Apple iPad Event - 16 Oct 2014

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

We don't know yet.

I'm holding out for refurbs on the new Mac Mini.

Thanks; I kinda thought that. My youngest is thinking about getting a full size iPad. If the Air 2 comes in at 1GB, I'm going to strongly recommend that he not get it.


Are you aware of this?

New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

After going more than two years without an update, Apple's Mac mini was refreshed yesterday, adding Haswell processors, Intel HD 5000/Iris graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and PCI-based flash storage options for the higher-end models.

Unfortunately, the upgrade was disappointing to some Mac mini fans as Apple stopped offering a build-to-order quad-core processor upgrade and dual-drive storage options that exceed 1TB.

Many have speculated that the Mac mini also includes soldered RAM, which has now been confirmed by Macminicolo's Brian Stucki. According to Stucki, the RAM in the Mac mini is "not user accessible," which means those who purchase Mac minis are limited to 16GB of RAM that must be upgraded when purchasing the machine from Apple.

All three Mac mini models can be upgraded to a maximum of 16GB of RAM, with the upgrade priced at $300 for the base model and $200 for the mid and high-end models.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by xendula

Simple solution: don't buy your cell or tablet from a carrier or on a plan. Pay the manufacturer up front full price, and have the freedom to switch carriers. Or pay whatever fee they charge you to unlock your device. All new GSM devices are already multiple-band.

Just get your device from AT&T and after the two year contract is up, get it unlocked. I just got my iPhone 5 unlocked for free. I've even tested it with a SIM from a different carrier and yes it worked. So now my iPhone 5 is worth more then when I first got it.

[kyteflyer]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Are you aware of this?

New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

Ths is a royal PITA. I had intended to upgrade my main desktop (a Mini with 16GB) and u/g the ram myself as I had done on the existing machine. I'm finding my current machine far too slow with Yosemite on board, it was bad enough with Mavericks and best with Mountain Lion. And yet, its a late 2012 model (but the base model). So, I'm going to be looking for the late 2012 better model (not the server) and see if theres a refurb or second hand at a decent price, instead. Apple charge WAY too much for CTO RAM.

[kyteflyer]

I wont be buying the Mini 3, its only got touchID and the gold colour as an advantage over the Mini2, so thats what I'll get. I do want to move up from my iPad3 to an Air2 though

All in good time. I dont *need* any of them right now.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks; I kinda thought that. My youngest is thinking about getting a full size iPad. If the Air 2 comes in at 1GB, I'm going to strongly recommend that he not get it.

Wired says 2GB:

http://www.wired.com/2014/10/ipad-air-2/

As rumored, it’s got 2GB of RAM, a new A8x processor and M8 coprocessor for better multitasking, page scrolling, and gaming action.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Wired says 2GB:

http://www.wired.com/2014/10/ipad-air-2/

Thanks; but where did they get that from? They didn't source it. I remain skeptical.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The only way for Apple to update their iPods to compete would be to scarp what they have and totally redo them.

Compete with whom? There is no competition left, and personally, I love the iPod touch design. I still drool all over mine!

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Just get your device from AT&T and after the two year contract is up, get it unlocked. I just got my iPhone 5 unlocked for free. I've even tested it with a SIM from a different carrier and yes it worked. So now my iPhone 5 is worth more then when I first got it.

I did not even list that option, but you're right, if you are willing to lock yourself into a 2 year contract, you can get your 2 year old device unlocked for free afterwards, just that by that time, most people would want a new device. I also know of some people who can get their device unlocked for foreign SIM card use while still on contract, if they are "in good standing" - rather arbitrary by the sound of it. What's illogical to me, as a European, is that in the US, carriers SIM lock on contract devices at all. You're on a contract so that means you pay for it either way.

Personally, I don't do contracts, so I'd rather pay up front and switch phones and carriers whenever I want. At least in Germany, a lot of people do the same. In cell phone and electronics stores, product stickers always include full unlocked price, price on contract with various contracts, and price if locked to a specific provider with a prepaid card.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks; but where did they get that from? They didn't source it. I remain skeptical.

