This is the end of 9.7" iPad era

[palpatine]

The iPad is a media consumption toy. Nothing more. Not that there's anything wrong with that limitation. But I don't understand why people can't seem to understand that.

Because it is actually quite powerful as a media creation tool as well. I don't understand why people can't seem to understand that.

For people who do use it in their work (maybe 90% of my work is done on it), the current size is quite nice, but a mini iPad would be too small (based on my experience with the Nexus 7). I expect we'll see many people who simply see the iPad as a media consumption toy moving to the Mini, but a lot of people will probably remain with the large size in order to get stuff done.

 

[Menneisyys2]

This is the beginning of the end of 9.7" iPad era. iPad mini will outsell current iPads, and eventually cannibalize it. Just because of the lower price, more compact design thus more sexy device. There's a reason Apple is planning to sell over 20mln iPad minis during holiday season alone. iPad 9.7" will continue to exist, but it'll be pushed to pro market and with time become even more expensive than it currently is.

What do you think?

Certainly not. Power users do need Retina resolution.

 

[GoodBoy]

Certainly not. Power users do need Retina resolution.

Who doesn't? The price decides all.

 

[saberahul]

I have the 9.7 and love it but am going to buy the mini for the wife so it can easily fit in her purse. I think mini will be a hit in the women's market due to ease of carrying.

 

[Oracle1729]

For people who do use it in their work (maybe 90% of my work is done on it), the current size is quite nice, but a mini iPad would be too small (based on my experience with the Nexus 7). I expect we'll see many people who simply see the iPad as a media consumption toy moving to the Mini, but a lot of people will probably remain with the large size in order to get stuff done.

And what kind of work do you do on it? I'm a pro photographer. I routinely print as big as 16x20 and have printed quite a bit larger. It is simply not possible to properly edit for that size on a 9.7" screen. Even if I could have a pressure sensitive stylus, second screen for my tool boxes, etc. Little things, typing numbers on a keyboard compared to a touch screen make a huge difference to your work flow. Tech-wise, I work in raw, each open multi-layer file can occupy a gig of ram easily. When I set up a batch process it takes my i7-3770k a good 20 minutes to chug through it. I doubt the iPad could handle it in 20 hours. From raw-files to deliverables, my projects are in the 6-10 gig range. Where can I store these in an iPad?

In a 'past life', I worked as an electrical engineer. The main thing I learned is that the quality of tools is essental. I was amazing at soldering fine components, but I always used a high end soldering station. When I had to use a cheap iron, my results weren't much better then a rookie. You can't work without proper tools.

This is no exception. You try to do professional work on an iPad and the person on a windows PC with a powerhorse CPU, full size ergonomic input devices, and multiple monitors will put you out of business before you can blink.

Edit: I said windows PC because Apple's focus on iToyz means they no longer have a computer suitable for real work. As a long time mac user (since a g3 wallstreet in1998), I currently do about 80% of my work on a Hackintosh desktop and 20% on a real MBP. At this point I'm pretty much ready to jump ship from Apple because they simply don't care to make desktop computers anymore.

 

[kaielement]

From the pricing I have seen I think the ipod touch 5th gen sales are going to go way down. Which is why it seems weird that Apple would price an ipad (yes mini) cheaper then some versions of a way smaller device ipod touch 5th gen. But we will see what happens in the coming weeks.

 

[palpatine]

And what kind of work do you do on it? I'm a pro photographer. I routinely print as big as 16x20 and have printed quite a bit larger. It is simply not possible to properly edit for that size on a 9.7" screen. Even if I could have a pressure sensitive stylus, second screen for my tool boxes, etc. Little things, typing numbers on a keyboard compared to a touch screen make a huge difference to your work flow. Tech-wise, I work in raw, each open multi-layer file can occupy a gig of ram easily. When I set up a batch process it takes my i7-3770k a good 20 minutes to chug through it. I doubt the iPad could handle it in 20 hours. From raw-files to deliverables, my projects are in the 6-10 gig range. Where can I store these in an iPad?

In a 'past life', I worked as an electrical engineer. The main thing I learned is that the quality of tools is essental. I was amazing at soldering fine components, but I always used a high end soldering station. When I had to use a cheap iron, my results weren't much better then a rookie. You can't work without proper tools.

This is no exception. You try to do professional work on an iPad and the person on a windows PC with a powerhorse CPU, full size ergonomic input devices, and multiple monitors will put you out of business before you can blink.

Edit: I said windows PC because Apple's focus on iToyz means they no longer have a computer suitable for real work. As a long time mac user (since a g3 wallstreet in1998), I currently do about 80% of my work on a Hackintosh desktop and 20% on a real MBP. At this point I'm pretty much ready to jump ship from Apple because they simply don't care to make desktop computers anymore.

