From what I understand the mini has long been one of the more popular iPad due to its price point, although I've been reading that they may discontinue it after the 4 due to the size of the Plus iPhones (which seems strange in my opinion but you never know)
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iPad Mini 5?
- Thread starter slvrscoobie
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I actually know the history of the iPad mini quite well. I'm something of a fan of small tablets.
The Mini 2 was the one and only time the Mini was at complete parity with the larger model of the same generation. The Mini 4 is actually the next closest example, as the only difference between it and the then most current iPad, the Air 2, was an A8 rather than A8X. If memory serves, in single core performance the A8 isn't even that far behind the A8X.
I don't know why or how they were able to have the Mini 2 match the Air (and actually, if you want to split hairs the A7 in the Mini 2 was slightly underclocked compared to the Air, which supports my statement about smaller devices and weaker processors) but the one example of parity is the exception, not the rule. From the very start the iPad Mini was introduced with the internals of an iPad 2, at the same time when the iPad 4 launched. The Mini 3 was a full generation behind as it had no internal upgrades (now THAT was a rip-off!). A general rule of thumb in technology is that making the same thing smaller is more difficult and costly. This is (in theory) why iPhones cost so much more than iPads. Yet every Mini has been less expensive than the corresponding 9.7" model. You can't have your cake and eat it too... Except with the Mini 2 which really was an anomaly.
So given that the Minis always cost less than larger iPads and have to cram more or less the same technology into a smaller frame, no, it's not really fair to compare them. I compare Minis to the previous Minis and to other tablets in the same weight class, so to speak.
But if an iPad, is an iPad, is an iPad in your eyes, how do you feel about the fact that the newer 9.7" Pro comes with a weaker processor and half the RAM as the 12" Pro? It's as far behind its big brother at the Mini is behind it, if not more so.
"Study the history of the iPad Mini..." LOL.
Well I had to remind you the history of iPad because before this post you clearly said it's not possible to have same/close specs to the full size in Mini but now you are accepting it with a U turn,so what's the deal with "LOL" and guffy smiley?
again there have been only 4 versions of the Mini,so you saying Mini 2 was an exception but exception to just 3 other models not 100.
the point is the 1ST Mini was just an experiment to test markets reaction,so lower specs were acceptable (kind of every one raged about lack of retina display and maybe you were one of those who believed retina was not possible in original ipad Mini lol),it was a hit,so Apple made the next version on par with the full size.(best decision).
with 3RD one they basically didn't update it.but with 4 there was no reason why it should have specs of 1 year ago.maybe because they could get away with that.high margins and so on..since the iPad 3 was basically iPad 2 so there was a big gap and denand for any update..
I didn't expect them to make Mini 4 with same specs as Pro,but at least an A9 or A8x would have made it a much better value ,more future proof product than it's current form.
and about your question regarding Pro 9.7 vs Pro 12,pretty much everyone was disappointed why the 9.7 didn't come with 4GB.I hope you don't believe lack of 4GB in 9.7 is because if the thechnical limitations and heat issues of 9.7 vs 12
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Well I had to remind to the history of iPad because before this post you clearly said it's not possible to have same/close specs to the full size in Mini but now you are accepting it with a U turn,so what's the deal with "LOL" and guffy smiley?
again there have been only 4 versions of the Mini,so you saying Mini 2 was an exception but exception to just 3 other models not 100.
the point is the 1ST Mini was just an experiment to test markets reaction,so lower specs were acceptable (kind of every one raged about lack of retina display and maybe you were one of those who believed retina was not possible in original ipad Mini lol),it was a hit,so Apple made the next version on par with the full size.(best decision).
with 3RD one they basically didn't update it.but with 4 there was no reason why it should have specs of 1 year ago.maybe because they could get away with that.high margins and so on..since the iPad 3 was basically iPad 2 so there was a big gap and denand for any update..
