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Apple's iPad Mini: Thinner, Lighter and Narrower

chleuasme said:
Ok, I see. Similarly to how iPhone apps could adapt to the 16:9 rumored iPhone,
rather than a simple shrink of the whole iPad interface on 7.85", you are talking about some auto layout magic allowing apps to adapt to screens while maintaining physical sizes of elements identical?
That's close to resolution independance, and is an interesting idea. Solving the potential problem of actual iPad apps appearing too small on the mini iPad.
But then, maybe staying at the same pixel density could help (or not going lower at 163 ppi): 1600x1200@264 ppi is about 7.6"
Click to expand...

Magical, that's an interesting way to put it! But you are right, it is in a way a method for pre-determination, and I think it addresses fragmentation before it becomes an issue of Android proportions (har har).

Yeah, it's definitely an interesting problem, and I'm eager to see if and how Apple decides it's approach. Keeping the resolution at 1024x768 would be an easy fix, I agree. Hopefully we'll have answers in Sep/Oct!
 
they set the bench mark by squeezing that many pixels into the iphone4S screen. i don't see them going backwards in releasing a 'new' device with 'older' screen technology... particularly after the 'retina' macbook pro and the coming 'retina' conversion of all their macs...
 
Ryth said:
Latest leaks on 9-5 mac/gizmodo show a rear shell with a camera opening...

http://gizmodo.com/5934851/rumor-th...zel-and-look-more-like-an-iphone-than-an-ipad
Click to expand...

THANKS!

ipadminirealmaybe.jpg
 
I'm going to have to get one if it has the retina display. My 3Gs iPhone and 17" MBP are always with me but it would be handy for flights which sadly I have to do a lot. I can't justify the full size new iPad but the price point of the mini would make it a great travel toy.
 
Noiseboy said:
I'm going to have to get one if it has the retina display.
Click to expand...

Based on all the speculation, it will have a 1024x768 display, like an iPad 1 and 2. Since it's a smaller physical display, it will have higher PPI.

For reference:

iPad Mini = 164PPI
iPad1/2 = 131PPI
iPad "3" = 264PPI
 
chleuasme said:
Ok, I see. Similarly to how iPhone apps could adapt to the 16:9 rumored iPhone,
rather than a simple shrink of the whole iPad interface on 7.85", you are talking about some auto layout magic allowing apps to adapt to screens while maintaining physical sizes of elements identical?
That's close to resolution independance, and is an interesting idea. Solving the potential problem of actual iPad apps appearing too small on the mini iPad.
But then, maybe staying at the same pixel density could help (or not going lower at 163 ppi): 1600x1200@264 ppi is about 7.6"
Click to expand...

Retina apps on the alleged 16:9 iPhone 5 would run beautifully on a 7" 16:9 iPad.
 
Puonti said:
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.
Click to expand...
I actually prefer TN to the VA screens I've used. TN only has a veiwing angle problem in one axis, while VA has issues in both axes.

A couple of reasons why you can't compare the iPod touch and the iPad:
1) There are already 3 well known competitors in the 7" market that use an IPS screen. (kindle/nexus 7/nook). Apple is known to leave out functionality that competitors have, but they won't release something with significantly lower quality than the average competing products.
I can't recall a single product competing with the iPod touch.

2) There is a high end iPod touch better in every way except thickness/weight: the iPhone. There won't be a high end alternative to the 7.85" iPad that is better in every way.
 
AppleHater said:
I'm more curious about the pricing than anything else. We have to see where the mini hits between iPad and iPod Touch in pricing without invalidating iPod Touch.
Click to expand...

16g $249 Wi-Fi

32g $299 Wi-Fi

No option over 32g. You have iCloud, remember?

HSPA+/LTE unknown. :apple:

----------
Patriot24 said:
For everyone making the assumption that the device will not feature 3G/LTE:

ipad-mini-image-2.jpg


Looks like the cutout we're used to seeing for data?

Personally I think they'd be crazy to only release wi-fi models. One of the big selling points of a smaller iPad will be portability. Along with portability comes connectivity on-the-go.
Click to expand...

Way too thick. :apple:
 
divinox said:
Retina apps on the alleged 16:9 iPhone 5 would run beautifully on a 7" 16:9 iPad.
Click to expand...
no, lol
you are missing the point
the difference in size prevent from considering doing it (look at the Android world. this failed)

LYFK said:
Magical, that's an interesting way to put it!
Click to expand...
And for the sake of it, a picture to try to illustrate it:
 
Last edited:
Ryth said:
I think there could be a few scenarios that play out

A) $200 iPad Mini - No retina & no rear camera

or more likely...

B) $300 iPad Mini - Retina - Rear Camera

I think B is more likely...therefore leaving the $199 iPod Touch area open.

I just can't see Apple releasing this iOS device without Retina nor a rear camera.

$300 is still affordable and if you had a choice between a $200 plastic PoS Nexus or Kindle Fire with no Retina or Camera or iOS or iTunes...or the $300 iPad mini with all of that...it's worth the $100 extra.
Click to expand...
B scenario seems extremely likely; I guess we'll have to wait an see.
 
The Economist said:
B scenario seems extremely likely; I guess we'll have to wait an see.
Click to expand...

I just don't see them going with a Retina display this round, at least one that matches the quality of the new iPad's.

On the other hand, it'll be very interesting if they decide the pixel density is worth the image quality trade offs and use a cheaper, less power hungry TN panel for a Retina which is what they did with iPod Touch.
 
sclawis300 said:
Based on the numbers listed the ipad mini would be a little less than 5.5 inches wide. You can't cradle that in your hand? Go grab a piece of paper and fold it in half, then turn it sideways and hold it. That is 5.5 inches wide.
Click to expand...

Good point, I see what you mean, it's not that bad, although I don't know if holding it like that would be comfortable for reading hours at a time with. <insert "You're holding it wrong" joke here>
 
fertilized-egg said:
Since Retina will probably be out of question, I'd guess it won't have A5X either, just A5 shared with the (new-ish) iPad 2, which should still be more than competitive. The 64GB version should be there, I'd think.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you on everything....except the 64gb model. The point of this device would be mostly to put in a market that many people think is one of the best medians in the mobile industry. that being said it needs to be competitive with other tablets in that market, and by that it has to match the price. i see a 16gb baseline at $200-$250 then a 32 at $300-$350, and possibly a 4G model at $330-$380, and $430-$480. that makes the perfect iPad line up
Wifi only: ~250, ~350, 400, 500, 600, and 700 with the first 2 being 7 inch, the 3rd being the iPad 2, and the final 3 being the 3rd gen iPad
4G versions would come in at: ~380, ~480, 530, 630, 730, and 830 with the same system
 
let's be honest, anything lighter than the current iPad door stopper would be fantastic.
 
topper24hours said:
Really, the VERY SAME people...? Sounds totally suspect. Please post links to these mysterious people's comments from a month ago ridiculing your Nexus' size & from today saying they've changed their minds. Or S_T_F_U if you are actually a troll that pulled that lie out of your ass.
Click to expand...

Erm, it was a comment from a discussion in real life. There is no link to post, no comment to reference.

Pull that out of your ass.
 
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