The iPad mini was announced today, and it’s essentially what rumors were expecting: An iPad 2 with a couple of inches sheared off. It was also pretty much completely eclipsed by the iPad 4, which is far more awesome and compelling in just about every respect.
If we’re just looking at seven-inch tablets, the iPad Mini is thinner, lighter, has a bigger screen and… and… well…
Honestly, that’s pretty much it. Not that the iPad 2, which is what this is, is a busted piece of junk, but for contrast, you can get a 16GB Nexus 7 for $250, and Apple wants $330 for the base 16GB iPad Mini. The Nexus 7 (and Kindle Fire) have better processors and better screens. As for the thinner and lighter argument, it’s not one. The competition weighs less than a pound. Really, unless you need cellular access or a hell of a lot of space for apps, there’s not much here to make people with a 7-inch tablet switch.
Granted, you can get 64GB in an eight-inch form factor for $529. Or you could just save thirty bucks and get the 16GB iPad 4, which has a bigger screen and a processor that’s twice as fast.
This is usually the part where somebody shows up and says that Apple products have a better ecosystem (a subjective argument at best) or that Apple products sell on cachet anyway. And I know this is really aimed at people who can’t swing a full-sized iPad but still want a brand name in their laptop bag. But it’s hard to view this as anything other than a stopgap to keep Google and Amazon from divvying up the smaller tablet market while they put together something better for next year.
I’m not predicting that Apple won’t sell a ton of these things, but it’ll be to their fans and the image-concerned, not people who actually want the best seven inch tablet you can get. Now, the iPad 4? It’s pretty much the same as the iPad 3, just with a better processor and a Lightning connector. Also, Apple’s new iMacs are 80% thinner and look like science fiction. Oh, and the Mac Mini got Ivy Bridge!
Really if you want to give Apple money, they gave you a lot of great options. It’s too bad the iPad Mini is not among them.
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People say the Nexus 7 and Fire are selling well, but has Google or Amazon released sales figures yet? Considering they’re being sold for basically zero profit knowing the numbers would be nice.
I haven’t seen anything official, but if something tanks, you find out about it quickly (think the TouchPad).
But conversely if something is selling well you let people know. i.e. Apple is quite quiet about Apple TV numbers outside of quarterly reports, but makes press releases after a new iPhone launch.
That’s only true to a point. Some companies just don’t disclose and it’s more prevalent than you think. For example, there are literally no accurate statistics about video game sales in the United States. Not one. That’s because the NPD only publishes numbers given to them, and most publishers won’t give them the numbers.
But at the same time you get metrics released, like Diablo 3 selling 5 million in 24 hours, or Call of Duty: War’s Anus making 500 million in its first 48 hours on sale.
I held off purchasing a tablet of any size until the Nexus 7 and I’m more than happy that I waited for it. The value is unbelievable. My smartphone (Droid 3) is now just my phone – everything I did before on its tiny screen I now do with my Nexus 7.
I’m not knocking the iPad, I just didn’t want to spend so much to get something that won’t fit in my pocket.
I went from a D3 to a Galaxy Nexus so I wouldn’t need a 7 inch tablet.
I paid $100 for some no-name 7″ tablet and now I can watch HBO GO or Netflix while taking a shit and not be disturbed by the tiny screen of my ipod. It’s the American dream….this is what we’ve all been working towards.
As much as I’m an Apple Fan (I probably am going to get an iPad 4), I’m pretty sure that they’re starting to just experiment with things to see how far they can go before something flops.
So I think it depends on your use. If it was just for me, I’d get the Nexus in a second.
But I have little kids. They wouldn’t be able to figure that out, but they LOVE iPads.
Really? I mean, I believe you, you’re the parent, but I’m a bit surprised.
Also don’t forget if you want the Lighting to USB or HDMI it’s only $50 per cable!
Pssh. Apple TV and AirPlay, stream it and have a capable media box.
Are they missing Steve Jobs already? Because I think they’re already missing Steve Jobs.