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

[Evoken]

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]

At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.

[Aluminum213]

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


Lol, classic

[pooleman]

Originally Posted by Aluminum213

?.....10inch was perfect and everyone agrees, now 7.8 is the perfect size

That's what she said.

[Evoken]

Originally Posted by ActionableMango

At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.

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

[Night Spring]

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.

[Evoken]

Originally Posted by Aluminum213

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


Lol, classic

Funny isn't it?

[urkel]

Originally Posted by ActionableMango

At the macro level there is no single ideal size for a tablet. It is a matter of personal needs and preferences.

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.

[M87]

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.

[waltercln]

Originally Posted by Aluminum213

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


Lol, classic

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]

Originally Posted by urkel

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.

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.

[Spungoflex]

Originally Posted by pooleman

That's what she said.

10 inches is overkill. Trust me.

----------

Originally Posted by urkel

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.

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.

[AFDoc]

It's the ideal size for me!

[Spungoflex]

Originally Posted by smoking monkey

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.

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.

[iapplelove]

I wouldn't give up the iPad for the mini even if I got a free one. Apple had it right with the original

[pooleman]

Originally Posted by Spungoflex

10 inches is overkill. Trust me.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[CrackerJackToy]

Originally Posted by iapplelove

I wouldn't give up the iPad for the mini even if I got a free one. Apple had it right with the original

Amen.

[zauze]

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.

[noteple]

Don't know if its ideal, but it's nice to have a choice.

[racoonboy]

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]

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.

[kappaknight]

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]

Originally Posted by kappaknight

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.

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.

[Evoken]

Originally Posted by racoonboy

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.

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.

[Southernboyj]

Originally Posted by Aluminum213

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


Lol, classic

Reality distortion.