AppleInsider Staff
A dummy version of a smaller iPad, based on Apple's anticipated design, has been photographed next to a traditional 9.7-inch iPad to offer an idea of the potential size difference.
The dummy "iPad mini" was obtained by Giz-China.com via the website Taobao for about $13. The mockup device has a thinner bezel than the regular iPad and features a black strip across the top signifying the inclusion of a cellular radio.
On the bottom of the device, the design is similar to Apple's recently announced iPhone 5, with the new, smaller Lightning dock connector and speaker style. However, unlike with the iPhone 5, the headphone jack on the iPad mini mockup remains atop the device, along with the lock button.
On the right side are the expected volume buttons and mute/rotation lock switch. The volume buttons have a new design on the dummy device, featuring two separate buttons rather than the rocker style found on the full-size iPad.
The left side of the dummy device has a micro-SIM slot, but not a nano-SIM slot. The iPhone 5 features a new nano-SIM slot, allowing the device to be thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
A closer look at the dummy device arrives only a day after a mockup of the iPad mini design appeared online. That mockup looks largely identical to the one shown next to a full-size iPad on Wednesday.
Apple is expected to hold a media event in October to introduce its smaller and lighter iPad, which is believed to feature a screen that will measure 7.85 inches diagonally.
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Wesley Hilliard
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19 Comments
Tell me again why some company is selling a mockup, and why? What next - a Samsung replica of a mockup, with patent infringement lawsuits to follow? Insanity!
Is that an iPad mini in your pocket, or Samsung's next galaxy S IIII
I sure hope it doesn't look like this, I find it quite ugly. The form itself is not great, but even besides that I am so sick of the aluminium and don't think it fits here. I think aluminium looks great on most of their products and adds a bit of class that other devices generally don't have but it just doesn't seem to work on this shape. With all the undercuts and complex curves it looks un-natural to be carved out of aluminium and it must certainly be a lot more work than their other designs which suit this particular manufacturing process much better. Plastic would actually be a preferable materials choice in an iPad mini IMO. [B]Since this product doesn't actually match/fit/work with *any* of the iPad mini cables that we've seen leaks of,[/B] I am going to cling to the hope that this is actually not at all what the iPad mini will look like even though it seems increasingly likely that it is. It's easier to make a fake shell than it is a fake cable/port combination.
The leaks are inevitable. Makes me miss Jobs. Apple products are great no matter what but the mystery around the launches really made them fun and special. Very odd to admit but I'm going to miss that if they can't get a handle on these leaks. I seem to remember Jobs had severe consequences for leakers but from the complete lack of surprises with iPhone 5 I have to believe it's getting harder and harder to keep a leash on vendors, partners, collaborators. (The only real surprise for me was the details of the A6 chip, which is stunning and not nearly as appreciated as it should be)
I sure hope it doesn't look like this, I find it quite ugly. The form itself is not great, but even besides that I am so sick of the aluminium and don't think it fits here.
I think aluminium looks great on most of their products and adds a bit of class that other devices generally don't have but it just doesn't seem to work on this shape. With all the undercuts and complex curves it looks un-natural to be carved out of aluminium and it must certainly be a lot more work than their other designs which suit this particular manufacturing process much better.
Plastic would actually be a preferable materials choice in an iPad mini IMO.
Since this product doesn't actually match/fit/work with *any* of the iPad mini cables that we've seen leaks of, I am going to cling to the hope that this is actually not at all what the iPad mini will look like even though it seems increasingly likely that it is.
It's easier to make a fake shell than it is a fake cable/port combination.
Remember how awful the first leaks of the iPhone 5 were? Partially the photography was to blame but also the mockups were not always the same material or build quality of the final production model. Honestly most of the iPads I see in the wild these days have a full case, now that many work in conjunction with smart cover. The strength and rigidity of the aluminum is a good design material in my opinion even if you won't see it.