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Do you want a smaller iPad version?

  • Yes

    Votes: 26 12.5%
  • No

    Votes: 169 81.3%
  • no opinion

    Votes: 13 6.3%

  • Total voters
    208
  • Poll closed .
What can you do with 8 inches you can't do better with 10?

TheOffice-ThatsWhatSheSaid-Michael.jpg
 
the roaring sales of Samsung's 7" galaxy Tab.

It is not an Apple device.

Plus the fact Android was not optimized for the 7.1, so it worked poorly.

Well, there probably is a market. Its just not a very big one.

More to the point, adding a third-sized screen to the iOS universe of products (I'm not really counting the cute little Nano) makes things complicated for developers, web site designers, Apple logisticians, and - most importantly - customers.

Apple tried the "tweener" size device before. The Newton, which didn't turn out so well.

<snip>

Apple seems to understand this. Their products, within each category, seem easy to understand, with clear demarcations as to the capabilities and features of each.

Adding a third sized screen into the iOS universe would definitely increase consumer choice. But it would end up confusing and depressing a lot of people too. No 7" or 8" devices will be gracing Apple shelves.

Too many choices is a point, but falls flat when you see how many versions of MacBook (all of them) their is.

And the Newton example is simply wrong. It failed because it was:
1. Too expensive
2. Too big
3. Used too much power
4. Palm pilot could fit in pocket, and lasted almost 2 months on 2x AAA batteries.

I really don't see the need for one but it fills a current display size gap in the whole iPod, iOS and Mac range. Let me explain:

iPod
Shuffle (No screen)
Nano (1,5")
Classic (2.5")
Touch (3.5")

iPhone
iPhone 3Gs (3.5")
iPhone 4 (3.5")
iPhone 5 (3.7"?)

Gap

iPad
iPad 2 (9,7")

Mac
Macbook Air (11")
Macbook Air (13")
Macbook Pro (13")
Macbook Pro (15")
Macbook Pro (17")

You forgot the plain MacBook, but yes, apple has a LOT of choices.
IMHO, apple should discontinue the MacBook line, have the 13" Pro take its place.


The #1 purchaser of Netbooks was women,
who wanted something smaller and lighter to carry around. While the iPad is lighter then most netbooks, it still has a larger footprint then netbooks.
Make a 7~8" iPad that will fit in most women's handbags, and you have a good customer base.
 
I don't think there is a market for a 7-8 inch ipad, but I do think there is a market for a 5-6 inch ipod touch.

And I think they will eventually bring that to market.


What about this?
(pardon for huge size, want to make sure people read it)


6.5~7.5" iPad
1024x768 resolution Retina Display
0.75 lb weight (85% lighter then iPad 1)

More features then current iPad2 (see my first post), lighter, but with 1/2 the battery time compared.
It will still have more use time then iPod Touch 4G
 
The #1 purchaser of Netbooks was women,
who wanted something smaller and lighter to carry around. While the iPad is lighter then most netbooks, it still has a larger footprint then netbooks.
Make a 7~8" iPad that will fit in most women's handbags, and you have a good customer base.

All the women I know who own iPads (there are many, including my wife) love the format, especially for typing. Also based on my experience, the "fit into a handbag" argument is trumped by the "I can get a cool cover/case for my new toy" argument. My wife never carries a purse large enough for even a 7" device. More often than not her iPad is carried separately or in a second bag with her workout clothes or other items.
 
Cant wait to get my hands on the galaxy tab 8.9 :D . So I can use my ipad at home and my tab on the go...
 
I think the 6" - 8" device market has already taken off: Its composed of the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook. And I think Apple is more than happy to let those companies compete in that particular market space. And while its true that the "dedicated e-reader" is likely to have some e-mail and web-browsing capability, it is unlikely to ever approach the sort of capabilities and pwoer of a device like the iPad.

Its also important to remember that Apple simply isn't a "market follower." Thats not the way Apple is able to achieve the kind of margins it does. Apple didn't jump into the MP3 player market because other companies were doing so well. It started making iPod's because it believed it could do something previous makers couldn't. Ditto with smartphones.

I agree. :)
 
I want a larger model, lets say 14" screen. the same physical size as a typical average laptop screen.

I know, given the choice a LOT of people would buy a larger screen model. Some won't want it, but a LOT of people would go for the larger model for games, movies and such things.

Unfortunately I feel Apple will never make it.
 
What can you do with 8 inches you can't do better with 10?

hold with one hand (lighter and smaller)
type with your thums

I'm 100% with the OP. 8" devices are the sweetspot for me.
I also prefer it to be 2:3 or 3:4 aspect ratio. The current 7" tablets have widescreen which is much to narrow in portrait, and much to low in landscape.

