iPad mini Saw a mini for the first time and ....

[OdT22]

- Above average viewing times

Agreed on each of your other points, save this one. FWIW, I received the mini on the first day it was available, and have been using it exclusively since, until adding the 4 (out of curiosity) last Thursday. I don't know that there's been a day that my eyes weren't on it a full 8 hours. Dunno if that is above or below average, but no complaints here.

I willfully admit that since adding the 4, I'm equally impressed with it. If ever asked to part with either, it would be a tough choice to make.

 

[JH19059]

I say choose what ever works best for you.

 

[Nychot]

im sure many would sacrifice some battery life for better screen. i too am not owning the mini and i get to have a look at it in nearby shop. The screen is a let down but i am more disappointed by the feel of it. It just seems too delicate and light. I much prefer it to be a little heavier or maybe because im coming form original ipad feels.

i seriously found ipod touch 4 to have a better durability feel to it.

Agreed -- it is too delicate and light. Mine fell a couple of feet and fifty percent if the screen cracked and one edge was dented and it was in a leather case.

 

[NT1440]

I couldn't believe how sub-par the display is. I love the size and weight but that is a total oversight to not put a retina on it. Very poor display by a company that touts Retina everything.

I'm sick of hearing "they could have just put a Retina in", "oversight" blah blah.

What don't you people understand? The only display technology that would work in that form factor and power requirements AND be retina is IGZO, simply put the manufacturing supply of those displays are fully bound up .

Every one of the factories that makes those displays (let alone that screen size) is running at full capacity and orders are booked solid for months. There simply isn't enough production capability to get even close to the yield that Apple needs, just look at all the issues the rMBPs, these factories are straining under there current loads, add 4 million+ fully functional and non defective in a custom form factor no less, it just isn't going to be possible until next year.

 

[fsumom]

These threads just crack me up. It's fine to me but then again I'm not spoiled by the oh so great retina display I suppose.

 

[OdT22]

Mine fell a couple of feet and fifty percent if the screen cracked and one edge was dented and it was in a leather case.

Have you tried dropping your television or microwave oven that far yet?

 

[mentaluproar]

Have you tried dropping your television or microwave oven that far yet?

I dropped my hair dryer a few feet into a full bathtub, and it doesn't work anymore.

I've got nothing.

 

[OdT22]

i dropped my hair dryer a few feet into a full bathtub, and it doesn't work anymore.

I've got nothing.

:d

 

[technowar]

I dropped my hair dryer a few feet into a full bathtub, and it doesn't work anymore.

I've got nothing.

I feel you. :|

 

[Ayemerica]

Agreed on each of your other points, save this one. FWIW, I received the mini on the first day it was available, and have been using it exclusively since, until adding the 4 (out of curiosity) last Thursday. I don't know that there's been a day that my eyes weren't on it a full 8 hours. Dunno if that is above or below average, but no complaints here.

I willfully admit that since adding the 4, I'm equally impressed with it. If ever asked to part with either, it would be a tough choice to make.

My eyes are on it a lot as well. I work at a Sprint store that mainly deals with Nextel/Business accounts so there is a lot of down time, I do not experience eye strain on the mini but some might depending on their vision is what I was going for.

Side note; My GF purchased the iPad 4 and took it back for a mini, when playing with the 4 just like the 3 it was just too cumbersome to carry on my person for the entire day and not even the weight just the footprint, it felt like it was a road block to me more than an extension of my media experience. (Great for home use though I am not knocking the 4, for home use whatsoever.) I never took my iPad 3 out of the house so this was my first time trying to use a 10 inch ipad outside of the house. IMHO. Glad you enjoy both your ipads!

 

[cfedu]

I couldn't believe how sub-par the display is. I love the size and weight but that is a total oversight to not put a retina on it. Very poor display by a company that touts Retina everything.

oversight!!! had Apple put a retina display in this it would have be fat, heavy, and not so mini like. Apple already has a fat heavy ipad, so a second one does not make sense.

Without this compromise there would be not mini and less choice for customers.

It's a good thing you are not in product development with apple.

 

[Random 995K]

I couldn't believe how sub-par the display is. I love the size and weight but that is a total oversight to not put a retina on it. Very poor display by a company that touts Retina everything.

Agreed, thats why i got the 4. (also the mediocre chip it contains)

 

[OdT22]

My eyes are on it a lot as well. I work at a Sprint store that mainly deals with Nextel/Business accounts so there is a lot of down time, I do not experience eye strain on the mini but some might depending on their vision is what I was going for.

Side note; My GF purchased the iPad 4 and took it back for a mini, when playing with the 4 just like the 3 it was just too cumbersome to carry on my person for the entire day and not even the weight just the footprint, it felt like it was a road block to me more than an extension of my media experience. (Great for home use though I am not knocking the 4, for home use whatsoever.) I never took my iPad 3 out of the house so this was my first time trying to use a 10 inch ipad outside of the house. IMHO. Glad you enjoy both your ipads!

Right on. Very much agreed.

The 4 will stay at home, where I use it most. The mini will travel, where I'm often distracted. Seems like a clear win, for any user. On the other hand, my girlfriend has the mini also and has expressed zero interest in the 4. Probably because she has the desktop at her fingertips, that I no longer share an interest in.

 

[rowspaxe]

Another retina drama queen. At least you didn't return multple units. Are you trying to read web sites in portrait mode as well? Personallly, i was impressed by the mini. hope apple doesn't lard it with a retina screen and a heavy battery.

 

[hitek79]

My Mini has an amazing screen.

 

[Lara F]

Another retina drama queen. At least you didn't return multple units. Are you trying to read web sites in portrait mode as well? Personallly, i was impressed by the mini. hope apple doesn't lard it with a retina screen and a heavy battery.

