Why did Steve Jobs refuse to make an iPad Mini while he was at the helm of Apple?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why did Steve Jobs refuse to make an iPad Mini while he was at the helm of Apple? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:07:32 AM EDT

I've used every generation of iPad, and loved them all. Last week I bought the Mini, and I have to say, it is perfection. It's what the iPad should have been all along! I have it in a Targus case, and it is light, handy, ample screen room to read and type. If they added a micro SD slot it would be pretty much perfect. I am a little annoyed that the HDMI kit cost $49 too, but this is more of a discussion about the form factor and why Jobs resisted going smaller.

Which do you prefer, a fill size tablet in the 10 inch range, or a mini tablet in the 7 to 8 inch range like the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, etc?

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:11:42 AM EDT

[#1]

full sized, I like my pron where i can see it!

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:12:18 AM EDT

[#2]

Never used the mini.

I am guessing he wanted four very distinct product lines...phone, tablet, laptop, desktop.

I use my ipad around the house, and the current size is great. If I was a big city public transit commuter, I can see the attraction of a smaller tablet.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:14:27 AM EDT

[#3]

I have a Nexus 7 and love it. I use it mostly for reading via the Kindle app.

As to the question about why Jobs refused to make a Mini, he was simply wrong about whether there would be market demand for it. I know, it's hard to believe, but he was human.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:20:02 AM EDT

[#4]

Just a guess.

Hgher profit margin on the larger iPad due to not needing smaller components, and secondly that the mini would just move buyers from normal iPads to the mini.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:20:08 AM EDT

[#5]

I'm replying from my ipad mini. What do you think?

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:22:52 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

I'm replying from my ipad mini. What do you think?

Not sure... can you enlarge the type size?

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:30:14 AM EDT

[#7]

I have an IPad 3 and love it. A friend's wife got him an iPad mini for Christmas and I messed with it a little bit and I really liked it.

If I had the choice between the two, I would have gotten the mini if it had the retina display. If my 3rd gen ever becomes obsolete or wears out I will definitely get the smaller model.

Patrick

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:32:40 AM EDT

[#8]

I just you my smartphone

I got my kids a 7" tablet and it's awkward to type with.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:32:59 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
I have an IPad 3 and love it. A friend's wife got him an iPad mini for Christmas and I messed with it a little bit and I really liked it.

If I had the choice between the two, I would have gotten the mini if it had the retina display. If my 3rd gen ever becomes obsolete or wears out I will definitely get the smaller model.

Patrick

I haven't found the lack of retina display to be an issue. I'm sure the next version will have it.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:33:39 AM EDT

[#10]

I'll buy a mini when they add a retina display, as I prefer the mini's lighter weight and size. I'm not a fan of the current resolution.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:33:48 AM EDT

[#11]

Needs more 26" ipad, for maximum porn definition.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:36:40 AM EDT

[#12]

I have a 10" iPad 3 for the same reason I have a 30" monitor.

More resolution and a bigger screen means more data is displayed.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:38:21 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I've used every generation of iPad, and loved them all. Last week I bought the Mini, and I have to say, it is perfection. It's what the iPad should have been all along! I have it in a Targus case, and it is light, handy, ample screen room to read and type. If they added a micro SD slot it would be pretty much perfect. I am a little annoyed that the HDMI kit cost $49 too, but this is more of a discussion about the form factor and why Jobs resisted going smaller.

Which do you prefer, a fill size tablet in the 10 inch range, or a mini tablet in the 7 to 8 inch range like the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, etc?

I agree the Mini is almost the perfect size. I bought a Mini for my wife for Christmas but I'm going to stick with my full-size iPad for now; maybe next year's revision....

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:40:37 AM EDT

[#14]

Remember all the smart-assed internet know-it-alls who knocked the iPad idea from the beginning?

