11-16-2013, 03:03 AM
Lew Zealand wrote:
So last year's Mini specs should have been Retina display and the A7 chip? That's really stretching an already hyperbolic ("cynical money grab") post.
Hyperbolic? You want less device for more money? What consumer wants to pay more for less? High end processor from last year, obviously not the A7 per se. The specs should have been better on the original mini. Better screen, higher end chipset.
Apple's market share in tablets since the iPad 4 and iPad mini release have only trended downwards. This years updates are probably the first significant update since the iPad 2. The iPad 3 was pretty cool, but was heavier, thicker, and not any faster. Nice screen, so-so everything else, and had the distinction of shortest iOS device life cycle to date. I bought one. Likely my last iOS device since it was a bit underwhelming, which coupled with my underwhelming iPod touch 2nd gen, I'm feeling a little burnt on iOS devices. Even still, why let my personal needs/desires color my opinion. The mini seems compelling, the Air not as much to me. With the devices being so close, I would likely bank the $100 and go with the mini retina.