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The iPad Mini

CrankyJay

Banned
NeoGAF on my Mini:

fdvpQl.jpg

Looks like a great size tablet. How does the text look?
 
So my girlfriend bought a black iPad mini and I'm sold! Selling my iPad 2 and upgrading to mini. Yes, upgrading.

I was very surprised but the mini feels like what the iPad should be, the larger one just feels outdated after having used the mini. To me I'd still pick the mini over a retina enabled full size iPad at the same price point. I no longer see a point in the larger size.

Mini is definitely an upgrade over the iPad 2. People that think the Mini will forever be the iPod Touch to the iPhone are going to be proven wrong, I think. This is just an infinitely better mobile form factor.

It's only Baconsammy who keeps harping on about it here.
Everyone else has gotten over it and expects it in a future revision.

Gee, did I upset your delicate sensibilities? Deal with it. It's the one glaring flaw the Mini has. Everything else outside of the side bezel appears to be an improvement over the larger tablets.
 
This launch was nothing special, business as usual. I made that comment earlier and seems like its true.
Yeah and it was like that photo posted earlier at my local apple store. They had those little bars setup to herd the crowd expecting lines and a ton of staff on hand but there was literally no line.
 

CrankyJay

Banned
Mini is definitely an upgrade over the iPad 2. People that think the Mini will forever be the iPod Touch to the iPhone are going to be proven wrong, I think. This is just an infinitely better mobile form factor.

I can forsee a commercial version of this with barcode scanner and credit card swipe.
 

dallow_bg

nods at old men
.
Gee, did I upset your delicate sensibilities? Deal with it. It's the one glaring flaw the Mini has. Everything else outside of the side bezel appears to be an improvement over the larger tablets.
Well duh. Anyone who cares about screen quality knows this. (Including me)
I was just saying that to him because he said "you guys" when it's actually just you.
 

Hoo-doo

Banned
Mini is definitely an upgrade over the iPad 2. People that think the Mini will forever be the iPod Touch to the iPhone are going to be proven wrong, I think. This is just an infinitely better mobile form factor.



Gee, did I upset your delicate sensibilities? Deal with it. It's the one glaring flaw the Mini has.

Glaring flaw.. lol.
Maybe in the small world of extreme tech enthusiasts and spec whores.
 

Caramello

Member
Mini is definitely an upgrade over the iPad 2. People that think the Mini will forever be the iPod Touch to the iPhone are going to be proven wrong, I think. This is just an infinitely better mobile form factor.
Everybody will slowly come around I'm sure. People just need to use it to realize the difference for themselves. Apple really nailed the design of this thing and to me and everyone that I know that has used it, it feels better in every way compared with the full sized iPad
 
Glaring flaw.. lol.
Maybe in the small world of extreme tech enthusiasts and spec whores.

So wait, now only tech enthusiasts and spec whores care about HD screens? I wonder which one of those classifications my mother is. I'll go with spec whore.

I can forsee a commercial version of this with barcode scanner and credit card swipe.

Definitely. I expect to start seeing a ton of these in airports/planes.
 

bob page

Member
Everybody will slowly come around I'm sure. People just need to use it to realize the difference for themselves. Apple really nailed the design of this thing and to me and everyone that I know that has used it, it feels better in every way compared with the full sized iPad

Yeah, I think people will really see the difference when they see it in person. That's when the power of the Apple Store & word of mouth kick in.
 
Mini is definitely an upgrade over the iPad 2. People that think the Mini will forever be the iPod Touch to the iPhone are going to be proven wrong, I think. This is just an infinitely better mobile form factor.

Touch was more a replacement of the ipod though. Mini seems to be more a replacement of the ipad in the long term - once the tech is there that'll maybe be no bad thing; following the reviews people seem to prefer the smaller form and build quality.
 
Everybody will slowly come around I'm sure. People just need to use it to realize the difference for themselves. Apple really nailed the design of this thing and to me and everyone that I know that has used it, it feels better in every way compared with the full sized iPad
I agree it feels better but a retina would have warranted a purchase from me and you know it will be there next year
 
Touch was more a replacement of the ipod though. Mini seems to be more a replacement of the ipad in the long term - once the tech is there that'll maybe be no bad thing; following the reviews people seem to prefer the smaller form and build quality.

