It's not a matter of good or bad. It's a matter of preference. I prefer RD at the expense of a bit of bull and weight. Good for me. You prefer to keep it light. Good for you. There's no bad or not good in this. No right and wrong.
bulk and weight are counter intuitive to the Mini portable and light. if bulk and weight are not an issue for you, you got the iPad 4... so.. apple does make a product for you... why confuse your choice?
No iPad Mini Retina this year. SoC isn't ready yet. But expect to see MBA like Battery improvement to both iPad and iPad mini. iPad will weight less, more powerful, last longer. I think that is enough to sell.
Looks like it will be a very busy quarter coming up soon. As Apple has New Macbook Pro / iMac with Haswell, new GPU. And Flash Storage update. The iPad Series, and the iPhone. Also the much participated and rumours less expensive iPhone. All Happening within the next 3 months.
Anecdotal data based on a lifetime in the computer industry. I doubt you'd find many that disagree with me though.
Most everyone I know that has a "home" copy of Office got it at work and use it at home either illegally or based on some thin justification of "working at home." I work at a large institution at the moment where everyone is on the same bulk license and we negotiate each year with Microsoft for same. They have been pushing us onto a subscription model (or trying to) for the last three years and most of the guys responsible for the actual contract are agreeable to this as it saves the yearly negotiation.
piling on... MS is going to a Azure based licensing model that will make that subscription model a requirement. in 4 years, the only way you will be able to install Office on a PC will be either connected to your corporate LAN, or registering an account on office365.com, and then committing to a particular license group... if using a corporate license group, the corporation may and will require your system to be registered with them (in their AD), and/or tie it to employment (the day of your termination is the day your office365 requires you to pay for accessing(modifying/printing) your documents on your home/personal PC/mobile.
I personally would like to see a Retina version of the Mini,
Given that its 80% there already and deemed by many to be an iPad Lite, I think I would rather see them solve the issues of glare, outdoor use and finer touch response with even some level of pressure sensitivity in all the iPads before worrying about going retina with the Mini.
Every model of Mac has an SDXC card slot so I wouldn't be *totally* shocked if the iPad got one.
If they wanted to they could have out such a slot in from day one. They didn't because they don't want to. And there is nothing at this point that points to a change in that thinking. If anything, adding a 128GB model suggests a continuing of their lack of desire.
Would it be great to see bigger capacity iPads, sure. And I think we will. I suspect that the 16gb is about to go the way of the Dodo or at least only to the 'cheap' model. Move the iPad Mini 1 and iPad 4 to 16 GB only (and yes using the 4 is to get everything lighting connector) and make the 32gb the baseline for the 'new' models. They might even do the same with the iPhones with a single 'cheaop' model at 16 GB and the new model at 32/64.
Typically, the iPhone is the flagship that launches with the update. The iPad has often had to wait.
With the new fall schedule, that might change of course.
Why do you think they moved the iPads to the Fall. People were pissy about the being new features in iOS that no iPad had the needed bits to use. So now they all come out together with a wait of perhaps a month in between. Rather than 6-8 months
How often would the average person need to use VBA on the iPad?
I've never had to use VBA period, even on the desktop. And it's not like I don't use spreadsheets all the time.
Numbers does 99% of what the average user needs to do. Most people just think they need Office because of the brand recognition.
That said, while I love Numbers on the desktop, I find the iPad version unusable. Maybe it's just the form factor and necessary UI. I don't know.
Average person never. But business user perhaps. Which is why I support the notion if Apple allowing plug in support in iOS. Make the plug ins have to go through the store but have it in there. In iOS, in their apps, any any app if the developer wants to use it.
