[Rumor] iPad Mini Coming in October

[Guild McCommunist]

It was earlier rumored that Apple would be developing a smaller, wallet-friendly iPad Mini to compete in the budget tablet market. It seems today this rumor got some more credit to its name with a report from Bloomberg.

The report says that AU Optronics and LG Display will be manufacturing supplies for the 7.85 in screen. These also won't support the high resolution display of the recent iPad.

Early reports on the device have had analysts claiming it will likely be around the same price point of the Google Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire. This would put the iPad Mini at around $200-$250.

Source

A budget iPad? Sign me up. I'm not exactly fond of Apple products but I can't deny that their iPads are very appealing.

 

[Arras]

An iPad that's only 50$ more than an iPod touch? I doubt it, unless the next gen iTouches will be much cheaper... And I doubt that as well.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

An iPad that's only 50$ more than an iPod touch? I doubt it, unless the next gen iTouches will be much cheaper... And I doubt that as well.

Odds are the storage sizes will be smaller and not everyone wants an iPad for everything.

 

[Arras]

An iPad that's only 50$ more than an iPod touch? I doubt it, unless the next gen iTouches will be much cheaper... And I doubt that as well.

Odds are the storage sizes will be smaller and not everyone wants an iPad for everything.

Smaller than 8GB (of which you can only use about 6.5) and non-upgradable? You can run out of 6.5GB VERY fast on an iPad if you have some music and apps, especially with those 3D 1GB apps.

 

[chris888222]

Chances are this thing will likely cost between the $249 - $299 range (lowest capacity). I don't think it'll go up to $300> because the iPad 2 is in that range. Each capacity increase will be $100 more.

A 7.85" screen at 4:3 aspect ratio is still a lot larger than screens of Kindle Fire or Tab 7.1. I don't think retina is needed. A decent A5X chip with a 5MP rear camera and FaceTime cam would suffice.

Maybe Apple will offer 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacity variants, plus addons by iCloud/Dropbox/whatever cloud service. It is possible that they will ditch cellular though.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

An iPad that's only 50$ more than an iPod touch? I doubt it, unless the next gen iTouches will be much cheaper... And I doubt that as well.

Odds are the storage sizes will be smaller and not everyone wants an iPad for everything.

Smaller than 8GB (of which you can only use about 6.5) and non-upgradable? You can run out of 6.5GB VERY fast on an iPad if you have some music and apps, especially with those 3D 1GB apps.

Well I'm guessing it'll only come in 8GB and 16GB varieties and it'll be more like a larger iPod Touch than a smaller iPad. Like you'd basically be paying $50 more for a larger screen. Which I really don't have an issue with, I'd prefer to play my games and watch Netflix on a larger screen.

 

[Arras]

An iPad that's only 50$ more than an iPod touch? I doubt it, unless the next gen iTouches will be much cheaper... And I doubt that as well.

Odds are the storage sizes will be smaller and not everyone wants an iPad for everything.

Smaller than 8GB (of which you can only use about 6.5) and non-upgradable? You can run out of 6.5GB VERY fast on an iPad if you have some music and apps, especially with those 3D 1GB apps.

Well I'm guessing it'll only come in 8GB and 16GB varieties and it'll be more like a larger iPod Touch than a smaller iPad. Like you'd basically be paying $50 more for a larger screen. Which I really don't have an issue with, I'd prefer to play my games and watch Netflix on a larger screen.

I suppose. I'm kinda interested, but I don't really like how you have to buy a new one every year to stay hip and every two years to get software updates, but whatever. (note: not blaming Apple in particular, I just prefer consoles with 5+ years lifetime and stuff) That, and I don't really need one. My third gen iTouch 8GB could use an upgrade though...

 

[Guild McCommunist]

I suppose. I'm kinda interested, but I don't really like how you have to buy a new one every year to stay hip and every two years to get software updates, but whatever. (note: not blaming Apple in particular, I just prefer consoles with 5+ years lifetime and stuff) That, and I don't really need one. My third gen iTouch 8GB could use an upgrade though...