Yep, but some people have posited that Mini will forever be behind the bigger iPad in speed and screen tech. After holding one, I'm not convinced of that at all. It's light, but not too light, but mainly the size of it just feels perfect, whereas the original iPad feels needlessly bulky and heavy. And by adding my smart cover, the side bezel "issue" is no longer an issue. Very comfortable.
 
I'd be surprised if Apple's primary engineering focus right now is reducing power draw from these displays. There are too many potential benefits not to. The weight of the iPad, the possibility of a Retina iPad, battery life, etc. I was hoping that they'd made some progress with the iPad 4, but evidently not.

They are, but the problem is that while Apple has the dollars to pass around, they don't have an Intel-like manufacturing fortress to build it. So they need to wait, see, and solicit bids from all of their manufacturing partners instead.

Things on the table:
IGZO: A new screen display technology that promises dramatically improved backlight efficiency (hence less power draw). But only one company makes it and they probably don't have sufficient yield to meet Apple's shipping requirements.

Die Shrinks: Simply put; design the A6 with a smaller process and power consumption will drop. But die shrinks are expensive (billions) and it takes significant time for fabs to convert.

Baseband Power Switchers: A startup recently announced working switching converters, which could significantly drop power consumption when communicating via 3G/LTE. But it will take time (and money, and negotiation) before that tech shows up in the Qualcomm and other chipsets that Apple purchases.

New Battery Compositions: There are probably a half dozen new chemical compositions for batteries that promise greater lifetimes. But most of them are still in the engineering phase, so it's unclear when any of them will become viable for mass-market products.
 

Hoo-doo

Banned
So wait, now only tech enthusiasts and spec whores care about HD screens? I wonder which one of those classifications my mother is. I'll go with spec whore.



Definitely. I expect to start seeing a ton of these in airports/planes.

Your words, not mine.
I just think it's pretty funny to see you act like it's some kind of ultimate deal-breaker for the mass consumer.
 
Your words, not mine.
I just think it's pretty funny to see you act like it's some kind of ultimate deal-breaker for the mass consumer.

Unclench, and then listen. When I list flaws on MY Mini, I'm giving you MY impressions. Not the impressions of anyone else. Mine. Just mine. If I were to guess what the ultimate "deal breaker" is, it's the price.
 
Mini seems to be more a replacement of the ipad in the long term - once the tech is there that'll maybe be no bad thing; following the reviews people seem to prefer the smaller form and build quality.

The mini is never going to replace the larger iPad. lmao


The lack of enthusiasm for this launch is blatant evidence of this. I think the mini is going to be a very niche product. If people want an iPad they'll buy the larger one, not the smaller one.

Of course there will always be that small niche of people though who want something smaller, but that is always going to be the minority of people. Let's not kid ourselves. The normal iPad is not large. Everything being smaller is not better.
 

CrankyJay

Banned
The line on 5th Ave in Manhattan, about 500 people strong. Also keep in mind that half the city is still without power & subways. I'd probably be there if I could but I'd have to walk for 3 hours.

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11...ign=Feed:+fortuneapple20+(FORTUNE:+Apple+2.0)

Something about this bothers me...

I know I know...just a weird juxtaposition to see people lining up for a luxury item when a few miles away entire neighborhoods are destroy.

Not judging.
 

entremet

Member
Something about this bothers me...

I know I know...just a weird juxtaposition to see people lining up for a luxury item when a few miles away entire neighborhoods are destroy.

Not judging.

Lot a rich people in NYC too. It's a funny town. One block has luxury apartment and the next block might have project apartment.
 

CrankyJay

Banned
That this is a better and more useable form factor overall. Based on my experience with the Nexus 7 I can believe it.

I can believe it...

My primary use of my iPad 3 is for browsing and word games while watching TV on my couch.

I can imagine the mini would be way more comfortable for this. Hell, better on a plane, too.
 
Lot a rich people in NYC too. It's a funny town. One block has luxury apartment and the next block might have project apartment.

I agree with you about the wealth disparity in NYC, it's shocking



But that hAs nothing to do with the people in line, I bet most of them are just your average income earner who are big apple fans
 
The mini is never going to replace the larger iPad. lmao

The lack of enthusiasm for this launch is blatant evidence of this. I think the mini is going to be a very niche product. If people want an iPad they'll buy the larger one, not the smaller one.

