iPad mini retina surprise release

[Deep_Blue]

Every expert i saw said Nov 21. Guess they got the numbers backwards. Wonder how fast it will sell out? Anyone else order already?

[turbolag]

The mini didn't have retina before?

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by turbolag

The mini didn't have retina before?

No. It had the same specs as the iPad 2( besides the smaller screen). A5 CPU, 1024-by-768 resolution screen, etc.

Now it has the same specs as the iPad Air( the A7 is clocked at 1.3 Ghz though compared to the Air's 1.4 Ghz). So the $100 difference between the iPad Mini and iPad Air gets you pretty much an 1.8" bigger screen.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by quagmire

No. It had the same specs as the iPad 2( besides the smaller screen). A5 CPU, 1024-by-768 resolution screen, etc.

Now it has the same specs as the iPad Air( the A7 is clocked at 1.3 Ghz though compared to the Air's 1.4 Ghz). So the $100 difference between the iPad Mini and iPad Air gets you pretty much an 1.8" bigger screen.

Eh.

My 3rd gen retina is still being used, I honestly like the back design more (not liking slate grey, etc, and I like the curves). iOS 7 sometimes screws with the touchscreen, but it's decent.

I'e been intrigued by the iPad mini, though. Carrying around something smaller might be nice.

[amanda hor$t]

it's strange that ipad 2 is still the starter model while ipad retina is gone.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by amanda hor$t

it's strange that ipad 2 is still the starter model while ipad retina is gone.

I read somewhere that the reason they came out with that silent launch of the iPad 4 which was basically a retina with better processor like 6 months after the retina was that there were issues being reported that the processor on the original retina was having issues on certain games etc with the retina screen. So they had to bump up the specs.

I rarely use mine these days so I wont be upgrading for a while.

[amanda hor$t]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I read somewhere that the reason they came out with that silent launch of the iPad 4 which was basically a retina with better processor like 6 months after the retina was that there were issues being reported that the processor on the original retina was having issues on certain games etc with the retina screen. So they had to bump up the specs.

I rarely use mine these days so I wont be upgrading for a while.

i just got an lv cover for my ipad a6x retina, nowhere near done with this setup. probably not much of an upgrade anyway if the a6x got discontinued already.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I read somewhere that the reason they came out with that silent launch of the iPad 4 which was basically a retina with better processor like 6 months after the retina was that there were issues being reported that the processor on the original retina was having issues on certain games etc with the retina screen. So they had to bump up the specs.

I rarely use mine these days so I wont be upgrading for a while.

I find that the original retina is fine. I don't 'game' on it though, I use it as a ebook reader, social networking, etc. Got a real console for gaming.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by turbolag

Eh.

My 3rd gen retina is still being used, I honestly like the back design more (not liking slate grey, etc, and I like the curves). iOS 7 sometimes screws with the touchscreen, but it's decent.

I'e been intrigued by the iPad mini, though. Carrying around something smaller might be nice.

I upgraded from an iPad 3 to the Air. It's noticeably lighter and more power efficient due to it using an IGZO screen. The iPad 3/4 had a mammoth 42.5 whr battery( which was bigger than the Macbook Air's battery). The iPad Air has a 32.5 whr battery. Despite that, my Air still gets 13 hours of battery life.

Originally I was going to get a retina iPad Mini when it came out as a xmas gift for my mom. But seeing how the iPad Mini got a price hike to $399, the value for me wasn't there. So I decided to upgrade to the Air and my iPad 3 will go to my mom.

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I read somewhere that the reason they came out with that silent launch of the iPad 4 which was basically a retina with better processor like 6 months after the retina was that there were issues being reported that the processor on the original retina was having issues on certain games etc with the retina screen. So they had to bump up the specs.

I rarely use mine these days so I wont be upgrading for a while.

Yeah the A5X struggled to power the retina display. It was barely able to maintain the iPad 2's performance. The A6X was the SoC the iPad 3 should have had in the first place.

Originally Posted by amanda hor$t

i just got an lv cover for my ipad a6x retina, nowhere near done with this setup. probably not much of an upgrade anyway if the a6x got discontinued already.

The A6X was a huge upgrade for the iPad. As stated above, the A5X was barely able to maintain the performance of the iPad 2 powering the retina display. The iPad 3 on Geekbench 3 gets a score of 490. The iPad 4 on geek bench goes up to 1424. That's a good performance jump.

The iPad Mini with the A7 scores 2512. The iPad Air scores 2856.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by turbolag

I find that the original retina is fine. I don't 'game' on it though, I use it as a ebook reader, social networking, etc. Got a real console for gaming.

I don't notice it either which is why I would not upgrade right now. When I do use my iPad its usually in the hottub and I have a very large (aka cheap) water proof case for it so having a slimmer, lighter iPad makes no difference for me.

[amanda hor$t]

i don't like making payments, which is how most ipad games work. if i'm buying a game i want to buy the entire game up front.

btw, anyone know why the site keeps crashing?

[LinkA8A0A]

Originally Posted by Deep_Blue

Every expert i saw said Nov 21. Guess they got the numbers backwards. Wonder how fast it will sell out? Anyone else order already?

Ordered one for my wife on the 12th, it's in HK right now, scheduled for delivery on Tuesday the 19th.