iPad Mini: it's real

[MagickMan]

$249 for 8GB base

 

[Ichinisan]

$249 for 8GB base

Is this a guess? ...or are you saying you got information from somewhere?

If you're going by that retailer inventory system (which was entered by someone speculating with no more information than you or I have), that's 250 euros. It comes to about $324.10

 

[Ichinisan]

Someone said it was a "hoax." :whiste:

 

[MagickMan]

Overpriced. Geez, Apple.

 

[dbk]

hmm that price.. i just cant

 

[SandEagle]

$329? no thanks.
$200, sure. $250, maybe.

 

[Ichinisan]

Well...at $330, it's $30 more than the cheapest iPod. It's around the price I thought it would be and I'm glad I canceled my iPod Touch order.

Getting the iPad mini for reading and livingroom use. Previously had the HP TouchPad. This will be my first iPad.

 

[JavaMomma]

Priced exactly where I thought it would be, not sure why so many people thought Apple would get into the race to the bottom game. They have never played that game.

Apple isn't going to cut into margins - a super cheap iPad mini would just cannibalize their other products. This product was about filling a a hole in their product portfolio, some people just don't like 10" tablets. I can see this product also doing well with kids.

 

[z0mb13]

The only drawback is the non-retina display (albeit higher ppi than ipad 2). However the rest is as expected. Im guessing the next version will have A5x chip and retina display (maybe in another 6 months?)

 

[Ichinisan]

The only drawback is the non-retina display (albeit higher ppi than ipad 2). However the rest is as expected. Im guessing the next version will have A5x chip and retina display (maybe in another 6 months?)

Don't hold your breath on the Retina display. People just don't need iPad 3 resolution in an 7.85" screen.

It would be far higher pixel density than iPad 3/4 and just wasteful. They definitely wouldn't create a whole new screen resolution because it would be a nightmare for developers and app file sizes would increase significantly AGAIN.

An 8GB iPhone 3GS was absolutely PERFECT for my mother until most apps started updating with iPad 3 enhancements and their sizes ballooned out of control.

 

[Kaido]

Don't hold your breath on the Retina display. People just don't need iPad 3 resolution in an 7.85" screen.

They will...for the iPad Mini 2 :biggrin:

Relevant: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple

 

[BD2003]

If I didn't already have an iPad 3, I'd totally get the mini. The standard iPad just feels too big to me.

But it needs the retina display and the A6 before I upgrade. Next year, I'm sure.

 

[sportage]

Its priced to compete with other top of the line 7" tabs.
I think the new amazon one is $299. So $329 is in the neighborhood.
What and why I will stick with apple stuff is iTunes.
I use to hate itunes, but now it makes sharing all your media with all your apple devices so easy.
If you bought a movie theu iTunes, or ripped your dvd's into iTunes, there you are.
Everything in one place, playable with all your apple products and future products, like the mini.
Did I notice a new Apple iMac desktop in the line?
That was a surprise.
And yes, the apple store lists an iPad mini available with both wifi and cell network.

 

[Kaido]

If I didn't already have an iPad 3, I'd totally get the mini. The standard iPad just feels too big to me.

But it needs the retina display and the A6 before I upgrade. Next year, I'm sure.

I still haven't upgraded from my iPad 1...the iPad is just too big for me. My buddies have the 2 & 3 and I'm just not inclined to upgrade. The iPad Mini sounds really nice. My brother has a Kindle Fire and it's the perfect size, just a bit too thick (which is solved with the iPad Mini).

 

[BD2003]

I still haven't upgraded from my iPad 1...the iPad is just too big for me. My buddies have the 2 & 3 and I'm just not inclined to upgrade. The iPad Mini sounds really nice. My brother has a Kindle Fire and it's the perfect size, just a bit too thick (which is solved with the iPad Mini).

That would be a perfect upgrade then. I don't quite regret upgrading from the 1 to the 3, because lack of a retina display is a dealbreaker....Im spoiled now. But I really want a smaller and lighter iPad.

