Artist's scale rendition of possible iPad Mini.

Here at RepairLabs.com, the same people who brought you the first exclusive photos of the iPad 3 digitizer, we have confirmed the dimensions of the upcoming iPad Mini.  Our well-placed source reports that the new iPad Mini will actually measure in at 7.85 inches, which would make the screen quite a bit roomier than expected. Our source confirms that orders have been placed for production in these dimensions. After much discussion in our office, we concluded that when rumor-mongers (like ourselves) mention the 7-inch number that’s being so widely disseminated, they mean the diagonal screen measurement.  And really, the main part of the device that we care about is its working surface.

But just for fun, to add a bit of speculation, here is a little food for thought.  Let’s assume that the ratios remain the same from the current iPad3.  Extrapolating from there, we can deduce this would make the much-anticipated little device measure up at 7.7 inches tall and 5.92 inches wide. The new iPad Mini by these standards would be about 81% of the size of the current. The current iPad 3 now measures 9.50 inchese tall by 7.31 inches wide,  so the alleged iPad Mini will be only just longer than the width of the current. On a ruler it would likely measure just over 7” 11/16 tall.  We actually broke out the ole’ trusty Pythagorean Theorem to bring you those figures, folks.

Blogger's pitiful YellowLegalPad attempt to visualize the size and feel of the rumored iPad Mini.

To visualize the difference between the current iPad and the purported new dimensions of the Mini, we performed a super low-tech experiment, and hand-drew the measurements on a yellow legal pad. (Compared to the succinct beauty of our Graphic Designer’s vision, my rendition is downright hilarious). In fact, the legal pad itself seems reasonably analogous to the current iPad (minus the legal pad’s header and margins). The reported 7.85 inches, on the other hand, feels like a good, medium-sized appointment book in the hand (but certainly without the girth/depth of a day planner).  We’re guessing the difference in ‘feel’ would be equivalent to the difference between carrying around a paperback and a hardback, and the device would be that much easier to drop into a handbag, backpack or briefcase.

Ease of portability, weight, and the ability to hold the device in one hand, have long figured into tablet design decisions, and ultimately, profitability. Market-watchers may also conclude that this new offering means to compete directly with the Kindle Fire or the Barnes and Noble Nook. The Kindle Fire measures 7.5 inches tall, and 4.7 inches wide, while the Nook outsizes it at 8.1 inches tall, and 5 inches wide.  The purported iPad Mini would fall squarely between the two in size. And the difference between 9.7 inches and 7.85 inches? It may seem negligible, or it may make all the difference. After all, the iPhone is just so very nicely pocket-sized, and it has managed to carve out a modicum of success.

An inside source at Texas Instruments tells us that they have begun production on the iPhone 5 power management chip.  We can also confirm that management inside Texas Instruments is calling the next phone the iPhone 5.  Previously when production began on the Apple iPhone's chips at TI, the phone debuted just a few months later.  This fits in with our next rumor.

From the same Chinese source that brought us the accurate pictures of the new iPad back housing and new iPad glass, comes the latest rumor that the iPhone 5 will debut in September.  According to our source, they have also been told that the screen will indeed be larger than the current 3.5 inch model.  Whether it will be as large as the 4.6 inch rumors we have yet to confirm.

While we can confirm the production of the power management chips, which means a new iPhone is imminent, bear in mind that the September release date and screen size are rumors.  However, our source has proven extremely reliable in the past.

We started off our very scientific experiment by turning on both an iPad 2 and the new iPad and setting them to play movies on Netflix.  We took an initial temperature reading of the back of the iPads while they played their respective shows - the iPad 2 ran at 24° C (75° F) and the new iPad 3 ran at 27° C (80° F).  That's roughly a 5° difference within minutes of booting up the two devices and starting their programs.

At the end of 35-40 minutes of continuous play, the new temperature readings were as follows: iPad 2 holding strong at 25-26° C; iPad 3 shot up to 32-33° C.  That's around 90° F for the iPad 3 after just a few minutes of video use.

iPad 3 on left (black), iPad 2 on right (white)

Since the technicians wanted to get to the root of the problem, we cracked open both iPads and took readings of various components.  After several readings, we determined it was the new A5X quad-core processor that was putting out so much heat.  You can see the measuring in the video below.  Our basic findings showed us that the presumably ceramic A5 chip in the iPad 2 runs around 27° C, whereas the new iPad 3 A5X processor was running at 36° C.  In Fahrenheit, the iPad 3 A5X runs 17° hotter than the processor in the iPad 2.  As explained in the video, the chips are made of different materials; we believe the A5 is ceramic, where the A5X is obviously metallic.

