iPad mini Motley Fool says iPad Mini 4 needs refresh to compete w/Surface Go

[LibbyLA]

Just throwing this out. Not agreeing or disagreeing, but those who want a refreshed small iPad may be hoping Apple agrees.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/07/17/apple-needs-a-revamped-ipad-mini-to-fend-off-micro.aspx

 

[JPack]

• Microsoft cancelled Surface Mini (8") in 2014 before it was launched.
• Surface Go is a 10" device.

It's clear consumers want bigger displays. I'm not sure how a refreshed iPad mini would fight in this space. The $329 iPad already does a great job in terms of hardware. What could use improvement is iOS with better multitasking features.

Microsoft execs cancelled the Surface Mini for good reason. You simply can't be productive with an 8" display. Reviving the iPad mini would be taking a time machine back to 2007 during the netbook era.

 

[charlituna]

Microsoft execs cancelled the Surface Mini for good reason. You simply can't be productive with an 8" display.

not when you use their definition of 'productive' but I use an iPad mini on set all the time. literally every day. it's actually more useful than a notebook computer or a larger tablet.

 

[Johnny365]

No.

 

[Krevnik]

• Microsoft cancelled Surface Mini (8") in 2014 before it was launched.
• Surface Go is a 10" device.

It's clear consumers want bigger displays. I'm not sure how a refreshed iPad mini would fight in this space. The $329 iPad already does a great job in terms of hardware. What could use improvement is iOS with better multitasking features.

Microsoft execs cancelled the Surface Mini for good reason. You simply can't be productive with an 8" display. Reviving the iPad mini would be taking a time machine back to 2007 during the netbook era.

Not really sure I agree with the reasoning around screen sizes, and think it’s a related, but separate topic/decision.

I think you are spot on that the iPad Mini doesn’t compete with this, though. The 9.7” iPad does, and is 75$ cheaper out of the gate.

The Go to me feels like a second round at the Surface RT. At least this time Windows 10 knows what it is, and the tablet itself is in the right weight range to compete with the iPad, and not 1.5 lbs. It’s not quite going to appeal to the same crowd that is happy with the iPad, but it may grab the folks who keep saying they want an iPad, but it doesn’t support “full apps”.

 

[Newtons Apple]

There will not be another Mini.

 

[throAU]

The ipad mini needs a refresh because a lot of people bought into that form factor for various reasons. It fits in big pockets, or boots for workers in industrial environments. The full size ipads do not. Thus, a full size ipad in this environment needs a bag to carry it, or it gets hand carried and likely dropped.

We run ipad minis in an underground mining environment for this reason. The full size ipad doesn't do the job as well.

 

[sonicrobby]

Id like to see a refreshed mini, even one with the rumored new face ID form factor. But realistically, I dont think the mini market was ever large enough to justify any major changes to refresh it. Ill happily use my mini 4 until it is no longer supported by iOS updates (maybe even after). Im just excited to see how iOS 12 will improve the speeds

But on topic with the surface go, even I looked at that as a possibility for myself, but its just not something I want. I guess we will see how the demand is for these new gadgets to see if there is even a need for apple to compete.

 

[Ffosse]

I'd like Apple to release a new iPad Mini perhaps with Face-Id, tru-tone, an A11 chip and some other improvements.

Can't see it happening, though as the trend is bigger and bigger. Although I love my iPad Pro 10.5, the Mini 4 was better (more comfortable) at reading novels in bed and was a pocketable device.

 

[sracer]

Just throwing this out. Not agreeing or disagreeing, but those who want a refreshed small iPad may be hoping Apple agrees.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/07/17/apple-needs-a-revamped-ipad-mini-to-fend-off-micro.aspx

Well... they got the "fool" part right.

In their current state, all iPads are limited in how they stack up against a desktop computer in tablet form. If any iPad is going to "compete" with the Surface Go, Apple is going to have to do something dramatic with iOS. Not even an iPad Mini Pro is going to "compete" with the Surface Go.

The author of the article had a premise that they started with, "the key to sales is lower-priced tablets" and then worked backwards from that premise, selectively choose data in support of that premise to "prove" the premise. He doesn't even explain WHY the Mini 4 is a key player and needs to be revamped.

 

[labyrinth153]

I like the iPad mini and I do think it is the “best device” for some people. That being said I personally would just gift the standard 9.7 inch iPad to my friends.

