Comments on: Apple’s 7.85-inch ‘iPad mini’ may start at just $249

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:27:32 +0000

Agreed! Maybe they will push iCloud as a solution to that limitation.

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:24:26 +0000

Okay got you. You may be right, we will see.

Interesting they just got rid of their third form factor in laptops with the 17″ MB Pro. Yet have gained 3 in the iPad space (iPad, iPad Mini, Touch).

By: kingmel

kingmel — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:55:21 +0000

Hopefully Apple learned its lesson from the old days when it put only 512KB or 1GB of DRAM in its computers (filling all available slots). With modern Apple mobile devices, you cannot even add more memory, so it would be a crime to start people out with too little.

An 8GB version would not be wise. It is easy to fill up 32GB, as my wife just found out when taking videos at my daughter’s swim meet last weekend. One-quarter of that space would be overly limiting. If the Mac mini is primarily intended to be a content consumption device, then it had better start with *at least* 16GB. I would prefer 32GB as the new memory floor for next-generation Apple iOS devices, but that is likely expecting too much. Apple makes a lot of profit on the 32GB and 64GB versions of iOS devices.

By: ecrabb

ecrabb — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:38:28 +0000

You missed my point. I wasn’t comparing the MacBook Air to competitors; I was comparing it to the MacBook Pro.

Your notion was that nobody would purchase an iPod touch any longer because the larger-screen iPad mini would be a no-brainer. Using the same logic, nobody would ever buy a 13″ MacBook Air for $1200 when for the same or a few hundred more, they could get a “better” MacBook Pro. But, just as in the iPod touch/iPad mini example, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers have different design goals and therefore mostly different buyers with differing priorities.

My point is that people will pay more for what is seemingly less (smaller screen) to get something else (portability).

We’ll see…

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:18:53 +0000

Or the iPad. Apple has proven people will pay a premium for a quality product. The only reason this product exists (probably against Jobs wishes) is to compete with lower cost e-readers. The iPad already exists. Either the iPad mini will be heavily gimped (maybe less powerful then the Touch) but excellent for ebooks and video content to meet that price point or in a weird middle ground that does not make much sense.

By: ecrabb

ecrabb — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:08:09 +0000

By your logic, nobody would ever have any reason to pay the premium to buy a MacBook Air. Think about it: People have different priorities and different applications for their toys and tools. The iPad mini will not cannibalize iPod touch sales as much as you think.

By: ecrabb

ecrabb — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:06:11 +0000

I don’t think the iPad mini will necessarily impact iPod touch sales as much as you think. They’re two significantly different products. The iPod touch is “pocketable”, so you can run, cycle, hike, trail climb, etc. with it. The iPad mini will be more portable than the iPad, but you still can’t throw it in a jeans, coat, or vest pocket the way you can a touch.

By: Orlando Thunder

Orlando Thunder — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:29:48 +0000

8GB for an iPad Mini, that will probably aimed for textbooks and books, may be too little space. Those textbooks they were showing up with rich features were coming in close to 1gb each.

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:13:16 +0000

8 GB for a content delivery device? The touch does not even go in that territory. The new Kindle Fire with 16 GB at $199 easily will garner that market if that is Apple’s plan. You see a different market but I still see the Mini cannibalizing touch sales. They essentially do the exact same thing only the consumer will want the bigger screen for a similar price. In this case Apple need to match the competitions price point. I not sure that will happen since they commited to the new gen touch this year, with a higher price then the Fire HD.

By: currentinterest

currentinterest — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:00:00 +0000

The iPad mini at 8 GB for $249 will not conflict with the iPod touch pricing. I see two very different markets. Few read books, or watch (with an regularity) movies on an iPod touch. Most still use it primarily for music and games. The iPad mini will have a book and video focus. Further, a 16 GB iPod touch can be had for $199, and a 32 GB for $299. With a starting point of $249 for an 8 GB version, the 16 GB version of the iPad mini will be at least $299 and more likely $329 of $349. The lines are clearly differentiated by focus and price.

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:53:35 +0000

Oh the new touch starts at 32 GB. Still it’s will be a weird overlap on these 2 products. The Mini will kill sales of the touch.

By: botvinnik

botvinnik — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:51:07 +0000

heh.

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:49:42 +0000

iPod Touch starts at $299. Are you suggesting the will drop the price of a one month old product? They will have to issue refunds to all that have bought it. Does not seem likely.

By: offstonypoint

offstonypoint — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:47:03 +0000

Agreed that should be the price to make an impact, but they just released the iPod touch starting at $299. Either the leave the touch to die or the Mini will be priced at a point that will not steal sales from Kindle Fire users ($349 and up).

By: GM

GM — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:50:57 +0000

Precisely my point. Obviously they can, but will they? Will they sacrifice margins to gain market share? Of course, everybody understands that. We’ll see soon.

By: Orlando Thunder

Orlando Thunder — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:47:54 +0000

I know a few people have mentioned pricing bumping up against the iPod Touch… here’s how I envision this being worked out:

iPod Touch (4th gen, 16gb) $199
iPad Mini (16gb) $249
iPod Touch (5th gen, 32gb) $299
iPad Mini (32gb) $349
iPod Touch (5th gen, 64gb) $399
iPad Mini (64gb) $449

There… problem solved!

By: correctu

correctu — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:38:43 +0000

+1 … agreed with the $199 BOOM part.

