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Apple introduces iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence

(www.apple.com)
264 points diwank | 2 comments | 15 Oct 24 14:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.406s | source
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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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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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1. 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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2. 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.