Thread: iPad-Mini Rumor
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hmurchison
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2012-04-19, 19:07

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kraetos View Post



So why are 7" tablet sales a drop in the bucket compared to iPad sales? If there really are people who want a smaller version, why aren't they voting with their wallets?



So they don't "have" to do it, but you think they will? And you think they won't be doing it for another 6 months? At that point why not just wait 4 more months and see what it costs them to make an iPad 2?

Unless someone can make the case that the advantages of selling a marginally more portable iPad outweighs the technical, economic, and marketing disadvantages of making one, I remain unconvinced. When it comes to iOS devices, Apple has never tackled the low-end market by introducing a cheaper device, but they have kept last year's device around for the low-end market at least once for every iOS device. The rumored iPad mini would represent a massive departure from Apple's current (incredibly successful) strategy, and so far the only evidence I've seen for such a drastic course change is anecdotal.

tl;dr Given all the drawbacks, there needs to be a damn good reason for iPad mini to exist and shaving four ounces off the weight of the thing isn't it.
10 in non iPad sales haven't gone over gangbusters either. Until Apple delivers a smaller form factor and fails this argument about Kindle Fire an Android 7" tablet failures really cannot be used to any good effect.

Applying your logic to the rest of Apple's lineup means

There is no need for an 11, 13 and 15" Mac notebooks since the 17" is available and shouldn't we just wait until component costs diminish so last years model can be purchased more affordably?

There is no need for a 21.5 inch iMac when the 27" is available.

In the end you are arguing against choice and that fundamentally is consumer unfriendly. Apple has little risk and everything to gain by growing the ecosystem. If they find that the iPad mini is the coming of the Apple Bluetooth headset and Hifi (forgettable Apple products of recent lore) then they can kill the product but if they sit by and let the competitors provide smaller tablet solutions they have lost.

Apple's growth has been consistently at 20% per quarter save for a slow quarter 4 years ago or something. You don't see these numbers in companies that try to foist 2 year old tech on people because it's cheap. A $299 iPad that isn't refurbished simply isn't going to happen.

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