Do you wish the iPad came in a smaller size?

**Cahow** · 03-19-2011, 09:31 AM

As any iPod lover/user knows, Apple has a smörgåsbord of sizes in iPod variety: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, and iPod Touch, most of them with a plethora of GB sizes.

So, with that in mind, WHY is Steve Jobs so violently opposed to having the iPad in a different size? I've read the often quoted comments from Jobs about a 7" screen size: "Tweener" he called them, dismissing the public's desire to have a smaller size of the 10" iPad.

But really Steve????? Four versions of the iPod makes sense but "One Size Fits ALL" for iPad? "Seriously", I say in my best Grey's Anatomy voice?

Before I bought my Galaxy Tablet in the scoffed at 7" size, I did 4 months of research, reading all the iPad rumours about the next iPad launch not being a 2.0 version but a scaled down size. I would have bought a smaller iPad in a New York Minute if it had been brought to fruition but it became clear that Steve (therefore Apple) had no interest in developing it.

I'm sorry, but carrying around a Clip-Board sized device is the last thing I'd ever consider for my highly mobile lifestyle! I laughingly say that I've "grafted" the Gal-Tab to my hand, because I drag that puppy everywhere! Despite the pricey upperscale grocery stores I frequent, I've yet to see a single person using their iPad at one, to do their weekly shopping. I do see, however, many an iPhone user reading their grocery list from their iPhone or iPod Touch.

I also looked at the items that I use throughout the day and loved the 7" size: my French-style wallet which is identical in size to a 7" tablet; my Sony Reader, which is the same foot print as the 7" tablet; any paperback's I couldn't download, which are also the 7" footprint. At no time in a normal day, was I holding or reading from anything that measured 10". Even the vast majority of my cookbooks aren't 10" and the few that are, I'm not dragging them around 24/7 in a briefcase.

If Steve seriously thinks that "size doesn't matter", ask any Porn Star or satisfied sex partner: 4" vs. 7" delivers a whole lotta more pleasure!LOL

So, out of sheer curiousity, if the next upgrade to an iPad was a smaller size, would you buy one if this was your FIRST iPad purchase? I'm definitely going to be buying an iPad for some serious science and cooking apps that I can't get through Android but to be honest, if a 7" iPad came out, I'd be all over that like white on rice!

**Rene Ritchie** · 03-19-2011, 11:13 AM

Apple's stated position is that, at 7-inches, the software you can run on a tablet isn't significantly differentiated from what you can run on a phone. i.e. the screen isn't big enough to allow the class of software they want to see on an iPad.

They feel 9.7-inches allows developers to create a new class of software that wouldn't be possible at the smaller size.

Right now, their smaller iPad is the iPod touch, which is only 3.5-inches (diagonal screen size).

**Fausty82** · 03-19-2011, 11:22 AM

My son refers to his iPod Touch as his "iPad Nano"... I agree with Rene (and Jobs)... there doesn't seem to be much difference between an iPod Touch and, say, a 7" iPad... go big or stay home.

**Cahow** · 03-19-2011, 12:56 PM

Thanks, guys, for your opinion and the thinking (from Apple's standpoint) as to why the 7" iPad won't be arriving in a store near you.

This question came to mind because I was looking at HSN's website and the vast array of sizes of flat screen TV's and laptops; seems odd to me that the "Magic Number" for tablets is supposed to be somewhere in the 10" Zone whereas any and all other devices run the gamut in sizes and everyone's happy. For the life of me, with Apple being such a juggernaut in the industry, I didn't understand why they were shying away from this, since the Nano is so obviously different than an iTouch.

Oh well, that's one dream dashed.

**Garz** · 03-19-2011, 01:29 PM

Prefer the current size. My wife has the Nook Color which is 7" inches and that would be too small for a tablet for me.

**ballajb** · 03-19-2011, 01:47 PM

I like the size that the iPad is right now. I think that the 7" tablets like the galaxy are just too small. Check out my unboxing and app review on the iPad2

**SteveW928** · 03-19-2011, 02:10 PM

The main market I would see for such a device would be women with really good eye-sight who then might be able to fit it into their purse. I think they would have to maintain the same rez as the 10" version.... as I TOTALLY agree with the screen real-estate thing. My old eyes just couldn't take a 7" if the rez were the same.

**SteveW928** · 03-19-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Cahow

seems odd to me that the "Magic Number" for tablets is supposed to be somewhere in the 10" Zone whereas any and all other devices run the gamut in sizes and everyone's happy

It has to do with distance for normal use and dpi. Note that the iPad's DPI is quite similar to that of a laptop or desktop. So, if you shrink it, you either have to
a) go with less rez... which Apple clearly points out would make it useless as a tablet, or
b) up the DPI... which would make it uncomfortable to use for everyone but a very small segment of the population with perfect eyesight.

This is one reason I think the 'Retina display' for the iPad is kind of silly. IMO, all the fuss over that were people just weren't thinking that one through. I guess if one could drive a screen with double the rez without sacrificing performance and battery life, then sure, go for it. Otherwise, I think it would be a marketing gimmick. It makes sense on the iPhone since the screen is so small, and you probably hold it just a few inches from your face (in order to actually take advantage of that extra dpi).

**jhamilton3** · 03-19-2011, 02:32 PM

Rene pretty much summed it up.

I definitely want a retina display on iPad 3 though, definitely can tell a difference when using my iPhone 4 and then trying to use my iPad 2.. just an annoyance.

**xxraffyxx** · 03-19-2011, 03:18 PM

I currently have the ipad2 and the xoom. I actually miss the form factor of my 7" Galaxy tab (recently sold) Its just soo much easier and mobile to use. I was able to fly by on typing with that thing in portrait mode. Sure bigger screen is much better for media playback, but for ease of use I think the 7" tablet is perfect!

7" seems very small being compared to only 3.5" inches larger then the Iphone and a almost 3" smaller then the Ipad, but thats the beauty its right in the middle and its almost the Jack of all trades, but a master of none.

**ChrisGonzales90** · 03-19-2011, 08:44 PM

But just think if Apple did create a 7" iPad you would all be glowing glee over it.

**Rene Ritchie** · 03-19-2011, 09:21 PM

By that logic, Chris, you'd be complaining about it -- that's the reason we try to keep discussions here technical and not personal, cool?

Apple sometimes plays the size game. MacBook Pro comes in 13, 15, and 17 inches. Even iPods come in shuffle, nano, and classic flavors.

The difference is Mac OS X isn't a touch-based interface. Larger MacBook Screens just show more screen, and higher display densities just make targets smaller. With a mouse and pointer, you can hit small targets as easily as large.

iPods with (or without) clickwheel interfaces don't need to worry about UI scalability either.

TV sets don't care if they're 34 or 72 inches because the pixels just get bigger and because video moves fast it doesn't make much perceptible difference in a home setting.

However, a 7" tablet would shrink iPad OS touch targets considerably (which is why Jobs made the crack about shaving your fingers). That would mean Apple would need to introduce a 3rd UI size, and developers would have to make a 3rd version (or 3-UI universal app) of every app. (Google and Palm both try to abstract scalability but we haven't yet seen the results of Honeycomb or WebOS on 7-inch screens.)

That's the reason a 4-inch iPod touch probably makes more sense for Apple than a 7-inch iPad at this point in time.

**Link** · 03-19-2011, 09:50 PM

I wouldve liked a smaller ipad. I probably wouldve likely bought an ipad 2 for sure.

**urkel** · 03-20-2011, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Rene Ritchie

By that logic, Chris, you'd be complaining about it -- that's the reason we try to keep discussions here technical and not personal, cool?

But Chris is right. Many peoples opinion on a 7" tablet (or any apple decision) is completely skewed by what Jobs says. If the Smart Cover wasn't 1st party then it would be criticized for offering no back protection and for being low quality because the leather models weren't properly treated and tend to bleed on clothing, bags etc. But because it's Apples then suddenly it's brilliant, leather is supposed to bleed and the dangers of running unprotected is downplayed.

Same goes with a 7" iPad. Whether or not it is preferred is an individual decision, but too many people declare it is now "too small" or "it wouldnt work" as if they even tried it. An example for how a 7" iPad would work is to look at mail in landscape. With the inbox open then the right side where you read mail is very readable and this would be the equivalent of a 7" in portrait.

People don't like to admit this, but iOS UI is an app launcher. The emphasis isnt on a sophisticated UI, it's about simplicity and that could be scaled so theres no technical limitation for ONLY offering iOS on a 3.5" or 10" screen and impossible on 7" tablets or 4.3" phones. The primary reason people only reject it because Steve Jobs told them to. And if Apple changes their mind (which they do a lot) then the same people will talk about the benefits of portability with a smaller iPad in the same way they'll finally admit next gen how fun it is to shoot pictures on a large screen with a GOOD camera.

**Ipheuria** · 03-20-2011, 10:58 AM

The problem is he doesn't know everyone here. So saying you all is a generalization which is not correct. He personally doesn't know me and the fact that I own a bunch of Apple products has nothing to do with what Apple says it has to do with my choice, my money and what I find a quality product.

Anyway Apple wont make a smaller tablet because they don't go backward. People are already dying to get a bigger iPhone screen. I have looked at the iPad many times and after using a 15" MBP and using 20" screens I thought it could be bigger. There are so many times I've been on sites and trying to change pages requires me to zoom, at 7" I don't even want to think about the work that would be required.

**ChrisGonzales90** · 03-20-2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Rene Ritchie

By that logic, Chris, you'd be complaining about it -- that's the reason we try to keep discussions here technical and not personal, cool?

I'm not complaining and nothing is personal here. Its a fact. If it has an Apple logo, chances are you will buy it. Everyone knows this.

Originally Posted by Ipheuria

The problem is he doesn't know everyone here. So saying you all is a generalization which is not correct. He personally doesn't know me and the fact that I own a bunch of Apple products has nothing to do with what Apple says it has to do with my choice, my money and what I find a quality product.

Your right. I don't. but you just admitted you own a "bunch of apple products". They influenced you to get it based on what you said. "Quality of product" But going back to what I was saying is, if Apple ever made a 7" iPad you will buy it,m just like those who are putting down a large screen iPhone. It has an Apple logo on it, you will buy it.

]

**deadp1xel** · 03-20-2011, 12:16 PM

I'm glad there isn't a 7" iPad. Had Apple made a 7" iPad, they would be running into the same issue Samsung did with the Galaxy Tab. Phone software running on a bigger screen. It amazes me how android people say the iPad is a big iPhone, when they have the galaxy tab. *rolls eyes*

**Elaine5006** · 03-20-2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by SteveW928

The main market I would see for such a device would be women with really good eye-sight who then might be able to fit it into their purse. I think they would have to maintain the same rez as the 10" version.... as I TOTALLY agree with the screen real-estate thing. My old eyes just couldn't take a 7" if the rez were the same.

The ipad fits nicely in my purse right now.

**xxraffyxx** · 03-20-2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by MsEYE

I'm glad there isn't a 7" iPad. Had Apple made a 7" iPad, they would be running into the same issue Samsung did with the Galaxy Tab. Phone software running on a bigger screen. It amazes me how android people say the iPad is a big iPhone, when they have the galaxy tab. *rolls eyes*

,but the majority of the new android tablets will be running honeycomb. Yes is buggy but the kinks should be iron out as updates roll in.

**Ipheuria** · 03-20-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisGonzales90

I'm not complaining and nothing is personal here. Its a fact. If it has an Apple logo, chances are you will buy it. Everyone knows this.

Your right. I don't. but you just admitted you own a "bunch of apple products". They influenced you to get it based on what you said. "Quality of product" But going back to what I was saying is, if Apple ever made a 7" iPad you will buy it,m just like those who are putting down a large screen iPhone. It has an Apple logo on it, you will buy it.

]

Listen you don't know me or what I would buy, there are many Apple products I don't own because I don't need it. This is all I have to say on the subject don't speak for what I will or wont buy.

**deadp1xel** · 03-20-2011, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by xxraffyxx

,but the majority of the new android tablets will be running honeycomb. Yes is buggy but the kinks should be iron out as updates roll in.

I have zero interest in honeycomb. Not because I'm an Apple lover, (I wil buy which ever company has the better product, period) but because honeycomb looks like crap. To me, honeycomb feels half baked. Yea it's 1.0, but I still don't feel it's a good os. I don't like how it looks. Also the hardware being put out is pretty meh to me.

**Mella** · 03-21-2011, 01:17 AM

Well, I suppose Apple might produce an 7-inch iProduct, but not named iPad.
Just as Rene said, at 7-inches, the software you can run on a tablet isn't significantly differentiated from what you can run on a phone. So if Apple get the 7-inch product, then it's a totally different product from iPad, iPod, but a creative iProduct might be named iPaper or something like that~

**xultar** · 03-22-2011, 02:35 PM

The 7in tablet is for people with flip phones. They would see that as imax sized. If I have a phone with a 3.5 in screen what is 4 more inches gonna do?

**SteveW928** · 03-22-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisGonzales90

I'm not complaining and nothing is personal here. Its a fact. If it has an Apple logo, chances are you will buy it. Everyone knows this.

No, it is not a fact and everyone doesn't know this... just forum trolls. Do you have any clue how many years I've been using computers? Do you know how many different platforms of computers I've been considered an EXPERT on? I can't speak for everyone, but I certainly don't buy Apple products because of the logo. Your saying so is rather insulting.

**SteveW928** · 03-22-2011, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by Elaine5006

The ipad fits nicely in my purse right now.

Hehe... that's a big purse! I guess I was just trying to say that for most guys, if it doesn't fit in the pocket or suit coat pocket, it doesn't matter if it is 7" or 10". So, I guess it is only some small-pursed women who might want the 7" (so long as they have really good eyesight). Though, I think Rene's response was really to the point... it is primarily a basic UI issue.