Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Component Supplier Predicts Shipments of 45 Million iPads in 2011, Speculation on Smaller Model
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i really love my 9.7inch ipad, but since i really adore everything apple invents i will probably buy one and keep it in teh closet
So the supplier expects sales to keep up huh? They also expect to get orders for different dimensions huh? Considering Apple old sold 3 million yet ordered 13 million, looks like it might be a while before we see any new ipads, let alone resizing. They still gotta sell another 10 million of them, and don't have a product launch to help boost sales. I wouldn't put too much in the speculations and expectations of the supplier...
I am pretty sure we can reliably know that a 7" screen with those specs doesn't exist. Not to mention the GPU power to control something that hi res has only recently been available in laptops.
Yup - I had the same experience. The current size certainly hits the sweet spot of being big enough to read books and web pages comfortably, while still being small enough to carry around easily. And no, I don't find it too heavy!
It's quite possible (and maybe even likely) that Apple will introduce a smaller version of the device next year - but I highly doubt it will have a Retina display...
RTP.
I agree, this is where pricing becomes tricky. I am not an expert, but most consumers think bigger is better and if you start crossing the line of 7" and 9.7" for the same price, I bet most will take the higher road. Just a guess from my side.
Actually, as I posted earlier, it does.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/hitachis-6-6-inch-302ppi-ips-panel-gets-eyes-on-treatment-lo/
Yeah, I just carry my iMac
Yeah...those office wusses. I just pop my Quad Core iMac in my carry bag and go. I mean, one power cable, keyboard and magic pad and I'm good. If I'm going to carry a laptop bag over my shoulder, I may as well just lug my iMac carrier around instead.
Dude, get a clue. If you travelled much you'd understand.
Yeah...those office wusses. I just pop my Quad Core iMac in my carry bag and go. I mean, one power cable, keyboard and magic pad and I'm good. If I'm going to carry a laptop bag over my shoulder, I may as well just lug my iMac carrier around instead.
Dude, get a clue. If you travelled much you'd understand.
Giving us ... full 1080p HDTV! Huge selling point, despite the inevitable "you can't see that well" naysaying. That was my pet theory during the iPad rumor stage, and I'd be happy to see it become reality soon.
And yes, I can see the pixels, and yes it irritates me a bit. There is a stark difference between regular and "retina" displays.
As for "but that would mean another resolution!": hey, it's 2010, application developers got used to variable screen sizes long ago for other platforms - the iOS crowd can catch up already (as Apple has been suggesting). Not a big deal.
Agreed though that ANY port will be added to the iP* platform. Apple is headed full-on toward the cloud model. When Jobs decides a technology is passe, it goes. If you need a physical port, you're missing the point. (And yes I'm sitting here thinking about how annoying it will be to transfer a pile of .PDF books to my iPad - but once I do it, it's done.)
New supplier?
I was wondering when MR was going to mention the Engadget article.
There are only two companies making "IPS" panels in this size range, LG and Hitachi (thanks, Master Chief). This is a tech that Jobs made a point to call out during the introduction; the iPad and iP4 both use LG panels.
There were rumors of a second panel supplier coming online to help ease the iPad shortage, but nothing was ever proven.
This new panel (from Hitachi) is very intriguing, as it: fits earlier 7-inch rumors; it is in the correct aspect ratio for an iPad (unlike many Android tablet screens); it would be a Retina display without matching the iP4 ppi exactly; it represents a product from the only reasonable second supplier for displays.
As for whether a 7" iPad is coming, I hope so. A 7" iPad would have external dimensions roughly equal to a Kindle. This size is perfect for eBooks, easier to type on (without resorting to laying the iPad down or using an external keyboard), great for games. I selfishly want one because the current 9.7" iPad won't fit in the pocket of my white coat - and this would be amazing in the hospital.
If Apple drops the WiFi-only iPad, there's room in the pricing structure for a smaller iPad without crushing margins (the new aTV proves that Apple can build a screenless/batteryless iPad for under $100 with minimal flash).
I was wondering when MR was going to mention the Engadget article.
