How confident are we that the iPad 3 is coming soon?

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Pretty darn sure that it's within q1 or q2 of this year? Basically i just inherited a refurbished iPad 2 less than 2 weeks old. Can't return it so I'm wondering if I should flip it and hold out a bit for the 3?

I'm perfectly fine sitting on my touchpad for a while but if I can get an iOS device soon it would be nice. I think objectively that after using webos android and iOS for tablets that even an iPad 1 will far surpass my tablet experience on my touchpad. So iPad 3 or not? Just hoping this doesn't turn into the bust that the ipod touch gen 3 was....

 

[TheStu]

Pretty darn sure that it's within q1 or q2 of this year? Basically i just inherited a refurbished iPad 2 less than 2 weeks old. Can't return it so I'm wondering if I should flip it and hold out a bit for the 3?

I'm perfectly fine sitting on my touchpad for a while but if I can get an iOS device soon it would be nice. I think objectively that after using webos android and iOS for tablets that even an iPad 1 will far surpass my tablet experience on my touchpad. So iPad 3 or not? Just hoping this doesn't turn into the bust that the ipod touch gen 3 was....

I think that since the iPad is a flagship iOS device (next to the iPhone) that it is going to get the iPhone 4 treatment.

I think that we might see a redesigned body, but most reliable signs are pointing to a Retina Display (which regardless of the actual definition we will use as shorthand for a pixel doubling of a previous display resolution) so 2048*1536 on the 9.7" display. I also expect it to pack a mulit-band cell chip so that the 3G model works on both Verizon and AT&T just to make things simpler. Arstechnica had a report about the possibility of the iPad 3 packing the Quad Core A6 CPU which would be wicked. Also, I think that it may bump to 1GB RAM if only for the display. The RAM isn't as important on iOS and Metro as it is on Android. When you have tighter control over the hardware and software specs you can tweak and finesse.

I personally believe that Apple is either going to drop the price on the iPad 2 down significantly to take out the Kindle Fire/Nook Tablet, or release a cheaper, smaller 7" iPad (2) to do the same. Tim Cook once said about the iPhone, that they (Apple) didn't want to leave a price umbrella for anyone to take advantage of, hence the free (with contract, obviously) iPhone 3GS and the $99 iPhone 4. I think that up until the Transformer Prime (which I haven't played with yet, but have heard good things about) Apple didn't have anything to worry about in the $500 tablet space. The only tablets that people could put out at that price either A: no one wanted or B: were crap. Cheap tablets were simply cheap tablets, and so were no concern there. Honestly, even if the Transformer Prime was the second coming of Jesus I don't know how many units they will move. Do any of the cell carriers sell them in their stores? The Apple Retail stores are a huge boon to Apple.

The Kindle Fire is the problem (for them) as it is being sold by a big name company that people trust under a name that people like and trust (compare to the success or lack thereof for Windows Phone 7). The Fire and Nook have their own issues, but the fact still remains that they are desirable and work well enough, and the price is great for them. However if Apple can price an iPad (and it in theory isn't just gimped down version) at $300 then that is going to eat a lot of sales.

 

[Brian Stirling]

It may be difficult for Apple to get away with calling an iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution as a "retina" display given that would still only be a little over 200ppi versus the 300+ppi of the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4/4S. Still, this is Apple so they can pretty much say anything they want.

But, as much as I' prefer a smaller tab if Apple does release the iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution an quad-core cpu it will be very tempting. At present I'm still waiting for Samsung to finally release the god damn Galaxy Tab 7.7 as that is the tab that most interests me...


Brian

 

[ponyo]

I'll believe 2048x1536 when I see it...

 

[TheStu]

It may be difficult for Apple to get away with calling an iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution as a "retina" display given that would still only be a little over 200ppi versus the 300+ppi of the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4/4S. Still, this is Apple so they can pretty much say anything they want.

But, as much as I' prefer a smaller tab if Apple does release the iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution an quad-core cpu it will be very tempting. At present I'm still waiting for Samsung to finally release the god damn Galaxy Tab 7.7 as that is the tab that most interests me...


