At this point we can only speculate. I disagree with you on almost every aspect, but only time will tell who's been right. I'm sure there are tons of people holding their decition wheter to get iPad 9.7" or mini. After tomorrow's conference a lot of questions will be answered and we'll see towards which direction most people will opt. It all depends on the iPad mini's specs.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
This is the end of 9.7" iPad era
- Thread starter GoodBoy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I am arguing against the form factor, not against the specs, which will presumably be uninspiring: a so-so screen and (odds are) a so-so camera on the front. I don't think tomorrow will matter much, and I doubt there are that many people sitting on the fence. They'll buy another igadget for themselves or for their family members as an addition to, not a replacement for, the larger iPad. I'll probably get one someday myself, because I cannot resist the allure of new tech, but honestly speaking, I have more devices than I know what to do with already, and like my Nexus 7, it will probably also play second fiddle to my iPad.
In other words, you assume an either / or proposition, and I am saying that people will get both. There is nothing "wrong" with the idea of a mini iPad, of course, but I think Apple was wise to stay away from it, because it is a niche market. This move looks to me to be aimed at catching potential consumers who might be slipping through the gap between iTouch/iPhone and iPad, and they probably do not expect it to sell terribly well. Like the iPod Touch, it will serve a small, but significant number of users, and it will be part of the halo effect, but won't have any chance of overtaking iPad sales (as you assert).
Last edited:
Even if you are right about most people using their tablets for fun (which I think is arguable, but none of us has any market research data to verify our opinions, so let's let that slide), I don't see that it necessarily follows that a more compact and lightweight tablet is better for everyone. Cheaper, well who doesn't want cheaper? But things like games and videos look better on bigger screens, and I find that most desktop websites look fine on my iPad, but I doubt that will be true on the iPad mini. So for home use, where portability isn't as big a factor, some people might prefer the bigger screen size for fun and entertainment purposes. And please don't tell me "If you are at home, use desktop/laptop," those take more time to boot up and to find and start the programs you want to use, plus they aren't as comfortable on sofas or in bed.
The iPad mini works for a particular use case -- those who use their tablets mostly to consume content (I don't want to edit documents on a device that small. I'm typing this now on my iPad, wonder if I'll find posting to forums as workable on a mini? Wouldn't know until I try), AND wants the tablet to be very portable, as in fits in a purse and can use one-handed. You are arguing that such users are the overwhelming majority of tablet users, while I happen to think it would be closer to half and half (the other half being users who don't mind the current size and/or use their tablets for content creation). Neither of us has data to back up our opinions, so this argument is a wash. We've all stated our predictions, maybe in a few years we'll meet back here to see who was right.
No one uses their tablets for content creation, who are you kidding?
Yea I have a keyboard with my iPad to do some note taking but it's only because I'm waiting for the retina MacBook Pro 13 right now.
Do google "iPad content creation" and read up on the issue. Sure, not everyone uses iPad to create content, and maybe the number of users who do so isn't that many, or maybe it is, but there are definitely more than "none."
Like right now, I'm posting this from my iPad -- I just created content on my iPad!
And I'm waiting for a retina Air -- think we'll ever get one?
This isn't a content creation, at least not in a sense most people see what content is regarding media/internet. iPad is not a tool for content creation other than some blogging and stuff. Anything pro can't really be done on iPad or any other tablet at the moment. On that I totally agree with Jinzen. Don't fool yourself. Everything you can do on iPad can be done on iPhone and iPod touch. It's just that the iPad incorporated bigger screen making everything much more comfortable, but that's where the differences end. It doesn't posses any better software tools or hardware to make more than what you can already do on iPhone. It's all about the comfort. In that regard 7.85" iPad mini won't be much different than 9.7" current iPads. You're making a big deal out of 1.8" difference like it's a night and day.
----------
I see this coming from the rich people who buy just about every gadget without really thinking if they even need it. Your market view is a fantasy world lived by minorities. What I was trying to describe is the general public and an average Joe who can't afford to posses multiple tablets. Reality is that average Joe is the most people and like it or not it's them who makes the market. Those people will have to choose which tablet device they gonna get.
Oh, I quite agree that it's all about the comfort, and anything that can be done on the iPad can also be done on the mini, and on the iPhone / iPod touch. In fact, when the touch first came out, I was very excited by what it could do, and spent an entire bus ride typing a several-pages-long document on it. The difference is that I only did it that once -- whereas with the iPad, I regularly type documents on it several times a week. Why? Because the iPad is much more comfortable to type documents on than the touch. Now obviously, the mini will fall somewhere between the touch and the iPad in terms of comfort of use. Whether or not it's comfortable enough to replace the iPad? I'm skeptical, but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. I'll most likely get a mini to try out, and I'll report back if I decide to keep it or not.
Oh, and btw, some bloggers who make their living by posting blogs they compose on their iPads might take exception to your description that what they do is not "pro," but I'm not one of them, and I don't really make my living using the iPad (though it does make my job easier in many small ways), so I'll admit that my usage of the iPad probably doesn't qualify as using it as a "pro tool." But a thing doesn't have to be a pro tool to be useful -- it's not like everything is a toy or a pro tool, there are degrees of usefulness in between.
Last edited:
Avoiding the substance of my post and launching an ad hominum attack in order to support your bizarre absolute position that boils down to: I can't imagine the iPad as something used for content creation by professionals, so such a thing therefore must be impossible, despite evidence on these forums, on the Internet, and even in the app store to the contrary.
I suggest you consider the possibility that the "productivity" apps in the appstore just might actually enable people to be productive. I don't think the iPad Mini will be as appealing to people like myself, who use these apps, so I think there is still a healthy market for the large iPad.
