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Apple Reportedly Looking to Launch âiPad Miniâ Priced at $249-$299 in Q3
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At this point all we have a rumors. Hearing the same rumor over and over doesn't make it fact. You say it's a very useful size. I disagree. Maybe if it was a different aspect ratio it would work but to take the current iPad and shrink it 30% doesn't make much sense to me. And it obviously didn't make sense to Steve or Jony either. But I guess that just makes me one of Steve's brainwashed minions.
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I can't see the point in this at all.
I don't see any benefits or justifications in an 'iPad Mini'.
Plus, it's been debunked time and time again on the investor Q&A on the quarterly earnings calls, and Jobs himself, why are people still talking about this?
Of course a smaller iPad makes sense. Your just one of Steve's brainwashed minions.
/s
It was Henry Ford that said you can have any color car you want, as long as it's black.
Just because Steve said no 7" iPad a couple of years ago it doesn't mean we won't see one soon.
I'll pre-order one for sure if they are released.
Just because Steve said no 7" iPad a couple of years ago it doesn't mean we won't see one soon.
I'll pre-order one for sure if they are released.
Why would it be a sad day? If you like the current size iPad then just buy that one. I don't carry a huge purse around all the time and would like a smaller iPad. If it's the price point, I think $249 to $299 seems cheap, I would be surprised if they are off bye $100.
A slightly smaller iPad is what a lot of people have been waiting for, including myself.
I think Apple is prototyping such a device and it will be available in 16 and 32 GB versions at 1024x768 resolution, but with a smaller size display it could achieve something close to "Retina Display" quality. And it could be a candidate for Sharp's IGZO technology display panel, too.
Sad for who? The early rumors of a smaller iPad is partly why I returned my iPad 3 and went back to my trusty old iPad 1. The 3 was really nice, but not sufficiently differentiated from the 1 (for me, at least).
And while the retina display of the 3 is truly awesome, I'm more concerned with what I read, rather than how it looks - so the 1's lesser display is fine for now (as it has been these last two years).
If they DO come out with it (they should), they should in no way cripple it by memory.
It just rounds out the line of portable touch pads with usage (in the order of precedence.
- iPod Touch - Gaming / Music
- iPad Mini - Reading / Gaming / Music
- iPad - Productivity / Reading / Gaming / Music
I might be a bit off as this is subjective, but the only time I use my iPad on the train to work is if I get a seat and can prop it up on my lap. A smaller iPad might even be more practical standing up on a packed train.
I think it would be good, but would think the it would be a bit more work for developers having to produce a few different resolutions of graphics, etc, etc,...
I'll believe it when I see it still, but it would be cool for them to launch a 7" tab, I got a China Ainol 7" tab and it's a fantastic size! And if you had that with Apples iOS and Retina screen then it would be a damn nice product, especially if they sell it for a nice price too Say $300?
Say $300?
I will live. But it will still be a sad day.
If you want a smaller tablet go and buy one today. There are a lot on the market. And some people are waiting for a smaller iPad. But not enough I guess are willing to give up iOS for the smaller tablets on offer now. Sales of the smaller tablets are not that good for a reason.
Sure a few people will cry if there is no smaller iPad. But the rest of us will just smile knowing Apple made the right decision (of no smaller iPad) or just not care at all.
1. Sad for shareholders who see Apple fragmenting their iPad product line into a size of tablet that has proven not to sell well.
2. Sad for developers who have to design Apps for another size of screen. And yes a direct ratio of screen is easy to develop for. But it's the UI that a smaller screen size can't replicate.
3. Sad for Steve Jobs. Wherever he is now he'd know this would be a bad idea. I know he said don't ever think what Jobs would do. But he had faith that Cook and Co would do the right thing. And this would be a kick in the groin to the faith Jobs had in Cook and Co.
4. Product cannibalisation. People might skip a standard iPad for a smaller one. That's less profits for Apple and the customer gets a worse product. Too big for a phone, too small for a decent tablet.
Etc etc.
If the price point is $249 I think 8 gig would be where they land - similar to the entry level iPod Touch, free with contract 3GS and $99 iPhone 4. I couldn't see them offering a device with a bigger screen and twice the memory for $50 more. It would kill the Touch.
I guess it depends on how they feel devices will be used. Do they think it'll be a supplementary consumption device that people will use on commutes, trips, etc? Or do they think it'll be a primary device? If I'm looking for a device to supplement my iPhone am I going to want to put all my music/apps/video on it? Or am I comfortable just downloading some content before leaving on a business trip.
The key advantage to the iPod Touch is memory. If they don't want the iPad mini to canibalize that line, they would probably play out that advantage.
8GB iPad mini/wifi - $249
8GB iPad mini/3G - $299
8GB iPod Touch - discontinued
16GB iPod Touch - $199
32GB iPod Touch - $299
64 GB iPod Touch $399
Kind of a myopic view.
I see it in a glass half full way.
1. It potentially puts more Apple products in people's hands. Families that can't justify spending $500-$850 on a second iPad for the spouse, kids, etc - may be more willing to spend $250-$300.
