Sketchy Report Claims Apple May Discontinue iPad Mini to Focus on 'iPad Pro'

[dukeblue219]

I know there's 12 pages of others saying this too, but NO FREAKING WAY.

Not only does it sell very well, but it seems to be widely loved by consumers. I switched from the full size 3 to a retina mini and it's exactly what I want an iPad to be. It's not a laptop replacement, but it works for typing semi-naturally, it works for watching movies on a plane, it works perfectly for reading a book, etc.

To *me* the full size iPad is the one that could go away -- have just the 8" mini and the 12" pro. I have always found the 10" to be awkward -- not really suitable as a laptop replacement on a desk, but too large to be held one-handed and too large for up-close media consumption.

 

[allanfries]

Is it too shocking to realize that apple is actually a display panel premium reseller in disguise?

Especially last year it was so blatantly obvious: iPhone 5s, iPad mini, iPad Air; same hardware (A7) was marketed as 3 different devices!

Yup! Size apparently matters.

 

[ParanoidDroid]

I know there's 12 pages of others saying this too, but NO FREAKING WAY.

To *me* the full size iPad is the one that could go away -- have just the 8" mini and the 12" pro. I have always found the 10" to be awkward -- not really suitable as a laptop replacement on a desk, but too large to be held one-handed and too large for up-close media consumption.

I totally agree! If Apple had to cut down its product variety then the full iPad would have to go. It has never been really "pocket-portable". Either you had to carry it in a rucksack or a messenger bag with you on the go, but you were never able to shove it in your jacket pockets—like you can with the iPad mini.

The 12" Pro could provide full keyboard estate and side-by-side multitasking. And, since you needed a bag for the 10" already, would the extra 2" really matter?

 

[flur]

Huh? Are you seriously not getting it? "I could care less" is also used in informal communication. And yes, it is an illogical phrase, but so are many other things in the English language.

No, it's an incorrectly worded phrase used by people who don't know what they're saying. Here are a few more just like it:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/michaelblackmon/17-really-common-phrases-youve-probably-been-saying-wrong

 

[Geordiekeith]

I have an iPhone 6, iPad mini 2 and Mac Pro Retina 13" - all good for different purposes. Cannot see with an iPad pro (or even iPad Air) would fit in with my uses, so if the mini is discontinued it will be replaced by a Kindle or Kindle Fire...

 

[ralphdaily]

My wife likes the mini to put in her handbag. She was disappointed at no meaningful update last time. I would update my iPad Air if there is an update this year. The iPad has plenty of fans, we just need updates.

 

[mi7chy]

Poor decision. They should drop the 9.7" and focus on the 7.9" and new 12.9" screen sizes because 9.7" is too small to be useful for anything more than consumption and too big for one handed use.

 

[tdale]

I have an iPhone 6, iPad mini 2 and Mac Pro Retina 13" - all good for different purposes. Cannot see with an iPad pro (or even iPad Air) would fit in with my uses, so if the mini is discontinued it will be replaced by a Kindle or Kindle Fire...

I dont see the point of your post. Apple doesnt make stuff tailor made for you, or for me, it makes for the general populace. If they drop the mini, they know some will not replace with another iPad, that woukd appear to be fine for Apple

 

[Billy95Tech]

They should drop the 9.7".

Yeah right in your dreams!!!!

Apple will never drop the 9.7 inch Ipad as it is a pretty much the perfect size for a tablet and is great size for productivity tasks like office work, video editing lots more!!

But out of the 3 ipad sizes i think Apple will most likely drop the 7.9 inch ipad mini as it is not much bigger than phablets and lots of people are replacing there ipad minis with Iphone 6+ and other phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

 

[kd5jos]

Yeah right in your dreams!!!!

Apple will never drop the 9.7 inch Ipad as it is a pretty much the perfect size for a tablet and is great size for productivity tasks like office work, video editing lots more!!

But out of the 3 ipad sizes i think Apple will most likely drop the 7.9 inch ipad mini as it is not much bigger than phablets and lots of people are replacing there ipad minis with Iphone 6+ and other phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

No, it really isn't. And that is what the other poster pointed out. It's too big for one hand, and not big enough for other purposes...

I use a mini. I hope to always use a mini. I hope that Apple isn't getting rid of the mini...

