iPad mini I just returned my Mini and here is why

[Leonard1818]

You know, back when the iPad 1 and then the iPad 2 were released they were the greatest thing since sliced bread, so thin, so light, beautiful screen yada yada yada. They sold millions, not thousands, but millions. Then last year the "resolutionary" iPad comes out with a retina display. The screen has gotten even better. Now Apple, trying compete in the smaller tablet arena, comes out with the iPad Mini. The screen has the same resolution as it's iPad 2 cousin, which is still selling quite well even though there is a Retina ipad being sold along side it. Since the resolution is the same and the screen is smaller the pixels are closer together and it looks even better than it's larger counterparts so they release it with the non-retina display. It uses less power and weighs less than it's retina cousin. This will make the new mini iPad very light. So they release this brand new little iPad with it's nice screen and stuff.

Now all the Apple fanboys are crying because it doesn't have retina and that makes their eyes bleed. Oh my God how vcan I even look at that screen I can pinpoint every little pixel now. Oh my God, I'm getting a migraine looking at it. Before March of 2012 though, this screen reslution on an iPad device was like the sweetest thing since sliced bread. Now listening to them it's like the world is going to stop spinning because it's not Retina. I just don't know how I will be able to live the rest of my life now. Get over it people. The iPad mini screen is beautiful. Looking at my iPad mini and my iPad 3 (with it's resolutionary retina display) side by side with the same retina enhanced photo, and you know what - can't tell the difference. Now if I zoom in as far as it will let me then yes I can see the difference, but in it's original size, not at all. Now with the same websites up, they look the same, zoom in, they both get fuzzy.

Bottom line people is that you are all crying over the fact that the iPad mini does not have retina. There is NOTHING wrong with the display. apple will no doubt add retina next year or the following year. I absolutely love the mini and quite frankly after upgrading from the iPad 1 to the iPad 3 I couldn't tell the difference in the retina display vs the iPad. Actually took both to my local Apple store to make sure the iPad 3 was actually an iPad 3 over the 2. I won the iPad 3, and was told it was a 3, but not seeing that much of a difference between the iPad 1's screen I had to be sure it wan't a 2 because if I recall they really didn't change the outer packaging.

Just my rant. Enjoy your iPad mini's, the screen is really quite remarkable.

Scott, you're missing the point...

First, the OP isn't "crying" about the iPad mini... he/she is stating a very valid point: Apple used "old tech" (old, even for Apple) in a "new" product. They have the ability and resources to put the "good stuff" (better camera, screen, processor, memory, etc) into the mini but they didn't. It's pretty obvious why... They are milking it. They know that people will *still* buy the mini without those things. They know they'll sell X number of them on the first go-around and then they can slowly add the "better" stuff in new iterations of it to milk even more sales and profits out of it. I'm not saying it's bad from a business perspective... but it is almost insulting to customers in my opinion.

The whole concept is an excellent example of the definition of "sheeple" that Android users and anti-Apple people use.

To me, it's no surprise. I've always known that this was what Apple has done. For some features/aspects, I feel like they're not including them to ensure they're "up to par" or "polished" before putting them in... they can't afford a big mishap like most android manufacturers can as they have ONE device in each category where android manufacturers have many. If apple includes, say, NFC technology and it's not 100% securely implemented -- say there's a problem with it after release, they're done. Samsung on the other hand can incorporate it into a select few devices knowing that a) they have other devices to sell/focus on so if it doesn't fly, let it fall... and b) they'll probably release a new iteration of the device hardware very soon (sooner than apple ever would) which would help them to "brush it under the rug" so to speak.

The blatent exclusion of things such as retina display or better camera on the mini... as the OP stated... they have no excuse. They can execute such things in a much smaller device (iphone 5) so there's no reason, except the aforementioned "milking", to not include it.

A wise consumer will see this immediately and feel put off by it. This aspect is NOT good for Apple. The OP has legitimate concerns and valid points.

 

[thadoggfather]

Retina might not have been possible but they could have included A6, more RAM, better back camera (same with iPad 4),

milking is a given.

