Supply Chain Hints Suggest Retina iPad Mini Could Debut in Second Half of 2013

[meboy]

I have found the iPad apps to still be quite lacking.

Many don't have iPad versions yet and the quality of apps for iOS seems really bad to me. It's worse than Android to me.

It's like all the apps are made by hipsters that have tried to do something "cool", reinventing the wheel, etc. Just enough to get some hype. Useful though, not usually.

I can find apps that do all kinds of crazy stupid things I don't need but not the few things I really do need.. A good calculator for one.

 

[XtraSmiley]

Anyone else think this may be a total BS story?

If Apple has the intention of going Retina on the 2nd gen which will add weight, thickness and possibly degrade battery life, why would you start with a product of better dimensions then immediately gimp it 12 months later?

Obviously the mini was a beta product to see how well the market absorbed a smaller iPad and its sold (probably) better than they anticipated but I can't see why then you'd take what the mini has (form factor) and then make it chunky to include the retina. If it can't fit in more or less the same width and weight it seems like a backwards step forwards.

Curious to know tbh.

This is a good point. I think that is why maybe it leads us to conclude the second one will be a spec bump while they figure out how to make the third one same dimensions with the retina display.

 

[malexandria]

Huh?

The whole twice-a-year upgrade cycle seems a bit desperate on apple's part. They know that a certain percentage of users will upgrade no matter what, so it seems like they're shipping garbage upgrades just because they're guaranteed a certain number of sales. :/

What are you ranting about? Generally I would agree with you, but the iPad Mini was due for an upgrade the day it was released. It is based purely on technology used in the iPad 2 which was release 3 years ago. So if any Apple device should have an update it is certainly the Mini.

 

[gnasher729]

There is also a little something called the Apple Retail Store that most people seem to discount.

If I walk into an Apple Retail Store with a three year old broken device that has that little Apple logo on it, I will walk out with a device that it working. I may (or may not) have to pay for out of warranty service, but the device will be working.

Where do you go to get tat type of service for your Android phone or Windows computer.

Tim Cook talks about the Apple experience. Well, the retail store is part of that experience and it is worth a lot more than having the best display or the fastest processor.

Got voted up four times. Should be voted up a lot more. I have some relatives who are absolutely computer illiterate and got iPads. They still haven't got used to the idea that if they have any problems, they can go to the Apple Store (there is one nearby) and someone will be actually helping them. Not trying to sell extended warranty, not lying to them, not trying to get rid of them, but someone who is actually being paid to keep the customers happy. They are still too much used to PCWorld and shops like that.

 

[Syk]

I think he's referring to a non retina April Mini upgrade. In other words, if you're going to upgrade the mini, and you know it will eventually have a retina display just add it now. No one wants to buy an iPad in April, only to have it one upped later in the year. That, and I'm not a fan of Apple putting all of their eggs in one basket. It was better when their releases were spread throughout the year, vs all in one sitting during a fall/Christmas launch.

I don't see the problem with a non retina release next month as long as they up the processor. Computers that are pretty much the same model get spec bumps at least twice a year. Technology is always moving buy now and enjoy. April to Sept/Oct is a long way off to wait. I can see waiting a month if you know something is about to come out but 6 months is quite a stretch.

I see nothing wrong with two a year releases. It keeps them on the forefront with the competition.

If you bought the base model I'm sure you could sell it for $225-250 before the retina release and apply that toward a new one.

 

[Bokes]

I hear so many users try to rationalize that 'it's not that bad'....but you just KNOW they are all going to talk about how AMAZING the retina version is when it comes out...

This.

Put in a room with both the current screen and the retina- everyone would use the retina. It's ok to dig it's size and weight, but stop lying to yourself about the screen.

 

[XtraSmiley]

If you bought the base model I'm sure you could sell it for $225-250 before the retina release and apply that toward a new one.

Your whole post is spot on, but this last part especially. People that seem to bitch on here about Apple updates (are probably secret Droid users) don't seem to realize that their one year old Apple product has so much second market value it's nuts! I usually sell my old Apple stuff when I get a new one and it's usually years old and I still get 30-70% of its value back.

Once I sold a 4 year old MacBook for $500, that I paid $1000 new for. Now you may say, wow, that's a 50% loss, but I say show me a PC that is worth anything after 4 years, let alone 50%!

