Anyone else really excited for the iPad mini?

Tsur · Oct 13, 2012

I've been thinking about picking up an iPad for about a year. I even have enough airline miles on my credit card where I could get a couple of retina iPads for "free". But I've been holding off. Mainly because of the size and weight. It just seem like carrying a full size iPad and a keyboard is the same as an Air but with limits.

But the iPad Mini has me seriously pondering a purchase (with real money even) as soon as it's released. The form factor, and hopefully reduced weight, really appeals to me. I don't think I'm even going to mind the lack of retina display. I'm really thinking it might be the most perfect iPad ever. Steve Jobs (RIP) might just have been wrong.

Would any of you current iPad 3 owners actually consider downgrading?

ril · Oct 13, 2012

I've been holding off on a new iPad (I have a first gen that I hardly use) in anticipation. I've got an 11" MacBook Air (which I love to death) and I find carrying a tablet nearly the same size to be redundant.

nagha · Oct 13, 2012

I am. I don't need retina and I like the smaller sized tablets.

LurkingOne · Oct 13, 2012

My new mac setup contains an iPhone, rMBP13 as soon as it comes out (thunderbolt video editing,) and nothing in between

, so I'll be looking at it, but only if the price is right.

TheHunter · Oct 13, 2012

I waited for the retina iPad, and I'm glad I did. To me, retina is most worthwhile on the iPad, since I use it for a lot of long form reading. I'm not looking to buy a new device either way, but I wouldn't be going for an iPad Mini. Obviously I won't know until I see one in person, but the size isn't a draw for me, I like the size of my iPad. I could see it being attractive if they manage to get it "impossibly" lightweight, like the iPhone 5. Weight is the one thing I'd really like to see improved on the iPad,

Of course this is just me. I'd expect the Mini as it's being hypothesized to be a pretty big seller, especially if they hit a pretty competitive price point. Could well be similar to the iPod Mini in more than just the name. If the price is right, it could really skyrocket sales I bet.

Hap · Oct 13, 2012

I'll be getting one, we use iOS devices as the remotes for lights and A/V equipment in our house. Since I started getting work email on my iPad, it has had to have a passcode on it (very annoying to have to enter a passcode just to turn the TV volume up/down. (Yeah, I know, flimsy excuse).

I'll be getting one to play with anyway, unless they are exorbitant.

arcite · Oct 14, 2012

I'd prefer an updated iPad 4 Retina myself (once you go retina you can't go back) :bigdumbgrin:

What would the battery life be like on a mini anyway? Less than a regular ipad I suppose.

TheHunter · Oct 14, 2012

arcite":3b29bag7 said:
:
What would the battery life be like on a mini anyway? Less than a regular ipad I suppose.

Depends really, I imagine it could be pretty good. The biggest limitation to the iPad's power is the screen. A smaller, non-retina screen could probably do pretty well, even in a in form factor. Retina really seems to hit the battery, given that it promoted Apple to make a device thicker and heavier than its predecessor for the first time I can remember.

Only one way to know for sure of course.

Ray Sanders · Oct 14, 2012

We'll see. It's going to be a Rev 1 product, so who knows. I don't think Apple would release a me too product, so I expect they have a decent idea of the prospective market. Depends on the exact feature set. GPS would be a plus, but I suspect that would require the cell chip.

BryansAccount · Oct 14, 2012

I love my "new iPad" 4g LTE but I would be seriously tempted to pick up an iPad mini if it was extremely light weight. I still find myself using my iPhone over my iPad in many situations where I have both available due to its superior one hand usability.

swizcore · Oct 14, 2012

If the mini has a retina display, I will likely be selling my iPad3 to get one.

HydraMac · Oct 14, 2012

BryansAccount":s79hfao0 said:
I love my "new iPad" 4g LTE but I would be seriously tempted to pick up an iPad mini if it was extremely light weight. I still find myself using my iPhone over my iPad in many situations where I have both available due to its superior one hand usability.

I think there is a difference between "one handed usability" as you say and wielding it one handed. A 7" tablet will be easier to hold no doubt but you aren't going to be able to "use" it per se one handed very well. One handed reading will surly be easier than the big iPad but you can't beat a phone for one handed useablity IMHO.

Markm49uk · Oct 14, 2012

Yep excited here - I have 3 kids with iPod touch 3rd gens that are on their last legs so its a choice between the new touch or this smaller ipad for Xmas. They all love my ipad 2 so it looks like I will go the way of the iPad mini x3.

TheVelourFog · Oct 14, 2012

I am. Selling my 64/VZW iPad 3 for it. I like new gadgets and don't need 2 tablets. It's just the couch surfer really.

