iPad mini Stunned by the Mini.

[charlituna]

Until the Retina version drops.

That could be a while. After all the iPad Mini has like 60% the battery of the iPad 2 and you are asking it to push out almost twice as much graphics. Remember what happened to battery life between the iPad 2 and 3 and that was the same sized battery.

Battery life is a spec that even Grandma can understand so Apple protects it strongly. If they know including something is going to drop that battery life down to as little as half the previous then they won't do it. After all, what good is an iPad Mini that you can only use for a quarter of a day or less unless you carry mophie batteries, a charger etc.

 

[Oui]

My iPhone 5 is retina obviously but I have no issue at all with the iPad mini display. It's crisp and sharp and just fine.

I also think that the mini has a great looking screen.

 

[TJ61]

I also think that the mini has a great looking screen.

We try not to say that out loud around here. You'll see.

Regards,
Tom
(pssst, I don't hate my mini screen either.)

 

[jamesjingyi]

Im on the move quite a bit and the mini is just perfect for it. Retina does not matter and that's why it and my MacBook Air are just fine. Yes you can see the pixels if you press your nose up against the glass but I would prefer the longer battery life instead of a higher PPI display. Imho pixels are just getting too dense. Once Apple created a high res display, everyone decided to do it and then seem to think that you needed 400+ PPI even though you can't even see the pixels on many 120 PPI displays e.g my MacBook Air. Idk about others but I as a general consumer and not a pro don't need to see 4 feeds of 1080p video at the same time...If I was a pro then sure and of course they do keep the upmarket rMBPs and this is right. My next computer will be a rMBP but that's probably because they will phase out the other ones and even if they don't, I will not be able to go back to non-flash...

 

[Han Solo 1]

I also think that the mini has a great looking screen.

Yes you can see the pixels if you press your nose up against the glass

I weep for your eyes.

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[truettray]

I wonder if those of you who are complaining about the non-retina display have actually used the mini. It's still much better than say the 3GS, or iPad 2. The only thing that we iPad owners should be complaining about is how little the base model storage space is... 16gbs? That was just alright in 2009.

 

[Han Solo 1]

I wonder if those of you who are complaining about the non-retina display have actually used the mini. It's still much better than say the 3GS, or iPad 2. The only thing that we iPad owners should be complaining about is how little the base model storage space is... 16gbs? That was just alright in 2009.

I had the mini for a week before I returned it and got the 4. I couldn't stand the screen with PDFs or text when web browsing.

 

[AppleRobert]

I had the mini for a week before I returned it and got the 4. I couldn't stand the screen with PDFs or text when web browsing.

I cannot believe I downloaded many browsers to adjust font size and did the bookmarklet recommendation for Safari. Still didn't matter for web browsing in the end.

No more having to fuss to make something work better that I do alot of. I could use landscape but that was just another workaround.

 

[AppleDeviceUser]

It's called getting used to something superior. If you have a nice bluray player, would you go back to VHS? Hell no.

Many of us didn't complain with iPad 1 because that's all we knew, just like when VHS came out, we didn't complain about not being able to see in HD. But once you see a vastly superior product and get used to it, the inferior product looks like crap.

Apple gave us HD, and then after a while said, "Here, remember how much you loved VHS when it first came out? Well it's back!"

No thank you.

Exactly! Nicely said.

 

[Medic311]

That could be a while. After all the iPad Mini has like 60% the battery of the iPad 2 and you are asking it to push out almost twice as much graphics. Remember what happened to battery life between the iPad 2 and 3 and that was the same sized battery.

Battery life is a spec that even Grandma can understand so Apple protects it strongly. If they know including something is going to drop that battery life down to as little as half the previous then they won't do it. After all, what good is an iPad Mini that you can only use for a quarter of a day or less unless you carry mophie batteries, a charger etc.

yeah, it would be quite the engineering feat to come out with an iPad Mini Retina that achieved the same 10hrs battery life and no significant increase in weight or thickness.

 

[adnoh]

Are you the chaz from notebook review?

 

[ChazUK]

Are you the chaz from notebook review?

Nope!

Not familiar with the guy myself.

 

[Lara F]

I never realised the retina debate was such a hot topic! Great to read everyone's opinions so thank you all.

Hehe - you clearly weren't near this board the first month post Mini release!

For my part I *do* notice and bemoan the lack of retina, but it's not unusable either and the form factor could be worth the compromise. Not surprised you love it coming from the iPad 2!

 

[MrXiro]

it is definitely hard going from an iPad Retina to an iPad Mini

i couldn't do it

I did it with no issue at all.

 

[Medic311]

I did it with no issue at all.

and there is no right or wrong answer, i was just sharing my personal preference

 

[Hermes Monster]

We have the iPad 3 and the mini, I must say I love the size and weight of the device, but the screen does seem harsh after the retina. It's not just the pixels, it's the colours, the screen just looks a little bit dull. After half an hour so, I soon for forget about it though....

