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[Sean]

Would you pay an extra $50-$100 for a 7 inch iPad over the competition?

The display will likely be slightly lower resolution but you get more tablet apps. Those are the main differences.

The problem for Apple is there is no mini iPad market, just a Kindle Fire market.

Seriously?

Kindle Fire wasn't popular because of superior hardware or software, the only reason it sold was because it was the cheapest tablet on the market. I don't think anyone has brand loyalty to the Kindle Fire, they'll move on to whatever other cheap tablet is out there.

 

[giga]

Would you pay an extra $50-$100 for a 7 inch iPad over the competition?

The display will likely be slightly lower resolution but you get more tablet apps. Those are the main differences.

The problem for Apple is there is no mini iPad market, just a Kindle Fire market.

 

[Buddha Beam]

Wait, why are we assuming the hypothetical iPad Mini will have a lower screen resolution/density? I would think it would be at least as high as the iPad Jumbo's.

 

[brotkasten]

Wait, why are we assuming the hypothetical iPad Mini will have a lower screen resolution/density? I would think it would be at least as high as the iPad Jumbo's.

Because a 7" display with XGA is cheaper.

 

[Dark_AnNiaLatOr]

This sounds good for games.

 

[kehs]

I just realized Kermit's post is satire.

Well done.

 

[Buddha Beam]

Because a 7" display with XGA is cheaper.

That's silly to me. I can't imagine Apple releasing a tablet and not being able to call it "retina display".

 

[Captain Sparrow]

iPad Mini at $199 is suicide for Apple. No lower than $249 guaranteed. Probably $299.

 

[Cheebo]

iPad Mini at $199 is suicide for Apple. No lower than $249 guaranteed. Probably $299.

$250 8 GB $299 for 16 GB is my guess.

 

[Al-ibn Kermit]

Wait, why are we assuming the hypothetical iPad Mini will have a lower screen resolution/density? I would think it would be at least as high as the iPad Jumbo's.

Well if it uses the existing iPad apps, it'll either have to be 1024X768 or 2048X1536. Assuming they want to compete in price, the lower resolution option makes more sense.

What is considered a "competitive" price is completely up in the air though.

 

[RedSwirl]

If they can get one of these out with 32GB I'm down.

 

[Izick]

If they can get one of these out with 32GB I'm down.

At what price though?

 

[elrechazado]

That's silly to me. I can't imagine Apple releasing a tablet and not being able to call it "retina display".

You're right - apple has never released a product that had any success that wasn't "retina"
...
...
.

 

[Skel1ingt0n]

I believe the rumors... but I just can't possibly imagine Apple not doing a retina display. It's so obvious that's the direction they're going; regardless of product. The iPod touch had a retina display for under $200 two years ago.

I'm gonna guess they do a 7" iPad, 8GB, for $249. 16GB for $299. No 4G options.

 

[Hours Left]

199-249, and I'll probably bite.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

No way they will only charge $50 for a memory upgrade. Apple loves their $100 hikes.

 

[Sean]

I believe the rumors... but I just can't possibly imagine Apple not doing a retina display. It's so obvious that's the direction they're going; regardless of product. The iPod touch had a retina display for under $200 two years ago.

I'm gonna guess they do a 7" iPad, 8GB, for $249. 16GB for $299. No 4G options.

But wouldn't the display cost over twice as much on a tablet since the screen would be more than 2x larger? Then they might need a better battery/CPU/RAM in order to power the screen.

I think Apple will just take the iPad 2 and shrink it down. Same specs, display/resolution, etc. That seems like the easiest, cheapest, most profitable solution. Would also give next years revision a big selling point.

 

[scorcho]

No. I have a real iPad, I don't need an iPad Jr. I know plenty of cheapskates who would, though.

why do you surround yourself with so many plebs? are they your help?

but seriously, when are you starting your MG Siegler fanfic?

 

[Izick]

New IPad Mini Rumors Emerge: Smaller IPad To Be Thinner Than Kindle Fire

 

[rozay]

New IPad Mini Rumors Emerge: Smaller IPad To Be Thinner Than Kindle Fire

haha this is a lame article, breaking news! tablet from fall 2012 thinner than tablet from fall 2011

anyway, not surprising this news is released after the current word of mouth regarding sales of the Nexus 7. Hope this doesn't end up being too much of a knee-jerk reaction to cheap android tablets.

 

[bangai-o]

New IPad Mini Rumors Emerge: Smaller IPad To Be Thinner Than Kindle Fire

kindle fire isnt exactly thin. right now Toshiba has the thinnest 7 inch in the market. everyone hould be comparing to that.

 

[Izick]

It is pretty lame now that I think about it.

 

[Cheebo]

haha this is a lame article, breaking news! tablet from fall 2012 thinner than tablet from fall 2011

anyway, not surprising this news is released after the current word of mouth regarding sales of the Nexus 7. Hope this doesn't end up being too much of a knee-jerk reaction to cheap android tablets.

