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If Apple dropped an iPad line, which would it be?

  • Mini

    Votes: 84 58.3%
  • 9.7

    Votes: 41 28.5%
  • 10.5

    Votes: 11 7.6%
  • 12.9

    Votes: 8 5.6%

  • Total voters
    144
I voted for the 10.5 as that is the one I would like to see them drop if they had to drop one. IMO, the 9.7 is the right size. The 10.5 is just a bit too large to replace the 9.7 but a bit too small to replace the 12.9. I understand that many appreciate the 10.5 size so I hope for their sakes Apple keeps it.

I still believe that Apple will not be discontinuing the Mini but will produce a version of the Mini that supports the Apple Pencil. If no updated Mini is announced by March 2018, I'll resign myself to the fact that it will be discontinued.
Do you believe there will be more iPad Pro models in the future with a 9.7? I really want a new model but the 10.5 has me scared(small bezels to grip) but at the same time I don’t want the cheap one.
 
Do you believe there will be more iPad Pro models in the future with a 9.7? I really want a new model but the 10.5 has me scared(small bezels to grip) but at the same time I don’t want the cheap one.

think 9.7 will be the entry non pro model for a while. Apple wouldn't have brought the 10.5 inch to the world if it didn't think otherwise.
 
Do you believe there will be more iPad Pro models in the future with a 9.7? I really want a new model but the 10.5 has me scared(small bezels to grip) but at the same time I don’t want the cheap one.

Whats your issue with the smaller bezels?
 
The 10.5 is just slightly too big to be comfortable thumb typing on in portrait mode. They clearly made it bigger to distinguish the iPad Pro more from its cheaper cousin, but in my opinion a 9.7" screen with smaller bezels would have been a better product.

Disagree. 10.5 has good amount of screen estate. The 9.7” looks too small for me now. Plus, it’s not like the foot print 10.5 is that much bigger. It gives a decent amount of real estate without going all-in on the 12.9.

Also, in case people forgot: The mini exists because the small android tablets were taking the market by storm back in 2011/2012. Nexus 7 was a hot tablet.

Nowadays with monstrous phones and a general decline in demand for tablets is probably why the mini will get eventually axed. A friend of mine admitted that he had not touched his iPad mini since he got his 6S Plus.
 
Also, in case people forgot: The mini exists because the small android tablets were taking the market by storm back in 2011/2012. Nexus 7 was a hot tablet.

Nowadays with monstrous phones and a general decline in demand for tablets is probably why the mini will get eventually axed. A friend of mine admitted that he had not touched his iPad mini since he got his 6S Plus.

Apple still makes the smaller phones. Not everyone has Plus phones.

If Apple stopped making minis, that would leave a hole completely open for android to fill, taking back that market. The market may be relatively small, but I think it’s the leak in the ecosystem that Apple may be more concerned with. The mini keeps those who like small tablets firmly in the Apple ecosystem as well as (along with the iPod Touch) introduces people (especially young ones with small hands) into the ecosystem.

I think it’s more likely that Apple will keep the mini going with as little effort as possible, as they do with the Touch.
 
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Whats your issue with the smaller bezels?
I have huge fingers. And I’m worried holding it(especially in portrait mode) will be hard. I can just imagine myself constantly accidentally touching the screen. Maybe not.. but I’m nervous to spend 800 dollars just to try. (64 gigs not enough).
 
I have huge fingers. And I’m worried holding it(especially in portrait mode) will be hard. I can just imagine myself constantly accidentally touching the screen. Maybe not.. but I’m nervous to spend 800 dollars just to try. (64 gigs not enough).

The screen can work out what is a touch and what is just you gripping the device. I just tried it myself holding the 10.5 in a way I personally wouldn't but it knew that wasn't an input.
 
The screen can work out what is a touch and what is just you gripping the device. I just tried it myself holding the 10.5 in a way I personally wouldn't but it knew that wasn't an input.

It doesn’t work 100% of the time, and if there’s even a small chance it will mistake a hold for a touch, it makes the user experience more stressful.
 
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Also, in case people forgot: The mini exists because the small android tablets were taking the market by storm back in 2011/2012. Nexus 7 was a hot tablet.
The Nexus 7 wasn't popular because it was small. It was popular because it was $200. Same for the iPad mini. I realize it's anecdotal evidence but I know a lot of people who preferred the "regular-sized" iPad but settled for the mini due to price. Nowadays, one can get the 9.7" iPad (A9) for less than the mini 4 (A8).

That said, I would actually like an iPhone that's the size of the iPad mini
 
isn't the 9.7 also the cheapest?

