The Imac photos are a little misleading, in that they show the best possible angle... It's only that thin at the outside edge, the center is quite thicker, but that makes sense, you have to put the hard drive somewhere... I wish they'd release a new Mac pro now, my 2006 model is still pretty good but getting antiquated !

The ipad mini is a little overpriced, I agree, especially compared to the new Ipad with much faster processor. That one runs the old Ipad2 chip I think... I was gonna buy one and use it instead of my Iphone, but I'll wait till v2 with a faster chip..

See how that is being held...

Years ago I said that was the optimal tablet size, just for that reason. People called me an ihater. (funny)

I also didn't like the Etch-a-sketch sized bezel of the original ipad - again nice work on the mini.


Now, about that ridiculous screen glare...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1351019207.jpg

For handheld I have my iPhone. For use on the couch, in bed, and in the kitchen, I have been extremely happy with the size of my iPad 2. I watch a fair amount of Netflix on it and a smaller screen could be an issue.

However I will reserve full judgement on the mini until I have an opportunity for a hands on trial.

Yeah, I've had many tablet PCs, of various size, prior to Apple inventing the tablet cmptr.

I understand the usability/purpose of the larger screen (they have their place) but there is good reason (balance) why so many device providers are going with a 7-8_inch screen. --it really is a smart balance.

We do a fair amount of dev for tablets so I have a lot of different ones at work. The 16GB Google Nexus is $249 and that is "equivalent" (from a broad stroke) with the $329 Mac mini. I'll reserve final judgement for actually handling the the mini iPad, but from the photos and just knowing Apple's design/build it is no contest on that part. The Nexus feels ok but has plenty of plastic and it is thicker than it seems like it should be. With a cover it is about as thick as a Moleskin notebook. I tend to agree that $299 is the hot price point, but I think they are making a point on brand power and quality. That extra $30 bucks is, "yes, our stuff is that much better." If you watched the event they put it head to head against the Nexus so they really are targeting existing lines directly. Contrast that to when the first iPad came out and it was "new" (other than tablet PCs, which are a different beast). This is a market where the competition already plays. They broke new ground with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The mini is a different launch. We'll see how it plays out.

As for optimal size, for my needs the bigger one wins out but I have a specific set of tasks. The 7" is somewhat neither fish nor fowl, though it is nice for phone type apps that need a bit more real estate such as calendar and email. We're working with the Nexus 7" for app dev, and we'll have iPad minis when they come out to compare.

Apple is just continuing along with their strategy of being a premium product. The Mini pricing reflects that. There will always be budget Walmart shoppers, and there are plenty of cheap, plastic products for them to buy. That's not Apple's demographic. They want people who will buy into the entire product line. I can remember spending $10K on a Mac when you could buy a PC for $1,500. The Mac was still a better buy.

Along those lines, I'm surprised that the on contract price for the entry iPhone 5 is still $299, which is inline with everyone else. They could easily get a $100 price premium for it.

I want one that rolls up into a fountain pen

my MIL gave me some random Droid tablet..it sucks...sucks bad. i have had it for two days, and it locked up on me many many times. what it did do for us was to make us like the format.

i think i will look at the mini. i have a macbook..OLD!! it wont die. the big fat white one. i also have the last iMac. it has been flawless. my wife monopolizes both devices, leaving me to do my stuff on my phone...the mini thing will fit the bill.

They didn't hose anyone. New products come and go and they haven't removed any functionality from the existing products. The last generation iPad still does everything today that it did yesterday. The new one just does more. That is how this business works.

Some pundits are saying Apple was constrained in pricing it by the cost of their other devices - it couldn't be lots cheaper than the iPod line, for instance.

I can see the appeal of the Mini if you're using the device while in motion, as you can use it one-handed. However, I wish people wouldn't do that now. That cell-phone commercial with the kid in all the different places is a prime example - they want to show how he can use the phone anywhere in the country; what I see is a guy that's been all over the nation at the prime of his life, and spent the entire time staring the 3.5" screen in his hand. :rolleyes:

that Mini would make a good iTV? controller or gamer console ....