Well Tim Cook all but admitted the 7 inch iPad was coming at the All Things D conference which was months before Google IO so they likely been developing this thing long before the Nexus 7 was revealed.

 

[Izick]

I think this thing in the end is going to hold me up on picking up a Nexus 7. Not saying I'm going to skip the Nexus 7 or pick an iPad mini up, but I want to at least see what it has to offer first.

The thing is that I'm likely not going to be doing much other than browse the web (Gaf, reddit, facebook, etc.) and watch videos on Youtube and Blip, so I'm not sure what an Apple tablet would really have over the N7 that I'd need.

 

[kehs]

I think this thing in the end is going to hold me up on picking up a Nexus 7. Not saying I'm going to skip the Nexus 7 or pick an iPad mini up, but I want to at least see what it has to offer first.

The thing is that I'm likely not going to be doing much other than browse the web (Gaf, reddit, facebook, etc.) and watch videos on Youtube and Blip, so I'm not sure what an Apple tablet would really have over the N7 that I'd need.

Video out.

 

[Zeth]

Supposedly as thin as the 4th gen iPod Touch. Makes sense. Otherwise I think this will be a smaller version of iPad 2, same resolution. Probably no 64gb. I'm thinking just one, maybe two small storage sizes. Otherwise it might mess up their iOS device pricing if it gets too close to the large iPads.

I'll probably get one. Cancelled my Nexus 7 plans anyway :\

 

[Izick]

Video out.

Not sure if that really entices me at all. I have an Xbox, PS3, and a laptop for any kind of video needs.

Supposedly as thin as the 4th gen iPod Touch. Makes sense. Otherwise I think this will be a smaller version of iPad 2, same resolution. Probably no 64gb. I'm thinking just one, maybe two small storage sizes. Otherwise it might mess up their iOS device pricing if it gets too close to the large iPads.

I'll probably get one. Cancelled my Nexus 7 plans anyway :\

For me, it has to be no more than 300$. That's just me, and I know Apple doesn't really cater to people that are reserved with spending money for something. That's not a knock really, it just how they run their business. 250 and 300$ sound great though, but unrealistic.

Why did you cancel your N7 plans?

 

[Raistlin]

New IPad Mini Rumors Emerge: Smaller IPad To Be Thinner Than Kindle Fire

That's not exactly setting the bar high lol

Video out.

Quick ... you know what to do

 

[Izick]

That's not exactly setting the bar high lol








Quick ... you know what to do

Oh, Q...like the Nexus Q!

 

[Raistlin]

Oh, Q...like the Nexus Q!

lol ... yeah ... not sure if you were paying attention to me and Copernicus' argument on that subject

 

[Izick]

lol ... yeah ... not sure if you were paying attention to me and Copernicus' argument on that subject

Yeah, I remember having some say in it as well in the Nexus 7 thread.

 

[Phoenix]

I think this thing in the end is going to hold me up on picking up a Nexus 7. Not saying I'm going to skip the Nexus 7 or pick an iPad mini up, but I want to at least see what it has to offer first.

The whole point of this device is to do exactly that - keep people from looking at the Kindle Fire2 or the Nexus7. If Apple is even in the same price ballpark, they will murder their competitors in that space - even if the device is not on par technically.

 

[Izick]

I get that. Apple has a lot of loyal followers, and can sell things just by having that bitten Apple logo alone. For me though, if I wait, I'm going to outweigh the pro's and con's, and decide on that. I won't decide simply due to the logo on the back of the the thing.

 

[Metroid Hunter]

Would this hypothetical product cannibalize iPad 10" sales?

 

[Izick]

Not if it's cheap enough, at least I don't think it would. I'm guessing a lot of people want a tablet, but just don't want to spend iPad money. I guess they could always get older iPad's, but that's just not the same.

 

[Al-ibn Kermit]

Would this hypothetical product cannibalize iPad 10" sales?

People won't spend twice as much for the 10" iPad unless they have to (ie: to read PDFs).

 

[Bigfoot]

7" and $299 = No buy
8" (or close to) and less than $249 = Instant buy!

 

[rozay]

Would this hypothetical product cannibalize iPad 10" sales?

This is what I'm most curious about-it's clear apple is making healthy ass profit margins on the iPad 2 and iPad 3. Even with their supply chains, a lower cost 7 inch model will not have as much of a profit margin and its possible a significant amount of people who bought the cheapest 10 inch model will instead purchase the 7 inch one.

 

[PSYGN]

If it's around $250, I'd probably get it. Don't really care for Retina on a screen that small.

 

[tino]

If the 7 inch iPad can get a logitech style detachable keyboard then its the first feature I can think off that make me want an iPad mini over a Nexus 7.

In all seriousness I rather wait for the Asus version with a SD card slot. I have drawn a line in the sand I just dont want to buy any non expendable gadget.

