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[myownalias]

The New, New iPad(4) & iPad Mini, is it a worthwhile upgrade?

With the imminent release of the iPad Mini and iPad 4 (The New, New iPad); I have to ask the question; what’s the point other than to fleece iSheep or another $500; or $330 for the iPad Mini?

I am justified in believing that Apple are simply cashing in; the iPad 4 has a faster processor, a 1.2Mp HD front facing camera and it gets the new “Lightning Dock”; everything else is the same. In the real world; the new features are not worth $500 for the base 16GB Wi-Fi model! But I am sure that many iSheep will rush out to their local Apple store to purchase Apple’s latest and greatest.

The questions you have to ask yourself is; do I really need 720p HD video to talk to my friends on Skype? Do I notice any slowdown on my current “New iPad”? And finally, do I want to give Apple even more money by purchasing the Lightning Dock adapter so I can use my existing accessories?

The only possible reason to upgrade from the 3rd generation iPad is for the 4G LTE data access incorporated into iPad 4 should you wish to spend an additional $130 for the 16GB cellular version.

I’m not going to say “don’t buy it”; but please be informed about what you’re buying and whether you actually need it! I personally wouldn’t buy it if I had just spent a minimum of $500 on The New iPad (3rd generation) less than seven months ago, the upgrade is too small to spend another $500!

Moving onto the iPad Mini, with a screen size of 7.9 inches, it falls between the swath of Android 7.0 and 10.1 inch tablets, but If you own a full sized iPad, is it worth spending out $330 on a slightly smaller version? If it was 7 inches, I could understand as there would be a big enough difference between the 9.7 inch display of the iPad and that of the iPad Mini, which is a shrunken iPad2.

I do own an iPad2 and I am happy with it; I saw no need to upgrade to “The New iPad” (3rd generation), and the same is true for the iPad 4; and I certainly don’t see the point in downgrading to the iPad Mini, spending $330 on an iPad Mini really makes no sense for iPad 2 owners.

The above is what I wrote on my blog; I know there are some Apple fans on this here forum, I'd be interested to hear their views and the views of non Apple fans/owners as well. This is not an Apple bashing thread, I'm just interested; obviously my feelings are outlined above!

[Jabberwocky]

the iPad Mini I just took to be the Apple answer to the Samsung Note 2

[myownalias]

the iPad Mini I just took to be the Apple answer to the Samsung Note 2

I don't see how as the technology is well behind the Note II and it doesn't have a stylus, I'd suggest they are going after the Galaxy Tab 8.9, 7.9 inches fall directly between the Tab 8.9 and the Google Nexus 7.

[What's Burning?]

I've been using the Samsung Note II it's a really solid device. A ton of bugs when I first got it but the build is very stable and it's the perfect size of browser heavy users. I use a headset always so the size isn't an issue bringing it up to my ear. The battery is 3100 Mah so it lasts foooorever!

Highly recommended.

[What's Burning?]

the problem MOA is that you get one shot at revolutionary and then lost of shots at evolutionary. I've had the iPad 2 for a year now and for what I use it, it's still just as functional as the iPad 3, which is still just as functional as the iPad 4. A lot of this is geared to people who are upgrading because after all if you just spent 500 bucks seven months ago, you're not going to go out and do it again.

But...

iOS devices hold their value better than anything else, so someone can dump their iPad 3 and recoup 2/3 to 3/4 of their purchase price, so why not. You obviously won't do it. I wouldn't either, but a lot of people would and do. Some people just like the latest and greatest. But the shelf life of greatest and greatest in today's market is very, very short. 6 to 9 months and you're done. ...NEXT.

[myownalias]

I think any high end smartphone/tablet holds its value well if kept in good condition; I have seen Galaxy SII's (unlocked) going for $400 used on eBay. It doesn't make sense to me to upgrade and sell your old device, even with a 70% return; but yes, people will pay for the latest and greatest for the bragging rights, e.g. more money than sense, I don't, learn that the hard way, paying £400 for a graphics card which could be bought for half that price six weeks later, since then I always buy a generation behind to get more bang for my buck. My issue is that the upgrade is so small from "The New iPad" that it's hard to justify spending a minimum of $500; and all your existing accessories will be useless until you buy an adapter for the new lightning dock!