Brian

Didn't Samsung already release a 7" tablet? And every other conceivable size as well?

I'll believe 2048x1536 when I see it...

ta-da

 

[ponyo]

Didn't Samsung already release a 7" tablet? And every other conceivable size as well?

ta-da

yes. I wonder if Samsung will sue Apple for copying if Apple releases 7" tablet. :sneaky: I actually think Samsung is releasing 5",6",7",8", and 9" tablets before Apple so they won't be sued for copying later on.

We're all very familiar with that screen. But it's made by Samsung in partnership and is pentile. Do you really think Samsung will sell and let Apple have that panel tech at this point? 😀 Second, it's pentile. Knowing Apple, that's not good enough and they'll wait for regular RGB screen. :hmm:

If you had said Samsung will release 2560x1600 10" tablet, I would have believed it. I think that's very good chance Samsung will release it 2012. I read Samsung was actually supposed to release the tablet for the medical market at the end of 2011 but I didn't see any press release.

So which manufacturer you know of has retina-like 10" display other than Samsung and can produce enough needed for Apple? I asked this question before but no one has been able to answer. They only thing I hear repeated is Apple will have retina display for iPad 3. So who's going to make this magical display? I haven't heard anything from LG.

 

[Pliablemoose]

My best guess is that there will be an iPad 3 this spring, reported to have higher res screen, thinner, better battery life, and a quad core processor.

Dunno about a 7" iPad, although, I'd likely buy one if it comes out. I like the form factor, even though I end up using my pinky fingers to interact with the screen, because web pages aren't made to work with a touch screen that small.

The iPad 2 you have will keep its value pretty well, I'd keep it and use the hell out of it. I use mine a lot (using it now), and I really don't find anything I want changed.

The iPad 2 is rumored to be kept in production and dropped to a starting price of $399 for the wifi 16GB version.

 

[TheStu]

yes. I wonder if Samsung will sue Apple for copying if Apple releases 7" tablet. :sneaky: I actually think Samsung is releasing 5",6",7",8", and 9" tablets before Apple so they won't be sued for copying later on.

We're all very familiar with that screen. But it's made by Samsung in partnership and is pentile. Do you really think Samsung will sell and let Apple have that panel tech at this point? 😀 Second, it's pentile. Knowing Apple, that's not good enough and they'll wait for regular RGB screen. :hmm:

If you had said Samsung will release 2560x1600 10" tablet, I would have believed it. I think that's very good chance Samsung will release it 2012. I read Samsung was actually supposed to release the tablet for the medical market at the end of 2011 but I didn't see any press release.

So which manufacturer you know of has retina-like 10" display other than Samsung and can produce enough needed for Apple? I asked this question before but no one has been able to answer. They only thing I hear repeated is Apple will have retina display for iPad 3. So who's going to make this magical display? I haven't heard anything from LG.

Other than the stolen iPhone 4 prototype, who knew about the Retina Display on that before it happened? All I am saying is that with Apple, nothing means anything until the day it is unveiled/shipped.

 

[ponyo]

Other than the stolen iPhone 4 prototype, who knew about the Retina Display on that before it happened? All I am saying is that with Apple, nothing means anything until the day it is unveiled/shipped.

So no actual tech link but just blind faith like other Apple fans. 😛 I gotta give credit to Apple. They do keep secrets and product info hidden way better than any other company. That's partly the reason you see all kinds of crazy rumors from Apple followers. I'm actually glad Samsung no longer sees what's in Apple's lineup before it's released. Now Samsung actually has to go all out and try their best instead of just one upping Apple specs on similar product. Kind of like how Samsung used SGX 540 on their original Galaxy S instead of SGX 535 because Samsung knew iPhone 4 was going to have 535. Same with the Hummingbird clocked at 1ghz on SGS instead of 800mz for iPhone 4. Now Samsung has to go by these crazy rumors and try to beat one up that! Apple/Samsung separation is good for us consumers.

 

[Oyeve]

Had waffles for breakfast.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Apple/Samsung separation is good for us consumers.

