More or Less

Early 2012 - The New iPad.

Le 3 million sold in first 3 days.

Late 2012 - Guess what? The newer iPad. 

Le millions of derps trolled.

Y U No wait for sometime before releasing new models Apple? I mean, what sense does it make to launch a new version of the iPad just 200 days after the 3rd generation was launched. Why was it necessary to suddenly update the iPad? The new iMac, the iPad Mini, Macbook etc were worthy enough of a 'Special Event'. Its like the iPhone 3GS and 4S all over again.....

Well, lets look at the specs of the 4th Generation iPad. The new slate packs in double the performance of the iPad 3rd Generation thanks to the A6X quad core processor. There's a 720p FaceTime camera n the front with the new image processor from the iPhone 5. It gets the new Lightening port which debuted with the iPhone (You dont say!). Pricing has been kept same as before to add more salt to the wounds of the 3rd gen iPad buyers.

Well, er...lets move on to the iPad Mini.

Widely rumoured and speculated as the main attraction of Tuesday's event, it was the star of yesterday's event which had the awesome new iMac too. The slightly more portable iPad most certainly looks like its 9.7-inch elder, but it's quite different once you get to hold it. Apple's pushing the smaller form factor as a boon for those who like reading on digital screens, further advancing its iBook and education initiative that took center stage at its January keynote in New York City.

The device is exactly as predicted, a slightly scaled down iPad with a back that resembles the new iPod touch. It's aluminum-clad, finely polished and equipped with a 7.9-inch LCD (same res as the 9.7 inch one!). The volume rocker, orientation / mute switch and bottom-mounted speakers are at the same places as on any other iDevice. There are no breakthrough hardware additions though, if you were expecting any that is.

The black iPad...looks good!

Clearly, Apple aimed the Mini at the education sector where one usually wouldnt care about these things. It excels though where required. Excellent fit and finish and much lighter than the big guy. It's still not "small," though. While a fully outstretched adult hand can generally grasp it without help from the other, you'll still want both for typing and using apps. It's still too big for your average pocket, and it's not going to save you a heck of a lot of room in your knapsack compared to the 9.7-incher.

Well, then whats great about the Mini then you ask? Bitch please, the price for one. At $329 I expect it would knock off any excuse anyone has ever had for buying an iPad. Also it should come under the budget of several public schools in the US. The second reason is that its the ideal device for an avid ebook reader.

At $299, the Mini would likely have broken all sales records, but that extra $30 may halt a few impulse buys that would've happened had the base price been below the $300 mark. Still, it's Apple, and it's a new iPad.

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