All iPads Why an iPad 5 in March makes sense.

[WilliamLondon]

Your making less sense as you go...lol

How is not a cheaper version?

You really did miss the point I was making - the point of the mini is not cheaper, it's smaller. The main feature of the product is smaller, not cheaper. They built this thing to be smaller, not cheaper. The fact that it is cheaper does not in any way detract from its main feature: smaller. They wanted to tap into a 7" (ish) tablet market, people wanting smaller tablets, not people wanting cheaper tablets. Yes, people may buy the mini because they can't afford the full sized iPad, but if they are true price conscious consumers, they'd go for Android alternatives (the cheaper tablets, regardless of size). The mini is a smaller tablet in the Apple line-up, not the cheaper one. Calling the mini the cheaper iPad is like calling the iPod Touch the cheaper iPhone. They are different, and it's not price that is the main differentiating factor here.

That fact that Apple had most marketshare and is going to loose that place.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/05/us-tabletmarket-research-idc-idUSBRE8B40O920121205

Why does market share matter when Apple makes more money per unit than any other manufacturer out there, combined with the fact that year on year they keep selling more of these things? Their unit sales are going up each year, meaning they are selling more, and they are selling more of a profitable product, meaning they are continuing to make more money, year on year. Market share means nothing. Who cares if you have 99% of the market and you make nothing per unit? I'd much rather have the 1% of the market if my products actually were profitable vs. the 99% that make nothing (or close to it) per unit.

 

[irDigital0l]

You really did miss the point I was making - the point of the mini is not cheaper, it's smaller. The main feature of the product is smaller, not cheaper. They built this thing to be smaller, not cheaper. The fact that it is cheaper does not in any way detract from its main feature: smaller. They wanted to tap into a 7" (ish) tablet market, people wanting smaller tablets, not people wanting cheaper tablets. Yes, people may buy the mini because they can't afford the full sized iPad, but if they are true price conscious consumers, they'd go for Android alternatives (the cheaper tablets, regardless of size). The mini is a smaller tablet in the Apple line-up, not the cheaper one. Calling the mini the cheaper iPad is like calling the iPod Touch the cheaper iPhone. They are different, and it's not price that is the main differentiating factor here.

Your really missing my point though.

Is the iPad Mini cheaper than the iPad with Retina display?

Yes, the iPad Mini base model costs $329 while the iPad with Retina display base model costs $499. That's a $169 difference in price. The iPad Mini costs less to the buyers meaning its cheaper than the iPad with Retina display.

"Speculation about the iPad Mini began as early as April 2012, as competition rose from 7" devices such as the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7. Rumors initially suggested it would feature a 7.85" display at 1024 × 768 pixels. It was originally thought to be announced at the Apple Special Event on September 12."

Your comparison is also flawed as the iPod touch is not an iPhone. Apple even markets them differently. However, Apple has repeatedly marketed the iPad Mini as "Every inch an iPad". Even according even in the keynote, Phil compared the all the iPad models together clearly showing the iPad Mini being the cheapest out of the three.

Why does market share matter when Apple makes more money per unit than any other manufacturer out there, combined that with the fact that year on year they keep selling more of these things? Their unit sales are going up each year, meaning they are selling more, and they are selling more of a profitable product, meaning they are continuing to make more money, year on year. Market share means nothing. Who cares if you have 99% of the market and you make nothing per unit? I'd much rather have the 1% of the market if my products actually were profitable vs. the 99% that make nothing (or close to it) per unit.

Because marketshare is still important even if your going for profit. Having a marketshare like BlackBerry OS, its hard for investors to go with RIM if they don't see a future for the company. If Apple was in the same position (without its 150 billion wardrobe) it would also be in the same position. There's a reason why Apple's stocks have been dropping to its lowest in years. Actually there's multiple reasons including no sure about Apple's future, reports that iPhone 5's didn't sell as well, that iPad sales were heavily cannibalized by the iPad Mini, that Apple will loose its tablet marketshare to Android, etc.

A lot of these aren't necessary true, but its what they're worried about.

 

[WilliamLondon]

Your really missing my point though.

No, I'm not missing your point at all, not now nor at any point in this conversation have I misunderstood your point.

Talk to you in 3 months.

 

[irDigital0l]

No, I'm not missing your point at all, not now nor at any point in this conversation have I misunderstood your point.

Talk to you in 3 months.

