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Comment by protomyth | Hacker News Reader

What the heck Apple? Do they not get that even the 9.7" size is too big for a lot of users (elderly, children). Its the perfect size, and the price difference between a iPhone 7 plus and the iPad mini is huge. I am hoping this another BGR rumor fail, but considering the lack of love Apple displayed in updates, it seems uncomfortably close to home.

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Why would eldery users prefer smaller size screens?

Weight of device and easier to handle

So it has nothing to do with size, right?

Easier to handle is size based[1]. The smaller size generally means less weight than a bigger iPad of the same generation.

I am a bit worried about Apple's desire to remove the bezel since that will cause some problem and iBooks likes to flip a lot of pages if your thumb strays.

1) [edit] the iPad pro is just a no go because of its size, and the iPad 9.7 is too big for a lot of children and some adults. Remember, a lot of activities are hold it up with one hand for long periods of time while tapping with the other.

The handling issues has mostly to do with weight rather then size. If someday the iPad 9.7 has much less bezel, half as thick, and much lighter. Would that still be a problem?

I think that is where iPad is heading. Some argue Apple is obsess with thinness, personally I think both iPhone and especially the iPad has a long way to go before it is Too Thin.

Nope, the size is the big thing. Weight is a factor but the mini is a good size for holding. The 9.7 will always be more awkward than the mini. So, yes, a lighter 9.7 does not replace the mini. That argument is the same as saying a lighter 12" could replace the 9.7 which doesn't work because the 12 is painfully awkward to use.

i agree that it's a great size, but i don't know how much that matters if hardly anyone wants one. It's a lot of cost to keep making them.

The problem is that I, and I suspect a lot of other people, have been waiting on the "next" generation iPad mini. The place I work for wants to do an order and was ready, but no new iPad mini was announced. Plus only selling a 128gb model is definitely discouraging.

Its the Mac Pro argument, people aren't buying it because it hasn't been updated.

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