thejadedmonkey
macrumors G3
For $250? I'd buy one, just to have lying around.
Why a 7.85" Screen for the Rumored 'iPad Mini' Makes Sense
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APlotdevice
macrumors 68040
The size of a laptop screen does not affect how accurately you can place the cursor, since it's controlled though a seperate device (ie. the trackpad/mouse).
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NickFalk
macrumors 6502
Reasonably well sounds a lot like the state of the Android pad/slate/tablet-market. Why would Apple launch a product that risks hampering the smooth "it just works" feel of the iPad brand even a little bit?
I have a really hard time seeing the use of a smaller iPad as it also works against the efforts Apple have made to keep their product line simple and unconfusing.
It sounds like a product that will be slightly better at some tasks than the iPhone/iPod touch, but worse than the current iPad in just about everything.
I don't think this will happen:
1. The iPad 2 is a far more efficient way of servicing the lower end of the market than spending billions developing a mini-iPad. The biggest drawcard for consumers would be the lower price (I know some people like smaller screens, but the vast majority are far more interested in just having an iPad).
2. No way can they fit the guts from a new iPad into a body that much smaller. The battery would shrink (proportionately to the screen/body I imagine), but all the other components would remain the same size. Result - thicker body, heavier compared to volume than any other iPad and extremely expensive to develop.
3. Apple doesn't need to expand their product offering. They own the tablet market anyway, and consumers will buy whatever they offer. A smaller iPad would canibalise iPad sales (and there will be a much larger margin on the 9.7" iPad than any 7" iPad) and Apple will make a great deal more money selling cut price iPad 2's than a mini-iPad at the same price point.
I know about a 20 (not kidding) people who have gone out and bought an iPad 2 in the past couple of weeks since the prices dropped. They love it, but could never justify the almost $600 outlay (Australian prices). Most non-Apple stores are now selling for under $400.
That's where Apple expands the iPad, into the lower end of the market. The iPad 2's development costs have already been paid, the design has been proven and the cost of production will have dropped significantly since it was first introduced. They're probably making almost as much off each iPad 2 sale as each new iPad sale at the moment...
1. The iPad 2 is a far more efficient way of servicing the lower end of the market than spending billions developing a mini-iPad. The biggest drawcard for consumers would be the lower price (I know some people like smaller screens, but the vast majority are far more interested in just having an iPad).
2. No way can they fit the guts from a new iPad into a body that much smaller. The battery would shrink (proportionately to the screen/body I imagine), but all the other components would remain the same size. Result - thicker body, heavier compared to volume than any other iPad and extremely expensive to develop.
3. Apple doesn't need to expand their product offering. They own the tablet market anyway, and consumers will buy whatever they offer. A smaller iPad would canibalise iPad sales (and there will be a much larger margin on the 9.7" iPad than any 7" iPad) and Apple will make a great deal more money selling cut price iPad 2's than a mini-iPad at the same price point.
I know about a 20 (not kidding) people who have gone out and bought an iPad 2 in the past couple of weeks since the prices dropped. They love it, but could never justify the almost $600 outlay (Australian prices). Most non-Apple stores are now selling for under $400.
That's where Apple expands the iPad, into the lower end of the market. The iPad 2's development costs have already been paid, the design has been proven and the cost of production will have dropped significantly since it was first introduced. They're probably making almost as much off each iPad 2 sale as each new iPad sale at the moment...
kiljoy616
macrumors 68000
Then buy a Kindle. if you want 7 inch. Your looking at it from a buyer point of view, because you want something even if it does not work.
Companies who do that find their products devalued. Apple cross my finger should never go for low price products. Don't like the regular iPad don't buy it that how Apple should continue.
Can't get 4G in Australia fine bring it back and don't get one. That is how you run a good company, or you do the Dell thing and make plastic low prices old equipment and sell it cheap. That way you don't make much on each one but make it in volume.
Apple is not volume but a VALUE company, even though they can crank out with Foxxcom's help plenty of volume.
Same for TV no value in it but plenty of value with appletv and airplay.
Apple is not dell or walmart. Can't afford Apple price oh well life is unfair.
AriX
macrumors 6502
You mean the company that still sells the iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, and iPad 2? Remember, a 7.85" screen iPad would have a higher pixel density than the current iPad 2.
kiljoy616
macrumors 68000
So well said and written and to add for those without understanding, next year when iPad 2013 comes out, the iPad A5X will be what now is the iPad 2. Apple can't loose and does not care to spend million developing an android clone market for those who can't afford it. Same for the iPhone I don't see them changing for now, but even if they did 4" is laughable.
fertilized-egg
macrumors 68020
An iPad display at 7.85" is probably a bit too wide to fit in most regular pockets. Because of the aspect ratio, iPad displays are wider than Android equivalents, something everyone forgets when they complain a 3.8" iPhone will be too small.
kiljoy616
macrumors 68000
Selling yes because the cost of making one is minimal. But your saying that they will spend millions to make a new product that brings nothing new. Really do you know Apple.