2. It gives people an option for a smaller device. My wife would LOVE a tablet she could put in her purse all the time. Just because it doesn't work you, doesn't mean there are other customers who'd really like it. I have no need for a MacBook pro. But that doesn't mean Apple shouldn't make it.
3. There have been many posts in this thread about how Steve Jobs changed his mind on products/ideas over the years. Apple continues to be about innovation. None of us know if Jobs would have changed his mind on the 7 inch tablet like he did on so many other things. Cook's responsbility is to do what he feels is best to do in the current market...not be a slave to comments Jobs made in the past.
At $250, I'd love it if this turned out to be a big-screen/extended battery "shell" for the new iphone 5/ipod touch:
Something like this ASUS padfone (but with Apple design):
- You pop the phone into the "shell" for big-screen use at home/office/plane/etc.
- You take the phone out when you're on the go.
- One data plan.
- Only one device to sync.
- If you want the max capacity (64GB?) then you only have to pay for it once.
- Just one, good, rear-facing camera (the phone's).
- All your sensitive personal info in one small, easily-protected device (the phone).
- No more griping about the bloat of universal apps: This thing would be built for universal apps.
- Shareable hardware (but what's the bet people would wind-up wanting their own?)
- Low cost entry to the iPad experience (once you have a new phone - which typically go in 2-year replacement cycles anyway).
- Satisfies those wanting a bigger-screen iPhone
Something like this ASUS padfone (but with Apple design):
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I've highlighted the points I think are easiest to not agree with.
On the first point, as you say, smaller tablets are not selling because they don't have iOS even though people would like that size. This is a good reason for Apple to make a smaller tablet, but you are saying the opposite.
The second point is very easy to dispute. Tablets were proven not to sell well until the iPad came along.
I just wanted to say that if this happens, I will be buying one. I have put off buying an iPad but at the right price point, I can make it happen. I don't have much of a use for an iPad at the moment, but the uses that are there would probably justify a much lower price point. This is probably a good strategy by Apple considering there is obviously a huge segment of the population looking for smaller form factors.
Ah, that makes sense -- like with the pro community that feels Apple is abandoning them in favor of the more-lucrative consumer market.
I agree that an iPad Mini wouldn't threaten the iPad. People who want an iPad for its feature set, and who can afford it, will buy one. Some people who want an iPad but can't afford it would buy an iPad Mini instead. Then there would be some people who prefer the small form factor and would buy a Mini. Finally, I'm sure that some people people who own an iPad would buy a Mini for their kids or whatever.
It is a little different. Apple makes products that it thinks will be popular enough to make huge profits for Apple. Those products have to adhere to Apple's design philosophy, which is part of their value proposition. Every time a new Apple product is rumored, this forum is inundated with people who say that such a product would just be an overpriced version of whatever crappy alternative currently exists, so therefore Apple shouldn't make it. The MacBook Air is just one example: "Why should Apple make their own version of an underpowered Windows netbook? It's won't be any better, but of course it will cost twice as much." If Apple believes that enough people would buy an iPad Mini, if they think the user experience would be acceptable, and if they can make a profit, then there's no reason not to make a Mini.
Tigress666 makes a good point that some people fear a new product they don't want would divert Apple's attention from a current product they do want. I don't think that would happen with an iPad Mini, though. I probably wouldn't buy one, as I love the iPad, but it wouldn't adversely affect me if they make a Mini. It would be good news for people who do want one. As for the converse of people wanting Apple to make a product they don't currently make, that's one way Apple finds out if there might be enough demand for something. I wish that Apple would make a low-priced tower, like my beloved 2000 Power Mac G4, which I kept for eight years, upgrading every component that I could. If there were enough demand, Apple probably would make one. I accept that there isn't enough demand, though, and I'm not one of those people who say "Apple sucks" because they don't make everything I want.
I hope it would be one of these or the other (single core A5 or 8gb of storage), if it's $249. On the other hand, if they go $299 they could pretty easily justify the drop in price with the smaller screen and (potentially) smaller/shorter battery and still keep the specs of the $399 iPad 2.
I've been holding out for a smaller iPad since the iPad 2 (I have an iPad 1). The thinner, lighter design was great and I'd love to see it taken to the "next level" with something about the thickness of the iPod touch and <1lbs.
I'm literally days away from buying an iPad 3, though... part of me is thinking "keep holding out" but the rest is betting on the device being artificially handicapped to keep the "main" iPad line from being canibalized.
They're still selling A4 devices (iPod touch and iPhone 4) with 256mb of RAM. Nothing to say they'd not make the iPod mini with the iPod touch parts. Or stick with 8gb of storage and keep the price low (16gb is already too small for me to seriously consider). I'd assume they would use a single core A5 as a minimum, but even that gives me pause for concern.
I guess the likely scenario for me would be get an iPad 3 now and then wait for an iPad "mini" 2 to see if it would be worth the "downgrade" at that point.
no iPad mini
What is the interest for Apple in adding fragmentation to their tablet line?
Does Apple want two different devices to allow to do the exact same things?
