• Apple releases iPad Mini with LTE

    Published on 10-23-2012 02:59 PM
    1 Comment Comments

    Today Apple announced the new iPad mini. It has a 7.9” screen and starts at $329 for the 16GB model. It comes in 16/32/64GB sizes. Add $130 for LTE support. It’s available in both black and white.

    It’s got a 1024x768 IPS display (same resolution as the iPad 2) but since it’s smaller it has a tighter pixel pitch of 163ppi vs 136ppi on the iPad 2. The iPad with Retina display has 264ppi.

    Like the Retina iPad it has a 5MP camera. Its battery is supposed to last up to 10hrs on WiFi and 9hrs on LTE.

    Like the iPhone 5 it has a 8 pin lightning USB connector and it takes nano SIMs.

    Apple also released the iPad with Retina display. It’s replaces the iPad 3. Compared to the iPad 3 the one with Retina display the A6 processor from the iPhone 5 but the Retina’s has ‘quad core graphics’ plus it has the new lightning connector so it won’t be compatible with any of your existing iPad stuff without an adapter plus. Pricing for the iPad with Retina will priced at the same level as the iPad 3.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Apple releases iPad Mini with LTE started by techuser1 View original post
    Comments 16 Comments
    1. superman17's Avatar
      superman17 - 10-23-2012, 03:15 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by techuser1 View Post
      Apple today released iPad Mini with LTE. It works on all major carriers in USA including AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. $459 for 16 GB, $559 for 32 GB and $629 for 64 GB. Wifi only models are $329, 429 and 529.

      Orders start Oct 26 and delivery starts on Nov 2 for wifi models.

      Amazon Kindle Fire andNexus 7 tabs will have heavy competition from Apple now.
      To be honest, I don't think they will that much...the price of the ipad mini isn't great.
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 10-23-2012, 03:19 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by superman17 View Post
      To be honest, I don't think they will that much...the price of the ipad mini isn't great.
      I would tend to agree though not entirely. It's not that the price on the mini isn't good, I think it is very reasonable. But they are competing in a space where two of the largest competitors are willing to eat margins on the front in hopes of making it up on the backend. Hard to compete against effectively subsidized pricing models unless one is willing to do the same. Apple has done well in categories even when competing against players racing for the lowest price, but with subsidized pricing, it is an accelerated race to the bottom which might be difficult to counter. And in terms of raw specs, the HD and 7 beat the mini in some ways.
    1. RF9's Avatar
      RF9 - 10-23-2012, 05:23 PM
      The price is a lot higher. I think this just lowers the barrier of entry to those looking to get an iPad or considering one as a gift that otherwise would reconsider. But I don't think this will sway people from considering the Kindle Fire or Nexus 7 based on price alone.
      I think the iPad mini is a great offering at a good price. But I don't think it will compete with the $200/$250 tablets on price.

      iPad 2 has been $400 starting for 6 months already. iPad mini is only $70 cheaper. If they wouldn't get an iPad 2 at $400 I don't see why $330 will sway them. If anything I think the game is the same, this just gives people who wanted a 8" iPad on a 8" iPad and keeps them from choosing one of the 7" tablets based on size.

      So this is more of a size competition, not price.
    1. -banned-'s Avatar
      -banned- - 10-23-2012, 08:32 PM
      7.9 inch screen…. REALLY apple..?? i guess that extra .10 inch was too much to add in..??
    1. Doolie's Avatar
      Doolie - 10-23-2012, 10:59 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by -banned- View Post
      7.9 inch screen…. REALLY apple..?? i guess that extra .10 inch was too much to add in..??
      But, it has a height of exactly 200mm.
    1. Heatseeker123's Avatar
      Heatseeker123 - 10-23-2012, 11:56 PM
      1024x768 is pretty bad at 7 inches, except we are talking 7.9 inches here!! People have to be drunk to get this thing at $329. Just wait for the iPad Mini 2. I'm sure the resolution won't be as comical and the wifi version will probably come with Assisted GPS and GLONASS, which this wifi version does not.
    1. coldpower27's Avatar
      coldpower27 - 10-24-2012, 09:38 AM
      Not really, we've had the iPad2 at 1024x768 this increases the DPI, so it's an improvement in someways.
    1. VandyGirl's Avatar
      VandyGirl - 10-24-2012, 10:27 AM
      I honestly think this is a great move by Apple and they will overtake the market. Do you know how many kids ask their parents for an Ipad for Christmas? Guess what Santa will be putting under the christmas tree this year? And since most kids don't drive a GPS isn't really needed.
    1. Doolie's Avatar
      Doolie - 10-24-2012, 02:22 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Heatseeker123 View Post
      1024x768 is pretty bad at 7 inches, except we are talking 7.9 inches here!! People have to be drunk to get this thing at $329. Just wait for the iPad Mini 2. I'm sure the resolution won't be as comical and the wifi version will probably come with Assisted GPS and GLONASS, which this wifi version does not.
      But I don't want a nexus with Android OS.
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 10-24-2012, 03:01 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Heatseeker123 View Post
      1024x768 is pretty bad at 7 inches, except we are talking 7.9 inches here!! People have to be drunk to get this thing at $329. Just wait for the iPad Mini 2. I'm sure the resolution won't be as comical and the wifi version will probably come with Assisted GPS and GLONASS, which this wifi version does not.
      Just a year ago people were saying how high PPI displays were a joke and were just a marketing ploy by Apple. But once they set the standard and people really saw the advantages, now anything below it is 'pretty bad' and comical. People that excused the very low effective PPI on Samsung's, now proclaim that even higher than retina PPI are necessary. How things change.

      I hear the same thing now about retina calibre displays on MacBooks, that it is overkill and unneeded. I guess once other manufacturers start to pick up and do the same, non-retina will be comical and pretty bad on laptops too.

      (of course the opposite is also true. Many have said once they used a retina display they would never go back to fuzzy low PPI displays, but I'll bet some of those same people will be all over the mini)
    1. FFR's Avatar
      FFR - 10-24-2012, 05:12 PM
      7.2 mm
      Can't wait.
    1. canadian studen's Avatar
      canadian studen - 10-25-2012, 02:59 PM
      I actually can't wait to get one. I love my iPad 3, but it's heavy to hold at times. I'm looking forward to the smaller and lighter form factor for sure.
    1. Masta's Avatar
      Masta - 10-27-2012, 02:04 PM
      Snooze......
    1. Om3r's Avatar
      Om3r - 10-27-2012, 06:58 PM
      people who had ipad 3 and change for mini ipad will not be satisfied. actually we have retina display which make big diference. next year they will just release a new one with retina display
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 10-27-2012, 09:10 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Heatseeker123 View Post
      1024x768 is pretty bad at 7 inches, except we are talking 7.9 inches here!! People have to be drunk to get this thing at $329. Just wait for the iPad Mini 2. I'm sure the resolution won't be as comical and the wifi version will probably come with Assisted GPS and GLONASS, which this wifi version does not.
      Can you please fill in some logical steps for me here.
      AGPS and GLONASS is only beneficial for what in your opinion? If navigation is an answer you would consider, one has to assume a cellular capable tablet of any nature can be more logical. And if you want to throw tethering into the mix... I'm wondering why the cellular device being used for tethering wouldn't be capable of navigation it self.

      Second part, this isn't an iPad for the top-of-the-line user. Clearly Apple's strategy is, the mini is a mini. Smaller form, smaller price, and left with reasons to lead to an up-sell. If you want to argue the iPad mini doesn't do X,Y,Z that's just an opportunity to present what iPad can do.

      For this consideration to put into context, you need to look at all Android tablets, and treat them all under one product category and pretend they're all manufactured by the same OEM. Then we can criticize some really horrible hardware with the same scrutiny being provided here. Unfortunately, the iPad mini is the worst iOS tablet Apple could provide, and it'll sell successfully.
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 10-27-2012, 09:11 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Om3r View Post
      people who had ipad 3 and change for mini ipad will not be satisfied. actually we have retina display which make big diference. next year they will just release a new one with retina display
      I am really happy I held out on the new iPad until now. I had suspicions (thank goodness for rumours) of the 30-pin connector changing, so this 4th gen iPad looks very appealing now. Time to replace the iPad 2.