Apple's iPad Mini: Thinner, Lighter and Narrower

[Patriot24]

I find it hard to believe that anyone who has paid attention to what Steve and Tim have been saying over the last couple of years, can honestly think that Apple would launch a smaller iPad. For example, Steve's comment about how you would need to sand down your fingers to use a 7" tablet. I think that makes it pretty clear how Apple feels about an iPad "mini". Also, if you listened to the last earnings call, Tim made it clear that Apple doesn't see any significant competition to the iPad.

Steve was notorious for saying one thing and doing another a few short months later. It is part of their strategy. It is called misdirection and is aimed at the competition.

Also, while you're advocating listening to what people at Apple have been saying on the matter, I suggest you do a quick search for "Eddy Cue e-mails samsung trial 7 inch iPad". Then you can come back and talk to me about paying attention.

kthx

 

[Daniel B]

Well, intelligent speculation is fun, especially when people with deep knowledge chip in. Crazy rumour mills just to generate site traffic - not so much.

Explain to me why Apple would want to have a smaller iPad. They are already dominating the tablet market. I know most other companies like to throw a lot of models to see what sticks, but that's not Apple's style.

Making it smaller would still not make a one-hand pocket device (that's the iPhone). If you have a bag, the iPad is hardly bulky or heavy to carry with you.

So, you are just getting smaller screen, without any significant change in form factor. For me, watching a full movie on a screen about half the size of the iPad would probably not be a good experience.

Daniel

 

[Born Again]

According to some good detective work, the iPad Air could be 9.3476 OUNCES! I wouldn't have guessed that! A pound... maybe 14-15 oz... but less than 9.5 oz!! You can scoff, but I'm not.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=how+many+ounces+is+265+grams&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

i dont like the tone of your voice dear sir!~

 

[EbookReader]

http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2012/08/15/amazons-next-tablet-clears-the-fcc/#.UCu2xN2PWld
Amazon’s next Kindle Fire may have just hit the FCC

Amazon Kindle Fire 10"?
$299 price?

and the new Amazon Kinde Fire 7"
$199 price? (with specs comparable to the Nexus 7)?


The battle is heating up nicely.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't know how they would price it at $199. Even if the sold it for $299 it would still do well.

Just because something doesn't cost a ton of money doesn't mean it can't be quality.

Either way it's still going to force Apples hand to get in to the smaller tab market.

Explain then how MS makes a quality 10" tablet with good specs, battery, storage, software, etc. for $199 and makes a profit on it. If that was possible others would be doing it. Google admitted that the Nexus 7 is a no margin product for them (not sure if Asus is making anything on it), Kindle Fire has long been rumored to be a loss making or break even device. And those aren't 10" tablets. Based on everything we're hearing about the Surface in terms of build quality, touch cover, etc. I just don't see how they can price it that cheap unless they're willing to take a loss on it to garner market share. The way the tech sites are hyping up this product (ooh! Surface allows for content creation, not just consumption like on the iPad) you wouldn't think MS would need to sell it at a loss to get people to buy it.

 

[duffmanth]

If Apple prices this right around $250-300, it's gonna destroy the Google Nexus and Amazon Kindle.

 

[Pianoblack3]

The thinner bezel on the sides doesn't make sense to me. They compare it to the iPhone, but the iPhone you cradle your entire hand around. You can't do that with an iPad Mini size device. Furthermore, you want to read, ideally, in portrait mode, and the thin bezels seem like they'd make it more difficult to hold, not easier.

Or ye know, you could get a book? I'm sure that if you HAD to have an electronic device for use of reading, you'd get the normal iPad or a Kindle. I see zero point in paying 400 odd quid when a book is about 20, even if that.

 

[iChrist]

What is point of this?

 

[D.T.]

probably because it reduces the overall width of the device and it may be possible to hold it in one hand with your hand on the back of the ipad with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other.

Hmm, yeah, I guess that makes sense. Don't get me wrong, love the idea, will probably even buy one, I was just curious about bezel reduction making it easier to hold.

 

[69650]

Explain to me why Apple would want to have a smaller iPad.

I'm just guessing but maybe it's because they believe they could sell millions of them and make a lot money.

Why did they make the MBA when they already had the MBP?
Why did they make the iPod Nano when the iPod was so good?
Why do they have 2 sizes of MBA and MBP when one size would suffice?

The 7" tablet market has not taken off so far (apart from the Kindle) but that doesn't mean things will stay that way. By getting in now Apple can dominate the whole tablet market rather than just the top end.

 

[renodude18]

I would welcome an iPad with a smaller screen as it would be more beneficial for me. I've been looking for a reason to have an iPad as they only main thing I see between it and my iPhone is the screen size. I've been trying to work with my school to get them to move their books to iBooks or have an iPad friendly store front for it. I really do like they look of this mock-up. looks more like something apple would create than just a mini original iPad like in previous shots.

 

[Dustman]

Excellent choice Apple! (if true)

 

[GorgonPhone]

iPod touch thin!? Holy crap...

If its truly that thin I might trade in my "New iPad" if I can manage to lose the retina

I'm pumped to see the announcement and will definitely be picking up a couple of these for longer distance family to FaceTime with.

$249 is key, I hope they hit that...

will keep my ipad3 and get the mini pad for my car

 

[rovex]

Will it have flash?

 

[boronathan]

What is point of this?

choice. What else?

 

[doobybiggs]

an image with all the answers

 

[greytmom]

Maybe for your young eyes. My 40 year old eyes can't tell the difference.

I've got an original iPad 1 (non-retina) and an iPhone 4 (retina). They both look the same to me.

My 47 year old eyes can definitely tell the difference. When I pick up my daughter's second gen iPad, I have to remind myself that it's not my eyes suddenly going kaput, it's the non-retina screen.

 

[Ryth]

Think I'll wait a year for retina, but this one does look good

My guess is this.

They'll offer two versions..one with Retina and one without. Or this will have an IGZO screen.

I cannot see Apple taking a step backwards by having the iPhone with Retina, the iPad with Retina but the product in-between not having it.

It looks really sexy! My only two concerns:

2. This could cannibalize iPad (big) sales, which I assume have larger margins plus the larger price point.

We'll see!

The 7" is a form factor that appeals to a different type of user. Both will sell well.

 

[sweetbrat]

Well, intelligent speculation is fun, especially when people with deep knowledge chip in. Crazy rumour mills just to generate site traffic - not so much.

Explain to me why Apple would want to have a smaller iPad. They are already dominating the tablet market. I know most other companies like to throw a lot of models to see what sticks, but that's not Apple's style.

Making it smaller would still not make a one-hand pocket device (that's the iPhone). If you have a bag, the iPad is hardly bulky or heavy to carry with you.

So, you are just getting smaller screen, without any significant change in form factor. For me, watching a full movie on a screen about half the size of the iPad would probably not be a good experience.

Daniel

These rumors have been from people who tend to have some accurate information in the past. It's not just random rumors at this point.

With a smaller iPad, you're getting a smaller, much lighter-weight device. Why do people purchase the MBA if they can just get a comparable MBP? Portability. Same thing with an iPad. Even if you think the size is perfect now, you can't really deny that there's a fair amount of people looking for something smaller and lighter. Currently those people are purchasing devices from other companies, not Apple. Those people are also currently watching movies on 7" tablets. The iPad mini would be even larger than that, thus should be perfectly acceptable to them. Why should Apple just ignore that segment of the population?

There's a lot of people that aren't willing to spend $500-$800 on something that for most folks is basically for media consumption. However, a lot of those people are willing to spend $200-$400 for a device for that purpose. If people wanted an iPad and were willing to spend what it costs, they would have purchased one by now. If they haven't, why not introduce a somewhat smaller, lower-priced model to entice them to buy their first iPad? It's really not a bad business decision by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[apolloa]

no matter how hard you try to wish it away, when Gruber and the Wall Street journal are weighing in on it, it's fact... Sorry to burst your bubble

This forum is funny as sometimes, you lot just talk away as though the slightest rumour is in fact a product you can buy there and then! Not some analysts wet dream fantasy as most of the news and rumours are.

I know this is a 'RUMOURS' website but Jesus people, talk about the product in it's correct context which is exactly as this website states, a RUMOUR. Until the device is launched or parts are leaked like the iPhone then this story is a rumour and NOT fact no matter what anyone says.

 

[SmoMo]

Three words:

Take my money!!!

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but that is clearly 6 words!!!

( Unless you are claiming that all of a sudden exclamation marks are no longer words. )

Perhaps you should consider flying your space rocket back to outer space and study maths, then you can come back to planet Earth when you can count to 6 without getting lost along the way!

 

[ChrisTX]

I will probably buy one of these at the right price point. I simply can't justify the need for a tablet at $500+. I think Apple is making a good decision here. Even though they are a little late in this segment, they're still ahead of the game and that's what counts.

You could say they're late, but considering none of the 7" tablets have really caught on. I'd say they're right on time.

 

[Navdakilla]

If this is true. I will buy 2 opening day.

Love the ipad sooo much, would use this daily as well

 

[EbookReader]

4 million NEXUS 7 shipped during Q3 of 2012?

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120801PD212.html

Taiwan-based TPK Holding and Wintek will ship an estimated total of 4.0 million OGS (one glass solution) touch panels for use in Nexus 7 tablet PCs during the third quarter of 2012, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Each of the two companies shipped 500,000 such panels in June and 700,000 units in July, resulting in a cumulative total shipment volume of 2.4 million units so far, the sources pointed out.

June: 500,000
July: 700,000

shipped is not equal to sold but there seems to be some strong demand for it.

 

[Puonti]

All of the MacBooks, except the retina, have been TN. I think the iPod touch may be MVA.

I had to double-check this and you're right. I honestly can't remember when and where I got the impression that MacBook Pros were MVA and MacBook Airs TN, but I can see now I was misinformed. It's simply TN for one and low-quality TN for the other.

To revise my earlier statement then, I imagine a smaller iPad would use the same display tech as iPod Touch uses - whatever that is. As for retina-level pixel density... I'm still not convinced it would get that.

Thanks for setting me straight on the MacBook displays in any case.