Not only would this allow them to 'pro' up things like Numbers they could expand all their apps, even iOS itself as well as moving out some of the bloat to DLC as needed. I only speak or read/write five languages -- English, Japanese, French, Welsh and Irish. Plus use emoji. I don't need all the other keyboards, languages etc. so why stuff up my iPad/iPhone with them. Let me grab what I need and if a time comes I need anything else I can hop online and grab them. My kid brother doesn't use the trailers in iMovie so why stuff up his iPad with them. Let him download them when and if he wants to do one. And such a system would allow for having more themes of both kinds. And so on.
Why do you think they moved the iPads to the Fall. People were pissy about the being new features in iOS that no iPad had the needed bits to use. So now they all come out together with a wait of perhaps a month in between. Rather than 6-8 months
So that's why? You're speculating or you know this for a fact?
Anecdotal data based on a lifetime in the computer industry. I doubt you'd find many that disagree with me though.
Most everyone I know that has a "home" copy of Office got it at work and use it at home either illegally or based on some thin justification of "working at home." I work at a large institution at the moment where everyone is on the same bulk license and we negotiate each year with Microsoft for same. They have been pushing us onto a subscription model (or trying to) for the last three years and most of the guys responsible for the actual contract are agreeable to this as it saves the yearly negotiation.
So you're somewhat familiar with a small bit if one sector of the industry and are presuming the rest. Gotcha. Thx!
bulk and weight are counter intuitive to the Mini portable and light. if bulk and weight are not an issue for you, you got the iPad 4... so.. apple does make a product for you... why confuse your choice?
So slightly thicker and slightly heavier would be make the Mini totally non-portable? That would just be totally wrong? Gotcha.
My guess is they have two full prototypes one mini and one without.... and they are weighing the cost to build vs anticipated profits vs cannabilizaion of other iPad lines (Mini 'Classic', iPad 5, iPhone 5s, MBA). While they are all about cannabilizing, they won't do it at a loss, especiallly if no one is competing with them at the current price point.
My personal opinion... is that the iPad Mini may wait till iOS 7.2 or .3 (spring release), IF apple releases a new iPhone 'Cheap' (4" form factor), and sunsets the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4s with that release. having a 4" form factor, a Mini form factor, a MiniRD formfactor, and iPad 2 and iPad 4 form factors is about the max for developers to support without massive complaint.
Retiring the 4 and 4s allows them to shut down factory space for retooling, allows the glass manufacturers to switch to IZGO or whatever the mini RD will be built on, and as noted, keeping developers happy. On top of that, it also allows prices to drop on battery and screen technology which are a majority of the cost and weight of the device, increasing profits, and also not disrupting their product line message. That's the long game view.
What Apple may do to increase the profitability of the Mini is discount the current non-Retina model by $50 to $279, and raise the starting price of the new Retina model to $379.
Both prices would still be competitive and Apple could make the Mini line a bit more profitable.
My guess is they have two full prototypes one mini and one without.... and they are weighing the cost to build vs anticipated profits vs cannabilizaion of other iPad lines (Mini 'Classic', iPad 5, iPhone 5s, MBA). While they are all about cannabilizing, they won't do it at a loss, especiallly if no one is competing with them at the current price point.
My personal opinion... is that the iPad Mini may wait till iOS 7.2 or .3 (spring release), IF apple releases a new iPhone 'Cheap' (4" form factor), and sunsets the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4s with that release. having a 4" form factor, a Mini form factor, a MiniRD formfactor, and iPad 2 and iPad 4 form factors is about the max for developers to support without massive complaint.
Retiring the 4 and 4s allows them to shut down factory space for retooling, allows the glass manufacturers to switch to IZGO or whatever the mini RD will be built on, and as noted, keeping developers happy. On top of that, it also allows prices to drop on battery and screen technology which are a majority of the cost and weight of the device, increasing profits, and also not disrupting their product line message. That's the long game view.
