Next-Generation iPad and iPad Mini Rumored for March Launch

People need to relax. I bought an ipad 2 in Octobers of 2011. I sold it and bought an ipad 3 on launch day. I was pissed for a little bit when the ipad 4 was launched in October. But I think that the next ipad will be a totally new design like the iphone 5 and the ipad mini. That for me would be an upgrade alone from the 3. I can sell my 3 for 399 ish and then spend 499 for a new one. Not a bad deal.

The ipad 4 was only a minor bump so they can get all their products running on lightning.
 
dampfnudel said:
We'll see what happens. There are a lot of people hoping for a retina mini to show up sooner rather than later, myself included. We all know it will happen. We also know that the first gen iPad mini is destined to become the budget iPad in 2013 ($229-249???), which will make room for a retina iPad mini, perhaps at a slightly higher price point.
Click to expand...

hmm...ideally we'd like a 1st gen mini @ 229 and the retina mini at the old price. Somehow I feel they'll boost it all the way to $399, and keep the full size at $499 (with mini style construction)
 
I can imagine Apple releasing the next iPad mini quicker than it's previous one year circle.

Still, I'd think Retina would be quite a feat in 2013: They'd either have to upgrade CPU and display at once, to drive 4 times the pixels of the current display. And maybe they'd even have to upgrade battery and RAM at the same time, too.

At least I cannot imagine them doing it at the same price point.
But that's, as we all know, why the previous generation mini model will of course stay in their lineup as an entry-level model.

Given that there's now smaller mini model of the iPad, I wouldn't be against them making the "big" iPad's screen an inch or so bigger (rather than making it even smaller and lighter).
 
zhandri said:
they will lose so many customers if they keep releasing ipads every 5-6 months until now you knew your device would atleast be the newest for atleast 1 year.... now this just sucks
Click to expand...

I doubt they'll lose customers. The top Android hardware manufacturers release a new phone/tablet every month or so and they're doing fine -- at least as far as phones are concerned. At some point, you just have to decide that a piece of technology has all the things you need/want and then pull the trigger and enjoy it.

The good thing about Apple products is that most of them tend to hold their resale value so if you must have the latest and greatest, you can usually sell your used Apple gadget for a decent amount of money and put that money toward the purchase of the newest model.

As long as the iDevice you're looking to sell is no more than a year or two old, I doubt the resale value will change all that much even if Apple goes to a six month release cycle.

When your primary hardware competition (Android) is releasing dozens of devices in a year and you only release a small handful, at some point you have to ask yourself if it would be beneficial to release more hardware more often. Technology is evolving so quickly that if Apple wants to stay ahead, some could argue they almost have to release hardware more often than once a year.

Edit: I do think we will see a major overhaul of iOS in 2013 with iOS 7. Software is probably a lot easier to improve than hardware, and if Apple is going to great lengths to shorten the time between hardware releases, it only seems natural that they would also go to great lengths to shorten the time between major iOS releases as well. They have to know that iOS in its current form was awesome in 2007, but it's no longer revolutionary and faces increased competition. The challenge will be to release new versions of iOS more quickly while keeping the stability we've come to expect from iOS in check.
 
Last edited:
if iPad 4 was a minor bump, a March iPad 5 will be no bump--although maybe thinner/lighter or redesigned case. It seems unlikely that the A7X will be ready for March 2013.

I think it would be better to wait for the model with the next-generation chip. And, I can already imagine the quality control issues that are going to arise after they rush out a redesigned case.

We should have seen some concrete hardware leaks by now if redesign is imminent in March. Maybe that will be next-week's post.
 
slicecom said:
Yeah, you should probably switch to Android tablets. They only release one of those per year.
Click to expand...

Plus: Android tablets never get better.

So you won't have anything to complain about.

Except for the fact that Android tablets will always be garbage when they are compared to iPads.
 
rtr1985 said:
if iPad 4 was a minor bump, a March iPad 5 will be no bump--although maybe thinner/lighter or redesigned case. It seems unlikely that the A7X will be ready for March 2013.

I think it would be better to wait for the model with the next-generation chip. And, I can already imagine the quality control issues that are going to arise after they rush out a redesigned case.

We should have seen some concrete hardware leaks by now if redesign is imminent in March. Maybe that will be next-week's post.
Click to expand...

Agreed. We saw the cases and misc. parts months before the mini was released. Analysts predictions are to be taken with a grain of salt as they are in the business of speculating for purposes of making money. And that's a whole other argument.
 
Ideally, Apple would release a new iPad every day with the latest specs and technology.

I don't get the outrage. The device that you bought to meet your needs won't cease to meet them just because a new iPad goes on sale.
 
Plain and simple, this is the price you pay for being an early adopter of new tech, i.e. the iPad mini.
 
tonyshaker said:
There just milking people for there money i have just got my ipad 4 about 6 weeks ago
Click to expand...

They are only milking money if you are addicted to purchasing every version. I have to admit, only with the iPhones I have to have the latest model. I am very happy with my iPad 2 and have been for years. I will be however, be purchasing the next model as I expect a big change from the minor update previously.
 
Apple did a fast release for the Mini and 4th gen (really a 3S gen in my opinion) so they have to do a quick one for the 5th gen too? This is a simply a "has been done in the past so has to be done again" rumour.

People who write these articles (Not MacRumours as they are only reporting what was already said), need to really think. They don't get it.

The iPad 4th gen was released fast to make sure Apple had an iPad with current gen insides and also they wanted to rush out lightning for the iPad, cause the iPhone 5 already had it. There's no need for a retina Mini. And I think there would have to be some new Battery tech invented to keep the mini light and still last 10 hours. Also there's no hardware specs the iPad 5th gen needs that the 4th gen does not already have. The 4th did have a couple of things hence the rush.