 

[numble]

This is what I'm most curious about-it's clear apple is making healthy ass profit margins on the iPad 2 and iPad 3. Even with their supply chains, a lower cost 7 inch model will not have as much of a profit margin and its possible a significant amount of people who bought the cheapest 10 inch model will instead purchase the 7 inch one.

A lower profit margin to Apple is better than no profit margin and people buying a competitor's product.

If companies with weaker supply chains can put out devices with more expensive screens, RAM, and processors, Apple shouldn't have a problem putting out something with 2-year old tech and screens they've been using for 5 years.

 

[Izick]

I'm just curious as to what's going to end up being more powerful, this or the Nexus 7?

 

[Extra Sauce]

Larger iPhone

Smaller iPad

= iPhonePad coming in 2014

It runs iOS X

iPhad?

 

[Al-ibn Kermit]

A lower profit margin to Apple is better than no profit margin and people buying a competitor's product.

If companies with weaker supply chains can put out devices with more expensive screens, RAM, and processors, Apple shouldn't have a problem putting out something with 2-year old tech and screens they've been using for 5 years.

The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire have very thin profits. Both are being sold as a gateway to software. Apple could go with that strategy too but it will definitely cannibalize their hardware profits on 10 inch iPads.

I'm just curious as to what's going to end up being more powerful, this or the Nexus 7?

The most logical choice is to use the same processor that's in the iPad2 and iPhone4S. Objectively, it is weaker than the Tegra 3 in the Nexus 7 but that doesn't matter since they have completely different operating systems.

 

[Izick]

The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire have very thin profits. Both are being sold as a gateway to software. Apple could go with that strategy too but it will definitely cannibalize their hardware profits on 10 inch iPads.



The most logical choice is to use the same processor that's in the iPad2 and iPhone4S. Objectively, it is weaker than the Tegra 3 in the Nexus 7 but that doesn't matter since they have completely different operating systems.

Yeah, but if one were to want to play games or do other resource intensive things, it would definitely matter.

 

[giga]

The most logical choice is to use the same processor that's in the iPad2 and iPhone4S. Objectively, it is weaker than the Tegra 3 in the Nexus 7 but that doesn't matter since they have completely different operating systems.

Similarly clocked A9 CPU, though the T3 has double the cores. That doesn't translate to double the performance, but it would help for multithreaded processes.

In terms of GPU, the SGX543MP2 has quite a bit more oomph than the T3.

 

[RedSwirl]

If I were to get this, it would replace my iPad 1 probably. My problem is that my 16GB iPhone is already running out of space.

 

[Somnid]

Yeah, but if one were to want to play games or do other resource intensive things, it would definitely matter.

Actually it probably won't as companies are not putting money into Android apps, especially tablet ones. The chances of getting both high quality apps that push the machine and apps that are well optimized for the hardware are relatively low. You'd be betting that the Nexus 7 dramatically improves the situation.

 

[numble]

The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire have very thin profits. Both are being sold as a gateway to software. Apple could go with that strategy too but it will definitely cannibalize their hardware profits on 10 inch iPads.

That doesn't contradict anything I said. Cannibalize yourself or others will.

Those have thin profits with more expensive tech and weaker supply chains. Apple would have cheaper parts both from using old tech and from using old parts, they also run their own retail stores, increasing margin.

It will cannibalize 10 inch iPads the same way that the iPad 2 at $399 cannibalized new iPads. And the $399 3rd Gen iPad will in 2013. People will still buy the latest and greatest, especially if its double the RAM, screen size and screen resolution. I see people here in China paying heavy premiums on smuggled iPads (and iPhone 4S earlier in the year), even though they already dropped the price of their predecessors before the new ones were officially for sale.

iPod shuffles cannibalize IPod Nanos cannibalize iPod classics. MacBook Airs cannibalize MacBook Pros.

 

[Yoshiya]

Torn between replacing my iPad 1 with this or the Nexus 7. It needs to go (iOS 5 should never have happened to the iPad 1), but these two alternatives balance each other out and make things difficult. That the Nexus is available sooner is a very real advantage to me, as is the larger display and (hopeful) greater hardware longevity, but the iOS app ecosystem is so far in front...

I really don't want to get burned by underpowered hardware again. iPad 1, ugh.

And the $399 3rd Gen iPad will in 2013.

Incidentally, I doubt we'll see this. Apple had to take a hit to margins as the optimal tech for third gen iPad wasn't ready in time. It's not in Apple's interests to have to pack in a fat battery to compensate for the non-IGZO display and the giant and hot SoC. A 32nm A5X and newer display tech will more or less make the new iPad as is a product without a place come 2013 - those two hardware advancements alone would enable a wholesale redesign. Given I don't imagine we'll see much new on the next iPad beyond an A6 and thinner profile it makes more sense for that product to start at $399.