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I prefer the Mini over the full-size iPad in every single regard other than display resolution So now even Gruber admits that the 7" form factor is better for

I prefer the Mini over the full-size iPad in every single regard other than display resolution So now even Gruber admits that the 7" form factor is better for most use cases. With the latest crop of Android 7" tablets providing a lot more bang for the buck than the Mini I think pretty soon we're going to stop calling it the "iPad" market.

arrrg 14y ago
Where did he ever say that he doesn’t?
- onetwothreefour 14y ago
  He didn't. Just the usual HN Gruber bashing.
ghshephard 14y ago
If we're going to call 9.7" iPad a 10" iPad, then it probably makes sense to call a 7.9" iPad an 8" iPad.
pattern 14y ago
I would guess a lot of the initial customers for the iPad Mini won't be too sensitive to the price difference between the iPad Mini and a comparable Android device. They may base their purchase decision on other factors such as aesthetics, or specific features, or app availability. Also, it looks like "tablet market" outstripped "ipad market" in late 2010[1]! [1]: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=ipad%20market,%20tablet%20market http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=ipad%20market,%20tabl...
danilocampos 14y ago
> So now even Gruber admits that the 7" form factor is better for most use cases. Except he doesn't. He says he prefers the iPad mini – as you quoted, there – whose screen is about eight inches, not seven. http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/ http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/ The strike against the sub-10" tablets has been that their aspect ratios have consistently been closer to 16:9, rather than the 4:3 of the iPad. In my usage of the Nexus 7, I found that meant I could only comfortably use the device in portrait – landscape was physically awkward and made all the software look goofy. Which meant I eventually went back to the iPad. 90% of my tablet usage seems to be landscape. The thing the iPad mini gets right is maintaining the broader aspect ratio while trimming down the size and weight of the iPad.
- hollerith 14y ago
  >90% of my tablet usage seems to be landscape. The narrower bezels, the ones on top and bottom when it is held in landscape, make the mini hard to hold (or prop on your stomach when reclining) in landscape.
  - danilocampos 14y ago
    Do you have access to a review unit? I ask because I find that unlikely with a smart cover. I use one with my iPad 3 and, with the smart cover rolled up, propping it up requires little more than my finger tips supporting the back edge.
  - lloeki 14y ago
    In landscape I hold my Nexus 7 by the sides though, so I found it not to be such a hindrance as I first thought. I suppose this will hold true for the iPad Mini.
baddox 14y ago
It's odd that you imply that Gruber is one of the last hold-outs, and his change of heart finally shows that 7" is better. I still prefer the 10" form factor, and while I never knew Gruber was my last celebrity proponent, I can't say I care.
- niels_olson 14y ago
  I prefer the 10" Retina because it beautifully renders scientific papers in their native PDF format, and with Papers 2, the IT of research verges on genuinely pleasant.

arrrg 14y ago

Where did he ever say that he doesn’t?

onetwothreefour 14y ago
He didn't. Just the usual HN Gruber bashing.

ghshephard 14y ago

If we're going to call 9.7" iPad a 10" iPad, then it probably makes sense to call a 7.9" iPad an 8" iPad.

pattern 14y ago

I would guess a lot of the initial customers for the iPad Mini won't be too sensitive to the price difference between the iPad Mini and a comparable Android device. They may base their purchase decision on other factors such as aesthetics, or specific features, or app availability. Also, it looks like "tablet market" outstripped "ipad market" in late 2010[1]! [1]: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=ipad%20market,%20tablet%20market http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=ipad%20market,%20tabl...

danilocampos 14y ago

> So now even Gruber admits that the 7" form factor is better for most use cases. Except he doesn't. He says he prefers the iPad mini – as you quoted, there – whose screen is about eight inches, not seven. http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/ http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/ The strike against the sub-10" tablets has been that their aspect ratios have consistently been closer to 16:9, rather than the 4:3 of the iPad. In my usage of the Nexus 7, I found that meant I could only comfortably use the device in portrait – landscape was physically awkward and made all the software look goofy. Which meant I eventually went back to the iPad. 90% of my tablet usage seems to be landscape. The thing the iPad mini gets right is maintaining the broader aspect ratio while trimming down the size and weight of the iPad.

hollerith 14y ago
>90% of my tablet usage seems to be landscape. The narrower bezels, the ones on top and bottom when it is held in landscape, make the mini hard to hold (or prop on your stomach when reclining) in landscape.
- danilocampos 14y ago
  Do you have access to a review unit? I ask because I find that unlikely with a smart cover. I use one with my iPad 3 and, with the smart cover rolled up, propping it up requires little more than my finger tips supporting the back edge.
- lloeki 14y ago
  In landscape I hold my Nexus 7 by the sides though, so I found it not to be such a hindrance as I first thought. I suppose this will hold true for the iPad Mini.

baddox 14y ago

It's odd that you imply that Gruber is one of the last hold-outs, and his change of heart finally shows that 7" is better. I still prefer the 10" form factor, and while I never knew Gruber was my last celebrity proponent, I can't say I care.

niels_olson 14y ago
I prefer the 10" Retina because it beautifully renders scientific papers in their native PDF format, and with Papers 2, the IT of research verges on genuinely pleasant.