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I can't even imagine what a 4 inch iPhone would be like, no more one hand touch.
From a business perspective, this will happen at some stage. There is no doubt.
Over the next 10 years or so (maybe more quickly), SJ's "cars and trucks" analogy is going to come into effect.
Currently, Apple's "truck" product line is very well differentiated with many options to suit individual users (MacPro's/iMac's/Mini's/Macbook Pro & Air).
However the "car" product line (iPad) comes in only one size, with only a limited range of options.
Over the long term, to capture as much of the "car" market as possible, this balance will be need to be addressed. We will end up with many more iPad options, and probably fewer options on the Mac side.
The only question is "when" Apple should start this differentiation process.
My guess is that they give the current new-iPad at least until late 2012/early 2013 to maximize its sales potential.
If they release a smaller iPad any sooner, some consumers will choose this model instead of purchasing a standard iPad, and Apple would be crazy to do anything which would jeoparide sales of the hottest product in the world right now.
Over the next 10 years or so (maybe more quickly), SJ's "cars and trucks" analogy is going to come into effect.
Currently, Apple's "truck" product line is very well differentiated with many options to suit individual users (MacPro's/iMac's/Mini's/Macbook Pro & Air).
However the "car" product line (iPad) comes in only one size, with only a limited range of options.
Over the long term, to capture as much of the "car" market as possible, this balance will be need to be addressed. We will end up with many more iPad options, and probably fewer options on the Mac side.
The only question is "when" Apple should start this differentiation process.
My guess is that they give the current new-iPad at least until late 2012/early 2013 to maximize its sales potential.
If they release a smaller iPad any sooner, some consumers will choose this model instead of purchasing a standard iPad, and Apple would be crazy to do anything which would jeoparide sales of the hottest product in the world right now.
fertilized-egg
macrumors 68020
Fun fact: a 3.8" iPhone will be as wide as a 4.3" qHD Android phone. A 4" iPhone will be as wide a 4.5" qHD Android phone.
I think so too. Just like how Apple aggressively expanded through different iPods, I think it's just matter of time before Apple expands into the ~$250-$300 tablet market. I'm not sure how Apple wants to address it and don't know if a 7.85" "Mini" iPad is the best way to do it.
Exactly. I assume Apple's following their own HIG, and even their apps have some really small widgets. Any smaller and they'd be unusable.
A shrunk-down iPad mini using the same app UIs would be a half-assed device with a crappy user experience. It's the opposite of what Apple wants to achieve.
Don't worry they will find an explanation why this display is still retina. They did it for iPad 3.
This thing would have to be RETINA...why the hell would they go backwards in technology in terms of display quality..especially since this would be positioned between the iPhone and the iPad.
If it DID come out, then this would most likely become the new iPod Touch.
If these screens are actually what they say ithey are in terms of pixel density, then most likely its the remote for the TV then...and not an smaller iPad.
If it DID come out, then this would most likely become the new iPod Touch.
If these screens are actually what they say ithey are in terms of pixel density, then most likely its the remote for the TV then...and not an smaller iPad.
Macman45
macrumors G5
I think it's about affordability, not everyone can afford the full blown version. For youngsters etc. It's ideal to start them off.
Thhis article forgets the fact that the current iPads length is designed for 10-finger-typing. This is the very reason I bought an iPad over an iPhone. Such a smaller iPad would loose this ability simply because it lacks enough space, this makes it a tweener. I wonder why there are no rumors for a slightly larger iPad.
If they can make it affordable in the 10", then they'll do it in the 7".
Makes no sense otherwise.
Apple doesn't go 'backwards' in their technology. If they released it without a Retina screen, there would be huge news about it and a lot of negative press.
Apple has the ability to get the screens in 7" Retina for cheap just like they did for the 10" iPad.
Everything from here out in the Apple line up, from the iOS line to the Pro line are going to be 'Retina'...Apple already has everything in place. Competition is really boned honestly. Most people I know are just ready to pounce on the new MBPro if it has a 'Retina' type display. My one friend who is a photographer already bought the iPad 3 for field work proofing and is basically waiting to buy the laptop next and even a monitor if they come out with that also. And he's not an Apple fanboy at all...but basically said if Apple makes them, hes buying because there will be nothing better and the competition just wont be able to offer the same.
Retina in everything Apple is here to stay.
I can type pretty well on an iPhone and pretty quick. I slightly bigger 7" as a portable actually would be even nicer at least to me. I have an iPad and honestly, I'd like to have a 7" version of it over the current 10" but that's just me...would like to have it for on the go and easier to haul around...keeping the iPad for more of the around the home/lounge device.
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