I'll be posting to you with my iPad mini with retina display.

cya

 

[bigjim83]

cheap {adjective}

3 a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheap workmanship>

Using this definition of CHEAP, the iPad Mini is NOT CHEAPER, it is LESS EXPENSIVE. Words can have more than one meaning. This is what WilliamLondon was trying to say. Don't be stupid.

I can argue that per square inch of product the mini is more expensive.

 

[WesCole]

cheap {adjective}

3 a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheap workmanship>

Using this definition of CHEAP, the iPad Mini is NOT CHEAPER, it is LESS EXPENSIVE. Words can have more than one meaning. This is what WilliamLondon was trying to say. Don't be stupid.

1 b : charging or obtainable at a low price <a good cheap hotel> <cheap tickets>

He could have used this definition in his context...

 

[MF878]

It simply cannot happen, and if it does, I may just lose a whole lot of faith in Apple.

No, not because I'll be all uptight about having my device prematurely discontinued, but because if they start getting unpredictable with their iPad releases, they lose the hype. The queues, the buildup, nobody really knew the iPad 4 was coming until it did (some people still don't know, but that's another matter entirely...). Hype equals sales.

If they make it five in March, it will be without a new chipset (A7X) because they must debut the standard A7 first, probably in the iPhone 5S which at this stage looks set to stick with its usual Q3 cycle. This means they would have to update the iPad AGAIN in Q3 or 4 to include an A7X, creating another year with two iPad releases, resulting in them having pissed off everyone who bought the iPad 3 in the seven months before the iPad 4, the iPad 4 in the five months before the iPad 5, and the iPad 5 in the six/seven months before the iPad 6.

They must stick to this new cycle or they're going to create headaches for themselves. Three short lived cycles in a row could permanently kill the iPad hype machine. I don't think Apple is this stupid, and if they suddenly do become this stupid, we're in for sad times.

 

[SeanR1]

1 b : charging or obtainable at a low price <a good cheap hotel> <cheap tickets>

He could have used this definition in his context...

Ya, I noticed he got all the way down to #3 to make his point.

 

[Mrke1]

I don't get it. Why couldn't the release of the Gen 4 be a one time, pre-march release, and they'll return to yearly March releases?

 

[Powrie]

The iPad 4 was not much of an upgrade.

What are the features besides a lightning connector again ?

 

[AppleWarMachine]

it doesn't make cents...it makes dollars...Millions of Dollars (Tim Cook smiling)

 

[irDigital0l]

I don't get it. Why couldn't the release of the Gen 4 be a one time, pre-march release, and they'll return to yearly March releases?

Because Apple had to get an iPad with a Lightning connector out. The iPad 4 is literally an iPad 3 with a small spec bump.

1. Would anyone buy the iPad 4 if it was only updated with a Lightning connector?

2. Would it make sense for the iPad Mini to have better specs than the iPad 3 if Apple had not released the iPad 4?

----------

The iPad 4 was not much of an upgrade.

What are the features besides a lightning connector again ?

A6X chip
Expanded LTE
Better Wi-Fi
FaceTime HD camera
Lightning connector

Makes sense to give a couple of spec bumps so it still has same/better specs than the iPad Mini.

 

[MRU]

.)

iPad Mini with Retina display and iPad 5 coming in March.

Why do people keep saying this when the suppliers of the retina display have already stated it won't be out of development till Q3 2013 with production and release Q4 2013.

So there is no chance a retina mini will be released before the guys producing it have said it will be ready.

Unless in a parallel universe Apple are also working on time machines...

 

[Lesser Evets]

I'm curious what they will put into the next iPad if it comes in March...

A7 chip?
More memory-same price? (doubt this)
Better camera?
Thinner body? (most likely)

Aside from that, I can't see how much more amazing it can be. The next release will probably be a minor bump, if a 6-mo release. And if they keep doing 6-month bumps, it will be slight improvements every time until they run out of options and start adding colored versions to keep the ball rolling.

Gen 4 is already pretty impressive on all specs aside from memory. They need to do 128GB models now.

 

[irDigital0l]

I'm curious what they will put into the next iPad if it comes in March...

A7 chip?
More memory-same price? (doubt this)
Better camera?
Thinner body? (most likely)

Aside from that, I can't see how much more amazing it can be. The next release will probably be a minor bump, if a 6-mo release. And if they keep doing 6-month bumps, it will be slight improvements every time until they run out of options and start adding colored versions to keep the ball rolling.

