“The reason we wouldn’t make a seven-inch tablet isn’t because we don’t want to hit a price point, it’s because we don’t think you can make a great tablet with a seven-inch screen.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“The reason we wouldn’t make a seven-inch tablet isn’t because we don’t want to hit a price point, it’s because we don’t think you can make a great tablet with a seven-inch screen.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs explains Apple’s decision not to pursue a seven-inch tablet, emphasizing that their focus is on delivering a great user experience rather than simply meeting a price point or following market trends. Jobs’ philosophy was rooted in the belief that design and functionality should drive product decisions, not just the desire to capture market share. According to him, a seven-inch tablet would not provide the same level of usability and enjoyment as larger screens, which is why Apple chose to focus on larger, more functional devices like the iPad.
This perspective highlights the tension between innovation and market pressure. Many tech companies were introducing smaller, more affordable tablets in an attempt to compete with the iPad, but Jobs believed that compromising on screen size would hinder the overall experience. In today’s market, we can see the continued dominance of larger tablets and smartphones with bigger screens, proving that Jobs’ design philosophy focused on quality over quantity resonated with consumers.
Apple’s decision to prioritize user experience over competing on price is reflected in their product lines. For example, the iPad, with its 9.7-inch screen (and later, other sizes), set the standard for tablet devices, offering ample screen real estate for reading, browsing, and multimedia consumption. By staying true to their vision of what a tablet should be, Apple not only delivered a better product but also set the industry standard for what a tablet should offer.