There's a Vizio 8" and Archos 8" coming...

there is general concensus 7" is too small. But a high-res 768x1024 8" device is really a sweet spot for me, the OP, and no doubt many others!
 
Apple can't make a custom tablet for each person in the planet. If tomorrow they release a 8'' tablet, someone will say that they need a 7.5'' tablet instead.
 
Apple will make you an 8" iPad as soon as their sales of the current iPad start to lose ground to all the 8" competitors. In other words, not for a decade or so.
 
Apple can't make a custom tablet for each person in the planet. If tomorrow they release a 8'' tablet, someone will say that they need a 7.5'' tablet instead.

No, they just need to do the same as they do with their MacBooks

Three sizes please. 7 or 8", 10" as they have now, and 13 or 14"

Three sizes, and the customer can select which one they prefer. I'm sure the person on the move would like a slightly smaller model, esp if easier to hold with 1 hand securely, leaving one hand free to do other things.

The person who wants it mainly for games and movies at home would like a more relaxing larger screen.

And the current size for those not sure, or just want a compromise.
 
13-14" would be huge. it certainly would be rather difficult and uncomfortable to hold using one hand...iow a rather niche product and probably not enough selling potential to make worth the effort at current component price points.

as for an 8" model...with current lithium cell technology, we looking at probably at least a 25% reduction in battery life over the 10" model assuming the same thinness in the smaller size factor. imo that would lessen the attractiveness of that model for a segment of the market. [it would for me].

we may eventually get some convergence between the two sizes eventually (esp if a higher resolution screen comes out), but i don't see a convergence happening until the ipad4 (2013) at the earliest.

Three sizes please. 7 or 8", 10" as they have now, and 13 or 14"
 
13-14" would be huge. it certainly would be rather difficult and uncomfortable to hold using one hand...iow a rather niche product and probably not enough selling potential to make worth the effort at current component price points.

as for an 8" model...with current lithium cell technology, we looking at probably at least a 25% reduction in battery life over the 10" model assuming the same thinness in the smaller size factor. imo that would lessen the attractiveness of that model for a segment of the market. [it would for me].

we may eventually get some convergence between the two sizes eventually (esp if a higher resolution screen comes out), but i don't see a convergence happening until the ipad4 (2013) at the earliest.

Funny as I don't recall anyone saying that your typical laptops people have, the 13" to 14" models are HUGE, if anything people would say they are on the small size. It's only when you get 17" laptops that people start saying they are big.

And I'm not considering holding a 13" or 14" model by the corner with one hand. that's not what a larger model would be for.
Resting on your lap to watch a film, or sitting on a stand to read the paper.

I'd just like to see a choice and I know, and would bet money on it, that a 13" to 14" model would sell to those who like using tablets for entertainment purposes.
 
a 13" 4:3 display tablet is quite large esp when considering typical tablets are used in much closer proximity to the face than laptops.

the tablet market still in a fledging state is some ways...hardware considerations continues to be a primary factor in areas of performance, price point, display technology, wireless speed, etc. not to mention that there is still a pretty broad line in the sand between tablets and laptops as far as software - apps and cross compatibility.

in short, it's going to take some time before there is a significant mainstream demand by consumers for a large tablet.

Funny as I don't recall anyone saying that your typical laptops people have, the 13" to 14" models are HUGE, if anything people would say they are on the small size. It's only when you get 17" laptops that people start saying they are big.

And I'm not considering holding a 13" or 14" model by the corner with one hand. that's not what a larger model would be for.
Resting on your lap to watch a film, or sitting on a stand to read the paper.

I'd just like to see a choice and I know, and would bet money on it, that a 13" to 14" model would sell to those who like using tablets for entertainment purposes.
 
a 13" 4:3 display tablet is quite large esp when considering typical tablets are used in much closer proximity to the face than laptops.

the tablet market still in a fledging state is some ways...hardware considerations continues to be a primary factor in areas of performance, price point, display technology, wireless speed, etc. not to mention that there is still a pretty broad line in the sand between tablets and laptops as far as software - apps and cross compatibility.

in short, it's going to take some time before there is a significant mainstream demand by consumers for a large tablet.

Oh yes, I agree it's going to take some time for tablets to get to a point where people are looking at ways to make their model different, and perhaps various sizes get being offered.

It depends on the individual I guess.
I've never liked small screens in anything.

Years and years ago I went straight for the largest CRT TV that was generally available in stores at the time, and paid a high premium for it.

