Design Drawings Purportedly Show Exact Dimensions of Smaller, Thinner iPad 5

[MacRumors]

Rumors of a narrower and thinner design for the fifth-generation iPad have been circulating for a number of months now, with Apple reportedly taking some design cues from the iPad mini in redesigning the full-size iPad with narrower side bezels, a thinner shell, and more rounded curves.

As long ago as last December, rumors indicated that the new iPad would shave off 4 mm in height, 17 mm in width, and 2 mm in thickness compared to the current design, and based on those rumors and leaked rear shell photos, we created renderings of what the device might look like fully assembled. A number of photo leaks of the rear shell and front panel of the device have continued to support the claims of the iPad mini-inspired redesign.

A case maker's design drawings have now been provided to AppleInsider showing the expected exact dimensions of the fifth-generation iPad. According to the drawings, the next iPad will measure 7.5 mm thick, a full 2 mm thinner than the current iPad and 0.3 mm thicker than the iPad mini.

The new iPad will only shave a little more than 1 mm off of the height of the current iPad, but the much narrower side bezels will reduce the width of the device by over 16 mm or nearly 9%.

Similar design drawings surfaced for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, and while they were nearly spot on in several of their measurements, it should be noted that those drawing had pegged the iPhone 5c as being 8.5 mm thick while the official thickness according to Apple is 8.97 mm, indicating that these design drawings are not always perfect.

Article Link: Design Drawings Purportedly Show Exact Dimensions of Smaller, Thinner iPad 5

 

[GenesisST]

IMHO, less is good, but it still needs a bit of bezel. This sounds right.

 

[Zmmyt]

i'm ready for my first iPad!

 

[Quercus Alba]

Will it be as thin and light as my svelte iPad 2, though?

 

[Chumburro2U]

cool

Only time where smaller and thinner is actually a good thing.

 

[Medic311]

if they are going to make the bezel that thin, i hope they substantially reduce the weight. it will make it actually more cumbersome to hold without a decent grip point

at least with the heavy iPad 3/4, there is a thick bezel to hold the thing

 

[Derekeys]

Thinner and lighter is awesome, but I'd keep it at the current thickness and weight if that meant longer battery. But maybe I'm a little more function over form. But cmon, quick poll: Who would rather a better battery than a thinner design?

 

[Mr Bigs]

I would rather a larger screen to fill in the bezel !!!!

 

[CreepingDeath]

Marvellous! Now... Does it come in gold?

 

[HM Apple]

Looks like my IPad 3 is about to be replaced with a new IPad 5. Can not wait for keynote and ordering hopefully next month.

 

[RightMACatU]

Llllove it!
But a Retina Mini would probably do it for me.

 

[D.T.]

Will it be as thin and light as my svelte iPad 2, though?

Well, if it is 7.5mm, then it will be _thinner_ than your 8.8mm thick iPad 2.

Weight is an interesting question, iPad 2 is 1.35lbs the iPad 4 added a touch at 1.46lbs (so 0.11 lbs difference). My guess is the 5th gen is a few tenths lighter than the 2,3 and 4.

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

It was more than thin enough already, I'd rather have it twice as thick with twice the battery life.

 

[Rocketman]

Now that decent power management has arrived in a package small enough for a Pad, they can finally dispense with the enlarged handles to facilitate a massive battery.

Buy.

 

[Dan--]

the new iPad would shave off 4 mm in height, 17 mm in width, and 2 mm in thickness.

Umm, for height... 241.30-241 = 1.3mm

 

[FelixAng]

...and then, in the course of about 1-2 hours, the iPad 4 looks like a device from the past. I've noticed, Apple tends to use the Mini for marketing props ever since Sept. 10. It's pretty clear the old iPad will really seem old, heavy, and bezel-fat almost immediately. Just as the iPhone 4 made the 3GS look like a soap bar.

 

[webbuzz]

Umm... 9.55mm - 7.50mm = 2.05mm. Or a little over 2mm off the height.

Your measurement is for depth.

 

[Rogifan]

Thinner and lighter is awesome, but I'd keep it at the current thickness and weight if that meant longer battery. But maybe I'm a little more function over form. But cmon, quick poll: Who would rather a better battery than a thinner design?

I use my iPad for reading so will welcome a hopefully lighter device.

 

[eastamherstbias]

It was more than thin enough already, I'd rather have it twice as thick with twice the battery life.

you say that now but you don't mean it. If it gets heavy every one complains about holding fatigue. It only needs to have a battery life of 10-18 hours to be successful.

 

[ominx]

Umm... 9.55mm - 7.50mm = 2.05mm. Or a little over 2mm off the height.

Height ≠ Depth (thick)

 

[troop231]

How much smaller in volume is it in %? I'm sure Apple will throw this out at the media event next month.

Edit: 28.75 % smaller in volume compared to the 4th generation iPad (calculations should be close) That's an incredible reduction!

 

[macchiato2009]

ipad's thickness is less an issue than its weight

 

[AngerDanger]

Hey, as long as they start selling iPads in this lovely desaturated grape color, I'll be a happy camper.

 

[decimortis]

Fake. Who the hell wants a purple iPad?

D.

 

[murrayE]

Size of display the same?

Is the implication that the display area is still the same size -- that just the bezel is shrinking?