If that's you view then fair enough, that is an opinion and one that I can appreciate. However I still think his comment was off topic trolling, he was going on about the Galaxy S3 and other devices in a thread about queues outside Apple stores. Now don't get me wrong I think the actual facts contained within his post have some merit but not in this thread and not presented in the manner he did. He even goaded other users to flame him at the end of his post. This is why I called him on that, if posts like that take over the thread it becomes useless to those of us who what to discus the article rather than just having my gadgets are better than yours flame wars.
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iPad Mini Launch Attracting Shorter Lines on Launch Day
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If that's you view then fair enough, that is an opinion and one that I can appreciate. However I still think his comment was off topic trolling, he was going on about the Galaxy S3 and other devices in a thread about queues outside Apple stores. Now don't get me wrong I think the actual facts contained within his post have some merit but not in this thread and not presented in the manner he did. He even goaded other users to flame him at the end of his post. This is why I called him on that, if posts like that take over the thread it becomes useless to those of us who what to discus the article rather than just having my gadgets are better than yours flame wars.
Rubbish. Sorry but that line of 'reasoning' just doesn't make sense. It's not about the screen itself it's about the SoC needed to run it and the battery pack needed to power both. The 4th gen iPad with the A6X still has a 43Whr battery pack while the iPad Mini has a 16.5Whr unit. Yes there may be a bit of power saving possible with a smaller screen and clocking the processor slower but nowhere near enough to make that sort of saving.
The simple fact is right now, with the technology currently available and the physical limitations of the iPad Mini form factor, there seems to be no way to deliver a retina display to match the iPad while retaining the speed and battery life that Apple want. That will, of course, change over time but let's not forget even the 4th Gen iPad is a compromised design, offering that wonderful screen but at the expense of thickness and weight over the 2nd Gen model. Right now, to deliver an iPad Mini with these dimensions, this was the best that could be achieved.
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I got to the Nashua, NH Apple store at 8:30. This store is inside the Pheasant Lane mall, and when Apple opens early there is always some confusion finding a mall door that's unlocked.In line in Boston picking up a 4th gen. At least half the people in line are off the boat Chinese. Thought it was interesting. I'm half Chinese myself.
The line at Apple was nearly gone. The staff told me all the minis were sold out, but I could still get a ticket for a 4th generation iPad. That ticket would get me into the store in a few minutes so I could look at everything. By the time I got a ticket, there were still 5 people in front of me in line, and we had to wait a few minutes to go into the store.
Everyone in front of me was a reseller. They were being directed by a guy with a clipboard, and had clearly been paid to get tickets and stand in line. They barely knew what an iPad is. The clipboard guy was impatient. He was planning to take his mob to the Salem NH store after he cleaned out Nashua, and he didn't like the fact that the last few were still waiting in line.
The Nashua store gets these hordes of resellers at every launch. (No sales tax in New Hampshire.) It was particularly bad for the iPad 2 launch, and the same people came back day after day for about a month. They bought as many iPads as Apple would allow, for cash, and handed them over to a guy who was collecting them right outside the store. For iPod 2, it was nearly impossible to get in line ahead of these folks. If you were in a group of 10 people waiting at the designated door for the mall to open, you'd find 40 or so orientals already lined up at the Apple store. EVERY DAY. It was pretty clear someone at the mall was being bribed to sneak them in early. I played this futile game on 2 different days, hoping to get an iPad to take with me on a business trip. When I realized it was hopeless, I gave up, ordered online, and got the iPad a month or so later. Back then, the iPad didn't launch in Asia until much later, and these organized resellers where presumably sending the iPads right back to China on the black market.
Today wasn't nearly as bad. The resellers weren't as well organized (or maybe the best of them were already gone by the time I arrived). I think it helps that the Asian markets don't have to wait as long for new products these days.
The 5 guys in front of me in line ended up being unsure what they were supposed to buy. They were holding tickets for minis of various colors and sizes, but I guess the clipboard guy didn't want the models they had tickets for. They decided to leave, the Apple folks asked them to turn their unused tickets in, and then they decided to stay in line after all. While all this was going on, the Apple staff decided they had a few more minis than the outstanding tickets for minis, and they let me trade my 4th gen ticket for a mini ticket. And they let me go in the store before the indecisive clipboard crew.
I hadn't pre-ordered because I wanted to look at the mini in person before deciding. I decided it was worth buying. The lighter weight just makes it more comfortable to hold for reading and other stuff that lasts more than a few minutes. I already had the iPad 2 (non-retina), so the screen on the mini looks just fine to me, with the same number of pixels in a smaller area. I decided to buy the black 32 GB model.