Monkey, if the Air 2 had more RAM, they would have mentioned it during the reveal, no? Or would the blanket x% faster include RAM and processor you think?

Originally Posted by xendula

Monkey, if the Air 2 had more RAM, they would have mentioned it during the reveal, no? Or would the blanket x% faster include RAM and processor you think?

I don't know, Apple is so strange about concealing specs. As I recall from last year it took a while before someone got and took apart an iPad mini Retina and we learned that it was essentially an iPad Air but smaller and with less of a color gamut. Otherwise it matched the basic specs of the Air. The new iPad mini 3 seems to not match the Air 2 in specs, but only time will tell as no one has taken it apart yet.

I was hoping that Apple would have increased the color gamut on the mini 3 if it did no other improvements, but apparently they didn't. Oh, and I was hoping they would improve the WiFi too. It seems like this has been the most lackluster of updates for iPads and Macs in a long, long time!

Well, maybe the new Kindle Voyage will be a real improvement! Let's hope so.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I don't know, Apple is so strange about concealing specs. As I recall from last year it took a while before someone got and took apart an iPad mini Retina and we learned that it was essentially an iPad Air but smaller and with less of a color gamut. Otherwise it matched the basic specs of the Air. The new iPad mini 3 seems to not match the Air 2 in specs, but only time will tell as no one has taken it apart yet.

I was hoping that Apple would have increased the color gamut on the mini 3 if it did no other improvements, but apparently they didn't. Oh, and I was hoping they would improve the WiFi too. It seems like this has been the most lackluster of updates for iPads and Macs in a long, long time!

Well, maybe the new Kindle Voyage will be a real improvement! Let's hope so.

I feel like they are leaving some stuff for next spring, so they can announce them along with the watch availability dates, and the 12 inch iPad. What would be awesome (but I know they'd never do it), is sell a watch with SIM card that works seamlessly with the iPod Touch or iPad Mini, so the main device is on your wrist, but for more apps and a larger screen, you can use something else that's NOT the ginormous iPhone. I would pay good money for something like this, and, for lack of alternatives, may get the Samsung Gears S, depending on details they haven't yet disclosed.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by xendula

Monkey, if the Air 2 had more RAM, they would have mentioned it during the reveal, no? Or would the blanket x% faster include RAM and processor you think?

My thinking is that they would've mentioned it. Looks like we'll have to wait until someone gets one in their hot little hands and checks it.

[mycurlylocks]

According to this leak, there is 2GB RAM.
http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/13/ipad-c...s-a8x-2gb-ram/

So we can cross our fingers. IF there is 2GB, I'll probably upgrade this year.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mycurlylocks

According to this leak, there is 2GB RAM.
http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/13/ipad-c...s-a8x-2gb-ram/

So we can cross our fingers. IF there is 2GB, I'll probably upgrade this year.

Looks promising.

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Thanks; I kinda thought that. My youngest is thinking about getting a full size iPad. If the Air 2 comes in at 1GB, I'm going to strongly recommend that he not get it.


Are you aware of this?

New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

Yeah, but in the 23 years I've used computers, I have never upgraded my RAM or replaced a hard drive. I don't understand why if people need the 8GB and bigger hard drive that they'd not move up to the next tier to begin with? It is also another option I'm interested in once the refurbs come in.

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

Yeah, but in the 23 years I've used computers, I have never upgraded my RAM or replaced a hard drive. I don't understand why if people need the 8GB and bigger hard drive that they'd not move up to the next tier to begin with? It is also another option I'm interested in once the refurbs come in.

I don't now if that's still the case, but for years all macs came with not enough RAM, no matter what model you bought. That's why I can't imagine buying a Mac with the standard RAM and not upgrading. But maybe it's just an old habit and it's no longer necessary...