I didn't expect them to make Mini 4 with same specs as Pro,but at least an A9 or A8x would have made it a much better value ,more future proof product than it's current form.
and about your question regarding Pro 9.7 vs Pro 12,pretty much everyone was disappointed why the 9.7 didn't come with 4GB.I hope you don't believe lack of 4GB in 9.7 is because if the thechnical limitations and heat issues of 9.7 vs 12
Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect with the "LOL", it's just that as I said I have followed the development and history or small tablets (not just the iPad Mini either) for some time, so it was unexpected and therefore funny to have someone suggest that I needed to learn about it.
I didn't need to be reminded about the Mini 2 either, but as I said, it's one example out of four. I don't know much about the engineering side of things and I don't know if you do either, so neither of us can say that because they managed to make a Mini with the internals of the corresponding full sized iPad once that they should be able to do it every time from then on. If nothing else, the tri-core A8X must draw more power than the A8, and as it is the Mini 4 has at best the same battery life (some say less) than the previous model. Honestly, I think more people would have been put off by a new Mini having notably worse battery life than by having a bit less processing power.
All I know is that miniaturization is generally more difficult and expensive, but the Mini is always less expensive than the full sized iPad, with the current exception of the Mini 4 and Air 2 being priced the same in the US, but I think that's a unique case of having to bring down the Air 2 when the Pro 9.7 came out, but not wanting to bring down the Mini 4 because it was still too new. I expect the Mini 4 to go down in price before the end of the year, regardless of whether there's a Mini 5 or not.
In any case, this all boils down to a difference in opinion. You don't feel that the Mini 4 provides good value... okay. Others feel differently. To each their own.
I'm still using my mini 2. I find the iPad mini size to be the best size for me, so I really really wish for Apple to release a new mini with pencil support.
I find a time to use a mini, but I think if I carried an iPhone Plus I wouldn't bother with my Mini. But since I like pockatability of the regular iPhone, the Mini becomes something I carry when I want more screen but don't want to have a bag.
But I don't think it will get a Pro version this year or in 2017. And I don't think I will buy a new iPad if it doesn't have pencil support.
But I don't think it will get a Pro version this year or in 2017. And I don't think I will buy a new iPad if it doesn't have pencil support.
Looking to buy a Mini soon. I wonder high likely it is that Apple will release another Mini this year?
I'd either wait until November if you have to have the latest hardware in case a new iPad mini gets announced by then, or wait for the next $100 off sale and buy the iPad mini 4.
oh well, nothing announced today
but on the positive side, no new ipads or macbooks were announced either.
but on the positive side, no new ipads or macbooks were announced either.
At least they doubled storage for the same price. I have a feeling that we won't see any changes (besides the storage changes) to the iPad lineup until Spring.
So now that the mini 4 has only two storage tiers (32 and 128), I'm even more convinced that the next mini will come with a 256gb option. Time will tell but it'd be awesome if it did.
I suspect that there may be an announcement of an iPad Pro Mini in October. If not then, March '17.
I'm thinking March is more likely. I just just feel like there will be a new Mini in 2016.
Perhaps another low key event where they introduce new Macbooks and changes to the iPad line later in the fall? I wouldn't hold my breath on any new iPads before spring as it seems like they are trying to do iPhones in the fall and iPads in the spring now...
Not sure if you're trolling or being serious, but what the heck, plenty of people say this in all seriousness, so I'll bite. See, I really don't get this argument at all. As many have pointed out here and elsewhere, the Mini and iPhone plus are pretty much as different size-wise as, say, the 9.7 and the 12.9. Saying the Plus is a suitable replacement for the mini is like saying the 9.7 is a suitable replacement for a 12.9, or that an SE is "close enough" and should replace the 6s, etc. And that's just based on size considerations. Another whole differentiation is that you can't buy a non-cellular iPhone Plus, and that alone would exclude a large segment of wifi Mini buyers. Finally, Apple's now in a position where they offer three screen size options for the iPhone and the iPad - nice and even. Clearly they don't necessarily think three screen size options is too much.
Curious what your reasoning is to back up your statement above, if you are indeed being serious.
