Smaller iPad Costing "Significantly Less" Than $499 Coming This Fall, According to NYT

[iLilana]

and here it is again.

the post that will not die. apple doesn't need this or want it. It goes against the simplicity mandate. ipad, ipod touch/iphone 3 different products they renew every year that will dominate the market for a time to come. No reason for the mid model.

 

[G51989]

the post that will not die. apple doesn't need this or want it. It goes against the simplicity mandate. ipad, ipod touch/iphone 3 different products they renew every year that will dominate the market for a time to come. No reason for the mid model.

Apple doesn't need this or want it? So they'll just let companies like Google walk in and take all the profits from people who want a tablet smaller than an iPad?'


Also, in a couple of these threads, I've heard people say " But Steve said no way! " or something along those tunes.

NewsFlash: Steve Jobs is DEAD, Apple couldn't care less about what he ' might have thought '.

 

[SpyderBite]

if it doesn't have LTE, then i don't think I will be buying.

Yup. Cause WiFi hotspots are so far and few between these days.

 

[racer1441]

Shut up and take my money!


Also, I want this to be true to rub it in the face of that guy who posted this wouldn't exist because 'tablets are my business'.

 

[zodqyv]

Already ordered a Nexus 7.

With Apple iOS products, you are really just buying for the superior ecosystem nowadays, unless you absolutely need a Retina display. Good for some people, not necessary for others.

I have yet to find an Android product that I didn't absolutely hate, while at the same time I love all of the current Apple hardware. It's as simple as that.

 

[JohnDoe98]

NewsFlash: Steve Jobs is DEAD, Apple couldn't care less about what he ' might have thought '.

Right, and it is reported Steve even told the people he left in charge not to ask, "What would Steve do/say" but to simply focus on making great products and to always do the right thing. He learnt this lesson from watching Disney constantly ask what Walter would have done, stagnating as a result.

 

[D.T.]

at $299 and if it is LTE compatible it will kill all competition

I suspect an option for 3G but not for LTE.

Less than 499 means a low price point I hope, with the Nexus at 199 Apple will need to price the mini iPad not to far off from that to compete.

I’d say within $100 and it’ll be very competitive, so $299 or less.

***

I believe what we’re basically going to see is an iPad 2 Mini. Same A5 (actually the gen 2 showing up in later iPad models), same resolution, same cameras, maybe fewer RAM options, or _potentially_ an even lower capacity model to make an even closer Nexus 7 competitor, i.e., a $249 8GB model (and a $299 16GB model, $399 32GB model).

There might also be some cost savings in going with a cheaper case material (plastic vs. aluminum). I think they’ll use the new display tech from Sharp, reducing thickness and keeping comparable battery life to the iPad, but with physically smaller batteries.

 

[G51989]

I have yet to find an Android product that I didn't absolutely hate, while at the same time I love all of the current Apple hardware. It's as simple as that.

And that's your opinion, it doesn't make Android bad, in many ways, the high end Android Devices blow the iPhone out of the water.

I have an iPhone ( business phone, free ), and a mid range Android Phone, both of them pretty much do exactly the same thing, they just work different.

iOS is great, and I think Android is as well. And to be honest, the Next Windows Phone looks like its ahead of both by a huge margin ( never underestimate microsoft, remeber when people said the xbox would sell 4 million units tops and fail? yeah..... ).

I super hope the Next Windows phone forces Google and Apple to step it up, because I am so so hoping the iPhone has some kind of killer feature that makes me want to buy it

 

[tech4all]

I look forward to the end of Kindle and the Nexus.

You know even Steve Jobs said back when he came to Apple in the late 90's during the famous keynote that we have to stop thinking that in order for Apple to win Microsoft must loose.

I think the same applies here. Google makes great products. Apple makes great products. I use both.

Only fanboys from either side wants the other side to loose. Apple's not going anywhere. Google's not going anywhere. Get over it.

Not very excited- going directly against the wishes of the wise Steve Jobs.
Hopefully Tim is right about this.

So just because Steve Jobs didn't want it, you're not excited about it?

I have yet to find an Android product that I didn't absolutely hate, while at the same time I love all of the current Apple hardware. It's as simple as that.

Honestly, as an Apple fan, Android is really quite nice. I honestly can't believe I'm saying that. I find it a pleasure to use Android.

If you want straight forwardness use iOS. Want more nerdy stuff and customization use Android. Simple as that.

 

[jacobtaylor1987]

Course they paint it that Apple is telling this information but they have nothing to back that up. It's going to be a laugh when Dec 31 rolls around and this mini iPad hasn't seen the light of day because it's not real and Apple leaked nothing to anyone. It would make more sense what with Tim Cook's comments about doubling down on secrecy

The only one being laughed at will be you.
Once Bloomberg, NYT and other mainstream media outlets began reporting it, it was essentially confirmed. The organisations do rigorous fact checking on their articles and aren't on the same level as other MacRumors sources.

 

[ChrisA]

At $200 I'm sold no questions. Most likely will be 16gb $300, and if so I need more information.

The iPod Touch sells for $200. This new mini-pad will sell for more than that but less than $500. These is not much room. Split the difference and it's $350. I'm betting on just slightly less then than that.

 

[PJMAN2952]

Thats it. I give up on this rumor!