 

[jacobss]

If they update it with a new retina display I may finally buy my first iPad.

 

[Syk]

I don't see the point of releasing and "updated" mini before Retina is available. Right now that is the weakest link, compared to, say the Fire. I doubt too many people would upgrade their mini to a new model also w/o Retina and I don't think people who don't own a tablet would be compelled to either. If they didn't grab the original, a faster proc isn't going to get them all warm and cuddly feeling.

The Fire price points and people used to Kindle help push their numbers. There are plenty of people out there without tablets looking to buy and have no clue about retina or care on top off the tons of cheap android tablet.

Lady at work got a resistive cheap tablet and was happy with it although I was like

My iPad2 doesn't have retina and I think it looks nice and I bet the regular joe blow would say the same.

I want an iPad mini but think they gimped out by putting the processor they did in it and the gen1 would probably have features left out from iOS7. I really think that may be why Apple would release a processor bump mini for iOS7

 

[linuxcooldude]

Nexus 7 already beats the Mini. The Mini really needs an update to bring it up to par. Course even being overpriced and under speced it still sells because of the little on it. Build quality is great, but take away the skin you don't have much left to justify the price.

I know I'll be hated on for saying that, but it's the truth, not my opinion.

I know several people returning their Nexus 7 due to quality control issues. With one returning it twice, he finally just wanted his money back. I'm not convinced.

 

[kcamfork]

As a Mini user, I can't say that resolution has ever been an issue. I think Apple should retain the current display and utilise a more powerful CPU/GPU.

I agree. People who complain about the iPad mini's display have probably never held and used one. After I played with one at the Apple store, I had to buy one. I've never had any issues with it being "non-retina".

 

[aerok]

Got voted up four times. Should be voted up a lot more. I have some relatives who are absolutely computer illiterate and got iPads. They still haven't got used to the idea that if they have any problems, they can go to the Apple Store (there is one nearby) and someone will be actually helping them. Not trying to sell extended warranty, not lying to them, not trying to get rid of them, but someone who is actually being paid to keep the customers happy. They are still too much used to PCWorld and shops like that.

Don't forget that a lot of people do not have an Apple store nearby.

 

[Aluminum213]

sooner a mini retina launches the better for me, I couldn't care less about the hurt feelings of those who already purchased a mini

 

[calisurfboy]

I really love everything about the mini. It is the perfect size to take around to do quick sketches for art, take notes for school, looking up information at work as well as document notes (nursing) but the one issue I have is the lack of a retina display. The display is fine for most things but load up a text book on an ipad mini and compare it to a retina display on the iphone and ipad. It is painful to try and read a textbook on the ipad mini as well as lengthy novels.

It would be perfect if they released the ipad mini 1st gen at $239 making it a price point that is affordable and an ipad mini 2nd gen retina at the $339 price point.

I know people complain about the price but apple has never competed against the competition on a price point but feature-wise, where they usually blaze the path, their products are starting to leave me wanting more as they are lacking/falling behind.

 

[Smartass]

i cant wait for the new ipad mini with retina. But not because of the screen, but because i can watch Phill Schiller again take the center spotlight and pathetically diss the competition

 

[NC12309]

I have to admit...Apple is good at one thing and that is duping people.

I love how they just released an iPad Mini less than a year ago and they're now going to release a new one with retina display...and all you people will buy one even though you have the originial mini.

It's like Apple purposely builds their first product without the bells and whistles and then releases the same product a year later with the obvious specs the first one should have because they know you will all buy the second one even though you bought the first one.

 

[chadley_chad]

The whole twice-a-year upgrade cycle seems a bit desperate on apple's part. They know that a certain percentage of users will upgrade no matter what, so it seems like they're shipping garbage upgrades just because they're guaranteed a certain number of sales. :/

Welcome to the wonderful world of Apple!!!

 

[Syk]

I really love everything about the mini. It is the perfect size to take around to do quick sketches for art, take notes for school, looking up information at work as well as document notes (nursing) but the one issue I have is the lack of a retina display. The display is fine for most things but load up a text book on an ipad mini and compare it to a retina display on the iphone and ipad. It is painful to try and read a textbook on the ipad mini as well as lengthy novels.