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That's been discussed quite a lot and you'll find that many people here disagree, and the strong sales of the minis last holiday season (they actually outsold the larger sizes) suggests that there's still a market for them.
ipad mini is the low cost ipad for people that cant lay down a cool grand for the big brother. thats why they kept the 2 around, to beat up the android and amazon 8" tablets. Why buy an android for 199 when you can get an apple Mini for $299 and works with your iphones apps? Now if there is a NEW ipad mini, I bet yes, probably in Oct, which is when the mini 2 was announced.
Sorry but thats the most stupid comment ever.
People who choose Mini don't do it because uts cheaper,they choose it because they oreger the form factor.
Only a 10 year old (or someone with same brain) will think bigger=better.
I just sold my iPad Pro 9.7 and am considering a Mini 4 or waiting for a Mini 5.
I can easily afford even 12 Inch Pro but I'll take form factor and sweet spot size of Mini over awkward and heavy full size anyday.
whoa there settle down.
its the OPTION for people that cant afford a $1000 ipad. that make you feel better?
JC, calm down.
The Mini wifi only is the cheapest option for an ipad.
There are plenty of us (myself included, if you'll note my signature) that choose it for the form factor, but the reason apple keeps it around, specifically the mini 2, is it price point.
its the OPTION for people that cant afford a $1000 ipad. that make you feel better?
JC, calm down.
The Mini wifi only is the cheapest option for an ipad.
There are plenty of us (myself included, if you'll note my signature) that choose it for the form factor, but the reason apple keeps it around, specifically the mini 2, is it price point.
with prices of the Mini 4 and Air 2 being the same, your theory (preference trumping price) will be put to the test.
Please refrain from personal insults, they have no place here. Regardless, you're not entirely correct in your assertions. While many of us here, myself included, did choose the mini due to its form factor and would have chosen it even if price considerations were irrelevant, plenty of people do choose it because it's often a more cost-efficient way to get an iPad. An office I work with did just that because it was the cheapest way to get everyone an iPad, actually. Everyone speaks for themselves and there are always a plethora of reasons that go into a personal purchase - making the assumption that "everyone always/never does X" based on your own personal experiences can be quite narrow minded.
Choosing iPad Mini its about size/portability not pricing
I have budget for iPad Pro 12 inches but its way too big and heavy
I love small form factor, i even choose an Android tablet, not because of price, because at this time i thought it was the best tablet for my usage
Anyway people who choose iPad Mini or small table < 10 inches, they made their choice according their usage
Your comment is so stupid
I dont insult toward iPad Pro 12 owner either, just because we dont share same usage
I have budget for iPad Pro 12 inches but its way too big and heavy
I love small form factor, i even choose an Android tablet, not because of price, because at this time i thought it was the best tablet for my usage
Anyway people who choose iPad Mini or small table < 10 inches, they made their choice according their usage
Your comment is so stupid
I dont insult toward iPad Pro 12 owner either, just because we dont share same usage
The original iPad Mini was absolutely an attempt to grab the low price crowd. That is a fact. Do your homework. It was still a higher price than other small tablets, but Apple was started to lose market share (less top, but still the big dog) to the cheap small android tablets that everyone was putting out. It WASN'T about form factor, it was about price. The form factor gave those that could afford both the choice, but there was a large segment that didn't want to blow the money on a full sized ipad.
And I would contend that's still very much the case, even if somewhat less so than back then.
For me, personally, it's about the form factor, not the price at all, but not everyone has the same discretionary income to spend on these things.
I'm still plugging along happily with my "rMini" aka Mini2, but I'm worried that ios10 might bring it down. I'm hoping either it continues along well, or they do put out a competitive Mini5.
And I would contend that's still very much the case, even if somewhat less so than back then.
For me, personally, it's about the form factor, not the price at all, but not everyone has the same discretionary income to spend on these things.
I'm still plugging along happily with my "rMini" aka Mini2, but I'm worried that ios10 might bring it down. I'm hoping either it continues along well, or they do put out a competitive Mini5.
iPad mini is at least sticking around until the next launch of iPad Pro models. If I had to guess, the mini 2 and the lower of the two mini 4 sizes will get the axe at the next announcement. Then at the subsequent iPad launch, the last mini 4 will get discontinued without any 7.9" iPad replacement. Apple is clearly not putting the energy into the iPad mini line that they did in years past.