Of course there will always be that small niche of people though who want something smaller, but that is always going to be the minority of people. Let's not kid ourselves. The normal iPad is not large. Everything being smaller is not better.

The iPad 4 just launched as well; so your logic isn't quite holding up. Launch sales are nice but its the weeks/months that follow that make or break a product.

Mini is still expensive for what is old tech (it stands out like a sore thumb after Apple proclaiming Retina and new processors etc.); but it offers the iPad experience for cheaper than the iPad.

It won't happen over night but as the tech takes off the specs will be comparable imo and the size/form have had glowing reviews so far.

Normal iPad will still be selling but tablets have moved strongly to business and productivity. The Mini is a far more business looking and friendly device than the iPad 4. Not to say the iPad will not sell; but it'll become more the niche product in comparison to the Mini imo.
 
Friend got one and I got to play around with it. The display is awful, but everything else is nice. No retina is tolerable if you've never used retina or don't have any other retina devices, I guess.
 
Friend got one and I got to play around with it. The display is awful, but everything else is nice. No retina is tolerable if you've never used retina or don't have any other retina devices, I guess.
Kind of how I feel, I thought it felt really nice and liked the size but dat low res screen was not looking good after being used to retina
 

Mindwipe

Member
So wait, now only tech enthusiasts and spec whores care about HD screens? I wonder which one of those classifications my mother is. I'll go with spec whore.

*Sets up "Spec Whore Moms" clips4sale store, prints money*

Had a play with one today. It's owner is happy with it, but they don't own an iPad or a laptop or a recent iPhone.

For anyone who does, I just can't see that the niche amount of uses it would have over the other devices justifies the cost to me. I just wouldn't use it that often to justify that amount of money. Whereas the cost of a Kindle, or even a Nexus? Yeah, might do.

And the lack of resolution on the screen is very, very noticable. I'm sure it will be fixed next gen, but right now... eesh.

EDIT: Also, weighed about what I'd expect, so I found the "it's so light!" hype weird. And the side bezel does make it hard to hold.
 

Majine

Banned
I think this will replace the touch as the big gift item this holiday. I'm gonna get my parents one.

If only because the iPad brand is now stronger than the iPod.

I actually think the iPod Touch seems like a better overall product. Better screen and twice the storage, and still cheaper than the Mini.
 

Gannd

Banned
I see absolutely no reason why it won't be for most people. It's the perfect size and built like a tank.

Low Res display = not my main iPad. I'm getting the iPad 4 fully expecting the next iPad mini to have the retina display and I'll sell the iPad 4 to fund the iPad Mini 2. I think you're right about it being more usable.
 
If only because the iPad brand is now stronger than the iPod.

I actually think the iPod Touch seems like a better overall product. Better screen and twice the storage, and still cheaper than the Mini.

The fact that it can't run iPad apps hurts the Touch imo. For 30 dollars more you get access to the entire App store. And all you people complaining about the Mini screen, you need to stop stealing "my thing". =)
 

numble

Member
I am leaning towards being skeptical that a mini with a higher DPI display than the iPad 3/4 would have the same weight and thickness. I think they will have 2 models of big and little, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina, and iPad and iPad with Retina, just like they do with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina--the rebrand of the iPad 4 on the site as "iPad with Retina Display" might be evidence of this path.
 

DECK'ARD

The Amiga Brotherhood
Kind of how I feel, I thought it felt really nice and liked the size but dat low res screen was not looking good after being used to retina

I honestly don't feel like that, and I've used retina since day 1 of the iPhone 4.

Bothered me a bit in portrait, but browsing in landscape is totally fine. GAF full site looks fine. And the size, weight and form-factor are perfect. It's just so nice to use.

When it does get retina it will destroy everything, including the full size iPads. This just feels totally right.
 
Yeah I think the display will be a bit jarring for many people used to looking at an iPad 3. Hopefully offset by the novelty of its twee size. And honestly we have an iPad 2 that we keep around for family use in the kitchen or whatever and I'm still fine with that display.
 

Pachimari

Member
By the way, the Smart Cover for iPad Mini is really not that good. I'm surprised its sliding so easily when connected to my Mini..
 
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