Writing. Reading. Research. Annotating PDFs. Notetaking (meetings and so forth). I don't work with images much.

 

[Oracle1729]

Because it is actually quite powerful as a media creation tool as well. I don't understand why people can't seem to understand that.

Writing. Reading. Research. Annotating PDFs. Notetaking (meetings and so forth). I don't work with images much.

Seems a bit of a contradiction, you call it a powerful media creation tool but just use it for writing and media consumption.

Can you give an example of powerful professional media creation that's just as good on the iPad as on both a high end notebook and high end desktop? Using the iPad as a test target (for apps, viewing pictures, websites, etc) doesn't count because you're creating the content on another machine and viewing it on the iPad.

I've tried taking notes on the iPad, I even bought the bluetooth keyboard. I dropped it fast for my MBP which is so much easier. Just because it's possible to do something in a cumbersome way doesn't make it a better way. So far, my iPad is in a drawer somewhere with a dead battery. My MBP goes everywhere with me.

 

[GoodBoy]

Writing. Reading. Research. Annotating PDFs. Notetaking (meetings and so forth). I don't work with images much.

Then by no means using an iPad 9.7" or mini doesn't make yourself any less or more of a pro user. In fact an iPad whatever the size and resolution has nothing to do with professionalism. It's just some people who call themselves like that thus they're probably no pros, but for whatever reasons want to be perceived as ones... They don't know what they're talking about. iPad is a toy, it can and it is used by anyone whatever the proffesion or education or intelligence. Tbh, you don't really need to be smart or posses any kind of special knowledge to be able to use it.

 

[ChrisTX]

I don't believe people will be happy until we have 4" tablets and 10" phones.

Incredible, never realized how true this is! Everyone wants a bigger phone, and yet at the same time people still complain that tablets are too big! I think so far, Apple are the only ones that have managed to get it just right.

 

[thelookingglass]

Seems a bit of a contradiction, you call it a powerful media creation tool but just use it for writing and media consumption.

Can you give an example of powerful professional media creation that's just as good on the iPad as on both a high end notebook and high end desktop? Using the iPad as a test target (for apps, viewing pictures, websites, etc) doesn't count because you're creating the content on another machine and viewing it on the iPad.

I've tried taking notes on the iPad, I even bought the bluetooth keyboard. I dropped it fast for my MBP which is so much easier. Just because it's possible to do something in a cumbersome way doesn't make it a better way. So far, my iPad is in a drawer somewhere with a dead battery. My MBP goes everywhere with me.

Feel the same way. I used to be all about the iPad, finding creative ways to work it into my professional life. I finally realized that I could just make life simpler with a Macbook Air. And so that's what I've done.

The iPad isn't ready yet as a laptop replacement. So as primarily a consumption device, a smaller for factor would do better for most

 

[Uofmtiger]

I don't think it is the end of the 9.7 inch because many apps (video, magazines, photos, etc...) are easier to view on a larger screen.

 

[GoodBoy]

I don't think it is the end of the 9.7 inch because many apps (video, magazines, photos, etc...) are easier to view on a larger screen.

When it comes to reading... Tablets with LED backlight never were good for that purpose. "Easier to view", I don't really get this. For me using 8" and 9.7" tablet is nearly identical experience. It's just that the smaller one is lighter and more compact.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Not really. For me, this type of size difference in displays is obvious for objects this small. Especially with the media I referenced.

I have an iPhone when I need a compact iOS device. It fits in a pant pocket. The trade off for the mini compared to the regular has zero upside for me ( with the exception of price). I would need a bag or Scottevest to carry either of them and I have never felt like the weight of the iPad was too much to handle.

I realize many people will want the smaller.. because of price, because it is the new gadget on the block, because they have a purse that will only fit the smaller device, etc. However, I think the 9.7 will still have a huge following. Especially by people that have used it and won't want anything smaller.

Of course, if Apple priced it extremely low, it could kill the 9.7 inch. Even I could live with the trade offs for a price. However, I think Apple would eventually change the price of one of them before it killed off a very profitable product line.

 

[palpatine]

Seems a bit of a contradiction, you call it a powerful media creation tool but just use it for writing and media consumption.

Just? Well, that takes up most of my professional life.

Can you give an example of powerful professional media creation that's just as good on the iPad as on both a high end notebook and high end desktop? Using the iPad as a test target (for apps, viewing pictures, websites, etc) doesn't count because you're creating the content on another machine and viewing it on the iPad.

Writing.

I've tried taking notes on the iPad, I even bought the bluetooth keyboard. I dropped it fast for my MBP which is so much easier. Just because it's possible to do something in a cumbersome way doesn't make it a better way. So far, my iPad is in a drawer somewhere with a dead battery. My MBP goes everywhere with me.

