iPad Mini

Super Tigers · 24 Aug 2013 at 12:21

I have had my Ipad mini since it was launched, to make me upgrade I would need quad core processor, retina screen, 2GB onboard memory and 11.ac support all for the same money.

Skyboat · 24 Aug 2013 at 14:36

A mini refresh is not going to have 2GB RAM. The current mini only has 512MB, and the iPad 3/4 both have 1GB RAM. If any iPad model is going to have 2GB RAM next it will be the iPad 5, with an A7 or A7X SoC (dual or quad-core, I couldn't say). However that is still all pure speculation at this point.

I also don't see the need for 802.11ac on iOS devices yet, just how much throughput does the average user need?

iOS has never required very high hardware specs compared to Android. Expecting Nexus 7 2013 specs in the next iPad (excluding the essentials like the display and battery) is being very optimistic.

Fallen god · 24 Aug 2013 at 21:25

Very much doubt there will be a Quad Core CPU, it won't bigger much to the table, and would only increase heat/power usage and be more expensive to produce. I would want at least a A6 in the next iPad Mini before I could even consider it, along with 1GB ram.

Vertigo · 25 Aug 2013 at 15:32

Skyboat said:
The new mini needs to have Retina to stand any chance of competing against the Nexus 7 2013 IMO.

Whilst I agree it does really need retina, even without it it's more than a match for the Nexus.

The biggest single issue I have with Android tablets is their insistence on sticking with a 16:10 screen ratio. It's annoying on larger tables but on the smaller 7" screens it's downright hopeless and the screen feels so cramped when using it in portrait mode. The 4:3 aspect of the iPads is their single best feature IMO.

Faustus · 29 Aug 2013 at 07:36

Conanius said:
Hi All,

Million Dollar question... is the iPad Mini due a refresh soon?

Looking at Mac rumours, I could see a CPU upgrade coming in the next release of products potentially, but other than that, nothing much.

We have an iPad 2 32GB and an iPod Touch 32GB that we are thinking of selling and buying an iPad Mini 32/64GB to replace it with, but obviously we won't be rushing into doing this if there is a reasonable chance it will be refreshed in a few months.

Thoughts?

Couldn't ever imagine myself trading down from the full sized iPad to a mini. Normal iPad is about as small as I would want to go in order to derive any usefulness from the product. Any smaller and you might as well buy one of the large smartphones. That's how I see it anyway.

uchuff · 29 Aug 2013 at 11:49

With the Mini having the same resolution as the full size iPad I have found that not to be the case. You can fit as much on a Mini screen as a full size iPad screen, just in a more comfortable size.

Amp34 · 29 Aug 2013 at 15:45

Super Tigers said:
I have had my Ipad mini since it was launched, to make me upgrade I would need quad core processor, retina screen, 2GB onboard memory and 11.ac support all for the same money.

How is the extra RAM and quad core processor going to benefit you? My mini never slows down or needs appear to need any more processing power. Games run fine for example.

Nymins · 29 Aug 2013 at 15:56

The only time I've seen my Mini struggle is with having too any tabs open in the browser. They just needed reloaded, so it really isn't that big of a deal.

I have both the iPad 4 and Mini, although the 4 is from work. Always use the Mini over it even though the screen is "worse". The iPad 4 is just too heavy and big for a tablet.

Faustus · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:24

uchuff said:
With the Mini having the same resolution as the full size iPad I have found that not to be the case. You can fit as much on a Mini screen as a full size iPad screen, just in a more comfortable size.

Must strongly disagree there, I have used a mini for about a week and found it a real struggle, eye strain and banging headaches. This is not for me.

Fallen god · 30 Aug 2013 at 23:46

Nymins said:
The only time I've seen my Mini struggle is with having too any tabs open in the browser. They just needed reloaded, so it really isn't that big of a deal.

I have both the iPad 4 and Mini, although the 4 is from work. Always use the Mini over it even though the screen is "worse". The iPad 4 is just too heavy and big for a tablet.

I've seen my work iPad Mini slow down quiet often actual, its very evident when you compare it to the iPad4 with the new A6X, the CPU difference is huge.

I tend to see it taking much longer to load apps, it lags a tiny bit and I have even had it freeze for a second on the lock screen and not responed then catch up after the second. It reminds me of earlier android products I have used at times.

99% of the time its fine but it clearly needs that A6, and maybe 1GB of ram as it tends to run out of memory when your browsing with a lot of tabs open.

Ryan-3 · 31 Aug 2013 at 08:41

Never had mine freeze or slow down, and have run a huge variety of apps from games to wind tunnel simulation. Most I've seen are app crashes.

kona786 · 31 Aug 2013 at 16:17

If it has A6x, retina and 1GB RAM @ current prices then it's got my attention. Anything less is typical Apple, dragging their heels.

pumaz · 31 Aug 2013 at 21:51

I'd like Apple to release iPad 4 and Mini with same specs. eg. A7, 2GB and retina. I see no reason why they can't charge the same price for both and let the user decide which size they want.

They could keep the current iPad 2 and Mini as the budget versions maybe just a CPU bump to A6 but none retina to keep them cheaper.

kona786 · 31 Aug 2013 at 23:10

pumaz said:
I'd like Apple to release iPad 4 and Mini with same specs.

iPad 4 was last year dude, keep up

Your model line up sounds good though - Mini should be £50 cheaper than the full size IMO.

Fallen god · 31 Aug 2013 at 23:32

kona786 said:
iPad 4 was last year dude, keep up

Your model line up sounds good though - Mini should be £50 cheaper than the full size IMO.

They could keep the current iPad Mini to sit next to the iPad 2 and then release a retina iPad Mini to sit along with the iPad 4. It is very clear that the iPad Mini is really eating into apples tablet margins, however I think there would be a fair % of users that want a smaller tablet with the power of the larger tablet.

Even if its uses the A7 instead of the A7X that will be in the iPad to help with battery life and heat.

MOOGLEYS · 1 Sep 2013 at 01:52

Faustus said:
Must strongly disagree there, I have used a mini for about a week and found it a real struggle, eye strain and banging headaches. This is not for me.

From an ipad screen ? I think the mini has a decent enough screen text is clear and no way a struggle to read.

Tbh I find the mini easier on the eye than the new Nexus 7.

Vertigo · 1 Sep 2013 at 09:12

kona786 said:
If it has A6x, retina and 1GB RAM @ current prices then it's got my attention. Anything less is typical Apple, dragging their heels.

Ryan-3 · 1 Sep 2013 at 09:17

The iPad mini screen (along with the MBA screen that receives hate) probably has 20-30 ppi more than the monitor you are reading this on. There is no need of a retina screen on either of those devices, and as shown with the MBA, new processor (and other bits) is all that is needed. Bump up battery life and perfromance. Nothing else needed for the Mini.

pumaz · 1 Sep 2013 at 09:25

kona786 said:
iPad 4 was last year dude, keep up

Your model line up sounds good though - Mini should be £50 cheaper than the full size IMO.

Yeah lol, I did mean iPad 5!

I'd have no probs paying the same price as the iPad 5 for the new Mini as long as it had the same tech

kona786 · 1 Sep 2013 at 18:09

Ryan-3 said:
The iPad mini screen (along with the MBA screen that receives hate) probably has 20-30 ppi more than the monitor you are reading this on.

Except my monitor is more than an arm's length away from my eyes and there's not much choice out there there with higher res at competitive prices.

Need and want, obviously 2 different things.

A nice crisp screen is not a lot to ask for on a premium device in this day and age.