It would be perfect if they released the ipad mini 1st gen at $239 making it a price point that is affordable and an ipad mini 2nd gen retina at the $339 price point.

I know people complain about the price but apple has never competed against the competition on a price point but feature-wise, where they usually blaze the path, their products are starting to leave me wanting more as they are lacking/falling behind.

Is the ipad mini screen that bad? I looked at a coworkers briefly and it wasn't bad to me. I read tons of books on my ipad2 and have no problem. I just adjust the brightness though. I haven't tried reading anything on the smaller screen though

The ipad mini gen1 will probably fall to $249-$259 when the Gen2 comes out and it'll keep the same price as the current ipad mini

 

[iSunrise]

Even more potentially crappy LG screens in an iPad. Looks like I´m going to hold onto my iPad 3 as long as possible.

 

[mantan]

Simple it could've been included with the first iPad Mini.

But Apple decided (because there are so many unsane people who buy anything Apple sells) to strip the first iPad Mini, sell it at a high price and release a slightly better version a couple of months later. It kinda falls in their new strategy of new products that are almost unrepairable.

Apple once a great company..... now more greedy then ever before.

From a money making standpoint, it was genius. They absolutely maximized their sales by releasing a watered down original version....then the Retina one that everyone wanted in the first place. All at a premium price.

I had wanted looked forward to the Mini for months. But once I saw the specs, price and played with it...I soured on it. I bought one for my daughter, but passed on one for myself. I'm sure I'll buy the Retina version though.

 

[fastlanephil]

As a Mini user, I can't say that resolution has ever been an issue. I think Apple should retain the current display and utilise a more powerful CPU/GPU.

I finally checked out the iPad 4 and the iPad mini and I couldn't see a big enough difference in the screen resolution to think one was more functional than the other.

Yes, what will get me to want one is enough power to run standard DAW software(AU, VST plug-ins) with .midi import and export and the ability to extend the display to a 27" monitor or two.

 

[E.Lizardo]

One thing I dont understand is...

People say the iPad Mini is better than the Nexus 7 because it has a larger screen.

But people want the iPhone to stay 4'' or even back to 3.5''.

lol

A big screen makes a huge difference right? Why can't this logic be applied to the iPhone?

Where's the 4.5 to 5'' iPhone option?

Gee maybe they are not the SAME people,ya think?
Nice straw man though,thanks for playing!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

My iPad2 doesn't have retina and I think it looks nice and I bet the regular joe blow would say the same.

I want an iPad mini but think they gimped out by putting the processor they did in it and the gen1 would probably have features left out from iOS7. I really think that may be why Apple would release a processor bump mini for iOS7

Yeah, the non-Retina iPad screens look OK until you use a Retina. Then it's like you have X-Ray vision and can see every single pixel. I have a 3 and a mini. The mini's proc doesn't bother me as I've never experienced slowdowns. The screen is what kills me, but I still use it for bedtime reading b/c the 3 is too heavy. But for any other productive work I use the 3 b/c of the screen.

I find it interesting that you have a 2 and like it but complain that the mini is gimped. A mini is basically a shrunken 2.

 

[Eidorian]

I have played around with the Mini and it is lighter but not $130 lighter over the Nexus 7. Tablet applications? I spend 90% of my time in Chrome, like I said I would in 2010.

 

[Syk]

Yeah, the non-Retina iPad screens look OK until you use a Retina. Then it's like you have X-Ray vision and can see every single pixel. I have a 3 and a mini. The mini's proc doesn't bother me as I've never experienced slowdowns. The screen is what kills me, but I still use it for bedtime reading b/c the 3 is too heavy. But for any other productive work I use the 3 b/c of the screen.

I find it interesting that you have a 2 and like it but complain that the mini is gimped. A mini is basically a shrunken 2.

The retina is nice no doubt but for me personally it isn't a deal breaker but that's for me, yeah side by side and same price I'm taking the retina.

I have no problem with the ipad2 screen or how it performs currently.

I'm saying I wouldn't spend the current asking price on a mini because it pretty much is a small ipad2 and I think the new release of iOS7 is going to take advantage of needing a faster processor. They already left features out of the iPad2 from iOS6.

That's why I think Apple will/could release a beefier spec'd mini to take full advantage of iOS7