I’m totally with you on that. I tried a phablet (which are now just called “smartphones” and smartphones are now called “small smartphones” funny enough) for a few months and despised the compromised experience. Too huge for a phone, too small for a tablet. I went to an SE and an iPad mini. 1000x more ideal for my uses.
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Alright Apple, are you going to update the iPad Mini?
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I’m totally with you on that. I tried a phablet (which are now just called “smartphones” and smartphones are now called “small smartphones” funny enough) for a few months and despised the compromised experience. Too huge for a phone, too small for a tablet. I went to an SE and an iPad mini. 1000x more ideal for my uses.
The two in my house are very much alive.
When the iPhone 6 Plus came out, I had an iPad Mini 2.....after a while i realized that time after time, when I left the house I was no longer bothering with the larger bag that would comfortably hold the iPad Mini 2, I was just grabbing a smaller purse which nicely held the iPhone 6 Plus....and more often than not, during the time I was out the iPhone 6 Plus did whatever was needed. For me, that eventually signaled the end of using that iPad Mini, especially since at that time I also had a 9.7 iPad in the household and used that when I was at home, anyway, as I found it was easier to navigate in and things were easier to read. I had loved using the iPad Mini 2 in bed but honestly, the larger iPad really suited my eyes and my needs much better. Time went on....the iPad Mini 2 sat collecting dust while I was busy living life with my other devices. Eventually I sold it and never bothered replacing it, as instead I am much happier with larger iPads. No need for the mini any more, as my current iPhone X, just like its Plus predecessors, takes care of anything I might need to see and handle while out and away from home for a few hours.
That said, while for myself I don't mourn the eventual disappearance of the iPad Mini altogether, I do know that a lot of people have been using and depending on it for various uses, and that will be a sad day when there is no longer a new iPad Mini available...... All I can suggest is that those of you who are really keen on it, grab another new iPad Mini 4 before it becomes extinct.....
That said, while for myself I don't mourn the eventual disappearance of the iPad Mini altogether, I do know that a lot of people have been using and depending on it for various uses, and that will be a sad day when there is no longer a new iPad Mini available...... All I can suggest is that those of you who are really keen on it, grab another new iPad Mini 4 before it becomes extinct.....
If I carried a purse, I might feel the same way about having a big phone
But I have to keep my phone in my pocket all day, so I want it as unobtrusive as possible (I’m bothered by things in my pocket, even my minimalist wallet). But even if I carried it in a purse, I would most likely still prefer a small phone because I value being able to securely use it one-handed while I’m out of my home in uncontrolled environments. I think that’s why I’ve only dropped my phone once in 18 years of owning cell phones (as far as I remember—it happened 7 years ago, thankfully nothing broke). Before the iPhone 6, iPhones were designed to fit in the hand, and it really feels that way when I hold it. Since the iPhone 6, the design theory has completely changed. For better or worse, larger screen size is now more important. And I haven’t seen any numbers, but I’m willing to bet the number of shattered screens have gone way up as a consequence.At home it’s different for me though. Because it’s a controlled environment I almost always have docks or stands or two hands available, so I put my SE away and use my iPad mini as my “home” iPhone. A larger iPad wouldn’t work as well for me because I like to carry my device around the home and sometimes hold it with one hand for long periods of time, often lying down, like while e-reading (also my eyesight is decent).
Screen size has always been secondary to me. I care much more about device size. I want something I would feel as comfortable as possible using, given the purpose and the situation, and then screen size is what it is.
But I know I’m not the norm. It’s interesting how people’s preferences vary.
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I agree. But I think we need to define “dead”.
I am perplexed by the need that some have to declare the iPad Mini "dead" before Apple has made it official. (if it will indeed be discontinued) Is there some "early announcement bonus" that I'm not aware of? Is it simply to be on record for a later claim of "ha, called it!"? Or maybe they dreamed of being the cart-wheeler of the dead from Monty Python's Holy Grail... "Bring out your dead!" ("I'm not dead yet.... "I feel Happeeeee... *BONK* )
(if it will indeed be discontinued) Is there some "early announcement bonus" that I'm not aware of? Is it simply to be on record for a later claim of "ha, called it!"? Or maybe they dreamed of being the cart-wheeler of the dead from Monty Python's Holy Grail... "Bring out your dead!" ("I'm not dead yet.... "I feel Happeeeee... *BONK* )I am perplexed by the need that some have to declare the iPad Mini "dead" before Apple has made it official.
It's because Apple never calls **** discontinued, they just stop selling it.
They could add wireless charging, make a wall mounted charger and sell it as a control panel for Homekit.
Where do you get that from? Apple regularly produces press releases to announce that a product is discontinued. They're not going to have a special keynote address to announce all of the products they're going to discontinue for the year.
To me... the PERFECT Apple device for 90%+ of normal people (non-Pro)... is an iPad.
One that's an iPad when you're on the couch or on the go.... and when you need to, it can dock to a bigger screen with a bluetooth mouse/keyboard, and run normal desktop macOS.
That should replace the base MacBook and the MacMini's.... and even the base iMac (just start selling a nice looking apple cinema display again that can dock with the iPad)
Then focus on the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro (tower).... with all the beefed up specs for the rest of us.... and both would also benefit from a new line of Apple branded 5k+ cinema displays.
One that's an iPad when you're on the couch or on the go.... and when you need to, it can dock to a bigger screen with a bluetooth mouse/keyboard, and run normal desktop macOS.
