Bye-bye iPad2, welcome back iPad4

[fjtorres]

From Cnet:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57620463-37/ipad-with-retina-display-makes-$399-comeback-knocks-out-ipad-2/

Apple's tweaked its iPad lineup Tuesday morning, bringing back the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display in place of the elderly iPad 2.
Available with only 16GB of storage, Apple's US Web site lists the comeback tablet with either Wi-Fi only for $399, or Wi-Fi and cellular for $529.
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It makes your buying decision fairly straightforward: $300 for the older, smaller iPad Mini; $400 for the nicer Retina Mini or the older Retina iPad; or $500 for the whiz-bang iPad Air. Then add $100 to double the storage, and $130 to add cellular data.

About time they buried the iPad 2.

[Gazella]

I still remember when I bought an iPad 3 and later read that Apple decided to discontinue it. I was annoyed and sort of puzzled. From my understanding, the iPad 2 was like a budget option. Now according to the article, the older iPad mini will take its place? I think if Apple brought back the iPad 3 or just kept the iPad 2 it would be better for those who want a not so expensive Apple tablet and a bigger screen at the same time.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Gazella

I still remember when I bought an iPad 3 and later read that Apple decided to discontinue it. I was annoyed and sort of puzzled. From my understanding, the iPad 2 was like a budget option. Now according to the article, the older iPad mini will take its place?

No, the iPad 4 takes its place as the "budget" full-size iPad. The 1st gen Mini remains available as rthe budget Mini option.

[fjtorres]

...with the understanding that in Apple parlance, "budget" doesn't quite mean budget.

[Gazella]

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, the iPad 4 takes its place as the "budget" full-size iPad. The 1st gen Mini remains available as rthe budget Mini option.

Ah oh. I skimmed through the article. That makes sense. Thanks.

[pl001]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

...with the understanding that in Apple parlance, "budget" doesn't quite mean budget.

You aren't kidding. Can't believe they are still getting away with charging $100 for less than $10 worth of memory.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by pl001

You aren't kidding. Can't believe they are still getting away with charging $100 for less than $10 worth of memory.

It's step up marketing: they hook you with the low price, lesser product and then they point out how much more you get by stepping up to the newer, improved model.
Works for them...

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by pl001

You aren't kidding. Can't believe they are still getting away with charging $100 for less than $10 worth of memory.

Indeed, this is interesting. How long can Apple continue to charge more than tablet makers and stay viable? They seem to successfully target clients who are unconcerned about value.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Indeed, this is interesting. How long can Apple continue to charge more than tablet makers and stay viable? They seem to successfully target clients who are unconcerned about value.

There's different definitions of value.
Techies might value bang for the buck and user control but other customers have different value systems. There's room for everybody.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Indeed, this is interesting. How long can Apple continue to charge more than tablet makers and stay viable? They seem to successfully target clients who are unconcerned about value.

No, they target customers who are unconcerned about PRICE. That's not at all the same thing as "value". I bought the top-end iPad Retina Mini (4G, 128GB) because for me it had value, although the price was high.

[pl001]

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, they target customers who are unconcerned about PRICE. That's not at all the same thing as "value". I bought the top-end iPad Retina Mini (4G, 128GB) because for me it had value, although the price was high.

I disagree. They target the upgrades to people who are unconcerned about price. Like fjtorres states, their base price, on the iPad at least, has always been relatively low, and are still competitive for a premium tablet.

They target people my age who don't think, and never did, that things should be cheap and crappy. You can buy a bottom level Ford rattle trap car. It is inexpensive and will mostly get you to where you are going, but without frills and thrills. Or you can buy Mercedes and have more thrills and frills. Many are perfectly happy with the Ford which will self-destruct before it is even paid off. Many prefer the finer things in life and are willing to pay for them. It is as simple as that.

[HarryT]

I totally agree, Jack. Not everything in life has to be cheap and nasty.

[Bilbo1967]

The car analogy is interesting. Most people nowadays are aware that car companies like VW, Ford and Skoda have really upped their game in terms of quality and that, largely, they now make cars that compare very favorably to the prestigious marques like Mercedes and BMW in terms of functionality.

People still buy the more expensive prestige cars though because they have an image that they like and an enduring 'feel' of quality (regardless of the objective truth of that). I think that maybe a similar thing is going on with Apple?

[tubemonkey]

For prestige, just buy an Apple logo sticker and slap it on the back of your Android tablet. The vast majority of people will never know that it's not an iPad.