First Photos of the iPad 5 Rear Shell Show a Significantly Smaller Enclosure

[rtr1985]

People have already made a full size mock up though.

I mean do you think Apple is going to release ipad 5 as heavy and the same design as the last few?

It's 99% certain almost ipad will look like this. Real or fake it won't be long until Apple announce one and we can all buy it. My prediction is March. We seen Iphone 5 parts a few months before launch. October will be all about Iphone.

iPhone 5 leaks started 5 months before launch

New iPhone chip ---> new iPad chip

For example:
iPhone 5 A6 ----> ipad 4 A6X

 

[Koodauw]

Any one else think the iPad 2 was the best? Its not heavy like the 3rd and 4th gens, and just feels perfect in your hand. The side bezel is the perfect width for my thumb. Maybe its just me.

 

[SONiC5]

Nice, I love the look and smaller size.

I'm not really a fan of the current design. I find the 1st Gen iPad to be more aesthetically pleasing, although this leak has the 1st Gen beat.

 

[tekstud]

Any one else think the iPad 2 was the best? Its not heavy like the 3rd and 4th gens, and just feels perfect in your hand. The side bezel is the perfect width for my thumb. Maybe its just me.

With the exception of its camera, I would say yes.

 

[rtr1985]

Honestly, if you think an iPad is heavy, you need to lift some weights and eat some protein.

 

[travisbrowning]

Looks great! I think Apple was pretty shocked at how well the mini was doing.

 

[mrsir2009]

Finally getting rid of that massive bezel, aye?

 

[iMichael!]

Alright, wheres the iPM2 leaks?

 

[TM WAZZA]

Finally getting rid of that massive bezel, aye?

I want this in March!!

 

[unknownapple]

iPad 5 font looks blurred.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

I'll stick with my 4th generation iPad, because it does everything I need it to do at blazing speed.


Oh, and IT'S PAID FOR!

 

[3N16MA]

This is a change I can get behind.

 

[2298754]

If it's really that much smaller and maintains the 9.7inch screen, I'm in for the next-gen iPad. I've been tempted by the Mini by its thin bezels and such, but have been reluctant. The smaller 10inch looks awesome.

 

[LeoCastillo]

Any one else think the iPad 2 was the best? Its not heavy like the 3rd and 4th gens, and just feels perfect in your hand. The side bezel is the perfect width for my thumb. Maybe its just me.

For big iPads the Retina Display is truly awesome, so no, I won't go for iPad 2. If size and weight was the issue, I would say go with iPad mini. Excellent device.

Leo

 

[iMikeT]

Gimme gimme gimme!

I was looking forward to buying a 13" Retina MacBook Pro for a portable but I now have the difficult choice between one of these and the MacBook Pro. Damn first world problems!

 

[currentinterest]

If a March release, it will use A6X and we will see an update to A7X in October. The choice will be redesign in March or more powerful in October. Buy in March, have new form factor for a year; buy in October, have performance increase for a year. This will be a fair and nice upgrade cycle.

I will upgrade immediately from my iPad 3 gen if available in March. Thin and light very important to me.

 

[scupking]

This looks awesome!!! Can't wait to see one! I may sell my mini for one.

 

[Karma*Police]

This rumor makes a lot of sense and if it turns out to be true, I will be buying one... two, if the next mini isn't retina.

 

[retroneo]

The only thing that I think could distinguish this as fake is the microphone hole on the back of the cellular antenna, instead of on the top like every other iPad to date.

The new beamforming microphone setup they are rolling out on iOS devices and Macs requires at least two microphones.

If a March release, it will use A6X and we will see an update to A7X in October.

There is also the likelihood of a 28nm die shrink of the A6X. The 28nm A6X could also be multi-sourced from Samsung as well as another fab.

 

[mavis]

Why would apple stay with the same style of paint job like on the iPhone that has received so many complaints of chipping and silver showing through?

Maybe because it's not as big an issue as some might have you believe.

 

[rtr1985]

If a March release, it will use A6X and we will see an update to A7X in October. The choice will be redesign in March or more powerful in October. Buy in March, have new form factor for a year; buy in October, have performance increase for a year. This will be a fair and nice upgrade cycle.

I will upgrade immediately from my iPad 3 gen if available in March. Thin and light very important to me.

Has Apple ever released a new iOS device iteration (besides iPods) without upgrading the chip?

That scenario will be iPad 3 and iPad 4 fiasco all over again.

 

[osaga]

People are surprisingly upbeat about this one... where are all the posts about lack of innovation?

Couldn't they make an ipad with no bezel? And use software or some sort of dead zone to detect thumbs?

 

[LastName]

Not sure about the residual masking tape.
Probably would've gone for a more industrial binding process.

Seems very un-Apple.

From the look of it, that's only on the cellular-enabled versions. Guess I'll be getting the wifi and just hope it stays together.

 

[raptorstv]

I want both of them NOW!

 

[DaveN]

I have the iPad 1 and the mini. They each serve their purpose and both are growing strong. The iPad 1 is great at home and is on the coffee table. I actually like the wider border from a practical standpoint because my shirt and fingers don't interfere with the display. It still holds a charge well and runs everything I want.

The mini is my travel ipad and I use it as a large gps machine in my vehicle when going on vacation. It is easy to hold in one hand and is ultra portable. I do find that on occasion I need to readjust my hand holding it because my thumb or shirt will interfere with the screen (either in visibility or the touch sensing).

So, IMHO, it does look like Apple will have another great iteration of their product.