It's not like an A6 wouldn't fit in there

 

[Medic311]

Returned iPad Mini, then weighed iPad 3 refurb vs iPad 4 new

i ditched the iPad Mini 64GB LTE ($659) and went back to an iPad 3 64GB LTE refurb for $679. the extra $20 was a no-brainer. i missed the larger screen too much.

i dabbled with the idea of getting an iPad 4....i thought about what my intentions were with this iPad 3. was i intending to hold onto it for 3 years or am i buying it to use for a year and then flip when the redesigned iPad 5 comes out? most likely it will be the latter. thus i concluded that going with the iPad 3 was the better was to go. an analogy to this situation would be trying to decide to buy a used car or a brand new car if you knew you would be selling it soon. most logical people would buy the used vehicle since after 1 year of ownership it will not have depreciated from the purchase price as much as the brand new one. going back to the iPad, the $679 iPad 3 64GB LTE iPad a year from now when the iPad 5 comes out, will probably have a resale dip to $600. the iPad 4 64GB LTE on the other hand, will likely drop from $829 down to the $679 price that the refurb iPad 3 used to be at.

after having ditched the iPad Mini in my situation, after doing the simple math the iPad 3 is the better way to go vs the iPad 4

 

[Mac... nificent]

There is NOTHING wrong with the display.

That is personal preference so not for you to decide for others. The old display was good sure, but the Retina display is great. Big difference. Especially when watching high def. If you can't clearly see the difference then you don't need an iPad, you need an optometrist. Leonard1818 hit it right on the money, Apple is simply milking this for more sales, and why not? Competition is fierce. Also, chances are they won't be using the A5 with the Retina screen, so it's going to be a whole new iPad mini. And now that other manufactures are coming out with tablets that have better screens than the Retina, Apple needs to step its game up, and they will with the new iPad mini

 

[D1G1T4L]

That is personal preference so not for you to decide for others. The old display was good sure, but the Retina display is great. Big difference. Especially when watching high def. If you can't clearly see the difference then you don't need an iPad, you need an optometrist. Leonard1818 hit it right on the money, Apple is simply milking this for more sales, and why not? Competition is fierce. Also, chances are they won't be using the A5 with the Retina screen, so it's going to be a whole new iPad mini. And now that other manufactures are coming out with tablets that have better screens than the Retina, Apple needs to step its game up, and they will with the new iPad mini

That isn't a personal preference. There isn't anything wrong with the screen. Would we want a better one? SURE! But that doesn't mean there is something wrong with the one they are using. You know what you are getting when you buy it.

 

[Mac... nificent]

That isn't a personal preference. There isn't anything wrong with the screen.

There doesn't have to be anything "wrong" with it for it to still be someones personal preference not to like it.

pref·er·ence (prfr-ns, prfrns) n.
1.The selecting of someone or something over another.

2. The state of being preferred.

 

[D1G1T4L]

There doesn't have to be anything "wrong" with it for it to still be someones personal preference not to like it.

pref·er·ence (prfr-ns, prfrns) n.
1.The selecting of someone or something over another.

2. The state of being preferred.

And having a personal preference doesn't make something wrong with the display.

 

[StoneJack]

Scott, you're missing the point...

First, the OP isn't "crying" about the iPad mini... he/she is stating a very valid point: Apple used "old tech" (old, even for Apple) in a "new" product.

They have the ability and resources to put the "good stuff" (better camera, screen, processor, memory, etc) into the mini but they didn't. I

I'm not saying it's bad from a business perspective... but it is almost insulting to customers in my opinion.

The whole concept is an excellent example of the definition of "sheeple" that Android users and anti-Apple people use.

To me, it's no surprise. I've always known that this was what Apple has done. For some features/aspects, I feel like they're not including them to ensure they're "up to par" or "polished" before putting them in... they can't afford a big mishap like most android manufacturers can as they have ONE device in each category where android manufacturers have many. If apple includes, say, NFC technology and it's not 100% securely implemented -- say there's a problem with it after release, they're done. Samsung on the other hand can incorporate it into a select few devices knowing that a) they have other devices to sell/focus on so if it doesn't fly, let it fall... and b) they'll probably release a new iteration of the device hardware very soon (sooner than apple ever would) which would help them to "brush it under the rug" so to speak.

The blatent exclusion of things such as retina display or better camera on the mini... as the OP stated... they have no excuse. They can execute such things in a much smaller device (iphone 5) so there's no reason, except the aforementioned "milking", to not include it.

A wise consumer will see this immediately and feel put off by it. This aspect is NOT good for Apple. The OP has legitimate concerns and valid points.

I think you are wrong completely.

Mini is not a new product with outdated technology; its a low end variant of Apple tablets, smallest and cheapest. It is not nor was intended to be a peak of technological progress.
As a low end product, which happens to be also compact, it has trusted hardware.

It has a camera, which is a best in its own class of products.

It has very good manufacturing and is not made of plastic or whatever.