Absolutely right. I couldn't agree more however I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 5 were discontinued as well largely for marketing reasons. The "less expensive iPhone" could then be branded the 5s and scale from the bottom of the lineup (single color option and configuration much like entry iPod touch) all the way up to the middle of the market in multiple color configurations. The iPod line is often where Apple experiments with such strategies. Apple then brings out a new iPhone 6 which is the same basic form factor as the current 5 but with all the usual refinements.
As you rightly point out, that would eliminate the 3.5" screen of the 4s but also the legacy 30 pin connector from the lineup. This means more common parts across the board from casings to internals and and from a marketing standpoint Apple doesn't have to use the iPhone "light" (what iPhone # could be used otherwise) name or anything dumb like that. This will further differentiate the lower to middle end iPhone models from the flagship iPhone 6. The iPhone 5 sales slightly hampered by the presence of the quality 4 and 4s beneath it and this impacted margins more than Apple had anticipated.
With a whole new lineup consisting of a 5s and 6, Apple can repackage much of the tech on the lower end, introduce colors, improve margins and give us the surprise of TWO new iPhones. All this while making life easier for accessory makers and developers!!!!
I personally would like to see a Retina version of the Mini, even it has to be thicker and heavier. Pundits who claim Apple made a mistake launching a thicker and heavier RP version of the iPad don't understand or appreciate engineering. Simply keep the current version of the Mini around and let consumers choose.
Of course, Apple might surprise us with a RP-Mini that is neither thicker nor heavier. That would be a remarkable feat of engineering.
I feel the same way about the iPad 3. It was noticeably heavier than the iPad 2 that I previously owned, and the battery life was shorter (despite Apple's claims), but the retina display was a sight to behold. I still use it everyday. The weight issue and thickness of the iPad 3 is largely blown out of proportion, IMO. It's heavier than I'd like it be, but not a deal breaker. If Apple can deliver a smaller, lighter iPad 5 and keep battery life up, I'm all in.
My guess is they have two full prototypes one mini and one without.... and they are weighing the cost to build vs anticipated profits vs cannabilizaion of other iPad lines (Mini 'Classic', iPad 5, iPhone 5s, MBA). While they are all about cannabilizing, they won't do it at a loss, especiallly if no one is competing with them at the current price point.
My personal opinion... is that the iPad Mini may wait till iOS 7.2 or .3 (spring release), IF apple releases a new iPhone 'Cheap' (4" form factor), and sunsets the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4s with that release. having a 4" form factor, a Mini form factor, a MiniRD formfactor, and iPad 2 and iPad 4 form factors is about the max for developers to support without massive complaint.
Retiring the 4 and 4s allows them to shut down factory space for retooling, allows the glass manufacturers to switch to IZGO or whatever the mini RD will be built on, and as noted, keeping developers happy. On top of that, it also allows prices to drop on battery and screen technology which are a majority of the cost and weight of the device, increasing profits, and also not disrupting their product line message. That's the long game view.
If it were up to me, I would drop the mini price to $299 and wait until next year to make a retina display. This strategy would maintain margins while increasing market share (especially if the size was reduced or if battery life went up). It would also keep the retina display as a distinguishing feature for the 9.7 iPad.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by stelligent
It's not a matter of good or bad. It's a matter of preference. I prefer RD at the expense of a bit of bull and weight. Good for me. You prefer to keep it light. Good for you. There's no bad or not good in this. No right and wrong.
bulk and weight are counter intuitive to the Mini portable and light. if bulk and weight are not an issue for you, you got the iPad 4... so.. apple does make a product for you... why confuse your choice?
Looks like it will be a very busy quarter coming up soon. As Apple has New Macbook Pro / iMac with Haswell, new GPU. And Flash Storage update. The iPad Series, and the iPhone. Also the much participated and rumours less expensive iPhone. All Happening within the next 3 months.
And Finally the Mac Pro after that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ascii
Every model of Mac has an SDXC card slot so I wouldn't be *totally* shocked if the iPad got one.
The 11" Macbook Air doesn't.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
Anecdotal data based on a lifetime in the computer industry. I doubt you'd find many that disagree with me though.
