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If there was one surprise product for 2019, I think it will be the iPad mini being reincarnated. To me, it was a huge success year back, even though that Apple graduated to having larger displays for phones and iPads, just like the iPhone SE, there still a strong demographic that wants a smaller device for times when they don’t want to use a larger iPad or their MacBook.
 
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If there was one surprise product for 2019, I think it will be the iPad mini being reincarnated. To me, it was a huge success year back, even though that Apple graduated to having larger displays for phones and iPads, just like the iPhone SE, there still a strong demographic that wants a smaller device for times when they don’t want to use a larger iPad or their MacBook.
In agreement. When home it’s a MacBook or full size iPad. I don’t go out the door without my LTE mini 2 and 6s phone in my bag. My money is waiting for a better spec mini.
 
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For me a mini pro would be perfect. Like an A5 sketchbook :) this would work along side a 13” iPad Pro nicely so one stays on the desk and the other is always with me.
Hopefully they can release a pro and non pro version although in reality I fully expect this to be an Apple cheap entry device and my wishes won’t happen.
 
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Target has the mini 4 128g back to $249 after Christmas. It’s tempting to move up from a mini 2 but for now I am going to wait it out in case the mini 5 hits with the right stuff.
I got the same deal last year for my kids - perfect size and you put an A10 or A11 and this thing could last you another 5 years.
 
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Kinda hard to gauge how legitimate this leak is with it being such a large and crisp photo. Don't worry, though, I can attempt to enhance it.

0R2Q5DG.gif

But what about the background?? Shouldn't that be the inside of an elevator or a carpeted floor for extra legitimacy? ;)
 
If they really are making a new mini, I hope they don’t butcher it. Please give us a Pro level device with the mini form factor...
 
Its very unlike apple to release new headphone jack devices after removing it on new high end devices for so long.

Could this signal that they’re going for a minor upgrade/processor bump only just to try and rejuvenate some sales? You know Apple and their margins!
 
I don't see it having pencil support. That would cannibalize iPad Pro sales to some extent.
Nah, the $329 2018 9.7” iPad already supports the Pencil and Apple doesn’t worry it will cannibalize the 11” Pro.

If they really are making a new mini, I hope they don’t butcher it. Please give us a Pro level device with the mini form factor...
Though I’d love a mini Pro with FaceID, I think it would have to be at least $599-649 and that would kill sales volume.

Instead I think we’ll see a pretty decent update; my prediction is A11, 3GB RAM, still with TouchID, Lightning and headphone jack. Various upgrades to cameras/video/speakers/microphone, definitely Apple Pencil support, about the same physical size with maybe a slightly larger screen (hopefully still laminated), $349-$399 for 64GB, $449-499 for 256GB and maybe a 512GB model at $649-699.
 
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we have no way to verify if it's actually a case designed for a fifth-generation iPad mini
Shouldn’t this have been the first sentence of the article, and shouldn’t the second have been “case makers aren’t given advance information on the release of new products”?
 
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If the mini with the new body comes out, the people would really love it. So, if it will ever come out, let’s see how will they purposely gimp it.
 
For me a mini pro would be perfect. Like an A5 sketchbook :) this would work along side a 13” iPad Pro nicely so one stays on the desk and the other is always with me.
Hopefully they can release a pro and non pro version although in reality I fully expect this to be an Apple cheap entry device and my wishes won’t happen.

I could be wrong, but I’m not sure Apple is ready to go to the expense of redesigning the mini into a Pro form factor just yet. They want to sell the Pros. I think they want the mini to be a companion to the Pros, not the replacement. This gives them another couple of years with the same form factor, but adding Pencil support, and rounding out the budget lineup of iPads until they’re ready to move them all to FaceID. The only problem with the idea, is that Pro users won’t be able to use their new Pencil 2 unless the mini supports wireless charging and pairing and that seems like it would require a major redesign. Perhaps the mini will support both, or new ProUsers will have to buy both Pencils! The latter seems more likely — keep one Pencil with your Pro, and one with your mini. Unfortunately the double tap would probably be even more useful on the mini.

I don't see it having pencil support. That would cannibalize iPad Pro sales to some extent.

Pencil support is essential. It’s the reason I haven’t purchased a mini, and the number one request I’ve heard from my work colleagues who have them. It would also be useful in business enterprise solutions. The mini in no way substitutes for a full-sized iPad, so there’s no canibalism at all. That said, if it offers all the same features as a Pro (it won’t), some might try to get away with spending less. But Apple has always said they’re not afraid of canibalizing other products. The reality is, a comparably spec’d mini would cost more than the market would likely sustain, and Apple would probably price it so that the 11 seems like a better deal. But that would likely eliminate the consumer sales, and e-commerce use cases Apples probably depending on.
 
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Great, a new Mini is what the world needs :)

Will gladly go back to a Mini and replace my old iPad Air 2 that is getting more laggy, with a not so good battery either.
 
Thank you. Needed the laugh "reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo".

Honestly the ONLY stuff he's guessed right on lately is the same stuff anyone could have come up with.

Where is the predicted under $900 Mac Air? Could. Not. Have. Been. Further. Off. Target.

Let me try: I'm guessing new iPhone next September. Out on a limb this one: all models will be released at the SAME time (having learnt from two years of staggered releases that interest wanes quickly when waiting). And a new Watch.

And iMacs coming. (Yes, I know I probably said that last quarter too). It will happen eventually and then you can say "as predicted"!

And I'll talk those Phones up until the month after release then predict 30% drop in component orders.

People make money from volatile markets. And many get fleeced when markets over-react. Volatility caused in part by "analysts".

I would prefer to see someone take a critical view of Apple's strengths and weaknesses.

The current samey-ness of laptops is just weird. How did we end up with so many models all around the same price point?

The lack of a budget iPhone is affecting friends who need a new phone and can't afford an iPhone now. It pains me to recommend jumping to an adequate enough low end Android one. The missing "SE2" model cuts out low end buyers.

I love my 11" iPad Pro. First (of many iPads) that I actually use daily at work. To me it is worth the money. But even then, I only went for the 64G one. If only that USB-C would use cheap USB flash disks. But it would kill the golden goose of incremental internal memory. Solutions will pop up (SanDisk or someone no doubt) but it just isnt the same as slipping a USB into it and the OS doing it natively. The SurfaceGo still runs rings around the iPad on that single feature.

Apple have played a smart and profitable game for two years.

But it can't last forever. Phones and tablets and computers really are at the stage you might never need a faster one. They do lots of things extremely well. For most people, even two year old tech does too. It got to the same point with Office software: fewer and fewer must have improvements. I still think Office 97 was about the point it did most of what it needed to do for many people. And honestly, is Windows 10 really better than 7? In how many ways? I find MacOS more Windows-like than Windows 10. I dont really care that MacOS only slowly evolves. It's free. I upgrade and then forget about it. iOS is the same. How many people use the new features? I've yet to see anyone show me a "you gotta have this" Shortcut. Most of the time I even forget about Siri. Never used it on my desktop. Never.

The simple things though work their way into your life: paying with Apple Watch still is novel enough that shop assistants comment "how cool is that?" If I'm cooking something I now tell my Watch to remind me in 15 minutes to check things. That's way better than setting an alarm on the oven.

I sometimes think Apple has forgotten the simple approach. Can't someone tell them iTunes sucks from a usability viewpoint? (example: why cant I sort my Purchases by name or search them? Why are Purchases hidden away on your profile? I should not have to Google these things to find them when once they were visible).

Sorry, got on a roll. Cheers.
 
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