I do hope it has LTE though, I really like having that.

sclitheroe · Oct 14, 2012

512 MB of RAM would be a showstopper for me.

-Scott

TheVelourFog · Oct 14, 2012

Not me. If it actually prohibited me from doing something maybe, but I've learned that looking at the specs alone can lead to misinformed purchases.

In fact, doesn't the iPad 1 have only 256MB? Still browses just fine IME.

BryansAccount · Oct 14, 2012

I wouldnt go that far. Browsing multiple tabs can be a painful series of page reloads on the iPad 1

sclitheroe · Oct 14, 2012

TheVelourFog":2zlvq1ms said:
Not me. If it actually prohibited me from doing something maybe, but I've learned that looking at the specs alone can lead to misinformed purchases.

In fact, doesn't the iPad 1 have only 256MB? Still browses just fine IME.

I used to assume that you could safely ignore iOS device specs as well, and assume Apple would do what was right. But the iPad 1 taught me that wasn't necessarily the case. As an example, memory limitations were enough to make the Music app unusable once iTunes Match was enabled (in fact, the device would have so hard a time freeing memory that often the app would not open at all without a clean boot). Switching between apps with the multitasking gestures was hopeless (I know none of them actually "multitask", but when the system is so RAM starved it's kill -9'ing on every app switch to restore state on the next app, it bogs the system down something terrible). Essentially, the iPad 1 didn't perform right after a single iOS version bump.

My new personal guideline for iOS device purchases is that they have to have the maximum amount of RAM offered for the iOS version they ship with. So I'd purchase an iPad 3, or an iPhone 5 right now, but not an iPad 2, iPhone 4S, or an iPod Touch, all of which are shipping with iOS 6, but are RAM spec'ed for iOS 5.

TheVelourFog · Oct 14, 2012

Yeah but that's an old iPad with new software (you mentioned Match). When it comes to new products, the specs aren't paramount.

Older stuff, yeah, that's a given. You can't fight the increasing software demands, so older product owners would do wise to keep an eye out.

I sure as hell didn't care about the RAM on the iPad when it first came out. It worked smoothly and never felt slow, even though it was "only" 256MB.

kennedye · Oct 15, 2012

We held on to our 1st gen iPad 3G as an upstairs tablet, might investigate replacing it with the mini depending on the price/specs.

japtor · Oct 15, 2012

I'll probably replace my old iPad with one, I ~~was too lazy to sell it~~ kept it around and use it as a second screen occasionally when working on my "new" iPad.

The old one was an iPad 2, but switched with my mom while helping her out cause her first gen was painful to use (hyperbole of course, but "oh my god it's so slow" came up more than once in my head). It's usable enough since I don't need it for much, but having something much faster and a different form factor would be nice, rather than just being an older fatter much slower version of what I already have.

...whether it'll actually be all that useful to me (beyond my current second iPad use) I have no clue. I do a lot of typing on my iPad so I'm guessing that'll be a bit of a pain with a smaller one, but I could see it being nicer to use with my stylus for notes (like a small vs big notepad) and a push when it comes to drawing (more compact/portable hardware vs less workspace).

Philotech · Oct 15, 2012

sclitheroe":2nra1hxr said:
TheVelourFog":2nra1hxr said:

Not me. If it actually prohibited me from doing something maybe, but I've learned that looking at the specs alone can lead to misinformed purchases.

In fact, doesn't the iPad 1 have only 256MB? Still browses just fine IME.

Click to expand...

I used to assume that you could safely ignore iOS device specs as well, and assume Apple would do what was right. But the iPad 1 taught me that wasn't necessarily the case. As an example, memory limitations were enough to make the Music app unusable once iTunes Match was enabled (in fact, the device would have so hard a time freeing memory that often the app would not open at all without a clean boot). Switching between apps with the multitasking gestures was hopeless (I know none of them actually "multitask", but when the system is so RAM starved it's kill -9'ing on every app switch to restore state on the next app, it bogs the system down something terrible). Essentially, the iPad 1 didn't perform right after a single iOS version bump.

My new personal guideline for iOS device purchases is that they have to have the maximum amount of RAM offered for the iOS version they ship with. So I'd purchase an iPad 3, or an iPhone 5 right now, but not an iPad 2, iPhone 4S, or an iPod Touch, all of which are shipping with iOS 6, but are RAM spec'ed for iOS 5.