The checkout was fast and easy, as usual at this store. The lady who helped me said there had been about 300 people in line when the store opened, and quite a few were resellers who took 2 tickets. So I estimate this store sold 500 or more iPads in 30 to 40 minutes.
It's a different set of customers. Lots of kids, and lots of women (who can fit an iPad mini into a handbag where an iPad doesn't fit). Parents don't stand in a line so their kids get the first iPad mini. Women don't tend to stand in these lines as much as men do. In the end, you can't say to your friends "look here, I've got the biggest and baddest iPad in the world" when you turn up with an iPad mini.
And since the people queueing up in the USA are the same type of people buying from scalpers in other countries, scalpers won't sell many devices either, so they don't join the queues in the USA.
And since the people queueing up in the USA are the same type of people buying from scalpers in other countries, scalpers won't sell many devices either, so they don't join the queues in the USA.
No flamin', man!
It's refreshing to see examples of individuals that buy a product based on the product's fit within the person's needs/wants instead than just reputation, public perception, company policies, etc.
I also buy products to use them, and use them I do (I still have the original iPad). I think, though, that the mini is far from lackluster (though not perfect) and is useful, even if the all specs don't overtake other market competitors.
The fact that the Android store is bigger than advertise is useful info; no one is mentioning this and it bears to be so! I was not aware, since I'm deeeep in Apple's garden (happily).
But moving out of the garden would actually be more expensive for me, both cost & time-wise, given that I would have to learn to use Android, get apps (again), figure how to integrate a new device into my existing ecosystem, etc.
This are the things that will sell the mini; once the Apple hooks are in, it's hard for many to pull them out. I'm too addicted to "easy" to spend all this energy to do this and within Apple's ecosystem this takes zero effort. And for me, time is the most expensive thing there is (you can't get more if you need it, at any price).
In any case, it's awesome that the alternatives are working out for you and thanks for bringing a bit of balance to these forums. There's been too much hating lately..
Same here. The lack of Retina support is the only reason I'm not buying a Mini today. I'll wait until the 2nd (or 3rd, or whatever) rev.
In the meantime, I will probably be purchasing the new full-size iPad with Lightning connector.
Great post. I'm not an engineer but all you mention is quite plausible.
I wonder why people always go the other way with this (Apple is trying to rip us off)? Give the company the benefit of the doubt at least, and wait if a particular missing feature matters that much to you. Or buy it, use it, then sell it at a decent return when they put in what you want (what I usually do).
Alas, we humans are negative by nature. Optimism takes practice..
In any case, I can wait, since the iPad 1 still does what I use an iPad for anyway, and I'll only replace it when it literally dies. The mini would be an addition, not a replacement.
Won't buy
But when this device has a retina display, more powerful processor, etc. I believe this will find a place in many people's homes and they will end up using it a lot more than they think; I love the portability of this device, but again, the later generations will be better.
But when this device has a retina display, more powerful processor, etc. I believe this will find a place in many people's homes and they will end up using it a lot more than they think; I love the portability of this device, but again, the later generations will be better.
No. You either want one or you don't. I'd love a 12" or 13" iPad myself. Others are happy that Apple offers something smaller and lighter than 10". The fact that it is cheaper helps. Many kids who would have got an iPad 2 for Christmas are going to get an iPad mini now (easily justified - smaller iPad for smaller people). Some kids who wanted an iPad 2 for Christmas but wouldn't have got one are going to get an iPad mini now as well.
Of course it makes a difference. There will be some, but not too many, who would have bought for $299 but not for $329. There will also be some, but not too many, who would have bought the Mini instead of iPad 2 for $299, but not for $329.
If Apple sold the iPad Mini at $229 instead of $329, they'd have sold out in 3.5 hours instead of 35. And if Apple sold the iPad Mini at $129, they'd have sold out in 3.5 minutes.
But in all three scenarios, they sold out.
I harbor no illusions that a major reason it sold out was supply constraints, but since you can only sell so many units before Christmas, sell it for what the market will bear.
I believe we can be confident the next revision will have a retina display at the same price, with the current model dropping down to probably $229 to become the "price competitor" with the Nexus and Kindle Fire HD.
But in all three scenarios, they sold out.
I harbor no illusions that a major reason it sold out was supply constraints, but since you can only sell so many units before Christmas, sell it for what the market will bear.