I would have to use the surface go to have a true opinion but it doesn’t even seem to come close to the speed of the A10. So essentially the use case is for businesses and consumers who like or need Windows. It doesn’t seem to win for any other use case.

 

[psac]

I would buy a refreshed Mini the day it came on the market...

 

[Ffosse]

I would buy a refreshed Mini the day it came on the market...

So might I as long as it had tru-tone, quad speakers and 128GB with Face ID and no home button - probably hoping for too much there.

 

[sonicrobby]

I would have to use the surface go to have a true opinion but it doesn’t even seem to come close to the speed of the A10. So essentially the use case is for businesses and consumers who like or need Windows. It doesn’t seem to win for any other use case.

Exactly my thoughts. If the go's had enough kick to handle even light CAD work, maybe even some gaming, then maybe Id be more willing to buy one to even just try it out.

 

[sracer]

So might I as long as it had tru-tone, quad speakers and 128GB with Face ID and no home button - probably hoping for too much there.

I'm holding off for 180 MHz or 240 MHz refresh rates. The 120 MHz rate of ProMotion is a blurry mess.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

The 120 Mhz rate of ProMotion is a blurry mess.

Hz *

Also, you need to get your eyes checked.

 

[sracer]

Hz *

Also, you need to get your eyes checked.

Thanks for the correction.

My eyes are fine. As are everyone's who will declare the same thing when Apple announces MegaMotion in a future iPad. I'm just saying it before the crowd does.

I want to be that rare breed of human who has X-Men style vision and can spot individual pixels on a retina display that is 10 feet away, and who also feel that a 60MHz refresh rate is not adequate.

 

[LibbyLA]

I would like a refreshed Mini 4 or Mini 5 for the faster photo import speed that the newer lighting port on the iPP 10.5 has. The most important use for my iPM4 is importing thousands of photos from SD cards and quickly selecting the ones I want to keep. On cards with over 4K photos, it take the iPM4 about five times as long (over 70 minutes) to import as it does the iPP 10.5 (less than 15 minutes). I use the IPM4 at night in bed because of the small form factor so it gets a lot of use other than for importing pics, but my two iPP are my primary not-in-bed devices for web surfing, etc., because of the ASK. I'd buy a refreshed small iPad that supports faster IO if one becomes available, although I'd probably wait for a sale.

I plan to get the 8G / 128G Surface Go within a couple of days of release, but not the day of because our state tax-free holiday is 8/3-4 and I can get the educational discount if I travel a little over an hour, plus MS offers a 30-day return period, my local Best Buy offers just 14 days.

Based on the measurements of the SG, I'm thinking the size is going to be very close to that if my iPP 9.7 and iPP 10.5 in their silicone back covers with the ASK. The footprint will be a little larger because of the trackpad on the SG keyboard. The screen size of the iPP 9.7 and 10.5 are about my "sweet spot" for a very portable, very usable device. I have a Surface 3 and the 10.8" screen is just too big for a portable Windows computer for me. The Dell 8" tablet's screen is just a tad too small. (I feel like Goldilocks with all the different sizes of computers and tablets I have.)

I teach a statistical package that runs only on Windows and I also need full-blown MS Office programs (on the computer, not Office 365 because sometimes I don't have internet access) so the Surface Go is likely to become my sole portable Win computer, if I can be sure that it will support recording lectures (Camtasia), as well as run SAS and MS Office while connected to an older technology overhead projector system.

I guess I'm lucky that I can afford multiple devices on both platforms. Most people probably don't have that luxury.

 

[bensisko]

In terms of size, the Surface Go is in between the 9.7 and 10.5 iPads (but much thicker - same thickness as current Surface Pro). The Go is perfect for people who want bigger bezels - they’re bigger than the bezels on the SP4!!!

Apple simply doesn’t need to “compete” with the Surface Go, with a Mini or any other device. There’s a pretty clear division - people who want a tablet experience will buy an iPad while people who want a laptop will buy the Surface. Apple made it pretty clear it’s not going to make a hybrid.

Microsoft execs cancelled the Surface Mini for good reason. You simply can't be productive with an 8" display. Reviving the iPad mini would be taking a time machine back to 2007 during the netbook era.