There are only two companies making "IPS" panels in this size range, LG and Hitachi (thanks, Master Chief). This is a tech that Jobs made a point to call out during the introduction; the iPad and iP4 both use LG panels.
There were rumors of a second panel supplier coming online to help ease the iPad shortage, but nothing was ever proven.
This new panel (from Hitachi) is very intriguing, as it: fits earlier 7-inch rumors; it is in the correct aspect ratio for an iPad (unlike many Android tablet screens); it would be a Retina display without matching the iP4 ppi exactly; it represents a product from the only reasonable second supplier for displays.
As for whether a 7" iPad is coming, I hope so. A 7" iPad would have external dimensions roughly equal to a Kindle. This size is perfect for eBooks, easier to type on (without resorting to laying the iPad down or using an external keyboard), great for games. I selfishly want one because the current 9.7" iPad won't fit in the pocket of my white coat - and this would be amazing in the hospital.
If Apple drops the WiFi-only iPad, there's room in the pricing structure for a smaller iPad without crushing margins (the new aTV proves that Apple can build a screenless/batteryless iPad for under $100 with minimal flash).
With the unavoidable service plan commitment, it is: $100, less if you wait for specials. (OK, so it's under the hood, but small != cheap.)
That's what most people thought pre-iPhone 4.
Most of us were blindsided by "retina" resolution.
So...
Am I getting this wrong or are they now talking about a 7" version that t
Replaces the 9.7" instead of an additional modell?I find my self having a hard time believing this.
The 9.7" is the perfect size IMO and apple won'ty give this market segment up. And if the smaller version gets retina resolution it's very likely that the resolution of the bigger model gets upgraded as well at least to the same resolution. If the iPad gets retina display apple nerds to give this device a faster CPU and gpu. I hope this wont have a negative effect on the battery life. Also, apple should five that bastard more RAM, even the iPhone 4 has twice the amount of ram which I can definitely notice while surfing and having several tabs open.
Am I getting this wrong or are they now talking about a 7" version that t
Replaces the 9.7" instead of an additional modell?I find my self having a hard time believing this.
The 9.7" is the perfect size IMO and apple won'ty give this market segment up. And if the smaller version gets retina resolution it's very likely that the resolution of the bigger model gets upgraded as well at least to the same resolution. If the iPad gets retina display apple nerds to give this device a faster CPU and gpu. I hope this wont have a negative effect on the battery life. Also, apple should five that bastard more RAM, even the iPhone 4 has twice the amount of ram which I can definitely notice while surfing and having several tabs open.
Looking at S Jobs lately, I can't imagine he's "hit the gym". Enough of this macho nonsense, thanks.
If the 7" happens, it will be a complimentary device rather than a replacement model.
RTP.
The issue isn't lugging it around when you have to.
The issue is lugging it around when you don't, and finding you can use a 1.5lb device on a whim where you can't with a 6lb device.
Checking email when wandering down the hall?
Taking notes during an impromptu meeting?
Checking the weather or map when you get in the car?
Reading a book during lunch?
You're not going to use a six-pound clamshell for that.
The iPad has an ~11-hour battery life because people use it that much where they would never use a notebook that often.
6lb notebook: "haul", "set up"
1.5lb tablet: anywhere anytime
And yes, hauling around 4x the weight necessary IS annoying.
current ipad is great, albeit unavailable for us in south africa, a smaller version would be greater for some folks like me, retina display?, no way, doesn't need it
aapl probably will introduce a smaller form factor than the current ipad
f
personally the current ipad weight factor is no problem for me- it's about better traveling portability....
Answer
Because Apple's customer survey data tells them a smaller form factor will be desirable. They don't blindly decide on things like this. They have evidence to support it.
Because Apple's customer survey data tells them a smaller form factor will be desirable. They don't blindly decide on things like this. They have evidence to support it.
I think there is an agreement that the iPad is heavy, but there's a disconnect between the solutions for that. Most seem to think the solution is a smaller iPad, such as 7inches, but that's not necessarily the case. Apple could just strive to make the 9.7inch lighter. They don't necessarily need to compromise on screen-estate for weight.