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The action happens on the screen. I don’t get this obsession with bezels. Also don’t understand why you want to remove parts of the iPad you can hold without obscuring said display.

I carry a cellular Mini 4 wherever I go that does everything for me except make phone calls, and I don’t think that the people complaining about the bezels actually use an iPad Mini the way I use my Mini. I NEED the bezels to comfortably hold the Mini without triggering the screen in some way, or obscuring my view. I use always use it in landscape except when I play a game that requires portrait, and I love the extra space to hold it.
 
I think the primary reason is that most of the people commenting on this site are technophiles who have recent Macs & such and have already invested in USB-C, not understanding that most of the general public (for which the Mini & Air seem to be targeting), still get by with USB-A & Lightning.

For them, having a USB-C iPad would be something of a pain. These are not made for hardcore workload like video & photography like the Pros are, which is while they call them “Pro.”

but what does it mean to be "invested in USB-C"? they happen to have a USB-C cable already that came with their laptop (or maybe an extra one or two), and they want to be able to use those same cables?

i've seen several posts from people saying that if the next iPhones don't have USB-C, then they're going to switch to Android instead, and i don't really understand why. iPhones/iPads all come with a cable themselves, so it's not like they have to go out of their way to buy any extra cables. and whenever i travel, i always have a cable for each device anyway, so i can charge simultaneously, so it makes no difference to me if i'm carrying a lightning cable or usb-c or whatever. can someone please enlighten me?
 
I hate the phrase, but it really is appropriate, first world problems... ;)

Seriously though, it's just a piece of technology. Dont like it dont buy it. So many other options and more important things in life to concern oneself.

I was pleased they upgraded these devices for all the people complaining they hadnt been updated. Yet, I knew these forums would still be a whine fest. Gosh, it really is time for me to just close my account.

I hate that phrase too, because every problem - from hunger to healthcare - is also first world problem. For some of us it's not just a piece of technology it is a tool. Our emergency truck is packed to the doors. It doesn't have room for any additional resources, and everything we bring on means evaluating what we leave behind. Emergency bags are even worse.
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It seems a bit absurd that Apple had a million or more iPad mini chassis hanging around and decided to re-engineer a new motherboard to sell them off. The iPad mini is a niche product but still a viable one. For you it's perfection or nothing. I try for a more balanced approach.

Considering their volume and image it seems totally reasonable to think those things.
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Well, just look at the history of USB-C adoption... They were the first in a computer in 2015 with the MacBook. Then the MacBook Pro followed that in 2016. Then the iMac in 2017. Then the iPad Pro last year. Perhaps the new iPhone in 2019?

I'm just trying to see if there's another way to look at this one.

I like your perspective and hope you're correct.
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iOS devices never had the 'industry standard' ports. The ability to use desktop-class hardware (Cameras, External Storage when Apple allows it, etc.) is something that separates these mobile devices from actual computers. Apple seems to want this ability to be a 'Pro' feature

You are correct, as Apple has found their proprietary iOS ports very lucrative. I hear your point, but it isn't a consolation for those of us that use more than one iPad and have to maintain and haul multiple chargers and pencils.
 
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I was really hoping for FaceID.

another question i've been meaning to ask - what is the big advantage of FaceID over TouchID?

because to me, there is no advantage from a convenience standpoint of view - if anything, FaceID actually takes more steps since it requires you to look at the screen, and after it unlocks you then have to reach for the screen and swipe from the bottom up (is there any way to make the swipe optional? cuz i haven't been able to figure out a way without jailbreaking). with TouchID, you simply place your finger on the home button & press, and it unlocks - no swipe up necessary. you can do this while pulling the phone out of your pocket, so that by the time you're looking at your iPhone it's already unlocked. how is FaceID actually any better? if anything, it's slower and there's more restrictions, since the angle of your face, and sometimes the lighting, can sometimes cause it to fail...

i understand that the front camera/IR system actually serves multiple purposes, of which FaceID is just one of them, so it's here to stay - but i see so many people proclaiming that they now hate TouchID 'cuz FaceID is soo much better and could never go back to it, and i just don't understand. what am i missing here?
 
