OS and Software > All Things Macintosh > So I went into a store...

So I went into a store...

I'm just not seeing the appeal of what amounts to an overpriced retina-less iPad. Maybe it's that I have the full size 4th gen iPad, but the small form factor is too small to really enjoy media and too big to be extraordinarily portable. Seems to be the netbook of tablets...not good at much of anything. What is the real appeal of the mid-size form factor?

reply to J E F F
Everything except the screen... I saw one, and i was like no freakin way I would use that after having an iPad3 Retina and iPhone 4.

Sure I love the form factor. But thats not enough. I suppose people upgrading from iPad1/2's might not care.

reply to skeechan
I had an iPad which my daughter ended up with, but too large and heavy for everyday use, such as reading magazine or whatever. I also have a PlayBook which is almost too small (7" screen)...the iPad mini seems to have a lot more screen size (and measuring it, it does)...seems to be a sweet spot for me for tablets. Although I also have the 11" MacBook Air which I really like.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

I have an iPad 2 and I love the size but it's definitely heavy for casual reading, etc; I'm waiting it out for a lighter, non-mini version. (And apparently the iPad 3 and 4 are even heavier?? Sheesh)
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♬ Music is life ♬

My iPad3 is heavy indeed... the whole thing is almost all battery & screen...

I would love an iPad mini with 1600x1200 resolution. 1024x768 is so crap.

reply to skeechan
You know having both an iPad 4 for myself and an iPad Mini for my wife - I'm jealous. It's actually probably the perfect size for a tablet. My wife was putting together a Keynote presentation for an asthma education seminar she is teaching and I was amazed at how usable the screen was.

That being said I'll hold off for the retina version still.

reply to J E F F
I can never leave an Apple store w/o buying anything
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Romney - Ryan 2012
Christie 2016

reply to J E F F
Only Apple could make the exact same tablet as they did 18 months ago, only just a bit larger than other 7" tablets, and have people find it a great design job
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My place : »www.schettino.us

I think it's that extra .9 inches that makes a huge difference. Seems to be mostly screen. Anyway, should be getting it in a couple weeks...I was surprised how light yet sturdy it was...
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

reply to J E F F
I was in the Apple store the other day, too, and had no interest. The screen was on and it looked like an iPad which I already have. I picked it up, held it in one hand, and couldn't help think to myself, "Hm. Hmmmm!". Like biting into some food for the first time, not expecting anything, and the flavors starting coming out the longer it's in your mouth.

I only had that minute to hold it but I couldn't help thinking I could use this thing.

reply to HiVolt
^^^^
what he said, too used to high resolution screens. Can't go back.

reply to J E F F
I've read how many people are saying the iPad mini is no good because it doesn't have a Retina display. I've picked up both the mini and a Retina display iPad, gone to the same web page, zoomed in on the same text as far as possible, and held both units at a normal reading distance. I can't see any difference in the text. Everyone I've asked, which is only sample of 6 or 7 people, has said the same thing. I wonder how many people are saying the display is bad because it doesn't have the Retina display and must, therefore, be bad? Methinks a little self fulfilling prophecy might be at play. YMMV.
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Golf is a relatively simple game, played by reasonably intelligent people, stupidly.

reply to J E F F
Guess I'll add my little review here. I received the LTE version just over a week ago and I cannot put it down. The screen is large enough that nothing feels cramped or cutdown (of course, the resolution is the same as the iPad 2) yet the entire device is significantly smaller and lighter than the iPad 3/4. I've owned an iPad 2, 3 and now the mini and by far I prefer the mini. The 3's amazing screen made up for the weight/thickness increase from the iPad 2, but now I'm willing to make the opposite compromise - a much more portable iPad with a less sharp screen.

And yes, when you use the iPad mini for the first time after coming from the iPad 3 or 4, it looks terrible. But after awhile that effect goes away and the only important thing is how much more useful the lighter design is. If the iPad 3/4 was this light, I'd probably be using that, but the weight makes a big difference. Like the other poster said, all it takes is a quick zoom in on some text for the jagged appearance to go away. Sure, I'd like if the screen was Retina, but it's not the requirement I thought it would be.

To echo what the OP said, the build quality is impeccable. And it's not just that they made the screen smaller and now people love it - you need to hold this thing. It feels great in your hands. The chamfered edge can feel a bit rough at some angles, but I've only felt that a few times.

The iPad mini has completely replaced my iPad 3, and I don't miss it one bit. If they can keep the thickness and weight the same when they put a retina display in the mini, I'll be first in line to get one, but if they can't (like they couldn't for the full-size iPad), I'll probably be sticking with this until they can.
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University of Southern California - Fight On!

reply to HiVolt

^ This

reply to Anonymous_

Some of you need to man up and pump iron (I guess curl more then 5 lbs?) If you think an iPad 3 or any 10 inch tablet is heavy...

No kidding! LOL

reply to Thinkdiff
That was my thought entirely. Picking up the iPad mini and holding it did it for me. The screen is still sharp enough.
Besides, doesn't the iPad 3 and 4 have to scale down for interwebs?
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein