Apple unveiled a number of things this week.
The new MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina, a newly designed iMac, new version of the Mac mini, and a new device to the Apple line, the iPad mini.
Here are the details on the iPad mini:
“The new model comes in both black and white. The 7.9-inch screen with 4:3 aspect ratio gives the iPad mini a size advantage over 7-inch competitors. The area measures 29.6 square inches to 21.9 on a 16:9 7-inch tablet. It has the same resolution as the original iPad and iPad 2, at 1,024 x 768. For fans of retina displays, however, that’s not even close, at just 163 pixels per inch (ppi).
The iPad mini packs an A5 chip, the processor that was first seen in the iPad 2, and it’s the same chip that powers the current iPod touch. It has a front-facing FaceTime 720p camera, with 5-megapixel camera in back. It also includes Apple’s new Lightning connector, which first debuted on the iPhone 5.
At 10.9 ounces, the iPad mini is less than half the weight of the full-size iPad. It’s just 0.28 of an inch thick.
The iPad mini starts at $329 for the Wi-Fi-only version with 16GB capacity. Higher capacities and 4G LTE options are available. Prices for Wi-Fi-only versions are: $429 for 32GB, and $529 for 64GB. For the cellular versions, prices are $459, $559 and $659 for 16, 32 and 64GB, respectively. Pre-orders begin Oct. 26. Wi-Fi devices ship Nov. 2, and the cellular models will come about two weeks later.”
Apple obviously feels like there’s room in the smaller tablet market. When you look at the differences between the new iPod Touch, the new iPad mini and the iPad, they are certainly stair-stepped in size, much like the MacBooks. It’s interesting to see the tablet market evolve, and although Apple has kept iPad fairly universal, it will be interesting to see more diversification on system demands, as the tech horsepower gap between the new iPad mini and iPad has certainly widened.
Will you be ordering an iPad mini?
Other than Apple fanboys, do you think consumers will find room in their budget for a smaller version of the iPad, or will this simply lend towards an Apple dominance in the tablet market?
Thoughts?
[via Mashable]
Marcus Williamson says
I shall nots be. That iMac is look’n fresh though. ftw
Eric Dye says
True. It does. 🙂
Kyle says
I have mixed emotions here. First, I feel like Apple is caving to the market instead of setting the market. Secondly, I think the price point is too high. 250-300 range would have been better.
Eric Dye says
Very insightful on both accounts.
James White says
I don’t have any intention at all of purchasing the iPad mini. I’m just not a fan of Apple products period.
Eric Dye says
Word. 🙂
Carl Franzon says
No mini for me. Planning on getting the full-size. I think there will be plenty lined up to get them, not just the fanboys. Seeing an increasing number of them in schools and so the Apple dominance will just continue to grow.
Been drooling over an iMac for a while; and now even more so, but that’s about as likely right now as me allowing my son to dress up as Jar Jar Binks for Halloween (or ever).
Eric Dye says
Now that you mention it, it makes me wonder if the smaller size would do better as an educational device. Smaller AND cheaper. I’ve got an iMac, and I love it! (even without the new design!)
ThatGuyKC says
I’ve got the iPad 2 and while I won’t be ordering the iPad mini (not in the budget), I could see how I would be more inclined to use it due to the increased portability. I don’t like having to use a backpack in order to take the iPad around with me.
Eric Dye says
True!
Jay Caruso says
No. Not at a $330 price point.
They’ll still sell a ton at that price, but I won’t be one of them. Maybe after several months when they are selling refurbs for $275, I’ll take a second look.
I was thinking the new iMac looks awesome, but what really has me intrigued is the Mac Mini. They have really beefed that up and the price is amazing for two reasons:
1. It’s easier to upgrade than the iMac
2. If you bought the base Mini and the 27″ Thunderbird display, you are looking at a price of $1600. The new 21.5″ iMac costs $1300 (27″ is $1800). In 3-4 years, instead of buying a whole new iMac, you could upgrade your Mac Mini and still have the Thunderbird display.
Jay Caruso says
BTW, you can pick up a refurb 27″ Thunderbird display for $830.
Eric Dye says
Hmmmm. Good points. Before I landed my iMac, I looked at the mini, thinking about the same thing, but it couldn’t touch my current config. Now, it stands a chance. Enough that I would have considered.
Matt Brier says
Not at that price point, but I think the move towards the the 7-8 inch tablet is a good one. I don’t own an iPad, but I’ve worked with enough of them and quite frankly I find them to be unwieldy for long term use versus the 7 inch android tablet I have. Don’t get me wrong, the display and resolution on the iPad are second to none. It just feels heavy enough to be burdensome over time.
As others have stated though, I think they missed the mark in the pricing.
Eric Dye says
I think the pricing will change. This is the initial release pricing, and as Jay said, it will probably drop in the future.
Paul Clifford (@PodcastinChurch) says
I love the size of my Kindle and thought the mini would be a great (and more capable) replacement for an e-ink or even a Fire. It was the price that swayed me against it. I blogged about the missed opportunity Apple had on my blog: http://www.trinitydigitalmedia.com/2012/10/23/apples-missed-opportunity/
Paul
Eric Dye says
🙂
Mark says
I have an iPad 2 and would really like to get an iPad mini but it just doesn’t make sense. Although I may pick one up for my kids. I’d like one of them to try it out as a BYOD (bring your own device) for school.
Eric Dye says
Nice!
Michael Hyatt says
Yep, ordered one this morning. My major complaint with the iPad has been it’s size. Too big. There just wasn’t enough of a size differential between my MacBook Air and my iPad, so I found myself leaving my iPad at home.
I think the Mini is a device I will actually use. I can’t wait.
Eric Dye says
The iPad mini sounds perfect for you!