I believe we can be confident the next revision will have a retina display at the same price, with the current model dropping down to probably $229 to become the "price competitor" with the Nexus and Kindle Fire HD.
The iPad Mini comes with its own, individual Steve Jobs' trademarked "Apple reality distortion field".
This is where my head is, too. The mini to me is a superior form factor to the full size iPad. But after iPhone, there is no going back to non-retina. I'll wait for the next gen.
Some people like to socialize.
So your "church" analogy is sound: hanging out with like-minded individuals in an effort to enjoy each other's company and enhance quality of life.
One man's idiocy is another man's happiness. I wonder which point-of-view is better...
Ah, "fanboy" and "kool-aid" again.
Why can't they just like the product? Why does it always have to be something sinister? Why do we all have to agree with you that it sucks?
"It's still amazingly idiotic to stand in line to buy a MASS product that you can pre-order and purchase ONLINE for the SAME price and get it delivered to your house ON THAT VERY SAME DAY."
Really? Correct me if I'm wrong but there are people out there in their everyday lives who are already up by 8am; seeing as how the lines are pretty short for this I don't see the big deal. Maybe some people are looking to talk to an Apple Specialist and ask questions before buying the product, or just want to experience the products themselves at the retail store which is what Apple is clearly wanting to provide. Can't to that when you order online.
It's for the experience and social aspects of it; same principle as seeing a movie at midnight. Sure, you can go the next day or wait until it quiets down, but for people who enjoy the experience of watching a film for the first time with a rabid, pumped up audience is pretty damn cool if you ask me.
Don't bash people standing in line waiting to buy a product; if I have time to go and do it ( I work second shift) I honestly enjoy being there when they open, to see all the Apple employees coming out and applauding the release, giving out water and coffee, seeing other excited customers waiting to get their iPads. It isn't something you see anywhere else; Apple products may not be for everyone but I LOVE the enthusiasm and passion this company has for its products and it really shows. Compare this to the laughable experience you will have in a Best Buy........
Really? Correct me if I'm wrong but there are people out there in their everyday lives who are already up by 8am; seeing as how the lines are pretty short for this I don't see the big deal. Maybe some people are looking to talk to an Apple Specialist and ask questions before buying the product, or just want to experience the products themselves at the retail store which is what Apple is clearly wanting to provide. Can't to that when you order online.
It's for the experience and social aspects of it; same principle as seeing a movie at midnight. Sure, you can go the next day or wait until it quiets down, but for people who enjoy the experience of watching a film for the first time with a rabid, pumped up audience is pretty damn cool if you ask me.
Don't bash people standing in line waiting to buy a product; if I have time to go and do it ( I work second shift) I honestly enjoy being there when they open, to see all the Apple employees coming out and applauding the release, giving out water and coffee, seeing other excited customers waiting to get their iPads. It isn't something you see anywhere else; Apple products may not be for everyone but I LOVE the enthusiasm and passion this company has for its products and it really shows. Compare this to the laughable experience you will have in a Best Buy........
I certainly didn't expect it to drop with the hysteria of an iPhone 5, but I'm sure it will sell well
Went to my local best buy store at 8:25 and picked up the last iPad mini (they received 40 of 'em) so I'd say the sales will be pretty strong
Sent from my iPad Mini
(they received 40 of 'em) so I'd say the sales will be pretty strongSent from my iPad Mini
By the way
Picked up a 4th generation 16 GB today at the store. There were about 30-40 people there waiting; wanted to play with the mini a little but didn't have time, will this weekend.
Have had only a few minutes to play with it but I can already tell this thing is just flat out faster; apps loading quicker, browsing safari has been even better...very excited to put this through the paces.
Picked up a 4th generation 16 GB today at the store. There were about 30-40 people there waiting; wanted to play with the mini a little but didn't have time, will this weekend.
Have had only a few minutes to play with it but I can already tell this thing is just flat out faster; apps loading quicker, browsing safari has been even better...very excited to put this through the paces.
I got to Best Buy about 8:05am, and there were 4 people in line in front of me... Three looking for iPad Minis, one for a 4th gen iPad, then me for a Mini.
I'll tell you what - the iPad 3 had EXTREMELY small lines on it's launch day. I walked in to an apple store 3 days after a launch just to try it out, and they had an adbunance of them ON-HAND (bought one of course). I was really surprised by this and expected it NOT to be a hit, as it seemed to be the case everywhere across the world (possible low-demand).
Boy was I wrong about that!
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Lot's of Pre-orders!! Dont let apple fool you!