 

[ChrisA]

...
iOS is great, and I think Android is as well. And to be honest, the Next Windows Phone looks like its ahead of both by a huge margin ( never underestimate microsoft, remeber when people said the xbox would sell 4 million units tops and fail? yeah..... )....

Yes they sold many xbox but only because Microsoft lets them go way-cheap. They don't make any money on the xbox. MS did it only because they thought the game console was going to be the next big thing and did not want to be left behind. Now they will do the same with tablets, sell then as either zero profit or at a loss just to keep up.

The only thing MS got right and did very, very well was Word and Excel. They became popular and you needed a Windows system to run Office. No now liked Windows, they liked Office but you needed Windows to run Office. The rest is history

 

[G51989]

Right, and it is reported Steve even told the people he left in charge not to ask, "What would Steve do/say" but to simply focus on making great products and to always do the right thing. He learnt this lesson from watching Disney constantly ask what Walter would have done, stagnating as a result.

Indeed, but some of the the die hard Apple fans think Apple still cares what steve jobs would have done, which is excactly why Jobs told Apple to not care about what he " might do " because that would ruin the company.

Microsoft still has the advantage of Going to Bill Gates in a tough decision ( the Man is a software/business Genius ).

Apple can't just run to Jobs, so they need to think about what should be done, not what steve might have done.

 

[swarmster]

Less than $499

Knowing apple that means $400-450

Yeah...like reallynotrick below, I'm going to have to question how well you 'know Apple'. What event(s) are you basing that on? Them cutting their OS price to "less than $129". The rumours that the iPad would be "less than $1000"?

Since the iPad 2 is $399 and I'm expecting the mini to be about the same but just with a smaller screen I'm guessing it will be $299.

Although I will say I have trouble figuring out how a smaller screen, smaller battery, and increased miniaturization can allow a price to be cut in half. I guess with the iPad 2 as a 'starting point' you're only talking $100-200. And I guess you're also saving on the...aluminum?

 

[MR1324]

Yup. Cause WiFi hotspots are so far and few between these days.

if it was so widespread, there would be no market for mobile data

 

[Yamcha]

I would love to see an iPad starting at the same price as the Nexus 7 $259 (CAD).. I was actually planning on buying a Nexus 7, but might hold off If we see a cheaper tablet from Apple..

 

[CapnJackGig]

I look forward to the end of Kindle and the Nexus.

iPad will never kill the Kindle. As long as I can't use my Kindle outside, it's a useless device.

 

[ChrisTX]

Why do I keep gettingthe feeling that these are controlled leaks?

When they come from reputable sources like NYT that's the only plausible answer.

 

[URFloorMatt]

Why do I keep gettingthe feeling that these are controlled leaks?

Because it's plain as day. And probably no coincidence that it's the eve of the Nexus 7 launch.

You have to figure with the iPhone slotted at $199 on contract, this will be $299, which still puts it at a premium over the other two. But I suppose that's Apple's bread and butter.

iPhone gen -2: $0 on contract
iPhone last gen: $99 on contract
iPhone current gen: $199 on contract
iPad mini: $299 base
iPad last gen: $399 base
iPad current gen: $499 base

Makes you wonder what the future is for the iPod Touch, particularly when a year from now there's a last gen iPad mini available.

 

[JAT]

Somehow all these articles forget that apple can't release anything in the 6.5 - 8.5" range thanks to the millions they pushed into lawyers the past 2 years to piss of the galaxy tab and get it banned by proofing that it 'was like an ipad' visually cause samsung owns the 6.5 - 8.5" range of that design.

Owns? What?

iOS is great, and I think Android is as well. And to be honest, the Next Windows Phone looks like its ahead of both by a huge margin ( never underestimate microsoft, remeber when people said the xbox would sell 4 million units tops and fail? yeah..... ).

What does any of this have to do with tablets? The MS tablet was so under-discussed at its own announcement, I'm not even sure it is an electronic device.

iPad will never kill the Kindle. As long as I can't use my Kindle outside, it's a useless device.

You may want to reread that comment.

 

[emjaymert]

i pad mini

will Apple make one? I don 't know. The nexus 7 is already on the market and selling like hotcakes.
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/07/14/quick-nexus-7-sellouts/
If Apple wants to compete it ll HAVE to be better than the nexus 7 and sell at a similar price.

 

[gorskiegangsta]

"significantly less" than $499

...thats when you know we're getting ripped off on the iPhone at $599+

The iPhone costs more to manufacture because more miniaturized components such as cellular radios, the logic board and the NAND flash modules are, in some cases, more expensive to manufacture. That's not to say that Apple still doesn't make healthy profits from iPhones, though.

 

[Thex1138]

When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997

He culled the plethora of computers Amellio had spewed onto the market...
As soon as Jobs had gone... Cook raised salaries of a few executives...
..and has now added 2 15 inch MacBook Pros.. a Retina and non-retina.. a 13 inch Pro and 13 inch Air and 11 inch Air...
Now we will have something else Jobs didn't want.. a 7 inch tablet...

Amellio did it for money, is Cook doing it to cover all these markets or for basing it on quality of design... or is the 7 inch simply a red herring...

 

[Hakone]

$279 for 8GB, $349 for 16GB