Apple’s iPad mini announcement was only two days ago, but the consumer reaction on the Cupertino company’s decision to release a second iPad in almost seven months has been nothing short of damning. The main, 9.7-inch Apple slate was expected to be given one or two menial updates – the main one perceived to be the Lightning Dock connector, but by doubling up the speed of its flagship slab in adding an A6X, dual-core processor, many current third-gen iPad owners feel somewhat cheated.
Toluna QuickSurveys has gathered some statistics on the matter, and having surveyed some 2000 online consumers from the United States, concluded 45% were dismayed by the fourth-gen iPad arriving so soon. As well as that, the numbers firm also found around 14% would “definitely buy” the new iPad mini, while 32% said they would “probably buy.” To give those figures some context, 46% said they would purchase the new Kindle Fire, 40% opted for iPad mini, while the Nexus 7 (which, bearing in mind, quite a few people have already), came bottom of the polls with a mere 14%.
With early opinions suggesting the iPad mini’s new display is less than impressive, Toluna QuickSurveys noted the iPad mini’s size as being the key pull-factor, with one quarter of survey participants 25% echoing that sentiment. Meanwhile, only 22% are looking forward to it’s battery performance, and the findings also suggest around 30% of current iPad owners will opt for the iPad mini.
Asked whether they would buy a cellular version or Wi-Fi only model, only 51% of those surveyed said they’d opt for the 3G or 4G model of the smaller slate. With many able to tether out their smartphone’s connection to their tablet, it’s not too surprising to see the Wi-Fi-only models remain popular, and one suspects eventually, most consumers will use the one connection for all their on-the-fly internet needs.
I’d be interested to know what you, our army of readers, think of Apple’s new-look iPad ensemble. Do you believe Apple is playing around with consumers by releasing a significantly-updated iPad so soon, or are you happy to see the latest hardware being pumped in for optimal performance?
Please do, as ever, channel your views by dropping us a comment on Facebook or Google+.
(via Mashable)
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