I suggest you consider the possibility that the "productivity" apps in the appstore just might actually enable people to be productive. I don't think the iPad Mini will be as appealing to people like myself, who use these apps, so I think there is still a healthy market for the large iPad.
And yet we have another one who's making a big of a deal out of a 1.8" difference...
Plus, another strike at iPad mini vs productivity value. Oh yes, we're so blind not to see astronomical difference in productivity apps usage between tablets with 1.8" difference in screen size... And just in case you didn't know - productivity apps are available on 3.5" iDevices as well so it's not like you need to have a minimum of 9.7" to be productive That being said your arguments are quite irrelevant...
Last edited:
Ipad mini will not be replacing the 10" ipad...If the mini sells well it will be offered right along with the larger version...The mini will appeal to who feel portability is a priority for them without compromising too much screen size...
But I'd prefer the larger tablet
But I'd prefer the larger tablet
Thank you for making my point about productivity for me! I know professionals who do their work on the iPhone -- creating media that others consume. You can (and I do) pair a bluetooth keyboard to the iPhone and get work done, but I wouldn't recommend the smaller form factor over the larger one. It is a spectrum of productivity, with the iPad at the top, in my opinion. Hence, my argument that the mini will not surpass the iPad.
And yet we have another one who's making a big of a deal out of a 1.8" difference...
Your argument is quite irrelevant. You're being extremely irrational. Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to. Keep spouting its "only a 1.8" difference!" People prefer the bigger screen. 7" tablets have a place in the market, kindle fire has already proven that grabbing almost a quarter of all tablet sales. But you also have to consider other factors like price. For me 7" is too small I like the size of the iPad and Galaxy/Note tabs. That's difference of "only 1.8" inches" does make a difference even if you're too blind to see it. You're the minority here.
Second irrelevance in trying to make a disadventage in iPad mini vs iPad 9.7" size difference same as iPhone vs iPad 9.7" screen difference. While I agree regular iPad is much more comfortable than an iPhone to do certain things, it's not the same case comparing two iPads, just because the screen size difference is minor (1,8"). Reffering to your logic just about every smartphone, PDA, tablet etc can be productive these days, so I see no point in making such argument at all regarding iDevices only. Also, if Apple had 11" iPad, you'd be saying same things about current 9.7" iPad as you say about not even yet announced 7.85" iPad.
For you... For me when it comes to tablets, mobility comfort is just as much important as hardware specs and software. For that reason alone I can easily justify 1.8" difference to get more compact, and lightweight device, but still big enough to enjoy using every app and content. Not everyone needs to carry around a monstrous and heavy tablet device you know...
Last edited:
For you... For me when it comes to tablets, mobility comfort is just as much important as hardware specs and software. For that reason alone I can easily justify 1.8" difference to get more compact, and lightweight device, but still big enough to enjoy using every app and content. Not everyone needs to carry around a monstrous and heavy tablet device you know...
Good for you! I am glad you know which size you would like to have. The thread is about the mini surpassing the iPad, though.
I haven't seen a case made here (or anywhere, for that matter) that the mini is going to overtake the iPad. Professionals (market analysts) generally seem to predict less than 20% of regular iPad sales.
Again... on just initial sales
The market position and future of 9.7" iPad depends solely on how well or bad iPad mini is going to be, as I mentioned before there will not be many people who buy tablets in both sizes. Most customers will have to choose as most of them can't afford or don't want to own many tablets. There are already many threads of people asking if they sould sell their iPad 2, iPad 3, wait or not to wait etc. Most people want/can have only one tablet device. In this regard current iPad is threatened and most tablet enthusiasts hold their breaths in anticipation of tuesday's Apple keynote.
Last edited:
For you... For me when it comes to tablets, mobility comfort is just as much important as hardware specs and software. For that reason alone I can easily justify 1.8" difference to get more compact, and lightweight device, but still big enough to enjoy using every app and content. Not everyone needs to carry around a monstrous and heavy tablet device you know...
Monstrous, and heavy? If 1.4 lbs is heavy for you... I'm sorry.
It would seem very much like Apple is at the point they want to start pushing both edges of the iPad market. So I see no reason to believe the iPad (early2013) will still be 9.7inch screen. I see lots of reasons to think the screen will be bigger, although hoping the device stays the same size.
So yes Mini iPad 7.8 screen probably marks the end of 9.7inch screen iPads.
The king is dead long live the King 10.4.
So yes Mini iPad 7.8 screen probably marks the end of 9.7inch screen iPads.
The king is dead long live the King 10.4.
9.7" is the perfect all purpose size, especially for browsing the internet and watching movies
7.85" is the perfect size for reading books
anything larger than 9.7" won't be portable and will be something else entirely
----------
I saw someone doing a presentation with an iPad for his notes. I doubt the mini is large enough to read on a podium.
7.85" is the perfect size for reading books
anything larger than 9.7" won't be portable and will be something else entirely
----------
I saw someone doing a presentation with an iPad for his notes. I doubt the mini is large enough to read on a podium.
? I don't follow your reasoning. Maybe you could be more specific? You're a bit vague.
Ooh, car analogies. The zealot's failure of last resort on this forum.
Okay. I'm talking to someone trying to convince me is that the back seat of the car is the best spot for those creative activities, when in reality it's cramped, uncomfortable, awkward, and there's 100,000 better places that anyone with half a brain can come up with.
And just because with a great deal of struggling and ergonomic agony you can get the job done with an iPad, it doesn't mean anyone in their right mind should.