Ipad Mini/ Nano discussion thread

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dickytim

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#110160 4-Oct-2012 11:15

So I am looking at an Ipad 3, to be honest it is a long term goal that I plan to get when I go overseas next year. I want to take it to the USA rather than lugging around my laptop.

I currently have an Ipad 1, or more to the point I have adopted it after we upgraded my boss and sales teams to an Ipad2’s, the Ipad 1 I have is the base model so no 3G and only 16GB memory. This is fine as I tether it or use it at home mostly and only really use it to develop our software for our sales teams.

I love the Ipad but in reality am finding it hard to justify $790 for a 16GB 4G + Wifi (duty free) but at the same time really want the extra functionality for the of the Ipad3 with iOS6 and definitely the retina display.

So with that in mind I have been listening to some podcasts and doing some googling, which has unveiled that the much rumoured Ipad Mini, or Ipad Nano is actually pretty close to a reality, and could be quite likely out (and available) in time for my trip next year, i.e. duty free (and able to hide the expense from the Mrs. as just part of the overseas trip!)

Looking thru GZ I can’t see a lot of forum discussion about the Ipad Mini so thought I’d start a thread.

Assuming a price of NZD $500-$600 (lets face it, it wont be cheaper than the Ipod touch) who would look at one of these as an alternative to an Ipad, or a replacement if you were ready to upgrade/replace?

What features would be a deal breaker if they were omitted, and cause you to spend the extra for a full sized Ipad?

For me the deal breaker will be needs to have GPS and 3G (4G) capability.

Screen needs to be 7 inch +

Same battery life or better

Run all the features of iOS6

A5 or higher CPU

What would make me think twice would be dramatically lower resolution screen to the Ipad3, i.e. same as Ipad and Ipad2

Going to lightening connector (I have heaps of accessories for my Iphone with the dock connector and spending $50 for an ugly adaptor would likely push me closer to the full size Ipad.

Feel free to discuss, lock, flame and take completely off topic!

Benjip

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#696002 4-Oct-2012 11:20

I'm definitely looking forward to the iPad mini. I've owned three iPads and have eventually sold them all as I find them too big to comfortably use for long periods of time, especially in bed - I prefer using my MacBook Air most of the time.

A 7" iPad would be perfect for web browsing in bed, on the couch etc. - as long as it's far lighter than the current iPads. I'm a little worried that the screen won't be Retina quality, as the screens on the first two iPads were so starkly underwhelming compared to the iPhone 4/4S/5. I can't even stand the screen on the Galaxy SIII because the individual pixels just stand out to me far too much.

hairy1

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#696008 4-Oct-2012 11:22

This may be blasmaphy here but have you considered the Google Nexus 7. It is a pretty cool device which pretty much ticks all your boxes except for 3g. It is quite a bit cheaper than your iPad mini budget which would buy an awful lot of apps.

Cheers, Matt

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davidcole

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#696014 4-Oct-2012 11:28

I'd only be interested in an iPad mini if reading magazines was possible - ie high enough resolution (and physically big enough screen). I can read books on my iphone now, but want to read the odd magazine - either from zinio or (very maybe) newsstand.

Magazines on the phone are pretty unusable as you have to navigate around quite a bit.

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dickytim

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#696020 4-Oct-2012 11:40

hairy1: This may be blasmaphy here but have you considered the Google Nexus 7. It is a pretty cool device which pretty much ticks all your boxes except for 3g. It is quite a bit cheaper than your iPad mini budget which would buy an awful lot of apps.

Cheers, Matt

I can honestly say that I have not considered the Nexus 7 but I consider myself a bit of an apple fanboi!

3G is pretty important to me, and I can't get my head around Android, nor do I really want to.

I'd rather let Apple do the thinking for me.

BTR

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#696025 4-Oct-2012 11:49

Do you really require the Retina display would be my question. Yes it nice to use but the display on the ipad 2 isn't that bad either. The iPad 2 is a lot cheaper, I have a 3G iPad 2 and it does the trick for me.