Gen 4 is already pretty impressive on all specs aside from memory. They need to do 128GB models now.

Biggest feature will probably be its new design like the iPad Mini. Going to be lighter and thinner and also will be smaller compared to previous iPads. Apple is going to trim the side bezels just like the iPad Mini.

Also updates to processor, camera, etc. Doubt NFC will appear, if Apple will ever implement it, seems like an iPhone first feature. Maybe better speakers, new sensors, etc.

Apple might make a 128GB model...already being seen in the Surface with Windows 8 Pro coming in Jan. Perhaps drop the 16GB model for the iPad 5 and leave it to the iPad Mini.

 

[gadget123]

The majority of people who brought the iPad 3 didn't buy the iPad 4. Maybe they picked up the iPad mini, maybe not.

If they *don't* release the iPad 5 in March, then their Q1 and Q2 sales will be utterly disappointing and Apple stock will drop to $300 or $200. Also, people who brought the iPad 3 will have to wait until later to upgrade.

There's also always the people who want to have the latest and the greatest (trixie), so Apple milks more money off them and the iPad 3 owners.

Meanwhile, expect a iPad Mini 2 in late 2013.

No you are wrong.

Some people who bought ipad 3 are waiting on there yearly update in March.

iPad 5 in March makes perfect sense unless you just got ipad 4. If you got ipad 2 at launch maybe after two years you might upgrade too.

So yes ipad 5 in March.

----------

The iPad 4 was not much of an upgrade.

What are the features besides a lightning connector again ?

iPad 4 was an iPad 3S leaving ipad mini the thinner sleeker device.

I think the iPad 5 will be the same spec as iPad 4 with it being thinner and lighter. The only criticism in March will be why they never let ipad 3 run its full cycle and introduced this iPad in March rather than what looked like iPad 3.

 

[AppleRobert]

I think it caught Apple by surprise seeing the sales on the Mini, people liked that form factor alot.

And since there probably was a pretty good sales imbalance between the Mini and larger ones, the March release is being utilized to turn the tide somewhat.

I see it as somewhat dangerous though. How about the folks who just bought a 4th gen?

 

[irDigital0l]

I see it as somewhat dangerous though. How about the folks who just bought a 4th gen?

The only people that will be pissed are the ones that had an iPad 3 and then upgraded to the iPad 4 thinking that Apple will now have a yearly fall release cycle.

All the non-tech perople who bought/got them as presents or their first iPad or an upgrade from an iPad 1/2 will probably not see the point in upgrading and continue to use their devices.

 

[currahee2100]

I think it caught Apple by surprise seeing the sales on the Mini, people liked that form factor alot.

And since there probably was a pretty good sales imbalance between the Mini and larger ones, the March release is being utilized to turn the tide somewhat.

I see it as somewhat dangerous though. How about the folks who just bought a 4th gen?

I just got the mini and I love the form factor. My dad originally gave me a Galaxy Tab and I loved the 7" form factor, maybe just a tad thick but it was really nice. The mini has a nice form factor.

And guys, really who cares about whats cheaper. You guys need to give it a rest. Apple products are for people to pick up and use- not to debate the philosophy of the device's marketing and price point.

 

[smoking monkey]

No you are wrong.

Some people who bought ipad 3 are waiting on there yearly update in March.

iPad 5 in March makes perfect sense unless you just got ipad 4. If you got ipad 2 at launch maybe after two years you might upgrade too.

So yes ipad 5 in March.

That's me! iPad 2 user waiting for the next model.

I actually bought the ipad 3 and returned it and decided to sit out the iPad 4 with some hesitation, so I do hope for a March release for iPad 5

 

[irDigital0l]

Why do people keep saying this when the suppliers of the retina display have already stated it won't be out of development till Q3 2013 with production and release Q4 2013.

So there is no chance a retina mini will be released before the guys producing it have said it will be ready.

Unless in a parallel universe Apple are also working on time machines...

Assuming that suppliers actually told you that they weren't making it.

 

[Investor27]

Link, or it ain't true, and so the mini retina ipad will be coming out in March as all have reported.

Assuming that suppliers actually told you that they weren't making it.

 

[MRU]

Link, or it ain't true, and so the mini retina ipad will be coming out in March as all have reported.

Link ? This site ran a news article about it. Maybe read the front page sometime and not just the forum posters hypothesis and desire lists....

