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In the unlikely event a 5 shipped in March with similar physical design and weight reduction as the Mini, wouldn't surprise me if in spec/speed terms it'd be identical to the 4. As such, 4 owners would get like for like experience, albeit in then-outdated chassis. Incredibly unlikely though.
 
Every time a new iOS device is RUMORED to be released there are always complaints. Always.
 
iOS devices are use to bring people in to buy more iOS devices.

iOS Devices are used to bring in people to purchase other iOS Devices, Macs, Cables, Cases, Wi-Fi, and people with no iOS Devices.

While I see your point, life experience has shown me many individuals purchasing a MBP( all the time), or (iMac, less often) to replace a WIN Box due to their increasing iOS Inventory.

While obviously not from iOS Devices alone, the data of increasing Mac OS Devices in market is a fact. Along with the flat WIN sales.

I hear them communicate this. :apple:
 
I love my Mini, and I'd LOVE a retina Mini in March!

Unfortunately, its flat not going to happen for all sorts of reasons. The well discussed technical reasons, and the small matter of Apple wanted to milk at least another six months out of Mini 1 sales. Seriously, why the **** would they supersede a product that has six months more strong sales in it? I know the Mini is old tech, but do you think it cost nothing in r&d and manufacture time? Apple like money, and a 6 month upgrade to the mini makes no financial sense, and this is disregarding the unlikely emergence of a physically identical Mini with same battery life and more power hungry screen. Remind me, who's mass producing 2048x1536 7.9" screen in massive quantities right now? Don't cite 1080p displays like the J-Butterfly phone, they don't have to have 2+ million units ready to ship at launch. Good grief, there's some myopic people out there.

One six month iPad cycle and Apple are apparently 6 months every time now, lol. There's all sorts of legitimate reasons why the iPad 4 hit so soon after the 3 - lightning, CPU finally ready, 3’s gpu not ideal for the res (although, v happy 3 owner here), realigning to an Xmas release - but I'm yet to hear a similar cogent argument for a March Mini. So much stead is placed on what some random analyst says, crikey.

Yeah but here's the problem. Now that people have been spreading rumors about a potential Mini with retina in March all of those potential Mini buyers won't buy the gen 1 Mini, they will wait until March for Gen 2 (retina or not). This will put a huge dent in Gen 1 Mini sales. Seriously, if you want a Mini but have not yet bought one would you buy the current Mini or wait to see what happens in March. I agree that releasing a Mini with retina will hurt sales of the Gen 1 Mini. In fact it will all but kill it.
 
Need that lighter 9.7" ipad

I have an iPad 3. If a 5 came out that was significantly lighter I'd be in.

As it is, I think I may go mini. I love my iPad, but the weight of the mini is very seductive. I only need a full size for reading music - and I may be giving that up soon so a retina mini would be cool, but even the current display is very nice. Retina is great, I'm not sure it's always worth it. I don't think the cost/benefit is there in the MacBook for me. In a mini - not as big a deal.
 
I would prefer to see Apple focusing their efforts on releasing an even better one once a year, doing a 6 month cycle surely cant be helping improvements in the technology. This kind of thing wont do their reputation any good. I certainly wont be upgrading so soon anyway.
 
Yeah but here's the problem. Now that people have been spreading rumors about a potential Mini with retina in March all of those potential Mini buyers won't buy the gen 1 Mini, they will wait until March for Gen 2 (retina or not). This will put a huge dent in Gen 1 Mini sales. Seriously, if you want a Mini but have not yet bought one would you buy the current Mini or wait to see what happens in March. I agree that releasing a Mini with retina will hurt sales of the Gen 1 Mini. In fact it will all but kill it.

Whilst true, and I believe you make a valid point, that relates to people who read tech sites and visit forums ie the tiny minority. You and I, and anyone reading this post, are in a bubble. Seriously, how many times have you used your iPad at work or in public and someone has said "Is that an iPad? Can you get dvd's on there?". Honestly, as alien as it may seem to everyone here, the vaaaast majority haven't a clue about retina screens and likely think the Mini has an amazing screen, or at the very least think its no different to the competition's.
 
I refuse to sell, trade, or get rid of my iPad 4 until at least iPad 7 comes out -- I refuse to get caught up in a perpetual cycle of updating my technology. Especially since we've come to a point where the technological bumps are so minute that only someone obsessive compulsive would truly be concerned with constantly upgrading.

I'm perfectly content with what I've got, and the sooner you're able to accept that, the less of a headache you'll have in the future.
 
At least they have press announcements so we can sell before the media event. With android devices they have no media event. Even though I like android tablets better resale value made me choose an ipad.

