7-Inch iPad Mini Not Likely – Analyst
iPad Mini - 7-incher
Apple has been rumored to have an iPad Mini in the works, which is reported to measure 7.85 inches diagonal.
But even as suppliers say that Apple’swork on its miniaturized iPad is underway, industry analysts are wary.
We earlier reported on Apple having started sourcing components for the reported iPad Mini, which should sit right between Apple’s iPhone and iPad product lines in terms of size.
But while designers have lauded the move, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, according to Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair. Blair cites Steve Jobs himself, who panned the very existence of 7-inch tablet computers.
Don’t expect a 7-incher. While we believe Apple has tested 7-inch screen prototypes for a year, we don’t currently expect the company to release anything in the 7-inch size in 2012.
Steve Jobs said the reason Apple doesn’t make a 7-inch tablet is because they ”think the screen is too small to express the software.” Apple wants to make the best user experience out of the tablet, and 7-inches is smaller than optimal.
Apple is likely to keep producing the iPad 2 even when the iPad 3 launches, in order to differentiate the markets. They could, for instance, sell the iPad 2 as an entry-level device in the $249 to $499 range, which is the same strategy that Apple does in selling the two-year old iPhone 3GS alongside the newer iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
We probably should not expect a smaller iPad, at least in 2012, but Apple is known to have changed its mind on some significant business plans in the past–think Intel.