That should replace the base MacBook and the MacMini's.... and even the base iMac (just start selling a nice looking apple cinema display again that can dock with the iPad)
Then focus on the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro (tower).... with all the beefed up specs for the rest of us.... and both would also benefit from a new line of Apple branded 5k+ cinema displays.
If Apple continues producing a 9.7" entry level iPad, IMO the argument in favor of updating the Mini strengthens (mainly because app display proportions are identical, mitigating any potential app developer concerns). And given the mature supply/manufacturing chain, dropping in updated internals should be fairly easy and undoubtedly profitable.
The only argument against the Mini that I can really appreciate is cannibalization of the iPhone Plus line, which would surely rely on Apple's own internal analytics.
I really hope they update the Mini - I would buy one at launch.
The only argument against the Mini that I can really appreciate is cannibalization of the iPhone Plus line, which would surely rely on Apple's own internal analytics.
I really hope they update the Mini - I would buy one at launch.
I mostly agree, except I’m not sure a significant number of people have opted for a smaller iPhone because they have an iPad mini. If Apple stopped making the mini, I don’t think people who have small phones are going to get bigger phones; I think they’re going to get the next smallest iPad (the 9.7”). But maybe, who knows I guess. Someone should do a poll. Not it.
It’s been debated pretty heavily by the intelligent members of this board and elsewhere
The lack of quality, “phablet-optimized” apps for the iPhone Plus has kept me from abandoning my Mini 4. And perhaps more importantly, the display aspect ratios - this trend of longer/taller displays is a huge negative for using a display in landscape mode and accomplishing anything remotely productive.
Really hoping a mini comes out this year with pencil support. Would be perfect for a doctor on the wards annotating to do/ and patient lists.
iPad Mini will be dead.
Long live iPad SE. Coming this March 2018 (My guess,)
- iPad mini 3 with iPhone SE internals - which is going to be updated as well.
- Cheap
And first OLED iPad will be iPad Pro 8. Eight as 8.2". With all other Pro goodies similar as in the bigger iPad Pros'. Coming, who knows when.
- Expensive as ****
</dreaming>
Long live iPad SE. Coming this March 2018 (My guess,
)- iPad mini 3 with iPhone SE internals - which is going to be updated as well.
- Cheap
And first OLED iPad will be iPad Pro 8. Eight as 8.2". With all other Pro goodies similar as in the bigger iPad Pros'. Coming, who knows when.
- Expensive as ****
</dreaming>
Very similar to my own situation, I'm still using my mini 2, it's also cracked on the corner of the front glass so it doesn't affect the display area. I like the size and would be interested in a new mini if Apple brings one out.
If not I'll probably eventually get one of the standard iPads. I purchased one for my wife almost a year ago, when they first came out, and it works fine for our uses. It's more for the money although I do prefer the smaller size of the mini.
I do think that the smaller size has a large market - consider that Amazon does very well with it's Fire tablets, 7" and 8" models that sell in high volumes. I'm not saying they are direct competitors to the mini, the costs are considerably different as are capabilities, but it shows that there is a large demand for devices of this size and weight.
iPad Mini will be dead.
Long live iPad SE. Coming this March 2018 (My guess,
- iPad mini 3 with iPhone SE internals - which is going to be updated as well.
- Cheap
And first OLED iPad will be iPad Pro 8. Eight as 8.2". With all other Pro goodies similar as in the bigger iPad Pros'. Coming, who knows when.
- Expensive as ****
</dreaming>
I'd still buy both instantly
I know people are wanting pencil support, but all I want is an ipad mini with A9+ so it can take advantage of ARKit / H265. Don't really care about the price or screen.
https://9to5mac.com/2018/02/21/eurasian-filings-hint-at-two-new-ipad-models-coming-soon/
Take it this is just iPad 2018 WiFi and WiFi + cellular as opposed to two different iPads?
Take it this is just iPad 2018 WiFi and WiFi + cellular as opposed to two different iPads?
It's two different iPads, probably updated 10.5" and 12.9".
The model numbers A1954 and A1893 are too far apart to be Wi-Fi and cellular variants of one model.
Besides, it's unlikely the iPad (2017) will be updated this early and it doesn't fit with Kuo's predictions.
How can it be too early to update an ipad that came out a year ago, but absolutely fine to update ipads that came out 8 months ago?
I'd have thought if new iPad pros with A11x and face ID were coming in a few weeks we'd know a lot more about them.
A new cheap, spec bumped, 2017 (8) iPad, there would be nothing to tell so makes more sense.
I personally see a cheap 9.7" iPad and a spec bumped 9.7" (maybe laminated), which could even replace the iPad mini price range rather than two new iPad Pros this soon.
What happened to Apple realizing that people were updating their iPad every few years, not every few months? Any new pro before June sounds even more crazy to me than killing the mini lol. The only big feature they can bring is face ID, which would only 'hurt' iPhone X this early on.
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The iPad (2017) is a cheap media consumption tablet that often goes on sale for $299 or less. It serves as a gateway device so consumers consider buying a $649 iPad Pro.
We saw references to a "Modern iPad" (Face ID) in iOS 11.3.
If I were Apple, I would focus on putting Face ID on iPad Pro while it's still a premium feature and able to command $$$.
How many consumers are turning away from iPad (2017) because it has an A9 instead of an A10? I don't think that many. How many consumers are likely to buy a thinner bezel iPad Pro with Face ID? There's probably more opportunity here.
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