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The iPad Mini

dallow_bg

nods at old men
So we got anyone excited about the iPad Mini in here or am I alone?

I really don't care that it's wider than N7, don't have a Retina and comes with iPad 2 specs. I even have an iPad 2 and is going to buy this iPad Mini for what is a little bit less than $500.

I'm very excited and can't wait to upgrade from the iPad 2.
4:3 screen, App Store, and build quality are superior.


Rear camera is super useful for taking a quick picture to list an eBay item, for texting, and photo scanning.
 
You look bothered. U mad bro.

How cute. A meme. Isn't that bannable?

Defective units do nothing to prove build quality

Interesting that the Apple fellas are using the Nexus 7 screen rise issues as a means to label Nexus 7 as "poor build quality" then isn't it? I wonder how many of these people have actually held a Nexus 7, because the build quality, particularly with the 09+ models is actually pretty darn great.

It's pretty clear that Apple's devices build, in terms of materials, precision, fit and finish and solidness when being held is pretty much unrivaled. You're in denial if you think otherwise.

I would consider anyone who makes an assumption on build quality without hands-on experience of a device "in denial". And I'd say a drop test is pretty much the nuclear option of build quality testing. If you can survive being dropped into water and still function, there's nothing wrong with the build quality of your device IMHO

It's not an either-or argument. You can make both criticisms and I did just that, pointing out the size and screen resolution, in my post.

That's a fair comment, but I feel that all this penis waving over 1.5cm and the ability to fit into a pocket detracts from what should be the real news headline here. This is perhaps the first Apple product launch where they were so scared by a product that they latched on with a "me-too!", and the product they lined up is significantly inferior in terms of technology and value proposition.
 

Blackhead

Redarse
I knew exactly what you meant. It's an absurd notion that the ability to put a tablet in a pocket defines it's category.

It's not in any way an absurb notion. The ad for the original Galaxy tab, (you know, the one that Apple drew inspiration for the iPad Mini :p if you need to refresh your memory) highlights the pocketablity of the device. Pocketablity of devices is one way to categorize as you obviously know given your previous comments about the pocketability of the Galaxy Note series
 

Tobor

Member
As for build quality:

Topolsky said:
Like most Apple products, the build of the smaller tablet is excellent, easily surpassing the competition on the market. By comparison, the Nexus 7 and Fire HD feel like toys. Other manufacturers are going to have to up their game with this product in town. It's just a striking difference in materials and solidness.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/23/3540572/apple-new-ipad-mini-hands-on

Step up your game, other guys!
 

noah111

Still Alive
I was referring to one of Apple's infamous build quality faux pas of the past.
How does that relate to the build quality of an iPad mini in any way? *shrugs*


I'm honestly not that bothered. I'm well aware that there are significant build quality issues with 06, 07 and possibly 08 variations of Nexus 7 models, and I expect Asus and Google to make it good to the users affected. What I took exception to was the Kool-Aid induced automatic assumption that just because it's Apple, the build quality will be top notch. Because I can provide plenty of examples where this was not the case.

Oh wait! The Nexus 7 beat the iPad in a drop test. That Nexus 7 build quality must really suck!
The term 'build quality' is not synonymous with 'durability'. By that logic a lenovo is the best feeling thing ever.
 

SeanR1221

Member
The more I think about it the more I realize this really is the perfect device for my job (I'm a behavior specialist working with autistic kids)

- light so it's easy to carry with me
- great build quality because some of my clients aren't gentle with electronics
- more apps for autism than android and obviously windows RT

But the price...uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want it for 250. Even 270.
 

Zeppu

Member
The term 'build quality' is not synonymous with 'durability'. By that logic a lenovo is the best feeling thing ever.

You are 100% correct but what would you want? Something which feels sturdy and great in your hands but actually breaks 'easily' or something which looks or feels flimsy but can actually take a lot of damage and lasts longer?

Where does that video show that the Mini is not pocketable?

It's larger than the GS3 and that doesn't fit in pockets.
 

CrankyJay

Banned
The more I think about it the more I realize this really is the perfect device for my job (I'm a behavior specialist working with autistic kids)

- light so it's easy to carry with me
- great build quality because some of my clients aren't gentle with electronics
- more apps for autism than android and obviously windows RT

But the price...uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want it for 250. Even 270.

I'm with ya man...250-270 is a sweet spot. $329...ugh

Could always wait for refurbs to start rolling in.
 

noah111

Still Alive
But the price...uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want it for 250. Even 270.
I think they priced it this was just for the holidays. They know that this time of the year they'll sell out weather or not it's $50-80 more expensive than some people would be willing to dish out.

I'm really hoping they'll get it down to $299 early next year, and then to $249 after that. I want to get one for the kids (they use my old iPad 1), but i'm going to wait it out for now.
 

Xater

Member
Man I want the smaller form factor but I guess I'll keep my iPad 3. I don#t think I can go back to no retina display. I guess next year around this time we will get a retina iPad mini and then I'll get one.
 

CrankyJay

Banned
I think they priced it this was just for the holidays. They know that this time of the year they'll sell out weather or not it's $50-80 more expensive than some people would be willing to dish out.