Apple was trying something that had never been successful before, and going up against a lot of conventional wisdom against its success. For all we know, having one standard set of dimensions factor actually helped defined the product better at first.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:40:44 AM EDT

[#15]

This is a screenshot I took of a photo in my album, which should give an idea of the resolution of the screen. I took a screenshot as the resolution of the photo is likely greater than what the screen can display, so you'll see the photo as I see it. Not bad considering its not retina.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:40:55 AM EDT

[#16]

iPad mini or iPod maxi, I'm not really sure what it's suppose to be. We have an iPad here at home and the wife loves it, however I'm not sure that the a smaller version really brings any advantage of that ease of carrying. Frankly, for a living room device or a travel companion I'd rather have the full size iPad, or my iPhone.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:41:42 AM EDT

[#17]

Ive played around with a mini, and I still prefer my full size iPad.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:44:57 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
iPad mini or iPod maxi, I'm not really sure what it's suppose to be. We have an iPad here at home and the wife loves it, however I'm not sure that the a smaller version really brings any advantage of that ease of carrying. Frankly, for a living room device or a travel companion I'd rather have the full size iPad, or my iPhone.

I can throw my Mini in a jacket pocket. I agree, for home use a full-sized might be preferable. Thought about keeping my full sized for home, but I'm so used to the Mini that I decided to sell the full sized on eBay.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:48:06 AM EDT

[#19]

I got a mini the week they came out, and wife bought one soon after. I think its really the perfect size, and it has the same pixel count of the full-size iPad2, so you're not really losing anything. Getting a tablet cause its half the weight of a full-size iPad sounds like first world problems, but it really makes a difference to hold onto with one hand.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:54:24 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I got a mini the week they came out, and wife bought one soon after. I think its really the perfect size, and it has the same pixel count of the full-size iPad2, so you're not really losing anything. Getting a tablet cause its half the weight of a full-size iPad sounds like first world problems, but it really makes a difference to hold onto with one hand.

Yes!

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:54:53 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
This is a screenshot I took of a photo in my album, which should give an idea of the resolution of the screen. I took a screenshot as the resolution of the photo is likely greater than what the screen can display, so you'll see the photo as I see it. Not bad considering its not retina.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c89/HiramRanger/2e68b4dd6e38a1f2322d293b9a531498_zpsf881555f.jpg

Looks same as my iPhone.

Posted from my iPhone.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:56:33 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is a screenshot I took of a photo in my album, which should give an idea of the resolution of the screen. I took a screenshot as the resolution of the photo is likely greater than what the screen can display, so you'll see the photo as I see it. Not bad considering its not retina.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c89/HiramRanger/2e68b4dd6e38a1f2322d293b9a531498_zpsf881555f.jpg

Looks same as my iPhone.

Posted from my iPhone.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:56:58 AM EDT

[#23]

The 7" tablets are the best size IMO.

Typing is better on the Android tablets due to Swype. I find typing on an iPad ridiculous (though I prefer a full-size keyboard anyways - I'm used to being able to type 120wpm+ so I feel clunky on a tablet regardless).

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:57:05 AM EDT

[#24]

He viewed the ipad mini as competing with themselves.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:57:31 AM EDT

[#25]

Even Tim Cook still thinks that a 7" tablet is stupid. That's why they made a 7.9" tablet.

Steve Jobs was against a bunch of stuff, like the App Store.

Posted: 12/29/2012 7:59:13 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
iPad mini or iPod maxi, I'm not really sure what it's suppose to be. We have an iPad here at home and the wife loves it, however I'm not sure that the a smaller version really brings any advantage of that ease of carrying. Frankly, for a living room device or a travel companion I'd rather have the full size iPad, or my iPhone.

I can throw my Mini in a jacket pocket. I agree, for home use a full-sized might be preferable. Thought about keeping my full sized for home, but I'm so used to the Mini that I decided to sell the full sized on eBay.

The 7" form factor is great. I got a nexus 7 for christmas and it's great as I also use an android phone., If you're already invested in Apple stuff the Ipad/mini is the way to go., Never could seem to warm up to my full sized Ipad. It's great for googling stuff or checking wikipedia but other than that it never took off for me. It's too big and too heavy but It's great because you can just pick it up and go - no boot up needed like a netbook. Mini form factor is the best of both worlds.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:02:59 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
The 7" tablets are the best size IMO.

Typing is better on the Android tablets due to Swype. I find typing on an iPad ridiculous (though I prefer a full-size keyboard anyways - I'm used to being able to type 120wpm+ so I feel clunky on a tablet regardless).