 

[sportage]

Oh oh... Notice the new mini iPad also uses the same elusive smaller connector?
The same connector iPhone 5 users are unable to find anywhere.
Ouch!

Me thinkest those Chinese workers better hold off making new devices for a while and catch up on connectors and chargers.

 

[Ichinisan]

Its priced to compete with other top of the line 7" tabs.
I think the new amazon one is $299.
.
.
.

It's $199 for the latest 7" Kindle Fire.

Still, I think this is competitive because:
1. Apple tax
2. Resale value
3. Screen has more surface area

 

[Ichinisan]

That would be a perfect upgrade then. I don't quite regret upgrading from the 1 to the 3, because lack of a retina display is a dealbreaker....Im spoiled now. But I really want a smaller and lighter iPad.

Even if its not "retina," the pixel density is quite high. It has all the pixels of an iPad 2 on a screen that is much smaller.

My only problem with the design of the mini is that they shrunk the margins on the sides so you can hold it with one hand in vertical orientation. Where am I supposed to put my thumb when holding it one-handed so I can avoid interacting with the screen? I'll always have to spread my hand across the entire back? That will be slightly more difficult because I will have a case on mine.

 

[BD2003]

Even if its not "retina," the pixel density is quite high. It has all the pixels of an iPad 2 on a screen that is much smaller.

My only problem with the design of the mini is that they shrunk the margins on the sides so you can hold it with one hand in vertical orientation. Where am I supposed to put my thumb when holding it one-handed so I can avoid interacting with the screen? I'll always have to spread my hand across the entire back? That will be slightly more difficult because I will have a case on mine.

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 3G. It's usable but they can do better nowadays.

 

[Ichinisan]

Oh oh... Notice the new mini iPad also uses the same elusive smaller connector?
The same connector iPhone 5 users are unable to find anywhere.
Ouch!

Me thinkest those Chinese workers better hold off making new devices for a while and catch up on connectors and chargers.

Want more Lightning cables? Just buy iDevices!

 

[Ichinisan]

It's the same pixel density as the iPhone 3G. It's usable but they can do better nowadays.

For technical reasons, the only practical way to increase DPI is to quadruple the pixels (same resolution as iPad 3/4 in a smaller area, higher DPI than iPad 3/4). That's just overkill for 7.85 inches.

 

[BD2003]

For technical reasons, the only practical way to increase DPI is to quadruple the pixels (same resolution as iPad 3/4 in a smaller area, higher DPI than iPad 3/4). That's just overkill for 7.85 inches.

It'd then be the same pixel density as the iPhones two generations ago. It's not overkill at all.

 

[KeithP]

Don't hold your breath on the Retina display. People just don't need iPad 3 resolution in an 7.85" screen.

If you are talking about 2048x1536 I would agree. However, they could simply up the resolution until the PPI was about the same, 1600 x 1200, or a bit higher would accomplish that goal.

-KeithP

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you are talking about 2048x1536 I would agree. However, they could simply up the resolution until the PPI was about the same, 1600 x 1200, or a bit higher would accomplish that goal.

-KeithP

App devs would riot. They have to rebuild assets for every screen res, new UI layouts, etc.

And each resolution an app supports means more bigger downloads. Suddenly that 16GB starts to look inadequate.

 

[Kaido]

That would be a perfect upgrade then. I don't quite regret upgrading from the 1 to the 3, because lack of a retina display is a dealbreaker....Im spoiled now. But I really want a smaller and lighter iPad.

Yeah. I would never go back to a non-Retina iPhone, but in using my buddy's iPad 2 & iPad 3 side-by-side...not a dealbreaker. Sure Retina is better, but the iPad was already really nice to read on to begin with. That's partly why I haven't upgraded from my iPad 1...working just fine! :biggrin: So that same resolution on a smaller screen would probably look even better.

Better get my iPad 1 up on eBay before the price drops any further :awe: