• Report: Apple to Launch Affordable Line of iPad Minis in Late 2012

    by
    Michael Essany
    Published on 2012-04-16 08:58 PM
    26 Comments Comments


    It's the story that refuses to go away. Why? Perhaps because there is more truth behind the speculation than many would like to admit.

    The latest report out of China indicates that Apple will, indeed, take on the smaller, more affordable tablet market (the one seeing stellar competition form the likes of Amazon's Kindle Fire) by introducing a smaller-framed iPad for under $300 later this year.

    Knowledgeable sources speaking with NetEase concur, saying that Apple may build as many as 6 million so-called iPad Minis before 2012 draws to a close. According to Kotaku, which picked up on the initial report, NetEase claimed that "the device will be released around the third quarter of this year to 'counter attack' the upcoming Windows tablets."

    At most, the new, smaller iPad would be priced at $299. At the lowest, you would likely be paying $249. Although higher prices haven't curtailed Apple's record growth and corresponding sales in recent years, there are huge opportunities in emerging markets that Apple will only be able to exploit through lower-priced offerings. And, at the end of the day, that may provide enough impetus for Apple to finally launch the still mythical but often rumored Pad Mini.

    Source: Kotaku
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Report: Apple to Launch Affordable Line of iPad Minis in Late 2012 started by Michael Essany View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPad,
    3. Apple
    Comments 26 Comments
    1. SPLucas26's Avatar
      SPLucas26 - 2012-04-16, 09:14 PM
      An iPad mini... you mean like an iPod Touch?
    1. mustard05's Avatar
      mustard05 - 2012-04-16, 09:20 PM
      Dont see it happening. They are killing the market with the current product and price point.
    1. sirbebe's Avatar
      sirbebe - 2012-04-16, 09:41 PM
      They are killing the market but to dominate they first have to extend the olive branch the consumer that can't afford the 6 or 700. With that being said apple is trying To get more into Schools and jobs so a smaller and more cost efficient pad would be ideal.
    1. Greatbiguns's Avatar
      Greatbiguns - 2012-04-16, 09:48 PM
      Instead of a smaller iPad, How about a Larger iPhone? Please

      <a href="http://s1084.photobucket.com/albums/j405/Greatbiguns/iPhone%204%20Pictures%20from%20iKustomize%20dot%20 com/?action=view&amp;current=iPadPhonePhoto.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j405/Greatbiguns/iPhone%204%20Pictures%20from%20iKustomize%20dot%20 com/iPadPhonePhoto.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

    1. teej1410's Avatar
      teej1410 - 2012-04-16, 09:52 PM
      Since they'll be making an iPad mini, will they make an iPod XL?
    1. cpotoso's Avatar
      cpotoso - 2012-04-16, 10:00 PM
      A smaller ipad for $200-300 would be a killer! I would certainly buy one for my son (his eyesight is good and his hands are smaller too, so no problems with the size). At that price point, and with the extended library of apps I already have for the ipad, I'd even consider having one extra ipad for myself, to just have in the gymbag...
    1. skizo's Avatar
      skizo - 2012-04-16, 10:05 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mustard05 View Post
      Dont see it happening. They are killing the market with the current product and price point.
      ^This.
    1. Zokunei's Avatar
      Zokunei - 2012-04-16, 10:44 PM
      I wasn't even exaggerating when I said they report this every month.
    1. RICO_'s Avatar
      RICO_ - 2012-04-16, 11:00 PM
      Gotta love how $299.99 is considered to be "under $300".
    1. mustard05's Avatar
      mustard05 - 2012-04-16, 11:18 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by sirbebe View Post
      They are killing the market but to dominate they first have to extend the olive branch the consumer that can't afford the 6 or 700. With that being said apple is trying To get more into Schools and jobs so a smaller and more cost efficient pad would be ideal.
      Hence, the I pad 2 is now 399. If 399 is to much for an individual looking for a tablet, they prob shouldn't be looking at tablets.

      Quote Originally Posted by cpotoso View Post
      A smaller ipad for $200-300 would be a killer! I would certainly buy one for my son (his eyesight is good and his hands are smaller too, so no problems with the size). At that price point, and with the extended library of apps I already have for the ipad, I'd even consider having one extra ipad for myself, to just have in the gymbag...
      What your looking for is called an iPod. It's is already priced at 199.99 and it will fit in any childs hands perfectly.

      Why on earth would Apple commit iPod sale suicide and make a mini iPad? This Rumor is for dreamers who don't want what options that are already available to them. If the consumer had there way, every company would go broke quickly. If you want something cheaper, don't buy an iPad.
    1. fleurya's Avatar
      fleurya - 2012-04-16, 11:35 PM
      I'm still waiting for the strongly-rumored iPhone Mini.

      I don't know if this will happen, but it would be a good move for Apple to launch a smaller, cheaper iPad. Especially if they want to make serious inroads into education. They could do a retail Mini iPad for $300 and an education version that's a little more stripped-down for $200-250.
    1. milenion's Avatar
      milenion - 2012-04-16, 11:56 PM
      Yea hard to see the price for this to be under 300. The ipod touch 32 gig is that price
    1. scroogelives's Avatar
      scroogelives - 2012-04-17, 12:09 AM
      The cut price version is the iPad 2!!! Like the cheap iPhone is the iPhone 3GS also u can get the basic iPad 2 for under £300 in the uk now
    1. Jsouthernindiana's Avatar
      Jsouthernindiana - 2012-04-17, 12:19 AM
      Besides the price there a bunch of people that like the 7 in tablet. My 2 year old cant carry and get around with the iPad as well as the kindle fire. I also prefer it when on the go since the iPhone is only a 3.5 in. I would shelf my kindle for good prolly if a iPad mini came out.
    1. foolish813's Avatar
      foolish813 - 2012-04-17, 12:43 AM
      iPad Tou'che!
    1. c0dy's Avatar
      c0dy - 2012-04-17, 01:25 AM
      When was the last time Apple made a product for the "affordable" market? That's not their business. They have stuck their ground throughout the PC generation, and I don't think that will change come the handheld generation.
    1. cpotoso's Avatar
      cpotoso - 2012-04-17, 01:32 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by mustard05 View Post
      Hence, the I pad 2 is now 399. If 399 is to much for an individual looking for a tablet, they prob shouldn't be looking at tablets.

      What your looking for is called an iPod. It's is already priced at 199.99 and it will fit in any childs hands perfectly.

      Wow, woke up a bit judgmental today? What I do or fail to do with my money is really none of your business. $399 is too much for a device for my son, yes, $200 is not. That is MY judgement to make, not yours. Same goes for a device to be abused in my gym bag.

      As for the ipod: we've already got one and 2 iphones. Screen is too small other than to do some VERY BASIC gaming, browsing, emailing or apps. A screen the size of the nook tablet or kindle fire on the other hand is a decent size.

      I say there is a definite market for an ipad mini, but apple may not see it. Your opinion, on the other hand is pretty worthless.
    1. mustard05's Avatar
      mustard05 - 2012-04-17, 03:22 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by cpotoso View Post
      Wow, woke up a bit judgmental today? What I do or fail to do with my money is really none of your business. $399 is too much for a device for my son, yes, $200 is not. That is MY judgement to make, not yours. Same goes for a device to be abused in my gym bag.

      As for the ipod: we've already got one and 2 iphones. Screen is too small other than to do some VERY BASIC gaming, browsing, emailing or apps. A screen the size of the nook tablet or kindle fire on the other hand is a decent size.

      I say there is a definite market for an ipad mini, but apple may not see it. Your opinion, on the other hand is pretty worthless.
      First, I care less what you do with your money!

      Second, if the device is for a 2 year old, will the child really care about screen size??? I mean please!

      Third, who cares if you say there is a market for a smaller iPad!!!! Obviously Apple feels differently because there isn't now, nor will there ever probably be a smaller iPad. From a Buisness standpoint, it wouldn't make sence for them to cannobolize there own product sales just to compete with the smaller e readers when they are already beating them.

      Lastly, I'm not judgmental at all. You obviously took my OP the wrong way.
    1. PoEtikly's Avatar
      PoEtikly - 2012-04-17, 03:40 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by c0dy View Post
      When was the last time Apple made a product for the "affordable" market? That's not their business. They have stuck their ground throughout the PC generation, and I don't think that will change come the handheld generation.
      Just because they haven't doesn't mean they won't. IF they want to "dominate" the market then bringing an iPad mini to the table is a very intelligent and resourceful idea. I'd pick one up for my 5 year old to play his little learning games, read his story books, and watch his favorite cartoons while we are on the go. I also think that it'll be a great idea for education purposes as well. I can see an iPad mini being a huge success. To those who want a bigger tablet you still have the full size iPads and if you want something smaller then you grab iPod touch. It's not like apple is going to launch an iPad mini and take away the other devices. Either you buy it or don't.
    1. quidam_brujah's Avatar
      quidam_brujah - 2012-04-17, 03:45 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by mustard05 View Post
      Hence, the I pad 2 is now 399. If 399 is to much for an individual looking for a tablet, they prob shouldn't be looking at tablets.



      What your looking for is called an iPod. It's is already priced at 199.99 and it will fit in any childs hands perfectly.
      Insert Simpson's Nelson laugh "Ha! Ha!"

      Quote Originally Posted by mustard05 View Post
      First, I care less what you do with your money!

      Second, if the device is for a 2 year old, will the child really care about screen size??? I mean please!

      Third, who cares if you say there is a market for a smaller iPad!!!! Obviously Apple feels differently because there isn't now, nor will there ever probably be a smaller iPad. From a Buisness standpoint, it wouldn't make sence for them to cannobolize there own product sales just to compete with the smaller e readers when they are already beating them.

      Lastly, I'm not judgmental at all. You obviously took my OP the wrong way.
      I thought 2 was the avg age of. FoxConn assembler... They need tiny hands and excellent dexterity.

      Cannibalizing is for HP or Dell when they come out with a multitude of close ranged models. Look at the breadth of Apple products. They don't. They produce a few sizes of of products for different areas and let the consumer adapt. Their model seems to be working so far. And if you can drop money on a new iPad with every new release, or can afford multiple sizes, you can afford to buy a new one and hand-down your 'old' one. I skipped the 2 and went wi the new one and gave my daughter my iPad 1: by the time I was ready for a new one, she was mature/responsible enough for her own and if it does break, I wouldn't cry about it as much as I would a new one.
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