Swype on my new Samsung Galaxy S3 blows compared to my previos version on my old S2. Even d/l'd Swype Beta and it still blows.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:04:21 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The 7" tablets are the best size IMO.

Typing is better on the Android tablets due to Swype. I find typing on an iPad ridiculous (though I prefer a full-size keyboard anyways - I'm used to being able to type 120wpm+ so I feel clunky on a tablet regardless).

Swype on my new Samsung Galaxy S3 blows compared to my previos version on my old S2. Even d/l'd Swype Beta and it still blows.

Really? I have no issues with the Swype Beta on my GS3 or my Nexus 7. What kind of trouble is it giving you?

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:08:59 AM EDT

[#29]

i have the ipad2 havent played with the mini and seems pretty nice. I like how handy it is its much lighter than the 2 and just as fast. Notsure if i wat to give upmy 2 for it buti ts nice.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:09:03 AM EDT

[#30]

I just got a 64gig mini for Christmas.

Size seems "just right" to me. Felt a little too thin and fragile, afraid I was going to break it, also uncomfortable to hold in portrait mode, caused my hand to get sore pretty quick.

Otterbox case for it just showed up yesterday, now it is easier to hold onto and I am not afraid to take it to work with me.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:12:01 AM EDT

[#31]

For a number of reasons, but he probably didn't want to cannibalize ipad sales.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:13:36 AM EDT

[#32]

We have full-size iPads, and as of this past Christmas added the iPad mini. I have to say, I thought it was a stupid idea. But now I am a convert. I think in the long-run the iPad mini ends up becoming the iPad.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:15:42 AM EDT

[#33]

Ego maniacal douche?

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:16:39 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
I've used every generation of iPad, and loved them all. Last week I bought the Mini, and I have to say, it is perfection. It's what the iPad should have been all along! I have it in a Targus case, and it is light, handy, ample screen room to read and type. If they added a micro SD slot it would be pretty much perfect. I am a little annoyed that the HDMI kit cost $49 too, but this is more of a discussion about the form factor and why Jobs resisted going smaller.

Which do you prefer, a fill size tablet in the 10 inch range, or a mini tablet in the 7 to 8 inch range like the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, etc?

See how you contradicted yourself there?

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:16:49 AM EDT

[#35]

because he didn't think to do it first, so doing it after it was done indicates that someone had a good idea...

he is/was a douche.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:18:17 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The 7" tablets are the best size IMO.

Typing is better on the Android tablets due to Swype. I find typing on an iPad ridiculous (though I prefer a full-size keyboard anyways - I'm used to being able to type 120wpm+ so I feel clunky on a tablet regardless).

Swype on my new Samsung Galaxy S3 blows compared to my previos version on my old S2. Even d/l'd Swype Beta and it still blows.

Really? I have no issues with the Swype Beta on my GS3 or my Nexus 7. What kind of trouble is it giving you?

Completely inaccurate. I can spell a word like"rollers" and it will suggest something not even remotely close in spelling, or even letter count.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:19:53 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
I've used every generation of iPad, and loved them all. Last week I bought the Mini, and I have to say, it is perfection. It's what the iPad should have been all along! I have it in a Targus case, and it is light, handy, ample screen room to read and type. If they added a micro SD slot it would be pretty much perfect. I am a little annoyed that the HDMI kit cost $49 too, but this is more of a discussion about the form factor and why Jobs resisted going smaller.

Which do you prefer, a fill size tablet in the 10 inch range, or a mini tablet in the 7 to 8 inch range like the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, etc?

Apple didn't think of it. They were playing catchup. It would not have been the first time he said something was a bad idea while it was in development.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:21:29 AM EDT

[#38]

Am reading Job's biography. He was an asshole.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:27:28 AM EDT

[#39]

My daughters each got an iPad mini for Christmas and I have to say that I find them handier for home use and general putzing around in the backyard and living room. For little ones they are perfect. For business or applications that benefit from more screen real estate... well the standard format obviously has the advantage.

