iPad Mini: I wouldn't mind a high-quality-plastic version

[Yr Blues]

To get it even lighter. I tried it today and it's a bit heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.

1/2 pound Paperwhite vs 3/4 pound mini

Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

...it's a bit heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.

That's because of the battery, not the aluminum casing.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by AlphaDogg

That's because of the battery, not the aluminum casing.

But the battery is so thin and small

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

But the battery is so thin and small

...and dense.

The iPad mini has a battery with a capacity of 4,490 milliamp hours (mAh).

The Kindle Paperwhite has a battery with a capacity of 1,530 mAh.

This means that the iPad mini's battery is nearly 3x the size the Kindle Paperwhite's battery.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by AlphaDogg

...and dense.

Perhaps, I haven't held the battery to know. I figure the Paperwhite also uses a dense battery

[poloponies]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

Perhaps, I haven't held the battery to know. I figure the Paperwhite also uses a dense battery

The Kindle has trivial power consumption compared to the iPad.

[haruhiko]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

To get it even lighter. I tried it today and it's a bit heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.

1/2 pound Paperwhite vs 3/4 pound mini

Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.

I saw 3 cases with big ass Galaxy Note and cracked their plastic case when it fell onto the ground.

[urkel]

Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by haruhiko

I saw 3 cases with big ass Galaxy Note and cracked their plastic case when it fell onto the ground.

I'm pretty sure all Apple products made of glass cracks when you drop them, too.

I'm posting from a white polycarbonate MacBook. The first iMacs were plastic. iPhone 3G and 3GS were plastic.

Apple uses plastic in lots of prducts. EarPods, power bricks, etc.

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by urkel

Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.

Sure you don't intend on owning it for more than 12-18mo, but Apple plans for it to be in service for longer than that. Also, last time Apple made a mobile device out of plastic (and offered choice in color), it didn't turn out well...

Anyone remember this?







Black ones too...

[Yr Blues]

I don't mind little cracks like the ones that you posted. They're hardly noticeable.

[allapon]

I didn't have any good experience about "Plastic" case, It will crack or hairline fracture easy than you think it is. Especially, people who live in tropical area, Hair Line Fraction tend to happen more!!

Also, weight of device will increase if you want strong structure as you do with Aluminum.

[AlphaDogg]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

I don't mind little cracks like the ones that you posted. They're hardly noticeable.

You aren't Apple's typical clientele. Apple's typical clientele creates websites like this one...

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by AlphaDogg

You aren't Apple's typical clientele. Apple's typical clientele creates websites like this one...

I just know that Apple has made many flagship products with plastic that sold in the many millions and were all wildly successful.

[aziatiklover]

Originally Posted by urkel

Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.

Last time i had my 3g and 3gs (which were plastic)! Theywere not that cheap either!

[haruhiko]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

I don't mind little cracks like the ones that you posted. They're hardly noticeable.

Image

Yes, but no matter what the back is made of the front will always be glass. (You should've shown a pic with smashed back glass )

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by haruhiko

Yes, but no matter what the back is made of the front will always be glass. (You should've shown a pic with smashed back glass )

really doesn't matter, once you smash the front, the gadget is useless no matter what you made the product out of

but just for you

[lulla01]

I wouldn't mind a carbon fiber tablet

[ActionableMango]

It would be even lighter if there simply was no case at all!

Everything is glued, screwed, or soldered in place anyway.

[KieranDotW]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.

The 9.7" iPad, iPod touch, and presumably iPod nano (I haven't tried one out yet) also have smaller home buttons. I think the iPhone's home button is just unusually large -- but personally, I like the bigger button better.

[Stetrain]

If they do ever do plastic casing it would probably be like what's used in the Lumia series, which is high quality polycarbonate that's milled to create the final shape, just like the aluminum is.

I don't think that would change the weight very much, aluminum is pretty light, but it could reduce costs a bit.

At this point Apple is so heavily invested in the supply chain, machinery, and processes to build custom cases out of aluminum that I doubt they will change without good reason.

[Mak47]

unless you want the plastic to crack easily, it would have to be a good bit thicker than the aluminum that is currently used, which would negate any weight benefits.

Aluminum is incredibly light, and because it's metal, it can be very thin and still be strong.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by Mak47

unless you want the plastic to crack easily, it would have to be a good bit thicker than the aluminum that is currently used, which would negate any weight benefits.

Aluminum is incredibly light, and because it's metal, it can be very thin and still be strong.

the kindle is a very nice plastic e-reader

i'm sure apple could make an even better plastic tablet than googlle or amazon

[poloponies]

Originally Posted by Yr Blues

the kindle is a very nice plastic e-reader

i'm sure apple could make an even better plastic tablet than googlle or amazon

But what would be the point? It would have no effect on weight and trivial effect on cost. Doing it just to do it makes no sense.

The iPad back weighs 138 grams, or 4.8 ounces. Assuming we're at 2/3 that (possibly less) the current back weighs just over 3 ounces. What's the likely savings? 20%? That's 0.6 ounces.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by poloponies

But what would be the point? It would have no effect on weight and trivial effect on cost. Doing it just to do it makes no sense.

weight and cost

i'd like to see the ipad get as light as possible