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iPad mini I wouldn't mind a high-quality-plastic version

Yr Blues

Yr Blues

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 14, 2008
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To get it even lighter. I tried it today and it's a bit heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.

1/2 pound Paperwhite vs 3/4 pound mini

Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.
 
AlphaDogg said:
That's because of the battery, not the aluminum casing.
Click to expand...

But the battery is so thin and small :confused:

ipad_mini-660x649.jpg
 
Yr Blues said:
But the battery is so thin and small :confused:
Click to expand...

...and dense.

The iPad mini has a battery with a capacity of 4,490 milliamp hours (mAh).

The Kindle Paperwhite has a battery with a capacity of 1,530 mAh.

This means that the iPad mini's battery is nearly 3x the size the Kindle Paperwhite's battery.
 
Yr Blues said:
To get it even lighter. I tried it today and it's a bit heavier than the Kindle Paperwhite.

1/2 pound Paperwhite vs 3/4 pound mini

Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.
Click to expand...

I saw 3 cases with big ass Galaxy Note and cracked their plastic case when it fell onto the ground.
 
Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.
 
haruhiko said:
I saw 3 cases with big ass Galaxy Note and cracked their plastic case when it fell onto the ground.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all Apple products made of glass cracks when you drop them, too.

I'm posting from a white polycarbonate MacBook. The first iMacs were plastic. iPhone 3G and 3GS were plastic.

Apple uses plastic in lots of prducts. EarPods, power bricks, etc.
 
urkel said:
Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.
Click to expand...

Sure you don't intend on owning it for more than 12-18mo, but Apple plans for it to be in service for longer than that. Also, last time Apple made a mobile device out of plastic (and offered choice in color), it didn't turn out well...

Anyone remember this?

91724_600x600-cracked-iphone.jpg


iphone-crack.jpg


whiteiphone3gstress425w.jpg


Black ones too...
crack2zu0.jpg
 
I don't mind little cracks like the ones that you posted. They're hardly noticeable.

4662257538_5fe53e669b_z.jpg
 
I didn't have any good experience about "Plastic" case, It will crack or hairline fracture easy than you think it is. Especially, people who live in tropical area, Hair Line Fraction tend to happen more!!

Also, weight of device will increase if you want strong structure as you do with Aluminum.
 
AlphaDogg said:
You aren't Apple's typical clientele. Apple's typical clientele creates websites like this one...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I just know that Apple has made many flagship products with plastic that sold in the many millions and were all wildly successful.
 
urkel said:
Apple is known for its high quality products made of the best materials, which in turn makes people anti-plastic for some reason. But to me, IF a plastic iPhone or iPad would mean a lower price then I would have no problem with it because I dont intend on keeping these products for longer than 12-18mo anyway.
Click to expand...

Last time i had my 3g and 3gs (which were plastic)! Theywere not that cheap either! :rolleyes:
 
haruhiko said:
Yes, but no matter what the back is made of the front will always be glass. (You should've shown a pic with smashed back glass :D)
Click to expand...

really doesn't matter, once you smash the front, the gadget is useless no matter what you made the product out of

but just for you

DSCN3524.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It would be even lighter if there simply was no case at all!

Everything is glued, screwed, or soldered in place anyway.
 
Yr Blues said:
Also, the mini's home-button is weird in that it's smaller than an iPhone's home-button. I wonder if they're getting us used to a major change in the future.
Click to expand...

The 9.7" iPad, iPod touch, and presumably iPod nano (I haven't tried one out yet) also have smaller home buttons. I think the iPhone's home button is just unusually large -- but personally, I like the bigger button better.
 
If they do ever do plastic casing it would probably be like what's used in the Lumia series, which is high quality polycarbonate that's milled to create the final shape, just like the aluminum is.

I don't think that would change the weight very much, aluminum is pretty light, but it could reduce costs a bit.

At this point Apple is so heavily invested in the supply chain, machinery, and processes to build custom cases out of aluminum that I doubt they will change without good reason.
 
unless you want the plastic to crack easily, it would have to be a good bit thicker than the aluminum that is currently used, which would negate any weight benefits.

Aluminum is incredibly light, and because it's metal, it can be very thin and still be strong.
 
Mak47 said:
unless you want the plastic to crack easily, it would have to be a good bit thicker than the aluminum that is currently used, which would negate any weight benefits.

Aluminum is incredibly light, and because it's metal, it can be very thin and still be strong.
Click to expand...

the kindle is a very nice plastic e-reader

i'm sure apple could make an even better plastic tablet than googlle or amazon
 
Yr Blues said:
the kindle is a very nice plastic e-reader

i'm sure apple could make an even better plastic tablet than googlle or amazon
Click to expand...

But what would be the point? It would have no effect on weight and trivial effect on cost. Doing it just to do it makes no sense.

The iPad back weighs 138 grams, or 4.8 ounces. Assuming we're at 2/3 that (possibly less) the current back weighs just over 3 ounces. What's the likely savings? 20%? That's 0.6 ounces.
 
poloponies said:
But what would be the point? It would have no effect on weight and trivial effect on cost. Doing it just to do it makes no sense.
Click to expand...

weight and cost

i'd like to see the ipad get as light as possible
 
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