Quoted for truth, SS is keeping Apple on its toes, and is proving they're not afraid to try something new. Where Apple just guesses what will sell, SS is putting out products and risking failure to find out what sticks with consumers. (and still managing to make $ hand over fist).

The Note and the various sized tablets spring to mind, they are cool as hell IMHO.

If I wore a suit jacket or a coat at work I'd use a Note on CDMA in a heartbeat. A smaller form factor is best for me right now though.

 

[Mopetar]

It may be difficult for Apple to get away with calling an iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution as a "retina" display given that would still only be a little over 200ppi versus the 300+ppi of the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4/4S. Still, this is Apple so they can pretty much say anything they want.

It could still qualify is most people don't hold their tablets as close to their face as their phones. The average human eye is capable of resolving about 300 ppi at roughly one foot. As the distance increases, the eye is less able to discern individual pixels.

Anyone who has a phone with ~200 ppi could probably determine what distance the device needs to be at before they can no longer pick out individual pixels and use that to gauge if it would be disingenuous to apply the label to pixel doubled tablets.

 

[shortylickens]

I'll believe 2048x1536 when I see it...

I've had it on my CRT for 10 years.

 

[annomander]

yes. I wonder if Samsung will sue Apple for copying if Apple releases 7" tablet. :sneaky: I actually think Samsung is releasing 5",6",7",8", and 9" tablets before Apple so they won't be sued for copying later on.

We're all very familiar with that screen. But it's made by Samsung in partnership and is pentile. Do you really think Samsung will sell and let Apple have that panel tech at this point? 😀 Second, it's pentile. Knowing Apple, that's not good enough and they'll wait for regular RGB screen. :hmm:

If you had said Samsung will release 2560x1600 10" tablet, I would have believed it. I think that's very good chance Samsung will release it 2012. I read Samsung was actually supposed to release the tablet for the medical market at the end of 2011 but I didn't see any press release.

So which manufacturer you know of has retina-like 10" display other than Samsung and can produce enough needed for Apple? I asked this question before but no one has been able to answer. They only thing I hear repeated is Apple will have retina display for iPad 3. So who's going to make this magical display? I haven't heard anything from LG.

Sharp.

 

[shabby]

It may be difficult for Apple to get away with calling an iPad3 with 2048x1536 resolution as a "retina" display given that would still only be a little over 200ppi versus the 300+ppi of the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4/4S. Still, this is Apple so they can pretty much say anything they want.

Apple will figure out a way to spin it one way or the other.

"Because the ipad is at arms lenght, it looks just like the retina display on the iphone... AMAZING ISNT IT?!?"

 

[theeedude]

I think 2048x1536 will happen, there really is no reason for it not to. And it's good enough. Most people are using 1920x1080p or lower res monitors on their PCs, so tablets will have more resolution than you can get on your PC. And PC makers will wonder why people are ditching them for tablets, while trying to peddle 1366x768 to consumers. I can't count how many laptops I was interested in buying until I got to "x768." Instead I am still using my old 1280x800 laptop from 5 years ago.

 

[ponyo]

I've had it on my CRT for 10 years.

me too. 😎 I have Sony G520P 21" CRT sitting right next to my Dell LCD right now that I use for occasional PC gaming. I bought it new back in 2003 or so when I knew Trinitrons were going extinct and wanted the best new CRT before it was too late. Sony ruled with Trinitron. Too bad their display tech is crap now.

I think 2048x1536 will happen, there really is no reason for it not to. And it's good enough. Most people are using 1920x1080p or lower res monitors on their PCs, so tablets will have more resolution than you can get on your PC. And PC makers will wonder why people are ditching them for tablets, while trying to peddle 1366x768 to consumers. I can't count how many laptops I was interested in buying until I got to "x768." Instead I am still using my old 1280x800 laptop from 5 years ago.

No one doubts 2048x1536 will happen. What we're questioning is whether it will happen with iPad3 this Spring. I have my doubts but Apple fans are sure of it. We will see.

 

[Red Storm]

The rumored higher res displays for this year's tablets are the one and only thing that has kept me from buying one already. My phone is already 720p, there's no way I'm spending hundreds for the same resolution.