Fully agree. 256 MB of RAM were never enough for the iPad. From day 1, it hardly ever held a single brower page or tab in RAM. Crashes were rare, but did occur. And with iOS 4, they became increasingly common. Now with 5, with the exception of Mail, Calendar and Contacts, all apps are crashing on my iPad, including Safari, Youtube, App Store, iTunes, Dropbox, etc. I can't think of any other reason than lack of RAM for this behavior.
Furthermore, especially Safari and App Store are totally unresponsive at times, with 5-15 secs not reacting at all to any user input.

This is what makes me doubt if I should actually get the iPad mini. If rumors are true, it will have early-2011 level of CPU power and RAM only, so I am afraid that even iOS 6 might already be a stretch.

Smack · Oct 15, 2012

I'm not excited about the rumors that the base model has 8 GB and that it costs the standard $100 to double it to an acceptable amount.

japtor":328iga4b said:
I'll probably replace my old iPad with one, I ~~was too lazy to sell it~~ kept it around and use it as a second screen occasionally when working on my "new" iPad.

Amazon will still buy back a base iPad 1 for $190 (in giftcards). Not bad if you think you'll never really use it.

sjg · Oct 15, 2012

I'm interested. We have a 1st gen iPad that really just gets used for sofa browsing and video playback on long flights. When I travel, it tends to be for work and I need to carry a laptop (which is fine for playing video in hotel rooms) - so a 10" tablet feels like overkill on top of that. I normally have a Kindle with me too for reading.

Theoretically, a smaller iPad might work nicely as that "companion" device. I might actually get round to reading more of my digital magazine subs too.

Philotech · Oct 15, 2012

Smack":3r29yvzb said:
I'm not excited about the rumors that the base model has 8 GB and that it costs the standard $100 to double it to an acceptable amount.

So true. By this cheap trick, Apple manages to retain the $249 price although that configuration that everybody assumed would be the base model is in fact $349.
Having bought the iPad 1 with max memory available, I am now wiser and know that I wouldn't need that much. But 8 GB definitely woulnd't cut it, and I will definitely get the cellular model. So with just 16 GB I would already end up at $ 449, which is probably more than I'm willing to spend.

TheVelourFog · Oct 15, 2012

I don't sync/load stuff anymore, so it's the base storage option with LTE for me from here on out.

stevenkan · Oct 15, 2012

If I hadn't bought an iPad 3/64/engraved and then a $150 Lifeproof waterproof case, then I'd be very interested in the iPad mini.

As it is I've already spent too much to want to do it all again.

iconmaster · Oct 15, 2012

Not particularly excited personally, as I have a retina iPad already.

BUT as someone who works on iPad apps I'm very excited to see a more affordable device take iPad marketshare to the next level.

runabc · Oct 15, 2012

I don't really see a niche that a smaller iPad will fill for me personally. Now, if Apple were to release a tablet with a display the size of a letter sheet of paper, that would be pretty sweet.

Gandhim3 · Oct 15, 2012

Thinking about getting the base model for my wife, as she primarily uses current retina iPad for web surfing.

jozero · Oct 15, 2012

Yessss ..... I'm hoping there is a model with a retina display. Would serve as the ultimate graphic novel / comic books reading device.

japtor · Oct 16, 2012

Philotech":1qd3q387 said:
Fully agree. 256 MB of RAM were never enough for the iPad. From day 1, it hardly ever held a single brower page or tab in RAM. Crashes were rare, but did occur. And with iOS 4, they became increasingly common. Now with 5, with the exception of Mail, Calendar and Contacts, all apps are crashing on my iPad, including Safari, Youtube, App Store, iTunes, Dropbox, etc. I can't think of any other reason than lack of RAM for this behavior.
Furthermore, especially Safari and App Store are totally unresponsive at times, with 5-15 secs not reacting at all to any user input.

This is what makes me doubt if I should actually get the iPad mini. If rumors are true, it will have early-2011 level of CPU power and RAM only, so I am afraid that even iOS 6 might already be a stretch.

I think the A5 and 512MB might be a decent baseline for a while, kind of like later C2D Macs still being able to handle basic stuff ok.

Smack":1qd3q387 said:
Amazon will still buy back a base iPad 1 for $190 (in giftcards). Not bad if you think you'll never really use it.

Ooh, $240 for a "like new" 32GB, not too far off of what I'd expect selling it myself.

thomahawk · Oct 16, 2012

if/when a Retina version comes out I'd consider supplementing/replacing my "new" iPad with one.

It's the weight, really. It's great for propping up and using as a recipe book, or for putting on a desk/coffee table for reference/videos, but it's just a touch too heavy for comfortable long (>10 min) stints of reading on the couch/in bed/on the plane, and I want to use it a lot for reading.

