you note the benchmarks, the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad Mini all bench around 770 or so. The iPad 3 came out in March of this year and was the cutting edge until Apple surprised us with a new revision.

If the iPad 4 wasn't released 5-6 months early, would we even be having this conversation?

But the iPad 4 did come out, and it has doubled the benchmarks. iiPad 4 has made Pad Mini, iPad 2, iPad 3 outdated.

[Mac... nificent]

Originally Posted by Awakener

But the iPad 4 did come out, and it has doubled the benchmarks. iiPad 4 has made Pad Mini, iPad 2, iPad 3 outdated.

Not true. Just because the iPad 4 is faster doesn't automatically make the others outdated That will depend on the apps requirements and I don't know of any app that requires the iPad4 processor. The A5 still handles apps perfectly well and only when apps require more horsepower will the A5 truly be outdated.

----------

Originally Posted by AppleChampagne

I think the logical direction to go with someone that owns an iPhone 5 is the full sized ipad

That's personal preference. I know that if I had an iPhone I would still prefer the mini to the full sized iPad. I used my tablet mostly on the road and the mini is the correct size

[VandyChem2009]

Originally Posted by Quixotic3

I so wanted to love the Mini. I pictured myself casually pulling the mini out of a coat pocket at some coffee bar and surfing the web or maybe playing some angry birds. In reality the mini is too big and I had all of the same problems toting it around that I did with the normal size iPad ***but that is Not why I returned it. The screen... well I can honestly say that not having the retina was not a huge deal at first... I am old my eyes aren't what they used to be... but it kept bothering me for some reason... oh yeah, no... I got it ... the price. The reason I buy the best is... to... get... the best and I feel that my MBP retina is hands down the best laptop out there, and I feel that if I called apple support they will have an answer for me ( a company so far that isn't trying to do more with less...) so why Apple did you cheap out on the mini? It could have been the best thing ever just like all of your other products and at the premium that I paid over it's competitors it should have been. It should have had a better screen, better camera that did at least what the iPhone 5 camera does, more ram, and if you couldn't fit it in the size you released then you shouldn't have released it, Steve would not have...

You're right he wouldn't have. The device probably wouldn't even exist if it was up to him. Considering all the crap he talked about 7 inch tablet.

[AdonisSMU]

Originally Posted by VandyChem2009

You're right he wouldn't have. The device probably wouldn't even exist if it was up to him. Considering all the crap he talked about 7 inch tablet.

Yet he talked crap about tablets in general. So in theory Steve Jobs wouldn't have released the first regular iPad or the 2nd iPad either. It's likely that the mini was already in testing and development at least a year before Steve Jobs died last year....as court testimony and documents indicate.

[BaldiMac]

Originally Posted by AdonisSMU

Yet he talked crap about tablets in general so in theory Steve Jobs wouldn't have released the first regular iPad either. It's likely that the mini was already in testing and development long before Steve Jobs died last year.

As technology improves, you can do things that you didn't think you could do in the past. Why is this surprising?

[AdonisSMU]

Originally Posted by BaldiMac

As technology improves, you can do things that you didn't think you could do in the past. Why is this surprising?

It's not hard to grasp but people saying Steve Jobs would never have released a mini iPad based on Steve Jobs' previous statements have no idea what they are talking about. I just wanted to point it out.

[toondw]

I presume you bought it blind then? You didn't read the specs before buying? I bet you buy houses and cars the same way? Shish!

[deraj090]

+1 BinaryMix

[AppleRobert]

Op,

If the Mini was not cheapened out and the price was more as a result, you going to buy it or the iPad 4 instead?

HHhhhuuuummmmm!

[Quixotic3]

Originally Posted by AppleRobert

Op,

If the Mini was not cheapened out and the price was more as a result, you going to buy it or the iPad 4 instead?

HHhhhuuuummmmm!

I would have paid more. That being said the size did not work for me... I will purchase the iPad 4 as soon as the refund clears I am frustrated that the Mini was not just a smaller iPad 4 which it could have and should have been.

[smiddlehurst]

Originally Posted by Quixotic3

I would have paid more. That being said the size did not work for me... I will purchase the iPad 4 as soon as the refund clears I am frustrated that the Mini was not just a smaller iPad 4 which it could have and should have been.

Oh for gods sake... no it couldn't have been a smaller iPad 4! Do people not realise how ridiculous that statement is from an engineering point of view?

This has been talked about so much over the last couple of weeks it's ridiculous but really it's simple:

iPad Mini: 200mm x 134.7mm x 7.6mm, 308g, 16.3-watt-hour battery.
iPad 4: 241.2mm x 185.7mm x 9.4mm, 652g, 42.5-watt-hour battery.

See the bit in bold? That's how much power you need to run a retina-equipped iPad with an A6X SoC. You'd save a tiny bit with a smaller screen but nowhere near enough to make a significant difference. The iPad 4 has a volume of 421,034 cubic mm in which to fit the necessary components and battery pack, the iPad mini has 204,744 cubic mm. Half the volume. Or, to put it another way, you'd need an iPad Mini 15.63mm thick to give the same volume. Of course it isn't that simple but it gives you an idea of the scale of the problem. Plus, of course, it'd weigh twice as much as well.

If you want a retina display in a mini you're going to have to wait for new screen tech and, almost certainly, a new SoC. Oh, and a new battery tech wouldn't hurt either. This may, note MAY, be available next year it may take a little longer. If you want a mini this year then this is the compromise you make to get this form factor. Simple isn't it?

Edit - Just wanted to put that battery figure in some context. An 11" Macbook Air only has a 35wH battery, the 13" MBA a 50wH and the 13" MBP a 63.5wH unit. So right now the battery requirements for a retina-equipped iPad come in about 20% higher than the Intel-powered 11" Macbook Air and not that far away from the 13"...

[kas23]

Originally Posted by smiddlehurst

Oh for gods sake... no it couldn't have been a smaller iPad 4! Do people not realise how ridiculous that statement is from an engineering point of view?

This has been talked about so much over the last couple of weeks it's ridiculous but really it's simple:

iPad Mini: 200mm x 134.7mm x 7.6mm, 308g, 16.3-watt-hour battery.
iPad 4: 241.2mm x 185.7mm x 9.4mm, 652g, 42.5-watt-hour battery.

See the bit in bold? That's how much power you need to run a retina-equipped iPad with an A6X SoC. You'd save a tiny bit with a smaller screen but nowhere near enough to make a significant difference. The iPad 4 has a volume of 421,034 cubic mm in which to fit the necessary components and battery pack, the iPad mini has 204,744 cubic mm. Half the volume. Or, to put it another way, you'd need an iPad Mini 15.63mm thick to give the same volume. Of course it isn't that simple but it gives you an idea of the scale of the problem. Plus, of course, it'd weigh twice as much as well.

If you want a retina display in a mini you're going to have to wait for new screen tech and, almost certainly, a new SoC. Oh, and a new battery tech wouldn't hurt either. This may, note MAY, be available next year it may take a little longer. If you want a mini this year then this is the compromise you make to get this form factor. Simple isn't it?

Maybe you explain this non-existant screen technology thing a bit clearer to me. I see both larger (iPad) and smaller (iPod) devices having better pixel densities. Heck, I even see the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 having way better screens. But, the screen technology for a better screen on the mini "doesn't exist". So, which is it? Are my eyes deceiving me when I see the Fire and Nexus screen killing the mini's? An optical illusion perhaps?

So, it will need a bigger battery. Ok, your point? The Fire and Nexus must have bigger batteries. (Those exist too, right?)

Thickness? Weight? Ok, that's fine. It would have been thicker and heavier. Apple never puts out a perfect gen 1 device. Just like they'll do with the mini next year with the screen ("now with retina!), they could have made it "thinner" and "lighter" as marketing ploy for 2013. They've done that trick many times. Heck, if Apple wanted to they could have even skimped on the battery and used the "now, with 30% greater battery life" marketing tool in 2013.

My point is that the technology does indeed exist. It's on the market as I write. There would have been trade-offs though. Ones that they did not want to make. Instead, to pad their margins, they put a ****** screen in instead. But, it was a decision they made, not one that technology forced upon them.

[Gix1k]

My mini is going back soon for this reason as well.