I bought my mini because of its size, it's pockatable, but it's not pockatable to be used all the time, an iPhone of this size would be almost useless. an iPad you need an actual bag.
 
isn't the 9.7 also the cheapest?

I bought my mini because of its size, it's pockatable, but it's not pockatable to be used all the time, an iPhone of this size would be almost useless. an iPad you need an actual bag.
9.7 wasn't the cheapest back when the iPad mini was first introduced.

Women's clothing so even the 5.5" iPhones aren't pocketable for me to begin with. I've also got small hands so I need both hands to use the iPhone Plus same as the iPad.
 
It doesn’t work 100% of the time, and if there’s even a small chance it will mistake a hold for a touch, it makes the user experience more stressful.
What you said. Heck on my iPad Air 2 my fingers accidentally brush an app open from time to time.
 
I voted for removal of the 12.9”. I think Apple should drop it in favour of a 13” hybrid where the screen can be removed from the base and used as a tablet. Could have the device dual boot MacOS when with the base and iOS when used as a tablet. In my view (and personal experience) the 10.5 is indeed a “goldilocks” size. The 9.7 should be kept as the base iPad (low cost but no Inking).
 
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9.7in pro should definitely not return. The thing is just way too small for pencil usage. 10.5 is the sweet spot. People who just want a cheap tablet/quick ebook reader can buy the mini.
 
9.7in pro should definitely not return. The thing is just way too small for pencil usage. 10.5 is the sweet spot. People who just want a cheap tablet/quick ebook reader can buy the mini.
Agreed. I just got my first iPad and it’s the base 9.7. It’s perfect for my use. I think if I need more pro usage, I will go that route and get the bigger screen in return.
 
Get rid of bargain iPad (it’s great but Apple should just have kept the 9.7” Pro) or use the 10.5” as the flagship, (just lower the price.)
Keep the Mini 4, but update with pencil support, promotion, the 4 aluminum colors, and A9X or A10 processor.
So keep the 3...

iPad Pro 12.9”
iPad Pro 10.5”
iPad Mini Pro 7.9”

*wishful thinking, but meh. ;)
 
Hard to say but IMO the 10.5" is sort of a weird fit. It just...I dunno.... I wish they would have just kept the 9.7" size and given that model the 4GB or RAM. IMO the RAM is the only thing that would make me decide on getting the 10.5" over the 9.7" model. Im actually keepingmy eyes on 9.7" Pros which are discontinued so they'll be on sale soon. Might be the best buy out there. The 10.5 with cell support is damned expensive and the standard 9.7" iPad non-pro lacks the screen updates. Tough call.
 
Get rid of bargain iPad (it’s great but Apple should just have kept the 9.7” Pro) or use the 10.5” as the flagship, (just lower the price.)
Keep the Mini 4, but update with pencil support, promotion, the 4 aluminum colors, and A9X or A10 processor.
So keep the 3...

iPad Pro 12.9”
iPad Pro 10.5”
iPad Mini Pro 7.9”

*wishful thinking, but meh. ;)
Apple wouldn't be able to sell the Pro 9.7 for $329 at their desired profit margin. Heck, even the Air 2 or Mini 4 at $329 likely doesn't give them the desired profit margins hence the display downgrade.

I think having an entry level basic iPad is a good idea. Granted, not for the people who frequent MacRumors forums but I know plenty of non-technophiles for whom the combination of features, performance and price point of the 2017 iPad 9.7 is a good fit.
 
Apple wouldn't be able to sell the Pro 9.7 for $329 at their desired profit margin. Heck, even the Air 2 or Mini 4 at $329 likely doesn't give them the desired profit margins hence the display downgrade.

I think having an entry level basic iPad is a good idea. Granted, not for the people who frequent MacRumors forums but I know plenty of non-technophiles for whom the combination of features, performance and price point of the 2017 iPad 9.7 is a good fit.

I agree - Apple needs something in the lower-tier pricing area if only to "capture" new users and get them into the Apple world so to speak. The base iPad is actually not bad at all. Has the same RAM as the 9.7" pro and performs about the same. Its the screen and weight that take a hit. No pencil support either but IMO thats not a big deal for the masses who will never use it. I still feel the 10.5" pro is the oddball here.....
 
I have a 12.9 iPad Pro, which I received as a gift (I doubt I would have gotten it for myself). At the time, I had a 2nd-gen iPad mini, which I loved. I felt like keeping both was too much for one person, so I got rid of the mini. I miss it! Nothing was better for reading in bed, and I loved being able to hold it by both sides with a single hand.

I hope they don’t ax the mini. The next iPad I get will be that size again, if it’s still offered.
 
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