iPad mini iPad Mini Retina $399 - Thoughts? [POLL Added]

[jclardy]

If it was Retina + older processor then it would be bad IMO. Retina + A7 puts it on par with the larger iPad. Though I do wonder if the processor is clocked lower though.

Tempting to upgrade, but for now I will hold on to my original Mini. Given the large iPad's new name, I feel there could be a new 12" iPad Pro on the horizon.

 

[paulbennett95]

Same specs as current-gen iPad in a 7.9in screen, I think the price is justified.
Does it still have 512MB RAM or did it get 1GB?

 

[Technarchy]

Considering it has the same guts as the iPad Air, and is a MASSIVE upgrade from last years iPad Mini, I can live with the price.

However, I am presented with a dilemma; iPad Mini or iPad Air?

I sold my iPad 4 yesterday so I am ready for a day one purchase.

 

[frayne182]

5MP camera, phone spec CPU, and retina aren't enough for me to go out rushing for one.

$399 isn't that bad, but not screaming to get one.

 

[akuma13]

I think the fact that its a smaller iPad Air instead of a smaller iPad 2 justifies the price.

Exactly. I feel the iPad 2 is a rip off at that price. It should be at least 50 dollars less.

 

[Ashin]

Expensive as hell in the UK... and the iPad mini 1 dropped an embarrassing £20...

Blunder

 

[dave420]

I think most people who think its overpriced need to consider that it will NOT run last gen hardware. the current mini is running ipad2 gen hardware, and the new mini will have the exact same hardware as the ipad air so its NOT just a retina display. I think we all have come to expect too much. who doesn't want all the bells and whistles and pay next to nothing? if it will run ipad 3 or ipad 4 specs, then I would agree that it's overpriced just for the retina.

I came here to say the same thing. They've upgraded the processor significantly since the last generation, and the new model should have a much longer lifetime.

 

[DFZD]

Same specs as current-gen iPad in a 7.9in screen, I think the price is justified.
Does it still have 512MB RAM or did it get 1GB?

Apple doesn't talk about the RAM on iOS devices, we'll have to wait on this one. But I think both will have 1GB.

 

[ABC5S]

Sad it wasn't $329 like the original and even more sad to hear it's not available till later November. Why can't they just give a dang date!

They did. Nov 1st

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/22/apple-announces-new-ipad-air-thinner-lighter-more-powerful

 

[RDAR]

Will there be a 128GB version available they didnt mention anything but the price of 16GB in the keynote.

 

[ElectronGuru]

I think we all have come to expect too much. who doesn't want all the bells and whistles and pay next to nothing?

There are two ways to measure a price, vs what it used to cost (more for more) and vs what alternatives cost. In this case, android hardware is made by companies desperate for market share and willing to sell at (or even below) cost. Combined with software that google is giving away, this makes for a pretty low price. Apple doesn't need to take such actions and the price reflects that.

I'm happy to upgrade and leave my ram issues behind.

 

[aziatiklover]

i loled at the price!

 

[Scarpad]

I'm going to keep my 1st Gen, it's not enough of a change, I'm disappointed the memory size default is not 32gb, there is no reason to charge the prices they do for 16gb. I'm buying a Dell venue 8 pro with 64gb and an SD card slot for $349 and full blown windows, it's only got a 1280x800 IPS panel but I can live with that.

 

[AlvinNguyen]

I came here to say the same thing. They've upgraded the processor significantly since the last generation, and the new model should have a much longer lifetime.

I definitely started the poll being almost 50/50 - perhaps slightly disappointed. I think at $369 for non LTE and $499 for LTE they would have had me sold.

However, after the initial "price shock" I do think that the upgrade is nice and although we all wish that apple would give us better pricing, they have never really been in that game anyways. So now the question really is whether the mini is a better value or the very slightly heavier but larger display iPad Air will be the better seller.

----------

I'm going to keep my 1st Gen, it's not enough of a change, I'm disappointed the memory size default is not 32gb, there is no reason to charge the prices they do for 16gb. I'm buying a Dell venue 8 pro with 64gb and an SD card slot for $349 and full blown windows, it's only got a 1280x800 IPS panel but I can live with that.

I'm with you on the memory. In fact, the fact that all apps for the regular iPad will be installed on the mini makes it necessary to have a larger default size.

 

[EM2013]

Too expensive, all for a "retina display." No thanks I'll stick with my current mini

 

[tann]

Compared to the competition it's about $100 too much.

 

[Gix1k]

Too expensive. The 329 point was perfect. No touch ID, not AC. Hard sell for me, but I'm buying it.

 

[DFZD]

Too expensive, all for a "retina display." No thanks I'll stick with my current mini

It's a 64 bit device, with double the RAM, and 4 times the CPU and GPU performance than your iPad mini.

 

[JackieInCo]

I think the price is good for the retina Mini. I'll sell my 32GB LTE Mini with 6.1.3 on it when the new one comes out and get the 32GB LTE.

I should have no problem selling mine for $300.

 

[CoolSpot]

Too expensive? Find me another tablet with the quality and effective OS of this device at the same price point.

It is well priced. If you can't afford $500 for a tablet that pretty much doubles as a laptop you shouldn't be purchasing one at all.

"Quality" and "effective" are terrible metrics because they allow you to subjectively define both.

The problem I see for the mini is the $70 price bump (21% increase) is pretty significant and prices the mini out of the competition for smaller tablets. When you are looking at a $200-250 Nexus tablet, a $330 mini is a doable stretch upgrade. If you are looking at a $400 mini, you're less likely to make the jump.

 

[s2mikey]

Seems pricey with all of the other options out there. CNet is correct in the idea that Apple is sacrificing growth for immediate margins. Thats fine and all...but...I dunno.

 

[JackieInCo]

Seems pricey with all of the other options out there. CNet is correct in the idea that Apple is sacrificing growth for immediate margins. Thats fine and all...but...I dunno.

I will never buy another Android tablet now that the Mini has Retina. I may even sell my Nexus 7.

 

[Arcsylver]

Will there be a 128GB version available they didnt mention anything but the price of 16GB in the keynote.

According to the apple site it is available in all sizes up to 128 GB same as the iPad Air.

I am definitely upgrading my 16GB LTE Mini to a 32GB LTE after Christmas.

 

[betabeta]

Should have went to 32gb for $399, it would have only cost apple $10.

I think $399 is on the high side, especially without TouchID and no comera upgrade.

I think sales to new buyers will be good since they get all the great software, but for someone who already has an iPad, I don't know.

 

[Ohrstrom]

One thing is for sure, Apple sure knows they have a popular product and knows to milk the consumers for what they have... I was looking to get a mini with 32gb and wifi only.. Im guessing the price will be slightly to steep for me, we will see I guess.