My only complaint is that the first one didn't have the retina. Everyone knows that the next version will have, and that will justify the upgrade route for another year, along with iOS 7's "killer feature" that probably won't work on the current model.

 

[Scarpad]

I love mine, I'm using an Otter box and even thou it adds a little weight to the ipad I find it infinitely more grippable

 

[vastoholic]

I did it with no issue at all.

I did the same. Loving the mini form factor a lot more than I expected to. The screen res isn't that much of a noticeable thing with the size. I don't draw on it as much as I used to on the full size but I finally have a Wacom tablet for my desktop to take over that duty.

 

[MrXiro]

My only complaint is that the first one didn't have the retina. Everyone knows that the next version will have, and that will justify the upgrade route for another year, along with iOS 7's "killer feature" that probably won't work on the current model.

I think a lot of people will be disappointed with Mini 2. Unless there is a major spec bump with the iPad 5, I'm betting Mini 2 will only get a camera and (20nm) processor upgrade with no Retina this year. It would be like sticking iOS on the Nano, it would kill the flagship model and also cannibalize profit margins.

Nobody wants to admit that the Mini is clearly the entry level to the Apple line of tablets. Like the iPod Mini to the iPod, the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Mini and the The Nano to the iPod 5th gen.

 

[AppleRobert]

I think a lot of people will be disappointed with Mini 2. Unless there is a major spec bump with the iPad 5, I'm betting Mini 2 will only get a camera and (20nm) processor upgrade with no Retina this year. It would be like sticking iOS on the Nano, it would kill the flagship model and also cannibalize profit margins.

Nobody wants to admit that the Mini is clearly the entry level to the Apple line of tablets. Like the iPod Mini to the iPod, the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Mini and the The Nano to the iPod 5th gen.

Folks lived with the larger iPads until the Mini. So if Apple just streamlines the 5, is it really necessary to have a Mini 2. And if they do come out with the latter, it will be somewhat heavier than the original and if it includes retina I doubt at $329 either.

Folks will buy the 5 if there isn't a Mini 2 and no cannabilizing of flagship product.

 

[Medic311]

all i see Apple doing is making 32GB the minimum capacity model and Apple touting the same $319 price tag as being amazing. maybe some other tweaks - sure, a better camera and maybe that revised A5 or whatever to squeeze out a tad bit more battery life.

"we stuck twice the capacity into the same product and kept the price the same. we're really excited about that and we hope you are too" (they always say something stupid like that)


if you are satisfied with the current Mini in its current form with the current features - you will get one HECK of a deal on a used on via Craigslist or eBay if the Mini 2 has Retina

 

[colodane]

My only request is that Apple get the mini and the full size iPad on the same release cycle. Will be replacing my iPad 2 in the next few months and would like to see - all at once - what the new models of both sizes provide so that I can make an informed decision.

 

[maxosx]

One of my favorites is the smart case Apple sells for my iPad 4, I'd be very happy if they made one for my mini. It's this type of inconsistency that is an oversight on Apples part. They're missing out on even more revenue. In my office alone I know at least 20 mini owners than share my desire for a smart case.

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My only request is that Apple get the mini and the full size iPad on the same release cycle. Will be replacing my iPad 2 in the next few months and would like to see - all at once - what the new models of both sizes provide so that I can make an informed decision.

The problem is you're applying common sense to a great idea....

 

[hexonxonx]

I had been thinking of getting a mini for the past few weeks but the screen just keeps stopping me.

Right now I have a Nexus 7 and every day I am amazed at how good this display looks. I don't watch a whole lot of videos but I do watch my local news on their website using Firefox and the flash plugin. The picture quality is simply amazing.

Watching the same newscast on my iPhone using their app which allows streaming right from the app, the colors are nearly the same. The colors on the Nexus 7 seem to be just a bit deeper.

I think like others, once you've seen a display such as the iPads retina or the display on a Nexus tablet, it's hard to think about getting a tablet with a display that would not be as good.

I may just get a mini anyways and just try it. I could always get a refund.

I bought my N7 32GB with cellular for $300 and have not been disappointed in any way. I don't miss not having the iTunes content on it because I can get the same videos in alternate places and load them on my tablet and in HD.

 

[darngooddesign]

That could be a while. After all the iPad Mini has like 60% the battery of the iPad 2 and you are asking it to push out almost twice as much graphics. Remember what happened to battery life between the iPad 2 and 3 and that was the same sized battery.

Regardless of the battery's size, it has at least the same battery life as the iPad 2. Lets say the iPad 3's battery increased by 40%; it's not farfetched to say that if the Mini 2's battery increases by 40% as well, it will have similar battery life to the iPad 3. Especially if Apple uses a more efficient screen technology.