Tim Cook timed it right. Record Xmas sales.
The iPad mini, according to Cook both during the call and at Apple's iPad and Mac event previously, is 7.9-inches rather than 7-inches, and due to its 4:3 and 1024x768 pixel display, it has 35% more screen real-estate than a 7-inch, typically 16:9, tablet. Including the difference in landscape height, and depending on interface chrome, Cook said that translates into a 50-67% more space.
The iPad mini, because it has the same display as the iPad 2, only at a smaller size, can run all 250,000 iPad apps, compared to the tiny number of competing tablet apps. Cook sees 7-inch tablets as compromised, and the iPad mini as being in a "whole different league".
Second, Windows 8 tablets are off to a good start. They already command 7.5% of the market in 6 months. That's impressive.
Depends on your point of view.
MS have spent allegedly about 2bn on advertising including below the line, they are subsidising the oems - who aren't happy, they have alienated a large proportion of their existing users.
The result is 3m tablets sold.
MS them selves have sold about half - the other half is split between the oems. No wonder they aren't keen on pushing them out - and thier software supplier (MS ) is now competing with them.
Third, 7 inch Windows tablets are on the way.
You just accused Apple of copying because they weren't the first to release 7 in ( actually it is 8in ), then proudly announce 7 in tablets from MS are on the way.
LOL.