another question i've been meaning to ask - what is the big advantage of FaceID over TouchID?

because to me, there is no advantage from a convenience standpoint of view - if anything, FaceID actually takes more steps since it requires you to look at the screen, and after it unlocks you then have to reach for the screen and swipe from the bottom up (is there any way to make the swipe optional? cuz i haven't been able to figure out a way without jailbreaking). with TouchID, you simply place your finger on the home button & press, and it unlocks - no swipe up necessary. you can do this while pulling the phone out of your pocket, so that by the time you're looking at your iPhone it's already unlocked. how is FaceID actually any better? if anything, it's slower and there's more restrictions, since the angle of your face, and sometimes the lighting, can sometimes cause it to fail...

i understand that the front camera/IR system actually serves multiple purposes, of which FaceID is just one of them, so it's here to stay - but i see so many people proclaiming that they now hate TouchID 'cuz FaceID is soo much better and could never go back to it, and i just don't understand. what am i missing here?

For me, it's just a matter of consistency. My iPhone (Xs Max) has FaceID, and it's a bit annoying to have to use TouchID on the iPad. Sometimes I use the iPhone gestures on the iPad an all it does is mock me. :D
 
Meh, I find it a fairly crappy upgrade. Proc? My ipad mini 4 doesn't slow down or have issues with anything I throw at it, including multi tasking. Screen? Nothing major IMO. Pencil support: probably the strongest upgrade reason, but hamstrung by using the old pencil. Oh and they slashed storage memory by half. While the pencil support tempts me to buy one, that brings it to 500 bucks. Really the only thing that would have made me upgrade my mini 4 is if they did something with the awful bezels.
So you’re ok with a four year old processor (will it last another four?) but a cosmetic change that’s fashionable—but can only negatively affect usability—would have you upgrading? Interesting take.

btw how is the mini “hamstrung” by the Pencil that eveyone raved about for three years (until Apple created an even better version)?
 
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another question i've been meaning to ask - what is the big advantage of FaceID over TouchID?

because to me, there is no advantage from a convenience standpoint of view - if anything, FaceID actually takes more steps since it requires you to look at the screen, and after it unlocks you then have to reach for the screen and swipe from the bottom up (is there any way to make the swipe optional? cuz i haven't been able to figure out a way without jailbreaking). with TouchID, you simply place your finger on the home button & press, and it unlocks - no swipe up necessary. you can do this while pulling the phone out of your pocket, so that by the time you're looking at your iPhone it's already unlocked. how is FaceID actually any better? if anything, it's slower and there's more restrictions, since the angle of your face, and sometimes the lighting, can sometimes cause it to fail...

i understand that the front camera/IR system actually serves multiple purposes, of which FaceID is just one of them, so it's here to stay - but i see so many people proclaiming that they now hate TouchID 'cuz FaceID is soo much better and could never go back to it, and i just don't understand. what am i missing here?

Agree with you, but unless Apple figures out a way to put the ID in the power button without violating others patents face ID allows for far smaller bezels. The iPad mini could have been even smaller or have a much larger screen in the same size body.
 
So you’re ok with a four year old processor (will it last another four?) but a cosmetic change that’s fashionable—but can only negatively affect usability—would have you upgrading? Interesting take.

btw how is the mini “hamstrung” by the Pencil that eveyone raved about for three years (until Apple created an even better version)?

While both the first and second pencil are awesome tools, i dont think anybody raved about the design and way of charging which have been mocked since day one.
 
I don't really understand why the Mini is only 100 dollars/euros cheaper than the Air. Does Apple want us to buy the Air and not the Mini?
Because it’s not that much cheaper to manufacture a somewhat smaller version of the iPad Air. Apple doesn’t really care which one you buy, they’ll make their margin either way.

The mini is for those that want a small(er) iPad. It’s a more portable version of the excellent iPad Air. It’s very popular in certain verticals, including pilots and doctors (who wouldn’t otherwise have an option), and point of sale.
 
