What are your thoughts about the iPad Mini? It's expected to be launched today, but if it is like the rumours, will you be buying one and if not, why not?
Unlikely because I have an iPhone and an iPad. The Mini isn't small enough to be really portable, at least for me, and I prefer the larger surface of the iPad. I already find that surface area too small at times, but I wouldn't want a much larger device. And I wouldn't get one just as an eReader. Especially if it doesn't have a retina display.
That said, I can lots of people wanting one, especially if the price point is good.
Probably not. The price rumours going around suggest the 8GB version is going to be quite reasonable but the 16GB+ models are silly money. 8GB on a device without card slots is next to useless.
1. Lightning connector 2. Lighter than any full size iPad 3. Text etc will be sharper than iPad 2 as a minimum 4. More portable 5. No issues with app compatibility
Then my iPad 2 is being replaced (sold) and then being used to fund the Mini.
So very likely. But if the screen is poorer quality than my iPad 2 I won't buy it. That is a key feature.
"Text etc will be sharper than iPad 2 as a minimum"
Well it looks as though it'll have the same number of dots in a smaller screen. So yes it'll be sharper but as Carel says you may have to zoom in more. Like the Nexus 7 compared to a Transformer Prime.
Gavin if all iPads to date had had sub-8" screens and they were now launching the maxiPad with a 9.7" screen at the same resolution would you be convincing yourself that you need the bigger screen? ;o)
If anyone wants to follow it live-ish: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6397/apples-ipad-mini-event-live-blog
Apple really dropped the ball for the normal everyday user today. However, they kept it firmly in the air for the Apple fan. See, Apple fans, generally have more money than sense. They are guided by that elusive quality that seeps through the majority of Apple products, and it gives them that X factor. And they will pay for it.
That does not wash with me though: I need function and value. That's why the Nexus 7 is hands down the best device of this bracket. Plus, can oyu honestly tell me the ipad mini is not going to look like a piece of junk after a few months use? These are devices to be used and abused. I get the distinct impression that like the new iPhone style over longevity is the order of the day.
True. Believe it or not I seriously considered getting an iPad instead of the Transformer Prime; given what I might use a tablet for Apple's restrictions would probably be less of an issue.
The old new iPad was a problem; 4x the pixels and only double the GPU power. This refresh has addressed that issue and makes it more attractive.
I really only use my tablet for gaming these days so the new new iPad could be good for that. Still can't see myself getting one though, not only because I'd be helping to finance the death of the smartphone industry but also I just don't think I'd get enough use from it to justify the cost.
Oh, and no external storage. What if I wanted to watch a movie on it? How would I get it on there? Would they play on it with their various codecs?
The rumours of Google's new tablet are interesting. Details are pretty thin but it seems to be a 10" screen and 4x as many pixels as the Nexus 7, so significantly higher PPI than the new iPad.
Can't see what they'd drive it with though to give the same kind of performance as the Nexus 7; even the quad-core S4 with Adreno 320 GPU would fall short with 4x the pixels to shift. AFAIK the Cortex A15 chips aren't due until next year, but perhaps that's just the ones for phones (we've already seen a ChromeBook announced with a dual-core A15).
Well the announcement's due on Monday so we should find out soon.
@ Shaun: I justified my belief that Apple fans have more money than sense. I might be wrong, but it's my logic. You just made a snarky comment when someone pointed out a salient fact.
And that is, in essence my whole point. Apple fans don't generally care about specification - it is how an Apple product makes them feel that is important which is something you cannot bottle. You dismissed the clear and obvious point that the Nexus is a better technical device to the mini just because it is an Android. You are inherently dismissive due to your allegiances as I am conversely due to mine. But we come at the same talking point from different angles.
The Apple brand is all important in the same way as the likes of Abercrombie & Bitch and those other socially adept brands are. But they all come out of the same Far Eastern sweat shops and like to drench themselves in sex appeal. That is the most astonishingly perverse thing about them.