Most everyone I know that has a "home" copy of Office got it at work and use it at home either illegally or based on some thin justification of "working at home." I work at a large institution at the moment where everyone is on the same bulk license and we negotiate each year with Microsoft for same. They have been pushing us onto a subscription model (or trying to) for the last three years and most of the guys responsible for the actual contract are agreeable to this as it saves the yearly negotiation.
piling on... MS is going to a Azure based licensing model that will make that subscription model a requirement. in 4 years, the only way you will be able to install Office on a PC will be either connected to your corporate LAN, or registering an account on office365.com, and then committing to a particular license group... if using a corporate license group, the corporation may and will require your system to be registered with them (in their AD), and/or tie it to employment (the day of your termination is the day your office365 requires you to pay for accessing(modifying/printing) your documents on your home/personal PC/mobile.
It's the only way Microsoft will survive.
Given that its 80% there already and deemed by many to be an iPad Lite, I think I would rather see them solve the issues of glare, outdoor use and finer touch response with even some level of pressure sensitivity in all the iPads before worrying about going retina with the Mini.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stelligent
Exactly right? How could this be exactly right or wrong? What if it was 2 grams heavier, or 0.5 mm thicker? Still Bingo? How silly.
You're confusing opinions and preferences with factual validity. That's ok because that just makes you a member of majority.
Ugh!
I bet you're not married...lucky girl!
If they wanted to they could have out such a slot in from day one. They didn't because they don't want to. And there is nothing at this point that points to a change in that thinking. If anything, adding a 128GB model suggests a continuing of their lack of desire.
Would it be great to see bigger capacity iPads, sure. And I think we will. I suspect that the 16gb is about to go the way of the Dodo or at least only to the 'cheap' model. Move the iPad Mini 1 and iPad 4 to 16 GB only (and yes using the 4 is to get everything lighting connector) and make the 32gb the baseline for the 'new' models. They might even do the same with the iPhones with a single 'cheaop' model at 16 GB and the new model at 32/64.
Why do you think they moved the iPads to the Fall. People were pissy about the being new features in iOS that no iPad had the needed bits to use. So now they all come out together with a wait of perhaps a month in between. Rather than 6-8 months
Average person never. But business user perhaps. Which is why I support the notion if Apple allowing plug in support in iOS. Make the plug ins have to go through the store but have it in there. In iOS, in their apps, any any app if the developer wants to use it.
Not only would this allow them to 'pro' up things like Numbers they could expand all their apps, even iOS itself as well as moving out some of the bloat to DLC as needed. I only speak or read/write five languages -- English, Japanese, French, Welsh and Irish. Plus use emoji. I don't need all the other keyboards, languages etc. so why stuff up my iPad/iPhone with them. Let me grab what I need and if a time comes I need anything else I can hop online and grab them. My kid brother doesn't use the trailers in iMovie so why stuff up his iPad with them. Let him download them when and if he wants to do one. And such a system would allow for having more themes of both kinds. And so on.
Yeah like 2mm thicker and a half gram heavier. Really not worth freaking out about.
Indeed. And if one cannot deal with that, just buy the previous version. People need to stop the silliness about how Apple might make a mistake.
Having said this, 2 mm thicker might be much as the current thickness is < 8 mm.
So you're somewhat familiar with a small bit if one sector of the industry and are presuming the rest. Gotcha. Thx!
So slightly thicker and slightly heavier would be make the Mini totally non-portable? That would just be totally wrong? Gotcha.
What Apple may do to increase the profitability of the Mini is discount the current non-Retina model by $50 to $279, and raise the starting price of the new Retina model to $379.
Both prices would still be competitive and Apple could make the Mini line a bit more profitable.