I've enjoyed both writing and handwriting with it. To each his own.

Then by no means using an iPad 9.7" or mini doesn't make yourself any less or more of a pro user. In fact an iPad whatever the size and resolution has nothing to do with professionalism. It's just some people who call themselves like that thus they're probably no pros, but for whatever reasons want to be perceived as ones... They don't know what they're talking about. iPad is a toy, it can and it is used by anyone whatever the proffesion or education or intelligence. Tbh, you don't really need to be smart or posses any kind of special knowledge to be able to use it.

I was not saying that gadgets make you a pro. I was saying that the iPad is a device that people can use to get work done, and in my opinion, the smaller they make it, the less work you can get done on it. Maybe it's a toy for you at any size, but for me, this is the device I use to make a living.

 

[Gomff]

It does obviously depend on what work you do, but I agree that the iPad is mostly a device for consumption.....I think this is how Apple see it as well, from a business point of view. They make more money after selling you an iPad on apps, books, music, films, games etc etc. The emphasis on consumption is pretty obvious IMHO.

That doesn't make it a bad device. It's my preferred way of browsing the internet when I'm on the couch, and our iPad pretty much lives down the side of the sofa, ready to be reached for when we want to look someone up on Wikipedia that something on the TV has prompted us to wonder about.

I think a more pertinent question and a more real threat to the "classic" iPad is the surface....Especially the pro model. Windows 8 could be a giant fustercluck, but it could also be a stroke of genius. It allows a tablet to be a media consumption device on the sofa, but also a more serious machine thanks to the clever case / keyboard design and USB / Windows connectivity. It could make iOS seem very limited very quickly.

I'm hoping something will kick Apple up the arse and make them innovate again....They haven't had decent competition in this space yet and have thus had things their own way too much. Android is an iOS wannabe but what the tablet market has been crying out for is someone to make a full OS work on the hardware.

 

[Giuly]

Then you probably agree that a 13" iPad Pro has a market that needs to b addressed

 

[GoodBoy]

I was not saying that gadgets make you a pro. I was saying that the iPad is a device that people can use to get work done, and in my opinion, the smaller they make it, the less work you can get done on it. Maybe it's a toy for you at any size, but for me, this is the device I use to make a living.

I don't really know what you mean by this... An iPhone or many other phones are being used to make a living, and they're small. It's not like 9.7" can make a living and 7" cannot or would be extremely difficult. There are many tablets in sizes ranging something between 6-12". All of them being used at work by some people.

 

[palpatine]

I don't really know what you mean by this... An iPhone or many other phones are being used to make a living, and they're small. It's not like 9.7" can make a living and 7" cannot or would be extremely difficult. There are many tablets in sizes ranging something between 6-12". All of them being used at work by some people.

I don't see it that way, but that's great if people can make something out of it. I'm sure those people will be thrilled next week, when Apple makes its announcement, but I still doubt that this is the end of the 9.7" era.

 

[Gomff]

Then you probably agree that a 13" iPad Pro has a market that needs to b addressed

I don't know if this question was directed at me or not but I'll answer it anyway....Yes, absolutely. A large screen tablet would be awesome, especially for people in graphic design.....Either as a standalone device or used in conjunction with a traditional desktop / laptop.

I personally think it's a matter of time before someone explores a larger tablet form factor for creating rather than consuming.

 

[GoodBoy]

A large screen tablet would be awesome, especially for people in graphic design.....

How can an iPad be used "proffesionally" to anything other than showing off pictures to amateurs when Apple is unable to provide well-calibrated pro-grade LCD panels, and what's even worse they use panels with different color tints, contrast and colors from many different vendors resulting in calibration incosistency among the same model units....?

 

[Gomff]

How can an iPad be used "proffesionally" to anything except showing off pictures to amateurs when Apple is unable to provide well-calibrated pro-grade LCD panels, and what's even worse they use panels with different color tints, contrast and colors from many different vendors resulting in calibration incosistency among the same model units....?

To be honest, I think this is a separate argument, which is also quite subjective. I agree that monitors and screens on Apple hardware haven't always been good but I'm referring more to the functionality of such a device, rather than who would make it or the quality of the components.

 

[andyblila]

Nope, kids device!

 

[Jinzen]

I don't know if this question was directed at me or not but I'll answer it anyway....Yes, absolutely. A large screen tablet would be awesome, especially for people in graphic design.....Either as a standalone device or used in conjunction with a traditional desktop / laptop.

I personally think it's a matter of time before someone explores a larger tablet form factor for creating rather than consuming.

They're called laptops. We create best with cursor and keyboards.

 

[ixodes]

The mini iPad will have some impact, yet it won't matter.