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Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

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Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#11

"even though the screen sucks" reminds me of Lewis C.K.'s "Everything is amazing and nobody is happy". How soon we feel anything less than retina sucks. Really? We're spoiled people when we look at a piece of technology like the iPad mini and our response is "this screen sucks!". Sheesh.

People jump to the "everything is amazing and nobody is happy" thing way too quickly. It is a funny bit for sure. But if we take it as a life philosophy, a: we would never function cause we just being standing around gawking in amazement at almost everything b: things would never improve. Apple makes high quality displays for all of its iOS products besides the Mini. So, yeah, the Mini's screen sucks. Especially when…

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Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#12
post #5

Some good points. I wouldn't call Retina displays disruptive. I wonder if we'll even see a Retina mini next year.

I'd bet on it.

I'm not so sure. The reason that the iPad3 and 4 are thicker than the iPad 2 is because of the extra battery needed for the Retina display. Unless there is a breakthrough on displays (IGZO maybe) I don't think Apple will be doing a retina display for a while because of the added cost, weight and thickness needed for a bigger battery.

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#13

Some good points. I wouldn't call Retina displays disruptive. I wonder if we'll even see a Retina mini next year.

Retina displays aren't so much disruptive as they are hard to give up after you've used one. The display is probably the single most important part of a tablet. A Retina display makes surfing the web, reading PDF's, and reading e-books just a totally different experience. I've taken to doing all of these things on my iPad instead of my MBP because its so hard to go back to a low-resolution screen.

We may not see a Retina Mini next year, because of supply issues with components, but not because Apple doesn't think it's important. Apple, unlike Microsoft (cough Surface RT cough), realizes how important the display is.

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#15
I know a couple of people who've said, hands down, they'd take a Mini over an iPad 3. I would, in a heartbeat (and probably will next year, for 'testing') and I love the Retina displays, I just don't think you miss it that much with the iPad Mini unless you're reading, you have excellent eyesight and you hold it really close.

I know some people will inevitable go "you can SEE the pixels, right there, there's a pixel", and that's fine for them. But it's a bit like audiophile headphones, one person can pick up an extra set of dulcet tones but for that guy over there? He doesn't care too much, he likes the other one that's technically not as good but suits him more.

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#16
My iPad Mini arrived last weekend and I love it. He's absolutely right about the size and weight being the killer feature. Since I haven't used a retina display for long periods of time, I don't even notice the lower quality of the screen. I'll probably get a larger one at some point but I'm satisfied with my choice to start with the Mini.

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#17
On every single flight I take, the main reason why everyone loves my iPad Mini is because it is a Nexus 7.

Edit: People ask: "is that the mini?". I avoid being a jerk about it and just say "It's the google one. One of the Nexus products. The mini wasn't out when I bought this but I really like it. etc etc"

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#18
post #10

Some good points. I wouldn't call Retina displays disruptive. I wonder if we'll even see a Retina mini next year.

For some reason, I'm not as enamored or impressed with the whole Retina-thing as everyone else. Even when I bought a new 15" MBPro a couple months ago, I went with the standard screen (though I do use my laptop plugged into external monitor 75% of the time). Sure, the Retina is nice, and I'll appreciate it when it's the default standard in a few years, but I don't look at it and think "WOAH, THIS IS AMAZING, I NEED T…

I find it more like HDTV.

I wasn't unhappy with standard definition, but I ended up watching more and more HD over time.

Now, when I watch SD, I notice it - not enough to put me off, but enough that it's ever-so slightly annoying.

Re: Why everyone loves the iPad mini (even though the screen sucks)

#20
post #10

Some good points. I wouldn't call Retina displays disruptive. I wonder if we'll even see a Retina mini next year.

For some reason, I'm not as enamored or impressed with the whole Retina-thing as everyone else. Even when I bought a new 15" MBPro a couple months ago, I went with the standard screen (though I do use my laptop plugged into external monitor 75% of the time). Sure, the Retina is nice, and I'll appreciate it when it's the default standard in a few years, but I don't look at it and think "WOAH, THIS IS AMAZING, I NEED T…

I'm the same. The difference on the iPhone seemed significant, but when I see it on a laptop it really isn't (probably because the pixel density is different- 'retina' is a deliberately vague term). I'm currently choosing between a 13" Retina or a 13" Air for my next purchase, and I'm leaning towards the Air. The Retina just isn't that big a factor.
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