I remember following along with Apple’s iPad Mini event and staring in awe at just how unique the device looked compared to its larger cousins. The slick beveled edges and incredibly slimlined design was a very refreshing look. In fact, most of the stuff they said about the iPad Mini was pretty engrossing. The powerful processor, the unique display, and the custom web-surfing resolutions made me more interested in buying one for myself. But after the smoke had settled, and the explosiveness of seeing the iPad Mini for the first time had subsided, I sat there questioning exactly why I would want to spend money on a smaller version of something I essentially already had. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has had this conversation with themselves either.
A new survey from Piper Jaffray is painting a better picture of how the general public feels about the iPad Mini. More specifically, it shows that most individuals (75 percent to be exact) would prefer to have the iPad Mini in addition to their current, larger iPad. This may come as a surprise to some, considering that the iPad Mini doesn’t come with a mini price tag (starting at USD $329.99). But the manner in which the smaller tablet is applied plays a big part in why more individuals would prefer to have both devices at their fingertips.
The iPad Mini doesn’t have the same internal beef that the 4th generation iPad does, and it obviously doesn’t have a larger viewing space, but the miniature tablet has some features that might help it to apply to certain situations better than its larger counterparts. Its sleek and slim design makes it perfect for travel as it can slip more easily into smaller bags and tight spaces. It’s also the perfect little tool for e-reading since its light body can be comfortably held in one hand.
According to the survey (and some digging in the comments section), many consumers are planning to keep their larger iPad for more hardware-intensive things like viewing movies or playing games. These same individuals also plan to own the iPad Mini to give them a more portable tool when on the go. This helps to give a better idea of why the iPad Mini is selling at such a rapid pace this Holiday season. Thanks to Piper Jaffray we now understand that the iPad Mini demographic is much more in-depth than just “individuals who don’t already own a tablet.” It now also includes “individuals who already own a tablet, but are looking for more compact device to travel with.”
Photo Credit: Apple