And yes this is NEWS not conjecture or the hokum analyst predictions but news from the actual company developing the display for it.

https://www.macrumors.com/2012/11/0...tina-display-for-second-generation-ipad-mini/

http://www.menafn.com/menafn/e01168...ics-Developing-Retina-Panel-for-New-iPad-Mini

AU Optronics Developing Retina Panel for New iPad Mini

XINZHU, Nov 07, 2012 (Menafn - SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) --With the disclosure of the specifications for the next-generation iPad Mini by Apple Inc. AAPL, AU Optronics Corp. (AUO, NYSE: AUO) has been developing a retina panel with resolution as high as 497ppi.

AUO plans to apply the retina panel to the next-generation iPad Mini, since the resolution of the product is much higher than that of 326ppi of the new iPad.

It is said that ultrahigh resolution can not be developed without the technology of indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), and the technology of Gate IC on array (GOA) is also indispensable since the next-generation iPad Mini will have an ultra-narrow frame. The technology of GOA helps save the room of IC on the rim and narrow the frame of the screen to the largest extent.

Speaking of the progress of the development of iPad Mini, AUO claimed that it had solved the problem of yield and there would be no light leak as existed before. The company would ship the products in large scale in the fourth quarter.

DoNews shortly after the November 7, 2007 (Fei Xue) officially listed on the Apple iPad mini iPad mini panel specifications about the next generation of network exposure. According to DoNews reporter learned, AUO is to develop a resolution of up to 497ppi retina (Retina) panel, ready to use him in the next generation of iPad mini.



iPad mini

Message is displayed, the next generation of Apple iPad mini resolution up to 2048x1536 pixel resolution, consistent with the latest Apple iPad, but the piece of the 7.9-inch screen, so that the new iPad mini per square pixels up to 497ppi, far exceeded the new iPad 264 pixels per inch (ppi), iPad mini screen display four times.

A latest screen will be a large number of shipments in the second half of next year, The new iPad mini should be a large number of shipments in the fourth quarter of next year. In the iPad mini market soon broke out this message DoNews the reporter less optimistic about the iPad mini will bring sales, Apple's new iPad mini "feeding increase", or a reasonable price, I believe will be excited from the consumer's desire to buy. (End)

 

[Abazigal]

The iPad 4 was not much of an upgrade.

What are the features besides a lightning connector again ?

The lightning conductor actually represented a step-back for some people.

I was watching some youtube videos and the A6x chip typically meant apps loaded a split second faster. I doubt most folks would notice the difference. I expect it may help with reading image-heavy pdfs on good reader though, if that really irritates some.

I guess the question is - what more can you do to take a tablet to the next level, barring incremental (and given) changes like a faster processor (maybe quad-core finally?), more ram and increased storage options. A new form factor only helps if it genuinely improves how one holds and uses the ipad. Thinner and lighter always helps (to a point), as would better sound.

In theory, improved specs should mean more powerful apps that improve the utility of an ipad, but the existence of the ipad2, ipad mini and ipad3's A5 chip means that developers will likely continue to cater to the lowest denomination.

I think Apple really needs to step up the game for IOS7.

 

[WilliamLondon]

The lightning conductor actually represented a step-back for some people.

Yet, Apple released it. I don't disagree with you for one moment, but Apple upgraded the product, and bore the costs associated with a physical change to the product as well as sales and marketing costs, a mere 6 months after such a radical change to the product, they did it. What I'm saying is that they did do this upgrade so they had to have a very good reason, and I'm with you, the connector is not a reason to upgrade the product, and if the comments on here about people not upgrading from a 3 to the 4 are any indication, it means there is no compelling reason to upgrade, yet Apple upgraded the product. Their normal March release was just a few months away, when they could have opted to upgrade the product, along with some compelling features, but they didn't. Where I'm going is related to the topic of this thread, they upgraded it when they did for a reason, and I think it's because they have no intentions of upgrading the product again in March, not until the end of next year. What do you think?

I think Apple really needs to step up the game for IOS7.

I wonder what that could mean. Do you think we're nearing maturity of these products, like the desktop space has already achieved. What's the biggest additions to the desktop OS space (or hardware for that matter) in the past several years? Nothing compelling in my mind, other than optimisation and a few UI changes. Do you think there are still big leaps to be had in these devices, other than the form factor getting smaller (thinner and more lightweight, like the mini), what big changes can we expect? The UI is an obvious place to make some big changes, I just wonder what those changes may be that we would think of as big or compelling that would warrant an upgrade to these devices. Will be interesting to find out.