For longer battery activity, not power-hungry but efficient CPU is a must. So is the mini's CPU chip - power efficient (think of Atom) but much faster and having best graphics chip again in its class.

You just don't get it.

 

[Mac... nificent]

And having a personal preference doesn't make something wrong with the display.

I guess that depends on your definition of 'wrong'.

Maybe wrong for the application is a better way to say it.

 

[D1G1T4L]

I guess that depends on your definition of 'wrong'.

Maybe wrong for the application is a better way to say it.

Well it is all personal preference. I don't find it wrong at all. I would like a better screen, faster processor, lighter, longer battery battery life, free unlimited wireless, made from unobtainium, etc, etc but because I can't have all that doesn't make it wrong. I was upset at first about not getting a retina screen in the mini but now after using it a few days I'm satisfied with it.

 

[EMAN19]

I think you are wrong completely.

Mini is not a new product with outdated technology; its a low end variant of Apple tablets, smallest and cheapest. It is not nor was intended to be a peak of technological progress.
As a low end product, which happens to be also compact, it has trusted hardware.

Precisely. People need to understand this.

I do believe that Apple are milking it somewhat, but I think that Mini was created for a new crowd. The iPad mini got a previous non-iPad user like myself interested in Apple tablets.

 

[Ayemerica]

The iPad mini like said in a couple previous post has said is the mini is just a variant of the full size iPad, it's not meant to be a exact copy of the iPad 4. I don't understand why people are not understanding this.

 

[guitarmandp]

Paid only sixty bucks for mine and its worth way more than the sixty bucks

 

[Leonard1818]

I think you are wrong completely.

Mini is not a new product with outdated technology; its a low end variant of Apple tablets, smallest and cheapest. It is not nor was intended to be a peak of technological progress.
As a low end product, which happens to be also compact, it has trusted hardware.

It has a camera, which is a best in its own class of products.

It has very good manufacturing and is not made of plastic or whatever.

For longer battery activity, not power-hungry but efficient CPU is a must. So is the mini's CPU chip - power efficient (think of Atom) but much faster and having best graphics chip again in its class.

You just don't get it.

The irony of your post and the one that I was commenting on to begin with is that they both come from people with very similar signatures. I have a feeling my dog could create something in the backyard with a little bite-out-of-it logo and it would make it's way onto the list below your "fight to the death" defensive post (that doesn't address 1/2 of the points made by the way). I'm not saying "fanboy" but....

Defend the sub-par product release all you want. Then, go buy the next one in 6 months and come on here and talk about how revolutionary, sleek and cutting edge it is. Then maybe when you're baaaa you can baaaa, baaaaa, baaaa....

----------

I do believe that Apple are milking it somewhat.

See, even you who is a self-admitted "newbie" to apple tablets can see it for what it is...

I understand it was created to reach a different demographic and positioned at a lesser price-point than the bigger ipad... I do understand this. My point is that it's got inferior components based on what apple could have done. That to me is somewhat of a slap in the face. The "slap" will be recognized when the mini is trumped in less than a year by one that has aforementioned components.

Can you even milk a sheep?

(I have nipples greg, can you milk me? -- funniest line from meet the parents)

 

[guitarmandp]

The iPad mini is as much an iPad as it is an iPod touch.

 

[Leonard1818]

That is personal preference so not for you to decide for others. The old display was good sure, but the Retina display is great. Big difference. Especially when watching high def. If you can't clearly see the difference then you don't need an iPad, you need an optometrist. Leonard1818 hit it right on the money, Apple is simply milking this for more sales, and why not? Competition is fierce. Also, chances are they won't be using the A5 with the Retina screen, so it's going to be a whole new iPad mini. And now that other manufactures are coming out with tablets that have better screens than the Retina, Apple needs to step its game up, and they will with the new iPad mini

What's funny is that, as mentioned, I don't even blame Apple from a business perspective. It's an interesting perspective when you're in the middle of an MBA program being taught to think with that kind of mindset yet when you get home at the end of the day, you're a consumer. I see it from both angles... why does everything have to be so black and white?

You can't point things out around here without getting your apple bitten off.

 

[Awakener]

That isn't a personal preference. There isn't anything wrong with the screen. Would we want a better one? SURE! But that doesn't mean there is something wrong with the one they are using. You know what you are getting when you buy it.

There is something wrong with the screen because is has a higher ppi than iPad 2 but looks worse. Pics:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6429/ipad-mini-review/4

 

[D1G1T4L]

There is something wrong with the screen because is has a higher ppi than iPad 2 but looks worse. Pics:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6429/ipad-mini-review/4

There is nothing defective about the screen.