By: silverhawk1

silverhawk1 — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:37:22 +0000

You could always buy a small memory iPad mini or whatever. You’ve already got your music on your Mac and your iPhone.

By: mossman

mossman — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:34:48 +0000

Of course Apple “can” do that, they have enough billions to absorb a smaller margin (heck, they could give away every single mini they make for the next year and barely blink). The question is will/would they. Historically, as we all know, they haven’t cared about market share per se. But in this market segment Apple is playing catch-up, assuming they’re not releasing anything radically different from the current iPad and touch.

By: Coal Cracker

Coal Cracker — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:30:30 +0000

iPad Nano?

By: AquaBoy4ever

AquaBoy4ever — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:25:57 +0000

You nailed it!

By: rdiddly

rdiddly — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:23:04 +0000

Here’s a question for other MDN readers/posters. I bought the first Amazon Kindle e-reader. I sold it when the iPad was first released because I found the UI on the Kindle to be incredibly confusing and obtuse. I like to read and I have no issues with reading on the 3rd gen iPad unless I’m outdoors, which I try to be as often as I can. The iPad sucks outdoors. The new Kindle Paperwhite looks like a device that could make all other e-readers obsolete IMHO. Has anyone here anything to say from hands-on experience about the Paperwhite? I don’t think I could live without my iPad, but I am not convinced that it’s the greatest e-reader. That having been said, I have quite a few books that I’ve bought from the iBookstore in anticipation of being able to read them on the iPad, so I will need to read them there or buy them again for the Paperwhite. I find myself wondering if Apple might address the shortcomings (in my mind) of the iPad as an e-reader. Anyone have any thoughts? I am not enamored of the idea of buying all of my books from Amazon, as I already buy enough stuff from them and I like giving some of my money to Apple. Quite a quandary, huh? I feel like the 3 members of the panel on the SNL skit when confronted by the Chinese factory workers.

By: Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:18:14 +0000

NewsFLASH! Breaking News!

A fairy told Faux Newz that the New Apple iPad mini will be made by leprechauns at a special LEED Platinum certified factory on Atlantis and will be delivered to pre-order customers by Unicorns with logistics co-cordinated by a special contract with Santa Claus.

The fairy also said the reason Apple has stealthily rescheduled and repeatedly said nothing about said iPad mini is because they are so damn good at keeping secrets.

By: GM

GM — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:09:53 +0000

Oh boy! $249 is what I was hoping for. But not certain that Apple can do that. If they can release an iPad mini for $249 they will kick some serious ass! The competition will be singing the blues.

By: I love Apple

I love Apple — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:09:50 +0000

$249 for the 8 GB version is just good, but not exiting.
$349 for the 16 GB version would be ridiculous.
$100 fo just 8 GB more would really be a joke.
Tim, don’t do this!

Hopefully they will really update the iBooks Author. It was a great 1.0 release, but then nothing happened until now. Will iBooks Author be the new Pages 09?

By: althegeo

althegeo — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:04:09 +0000

My niece will be buying one for her 3 year old. It’s the only way she can get her iPad back.

By: ob1spyker

ob1spyker — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:00:32 +0000

$249 is the highest that Apple can really go on a device of this nature and still deliver a devestating blow to the 7inch tablet space. At $299 or higher the premium over a Kindle HD or the Nexus 7 would be too much of a barrier to make the mini a “no-brainer.” Many would probably still make the mini their choice but not enough for it to create the iPod effect in the tablet space that Apple would be looking for. $249 is a good price for Apple since it puts the product at a slight price premium that gives it the appearance of being an overall superior device, but doesn’t put it out of range for an impulse purchase or holiday gift. At $249 I can get both my kids one for Christmas. At $299 I cannot.

Of course if by some miracle the mini debuts at $199, then …. BOOM!!!!!!!!!

By: ithelpskeepthedoctoraway

ithelpskeepthedoctoraway — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:38:55 +0000

I think this could be a very important product for Apple as it could fill that gap between a full blown iPad and a Touch.

Age-wise, it could attract 10 yr olds upwards (or even younger!) as a realistic offer for their parents to buy and could indeed be THE device that schools take on board. With the popularity of education sites, such as Khan Academy, this product may well sell in their hundreds of millions.

It could also attract adults who don’t want the larger (and heavier) iPad but rather a more discreet device they can carry around and read books / watch a movie in the car/train/plane etc.

It could also be the product that takes the Apple share price into the $800 – $1,000 region.

Much will depend on the price and the features on the device.

By: alanaudio

alanaudio — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:20:45 +0000

I’d be very surprised if anybody outside of Apple truly knows the selling prices at this stage, but if the rumours say $249 and the actual price turns out to be higher, that will be another excuse to mark down the stock price.

However, pricing will be critical and if Apple actually do sell a mini iPad at that price, then that will pretty well bury the competition. Only Apple has the experience, know how, supply chain and distribution channel to produce a quality product at that sort of price and get them in volume onto the shelves so rapidly.

By: Currentinterest

Currentinterest — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:08:43 +0000

This will likely be for the 8 GB model. The 16 GB model will be $349, 32 GB $449, and the 64 GB version $549 for the WiFi only versions. The anchor price will seem low, but the margin will be made on the larger capacity versions. Expect competitors to offer more capacity at lower prices, but the public won’t care, the $249 base price is all that is important.

By: peterblood71

peterblood71 — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:07:01 +0000

Competition is such a great thing, isn’t it? (At least for Apple it is.)