The 5th will be I think just a spec bump on the 4th. And possibly a case re-design to match the iPhone 5. That's it. All of that can wait a few months.

These Apple analysts really don't think. Just any rumour they pluck out of their ass for page hits.
 
AppleInLVX said:
Fine. Give me a retina screen. I'll pay the bump in price to accomplish it. Make it a tiny bit thicker to accommodate its power needs, and I will still pay to have it. Releasing the mini without Retina was a step back, thinness be damned.
Click to expand...

Increase the price of the Mini that's supposed to be the most affordable iPad.
Make the Mini thicker on an iOS device that's primary selling attributes is thin and portable?

I think your price increase and thinker Mini is the step backward and not no retina. You have retina (4th gen) or ultra light and portable and affordable (mini) make your choice.
 
tonyshaker said:
There just milking people for there money i have just got my ipad 4 about 6 weeks ago and now its going to be outdated by apples new ipads its just getting to much and to stupid to keep realising new ipads with out any major change so what ipad 4 is twice as fast as ipad 3 it doesnt matter no app uses all of the ipad 4 processor power.
Click to expand...

Check your facts before posting false statements. Yes, just about every app uses all 1.4 gHz of the dual core processors, you just may not notice it all the time. Apps that are particularly noticeable are games. Also after doing edits to photos in iPhoto or Snapseed, the time it takes to save to the camera roll is typically 1 second. The iPad 2/3 sometimes took 3 or more seconds on edited photos. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing these differences.

Just because you are not using the apps that show the difference does not mean the device isn't faster. For basic tasks most people won't be able to tell. But for those of use who use our iPads for much more, the speed increase is there and yes it's noticeable.
 
bbeagle said:
They already have a launch schedule. iPads in the Spring.

The iPad 4 (or 3s if you'd like) was just a minor spec bump, and converting to a lightning adapter.
Click to expand...

Then what is the iPad mini's launch schedule? You can't call it's launch a minor spec bump (obviously) which means that it get two big launches in one year (different from the iPad full size version) or it'll follow the iPad 4 (with one big release and one minor release) and only get a minor spec bump in March and March won't see a retina mini.

Or (and this is where my money is), it'll get an upgrade end of the year. There's still a 2 week delay in ordering these units here in the UK and the rumour is that just over a month away from today and they will release an entirely new one? They spend weeks (or months?) stockpiling these units before launch so they have adequate supplies for launch day - that would mean right now they are 1) back ordered on current models (meaning demand is outstripping supply) and 2) stockpiling future versions, at the same time - that's a product strategy I've never heard before, and I have to give Apple more credit than that.
 
AppliedMicro said:
Plain and simple, I'm already paying with my nerves for not being an early adopter
Click to expand...

2 ways to avoid paying full price:

1) open box refurbs (means waiting a bit)

2) buy new, but wait for the deals on last gen: (see ipad 2 just before the 3 came out and compare with ipad 3 deals going on now)
 
Rogifan said:
If the 4th gen iPad won't be outdated in March why do they need to release a 5th gen so soon? So the form factor is the same as the mini? Something they apparently couldn't do in October but now will be able to do in March?
Click to expand...

did you follow the tech industry? I think the big change is the arrival of IGZO display. Sharp was supposed to deliver that in Fall 12 but look like they finally start to ship them in larger quantity. So yes, Ipad mini is a stop gap device but one that looks like sold about 8+m unit in 4Q. pretty good for a stop gap device..
 
current iPad mini vs. Nexus 7

it's more expensive, weaker power, and lower res screen.




yeah, Apple needs to update the thing. And you have to imagine the nex gen version of the Nexus 7 isn't too far off also
 
WilliamLondon said:
Then what is the iPad mini's launch schedule? You can't call it's launch a minor spec bump (obviously) which means that it get two big launches in one year (different from the iPad full size version) or it'll follow the iPad 4 (with one big release and one minor release) and only get a minor spec bump in March and March won't see a retina mini.

Or (and this is where my money is), it'll get an upgrade end of the year. There's still a 2 week delay in ordering these units here in the UK and the rumour is that just over a month away from today and they will release an entirely new one? They spend weeks (or months?) stockpiling these units before launch so they have adequate supplies for launch day - that would mean right now they are 1) back ordered on current models (meaning demand is outstripping supply) and 2) stockpiling future versions, at the same time - that's a product strategy I've never heard before, and I have to give Apple more credit than that.
Click to expand...

It really depend if this is a replacement product or an additional product. It make perfect sense if both the new Ipad mini + current ipad mini co-exist in the sales channl next year. The LCD for the Ipad mini is awfully expensive because of the yield issue.
 
Gee, if I wait another year, they'll have maybe two more updates to the iPad and two years from now...zero support for both of them! :D

Seriously, they can update iPads twice a year now, but they can't manage an update to the Mac Pro in over three years? Apple has forgotten their core business and it's a continuing shame. The sad part is they have the money to do both right, but they're still so paranoid they won't hire enough people...not even five years later. :rolleyes:
 
gotluck said:
I don't think the current mini is superior enough to the nexus 7 to justify the increased price.

/flamesuit
Click to expand...

The Nexus 7 is a product sold at cost, but companies don't sell products at cost, unless they can make money in other ways. With the Nexus 7, with the Kindle (family), with the Nook, they all sell these products at, near or less than cost. Yet, Amazon and Google (not sure about B&N<grin>) are profitable companies, so why would they sell these products so cheaply?

The initial price of the product isn't the price you pay (in the long run) - these products are built and sold for one reason: to be a conduit for other products and services they sell (mostly to the buyer of the original product). It's a fallacy to think these products are so cheap, sort of like thinking that free television is in fact free to the viewer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top