As for why Jobs did not want a small tablet; he just didn't personally like the form factor. Reading his biography makes it pretty clear that Jobs had very specific personal ideas of what was good and what was bad, market be damned. Obviously the new CEO is going to be a lot more flexible and market oriented. Hopefully, that doesn't lead to the downfall of Apple, but the maps disaster doesn't bode well for that hope.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:29:30 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
My daughters each got an iPad mini for Christmas and I have to say that I find them handier for home use and general putzing around in the backyard and living room. For little ones they are perfect. For business or applications that benefit from more screen real estate... well the standard format obviously has the advantage.

As for why Jobs did not want a small tablet; he just didn't personally like the form factor. Reading his biography makes it pretty clear that Jobs had very specific personal ideas of what was good and what was bad, market be damned. Obviously the new CEO is going to be a lot more flexible and market oriented. Hopefully, that doesn't lead to the downfall of Apple, but the maps disaster doesn't bode well for that hope.

You need a good mix of both. Had Jobs not been such a stubborn visionary, the world would be an uglier place. The "market" often doesn't know what it wants until it sees it.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:31:01 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Remember all the smart-assed internet know-it-alls who knocked the iPad idea from the beginning?

Apple was trying something that had never been successful before, and going up against a lot of conventional wisdom against its success. For all we know, having one standard set of dimensions factor actually helped defined the product better at first.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/28/article-1246801-08103FC5000005DC-202_306x423.jpg

Need to watch the South Park episode now!

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:32:16 AM EDT

[#42]

For the same reason he won't add a right click to the mouse.

He was insane.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:32:46 AM EDT

[#43]

Yeah Jobs and Apple under his helm certainly wasn't an innovator or particularly imaginative. I'm not going to qualify the sarcasm because it's obvious enough to be left at that.

As for Jobs being an "asshole", he's quite like many individuals who are extremely successful. Having been exposed to quite a few such individuals I can say that Jobs doesn't corner the market in rude/pushy/demanding/eccentric/driven. I guess if you've never spent a lot of time with such types, his kind of behavior seems outrageous or distasteful.

I guess you can get used to it.

Quoted:
because he didn't think to do it first, so doing it after it was done indicates that someone had a good idea...

he is/was a douche.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:32:59 AM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've used every generation of iPad, and loved them all. Last week I bought the Mini, and I have to say, it is perfection. It's what the iPad should have been all along! I have it in a Targus case, and it is light, handy, ample screen room to read and type. If they added a micro SD slot it would be pretty much perfect. I am a little annoyed that the HDMI kit cost $49 too, but this is more of a discussion about the form factor and why Jobs resisted going smaller.

Which do you prefer, a fill size tablet in the 10 inch range, or a mini tablet in the 7 to 8 inch range like the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nexus 7, etc?

See how you contradicted yourself there?

The thread was in relation to size, in that regard it is perfection. The others are features I'd love o see, but has no bearing on form factor. No on tradition whatsoever as neither the Mini or ill-sized have those features.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:33:08 AM EDT

[#45]

I have no idea on Jobs' justification but...

I thought it was a stupid size until I handled one at an apple store.

Now I've sold my full size Ipad and only have the mini. It is perfect.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:34:31 AM EDT

[#46]

I assure you, right click functions are present. They aren't necessary if you are familiar with the OS, but add a 2 button mouse and viola.

Quoted:
For the same reason he won't add a right click to the mouse.

He was insane.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:35:39 AM EDT

[#47]

I have a gen1 and gen3 ipad. Just got the wife a mini. It is very cool! However I use my ipad as a book to lecture from. The 10" screen is perfect for that - the mini not so much.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:37:05 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
full sized, I like my pron where i can see it!

first post and all

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:37:15 AM EDT

[#49]

Agree completely. I will posit that there is risk that Apple's new leadership might fall victim to a reactionary market stance and perhaps begin to lose what made them so great. Time will tell.

Quoted:
You need a good mix of both. Had Jobs not been such a stubborn visionary, the world would be an uglier place. The "market" often doesn't know what it wants until it sees it.

Posted: 12/29/2012 8:39:39 AM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:
I assure you, right click functions are present. They aren't necessary if you are familiar with the OS, but add a 2 button mouse and viola.

Quoted:
For the same reason he won't add a right click to the mouse.

He was insane.

I'm aware - and he was still insane.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why did Steve Jobs refuse to make an iPad Mini while he was at the helm of Apple? (Page 1 of 2)

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