It was a beautiful theater, it was an exciting event, and Apple delivered some fantastic products.. but after the excitement died down, I cannot but feel let down. The 13-inch retina display MacBook is fantastic, my desk will soon be graced with one of those awe inspiring iMacs, but in retrospect, that iPad Mini is just plain…meh.
http://youtu.be/yFOecRwuOfo&w=640&h=385
When rumors started flying about Apple introducing an iPad Mini, I was the first one to jump up and give a HELL NO, Steve would roll over in his grave.. and I think he’s spinning like a top after that event.
With the Mini, Apple has become a follower, they joined the masses of cheap small tablets, a grey area that simply doesn’t need to exists between a smart phone and proper tablet. Beyond entering an unnecessary niche, it also did it every wrong way it could. It could have done two things to take on the competition, it could have matched them on price and delivered a superior product, or it could have matched specs and charged the Apple premium for quality.. a premium I’m always willing to pay for because of that quality. But with the iPad Mini, it’s $170 more then it’s nearest market competitor, and…well.. it get’s trounced in specs! This is NOT the Apple we know and love, something I’ve been concerned about since the death of Steve Jobs.
As an Apple Specialist I’ve been asked by plenty of people if they think they should get one, and I have to say NO. Beyond the lack luster specs and inflated price, the repair costs are going to be rather high. The glass and LCD are one unit, and even though this is the future, it’s going to be another factor to consider when buying a device intended for high mobility.
Another thing, they mentioned that tablet interfaces on the Android platform are largely stretched out smartphone interfaces, and that’s true, but what do you think developers are going to do to their app interfaces to accommodate the iPad Mini? Just additional headache for developers, an headache started by the Android market and it’s bajillion different screen sizes!
On a positive note however, it is still an Apple product and is built to Apple standards, meaning it’s a beautiful machine compared to the cheap plastic products produced by Google and Amazon. Does this make it worth the $170 premium? No.. especially when another $70 will get you a REAL iPad!
Sorry Apple, I’m disappointed. Tim, do your previous leader proud, lead, don’t follow, and for god sakes get Jonathan Ive on the OS Design Team!!!
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