WSJ: Thinner iPad and Retina iPad Mini Expected on Tuesday

JoshAlfie said:
I doesn't make sense to me that the mini will have an A7 processor. It will need to drive 4x the pixels which in my opinion means it will have either the A6X or A7X processor.

Though, I'm leaning towards the A6X because I feel that Apple will want to keep its costs down.

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The X processor has significantly greater graphics processing power. It's needed to run the extra pixels of the Retina display.
Click to expand...

The A7 doesn't have the graphics power to run the retina display.
Click to expand...

The X processor was made to include a quad-core GPU during the time that A5 was out which was only a dual core.

The A7 is already equipped with a quad core GPU.
A Closer Look at Apple's A7 Chip from the iPhone 5s

So in theory, the A7 seems pretty capable enough to power the display.

The major draw back to doing so would be trying to keep enough for it to constantly keep those pixels happy, so a bigger battery would need to be involved.
 
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Now is not the time to be holding back, and I'm pretty sure Apple knows that. In addition, I. Bet they'll step up their iPad accessory game with some new official keyboard cover accessories too.
 
Would it be a good idea if Apple replaced Macbook pro's power button with Touch ID? Personally, I'd love that. Who's with me?
 
SmokyD said:
I'm betting on an A6X in the new mini, not an A7.
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Im not sure about that because the A6X is much larger and also produces more heat also because of its size.

the A6 is 32 nm process and has a die with an area of 96.71 mm^2.

the A7 is 28 nm process and has a die with an area of 102 mm^2.

the A6X is 32 nm process and has a die with an area of 123 mm^2.

So the likelihood of the mini getting a X processor is a bit of a stretch unless apple engineers found a way to shrink it even more.

One thing that could be a possibility would be having the AX7 as a whole new entire chip, with new a new architecture, and go from being a dual-core CPU with quad-core graphics, to a quad-core CPU with quad-core graphics.

Therefore actually letting the mini get the A7 (with its very capable quad-core GPU). That way, it can leave a rather big differentiating factor between the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2.

This is all just speculation. Please just take it with a grain of salt :p

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Iconoclysm said:
That could cause some issues in a few years when virtually all apps have moved to 64-bit. I wouldn't be surprised if the mini actually has the A7 or even an A7X
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Nice catch on that one. I wouldnt be surprised if the mini had the A7 because of that factor.

but like everyone is wishing, they want to have a retina. but if its not, then i wouldnt be surprised about that either.

Well if its not retina, then the A7 will clearly tear through any of those applications with no problem :cool:

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Casiotone said:
The iPhone 5C doesn't have a 64-bit CPU.

The transition to 64-bit will be done starting with the high-end (9.7" iPad, iPhone 5S) and will move down to the low-end next year.

You guys should really lower your expectations regarding the iPad mini. You're less likely to be disappointed :)
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More saddening news that may very well be reality :(
 
And it'll come with free supply shortage because of "insert lame excuse here" thereby creating a huge hype and want ( in the form of NEED ) for the mini ! :p
 
Does the part about it being made with a "film" what is that anyway, mean it won't be made with glass? Seriously?
 
Iconoclysm said:
That could cause some issues in a few years when virtually all apps have moved to 64-bit.
Click to expand...

Do you really think that will happen? Looking at Activity Monitor in my desktop, only about 50% of the processes are 64-bit, and many of those are ones associated with the OS. Of the ones that are third-party applications, many still have a 32-bit executable I could launch if I wanted to (do a "Get Info" and see if there's a checkbox)--or needed to, which is why Safari, for example, still gives you the option.

Since the benefit to 64-bit apps on mobile seems less clear than it does on the desktop right now, I'd expect this transition to happen even more slowly. This is in addition to the fact that the 5s is currently their only 64-bit-capable product, whereas Macs have been 64-bit since the Core 2 Duo (2008 or so?). For comparison, iDevices from that age are ancient now and, for example, don't support the latest OS. I expect the same will be the case with today's devices when (if?) 64-bit becomes the norm on mobile.
 
Casiotone said:
The iPhone 5C doesn't have a 64-bit CPU.

The transition to 64-bit will be done starting with the high-end (9.7" iPad, iPhone 5S) and will move down to the low-end next year.

You guys should really lower your expectations regarding the iPad mini. You're less likely to be disappointed :)
Click to expand...

I don't think Apple ever intended for the 5C to sell like hotcakes. In fact, given the higher profit margin of the 5S, they probably hoped it wouldn't and that people would simply move up to the 5S (thus the narrow price difference). With the 5C, they simply increased the profit margin of the 5. If they sell anymore than the 4S, a year ago after the 5 was released, then it's simply a bonus.

I think Apple's only intent was to homogenize the screen size so that App developers wouldn't have to worry about writing to suit two different screen sizes.

But I do agree their real push for 64 bit will begin next year.
 
sshhoott said:
Would it be a good idea if Apple replaced Macbook pro's power button with Touch ID? Personally, I'd love that. Who's with me?
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I'm pretty sure they already got rid of the round power button where that would most easily be implemented. But yeah maybe they can fit it in that tiny little thin f row key too.
 
I'm in the market for the rMBP and I'm changing my 10" tablet because 600g are too many.