Agree with you, but unless Apple figures out a way to put the ID in the power button without violating others patents face ID allows for far smaller bezels. The iPad mini could have been even smaller or have a much larger screen in the same size body.

Yes they should do like Samsung which have touchid in the powerbutton on the S10e - a great solution.
 
Agree with you, but unless Apple figures out a way to put the ID in the power button without violating others patents face ID allows for far smaller bezels. The iPad mini could have been even smaller or have a much larger screen in the same size body.

Well, unless they changed the aspect, the screen could only be 3/16” bigger to keep the same case size. That’s going from 7.9 to 8.1”.....wouldn’t call that a much larger screen.
 
While both the first and second pencil are awesome tools, i dont think anybody raved about the design and way of charging which have been mocked since day one.
Agree that’s it’s awesome :) And people did like the design, including the weight balance, and that overall it just “felt right”... nothing like the stylus that Jobs correctly noted was a fail as an overall device UI.

I’ll grant you it looks somewhat ridiculous when plugged in directly to the iPad, and looks like it could snap off at any moment—even when it’s just sitting there lol. But it’s eminently practical when you’re away from your charging cable and the alternative is a dead Pencil.

So yes, while less convenient, I definitely have a problem with the word “hamstrung”. The alternative to Pencil 1 support—which would have required a non-trivial redesign, more expensive components and a smaller battery—would have been no Pencil support at all, not Pencil 2. It’s a low-volume seller, and increasing the price would only exacerbate that.
 
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Well, unless they changed the aspect, the screen could only be 3/16” bigger to keep the same case size. That’s going from 7.9 to 8.1”.....wouldn’t call that a much larger screen.

I mean, they could do both... even 0.2" increase with a smaller bezel would make the mini feel vastly different.
 
And you are way wrong on that. I own a Nintendo Switch and the software predominately is geared for young adults and not kids. In fact Nintendo has been getting away from kiddie games for quite some time, in fact that trend stopped with the Nintendo Wii, even Nintendo admitted that they wanted to expand to feature Teen and Mature style games. Nintendo has been leaning towards Teen and Mature games for at least the last 8 yrs. I should know because I owned a Nintendo Wii, Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Even the Nintendo 3DS is primarily teen based games as well. The Indie lineup for the Switch as well is predominately Teen and Adult with a light sprinkle of kiddie games.

Yes but kids wether the parents know it or not are playing mature games even if the age is supposed to be limited and it does not have many historical strategy games like from slitherine, matrix etc...and it’s sold in toy stores not just hobby shops.
 
Too expensive for regular consumers. iPad mini used to be priced fairly for entry level iPad customers who don’t want a larger device.
As a long time Apple customer, I know I’m being screwed these days by Apple.

The original iPad mini (1st Generation) cost $329.00 USD with 16GB or storage and a non-Retina screen. Every subsequent iPad mini (2, 3 and 4) started at $399 for the 16GB version and a 64GB version cost $529, $599, $499 and $499, respectively, when launched.

The new iPad mini 5 costs $399 with 4x as much base storage as the mini 1, 2, 3 or 4 at the same price as all but the mini 1, has a way faster CPU, a better screen (P3, True Tone), supports the Apple Pencil, has a 7MP FaceTime HD camera, 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5...but the pricing is unfair and Apple is screwing you? Give me a break.
 
You two crack me up. Since USB4 (no space :rolleyes:) is thunderbolt 3 with USB C now would be the time for Apple to 'lead the way'. These aren't protocols and ports for professionals, they are industry standards for consumer devices.
There are over a billion iOS devices that use Lightning. There’s a huge downside to replacing it with USB-C, and very little to gain. iPhone will never switch to USB-C, and for the foreseeable future, neither will non-Pro iPads. The cons far outweigh the pros.
 
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There are over a billion iOS devices that use Lightning. There’s a huge downside to replacing it with USB-C, and very little to gain. iPhone will never switch to USB-C, and for the foreseeable future, neither will non-Pro iPads. The cons far outweigh the pros.

You think the iPad mini and iPhone are cons? I disagree - I think both are powerful devices, but considering how long we waited, and Apple's reputation, it's not an unreasonable request. Besides, older tech always out numbers new tech by their very definition. Apple had no issue dropping the 30 pin connector and essentially killing support for other devices in a single generation.
 
