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Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence

(www.apple.com)
264 points diwank | 8 comments | 15 Oct 24 14:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.196s | source | bottom
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metadat ◴[15 Oct 24 22:07 UTC] No.41853604[source]▶
Why is the bezel so thick? A 1-2cm bezel around the entire "mini" device seems a bit odd, given that the iPad Mini is a relatively tiny device and phones these days come with a 1-2mm bezel (10x less useless border).

Is it a cost saving measure / sneaky margin increaser, or what might be the motivation?

Edit:

Touch interference is a good idea. Still, from the picture, it looks like the bezel could be half as thick and work well. Sorry to be such a stickler, I am genuinely curious if Apple is chasing better margins, the best feasible UX, or something else.

Could it be that since this device is only $650 USD, it isn't expensive enough to warrant a premium display? (Like the iPhone SE https://www.apple.com/iphone-se/)

If so, I wish there was a fancier "Pro" model with premium components. IIRC, I paid $1000 for my first iPad, it was the first super high-resolution one back in 2012. Perhaps there aren't enough customers who are sensitive to wasted screen real estate on an 8-inch device.. and FWIW I have noticed a constant stream of toddlers pacified by iPad Minis whenever I'm at Costco.

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1. simjnd ◴[16 Oct 24 04:39 UTC] No.41855655[source]▶
The iPad mini is a second-class product in Apple's lineup. It rarely gets updated, and if you use one you will see how poorly UI is scaled. I was really hyped up and really wanted one, but after using one I gave up on the idea. The 60 Hz LCD screen is also among the worst screen of all the products Apple currently sells.
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2. skybrian ◴[16 Oct 24 06:35 UTC] No.41856200[source]▶
Wow, so negative! I use mine heavily, including right now. Mostly with Chrome and Google apps, though, along with Kindle. Also, Genshin Impact to play games with the kid.

Best tablet I’ve owned. Genshin Impact uses a huge amount of space, though.

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3. Temporary_31337 ◴[16 Oct 24 07:05 UTC] No.41856346[source]▶
Why don’t you want to use a bigger iPad? I play, read graphic novels and watch videos on the larger iPad as more screen estate is better.
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4. 2024user ◴[16 Oct 24 07:17 UTC] No.41856414[source]▶
I have an iPad mini and it's pretty much perfect as it is for my use case. I use it as a device I can pick up and watch videos while on the go or doing an activity (cooking etc.), show videos to my kid and as a device I can travel with.

The only complaint I have with it is that it only supports one profile but I think that applies to all ipads

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5. arghwhat ◴[16 Oct 24 07:23 UTC] No.41856450{3}[source]▶
Why don’t you want to use a bigger screen? I play and watch videos on a 75” TV as more screen estate is better.

Bigger is not always better, but it’s almost always costlier and less convenient.

6. torginus ◴[16 Oct 24 07:23 UTC] No.41856461[source]▶
that's a pity. I had a regular iPad, I used it for document browsing and regular reading. I eventually gave up on it because it was just too big and too heavy and required two hands to hold it.

I really wanted something that'more Kindle-sized, which the iPad mini seems to be, which is the perfect form factor for one handed usability.

7. gwervc ◴[16 Oct 24 07:32 UTC] No.41856507[source]▶
I'm at my second iPad mini, and finally bought a new Apple Pencil. I'm still angry about the pencil battery not being replaceable, and the iPad is the device I use the least among laptop and phone, but there's something really nice about the mini form factor.

My single use case is reading research papers. I also do that on pc but the ipad mini is great to take a paper and read it entirely without distractions and with the ability to take handwritten notes. That was a nice combo with the lab couch when I was in PhD. Also the fact it can be held in one hand, especially nice when presenting or walking.

8. skybrian ◴[16 Oct 24 07:56 UTC] No.41856661{3}[source]▶
My wife has one and it seems too big and heavy for most things I do. Good for sheet music, though.