I honestly (misguidedly?) believe that Android devices (and certainly Google) do not have the same pretensions to preach to the customer. To make out that you are a more attractive person if you associate with this brand or that brand. I can make my own mind up, and look more scientifically at specification and price. My kids needs shoes, not Apple logos.
John how many people, of any type, actually need a tablet?
Almost anyone who buys a tablet has more money than sense, especially if they already have a smartphone and a laptop.
Anyway I saw it as dismissive rather than snarky, but one gets used to it ;o)
On a related topic here's a very in-depth review of MS Surface from someone who's used Macs pretty much exclusively for years now: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6385/microsoft-surface-review/13
I've only read the final page so far (they always do crazy long reviews) but he's definitely impressed.
No apps yet (except Office), but MS is going to throw millions, probably billions into changing that. They know this is make-or-break for their future.
Since when has any Apple device had on paper better specs than the anything else. Better specs does not translate into better usability. And that's what Apple is about. They don't worry about us geeks, they do worry about the general everyday user. If they device has all you need, it's a winner.
Apple is all about style and feeling good. That is totally correct and why should not that be the case.
The iPad Mini is 1.3mm thinner than my old iPod Touch 2nd gen. If that isn't remarkable I don't know what is.
The spec bump on the full size iPad was to compact the new full size google tablet IMO.
I reckon the Mini will sell millions despite any negatives.
Yes, yes, it was a snarky comment, but there is a reason for it. Will write about the subject next week.
"The Apple brand is all important in the same way as the likes of Abercrombie & Bitch and those other socially adept brands are."
That may be true for many people, but not for everyone. Not everyone buys a new Apple product just because of the brand- it has to be a good product and has to do what we want.
"You dismissed the clear and obvious point that the Nexus is a better technical device to the mini just because it is an Android. You are inherently dismissive due to your allegiances as I am conversely due to mine. But we come at the same talking point from different angles."
Yes, it was a glib comment designed to get reaction. However, there is a point in that I have never used an Android tablet where Android feels right on it for me. Whereas, smartphones and Android do feel right together.
"To make out that you are a more attractive person if you associate with this brand or that brand. I can make my own mind up, and look more scientifically at specification and price. My kids needs shoes, not Apple logos."
Yes, the marketing is often bullshit, as I have said many times, but my kids need shoes too. I bought an iMac because it should work out cheaper and save me a lot of time over 4-5 years. I buy an iPhone because it saves me a lot of time and does exactly what I need. It doesn't mean I am a sucker for marketing or that I have unlimited money- it means I make decisions based on what I think of the products themselves.
I bought an iMac because it should work out cheaper and save me a lot of time over 4-5 years.
How? Interested to know why you think that. At the end of the day, you can see through the marketing crap. Many users will not and then can/will fall for the half truths that Apple spew out. And although you might be different there are millions who will buy Apple products because it is "cool" to do so. The same way they buy certain clothing brands (I know because I happen upon them every so often). Tech should always be function over form (but not to its detriment) but Apple get awfully close to the line sometimes.
"Yes, it was a glib comment designed to get reaction"
I knew it! You like it when we fight!
I reckon a large part of your comfort with iOS and discomfort with Android is simply familiarity. At your age you don't like change, or having to learn new tricks. You don't want a sports car, just something comfortable and reliable that gets you from A to B. And slippers. And maybe a jigsaw puzzle ;o)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11:47AM
Reader Comments (22)
Unlikely because I have an iPhone and an iPad. The Mini isn't small enough to be really portable, at least for me, and I prefer the larger surface of the iPad. I already find that surface area too small at times, but I wouldn't want a much larger device. And I wouldn't get one just as an eReader. Especially if it doesn't have a retina display.
That said, I can lots of people wanting one, especially if the price point is good.
Probably not. The price rumours going around suggest the 8GB version is going to be quite reasonable but the 16GB+ models are silly money. 8GB on a device without card slots is next to useless.