Well "staying hip" and "still working" are completely different. My dad got a first generation iPad from a friend and still uses it rather frequently. It works fine and does what he wants. Upgrading is just for iCultists really. I'll be fine with a first generation iPad Mini until it starts missing out on a majority of app releases.

I'm mainly wanting one for games, web browsing, and Netflix anyway.

 

[Arras]

I suppose. I'm kinda interested, but I don't really like how you have to buy a new one every year to stay hip and every two years to get software updates, but whatever. (note: not blaming Apple in particular, I just prefer consoles with 5+ years lifetime and stuff) That, and I don't really need one. My third gen iTouch 8GB could use an upgrade though...

Well "staying hip" and "still working" are completely different. My dad got a first generation iPad from a friend and still uses it rather frequently. It works fine and does what he wants. Upgrading is just for iCultists really. I'll be fine with a first generation iPad Mini until it starts missing out on a majority of app releases.

I'm mainly wanting one for games, web browsing, and Netflix anyway.

Which is exactly what happened to my iTouch and why it could use an upgrade. I don't care about the latest model cuz it looks good either, I'm just annoyed by the fact that I see all this cool-looking stuff in the App Store and I can't play it.

 

[raulpica]

Apple going budget? I'm sure Steve Jobs wouldn't like this. He wanted Apple to be a premium brand, that's why everything Apple has always costed so much.

Oh well.

 

[Deleted_171835]

At $200-250, I'm definitely interested. The iPad's large library of apps will make this a pretty attractive purchase. It's a shame it won't have the Retina display, though.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Apple going budget? I'm sure Steve Jobs wouldn't like this. He wanted Apple to be a premium brand, that's why everything Apple has always costed so much.

Oh well.

Steve Jobs wanted money more than anything else, and budget tablets are a pretty large market. Getting something with brand recognition and support like the iPad into that market is like a profit goldmine.

 

[chris888222]

Apple entering the budget tablet market is quite a smart move (if true). They can make premium tabs at $499 with improved hardware and storage, and cheaper alternatives for people like students or more casual users at a lower price.

However, if this mini actually retails at $349, then I don't really see the point of it entering the market. Based on how much Apple LOVES money, $349 is surely possible.

That said, iPads are not very expensive in Singapore compared to many Android tabs with very similar specs, so I won't complain much.

 

[indask8]

Personal opinion:

For me it's simple:

entry line price at 299$/€ : No way, I'd prefer a nexus 7 for that price (as of today paying over 250$/€ for a 7' (or maybe 8') tablet is too much since I can get a non branded chinese tablet for less than 99$/€ that will pretty much get the job done).

entry line price at 249$/€ : Maybe.

entry line price at 199$/€ : Unlikely considering it's Apple, their tablet will be more expensive than the others but they'll market it as an higher quality product (and it's very likely that the iPad mini will have a larger screen than most 7' possibly 7.something' making it XX% larger than every other 7' tablets they'll focus their marketing speech into this).

 

[jalaneme]

I might sell my itouch for one of these to use on the go and as a mp3 player but it needs more space, 32gb is just not enough, plus no retina display is a bit of a downgrade.

 

[frogboy]

Apple's next announcement will be the iPod Touch XL.

 

[The Milkman]

Neat, so what do they mean by wallet friendly exactly? If it really is smaller then an iTouch (or can atleast fit in your pocket like a Vita or large phone) then that might actually be something to look at.

 

[chris888222]

Neat, so what do they mean by wallet friendly exactly? If it really is smaller then an iTouch (or can atleast fit in your pocket like a Vita or large phone) then that might actually be something to look at.

The iPod Touch is already so small. How can an iPad mini be smaller?

 

[The Catboy]

Wouldn't an iPad mini just be an iPod Touch?

 

[rad140]

Neat, so what do they mean by wallet friendly exactly? If it really is smaller then an iTouch (or can atleast fit in your pocket like a Vita or large phone) then that might actually be something to look at.

The iPod Touch is already so small. How can an iPad mini be smaller?

Wouldn't an iPad mini just be an iPod Touch?

No, the iPad mini would be bigger than an iPod touch. What screen size does the Touch have, like 4"?
The iPad mini would be 7"-ish. So, it would be a "large" Touch. The same screen size as Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7.
It's not that pocketable.