Do developpers want to have to target two different devices, even if the downsizing to 7.85" would still make app designed for 9.7" usable.
Such a new tablet would sure be nice for its size and weight, but does Apple want 2 similar devices to coexist in the tablet category?
One thing they could do is rather add a new kind of device to their line of product.
One device completely dedicated to consume what they sell on their stores, and more portable than an iPad, with a bigger screen than an iPod Touch.
They seem to have growing interests in ebooks market, they need a better eReader, better than the iPad.
The iPod Touch is perfect for music, but not for reading ebooks nor videos.
The iPad is ok for reading ebooks or watching videos, as long as you have strong forearms, but not really transportable.
Rather than a 7.85" iPad mini, i think they really need a new category of product.
Something like a WiFi touch device with a 6" retina 9:5 screen,
limited to ebooks, music, video, gaming and web, and not necessarily with 3rd party apps.
A good consumer device, directly designed to enjoy on the go the contents sold on their ebooks/music/video/games stores.
The 9:5 ratio is perfect for ebooks in portrait and videos in landscape, the 6" screen would be exactly as wide as is an iPhone in landscape mode and about as tall as an iPad is wide (~135mm x ~75mm), and the device not bigger than a pocket book.
Make it cheap at around 200-250$ with good battery life and storage capacity, and it could almost replace the iPod Touch.
You want to do more and use specific apps? Get a real tablet, get an iPad and take advantage of a full experience at 10".
It's too big for you? Then you don't really want to read ebooks or watch videos comfortably. Get an iPhone/iPod.
What is the interest for Apple in adding fragmentation to their tablet line?
Does Apple want two different devices to allow to do the exact same things?
Do developpers want to have to target two different devices, even if the downsizing to 7.85" would still make app designed for 9.7" usable.
Such a new tablet would sure be nice for its size and weight, but does Apple want 2 similar devices to coexist in the tablet category?
One thing they could do is rather add a new kind of device to their line of product.
One device completely dedicated to consume what they sell on their stores, and more portable than an iPad, with a bigger screen than an iPod Touch.
They seem to have growing interests in ebooks market, they need a better eReader, better than the iPad.
The iPod Touch is perfect for music, but not for reading ebooks nor videos.
The iPad is ok for reading ebooks or watching videos, as long as you have strong forearms, but not really transportable.
Rather than a 7.85" iPad mini, i think they really need a new category of product.
Something like a WiFi touch device with a 6" retina 9:5 screen,
limited to ebooks, music, video, gaming and web, and not necessarily with 3rd party apps.
A good consumer device, directly designed to enjoy on the go the contents sold on their ebooks/music/video/games stores.
The 9:5 ratio is perfect for ebooks in portrait and videos in landscape, the 6" screen would be exactly as wide as is an iPhone in landscape mode and about as tall as an iPad is wide (~135mm x ~75mm), and the device not bigger than a pocket book.
Make it cheap at around 200-250$ with good battery life and storage capacity, and it could almost replace the iPod Touch.
You want to do more and use specific apps? Get a real tablet, get an iPad and take advantage of a full experience at 10".
It's too big for you? Then you don't really want to read ebooks or watch videos comfortably. Get an iPhone/iPod.
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If the smaller size was so popular they would be selling. But they are not. So it shows people want iOS more then they want smaller hardware. So give the people what they want. iOS. And be done with it. Just like Apple is doing now.
I see your points and I agree with you. But there's not enough people who are interested in all of this. I only see a very vocal minority crying for a smaller iPad. I don't see any current iPad owners saying, man I hate this iPad I wish it was smaller. No. They buy the iPad and love it.
And the few who can't afford or justify the cost of an iPad just have to suck up like I do. I do not own an iPad. I can not justify the cost. But that's my loss. Apple makes products at the high end. And I don't want them to stop this.
i guess this rumor will never die. i personally would like to see a smaller iPad to give people more choices
I like the idea of a cheaper iPad "Mini". It'd make a perfect whole house audio/video controller and combination couch surfing station. While the iPod Touch does a reasonable job controlling my whole house audio/video system (currently at 4 rooms with audio/video plus 2 more with audio only), the small size of the device makes it uncomfortable to look stuff up on the web while I watch TV (e.g. say I want to look up the status of the OCC foreclosure while watching American Chopper, I can grab my iPod on the table next to me and do so without getting up or turning the show on pause, but it's very small and slow for surfing many sites due to all the 'extra' crap they put on web sites these days like extra ad columns, overlay features and facbook icons, etc.; some pages take FOREVER to load and that's where a larger screen and more CPU power could be very helpful).
But a full sized iPad is an expensive proposition to mostly use as a remote control for the house's audio/video system, particularly if I want them in more than one room. But one in the $200 range would be FAR more reasonable, IMO and the smaller size means it woud fit better on the average end table without sucking up all the space for other things like cup coasters and what not.
But a full sized iPad is an expensive proposition to mostly use as a remote control for the house's audio/video system, particularly if I want them in more than one room. But one in the $200 range would be FAR more reasonable, IMO and the smaller size means it woud fit better on the average end table without sucking up all the space for other things like cup coasters and what not.