My 1st LCD Monitor was a 20" 1600x1200 dell IPS model which I still have now and was GIANT compared to what most people had and was very expensive also.

I then jumped directly to a 24" screen and would never consider anything smaller, only a move to a 27" would be my next step.

I once had a 14" laptop and hated it, as I considered the screen tiny and sold it, I would never NEVER EVER buy another laptop unless it was a 17" model.

I just love large screens, and always have :)

Which is why, if they make a 13" or 14" iPad I would instantly buy it.
 
Apple can't make a custom tablet for each person in the planet. If tomorrow they release a 8'' tablet, someone will say that they need a 7.5'' tablet instead.

That is absurd statement.

The very fact the 10" iPad is actually 9.7" shows they will find sweet-spots for size, so they will not stay fixed to a particular size.

As mentioned before, the Kindle and Nook are smaller and lighter and popular despite its very limited function. An iPad of similar size would do very well.


Honestly, I think most posters are not looking past success of iPad.
Consider the typical paperback book is less then 8" diagonal
In Japan their books (include extremely popular Manga) range from 8" to 9"

iPad with its 11" diagonal size approaches that of magazines.

Society is taught to expect books are smaller then the iPad, with school text books and magazines being larger. Any wonder why Kindle and Nook are about the size of paperback books?

Bottom line, their is a natural societal predisposition to using smaller media to interact with


Apple also has a history of making things smaller, to get that right fit for the function.


On a side note, when the first iPod came out (5GB spin wheel), the majority of posters in MacRumors blasted it as a useless device for way too much money ($499).
 
Gentlemen, its not the size that matters. It is how you use it that counts.

....

Until you get into bed... then you have to change your game plan. giggiddy
 
i like my TVs big but not necessarily so with computing stuff.

all my laptops since 2004 have been 12" thinkpad ultraportables [FYI, to the 'uninitiated', ultraportables are not netbooks]. i don't game so the primary things that i look for in a laptop are superior build quality, bios/driver support, battery life, and weight.

my primary computer is still a desktop, but i prefer 4:3 displays over the 16:10 & 16:9 LCDs which most people use. i've found that an 18" display running 1280x1024 is my sweet spot, and i have three on my primary rig.

i've found larger displays, like the ones you prefer to be less useful for my usage pattern because i run most of my apps in a windowed view (non-maximized). when i need to see more, i'll maximize but maximizng an app on a 24" display is overkill for most stuff (xcept for wide spreadsheets, etc).


I've never liked small screens in anything.

Years and years ago I went straight for the largest CRT TV that was generally available in stores at the time, and paid a high premium for it.

My 1st LCD Monitor was a 20" 1600x1200 dell IPS model which I still have now and was GIANT compared to what most people had and was very expensive also.

I then jumped directly to a 24" screen and would never consider anything smaller, only a move to a 27" would be my next step.

I once had a 14" laptop and hated it, as I considered the screen tiny and sold it, I would never NEVER EVER buy another laptop unless it was a 17" model.
 
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i think it all depends on what you use your ipad for.

as an ebook reader, a 6-8" tablet is fine. i don't know if i would want to watch a movie or two on such a small size screen though. the larger screen is one of the reasons why i bought an ipad over a smaller tablet such as the nook color.


>>their is a natural societal predisposition to using smaller media to interact withand

what evidence do you have to support that claim, not to mention that it's a very broad generalization.

people are willing to have smaller media for portability and mobility purposes, they might make a different choice if it were for something else, eg. i wouldn't want to use an ipad larger than 10", but i certainly would pick something in a larger screen for a laptop and most certainly for a desktop.


That is absurd statement.

The very fact the 10" iPad is actually 9.7" shows they will find sweet-spots for size, so they will not stay fixed to a particular size.

As mentioned before, the Kindle and Nook are smaller and lighter and popular despite its very limited function. An iPad of similar size would do very well.


Honestly, I think most posters are not looking past success of iPad.
Consider the typical paperback book is less then 8" diagonal
In Japan their books (include extremely popular Manga) range from 8" to 9"

iPad with its 11" diagonal size approaches that of magazines.

Society is taught to expect books are smaller then the iPad, with school text books and magazines being larger. Any wonder why Kindle and Nook are about the size of paperback books?

Bottom line, their is a natural societal predisposition to using smaller media to interact with


Apple also has a history of making things smaller, to get that right fit for the function.


On a side note, when the first iPod came out (5GB spin wheel), the majority of posters in MacRumors blasted it as a useless device for way too much money ($499).
 
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