If they are, it's because they don't want competition for the iPhone. I could get rid of my iPhone if people could call me on my tablet (iPad mini).

Then I would need one less device... Apple can't have that.

 

[Billy95Tech]

No, it really isn't. And that is what the other poster pointed out. It's too big for one hand, and not big enough for other purposes...

I use a mini. I hope to always use a mini. I hope that Apple isn't getting rid of the mini...

If they are, it's because they don't want competition for the iPhone. I could get rid of my iPhone if people could call me on my tablet (iPad mini).

Then I would need one less device... Apple can't have that.

Ok agree to disagree!

I thought i ask why do you think 9.7 inch Ipad or tablet is not a good size for a tablet??

I think 9.7 inch Ipad is a great size for a tablet, I see no reason why Apple should drop the 9.7 inch Ipad any time soon or never..

I think 11/12 inch plus tablets like Surface Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 are too big for a tablet and not very portable.

 

[solaris]

The iPad mini is already lagging behind the iPad Air, as Apple did not bump the processor last year on the mini.. So I would not be surprised if they discontinue the mini.

 

[Billy95Tech]

The iPad mini is already lagging behind the iPad Air, as Apple did not bump the processor last year on the mini.. So I would not be surprised if they discontinue the mini.

Definitely Agree!!!

 

[The Game 161]

From all reports

IPad mini goes next year and iPad air will return in 2016

They aren't discontinuing the IPad air..even if there is no update this year

 

[Geordiekeith]

I dont see the point of your post. Apple doesnt make stuff tailor made for you, or for me, it makes for the general populace. If they drop the mini, they know some will not replace with another iPad, that woukd appear to be fine for Apple

That is because you are not reading in the context of the other posts. If I want to communicate I use the iPhone (e-mail, telephone, SMS, WhatsApp) and can check info on the internet, on a device that is always in my pocket. If I want to "consume", i.e. watch movies on plane and train journeys, read books, subscribed newspapers, or surf for news, the iPad mini is ideal - easily portable, one-handed use like a book, and powerful enough for when I want to do small pieces of work on the move. It fits in the pocket of pair of cargo pants, so is readily portable. For real work the MacBook Pro, on its own while travelling, or plugged into a large screen at home, is ideal - powerful and connectable, but it needs a bag/case to carry it around.

The iPad 9.7 inch iPad is too big for the consumer uses described - as noted by others it is not for one-handed use while reading. The promised iPad Pro is not powerful enough or as well connected as a laptop for "real work" without making compromises just to be able to use it, and still needs reasonable sized bag to be carried. Don't get me going on Apple's obsession with making everything thinner - when they can pack iPad power in something as thin as a sheet of A4 paper, it will still need a A4-sized bag (or probably a protective case) to carry it in.

I have raised my three daughters to be Mac-users and they all have MacBooks of one sort or other that have seen them through university. The two that also started using iPads soon switched from the 9.7" to the mini (their choice, my cost!), for the reasons I describe. Even my wife, who as a teacher has a school-supplied iPad 9.7" does not use it at home, preferring her iPad mini.

So as I said in my first post, if the iPad mini goes, it will be replaced by a similar-sized non-Apple tablet, and I am guessing a lot of other people will do the same. You say that Apple make stuff for the general populace, i.e. people who are not tied to the Apple-environment, so they are the ones who will look at convenience of size, and price, and if the iPad mini is not available, will opt for non-Apple alternatives. Apple are not stupid so I do not think that will be fine for them.

 

[Technarchy]

The iPad sales figures are in decline.

It might make sense for Apple to treat the Mini like the iPod line where updates aren't are frequent, and they instead focus on a core product like the iPad (Air) in terms of the latest tech, marketing and annual updates.

 

[kd5jos]

Ok agree to disagree!

I thought i ask why do you think 9.7 inch Ipad or tablet is not a good size for a tablet??

I think 9.7 inch Ipad is a great size for a tablet, I see no reason why Apple should drop the 9.7 inch Ipad any time soon or never..

I think 11/12 inch plus tablets like Surface Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 are too big for a tablet and not very portable.

Worse,

I agree with you on... all counts. 9.7 inches is a good size. My mini is a better size... for me.

This is why I want them to continue to make it.