Yesterday I went to the Apple Store to have a look and my opinion is

  1. The iPad is not only heavy but also c*ap (aesthetically)
  2. The iPad mini is awesome, feel light enough on hands, it's beautiful, the screen format make it better than other small tablets
  3. Non-retina display are not for me. You can tell the difference and they make smaller text incredibly hard to read, especially on the mini

So if the mini will get the retina display it will be perfect for me (I mainly use it for reading and browsing).

TouchID? I'm not saying is good or bad but if it will not be there it will not be a deal breaker for me.
 
NowConverted said:
I'm in the market for the rMBP and I'm changing my 10" tablet because 600g are too many.

Yesterday I went to the Apple Store to have a look and my opinion is

  1. The iPad is not only heavy but also c*ap (aesthetically)
  2. The iPad mini is awesome, feel light enough on hands, it's beautiful, the screen format make it better than other small tablets
  3. Non-retina display are not for me. You can tell the difference and they make smaller text incredibly hard to read, especially on the mini

So if the mini will get the retina display it will be perfect for me (I mainly use it for reading and browsing).

TouchID? I'm not saying is good or bad but if it will not be there it will not be a deal breaker for me.
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i guess all you can do is hope that tuesday they do announce one. So far a high amount of members here are claiming it will have retina.
 
mrmarts said:
Call me a noob but what is the difference between a A7 and a A7X processor?
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The A7 runs at 1.3Ghz with a G6430 GPU. The A7X will run between 1.4-1.7Ghz with a G6630 GPU(2.67X faster overal GPU perfromance than the 5S; 205Gflops).

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dylin said:
The X processor was made to include a quad-core GPU during the time that A5 was out which was only a dual core.

The A7 is already equipped with a quad core GPU.
A Closer Look at Apple's A7 Chip from the iPhone 5s

So in theory, the A7 seems pretty capable enough to power the display.

The major draw back to doing so would be trying to keep enough for it to constantly keep those pixels happy, so a bigger battery would need to be involved.
Click to expand...

The A7 uses a G6430 GPU outputting at 76.8Gflops. The A7X will be clocked higher (1.4-1.7Ghz) and use the G6630 GPU (should output at around 205Gflops if same jump as the 5S got[2.67X] or more).

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JoshAlfie said:
1 - The A7 doesn't have the graphics power to run the retina display.

2 - Apple will want to keep the cost of the mini low, hence A6X over A7X.

But who knows?
Click to expand...

It does have the graphics power. The A7 uses a G6430 GPU outputting at 76.8Gflops, making it just as powerful as last years A6X GPU but much more efficient. Plus Apple will want to move the premium iPad Mini to 64bit rather than keeping it at 32bit so it is much more likely the A7 for the Mini 2. So please don't just think because it doesn't have an X on the end means its not powerful enough.

The iPad 5 will be using a A7X clocked higher using a G6630 GPU with should output at around 205+Gflops.
 
MartinAppleGuy said:
It does have the graphics power. The A7 uses a G6430 GPU outputting at 76.8Gflops, making it just as powerful as last years A6X GPU but much more efficient. Plus Apple will want to move the premium iPad Mini to 64bit rather than keeping it at 32bit so it is much more likely the A7 for the Mini 2. So please don't just think because it doesn't have an X on the end means its not powerful enough.

The iPad 5 will be using a A7X clocked higher using a G6630 GPU with should output at around 205+Gflops.
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing it up more. I think some people just like seeing the letter "X." They probably feel that an added letter makes up for a more powerful device :p

I am curious though, where did you find the source for the clock speed?
 
Eadfrith said:
They will need to give us a reason to upgrade next time.
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Since people are still waiting for 5S's perhaps there are supply issues with the sensors. Or maybe not everything was leaked to WSJ so there will be some surprises on Tuesday.
 
MacRumors said:
It was unclear whether the Retina iPad mini would be ready for Tuesday's announcements, but in addition to The Wall Street Journal, two reliable sources, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and AllThingsD, have also indicated that the Retina iPad mini will make its debut on October 22.
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Come on MacRumors... WSJ and AllThingsD are reliable sources, Ming Chi Kuo isn't. Stop relying on him.
He told BS several times this year including about a low cost iPhone :rolleyes:
 
MartinAppleGuy said:
The A7 runs at 1.3Ghz with a G6430 GPU. The A7X will run between 1.4-1.7Ghz with a G6630 GPU(2.67X faster overal GPU perfromance than the 5S; 205Gflops).

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The A7 uses a G6430 GPU outputting at 76.8Gflops. The A7X will be clocked higher (1.4-1.7Ghz) and use the G6630 GPU (should output at around 205Gflops if same jump as the 5S got[2.67X] or more).

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It does have the graphics power. The A7 uses a G6430 GPU outputting at 76.8Gflops, making it just as powerful as last years A6X GPU but much more efficient. Plus Apple will want to move the premium iPad Mini to 64bit rather than keeping it at 32bit so it is much more likely the A7 for the Mini 2. So please don't just think because it doesn't have an X on the end means its not powerful enough.

The iPad 5 will be using a A7X clocked higher using a G6630 GPU with should output at around 205+Gflops.
Click to expand...

So its worth going for the Ipad 5 for performance!
 
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