I'm really hoping they'll get it down to $299 early next year, and then to $249 after that. I want to get one for the kids (they use my old iPad 1), but i'm going to wait it out for now.

Since when does Apple ever just drop prices (besides a new version of the same item coming out)?
 

Blackhead

Redarse
No one takes the consideration the size of pockets. Pockets vary in size.

4hLTX.jpg
 

Gaaraz

Member
Wanted to get my mum something for her 50th birthday, it was already between an iPad, a Nexus 7 or an ultrabook... and now the iPad mini has been thrown into the mix too!

I think the size (and extra width in particular) of the iPad mini is near perfect, but IMO it's rather over-priced
Any thoughts please GAF?
 

noah111

Still Alive
You are 100% correct but what would you want? Something which feels sturdy and great in your hands but actually breaks 'easily' or something which looks or feels flimsy but can actually take a lot of damage and lasts longer?
I'll hold my device a million times throughout its life, every day, for hours. I'll only drop it once, maybe even that (i've never dropped my iPad or iPhone). So yes, the build quality is more important imo.

Would you rather have something that feels more flimsy (your words)/plasticy like a durable lenovo? I don't know who favors that, tbh.
 

derExperte

Member
Funny my N7 doesn't feel like a toy...smh

Can't write an article about new Apple hardware without the 'others feel like a toy'-line. Just funny that Topolsky called the N7 a 'classy, well-made product' plus 'Solid design that feels great in your hand' and now it feels like a toy in comparison. Yeah, okay.
 

Tapiozona

Banned
The more I think about it the more I realize this really is the perfect device for my job (I'm a behavior specialist working with autistic kids)

- light so it's easy to carry with me
- great build quality because some of my clients aren't gentle with electronics
- more apps for autism than android and obviously windows RT

But the price...uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want it for 250. Even 270.


This doesn't make any sense. You're confusing durability with build quality. You're working with children who are autistic. So you think these kids are going to comment on the sleek likes, premium aluminum backing, or the fact that it doesn't creek when you squeeze the device?

You need to worry about how it will hold up when it is inevitably dropped for the hundredth time. Or worry that it will survive water damage or having the screen scratched. I.e. Durability.
 

jts

...hate me...
How cute. A meme. Isn't that bannable?
I don't know. Isn't "holding it right" (or wrong) as well? Especially when it's used to deflect an argument that goes against what you said, proving that you have no interest in debating but rather just plain trolling.


Interesting that the Apple fellas are using the Nexus 7 screen rise issues as a means to label Nexus 7 as "poor build quality" then isn't it? I wonder how many of these people have actually held a Nexus 7, because the build quality, particularly with the 09+ models is actually pretty darn great.
I don't what they're using, but that's not what defines the iPad mini as being better built than the Nexus 7.

I would consider anyone who makes an assumption on build quality without hands-on experience of a device "in denial". And I'd say a drop test is pretty much the nuclear option of build quality testing.
Is it? Well then I must assume that something like an iPod nano is much better built than any tablet. And an iMac is built like a piece of shit. Have you ever dropped that from 2 meters? It's crap.
Or I could use my brain and say that a drop test relies hugely on a object's mass. It's physics. So if you want to compare 2 different objects by that metric, at least use objects with comparable masses.

If you can survive being dropped into water and still function, there's nothing wrong with the build quality of your device IMHO
Nope. Being waterproof is merely spec. It doesn't say anything about the materials being shit, it feeling like shit in your hands and being flimsy as fuck.
Especially because inside water IS NOT where a fucking tablet is going to be used.
 

Loki

Count of Concision
Greyface said:
reached any consumers' hands which change the value proposition.

Furthermore, the iPad mini isn't in the same class of tablet as the Nexus 7. The Nexus 7 fits in a jacket or jeans pocket which the iPad Mini doesn't; one is properly portable while the other isn't. The proper comparisons that should be made to the 4:3 7.9" iPad Mini are the 16:10 8.9" Android tablets like the Galaxy Tab 8.9. Even then the iPad Mini will have competition from the likes of the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and the Nook HD+. The Nook HD+ will be in stores on November 1st with a 'retina-class' display and 16GB for $269. It won't feel right for me buying the first generation iPad mini for family and friends this holiday season when all they want to do is browse the web, read books, and check email, facebook and twitter when the Nook HD+ can do all that satisfactorily with a much better screen

The Nook HD is actually $229 (not $269) for the 16GB model, versus $329 for the 16GB iPad Mini.
 

SeanR1221

Member
This doesn't make any sense. You're confusing durability with build quality. You're working with children who are autistic. So you think these kids are going to comment on the sleek likes, premium aluminum backing, or the fact that it doesn't creek when you squeeze the device?

You need to worry about how it will hold up when it is inevitably dropped for the hundredth time. Or worry that it will survive water damage or having the screen scratched. I.e. Durability.

I think you have a different idea of the kids I work with.
 

Zeth

Member
I can't wait to see how the border touch rejection works. The nexus 7 would be 10x better with that, it happens to me all the time.
 

Loki

Count of Concision
Not the Nook HD+.

Sorry, thought he was talking about the 7" form factor since that's the segment the iPad Mini is aimed at (Nook HD/Nexus/Kindle Fire HD/iPad Mini). Not sure why we should compare it to a 9+" tablet.
 
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