Definitely not. For me the mini has the same restrictions as the iPad and it's just more of the same, just in a smaller form factor.
If as I believe the Mini will have the following-
1. Lightning connector
2. Lighter than any full size iPad
3. Text etc will be sharper than iPad 2 as a minimum
4. More portable
5. No issues with app compatibility
Then my iPad 2 is being replaced (sold) and then being used to fund the Mini.
So very likely. But if the screen is poorer quality than my iPad 2 I won't buy it. That is a key feature.
@Gavin, text will be sharper...but also smaller. You'll have to doubletap or pinch & zoom a bit more.
"Text etc will be sharper than iPad 2 as a minimum"
Well it looks as though it'll have the same number of dots in a smaller screen. So yes it'll be sharper but as Carel says you may have to zoom in more. Like the Nexus 7 compared to a Transformer Prime.
Gavin if all iPads to date had had sub-8" screens and they were now launching the maxiPad with a 9.7" screen at the same resolution would you be convincing yourself that you need the bigger screen? ;o)
If anyone wants to follow it live-ish: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6397/apples-ipad-mini-event-live-blog
Unlikely guys ;)
Anyone want to buy my iPad 2 64gb 3G in white.
Just examined the specs on the Mini vs my iPad 2. A real leap forward in many areas. The Mini has 31 more pixels per inch too.
You mean the same number of pixels but fewer inches... ;o)
But hey, whatever makes you happy :o)
You know the 7" Android tablets have even more pixels and even fewer inches?
"You know the 7" Android tablets have even more pixels and even fewer inches?"
Yes, but they are Android tablets
I have my Nexus 7. Until the iOS UI is equipped with Widgets, it is a non-starter, for phone or tablet. So "No".
@Shaun: Dumb comment.
Apple really dropped the ball for the normal everyday user today. However, they kept it firmly in the air for the Apple fan. See, Apple fans, generally have more money than sense. They are guided by that elusive quality that seeps through the majority of Apple products, and it gives them that X factor. And they will pay for it.
That does not wash with me though: I need function and value. That's why the Nexus 7 is hands down the best device of this bracket. Plus, can oyu honestly tell me the ipad mini is not going to look like a piece of junk after a few months use? These are devices to be used and abused. I get the distinct impression that like the new iPhone style over longevity is the order of the day.
"Yes, but they are Android tablets"
True. Believe it or not I seriously considered getting an iPad instead of the Transformer Prime; given what I might use a tablet for Apple's restrictions would probably be less of an issue.
The old new iPad was a problem; 4x the pixels and only double the GPU power. This refresh has addressed that issue and makes it more attractive.
I really only use my tablet for gaming these days so the new new iPad could be good for that. Still can't see myself getting one though, not only because I'd be helping to finance the death of the smartphone industry but also I just don't think I'd get enough use from it to justify the cost.
Oh, and no external storage. What if I wanted to watch a movie on it? How would I get it on there? Would they play on it with their various codecs?
The rumours of Google's new tablet are interesting. Details are pretty thin but it seems to be a 10" screen and 4x as many pixels as the Nexus 7, so significantly higher PPI than the new iPad.
Can't see what they'd drive it with though to give the same kind of performance as the Nexus 7; even the quad-core S4 with Adreno 320 GPU would fall short with 4x the pixels to shift. AFAIK the Cortex A15 chips aren't due until next year, but perhaps that's just the ones for phones (we've already seen a ChromeBook announced with a dual-core A15).
Well the announcement's due on Monday so we should find out soon.
You can't really accuse someone of making a dumb comment and then in the next sentence say "See, Apple fans, generally have more money than sense."
@ Shaun: I justified my belief that Apple fans have more money than sense. I might be wrong, but it's my logic. You just made a snarky comment when someone pointed out a salient fact.