Looks like a better price because this thing looks old as hell

Nope.

You are just having difficulty understanding how numbers (and words) work.

For example: $50 “looks like a better price” than $500 for something whether that thing looks old, new, antique, futuristic, classic, timeless, etc.
A cheaper price being better than a more expensive price is definitely NOT a function of how the item looks; it is just factual economics, that even the smallest child is aware of.
Getting something for cheaper is always better than getting something for more expensive.
Duh.
There is genuinely no need to tell people: “hey, if you buy something for less money... that would be better!!!”.

I don’t know how ignorant you assume MR readership is, but I can assure you... literally NOBODY here needed you to tell them that if a price was decreased by $100, it would then be a better price.
 
So you’re ok with a four year old processor (will it last another four?) but a cosmetic change that’s fashionable—but can only negatively affect usability—would have you upgrading? Interesting take.

btw how is the mini “hamstrung” by the Pencil that eveyone raved about for three years (until Apple created an even better version)?

I wouldn’t say “hamstrung”. The first gen apple pencil draws & writes beautifully. People raved about that aspect of it. But even before the apple pencil 2 came out, right from the very beginning, people were rightfully criticizing the lame charging method & the easily lost cap. True...At the time, there wasn’t a wireless charging alternative, but still...i think many agreed, it was a very unApple like solution to have the pencil ridiculously stick out the bottom of the ipad like that. Not to mention risky. Something that was made even more apparent as soon as the Apple pencil 2 was announced. The Apple pencil 2 is a perfect marraige of design & function. The ease of charging. The way it integrates seamlessly into the ipad where you don’t even have to think about it. Now thats something Johnny Ive could gush over in a product video! Lol

I seriously think if Steve Jobs were alive, he’d absolutely HATE the fact that these two pencils exist at the same time. He’d want to move away as quickly as possible from the gen 1 design as he could. You just know it.

Still... Nothing wrong with the first gen pencil as a drawing or writing tool. But it is so obvious that Apple will someday make only one apple pencil that works across the board. One pencil to rule them all! I think that will happen once the ipad pros get more new features like OLED or MicroLED screens. Then Apple will redesign the regular ipad(and hopefully mini) to accommodate the apple pencil 2 charging method.

Until then, it is what it is.
 
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I’m not arguing it wouldn’t be more desirable, but I think you and I have a different definition of “vastly.” :)

Probably. :D. What did you think of the apple watch 4? I was so impressed by the increased screen size I replaced my AW3. When talking about smaller devices I feel little increases are quite noticeable in daily use.
 
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Macrumors complaints before the Mini launches:

“C’mon Apple, we want a refreshed Mini with Apple Pencil Support!”

Apples response: “Here you go, an updated Mini with Pencil support.”

Macrumors complaints after the Mini launch:

“Look at the off-center home button”, Or “What, no USB-C?”, ect, ect, ect, ect.

**************************

Clearly Apple can never do anything right, at least according to the Macumors rhetoric.


They will when they release the 10,2 iPad Pro with a roughly bigger overall size in a much more compact form factor.
 
Not really. There are a few Android based devices which include USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables with them. The lightning physical connector is based on USB specifications for data transmission and charging. Your logic for having a physical lightning port because of other "users" doesn't make sense.

I’ve got Lightning cables in my desk, in my bedroom, in my car, in the kitchen, in that drawer full of electronics crap that just gets more tangled every year. Am I the only one in the world like this? I doubt it.

If my Mini suddenly has USB-C, I can’t use any of those connectors that I already have hooked up. I’d rather have to drag around the one that came with the device, or buy extras of those.

So what is the advantage of USB-C?

(Yes, I know, faster charging, but — pfft! Faster data? I think pros worry more about that.)

At some point, just like all other cables, the majority of the people will have a buttload of USB-C cords they can’t get untangled. And USB-C will be on all devices.

Plus, in the end, it comes down to Apple saying: It’s cheaper to keep it Lightning.
 
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