Google has announcements and now the nexus 10, so things may change.
 
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I would prefer to see Apple focusing their efforts on releasing an even better one once a year, doing a 6 month cycle surely cant be helping improvements in the technology. This kind of thing wont do their reputation any good. I certainly wont be upgrading so soon anyway.

I agree. And especially with software updates not happening that frequent what's the draw to get people to upgrade? The processor is 2x faster. How many people will even notice in every day use?
 
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

Do people really give a crap about this? I just don't understand it...
 
I bought my iPad the day that they came out with the 3G model. I waited in line ready to purchase. I'm still using it. I know that there are things that I can't do. I love some of the features on my iPhone 4S using iOS 6 but it isn't something that I can upgrade to so I just keep using the iPad while debating how long to wait before purchasing the upgrade. I would rather not purchase one that will not be supported long term.
 
I bought the Ipad 3 on release, I think I will do it for the new gen minis also, dont think ill be getting a Cellular one, because im either at home, work, or school. Which 2/3 has wifi, and the other, i shouldnt be on it. hehe
 
Your iPad will not be outdated.. calm down. It's like saying your 2011 model Subaru is outdated when the 2012/13/14 model is released.

It would be if they redesigned in 2012. Have fun with Apple spitting in your face.
 
The only reason apple came out with an iPad so soon after "the new iPad" is because they didn't have the A6X chip ready in time for the new iPad... They were under pressure to release the ipad regardless so they through the A5X in which is a suitable processor. With the release of the new processor in the iPhone 5 and the lightning connector it only made sense to update the ipad right away. It did not require much design changes. Apple will stick to their regular 1 ipad per year update frequency unless something like this comes up again.
 
How many of the current mini owners will buy a new mini if it's released with Retina?

I will definitely, and if it becomes a choice between only upgrading one device of mine at the time, either the mini or my 11" MBA, I'd upgrade my mini in a second and keep my current MBA.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with my mini, it is a much loved device of mine (same with my MBA), every day I am so happy that I own one, and when retina comes out for the mini I'll sell my current and upgrade to the new one, and I'll have had all those months enjoying what is truly one of the best devices Apple has ever produced.

I wonder, like you, if I'm in the majority or minority regarding gen 1 mini owners who plan to upgrade when retina hits.
 
I had a chance yesterday to compare full size and mini side by side, to my eyes there is a difference, although, when I got home, I still viewed my mini as having a very good screen, the difference between the two had been forgotten, the mini was still more than good enough for me. I did come from an iPad 1 to the mini though.
 
Yeah but here's the problem. Now that people have been spreading rumors about a potential Mini with retina in March all of those potential Mini buyers won't buy the gen 1 Mini, they will wait until March for Gen 2 (retina or not). This will put a huge dent in Gen 1 Mini sales. Seriously, if you want a Mini but have not yet bought one would you buy the current Mini or wait to see what happens in March. I agree that releasing a Mini with retina will hurt sales of the Gen 1 Mini. In fact it will all but kill it.


You're wrong. It won't hurt sales of the 1st gen Mini because it will lower in price to $229
 
Yeah, you should probably switch to Android tablets. They only release one of those per year.

Yes and then as soon as they update the software yours is out of date bc there is no such thing as a reliable android update. looking at you samsung. I would much rather have an ipad that will be supported for years to come. The original ipad is still getting updates. I dont have one but i do have the iphone 4 it runs fine and its running ios 6. the iphone 5 is cool but im going to get my moneys worth out of the 4. There is no reason to upgrade your device every year let alone every six months. buy it and use it and dont worry about what the new one can do because if you could live without it before then your fine now.
 
Very cool. I wonder if the next iPad will be redesigned in some way--other than being thinner. If the only improvement is quicker charging times, that alone is a big upgrade for me. Other than that, I'm not sure what other hardware improvements they could make. I bought an iPad 3 and think that's pretty advanced.

There are always improvement they could make:

More standard memory - 32/64/128 gig.

Lighter/thinner form factor

IGZO display technology - smaller battery and longer battery life

Built in SD card reader

Some form of NFC
 
I'll pour money down the Apple hole when they redesign AND put next-gen chip in there.

Semi-annual release? Ok, see you in Fall 2013.

Can someone leak the hardware for iPad 5? Are we supposed to just buy and then print iPad 5 out on a 3D printer? All these March rumors with nothing backing them up. Not even 3D mock-ups or phantom accessories. Dang.
 
Wouldn't we have already seen leaked parts if this was true?
IMO- unless we see a leak in the next week- this is pure Wall Street BS to boost the stock price.
 
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