 

[Awakener]

Not defective just low quality in my opnion. Low resolution screens are ok, but not the Mini's.

 

[CandyNJ66]

Just exchanged my 32GB Mini for a 64GB and luckily my screen is perfectly fine just like the one I sold.

I made sure I opened it and used it before I left.

The other Mini I have seen from a friends bro in law had a strange screen. I still don't know what was up with the blur and filmy screen but real glad I didn't get one like that

 

[StoneJack]

The irony of your post and the one that I was commenting on to begin with is that they both come from people with very similar signatures. I have a feeling my dog could create something in the backyard with a little bite-out-of-it logo and it would make it's way onto the list below your "fight to the death" defensive post (that doesn't address 1/2 of the points made by the way). I'm not saying "fanboy" but....

Defend the sub-par product release all you want. Then, go buy the next one in 6 months and come on here and talk about how revolutionary, sleek and cutting edge it is. Then maybe when you're baaaa you can baaaa, baaaaa, baaaa....

----------



See, even you who is a self-admitted "newbie" to apple tablets can see it for what it is...

I understand it was created to reach a different demographic and positioned at a lesser price-point than the bigger ipad... I do understand this. My point is that it's got inferior components based on what apple could have done. That to me is somewhat of a slap in the face. The "slap" will be recognized when the mini is trumped in less than a year by one that has aforementioned components.

Can you even milk a sheep?

(I have nipples greg, can you milk me? -- funniest line from meet the parents)

I think that you didn't get my points:
it has a best CPU/graphics/battery life combination for its class of products (see any benchmarks of CPU/GPU/battery life) for its generation of minitablets.

It has a best camera for its class of products for this generation of minitablets.

It has an average screen, same as iPad2, its parent product.

It has also best OS for minitablets.

It has a best app ecosystem for minitablets.

As for engineering, I don't think that you or your dog has instruments to carve a whole curved aluminium plate with such precision as a backplate of mini neither I have.

We all know limitations of hardware. For comparison:
My beautiful Vaio X

has a slow Atom CPU, integrated Intel graphics (yikes), 64 gb of flash memory, 4 hours of battery life and resolution of 1366*768 for a 10 inch screen (far below of mini's resolution) plus Windows 7. It can't play any graphic intensive games and even Yahoo flash chess on it is dog slow (so slow that I lose usually if games are timed - so slow it is). And it costed more than 2000 US dollars. It has VGA front camera, no backside 5 mp BSI sensor camera like on mini. Mini and ipads in general have a great battery life, great graphics, absolutely fine CPU speed, abundance of executable and enjoyable software, exceeding anything I have on Windows. My iPad 3 is turbocharged with Keynote, Numbers, Pages, 3D games like FIFA 2102, Real Racing 2, plus GPS apps (good luck finding them for my Vaio), Garageband, stylus based note taking software like Notability (my favorite), scanner (JotNot) and it can print to my Samsung and Canon printers via my desktops. Everything is relative.

 

[AppleRobert]

More fuel for the topic.

Folks had an iPad 2, so why did you upgrade to a 3rd gen. Hhhmmmm!

Now you want to dump the 3, lose some money to turn it around AND go backwards with technology and get a Mini? Wow. Apple certainly has some folks right where it wants them.

And why are you even here if you did not return a Mini???

 

[D1G1T4L]

More fuel for the topic.

Folks had an iPad 2, so why did you upgrade to a 3rd gen. Hhhmmmm!

Now you want to dump the 3, lose some money to turn it around AND go backwards and get a Mini? Wow. Apple certainly has some folks right where it wants them.

And why are you even here if you did not return a Mini???

How is the mini backwards?

 

[AppleRobert]

How is the mini backwards?

Well the screen for one thing. You don't consider going to a 3rd gen back to a 2nd a backwards move? And don't tell me folks didn't go from a 2 to a 3 for a better screen.

BTW, did you return a Mini?

 

[D1G1T4L]

Well the screen for one thing. You don't consider going to a 3rd gen back to a 2nd a backwards move? And don't tell me folks didn't go from a 2 to a 3 for a better screen.

BTW, did you return a Mini?

No I returned my 4 for a mini. While the screen isn't as good as the 4 of course the form factor is much better for me. Also as far as the processor, memory, etc goes for me right now......well right now there isn't anything I can't do on my mini that I could do on my 4. Just have to figure out what is more important. Screen or size.