I guess I should just get a kindle, really. If the kindle ran Instapaper & Prismatic.

Sulis · Oct 16, 2012

thomahawk":p2dquj36 said:
if/when a Retina version comes out I'd consider supplementing/replacing my "new" iPad with one.

It's the weight, really. It's great for propping up and using as a recipe book, or for putting on a desk/coffee table for reference/videos, but it's just a touch too heavy for comfortable long (>10 min) stints of reading on the couch/in bed/on the plane, and I want to use it a lot for reading.

I guess I should just get a kindle, really. If the kindle ran Instapaper & Prismatic.

Which is why I'm getting a Paperwhite Kindle to supplement my iPad 3. I'd not be happy at giving up the retina display for everything else.

thomahawk · Oct 16, 2012

Sulis":1ci7dhmx said:
thomahawk":1ci7dhmx said:

if/when a Retina version comes out I'd consider supplementing/replacing my "new" iPad with one.

It's the weight, really. It's great for propping up and using as a recipe book, or for putting on a desk/coffee table for reference/videos, but it's just a touch too heavy for comfortable long (>10 min) stints of reading on the couch/in bed/on the plane, and I want to use it a lot for reading.

I guess I should just get a kindle, really. If the kindle ran Instapaper & Prismatic.

Click to expand...

Which is why I'm getting a Paperwhite Kindle to supplement my iPad 3. I'd not be happy at giving up the retina display for everything else.

Aye, although Gruber's review didn't make me excited to get one. I'm sure it's the best Kindle yet, but that doesn't mean it's a great device. Of course, I recognise Gruber is probably a hell of a lot pickier than I am.

Sulis · Oct 16, 2012

thomahawk":cw28p5x6 said:
Aye, although Gruber's review didn't make me excited to get one. I'm sure it's the best Kindle yet, but that doesn't mean it's a great device. Of course, I recognise Gruber is probably a hell of a lot pickier than I am.

Slightly O/T: Yes, I think he's right about physical buttons being better - and a future version may well have that. The font and justification things can be done in a SW update if Amazon so desires. But it seems like by far the best ereader for my needs at the moment (and I can always send it back if it ain't). I'd certainly be happier for my kids to be curled up with one of these rather than an iPad.

biochemistry · Oct 16, 2012

It's going to be a low-end model to bring in new customers.

Don't expect a retina display or enough RAM or enough storage to have it replace the regular iPad.

Apple doesn't want to cannibalize regular iPad sales with this new model, it's looking to go after a new market base. We're all going to be hugely disappointed by it.

Graham Perks · Oct 16, 2012

The iPod touch is priced at $299. iPad 3 at $499. An iPad mini would start at $399, presumably.

Tsur · Oct 16, 2012

biochemistry":3orrf1af said:
It's going to be a low-end model to bring in new customers.

Don't expect a retina display or enough RAM or enough storage to have it replace the regular iPad.

Apple doesn't want to cannibalize regular iPad sales with this new model, it's looking to go after a new market base. We're all going to be hugely disappointed by it.

I am hoping you're wrong. Normally, Apple doesn't play this game. They don't worry about cannibalization. Look at how they let their former cash king, the iPod, go away. And they don't really do intro products. The touch isn't there to introduce people to the much more profitable iPhone, it's just a different product. Same with the their Macbook line up and others. Sure some people get introduced to the ecosystem by a low end product and upgrade, but I don't think that's the goal. Perhaps there's less space for differentiation between a Mini iPad and a Maxi iPad. But I think they'll continue the trend.

My bold predictions:
8, 16 & 32 GB ($299, $399, $499)
No cell
No Retina
Very similar battery life.

With those specs, I'll be happy and I think Apple will still make a boatload. If they lose sales of Retina iPads to the Mini, their profit margins will be large enough to not impact their profitability.

Philotech · Oct 16, 2012

Tsur":1bts5bpa said:
My bold predictions:
8, 16 & 32 GB ($299, $399, $499)
No cell
No Retina
Very similar battery life.

With those specs, I'll be happy and I think Apple will still make a boatload. If they lose sales of Retina iPads to the Mini, their profit margins will be large enough to not impact their profitability.

That would mean the mini costs the same as the regular-sized iPad 2 at identical specs (memory, CPU, display resolution). That's rather unlikely.
Figures circulating now are $50 below yours, and they are much more likely. Although in my opinion they wouldbe a huge disappointment because that would mean the 16 GB 3G model (the one I'd be looking for to get) is $449, which is more than I'd hoped to spend.

Anyone else really excited for the iPad mini?

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