We were not able to replicate the same temperatures that Consumer Reports were getting (up to 116° F), but just holding the new iPad 3 could be noticeably warmer after only a few minutes use, especially if you are holding it right where that A5X sits.

UPDATE:

For those curious, we tested the battery and retina and found while they were warmer than their equivalents on the iPad 2, it was only that A5X chip that was putting out that much of a heat difference.  Keep in mind that the internal temperature was 17° warmer, whereas the back of your housing is only 10° warmer at most.  That means the aluminum housing and a special rubber thermal gasket cut down the heat that makes it to your hand by 7° F.

1. Retina display - With 3.1 million pixels and a 2048x1536 resolution.  That's greater than HD quality on your portable device.
2. The iPad will come in black and white options, and will have the home button as before. - One of our exclusives
3. 4G LTE will be supported on both Verizon and AT&T, but 3G capabilities are available as back up for when you aren't in a 4G area.
4. No Siri, but there is a voice dictation feature.
5. The price structures of each GB level and 4G capabilities are the same as they were for the iPad 2.
6. Quad-core, A5X processor to create those beautiful images quickly.
7. 1080p video recording, with a 5MP back camera integrated with an illuminated sensor, 5-element lens, and IR filter.  Basically the capabilities you already have on your 4S.
8. iCloud will now include movies, which is a great integration for the new Apple TV box as well as the iPad.

The iPad 2 will stay on the market, with a $100 price drop for each of the models.

While Apple didn't give the new iPad a name, we can easily assume most of us will end up calling it the iPad 3.  What did you think of the news today?  Have you already pre-ordered your new iPad?

iPad 3 Back Case

It's only a couple of days until the presumed iPad 3 announcement, and RepairLabs has been monitoring all of the chatter closely.  We've detailed some of the biggest rumors for you below, and you can follow our Twitteraccount and blog Wednesday for updates during the Apple press conference at 1ET/10PT.

1. In the scoop that broke open the iPad 3 rumor floodgates, we got exclusive images of the iPad 3 back case.  These pictures told us that the iPad 3 will have a very similar but thicker back housing, with an upgraded camera, more battery, and a different logic board shape.  We confirmed these when we received the iPad 3 back housing in our repair center.
2. The iPad 3 will have an upgraded retina display, most likely with a 2048x1536 resolution.  That's double the resolution of the iPad 1 or 2.
3. The iPad 3 is rumored to support 4G LTE service and speeds.
4. Largely unsupported, some rumors are claiming the new iPad will have a quad-core processor.
5. Siri is meant to be available.
6. In another RepairLabs scoop, the iPad 3 will come in white and black options and will include the home button, contrary to some recent speculation based on Apple's event invitation.
7. The iPad 2 will be kept on the sales ranks, but at a lower, more affordable price bracket.
8. Apple is rumored to be developing a new case that will protect both the front and aluminum back of the iPad, specifically for the iPad 3.

Of course the skeptics will say all of the information we and other tech sties have received is obviously some grand ploy from Apple to keep the real information out of our hands.  We for one know that are sources are credible and are bringing us real information and parts.  While many of the rumors, including the 4G LTE and the quad-core processor, are a little more far-fetched, most of them would be part of a natural progression from the iPad 2.

The last bit of information that we are all waiting for Apple to confirm is the name of the iPad.  After last fall's iPhone 4S versus iPhone 5 upset, many are wondering if Apple will call this the iPad 3, the iPad 2S (less likely), or the much-reported iPad HD.  For most of us, the name is not as important as the guts inside, and that was proved with record-breaking sales of the iPhone 4S in October.  If this new iPad is branded iPad HD or 2S, there will be a bit of backlash, a bit of wonderment, and then everyone will line up to buy it anyway.

Tell us, what rumors are you hoping comes true with the announcement this Wednesday, and what are you going to upgrade?