And that is, in essence my whole point. Apple fans don't generally care about specification - it is how an Apple product makes them feel that is important which is something you cannot bottle. You dismissed the clear and obvious point that the Nexus is a better technical device to the mini just because it is an Android. You are inherently dismissive due to your allegiances as I am conversely due to mine. But we come at the same talking point from different angles.
The Apple brand is all important in the same way as the likes of Abercrombie & Bitch and those other socially adept brands are. But they all come out of the same Far Eastern sweat shops and like to drench themselves in sex appeal. That is the most astonishingly perverse thing about them.
I honestly (misguidedly?) believe that Android devices (and certainly Google) do not have the same pretensions to preach to the customer. To make out that you are a more attractive person if you associate with this brand or that brand. I can make my own mind up, and look more scientifically at specification and price. My kids needs shoes, not Apple logos.
John how many people, of any type, actually need a tablet?
Almost anyone who buys a tablet has more money than sense, especially if they already have a smartphone and a laptop.
Anyway I saw it as dismissive rather than snarky, but one gets used to it ;o)
On a related topic here's a very in-depth review of MS Surface from someone who's used Macs pretty much exclusively for years now: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6385/microsoft-surface-review/13
I've only read the final page so far (they always do crazy long reviews) but he's definitely impressed.
No apps yet (except Office), but MS is going to throw millions, probably billions into changing that. They know this is make-or-break for their future.
Since when has any Apple device had on paper better specs than the anything else. Better specs does not translate into better usability. And that's what Apple is about. They don't worry about us geeks, they do worry about the general everyday user. If they device has all you need, it's a winner.
Apple is all about style and feeling good. That is totally correct and why should not that be the case.
The iPad Mini is 1.3mm thinner than my old iPod Touch 2nd gen. If that isn't remarkable I don't know what is.
The spec bump on the full size iPad was to compact the new full size google tablet IMO.
I reckon the Mini will sell millions despite any negatives.
Yes, yes, it was a snarky comment, but there is a reason for it. Will write about the subject next week.
"The Apple brand is all important in the same way as the likes of Abercrombie & Bitch and those other socially adept brands are."
That may be true for many people, but not for everyone. Not everyone buys a new Apple product just because of the brand- it has to be a good product and has to do what we want.
"You dismissed the clear and obvious point that the Nexus is a better technical device to the mini just because it is an Android. You are inherently dismissive due to your allegiances as I am conversely due to mine. But we come at the same talking point from different angles."
Yes, it was a glib comment designed to get reaction. However, there is a point in that I have never used an Android tablet where Android feels right on it for me. Whereas, smartphones and Android do feel right together.
"To make out that you are a more attractive person if you associate with this brand or that brand. I can make my own mind up, and look more scientifically at specification and price. My kids needs shoes, not Apple logos."
Yes, the marketing is often bullshit, as I have said many times, but my kids need shoes too. I bought an iMac because it should work out cheaper and save me a lot of time over 4-5 years. I buy an iPhone because it saves me a lot of time and does exactly what I need. It doesn't mean I am a sucker for marketing or that I have unlimited money- it means I make decisions based on what I think of the products themselves.
How? Interested to know why you think that.
At the end of the day, you can see through the marketing crap. Many users will not and then can/will fall for the half truths that Apple spew out.
And although you might be different there are millions who will buy Apple products because it is "cool" to do so. The same way they buy certain clothing brands (I know because I happen upon them every so often). Tech should always be function over form (but not to its detriment) but Apple get awfully close to the line sometimes.
"Yes, it was a glib comment designed to get reaction"
I knew it! You like it when we fight!
I reckon a large part of your comfort with iOS and discomfort with Android is simply familiarity. At your age you don't like change, or having to learn new tricks. You don't want a sports car, just something comfortable and reliable that gets you from A to B. And slippers. And maybe a jigsaw puzzle ;o)
Or it's more to do with the fact I see all sides and understand the technology better than most:)
Well I'm sure if I knew as much as you then I'd understand that iOS is the best.
Clearly you've utterly failed to educate me ;op