RaNdoM Stuff

According to Taiwan's Economic Daily News source, apparently Apple purchased 7.85" touchscreens for "mini" iPad. This is supposedly a rumor in order to compete with Kindle Fire that has sold over 100,000 units on first day of online pre-orders.

I personally find the rumor to be hard pressed if Apple is serious about competing in the sub-200 dollar tablet arena. The rumor further states the "mini apple" is slated to be available sometime early 2012.

If I recall correctly, Apple new iPads are usually announced during this time. I know, because I picked up iPad2 earlier this year.

Assuming the rumor is true, budget minded mini iPad won't be. Here is why;

1. Apple has long been known as cream of the crop gadgetry. The $500 price tag for the first iPad was a price shocker (for being affordable). Given that, if mini iPad is to be evolved, it won't be $200 price tag. Rather you should start saving up now for minimum of $300 price tag.

2. The late Steve Jobs adamantly stated that 7" LCD is too small for a tablet. I would be shocked to see sub 7" LCD tablet by Apple and I'm sure Steve Jobs would turn over in his grave (with all due respect).

3. If $200 Apple iPad becomes available, it surely will not have the next generation processor chip or the RAM (memory) to accommodate a useful tablet experience. To meet the sub $200 price tag, Apple will need to cut corners somewhere (and not just the LCD). The current iPad was noted that production cost was nearly $350 per unit.

4. Apple designs and innovates. I find it hard to believe Apple will simply create Apple iPad to simply compete against Kindle Fire (Amazon) although it may eat some percentage into Apple iPad sales eventually with its $200 tablets. But Apple is still the leader in tablet, over 70% of the tablet market is owned by Apple with its iPads.

5. With iPad3 on the horizon, why would Apple want to offer a cheaper and lesser device in early 2012? This would be like shooting your own foot. iPad3 is already being trounced and highly anticipated by Apple fans and non-fans alike. iPad3 will more than likely have A6 processor chip, Retina display screen and even Siri. Why offer something more affordable with much less attraction other than price...?

Price isn't the only thing that sells a tablet, it's the experience. If cheap and affordable tablet was the only ingredient to successful tablet sales - all those no name Chinese manufacturer would have gobbled the market by now with its $100 and even $200 tablets. I rest my case.

May 2011 bring many happiness and prosperity to you and your family.