 

[Dulanic]

No one doubts 2048x1536 will happen. What we're questioning is whether it will happen with iPad3 this Spring. I have my doubts but Apple fans are sure of it. We will see.

I can't see it. Every new rumored device is rumored to have crazy insane specs and this is no exception. This applies to all devices they all get rumored to have insane specs. Galaxy Nexus was this way, "iphone5" which was the 4gs was too... happens all over.

 

[runawayprisoner]

2048 x 1536 IPS screen with ~260ppi
Quad-core 1GHz CPU
Quad-core GPU that's 2x faster than the currently faster mobile GPU (meaning it approaches PS3/360 capability)
1GB RAM
128GB storage
2x bigger battery (or 15 hours of battery life)
5MP rear facing camera
HD front facing camera
Less than 10mm thick

Yeah, those are realistic specs... for a $499 tablet!

I think the safest bet is... it'll come when it does. No one knows for sure, and as such... waiting or not is pointless until we at least know Apple is planning a media event, and that there are sufficient "rumors" pointing to the media event being an unveiling of a new product.

Since one is planned at the end of this month but with no indication of new hardware, I think it's a safe bet that it doesn't come in February...

 

[upsdriver]

I think 2048x1536 will happen, there really is no reason for it not to. And it's good enough. Most people are using 1920x1080p or lower res monitors on their PCs, so tablets will have more resolution than you can get on your PC. And PC makers will wonder why people are ditching them for tablets, while trying to peddle 1366x768 to consumers. I can't count how many laptops I was interested in buying until I got to "x768." Instead I am still using my old 1280x800 laptop from 5 years ago.

People are using tablets over PCs because they are easy to learn/use, fun, and able to do most non-productivity tasks. Most consumers aren't as concerned over screen resolution as you are.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I would bet that A6 is a quad core A9 like the rumors have stated but that it keeps the SGX543MP2 like the iPad 2 and iPhone 4s. In the past Apple has been content to reuse the same gpu for two generations and it gives them less hardware changes to have to deal with.

 

[Patranus]

My best guess is that there will be an iPad 3 this spring, reported to have higher res screen, thinner, better battery life, and a quad core processor

I have actually reading marginally thicker (but not noticeably because of the tapering) to incorporate some insane new battery tech.

 

[Patranus]

People are using tablets over PCs because they are easy to learn/use, fun, and able to do most non-productivity tasks. Most consumers aren't as concerned over screen resolution as you are.

In the eyes on consumers they are CE devices not computers.

 

[saratoga172]

I must say I've been very impressed with the iPad 2's I've used. Haven't gotten to use them from a productivity standpoint but that will be changing for me very soon. My only real interaction thus far is supporting them for our employees. The thing I like about Apple keeping iOS on iPad and iPhone relatively similar is my couple years with an iPhone makes iPad support extremely easy. Not to mention they've made it very user friendly.

Over the summer we tested some Android tablets first due to better pricing, and while they worked well, they just didn't do what we wanted compared to the iPad. Battery life, ease of use since we have very computer challenged users, etc.

This coming week I'll be trading out my laptop for a desktop and iPad 2. So that'll give me some real productivity use since I'll be remotely connecting to my desktop for issues when I'm in the field. Now if only I can convince the company to switch away from Sprints god awful service. They have some horrible 3G data speeds in the Dallas/Houston/Austin/San Antonio area from my experience.

As for keeping the iPad 2 vs holding out for the iPad 3. I would test it and see if it has what you want. You'll get a very nice price for it as long as you keep it in good condition. I've heard rumors for the iPad 3 in mid-late spring. Rumors are higher res display made by Sharp and their suppliers. 8mp rear camera and a nicer in the front. Quad core cpu and a beefier gpu.

I just don't necessarily see the benefits of beefier CPU and GPU if they don't crank up the res. The tablet is very smooth and runs without issues. From a speed standpoint there isn't much they can do unless they start adding features. I would put a bet on a battery with 30-40% more life. Bringing it to 11-12 hours. That'd be perfect I think.