You want to stay with that screen forever, be my guest.

I truly love the size. And the screen isn't *that* bad. But it's bad enough to notice the lack of retina every time. From lock screen notifications to app icons to the App Store updates info (made worse by lighter text color). I don't see how you *can't* not notice.

The form factor may be good enough to be worth putting up with it, but putting up is exactly what it is. I just hope it won't be for too long.

 

[nishishei]

Coming from the iPad 3 I can say their is a difference but it isn't going to be a deal breaker for the majority of people who want;

- Smaller footprint
- Weight / Thickness


Who (may/don't) like the mini

- Graphic Arts / Photographers
- Editors / Comic guru's
- Above average viewing times

Any person who uses the iPad as a textbook reader or a science journal reader is not going to like the Mini.

Much of iPad's thickness factor is really in the case you get. I see people carrying tank like cases that weigh as much as the iPad, well no wonder you think the iPad is heavy and bulky. The Ipad 4 with a smartcover or a slim case really isn't that thick. And it's only 1.4 pounds.

 

[Ayemerica]

Any person who uses the iPad as a textbook reader or a science journal reader is not going to like the Mini.

Much of iPad's thickness factor is really in the case you get. I see people carrying tank like cases that weigh as much as the iPad, well no wonder you think the iPad is heavy and bulky. The Ipad 4 with a smartcover or a slim case really isn't that thick. And it's only 1.4 pounds.

I use the mini for a couple of my textbooks easily. I forgot to add footprint not just weight. I am not saying one is better than the other, I am just saying the mini is aimed at a different market at least generation 1 is.

 

[Rogifan]

Those who are surprised or disappointed with the mini's display, fail to understand that comparing it to retina is completely irrelevant. They are vastly different resolutions. If you know displays you don't even have to see the mini in person.

I understand those who prefer retina, and knowing how the general public reacts I think it was a major mistake on Apples part not to include it. Yet the fact that they chose a lower resolution display does not make it bad.

Frankly it's a typical move that Apple makes time after time. Push out a product that's missing a feature, then include that feature in the next version. It creates sales & huge profits for the company that's addicted to profits at all costs.

Explain exactly they could have built this exact device (same weight, thickness, performance and battery life) with a retina display for the same price. Seems to me they decided thin and light with great battery life was more important than retina right now.

 

[rowspaxe]

The Ipad 4 ...really isn't that thick. And it's only 1.4 pounds.

Look--I'd be al bad as the retina rejectionists if I were to to that the ipad is a heavy weight device--Its just that holding the mini seems to redefine the form factor game. I think you have to recall that one of the biggest complaints--going back to ipad 1--was the weight. I ignored it because i tended to prop my ipad against something or use a cover that could stand alone. My dream machine would be a 3/4 lb 9.7", or 10.6" ipad, with minimal bezels. The whole retina thing does not excite me.

 

[Rogifan]

im sure many would sacrifice some battery life for better screen. i too am not owning the mini and i get to have a look at it in nearby shop. The screen is a let down but i am more disappointed by the feel of it. It just seems too delicate and light. I much prefer it to be a little heavier or maybe because im coming form original ipad feels.

i seriously found ipod touch 4 to have a better durability feel to it.

Sory if this device had crap battery life and was heavier it would've been a major fail. What people want is thin and light with great battery life and retina display (oh and not too expensive). Where's the evidence that was/is possible but Apple chose not to do it (for whatever reason)? Heck, even AnandTech doesn't think next years mini will be retina.

 

[MrXiro]

Yeah but I dont't hold my TV 12in away from my face either. Maybe you do, but most humans do not.

I hold it about a book's length from my face... and it looks fine... the PPI is also better than my computer monitor... and that is is like 20 inches from my face... you people are just spec crazy and look for excuses.

I hope Apple NEVER puts a retina display in the Mini to spike the lot of you.

----------

iPad mini is also an introductory product into the iPad family. Those who had interests but never made the leap due to price, size, etc. are starting off with the iPad mini and aren't going to be concerned with iPad minis lack of retina display.

If you want a powerhouse tablet with retina display, get an iPad 3 or 4.

If you want a small, light weight yet powerful tablet and are on a budget -- there's iPad mini.

It's that simple.

Those upset about iPad mini not having retina off the bat -- don't be naive and/or surprised, you know how Apple is.

I've said this about 15 times in the last week... it always gets ignored by the tweedle dumbs on this site.

 

[Belmont31R]

I like the size and design but after playing with both for about 10 minutes each today I walked out with an iPad 4/Retina.



Ill buy one when it comes with a better processor and Retina display. I'd be ok with losing a couple hours of battery life for such.

 

[Uplift]

I love the Mini, the display isn't perfect but it's still really, really good.. it's better than iPad 2, i've compared a mini, 2, and 3 side by side and obviously the 3 comes out on top but the mini holds it's own, everything still looks stunning on it. apart from web text.. but it's not bad enough that u can't read it.

The size and weight heavily outweighs the retina display in my opinion, what would i rather have? a 3/4 with retina that i'd never use, or a mini without retina that i'd always use?

 

[ixodes]

Explain exactly they could have built this exact device (same weight, thickness, performance and battery life) with a retina display for the same price. Seems to me they decided thin and light with great battery life was more important than retina right now.

Retina ads no thickness, only cost. Battery life differences are negligible. Price is irrelevant, as Apple knows buyers will pay whatever Apple charges.

Instead of including what we _know_ they will eventually do, which is to build it with retina, they left it out. Apple's nothing if not clever, they know they have people addicted to retina at this point, the mini should have had it period.

Apple's entire purpose for "retina" is twofold, bragging rights and to move people upmarket into more expensive devices, thereby fattening Apple's coffers.