I would really like a lighter and smaller iPad (yes, the iPad 3 is too heavy to hold for long periods of time), but I think I need to see it in person first to check out the quality of the display.
I would also like to know if Apple got cheap on the iPad Mini memory. I don't care about spec sheets - but if I see checkerboard scrolling and pages/tabs constantly reloading in Safari, I'll know they skimped out on memory when clearly more was needed. But, I remain hopeful.
Back on topic, I am totally spoiled with Retina. Having a Retina iPad and iPhone would probably make it more difficult switching to a non-retina iPad Mini. But, like others have said, let's hold judgment until we have them in our hands.
The one thing that bothers me is that the DPI isn't that much higher than the iPad 2, and I always hated the iPad 2 display. Aside from weak color saturation and contrast, images and some text were always noticeably fuzzy and rough around the edges. I felt this way about the iPad 2's display before the iPad 3 was released (and the iPad 3 made it more noticeable, of course).
So, DPI aside, let's hope that the iPad Mini display doesn't look anything like the iPad 2 display. Maybe it will have better color saturation, contrast, viewing angles and just enough crispness.
Those who say that they don't notice a difference between retina and non-retina displays either have less than perfect vision, or they do not have an eye for detail. Many people don't. Or, they simply aren't bothered by displays that aren't crisp or vibrant. To me, the differences are night and day and they hit me instantly without trying to look for them.
I am also wondering if users will hold the smaller and lighter iPad Mini closer to their face (like a book) without even realizing it since it will be so light and there is no longer a need to 'rest it down' somewhere, like on your chest.