Maybe YOU can’t be productive on an 8” display, but I certainly can. Not only the iPad mini, but I also had a Dell Venue 8 Pro and it was great from a size perspective! I had a great setup where I used the Venue 8 with a Microsoft foldable keyboard and a ArcTouch mouse (as well as a Stylus). I had a couple trips I took this and my iPad along and it worked really well. I stopped using it because it finally became too slow.

If the Surface Go was smaller (MUCH smaller bezels, reduce the width/height - maybe even an 8” screen) it would have been an instant pre-order. As it stands, beyond size, there’s no big advantage over my aging Pro 3.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don’t think the iPad mini is competing with the surface go. It’s the 9.7 inch iPad that it competes with.

 

[LibbyLA]

In terms of size, the Surface Go is in between the 9.7 and 10.5 iPads (but much thicker - same thickness as current Surface Pro). The Go is perfect for people who want bigger bezels - they’re bigger than the bezels on the SP4.


Maybe YOU can’t be productive on an 8” display, but I certainly can. Not only the iPad mini, but I also had a Dell Venue 8 Pro and it was great from a size perspective! I had a great setup where I used the Venue 8 with a Microsoft foldable keyboard and a ArcTouch mouse (as well as a Stylus). I had a couple trips I took this and my iPad along and it worked really well. I stopped using it because it finally became too slow.

If the Surface Go was smaller (MUCH smaller bezels, reduce the width/height - maybe even an 8” screen) it would have been an instant pre-order. As it stands, beyond size, there’s no big advantage over my aging Pro 3.

In one sense, .33 is certainly “much” thicker than .24”, but they’re both pretty thin. My iPads are in silicone back covers so that adds some thickness. I bet there won’t be a lot of difference in overall thickness with keyboards. The SG has the kickstand, which can come in handy.

I, too, got a lot done with my Dell Venue 8 Pro. I’ve used it with a Zagg keyboard case and small BT mouse and in a folio case with a BT keyboard that has a trackpad. It’s not the most enjoyable experience but it is usable and amazing that Windows runs on something so small. I’ve run a statistical program to analyze several hundred sets of exam answers on it more than once. I just finally got it upgraded to the latest Win 10 after uninstalling a bunch of software. I also spent several hours watching and transcribing 20 minutes of video on it.

I’m one of those that the bezels don’t bother. 9.7” x 6.9” is tiny. I remember marveling at the first portables that were 8.5” x 11” because earlier portables weighed in the neighborhood of 30 lb. and were the size of sewing machine cases.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I would love to see a bezel-less ipad mini that increases the screen size from 7.9” to 8.5”. That would really be the ideal travel size ipad for me.

Bezel-less ipad list:

7.9” mini becomes 8.5”
10.5” becomes 11”
12.9” becomes 13.5”

I think those 3 sizes plus the cheap $329 9.7” ipad with bezels would give people plenty of options. Although i have a feeling that if the ipad mini does get updated, it’ll have bezels & pencil support.

 

[gnomeisland]

I'd love to see a refreshed mini but the that it competes with the new Surface is silly. The new Surface competes with the vanilla 2018 iPad (which is already cheaper at base). They are the closest in size and price. IF the mini gets updated I suspect it won't be the budget option anymore since it is too niche.

 

[temna]

• Microsoft cancelled Surface Mini (8") in 2014 before it was launched.
• Surface Go is a 10" device.

It's clear consumers want bigger displays. I'm not sure how a refreshed iPad mini would fight in this space. The $329 iPad already does a great job in terms of hardware. What could use improvement is iOS with better multitasking features.

Microsoft execs cancelled the Surface Mini for good reason. You simply can't be productive with an 8" display. Reviving the iPad mini would be taking a time machine back to 2007 during the netbook era.

I would disagree, you just need to know your audience.. I know that there are lots of businesses where an 8" iPad Pro would rock.. Medical, manufacturing, etc..

 

[LibbyLA]

I would disagree, you just need to know your audience.. I know that there are lots of businesses where an 8" iPad Pro would rock.. Medical, manufacturing, etc..

This is a very limited example. I've worked a couple of trade shows where I was showing potential dealers and users the app for viewing pics from cellular trail cameras. Even a large phone is a bit small for showing the app and photos to people. An 8" tablet is just about perfect. Everything is large enough to see but you don't get tired toting it around the booth all day. A larger device (e.g., 10" or more) is just plain awkward to use all day in a situation like that.

Tasks that require good visibility but don't require a ton of typing (just finger input) often work well on the 8" size and that will fit in large pockets, where a larger device won't.