Apple did this with the iPad 4. Only difference with its predecessor was a faster processor.
This could be done for the mini using an A6 processor, with increased RAM. This would not compromise battery life, heat, thickness etc as the A6 is more power efficient than the A5. It can only have been cost, or the desire to preserve a speed differential in the range as an iPad 4 advantage justifying its a higher price point, that led to an A6 not being used in the mini from the start.
I'd also like to see improvement of Wifi reception. While not of the same magnitude as iPhone 4 antennaegate, or recent MBA issues, the iPad mini doesn't hold a wifi signal quite as well as an iPhone, or any MacBook does where the signal is poor - say on the edge of the range of a router. The mini isn't 'bad' here, but not up to iPhone standards.
The iPad 4 was about the connector, and since it's the flagship, better throw in some processor and RAM upgrade. And still they took a lot of flak for just doing "an incremental."
The mini is still just a casual but irresistable tech-pet. I don't know that you could sell any more by making it faster. When it gets a real screen, we will be in techlust territory. Your point about wifi could very valid, but it's not exactly a selling point.
Apple's production issues are probably related to yields which directly relates to their costs and margins. This is where many of their "production problems and delays" likely are.
Apple may release an speed-bumped iPad MINI with the same screen to refresh the line if the Retina is not up to production snuff. It may or not be the same form factor.
As for Apple production delays, we (as consumers and fans) are always disappointed with Apple's timetable of upgrades than we are surprised when something does get updated. The iPad 4 was a surprise. How often has that happened in the last 8 years? The Mac Pro is an extreme example, but it's not unprecedented that we expected something earlier and got something far later.
With that note, how many times has anyone here said "If Apple doesn't release (updated product X) it will be a disaster for them." And how many times has it been a disaster. iPhone 5 was "late". iMac was "late". Has it been a disaster? Not really. Still profitable. Still selling millions. Still popular (iPhone 4 and 4S, anyone?).
The iPad 4 was about the connector, and since it's the flagship, better throw in some processor and RAM upgrade. And still they took a lot of flak for just doing "an incremental."
If Dick, et. al. can be believed (and I rather think he can), the 4's processor was a very necessary upgrade from the 3.
If Dick, et. al. can be believed (and I rather think he can), the 4's processor was a very necessary upgrade from the 3.
Very necessary. The 4 is vastly superior to the 3 (I had both). In fact- the 2 to the 3 was the least speed bump of any of the iPad lines by a mile. Can't wait for the 5.
With all of Apple's billions, it's surprising to hear that they have all of these problems with production. [...]
A) Apple is not manufacturing the devices, so the problem is not strictly with Apple.
If production is that challenging this should tell you just how hard Apple is pushing the limit on the technology envelope.
I'm always a bit surprised how people take the design and capabilities of the devices for granted, and even sometimes expect miracle updates each year.
OTOH, it also shows how well Apple is consumer centric, because their products inspire this attitude, instead of having a gazillion specs, bells and whistles just in order to make sure you impress the customer with something that must be very very advanced. smile.
Google just announced the second generation Nexus 7 today! It has: a 7-inch screen and will a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a ppi of 323. It will have 2GB of RAM. A quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with Adreno 320 graphics and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Sales starts on the 30th of July! Price is $230 for the 16GB model and $270 for the 32GB model.
I might wait to see the iPad5 but I am so tempted for the new Nexus 7 that it will be hard to wait for the iPad5 announcement since it will be another month away!
I already went with replacing my iPhone4S with the Samsung S4 and now maybe the Nexus. Apple management is just fading away here. By the way; the S4 just rocks!
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Nope.
It also had other internal improvements and added the Lightning connector, replacing the 30-pin.
The iPad 4 was about the connector, and since it's the flagship, better throw in some processor and RAM upgrade. And still they took a lot of flak for just doing "an incremental."
The mini is still just a casual but irresistable tech-pet. I don't know that you could sell any more by making it faster. When it gets a real screen, we will be in techlust territory. Your point about wifi could very valid, but it's not exactly a selling point.
I see Pendergast makes the same point above.
Apple's production issues are probably related to yields which directly relates to their costs and margins. This is where many of their "production problems and delays" likely are.
Apple may release an speed-bumped iPad MINI with the same screen to refresh the line if the Retina is not up to production snuff. It may or not be the same form factor.
As for Apple production delays, we (as consumers and fans) are always disappointed with Apple's timetable of upgrades than we are surprised when something does get updated. The iPad 4 was a surprise. How often has that happened in the last 8 years? The Mac Pro is an extreme example, but it's not unprecedented that we expected something earlier and got something far later.
With that note, how many times has anyone here said "If Apple doesn't release (updated product X) it will be a disaster for them." And how many times has it been a disaster. iPhone 5 was "late". iMac was "late". Has it been a disaster? Not really. Still profitable. Still selling millions. Still popular (iPhone 4 and 4S, anyone?).
If Dick, et. al. can be believed (and I rather think he can), the 4's processor was a very necessary upgrade from the 3.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
If Dick, et. al. can be believed (and I rather think he can), the 4's processor was a very necessary upgrade from the 3.
Very necessary. The 4 is vastly superior to the 3 (I had both). In fact- the 2 to the 3 was the least speed bump of any of the iPad lines by a mile. Can't wait for the 5.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick29
With all of Apple's billions, it's surprising to hear that they have all of these problems with production. [...]
A) Apple is not manufacturing the devices, so the problem is not strictly with Apple.
I'm always a bit surprised how people take the design and capabilities of the devices for granted, and even sometimes expect miracle updates each year.
OTOH, it also shows how well Apple is consumer centric, because their products inspire this attitude, instead of having a gazillion specs, bells and whistles just in order to make sure you impress the customer with something that must be very very advanced. smile.
Edit: corrected the sentence above. I hope :-)
Which would make the A6 in a mini just as worth while.
(yes, i'd forgotten about the connector switch).
I might wait to see the iPad5 but I am so tempted for the new Nexus 7 that it will be hard to wait for the iPad5 announcement since it will be another month away!
I already went with replacing my iPhone4S with the Samsung S4 and now maybe the Nexus. Apple management is just fading away here. By the way; the S4 just rocks!