The iPad 2 will also run iOS6

dickytim

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#696041 4-Oct-2012 12:03

BTR: Do you really require the Retina display would be my question. Yes it nice to use but the display on the ipad 2 isn't that bad either. The iPad 2 is a lot cheaper, I have a 3G iPad 2 and it does the trick for me.

The iPad 2 will also run iOS6

LOL I don't even "need" an ipad!

It is a consideration go with with the Ipad2 time will tell which way I go, and how much I can save up for it!

tdgeek

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#696069 4-Oct-2012 12:23

Rumourmill suggest it will be a mini iPad2, maybe no 3G. It will have to be cheaper to compete with other 7" tablets, so I cannot see a retina screen. However, the smaller screen size makes the pixels teenier. Unless the res is based on same pixel size but lower res.

For magazines, I'd not want to go less then the 9.7 iPad myself

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hairy1

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#696316 4-Oct-2012 18:20

dickytim:
hairy1: This may be blasmaphy here but have you considered the Google Nexus 7. It is a pretty cool device which pretty much ticks all your boxes except for 3g. It is quite a bit cheaper than your iPad mini budget which would buy an awful lot of apps.

Cheers, Matt

I can honestly say that I have not considered the Nexus 7 but I consider myself a bit of an apple fanboi!

3G is pretty important to me, and I can't get my head around Android, nor do I really want to.

I'd rather let Apple do the thinking for me.

I too would be surprised to see 3g on the mini iPad. Android is probably not as bad a transition these days as you might think. I personally think both UI's are reasonably straightforward and similar in usability.

Good luck with the decision making!

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dickytim

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#696387 4-Oct-2012 20:25

i had a trial Samsung Galaxy 10.1 from Vodafone and really hated it, they may have improved but i am still a fan of iOS.

clicknz

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#696425 4-Oct-2012 21:03

Certainly something to consider (as you mention it may be an important factor), but I think we can kiss goodbye to the old 30 pin dock port on ANY future Apple device..... all comments I've seen are indicating that the Lightning connector is the new plug of choice...

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Mike

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Kiwipixter

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#696489 4-Oct-2012 22:26

tdgeek: Rumourmill suggest it will be a mini iPad2, maybe no 3G. It will have to be cheaper to compete with other 7" tablets, so I cannot see a retina screen. However, the smaller screen size makes the pixels teenier. Unless the res is based on same pixel size but lower res.

For magazines, I'd not want to go less then the 9.7 iPad myself

I don't think Apple want, or need, to compete rather they want to define the category. So being higher priced, im sure it will be, won't be a big deal even though they can price it competitively. If the mini is positioned as an entertainment, media consumption, gaming (i.e. PSP and gameboy category) device they may have another winner. Retina screen, excellent battery life and 3D graphics will set it apart from the other mini tablets.

mattwnz

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#696518 4-Oct-2012 23:05

tdgeek: Rumourmill suggest it will be a mini iPad2, maybe no 3G. It will have to be cheaper to compete with other 7" tablets, so I cannot see a retina screen. However, the smaller screen size makes the pixels teenier. Unless the res is based on same pixel size but lower res.

For magazines, I'd not want to go less then the 9.7 iPad myself

I have heard that it will be basically an ipad 2 but minified. So the same resolution and specs, but because it will be smaller, it will be more like a retina display. I just worry about the keyboard, as it will be a weird size to type on unless they go for a keyboard with another form factor. It will likely be around the same price as the ipod touch is now, perhaps a little more. If it didn't have 3g, it would be pretty pointless, so I think it will have 3g, although there maybe 3g and non 3g versions. They do make a good addon profit by adding 3g into it.

dickytim

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#702453 17-Oct-2012 12:47

http://cnettv.cnet.com/inside-scoop-you-re-invited-new-ipad-mini/9742-1_53-50133253.html

Hurry up damn you!

I have been looking at speculation over pricing and to be honest the price difference between a potential 3G 16gb version and a 4G 16GB Ipad 3 looks to be around $100NZD.

If this is the case and it doesn't have 4G or a similar quality to retina display then I think the Ipad is going to be the option for me.

All this is obviously speculation, but it is fun to speculate!