Such a move would probably be un-Apple though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtherGeoff
My guess is they have two full prototypes one mini and one without.... and they are weighing the cost to build vs anticipated profits vs cannabilizaion of other iPad lines (Mini 'Classic', iPad 5, iPhone 5s, MBA). While they are all about cannabilizing, they won't do it at a loss, especiallly if no one is competing with them at the current price point.
My personal opinion... is that the iPad Mini may wait till iOS 7.2 or .3 (spring release), IF apple releases a new iPhone 'Cheap' (4" form factor), and sunsets the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4s with that release. having a 4" form factor, a Mini form factor, a MiniRD formfactor, and iPad 2 and iPad 4 form factors is about the max for developers to support without massive complaint.
Retiring the 4 and 4s allows them to shut down factory space for retooling, allows the glass manufacturers to switch to IZGO or whatever the mini RD will be built on, and as noted, keeping developers happy. On top of that, it also allows prices to drop on battery and screen technology which are a majority of the cost and weight of the device, increasing profits, and also not disrupting their product line message. That's the long game view.
Absolutely right. I couldn't agree more however I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone 5 were discontinued as well largely for marketing reasons. The "less expensive iPhone" could then be branded the 5s and scale from the bottom of the lineup (single color option and configuration much like entry iPod touch) all the way up to the middle of the market in multiple color configurations. The iPod line is often where Apple experiments with such strategies. Apple then brings out a new iPhone 6 which is the same basic form factor as the current 5 but with all the usual refinements.
As you rightly point out, that would eliminate the 3.5" screen of the 4s but also the legacy 30 pin connector from the lineup. This means more common parts across the board from casings to internals and and from a marketing standpoint Apple doesn't have to use the iPhone "light" (what iPhone # could be used otherwise) name or anything dumb like that. This will further differentiate the lower to middle end iPhone models from the flagship iPhone 6. The iPhone 5 sales slightly hampered by the presence of the quality 4 and 4s beneath it and this impacted margins more than Apple had anticipated.
With a whole new lineup consisting of a 5s and 6, Apple can repackage much of the tech on the lower end, introduce colors, improve margins and give us the surprise of TWO new iPhones. All this while making life easier for accessory makers and developers!!!!
I feel the same way about the iPad 3. It was noticeably heavier than the iPad 2 that I previously owned, and the battery life was shorter (despite Apple's claims), but the retina display was a sight to behold. I still use it everyday. The weight issue and thickness of the iPad 3 is largely blown out of proportion, IMO. It's heavier than I'd like it be, but not a deal breaker. If Apple can deliver a smaller, lighter iPad 5 and keep battery life up, I'm all in.
Nor does the Mac Pro.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtherGeoff
My guess is they have two full prototypes one mini and one without.... and they are weighing the cost to build vs anticipated profits vs cannabilizaion of other iPad lines (Mini 'Classic', iPad 5, iPhone 5s, MBA). While they are all about cannabilizing, they won't do it at a loss, especiallly if no one is competing with them at the current price point.
My personal opinion... is that the iPad Mini may wait till iOS 7.2 or .3 (spring release), IF apple releases a new iPhone 'Cheap' (4" form factor), and sunsets the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4s with that release. having a 4" form factor, a Mini form factor, a MiniRD formfactor, and iPad 2 and iPad 4 form factors is about the max for developers to support without massive complaint.
Retiring the 4 and 4s allows them to shut down factory space for retooling, allows the glass manufacturers to switch to IZGO or whatever the mini RD will be built on, and as noted, keeping developers happy. On top of that, it also allows prices to drop on battery and screen technology which are a majority of the cost and weight of the device, increasing profits, and also not disrupting their product line message. That's the long game view.
If it were up to me, I would drop the mini price to $299 and wait until next year to make a retina display. This strategy would maintain margins while increasing market share (especially if the size was reduced or if battery life went up). It would also keep the retina display as a distinguishing feature for the 9.7 iPad.
I got a prototype of this unit and when I picked it up by the corner the screen busted and the back fell off.